Health (3) – Mandrake Distributions
The method for capturing adult mandrakes is simple, just like I said before. Pull it out, and as soon as it shows signs of screaming, beat the crap out of it like you're thrashing a dog on the hottest day of summer. Even if it stubbornly tries to scream anyway, shove dirt in its mouth and it can't do a thing.
Starting with the most urgent one for StarlightPrincess, I dug them up, then slowly gathered enough for the other high-nics too.
The next one went to Cheonma, the person who'd helped me the most.
"This should recharge your energy. How's your body feeling?"
"It was only dangerous back then. I'm perfectly fine now."
"What worries me is your condition."
"Aside from the stomachaches a few times a day—probably from those Wall Valley Pills—I'm okay."
"That's proof the waste is leaving your body. Since you haven't gone through hwan-gol-tal-tae, it's flushing out that way."
"That's good, right?"
"Of course it is. I can give you more if you want."
"You gave me something good for my body just in time."
"No need. Just the antidote and tinnitus remedy you mentioned before will do."
"I feel bad only receiving things."
"That's what I want to say."
I'd always thought this, but Cheonma was truly a person of outstanding character. Everyone teased her as an old fogey, but if you gave, she gave back in spades. That's what makes someone a real adult. I had no idea why someone like her was in the Gallery. Wait, no—looking at her usual posts, she's one of the top Gallery dwellers. Probably just bored with her leisurely life and messing around here to kill time.
'This is the antidote, and this is for tinnitus.'
After finishing the trade with Cheonma, I checked the items I'd received. They were written in characters like Hanja, so I got confused for a second, but she explained.
The Gallery auto-translates, but only within the Gallery—languages differ by country. Come to think of it, who the hell created the Gallery and added auto-translation? This world was weird in all sorts of ways, but it wasn't something to worry about right now.
SwordTasteStar: No, I said I don't want to get healthier...
SwordTasteStar: Think of it as payment for the elixir last time. Or give it to a sick friend. Sell it if you want.
SwordTasteStar: ...Alright. Can't refuse when you put it like that. Thank you.
I pretty much shoved it off on SwordTasteStar. Why refuse something that could make her even healthier? 'She might regret it later.'
People who neglect their health end up regretting it everywhere. Health is something you can't take care of even if you want to. Start managing it steadily now so you don't suffer later.
SunForever: This is that precious herb?
"Yeah. Heard it's expensive. Since you gave me a shield before, consider this a gift."
SunForever: Does it boost stamina or anything...?
"Uh... It's an elixir ingredient, so probably?"
He was a guy after all. Well, his nick gave it away.
SunForever: Thanks. I'll give you something awesome later.
"I already got the shield."
"I'll give you more if I find other health boosters."
SunForever: You're too nice, kid. How about this: every time you give me a mandrake, I'll give you whatever you want. Sound good?
"Sure."
Mandrakes were overflowing. The grove was huge enough to supply high-nics steadily. But I wasn't going to harvest recklessly—if I ran out when I really needed them, it'd be a disaster. Think of it like an emergency fund.
After wrapping up with SunForever, I looked for ChangguPrincess. She'd helped me too, so one for her at least.
"ChangguPrincess, here's one for you."
ChangguPrincess: Thx~! I'll give you another uniform~
"Thanks. Who's this one?"
ChangguPrincess: Chaeyu's legendary goalkeeper, Geoni Sader~
Still no clue who that was. But I got clothes, so time to be grateful.
I'd wondered if the first uniform would even help, but surprisingly, it did a ton. The material was so stretchy it didn't feel restrictive at all.
"Thanks. Champs, right? Hope they win."
ChangguPrincess: Not Champs, Challs~! But thx anyway~
"Challs is the tournament where all Mephisto teams compete, right? And ones from other countries too?"
ChangguPrincess: Yup. Greatest event in the world~. Not just Mephisto—international collab tourney~
I didn't root for any team, but I liked soccer. When underdog Korea beat powerhouse Germany, it felt like a miracle. Seeing Argentina win the World Cup? 'That can happen?' Soccer turns even the world's best players and teams into miracle victims. Its unpredictability makes it the most popular sport globally. Especially here, where entertainment meant the Gallery—sports were bound to boom.
'No World Cup equivalent?'
The Challenger's Cup (Challs for short) that ChangguPrincess mentioned included teams from other countries too. Apparently, there were domestic leagues and international ones. These days, teams mixed with other races, turning it into pride battles between clubs. But no nation-based World Cup by origin.
'Not my concern.'
My nose was too close to the grindstone for soccer. Still curious, so I'd look it up later. Word was human prestige was rising, shaking Mephisto's dominance as the soccer nation.
'Time to post a question thread.'
The Gallery was so damn convenient for this. I wanted to ask ChangguPrincess more, but time was short. Only head mods could adjust private chat times—maybe suggest it?
"Thanks. Go Chaeyu!"
ChangguPrincess: Thx~! Hope you survive tomorrow~!
The chat with ChangguPrincess ended cheering for Chaeyu. Only Olfather and PassingDwarf left.
"Hi, Olfather. Here's an adult mandrake."
Olfather: Oho! Truly grateful. How much for it?
"No need—you gave me valuable info. Any progress on the golden frog antidote?"
Olfather: Can I be honest?
I wondered at his words. Asking if he could be honest? Sounded ominous.
"Bad news?"
Olfather: Yes. Especially important for you, Grills.
