Arena (4)
I've learned a few things from this arena event. Why casinos give travel money to people who've lost everything. It's all part of the casino's scheme. They've already squeezed them dry, and this is just to lure them back next time. But for me, it's even simpler—no prep needed. Just show people the kangaroos fighting, and that's it. The sight of kangaroos battling each other was pretty novel even by this world's standards, drawing quite a crowd.
Plus, being a high-nick who's been making waves in the Gallery lately didn't hurt.
'Did I... make a lot?'
I checked the Ladder Points I'd earned just from fees. Every time I announced a kangaroo fight result, points poured in like rain. A whopping 300,000 points, even after handing out disaster relief to the losers.
'Not that it's a huge help to me.'
Gallery-only points. What can you even do with them? Nothing. They're basically like toys. That's why even non-high-nicks can trade them. You might ask if people buy them for cash, but the system blocks that outright. Cash trades would dilute their value as pure Gallery currency.
'Just for show.'
But strangely addictive culture. Hard to earn, zero real-world value—why the obsession? Here's a post that sums it up.
Title) Why Do We Collect Points?
Simple. It's all about fairness. You know that satisfying feeling of stacking up points bit by bit? The rush of blowing it all in one impulsive choice? The regret staring at those points you swore you'd never chase again after losing everything? You can't buy that with money. Why can't you get it?! It's nothing, right? Yeah, in reality, it's worthless. But in the Gallery, it's everything—the fairest system there is. Don't get it? Then give your points to me. I'll make you understand.
ㄴThis guy's structure is all over the place lololol
ㄴTL;DR: Gimme points lol
ㄴSo bold about begging, got nothing to say to that.
ㄴSo beggar bro, how much did you lose?
ㄴAll my savings
ㄴWhat're you gonna do? Can't even afford newspaper. Oh. No money for that either?
ㄴThis asshole?
ㄴlolololololol
ㄴlololololol
ㄴlololololololol
It's purely from effort and luck. Almost no real-world influence. That's why users get hooked. Sure, it breeds gambling addicts, but better to go bust in the Gallery than IRL.
Title) Cash-for-Points Trades Strictly Forbidden!
Don'tAbandonHero Unless it's a donation, any sign of cash-point trades means instant ban! Let's all enjoy pure Gallery culture!
ㄴJudaek. Aren't you a cleric?
ㄴDon'tAbandonHero) Yes! Ex-Paladin! Why do you ask!?
ㄴClerics should share points with the needy, y'know.
ㄴYeah, Judaek. You'll stop cash handouts but gladly take points, right?
ㄴJudaek, empty your coffers!
ㄴGive us your points!
ㄴDon'tAbandonHero) (Screenshot of 0 points) You're right! Go demand points from the rich!
ㄴ??? Why's this one zero?
ㄴJudaek... no way...
ㄴDon'tAbandonHero) I wanna choke out that kangaroo who hit me with a kung fu kick!
ㄴlololololol
ㄴlolololol
ㄴlololololol
ㄴJudaek's a victim too lolol
ㄴTruly fair for everyone lolol
Even the head mod wasn't immune. Clerics don't mix with gambling, but this is the Gallery. Stay away IRL, and you're good.
'Easy to farm points too.'
Judaek said they'd stick to the old methods: posts, comments, recs. 1 point per post or comment, 1 per rec. Points rack up fast that way. Especially for me—my posts get recs like crazy, even concept posts soar. With everyone on the continent able to access the Gallery, rec counts are insane. My arena posts alone hit tens of thousands.
Title) Disaster relief is so sweet~ ChangguPrincess, got any more~?
ㄴYasaengGrill) ??? How'd you lose it already?
ㄴChangguPrincess) Just one more time... and then...
ㄴYasaengGrill) Must've been a lot though?
ㄴChangguPrincess) haha;;
ㄴYasaengGrill) Sigh;;
ㄴThat's why casinos give cab fare to send 'em back.
ㄴBan types like that for real;;
Hmm. Maybe stop posting arena updates? Too many losers—I'm starting to feel bad. Better wait for Judaek's policies, or keep the relief cycle going myself.
I mulled that over and glanced at the arena. Kangaroos still locked in fierce combat.
"Sniff."
"Wonmo. Still hurts?"
"Sniff. Kyuu..."
Wonmo burst into a full wail, still clinging to my leg. She's better now, but those chicken-shit tears keep coming. How is she this cute? I stroked her head.
"Woooaaah!"
The kangaroo brawl ended. I posted the play-by-play. My threads were addict central now, but whatever.
Suddenly, I realized I needed to grasp the arena's system beyond wins/losses.
'Kangaroos make sense, but what's with those guys?'
