Bizarre Adventure (2)
Do you know the medical term PTSD? Most people probably do. It's post-traumatic stress disorder—the mental anguish that comes from experiencing something horrific. The body can recover from physical injuries just fine. But the mind? It's far more fragile than the flesh. Even trivial things can deliver a devastating psychological blow to some folks. And wounds to the psyche don't come with a set healing method or timeline. Sometimes they just scar over... or stay raw forever.
"Ugh..."
I was no exception. I dragged a hand down my face. That tiger ambush in the dead of night—it had come back as a nightmare. Even though it was just a dream, it felt so real. The beast's piercing eyes, its razor-sharp fangs. Especially when it bit my right shoulder—I jolted awake in a panic. The moment I sat up, I felt the dampness. Cold sweat pouring like rain from the nightmare. I immediately scanned my surroundings. Relieved to see Wonmo and Ppareumbo sleeping soundly, I tried to go back to sleep... but it wasn't easy. What if another predator like that tiger struck again? Tossing and turning was inevitable.
"Haa..."
Even as morning broke, my mind was foggy. I rubbed my face again. Sure, circulating the Internal Power Method lets me get by on little sleep, but it doesn't mean I can skip it entirely. I hadn't met the bare minimum, so fatigue piled up.
At least I can just run the method again...
Physical exhaustion I could shake off, but what about the mental kind? I had no idea. I zoned out for a while, then looked around. Wonmo and Ppareumbo were still lost in dreamland.
Lucky bastards.
Ppareumbo aside, I envied Wonmo. Sleeping without a care in the world. But wallowing in self-pity changed nothing. Besides, once Wonmo grew up, she'd help with hunting. I shook my head and quietly accessed the Gallery. Too early to check the time before.
Just 6 a.m., huh.
I usually woke at 8. Today, two hours early. That damn dream had kept me up—no helping it. Better spend the extra time circulating the Internal Power Method. That way, I could start the day fresh.
Slowly, just like she taught me...
I closed my eyes and ran the method. Circulating mana through my body as always. This should've eased the fatigue, but one memory kept haunting me.
[RAAARRGH!]
The midnight brawl with the saber-toothed tiger. Towering over my eye level, massive paws. Those fangs. They kept flashing in my mind, shattering my focus. My chest heaved wildly; cold sweat dripped. I could feel it all too clearly.
"..."
In the end, I opened my eyes and stopped. How the hell do I fix this? After some agonizing, I sighed.
Guess I have to ask Cheonma.
Time to consult Cheonma or SwordTasteStar. I logged into the Gallery—now 6:30.
6:30... wonder if she's up?
Old folks don't sleep much, or so they say. But messaging now might be rude. I thought that, then chuckled. It's the Gallery—notifications don't ping instantly, so no harm. Just leaving a note.
Cheonma-nim. You there? If so, hit me up.
Cheonma: This lady is ever waiting, YasaengGrill. Up early today, are we?
She replied immediately. No way she pulled an all-nighter on the Gallery, right? Or maybe perfect timing—she'd just logged in. Shaking off the unease, I spilled my issue.
Actually, I've got a problem. Wanted to consult you, Cheonma-nim.
Cheonma: A consultation from you? Sounds serious.
Not that serious. Just... my focus scatters every time I run the Internal Power Method.
Cheonma: Scattered focus... Have you fallen to heart demons?
Not that bad. See, what happened was...
I explained in detail to Cheonma. The nightmare of the saber-toothed tiger ambush kept me tossing. And every time I tried the method, that memory resurfaced. I tried ignoring it, but no dice... Pouring it all out felt good. But relief wasn't resolution. I waited quietly for her response.
Cheonma: I see what troubles you. This lady once endured the same.
Doesn't your heart race and sweat pour when the memory hits?
Whoa! Yeah! Exactly! I hadn't even mentioned that, but she nailed it. Pros are pros—my trust in her skyrocketed.
Cheonma: Your mind and body remember it vividly. The terror of death is etched in your flesh.
Abstract...
Any fix?
Cheonma: Wounds to the heart of heart and body are hard to heal. No healing—only overcoming. Put in the effooort.
I let out a hollow laugh at her answer. I'd half-expected it, but hearing it from an expert felt empty. Not her failing me—the proof that mending the mind is that tough.
Tough...
How'd you overcome it, Cheonma-nim?
Cheonma: This lady gnashed her teeth, broke that foe, and conquered it. You've already felled the saber-toothed tiger, no?
Yeah. But the nighttime ambush keeps replaying.
Cheonma: Then recall how you broke it. Imagine yourself standing tall over the tiger. It'll ease you.
Thanks for the advice.
Cheonma: Recite the incantation this lady taught while visualizing—it'll serve well. Overcoming, not recovery.
True guidance. I thanked her profusely and did as told.
Ambushed by the tiger—but overlay it with crushing it.
The saber-toothed tiger was strong, no doubt. Without Ppareumbo, I'd have died repeatedly. But I won. Through trials and tribulations, I slew the mountain beast. We fell together, sure—but I survived. Its pelt and meat became prime rations. The wild isn't survival of the strongest. The survivor is the strongest.
And end with Cheonma's incantation...
Reciting her incantation, I steadied mind and body. I pictured myself standing proud atop the tiger's back.
