Merman (2)
Never in my life did I imagine getting punched in the face by a fish, let alone smooching an eel. The nosebleed stopped soon enough, but the stinging sensation lingered. Still, looking at the iron barrels packed full of fish filled me with pride. Especially the extra-large eels and beyond. The rain had brought a string of unfortunate events, but these made up for it all.
"Let's see... something suitable for the drainage ditch..."
With time left after setting the traps, I rummaged through the auction house to work on the drainage. Install the right materials on the pre-dug dirt—that's it. But I had to find ones that fit the size, and maybe rebuild the dirt walls too.
"There's surprisingly a lot of options."
Drainage ditches aren't just for cities; they're crucial even in ordinary villages. Hell, even for a single building, it's the first structure you build. Skip it, and every rain turns into a disaster.
"That must be why."
The Gallery's overwhelming advantage? Distribution ignored. Places where shipping is tough—like remote rural spots—probably rely on it heavily. Pricey? Doesn't matter. As someone said, time is money; you're basically buying time.
"And I've got near-unlimited time, so I'm always winning."
Rummaging around the Gallery, I found a decent drainage system. Trapezoidal shape, plenty in stock. Glowing reviews too. Sold. Just in case, I grabbed a tape measure and roughly calculated the length.
"Gonna need to dig out more dirt."
After digging, I slotted in the auction-bought drainage pieces one by one. Meticulously finished, then tested with some water.
Jol-jol-jol-jol—
"Hm. Perfect."
The water flowed smoothly along the stone channel. Feeling smug, I snapped some pics for the Gallery.
Drainage Complete!
YasaengGrill
(Photo of diligently installed drainage)
(Drainage from another angle)
(Video of water flowing perfectly)
Drainage done. No more rain worries!
└Cheonma This lady feels her mind at ease.
└SwordTasteStar Oddly captivating. Bought from auction house?
└YasaengGrill Yeah. Making it myself would've taken forever.
└PassingDwarf You planning to live there full-time? Even built drainage lol.
└YasaengGrill Nah. Temporary ones kept collapsing in the rain.
└PassingDwarf Pretty neat for a human standard ㅋ.
└YasaengGrill You insulting it?
└It's praise while roasting.
└Dwarves flexing their pride ㅋㅋ.
└Dwarves only know how to make stuff ㅋ.
└PassingDwarf What'd you lot do during our strike? Nothing ㅋㅋㅋ.
└ㅅㅂ Still remember that.
└Strike was peak dwarf!!
Seems like dwarf-speak for praise. Makes me even prouder. Closest thing to this kinda work was in the army, but that was ordered, no real satisfaction. I gave the drainage a final check, then scanned the whole cave.
"But can't brush off what the dwarf said."
Planning to settle here? Hit the nail on the head. He was half-joking, but I couldn't take it lightly.
"Not settling, but maybe as a hideout..."
Escape hopes aren't dashed. This forest isn't for humans. Even normal flora and fauna are gigantic or super smart, treating common sense like trash, constantly threatening my life.
"Fantasy mixed with wuxia—common sense doesn't apply even more."
Even to this world's people, Four Seasons Forest defies logic. Pacing the cave in thought, I let out a long sigh.
"What can I do? Blame my fate."
What sin did I commit to wake up here? Maybe blacked-out drunk and committed some heinous crime? Even then, why single me out?
"God, if you're up there, this is too much."
I know gods exist here. Head mod even proselytized me. But faith aside, worship? No thanks. What'd they do for me?
"If I escape, I'll ask though."
Why drop me in this hellhole? What crime? Can I go home? That's key. If I escape but can't return...
"No. Stop that thinking."
I shook my head hard. Negativity saps will. Tough environment, but good people out there. Reasons to return—for them, and to repay debts.
"Kyuu."
"...Hungry?"
Wonmo snuck up as my mood soured, cautious like she sensed it. I smiled and asked; she rubbed against my leg. I chuckled, petting her head. Smart girl, reading me.
"Gotta raise her even after leaving."
Abandon this cute, lovable beast? Owl bear'd eat 'em.
Petting her, I checked time. Lunchtime. Belly clock beats Gallery clock. Amazing.
