Chapter 18
“You really made a Time Acceleration Potion?”
I made a big fuss when I said it , but magic is the realm of naturally gifted geniuses. For someone like me, it didn't really sink in how amazing of an achievement it was.
However...
- Stop bullshitting ㅡㅡ
> ㄴ Author: It's true. I wouldn't dare boast in front of the Juddak...
> ㄴ Author: (GIF of a mouse entering a time-accelerated state after drinking the potion)
> ㄴ Author: (GIF of the mouse rapidly growing old)
> ㄴ Author: As you can see, animal testing is already complete.
> ㄴ Whoa, holy shit...
> ㄴ WTFFF this actually works?
> ㄴ Author: Apparently so. Once the acceleration stages are calibrated, it will be a pretty usable potion.
- Please share the recipe, I beg you
ㄴ Share? Really? That guy has no conscience.
ㄴ How much are you selling it for? How about 2,000 gold coins?
ㄴ I'll give you 500 more gold coins than the guy above. Sell it to me!
ㄴ Then I'll match that and throw in another 1,000! Screw it, let's go!
> ㄴ Author: I have no plans to share or sell the recipe for the time being.
Seeing the gallery members leave hundreds of comments in an instant and make a massive fuss, it really must be a spectacular achievement.
- How much did the ingredients cost?
> ㄴ Author: It cost roughly over 100 gold coins per bottle.
> ㄴ FOR REAL???
“What?!”
Hearing the price of 100 gold coins, it finally hit me.
And what was even more shocking...
ㄴ Is that all it costs?
> ㄴ Author: It'll cost more in the future to adjust the output ^^
> ㄴ Wow... This person is an absolute master, huh?
> ㄴ You? You're seriously talented, keep doing what you're doing.
> ㄴ Author: Thank you ^^
> ㄴ Look at these basement-dwelling magic-incels acknowledging a witch's talent, LMAO.
> ㄴ Where do you magic-incels think you're stepping!
...was that 100 gold coins actually fell on the cheaper side.
“This is dizzying.”
The world of magic and potions. It reminded me of my past self, dipping my toes into a minor hobby through introductory, entry-level gear, only to look at the price tag of end-game equipment and gasp, 'This costs thousands?'
“Well, anyway. It's been sorted out nicely.”
The aggro directed at the witches was defused by the rave reviews for the caffeinated drinks. Meanwhile, the witches who had been begging me to teach them magic potions had somehow managed to complete the potion on their own.
All that was left...
“Right, this bastard.”
The guy who threatened to leak my home address if I didn't exile the witches.
“Just you wait.”
I'll make sure you don't leave with a single penny of profit.
[Title: Is that guy who said he'd leak my address here?] [Author: Juddak]
(Image of a frog demon narrowing its eyes and glaring)
What? Kick the witches out of the gallery? Giving me a 3-day grace period? Get lost, LMAO.
If you don't like the gallery, you can just leave it yourself.
Oh, and by the way,
(Image of a finger hovering over the 'Close Gallery Shop' button)
If you leak it, the shop will never open again, so keep that in mind. The same goes for trying to roll the witch-oppression bait.
[Upvotes: 6129] [Downvotes: 1]
[Comments]
- STOP!!!
- What's going on! Why are you trying to close the shop?
> ㄴ There was a guy crying to Juddak-emon to kick the witches out because he couldn't stand the sight of them.
> ㄴ What kind of crazy son of a bitch is that?
> ㄴ I don't know either ¯_(ツ)_/¯
- Ancient Demon God: If you close the shop, it will truly be a disaster...
> ㄴ For real, lol.
> ㄴ The Great Juddak, making even the most atrocious roleplayer snap back to reality.
> ㄴ Ancient Demon God: This lady was originally normal!
> ㄴ Bullshit.
- Real-name downvoting system, LMAO
> ㄴ So clean, lol.
> ㄴ He's probably going to log out soon and press it again as a non-login user, LMAO.
> ㄴ Ah, LMAO.