Thump! Thump— thump—
My racing heart slowed; mana stabilized. Body and mind grew serene.
"..."
Moments later, I slowly opened my eyes. The fatigue-blurred vision from a sleepless night? Crystal clear. Not just my eyes—all exhaustion vanished. Fresh as after deep sleep. I smiled at the indescribable refreshment.
Cheonma's the real deal. Reliable as hell.
Respect for her surged. I jumped into the Gallery to thank her.
Wait, two hours already?
Felt like an instant—time had flown. Shocked by the lost sense of it, I messaged her.
Cheonma-nim, truly thanks. Feels like my mind and body are clear now.
Cheonma: It worked, then. Remember: No matter how strong the foe, the one left standing touches the heavens.
Got it. I'll keep that in mind.
Cheonma: This lady can't hide her joy at your growth. Reach this lady's heights soon.
I'll strive for it.
Effort alone might not cut it, of course. Cheonma was way stronger than me. Becoming like her? Just a pipe dream.
But strength never hurts.
In this danger-filled wild, power was essential. Refreshed in body and spirit, I stepped outside. A cooler breeze than yesterday greeted me.
Nice weather.
Perfect for exploring. I posted right away.
Strong, sturdy morning! YasaengGrill here—whoever asks, it's YasaengGrill! Day 7 begins!
└SwordTasteStar Always so energetic. No trouble last night?
└YasaengGrill Nightmare kept me up, but I'm good.
└SwordTasteStar Nightmare?
└YasaengGrill Yeah, tiger ambush dream. Fine now.
└SwordTasteStar Glad you're okay. Train hard today and marry me soon.
└YasaengGrill Teacher?
└Cheonma Hahaha. My sides hurt.
└SwordTasteStar What's that laugh? I'm serious?
└Cheonma Hahahaha.
└SwordTasteStar -_-;;
└SunForever You're up. Trade incoming soon—grab it. Got a killer shield for ya.
└YasaengGrill Thanks. Adult Mandrake in return?
└SunForever One's fine. For my son this time.
└YasaengGrill You have a son?
└SunForever Young kid. I'm a dark elf over 500.
└YasaengGrill Ah, gotcha. Wait a sec—sending now.
└PassingDwarf Yo, my snacks? Hitting me up today, right?
└YasaengGrill Yeah, chill. Grab shield and head out tho.
└PassingDwarf Ok.
└YasaengGrill You chugging booze this early?
└PassingDwarf Why not?
└YasaengGrill Liver gonna fail, dude;;
└Leave 'em be. Dwarves drink through jaundice.
└Yeah fr. That's why lifespan matches humans lol
└Wasn't it like 150 years?
└Around there? But liver kills 'em mid-60s.
└Blood's booze in those guys;;
└YasaengGrill Oh right. Trade limit means after lunch tho.
└PassingDwarf Ah fuck, forgot. Head mod's a bitch.
└Don'tAbandonHero ?
└PassingDwarf Talking 'bout that runaway head mod from ages ago.
└lmao
└Power checks everyone lol High-nics and randos chatting too—I wrapped it up quick. Breakfast was yesterday's smoked meat. Salty, but delicious.
"Wonmo-ya. Eat up."
"Kyuu!"
For Wonmo, I grabbed auction-house meat her size. Ppareumbo got Wall Valley Pills, so one task left: harvest an Adult Mandrake.
Gotta hustle.
I prepped lightly and headed out. No Ppareumbo— not hunting golden frogs, no need.
"Guard the house while I'm gone."
"..."
Ppareumbo nodded like he got it. I could trust the speedster.
Wonmo'll nap, right?
I glanced at the cave and walked on.
*****
Human or beast, fragile babies need constant care. Parenting's a grind across all species. So, what's the top priority? Healthy food? Protection? Love? All true—but numero uno is never taking your eyes off 'em. Alpha and omega: babies are unpredictable little chaos machines.
They gotta learn the world, so they're pure curiosity bombs. And curiosity invites danger. That innate animal instinct? Sometimes spells trouble.
"Kyuu."
Fluffy furball Wonmo blinked her big eyes. Nap time normally, but today? Wide awake. Staring outside the cave—brighter, more exciting. Why so bright out there? What's outside? Wanna see! Dad (Grills) was gone. Bro (Ppareumbo) wouldn't stop her, probably.
"Kyuu."
She scooted out, hell-bent on adventure. Ppareumbo watched live.
At first, no biggie. Then—something's off. Where's she going? No food-giver (Grills)?
Ppareumbo wasn't slow—snagged arrows mid-flight, thinking was lightning.
Swoosh—
Right before Wonmo exited, Ppareumbo stretched an arm. No go.
Wonmo stared. But she's a baby—peak curiosity age.
"Kyuuuuwuu."
"..."
Ignoring him flat, she pushed past. Ppareumbo reacted—slow but sure.
Thud— vicious claw snagged Wonmo's uniform. Dragged along naturally.
To avoid scratches, Ppareumbo wriggled.
"Kyuu?"
"..."
Somehow, Ppareumbo ended up riding Wonmo's back. She eyed him puzzled, then waddled on.
In Grills' absence, the absurdly cute duo's bizarre adventure began.
"Kyuuu!"
"..."