Crisis (2)
Unlike the notice posted by Judaek, the Gallery had its own unspoken rules. No matter how dire the situation or how pitiful the plea, don't help recklessly. Even if someone's injured, don't rush in to assist.
The reason for these rules was simple. Fuckin' scammers (photo of a frail girl lying in bed). Everyone knows this pic, right? This high-nick bastard begged for help, saying his daughter had an incurable disease. Turns out he was abusing her and deliberately starving her;; We donated because he claimed he had no money, and we got scammed └;;; Is that what humans do? Even demons wouldn't stoop that low └ChangguPrincess Our demons don't pull that shit. What kinda devil is that? └Then what about dark elves? └SunForever We got conscience too. This asshole thinks our skin's black so our hearts are too? └Busted lol └SunForever Fuck, where's this guy live? I'm coming over └So how'd the bastard get exposed? └He used his daughter as collateral in gambling and got caught. They gouged his eyes out now └Whoa;; └Satan: Uh, this one's a bit;;
There were tons of cases like that. The Gallery could be used by anyone meeting certain conditions. But "anyone" was the problem. People with unknown identities could access it too. From high nobility down to criminals rotting in the deep sea.
That's why criminals get mana-control anklets to block Gallery use. Worse offenders get their eyes gouged out as punishment.
But what about genuinely sick people? There are folks who can't afford treatment. You telling them just to die?
└Earn money legit, dumbass. Why beg? └Yeah, but don't we all need money? └Fuck, humanity's compassion is dead lol └Forget compassion, ignore beggars. Most are gamblers └I ain't giving to non-high-nicks anyway ㅇㅇ
So Gallery users banded together. Ignore anyone asking for money unless there's no choice. Same for stuff like potions—deliberate carefully before giving. Potions alone could be resold for profit.
It might seem cold, but years of accumulated malice made it this way. Of course, it's all personal choice. No one's pushing or stopping you. Not your problem anyway—do what you want.
└That's the gist. Hang in there └YasaengGrill Fuck, thanks explainer bro └No biggie lol └That wound looks tough even for a potion? Infection risk too └YasaengGrill Then wtf do I do? └Chop it off └Damn that's extreme lmao
"Fuckin' hell."
I got it, but what a shitty rule. I spat out curses.
Could call it carelessness. I was so exhausted I dozed off briefly, and this happened. At least it didn't bite my throat—just my arm. I used the opening to slice its neck with my sword.
'Should I just chop it off?'
I eyed my mangled right arm. Not just punctured full of holes, it was torn to shreds. That mad dog bastard bit and thrashed like crazy. Barely kept it from ripping off.
'Gotta stop the bleeding...'
I scanned the cave interior. It was a wild dog den, so not much inside. Just bones from other beasts, probably.
Should've guessed from the start.
'Sell the sword for now?'
Sorry Cheonma, but I might have to sell it for potions. My life's on the line. Gallery ain't helping, and identity check? Who'd believe I came from another world? They'd call me crazy.
Trading's my best bet. I gritted through the burning pain and scrolled comments.
'High-nicks first. Who tho...'
SwordTasteStar has requested a trade. Accept?
I was sweating bullets, agonizing, when the request popped up outta nowhere. The high-nick who gave weird advice but was diligent as hell. Why her? Thought flashed, but pain surged—I accepted quick.
SwordTasteStar: Arm injury guy, right? Here's a potion. Rub it on, you'll be fine.
SwordTasteStar registered trade item.
SwordTasteStar: No need to give anything. Take it quick.
A wingless angel right here! Emotion hit briefly, then I traded pronto. Closed Gallery, eyed the floor. Trade goods usually drop there.
'...The hell is this?'
I blinked. Small cylindrical glass vial with glowing golden liquid inside. Not suspicious at least—no starry sparkle. What the hell was it? Grabbed it before thinking.
One arm wrecked, even uncorking was a chore.
Glug—
"Gahhhh...!"
Deep breath and blew, still stung like fuck. Tears welled. Dudes might say "man up for that?" but shit, it hurt like dying. Like five times worse than Albothyl on a mouth ulcer. And way bigger area.
"Nngh... Oh, ooh?!"
But the effect? Albothyl-level or better. Fast healing. Puncture holes sealed in seconds. Blood not fully cleaned, but wash later.
"Whoa..."
I flexed my healed right arm every way. Pristine. Felt tougher even. Miracle's the word.
Gratitude aside, I logged back in.
SwordTasteStar is a god? (photo of healed arm) (photo of golden liquid vial)
SwordTasteStar is a god?
SwordTasteStar is a god?
SwordTasteStar is a god?
SwordTasteStar is a god?
Deep thanks to SwordTasteStar who gave me a new arm. But what's this yellow stuff?
└O? Arm all good? Nice lol └Was gonna give you some too, too slow └Bullshit no way lol └What'd she give to heal a mangled arm like that?
Yeah, me too, curious. Eyed the third left in the vial—just in case.
└SwordTasteStar: No big deal. Gift from my boss? Got tons at home. └YasaengGrill: So what's it called? └SwordTasteStar: Elixir. Oh, and infection risk, so drink the rest. └YasaengGrill: Yep!
Followed advice, chugged the rest. Fizzy like soda, weird but familiar taste. Like that orange medicine from childhood sicknesses.
└Elixir? She gave an elixir? └Nah bullshit, why give that? └Only answer was elixir tho ㅇㅇ └How rich is she? Gift from boss?