Kangaroo fights are over females—winner takes their pick. But these others? Bears, raccoons, deer. Were they just spectators like me?
'Even animals can't resist entertainment?'
Not ordinary beasts—Four Seasons Forest ones. Super smart. Dolphins with kid-level IQs supposedly do drugs (pufferfish toxin for hallucinations, rumor has it).
'But to a bear, they're all prey...'
What a confusing spot. Common sense goes out the window. Funniest part? Kangaroos feeding them like VIP service.
'Gotta look around more.'
I paused the stream to scout. Protests flooded in—keep streaming!—but no choice. Needed to check the layout, forest impact, shelter safety.
"Hey, hey. Snap out of it. Time to move."
"Look at that."
"Later. Gotta know the place first."
"Mm... got it."
I dragged Kkobong away from the kangaroo fights. Survival vet like him, but pure spectacle? First time, totally hooked. Old saying: nothing beats watching a fire across the river or a fight from afar.
'Same for other animals?'
Maybe the VIP beasts were new to fun too. Different species, so separated for safety. Me and Kkobong could join 'em.
"Wonmo. Ready to let go?"
"Kyuu..."
Still traumatized from her first loss(?), she hugged tight when I picked her up. I patted her back and headed to the other animals.
"Grunt?"
No kangaroo blockers—smooth arrival. Huge black bear eyed me like What the? Others too. Not friendly, but not hostile. Blame Kkobong or Ppareumbo on my back? New face vibes.
"Purruk."
"...Huh? You...?"
The deer? I knew that face. Leaders have unique looks.
"Bonfire? The guy I gave firewood to, right?"
"Purruk."
"Yep."
That brutal winter, river frozen solid. Met him on a quick trip down—kicked out a bull shark from the river with insane hind legs. Why's he in kangaroo cave?
'Like a real meeting square?'
Beats me how kangaroos marketed it. Baffling.
Stunned, I spotted floor goodies up close. Not just herb clumps.
'What's this...?'
Honeycomb too—dripping honey. Not normal yellow—sparkly like dusted in gold powder. Pricey vibe, and more besides.
Title) Wtf is this?
YasaengGrill (Pic of animals gathered)
(Pics of honey, herbs, ginseng on floor)
(Video of golden-glowing honey)
Found this in VIP-like area. Honey's wild, but anyone know the herbs?
ㄴCheonma) Golden honey. Like they hauled a Bee King's hive.
ㄴYasaengGrill) Bee King? King of bees?
ㄴCheonma) Bees serve a queen, but she serves a king. That's the Bee King.
ㄴYasaengGrill) Sounds mega rare.
ㄴCheonma) Rare? Hard to find, and digging the hive risks your life.
ㄴOlfather) King Bee, yes. Not an army—an actual military.
ㄴYasaengGrill) Military?
ㄴOlfather) Hive size of a village. If that's real King Bee honey.
ㄴBear brought it, so legit?
ㄴAsk it. Get Kkobong to translate.
ㄴYeah but what's the rest? Looks like crazy expensive herbs?
ㄴOlfather) Seems so. Sunflower Herb, Snow Ginseng, Belladonna, etc. Market chaos if sold.
ㄴWhy leave on floor? Bibimbap bait?
ㄴBibimbap that would kill you;;
ㄴNot kill—explode your body?
One thing clear: don't touch. Might lose an arm, not just glares. So, observe.
What're they doing with it?
"Pwooo!!!"
Another match ended. VIP view was prime.
"Grroo."
Watching, the bear stood. Then lumbered to center. Others followed.
'Show over?'
Why else move? Questions swirled.
"Pwo. Pwooo."
"H-hey? D-don't push."
Random kangaroo shoved my back toward center—dodged just in time. Back to seats, total confusion.
"Kroooaa!!!"
"Purruk."
VIP bear and deer clashed. Deer headbutted with sharp antlers; bear grabbed and power-struggled.
Sudden event match. Main event maybe.
Splat!
"Grohk?!"
Deer won. Antler to solar plexus—KO.
But next shocked more: raccoon vs kangaroo.
"Keeeang!!"
Kangaroo win. Size gap too big. Then various matchups, winners emerging.
Key: repeat fighters. Kangaroos sent elites now.
Time passed...
Crack!
"Gek!"
Deer hind-kick to kangaroo jaw—tongue out, KO. Final winner: deer.
"Pwoooaa!"
"Woooaa!"
Kangaroos cheered wildly; losers' crew grudgingly conceded.
Victor deer savored...
"Nom nom nom. Nom."
"..."
"Munch. Munch."
...Devouring spoils: honey, herbs.
I got it.
'A real arena.'
Not metaphor. True colosseum.