Sub-Mod (3)
The news that Cheonma had become a Sub-Mod spread like wildfire. It was only natural for things to get rowdy, given she was already a high-profile high-nick user. Sure, a Sub-Mod was basically a downgraded version of the Head Mod, but she was still an official manager. Piss off the principles or rub Cheonma the wrong way, and you'd probably get banned.
'Cheonma wouldn't do that, though.'
Cheonma had a strong my-way-or-the-highway streak. No matter what anyone said, she'd stubbornly plow ahead on her own path. Her mental fortitude was like steel. Was it that elder's compassion unique to old folks? Rubbing Cheonma the wrong way meant you'd hurled some unspeakable insult her way.
'If that's the case, you'd deserve the ban.'
From my perspective, it was just a minor happening. Even with Cheonma as a Sub-Mod, nothing major would change. It was just one more manager added to the roster. At best, since we were on friendly terms, I'd get a tiny bit of convenience out of it.
'But I won't rely on it.'
Leaning too hard on Cheonma would make me lazy, no doubt. I was already getting tons of help as it was. Better to grow stronger on my own than cling to her.
'She's probably swamped now that she's a Sub-Mod, huh?'
Sub-Mods were basically volunteers—unpaid slaves, really. Slack off on duties, and you'd get demoted or straight-up banned. Especially with the Head Mod being such a stickler for rules and principles; she'd have to watch it closely.
'Time to focus on my own stuff.'
I'd escaped the muscle mushrooms, and Cheonma becoming a Sub-Mod didn't erase my to-do list. I still had to repair the shelter with the barrier from PassingDwarf. He'd said it'd arrive around lunchtime, so it was about time.
'After setting up the barrier...'
I was pondering what came next when a trade request popped up from PassingDwarf.
PassingDwarf has requested a trade. Accept?
The dwarf wasn't exactly a saint either, it seemed. Shaking my head, I hit accept.
PassingDwarf
Accepted right away. Got time on your hands?
I was waiting for you.
PassingDwarf
Aw. I like girls, though. This body's popularity...
PassingDwarf
Crazy bastard lol
Made the barrier yet?
PassingDwarf
I did, but it's a ton and pretty big. Got storage for it?
At the question about storage, I glanced around. The area around the cave—former haunt of the mad dog pack—was surprisingly spacious. The inside was the same. It had housed three massive beasts, after all. If push came to shove, I could store it in the cave. Maybe stake a few in advance.
Got some. How big we talking?
PassingDwarf
Check this first.
(Wooden barrier photo), (Wooden barrier photo 2)
Which one's better?
"Oh?"
I let out an impressed whistle at the photos PassingDwarf sent. One was your standard wooden barrier: pointed logs lined up in a row. The other was more like a barricade. Barriers and barricades were similar, but the shapes differed. If a barrier stood straight up at right angles, a barricade slanted. Pointed logs tilted and tightly woven together.
PassingDwarf
You're not living right there, right? For mobile use, spikes seem better? Easier to set up too.
That second one looks good.
Had to dig like hell lol
PassingDwarf
Just bury 'em roughly. I'll make that one then.
How long to make it?
PassingDwarf
The one I gave you should hold for basic defense. If not, make your own. Easy if you know how to tie rope.
Think about it. Can send right away?
PassingDwarf
OK
PassingDwarf has registered trade items.
PassingDwarf
Take it. OK?
PassingDwarf
Need anything?
PassingDwarf
Alcohol lol. Can't give booze, but got side dishes. Fish okay?
PassingDwarf
Not bad. Don't you need a trap for fish?
PassingDwarf
Would be nice, but too big and it'd suck?
PassingDwarf
I'll make one. Gimme sides for sure. OK?
OK
The trade wrapped up, and the dwarf's items arrived. I'd figured they'd be short, but I was wrong. Even slanted, they towered just over my height. This setup probably took more effort.
'Bigger than I thought.'
No time to freak out—more barricades were incoming. The staggered delivery let me place them slowly. They were bulkier than expected, so transmission took time. Or maybe space limits.
"Phew."
Time passed, and I'd finished placing and adjusting everything. I fumbled a bit not knowing the drop points, but no accidents.
'No inventory system, huh?'
Dealing with big trades like this would be a headache without dedicated storage. Would be nice.
Work done! (Shelter with barricades installed photo)
Finally got the barricades up. More to go, but feeling good.
Any storage for trade items? Popping out everywhere was a pain to adjust.
└Good job. That feature existed originally, just restricted.
└YasaengGrill Why restricted?
└Smuggling. Army-style processing got trashed when last Head Mod wrecked a territory.
└Useless for Head Mod, right? She can do anything.
└Yeah, if Head Mod lifts it. But will this one?
└YasaengGrill 10 minutes enough? That's plenty.
└Dudes hiding drugs up their asses and she'll help lol
└Grill, she might for you. System for specific high-nicks?
└Nah. Sub-Mod maybe. Even then, gotta suck up to Head Mod lmao
└This Head Mod's a boomer, no way.
└Don'tAbandonHero I'm not a boomer! I just value principles! Calling order-keepers boomers is antisocial!
└Head Mod here?