"...Explain."
Olfather: The golden poison frog's venom is stronger than expected. Nearly dissolved my lab.
whoa whoa whoa
"You okay?"
As we knew, golden frog venom was insanely potent. Not even acidic, yet it melted wood—that said it all. I'd warned Olfather, but if his lab almost melted, it was dire.
Olfather: Yes, no accident. But the real issue: venom too strong—even antidote failed to neutralize.
"So...?"
Have to buy water? That's when Olfather proposed.
Olfather: But not without gains. Studying the venom sac led to a discovery.
Sounded positive.
Olfather: Yes. Could give you resistance to the venom.
His explanation: Analyzing the venom sac revealed a special component. Using it could build my body's tolerance.
'Isn't that better?'
Olfather: But must ingest for at least 2 weeks to gain resistance.
"Means catching more frogs?"
Olfather: Sharp as ever. Heh heh.
This guy... I chuckled dryly at his cheek. But worth trying—immunity to the venom itself? Huge for me.
'Bugs are the real threat right now anyway.'
Golden frog venom? Block with shield or dodge. But snakes, bugs, poison plants? They sneak up. I was sensitive to plant poisons too, so tempting.
"Not bad. But make what I gave you first."
Olfather: I have shame. Will send proper batch in two days.
"Thanks."
Chat with Olfather ended, but I worried a bit. Not an antidote—instead, gradual acclimation. No instant effect. Perfect for a backstab.
'Hold out with Cheonma's antidote for now.'
I didn't think Olfather was scamming. If so, he'd have done it when I sent the frog. Guy had that much cash—legit skills.
'Last one's PassingDwarf.'
I gifted the final mandrake to PassingDwarf. But this bastard soaked it in booze right away. I was floored.
At least trading for cash I'd get. No.
└PassingDwarf: I got money lol
└YasaengGrill: Yeah, your shits are fat.
└PassingDwarf: Praise accepted
└YasaengGrill: You little shit lololol
└lolololol
└lololololol
└Nothing to say lololol
I'd told him. Some fighting for health day-to-day, others boozing it up. World felt unfair. Starting from me dropping into the Four Seasons Forest.
Anyway, gifts to debt-owing high-nics done—I moved to the next task.
Dig! Thwack!
"Aigoo, gonna die."
Digging traps at the shelter cave entrance. Delay daily and regret it. Better than muscles screaming tomorrow. Dying's worse.
'Wish I could shower every time.'
Had to endure. Even without frogs, daily showers tough. Not cleanup—clothes issue. Minimize bug/grass contact: clothes mandatory. But same clothes daily? Hygiene risk. Need laundry, thus tons of water.
'Gonna need lots of soap.'
Hygiene crucial here. Sickness could kill. Meds don't instantly cure.
Maybe why, as dusk fell, I stopped and bought water. Sweaty—wash key spots for hygiene. That refreshed feeling? Hard to forget. Pricey, but cheap for life.
'Day 2 today?'
Quick rinse, then Gallery. Log the clean daily routine. Probably like StarlightPrincess, daily posts.
Survival Day 2
YasaengGrill (campfire pic)
End of Survival Day 2! See ya tomorrow.
└Cheonma: Rest well.
└SwordTasteStar: Good work. Gave the mandrake to Mom.
└ChangguPrincess: Thx for gift~. Stay healthy~.
└SunForever: Post tomorrow right away. Worried.
└Don'tAbandonHero: Great job~!
Maybe 'cause I bonded with high-nics—mostly well-wishes, good jobs. Head mod chimed in too. More attention than I thought.
Ignored floaters. Mostly venting desires.
└PassingDwarf: Yo. Can't sleep from the booze you gave lol
└YasaengGrill: Just die
└PassingDwarf: Gaaack lololol
└Wtf the post reeks of booze lololol
└lolololololololol
└lolololololol
One useless guy, but helpful overall—let it slide. All talk, but the one I gifted booze to outta guilt before.
'Wonder how StarlightPrincess is...'
No news, anxious. Hope she posts tomorrow.
I slowly lay on the ground. Not hard—kinda soft. Thanks to auction mat and pillow. Straw-stuffed, apparently.
'Pretty comfy...'
Today's fatigue plus fluffiness—drowsiness hit. Couldn't fight sleep, eyes slowly closed. Hoping tomorrow brings only good.
*****
Around when Grills finished his routine and fell asleep, the Gallery buzzed regardless of night or day.
Usually flooded with nonsense, but lately? Changed. Topic: YasaengGrill, dropped in the Four Seasons Forest.
Once confirmed, interest exploded. Thought the adult mandrake thing was just a blip.
Real-time Gallery panic fucked;;
My friend's a reporter—boss made deal with Grills for adult mandrake;;
└For real?
└Yup fr, high rank
└Too random tho
└Was watching quietly. Convinced after Dwarf's post.
└lololol now they'll want the emperor too?
└More curious re mage tower reaction
└Why mage tower?
└They monopolize mandrakes.
└Pfft, riot over this?
└Don't know prev head mod incident?
└What incident?
└Other territory secret deal w/ Dwat—smuggled tariff-free. Nearly bankrupted 'em.
└Holy shit
└whoa x5
└But Grills supply limited no?
└Mage tower too— they manage, don't grow mandrakes.
└So they buy outside too?
└Yup, high authority + monopoly = tyrants
└Grills must irk mage tower.
Atmosphere shifted weirdly.