- Non-login(343.111): But isn't he right, though... Hmmm... It's a fact that witches are disgusting...
> ㄴ It's this guy.
> ㄴ Even when he logs out, it's so obvious, LMAO.
> ㄴ Hey, you piece of shit, do you want to die?
> ㄴ Is the shop closing because of this guy?
> ㄴ Non-login(343.111): Look at the vulgar standard of the Demon Realm, swearing the moment someone has a different opinion...
> ㄴ Isn't the vulgar one your mother, who takes a few coins every night in a dark back alley to do the deed with a stranger?
> ㄴ Hey hey hey, LMAO
> ㄴ Whoa whoa whoa
> ㄴ Non-login bro is savage, damn, LMAO
“Gotcha.”
I immediately dug into the IP address 343.111. Sure enough, it was right next door to the 194.111 IP that had threatened me last time. The location was near our village, too.
“You said you were posting from another region to avoid tracking, but you were just messing around right in the neighboring village?”
ㄴ Author: Hey
> ㄴ Non-login: ?
ㄴ Author: I found your location. What should we do? Want to play a game of mutually assured destruction by leaking each other's addresses?
> ㄴ Author: But the thing is, I not only know your village, I know exactly which house you live in.
> ㄴ Non-login: ??>???..?
> ㄴ Kya~ The troll is going head-to-head with the Juddak!
ㄴ Fight! clap Fight! clap
The guy was making typos, clearly flustered.
“You're dead.”
Let's see this through to the very end. Just as I made that resolve...
ㄴ Non-login: I am sorry! Please forgive me just this once!
The bastard declared defeat faster than the speed of light.
[Title: Whaaat did you saaaay~? I can't hear youuu~] [Author: Speed Skeleton Tank]
(Screenshot of the non-login user's comment apologizing)
Im svrry! Pls frgv me jst ths vnce!!!
[Upvotes: 4642] [Downvotes: 0]
[Comments]
- LMAOOOOOOOO
- Wow, how pathetic, lol
- Sigh, no fun
> ㄴ Why did he even pick a fight with Juddak if he was gonna do that?
> ㄴ The build-up was so exciting, and then it just completely tanked, LMAO
> ㄴ That non-login completely lost his touch, seriously.
- If he had boldly leaked the address, I was in the middle of dressing up to propose to our beautiful girl Juddak. What a shame.
> ㄴ Juddak: Oh, is that so~! Hawa-wa~
> ㄴ Juddak: (GIF of banning a user for 7 days)
> ㄴ Juddak: Did you really think I'd say that?
> ㄴ LMAOOOOOOOO
> ㄴ Read the room, you idiot, LMAO
> ㄴ Serves you right~~~
If I had to compress the gallery into a single phrase, it would be 'the law of the jungle.' Whether it's a keyboard warrior battle or a witch hunt against a troll, one of the two sides is bound to lose. And the loser becomes easy prey to tear apart.
The logged-out non-login user who had just lost was currently being roasted on a spit by the gallery members, his very existence being consumed as bait.
- But I am curious
> ㄴ About what?
> ㄴ Why he picked a fight with Juddak.
ㄴ Come to think of it, Juddak is the one who crushed a Demon King's Army Corps Commander. Why would anyone risk their life to troll just because they found witches annoying?
> ㄴ Now that I think about it, that's true ㄷㄷ
“Oh, brilliant deduction.”
A question raised by a gallery member. Why on earth did that guy challenge the Juddak? The gallery members intensively interrogated him, and soon enough, he confessed.
- Non-login: Because at the very least, I didn't want to see witches in the gallery.
> ㄴ Juddak: So I'm asking why.
> ㄴ Non-login: That's because... I lost everything because of a witch!
> ㄴ ??
ㄴ What, did someone in your family get kidnapped as an experimental subject? ㄷㄷ
> ㄴ Ah... family is understandable...
“Oh dear.”
The atmosphere turned freezing cold in an instant. I had heard plenty of rumors about witches myself. They say they always operate in the shadows, kidnapping people wandering the night streets to use as experimental ingredients.