Gallery's freaking out. I posted puzzled.
└YasaengGrill: Dumbfuck here, but elixirs expensive? └Duh;; └Lowest grade = commoner family's monthly living expense └YasaengGrill: No clue what that's worth └Real dumbfuck └lololol Got it, pricey but not insane. Varies by ingredients—better ones more golden. Dunno myself. But one thing's sure: I owe SwordTasteStar my life. Gotta repay somehow.
'Repay? I'm the one needing help...'
First, thanks.
└YasaengGrill: Sorry, anything I can do? └SwordTasteStar: Get strong and marry me └YasaengGrill: Wha...? └lololol look at him panic └This bitch proposes to anything with potential lol
Oh right. SwordTasteStar's not all there either. Kinda deflating.
└SwordTasteStar: Kidding. Read my posts from the start. Helpful. └Her stuff's legit useful ㅇㅇ Even gays read it └Fr swordtuber └Empire in tears lol
"That big a deal?"
Didn't hit home yet—not sure how this world ticks. But owed her, so should check her stuff. Only weapon's the sword anyway. Good to learn to use it.
└Don'tAbandonHero: Aah...! Slept a bit and it's resolved! Glad! └Sucker alert! └Sucker has arrived └Don'tAbandonHero: Deleting that injury post in a min! Too gruesome!
Situation settled, Judaek showed. Everyone teased "sucker incoming." Why sucker? Another user explained.
└Grill bro plz don't leech off Judaek └YasaengGrill: Why? What happened? └Can't say no to requests, total sucker └Gave away her whole fortune cuz of that? └But fortune was 10 gold, that's the trap lol └lololol
"Real sucker huh."
Super nice. Got it. Won't ask her anyway. If I do, it'll be fair trade. I got conscience.
'Find herbs later, give to SwordTasteStar.'
Now cleanup. Hauled the warm-blooded dog corpse. Blood smell might attract beasts—seal entrance too.
'Stay till Cheonma gives the rest.'
Dumped body far, piled nearby rocks at entrance. Cleanup done, unpacked rations. Ate one before bed.
'Looks like onigiri no matter what.'
Size too. But taste? Shoved child-fist-sized ball in mouth. Grimaced, forced it down. Cheonma eats this crap? Pungent herb scent stabbed nose. Tasteless, bitter as hell. No sweetness.
'Better than nothing.'
Ask Cheonma later what it's made of. Weirdly, no choking. Just nasty. Finished one, leaned on wall.
Too much today.
'Proves it's real at least.'
What sin earned this wakeup? And Gallery? Sudden reality hit—wanted to cry, held back. Better learn this world first. Via Gallery. Only trust right now.
God-tier otherrace milf pic [0]
"...!"
Top of feed, big and bold. I flinched. Instinctively scanned around. Knew empty, still.
'Top post, so...'
Rationalized, clicked.
"Grahhh!!!"
You fuckin' psychos! YasaengGrill Fuck where'd you get that pic? Shitty fuck fuck fuck
└Welcome lololol └Ah~ Victim of the day └Whaddya think? Our dwarf sis hot or not? Rate her └YasaengGrill Fuck shut up └This the high-nick who posted about arm disaster? └Arm healed and back to work already lol └Yup. Can't skip daily grind lol └Men be like this. Gallery's def a nuthouse.
*****
"Looks fine at least."
Ash smiled at Grill freaking out from the blast. The elixir was one of many gifts from the emperor. Forgot when even. She had tons—ask emperor if needed.
'Wonder Cheonma's reaction?'
Most curious: Cheonma's. Injury pic deleted by Judaek. Cheonma'd be baffled. What happened for Grill to praise her?
'Ordinary person? Hilarious.'
Ash snorted. Too skilled for normie. Real civvie'd die without resisting mad dog. But Grill sacrificed arm for counter. Promising.
'Kinda fun too.'
Giving stuff, he grows. Doesn't always take—tries repaying. Admirable. Ash grinned her usual toothy smile, focused on Gallery. For Grill's needs/questions.
New flavor.
Folks. I'm in deep shit [0]
"Here we go!"
What question now? Ash clicked fast. No clue the crisis, but check first.
Folks. I'm in deep shitYasaengGrill Gotta shit but no TP. Fucked.
"...!"
This guy's a retard too. Ash burst laughing.
"Wipe with pants? Alone anyway. God please."
But for nude wild-dropped Grill, dire crisis. Can't in cave, cleanup hell. Group brain only hope. Panic froze his.
└Leaves? └YasaengGrill: Poison ivy scare;; └Wipe with that monster you killed. Skin it with sword └YasaengGrill: O! Thx └Don'tAbandonHero: Nooo! Mad dog hide could infect! └How's armband know? └Don'tAbandonHero: Wha...? └lololololol └YasaengGrill Fuck what then
Grill faced new peril. About to sacrifice pants.
└PassingDwarf Got torn panties if you want? └YasaengGrill ㅇㅇ Gimme fast └PassingDwarf Fyi man's └YasaengGrill Whatever urgent fuck fuck fuck └This guy's legit lol └PassingDwarf Seems real so toilet paper it is └YasaengGrill O fuck god bless └lololol What religion? └YasaengGrill Help urgent folk = gods ㅇㅇ └Dumb as fuck but true
TP from PassingDwarf resolved it. Commotion over, but users realized from Grill's desperation.
└Grill really got nothing? Wild ride └At least not scammer ㅇㅇ └Poor guy lol
At least, not a scammer. Not a scammer.