"Floor's damp; need more hides."
Downpour left it soggy. Dragged over the tiger hide for the floor. Prepped for fish cooking, then to the barrels. One with three fish, the other a massive eel.
"Never had eel, and here I am."
Why not? No chance. Ramen every meal—no room for luxuries. Best was beef. Vivid memory. No such meat soon. Fish with meaty taste instead.
"Just need seasonings."
Don't eat much fish; no clue what pairs. Gallery time. New foods boost morale and power.
Seasoning recs for fish.
YasaengGrill Any seasonings for fish besides salt? Don't say I'm hungry. Got money to burn.
└SwordTasteStar Oyster sauce is killer on fish. Try it.
└YasaengGrill Oyster sauce exists?
└SwordTasteStar Yeah. Popular in Jungwon. Cheonma might know, but she's offline.
└Cheonma This lady has never cooked. No need to eat now.
└SwordTasteStar Ah, right.
└Cheonma Want seasonings? This lady can bestow some. Tell my aide.
└YasaengGrill No need. Buying from auction.
└SunForever Skip cheap oyster sauce—want mine?
└YasaengGrill What's that?
└SunForever Truffle powder.
└YasaengGrill ??
└Crazy bastard, that's gold price;;
└Taking debt? ㅋㅋㅋ
└SunForever Shut up ㅋ
└YasaengGrill ;; Just buy oyster sauce from auction.
Cheonma offered special oyster sauce, but I barely talked her down. Her aides suffer enough; I feel bad. Considered giving inner cores, but unsure.
"Hope Cheonma's not a shitty boss."
Oyster sauce it is for fish. Pricey, small quantity. With eel for dinner, it'll all go.
Tsss—
"Slather on the meat, right?"
No brush, so spooned it carefully.
"Ooh. Smells good."
White flesh turned brownish. Mouthwatering color. Can't wait.
"Nom nom nom nom."
While sauced fish cooked, Wonmo chowed on gutted fish beside me. Always does. Her happy munching warms me.
"Time to eat!"
Seemed done; moved pan off heat. Keep fire for charcoal. Chopsticks in, first bite of perfect fish.
"Kya!"
Salted fish tasted meaty; this? Steak. Not real steak, but damn close. Sweet-salty umami fills mouth, no fishy smell. Pure delicacy. Best wild catch yet.
"All mine..."
Boom!
Earth shook; heavy silence fell. Even greedy Wonmo paused mid-bite, head up.
Swoosh—Ppareumbo clung to my back, sensing trouble.
Boom! Thud! Thud!
Shakes intensified. Set down chopsticks quietly, grabbed Cheonma's sword. Always keep it and Adamant shield nearby—for instant response.
"Definitely huge."
Each step quakes ground; guardian-sized for sure. Bear? Nah, SwordTasteStar said: Quadrupeds distribute weight, no shakes. Only upright walkers—beasts or monsters—cause this. Massive then.
Tensed, armed up, stood.
Boom! Thud!
Shakes neared. BOOM! At river path, massive thing appeared.
Upright like she said, but weird shape. Pale grayish skin. Hunched. Over 3m, not guardian but close. Humanoid below neck. But head and limbs? No way.
"...Shark?"
Shark head plopped on. Gaping mouth full of jagged teeth. Fin on back/neck. Frog-webbed hands/feet like human.
Shark giant. Yeah, perfect.
"Grrr..."
Shark face locked on me. Instant guard up. Humanoid doesn't mean friendly—mushroom man proved that. No slacking.
Thud! Boom! Thud!
Shark giant lumbered closer, heavy steps. Hunched, shorter height, but intimidation maxed. Then...
Crunch!
Snatched my half-eaten fish—the pricey oyster-sauced one.
"Huh?"
No way, right? Before thought finished.
Crunch. Crunch. Gulp. Slurp.
Chewed fish chunks, swallowed whole. Stunned, I stared. What the hell? My rare resolve-bought sauced fish? Only one bite? Gulped it down?!
"You...!"
Know how Ppareumbo felt almost losing Wall Valley Pills to raccoons.
"You bastard!!!"
Couldn't hold the rage.