Night Raid (1)
The frogs I brought back got polished off deliciously by me and my animal buddies. Grilling them instead of steaming made them so good you could eat the skin and all. Especially thanks to Wonmo playing cleanup crew, there was hardly anything left to throw out. Even if there had been, I'd have ground it up fine and dumped it in the river anyway.
"Ugh. So full."
"Kyuuu."
"……"
With our bellies stuffed to the brim, all of us—including me—were utterly wiped out. Wonmo lay sprawled on her side, pawing at her bloated tummy, while Ppareumbo flopped down flat on its stomach.
We'd split the haul evenly—one person and two beasts—so nobody was too stuffed to move.
Wonmo ate the most, though.
I glanced at Wonmo splayed out on the ground. Her puffed-up belly was adorable. I poked it a few times, and she wriggled in response. How could every little thing she did be so damn cute?
"Wonmo, don't sleep out here. Come inside the cave."
"Kyuuu……"
She's saying she's too full to move. Fair enough—she ate the skin and all.
I scooped up her bloated little self and carried her into the cave. Soon enough, she was starfished out on the mat, dozing off for a nap. What a charmed life.
She's not gonna turn into a pig like that, is she?
She's in the middle of a growth spurt, so it'll all turn to muscle, but still... worrisome. Even if it's not full-on scouting, taking her on walks around the area wouldn't hurt. Gotta teach her the outside world's dangerous.
Or maybe she already knows from following Mom around?
Which is weird, considering I shipped Mom off to America. Wonder how Wonmo'll see me when she finds out. Enemy of her mother! And just like that, no more cuddles? Nah.
Shaking off the pointless worries, I finished cleaning up. I planned to use the charcoal from burning firewood to do laundry.
Charcoal's secretly OP.
Works as soap. Deodorizer. Even adds flavor when cooking. Perfect in every way. If I had to pick a downside, it's that the heat might attract snakes. But with steady repellent slathered on, no worries there.
Thwack! Thud!
I turned on the hose and got to washing. After all that rolling around, the water ran muddy brown. The washboard was an auction buy—makes scrubbing a breeze.
Once laundry was done, I hung it on my makeshift drying rack. Just stick two branches in the ground and string a line between 'em. Done.
Feels like I've adapted already.
Never thought I'd thrive out here in the wild. The Gallery keeps boredom at bay, and Wonmo and Ppareumbo cut down on the loneliness. Spare time goes to steady Internal Power Method practice. Kinda busy life, actually.
Living the dream.
But the urge to escape never faded. Too damn dangerous here. You never know when or where a deadly beast might pop up. Especially that building-sized crab by the lake. Even from afar, it made me feel utterly powerless.
Steer clear of the lake for now. If I go, grab crabs and bail.
That place is crawling with the giants. Best to snag what PassingDwarf needs and GTFO. If a swarm comes... well, book it.
Checkpoint the route on the way. Like where the river starts downstream.
Stick to the river as a guide. It's the compass in this compass-proof forest. Or I could make my own markers. Tedious, but better than getting lost. Getting lost here? Survival rate plummets straight to hell.
This cave was a lucky find—and it had an original owner. Only became mine after I wrecked 'em. Finding another? Tough.
Mark it on the map first.
I sketched the river and the lake at its end. Drew the lake as small as possible—who knows how big it really is. Four Seasons Forest's the size of a small country, after all.
Map done. Time for Internal Power Method.
Before running the method, I checked Cheonma's messages first. Not just check-ins—higher priority stuff. The foundational knowledge, the roots of the Internal Power Method. I reviewed them religiously every session.
Even if it's common Gallery knowledge, better from a trusted teacher.
The basics are all over the Gallery, as Cheonma said—fundamentals of fundamentals. But subjective. Folks mix in their own tips. Cheonma's? Straightforward, honest. Tough words, but textbook pure.
Key to running the method: Can you feel the mana—internal power—flowing through the Conception and Governing vessels?
Blind circulation won't cut it. I ran the method slowly. Grasping its mysteries, accepting naturally. Breathe, but without forcing the cycle. Make everyday breaths as effective as deliberate practice.
Cheonma recommended inching through these three stages. All sound advice.
Second stage is still a slog.
Breathing and circulation still feel separate. Cheonma taught to make them sync, then unconscious. Effort alone gets even me there, she said. I poured focus into focus every session, not to disappoint.
"Hoo."
But I'm no genius. Not even from this world. Countless breath controls, zero progress.
Breathing, huh... Bigger lung capacity for better efficiency?
Breathing's the base—gotta correlate. But options here? Bodyweight strength training only. Cardio? Wandering means lost city. Deep inhales, long exhales it is.
SwordTasteStar's tip.