└Head Mod. How about lifting restrictions? You can now.
└Don'tAbandonHero Actually been thinking about it! Will review positively, so wait! Bye!
Reviewing positively, huh. Grounds for hope. Even 5 minutes of storage would rock. Barricades were sorted, but still messy.
'Nah, too greedy. What was I thinking?'
I shook my head quick. This wasn't right. I'd resolved to cut Gallery dependency, yet here I was griping over minor inconveniences. It was like a drug. No wonder folks can't quit Gallerying. Gotta carve my own path to grow. I recommitted.
'Check the barricades properly first.'
Someday I might have to make my own. If something happened to the dwarf or I couldn't use the Gallery. Needed to understand the structure for that.
'Carved the wood and slotted it in. Tied tight with rope just in case.'
Should practice making a small one when I had time. Wood was everywhere—no shortage of materials. My craftsmanship would be the issue. Way crappier than the dwarf's.
'Dwarves are short, right? He did this solo?'
Suddenly, dwarf physiology hit me. Barricades were taller than me. Impressive for one dwarf. He nagged for booze daily, but maybe he was legit big leagues.
"Kyuuu."
"Hungry?"
Wonmo waddled up, eyes sparkling. Installing barricades had burned through to lunchtime. No fish, so Wall Valley Pills it was. I handed Wonmo a huge chunk of Gallery-bought meat. She sparkled and devoured it in seconds.
'Gotta learn traps too.'
Issue was whether normal traps caught normal animals here. So far, "small" meant squirrels or rabbits—and they were huge. That rabbit was mid-sized dog territory. Blazed off the second it sensed me.
'Make traps bigger then.'
Simple but effective. Size 'em for boars, not bunnies. I chewed a bitter Wall Valley Pill and glanced back. Something climbing my back? Yep, Ppareumbo.
"Want some?"
"......"
The guy nodded in his signature slo-mo. I gave him a pill and browsed the Gallery. Planning internal power practice after a short break.
Cheonma has requested a 1:1 chat! Accept?
"Huh?"
Spotted while browsing. Not a trade—straight 1:1 from Cheonma. I thought 1:1s were off-limits even for high-nicks. Heard it prevented cliques. Why her?
'Sub-Mod perk?'
Questioned it, but couldn't refuse Cheonma. I accepted. A familiar window popped up.
Cheonma
Noble one. Can you see this lady's words?
Hello. Clear as day.
Can Sub-Mods do 1:1s?
Cheonma
Normally no. But this lady persuaded the armband. She initiates only.
I see. Enjoying Sub-Mod life?
Cheonma
Many photos to please this lady's eyes. But low-insight folk would fall to mind demons.
Got the gist. I got eye-candy wrecked last time cluelessly. But Cheonma's a true Gallery addict. She'd breeze through. Perfect Sub-Mod material: time, mind-demon proof, steel mentals. Good for Head Mod too.
Working hard. No time limit on 1:1s?
Cheonma
None. But Head Mod sees all. This lady minds not. Basics for you.
Basics? Didn't you teach it all? Said I broke through lower dantian or whatever?
Cheonma
True. But too quick a breakthrough is the issue. Weak foundations shake. Even sturdy bridges crumble if shoddily built.
Martial arts lingo, but it clicked weirdly. Shoddy construction hit home. That's wisdom for ya. Great teacher.
Totally get it. My body's a shoddy build ready to collapse?
Cheonma
Yes. This lady will teach you basics henceforth. Sturdy stems wilt without strong roots.
Thanks. Not sure I'll follow.
Cheonma
Fear not. This lady will explain clearly. Cross-legged first.
I sat cross-legged as instructed. Familiar now—no pain, just refreshing. Should practice other poses later. Flexibility's always good.
Cheonma
Ah. One question. What did running the method feel like? Crown blockage?
None? Just circled my whole body?
Cheonma
Truly opened life-death profound pass. Internal power flows freely through conception and governing vessels.
No clue what that meant, but sounded impressed. Good thing?
Cheonma
Very good. Peak absolute peak realm. But too rushed—no proper sword aura even.
Sword aura? Mana in sword?
Cheonma
Yes. Call it internal power, please. Bugs me otherwise.
Got it. Pride in internal power method, huh. Elder who's seen it all—fair. I'll respect that. Watch it going forward.
Will do. Can't make it anyway. First time hearing.
Cheonma
Not just sword aura—body strengthening will strain too. Hence basics matter.
I see. Understood.
Cheonma
Know the paths then—easier. Read well.
Running method: internal power flows lower dantian, perineum, pelvis...
Cheonma's lecture dragged on. Long. I gaped blankly. Zero comprehension. Like learning 1+1 then slammed with calculus.
Cheonma
Hard? This lady can draw.
Possible?
Cheonma
(Rough path diagram)
How's that? Clear?
Visible, yeah. Side profile of body with internal paths.
'What language is this?'
Couldn't read a word. Paths were pictorial, so guessable.
'This gonna work?'
Too hard.
*****
Meanwhile, during Cheonma's private tutoring...
SwordTasteStar
Head Mod. Traded with Cheonma, right?
?!
SwordTasteStar was sneaking up on the Head Mod.