Most hacks from her. Long breaths over short, aura basics, etc. Cheonma and SwordTasteStar collab has me inching forward. Turtle pace, but no rush.
Time for trap-setting. Golden frogs too.
Breathing done—work time. I slung the crossbow on my back and called Ppareumbo.
"Hey. Quit lounging and hop on."
"……"
Ppareumbo sluggishly climbed aboard, hanging comfy around the crossbow. Just grab the basket...
"What the hell, so big?"
Every time—it's huge. Easily fits two or three of my past catches. Dizzying to install, but gotta. Secures food long-term. Wall Valley Pills for Ppareumbo exclusive from now on.
Shoooo!
River hit, and dread washed over. How long to set this? Plus golden frog threats. Neutralize those first.
"Down. Prep time."
"……"
Ppareumbo slid off slow. I dunked hands in to lure golden frogs.
Splash! Splash!
"Ribbit."
"Ribbit. Ribbit."
As expected, the swarm hopped out. One job left.
Thwack!
Ppareumbo tanked aggro while I sniped. First tricky, then smooth sailing.
Truly wondrous.
Ppareumbo's dodges? God-tier. One hit from those poison frogs is death, yet it stands tall and weaves. I'm a wuss—couldn't. Ppareumbo exclusive.
Splash! Splash!
Soon frogs retreated. No poison spam even with casualties. Charges, not infinite.
They make venom from poisoned prey.
No toxic eats? Just normal frogs. Anyway, frogs gone—basket time. Widen the hose spot, slide it in. Had to foot-dip anyway—slipper-shoes no issue.
No giant fish swallowing me, right?
Glanced around nervously. Never drop guard in this hellhole. No chomps happened. Basket set, I messaged Olfather for trade.
He was online—accepted quick.
Hello, Olfather.
Caught frogs. Want 'em? Poison sacs intact.
Olfather: Oh, truly grateful. Potion tomorrow. Thanks.
One question, okay?
Olfather: Ask away. What's up?
Do golden frogs recharge poison?
Olfather: Yes. Sac empties, no attack. Recharge via toxic food.
Bingo. Means something venomous nearby. Probably bugs.
Repellent steady.
Traded off with Olfather, headed home. No other incidents. Checked Gallery clock on return—past 3 PM after trap time.
Sword practice till dinner... Wall Valley Pill for dinner.
Shoulda grabbed extra crab. Regret, but done. No lake till new shoes. Safer that way.
Help. Woke up in Four Seasons Forest.
"Huh?"
Flipping Gallery, couldn't scroll past this. Dropped in Four Seasons Forest post. Rushed in.
Help. Woke up in Four Seasons Forest.
Danos Duchy, Menesil Street, public restroom, men's third stall.
Please. No TP.
└lolol agro master. Raced here
└me too lolol
└Thought second Grills incoming
└Normally skip but Grills bait lolol
└Oh right, Gallery blocks in Four Seasons Forest lolol
└Unknown saint, thanks. Saved me. Toilet was my Four Seasons Forest.
└Forest certified lol
└No choice but certify;;
└Even Grills be like "ah this ㅇㅈ"
"……"
Yeah. Got outta "forest," good enough.
*****
The forest night was silent. Cicadas chirping, distant wolf howls aside—perfect for shut-eye.
But forest nights are deadly. Pitch black you can't see through, beasts leaping from nowhere. Herbivores barely sleep, thrashing to dodge death.
Snap.
Twig crunch. Cicadas cut off instantly. Subtle, but they know: predator prowls.
That predator headed for the cave, bonfire nearly out. Even small, it's a sun in darkness. Drawing eyes? Inevitable.
"Grrr……"
Low growl from the perimeter. Faint, but one beast reacts sharp.
Not the deep-sleeping human, nor the sheltered owlbear pup.
"……"
The sloth, never sure when jaws snap. Ppareumbo slowly opened its eyes.
Outside presence felt off. Ppareumbo—no, the swift sloth—rose sluggishly.
Crack!
"……"
Clear now. Branch snap. Ppareumbo turned its head smooth.
Human still dreaming, zero guard. Pitiful, but crew's crew. Ppareumbo raised arm to wake Grills.
Thwack!
"Gahk!"
Sudden face-smack jolted Grills awake. Pain pierces deep sleep. Groggy, he sat up.
"Wha, what? What's up?"
"……"
Ppareumbo silently pointed outside. Grills turned, still dazed.
"Grroowl……"
"……"
What was that? Grills blinked blankly. But quick realization: beast, dangerous one.
What the fuck...!
Cursing inside, he scrambled for gear. Danger. Real danger. That was Grills' gut.
Armored rough, he crept out. Ppareumbo mounted, battle-ready.
Finally, Grills' eyes caught a light.
Flash!
In the thick dark veil, a savage pair of glowing eyes.