If those rumors were true, and if that non-login's family or friend had been sacrificed by witches...
“I suppose that makes sense.”
Just as I thought that...
- Non-login: It's nothing like that... Witches kidnapping people is a false rumor.
> ㄴ ?
> ㄴ Why are you suddenly shielding witches;
> ㄴ Then what is it, damn it.
“Then what is it?”
After waiting a moment, the guy left a nested comment.
ㄴ Non-login: I was brutally dumped by a witch! Even after I treated her so well!
ㄴ Non-login: Since then, I lost my self-esteem and sank into the gutter of life! Do you people even know that pain?!
> ㄴ ???
> ㄴ Dumbass
> ㄴ Oh dear, my fellow magic-incel...
Smack!
Without realizing it, I slapped my forehead hard.
“So his reason for hating witches wasn't because he followed the typical logic of those who discriminate against them...” It was simply because they triggered his personal trauma of being dumped.
- Non-login: Juveniel! Why did you dump me!
> ㄴ Juveniel: Could you possibly be...
> ㄴ Juddak: Oh, the party involved has spawned.
ㄴ Non-login: ??? Then that fixed-nickname user is Juveniel?
> ㄴ Juddak: Yeah, go look at that fixed-nick's post history
> ㄴ Non-login: Oh my god...
“Oh, this is getting juicy.”
Honestly, it was entertaining. I quickly ordered a bag of popcorn from the shop and watched the spectacle unfold while munching away.
However...
ㄴ Look at this shit, mentioning fixed-nicks and even real names, what a mess
ㄴ It's fun because it feels like watching a trashy soap-opera drama. Just stay quiet, magic-incel;
> ㄴ Even Juddak is enjoying the show, why is this guy throwing a fit?
> ㄴ Probably because he's a wizard-incel who's jealous, LMAO
> ㄴ Ah, lol
“I shouldn't let this overheat any further, right?”
From real names being brought up, it was turning into an absolute circus. If I just sat back and watched, the buzzkills would slowly start poking their heads out.
“It's fine that you're having a lovers' quarrel, but please do it outside the gallery.”
So, I invited the two of them into a moderator chat.
- Non-login: ?? What's this?
- Juddak: Talk things out here.
- Juddak: It's annoying when the gallery members keep jumping in, and the bait won't die down otherwise.
- Juddak: I'm going to wipe all those comments from earlier.
- Juveniel: I apologize for causing trouble, Juddak.
- Juddak: It's fine, it's fine.
I didn't send any more messages and just observed their conversation.
“This is more amusing than I thought.”
Now I understood why older ladies watched daily soap operas.
- Juveniel: You're an Incubus.
- Non-login: What does that have to do with anything?
- Juveniel: It matters! I am a low-ranking demon with a short lifespan!
- Non-login: That's why I said I don't care at all! Why does lifespan...
- Juveniel: Because I grow older day by day, while you, an Incubus, will stay young and handsome forever!
- Non-login: ...
The non-login was an Incubus, meaning he would never age. On the other hand, Juveniel, who was an ordinary demon, had a shorter lifespan and aged with each passing day. Juveniel couldn't bear that.
- Juveniel: That's why I left! I wanted to brew the legendary 'Elixir of Youth' and return to you...
- Juveniel: I really did! But then you vanished! No matter where I went in the Demon Realm, I couldn't find a single soul who had seen you!!!
- Non-login: That's... because after you left like that, I ruined myself first.
They hadn't communicated properly. As a result, they ended up hurting each other.
- Non-login: I was sincere, Juveniel. I didn't care if you grew old.
- Juveniel: Well, I cared! I couldn't bear to show you an unsightly version of myself!
- Non-login: I could have accepted even that appearance. So why...
- Juddak: Alright, alright, you two. Let's wrap it up there.
- Non-login: ?!
- Juveniel: ?!
They both panicked, seemingly unaware that I had been watching the whole time.
- Juddak: Isn't it fine since you've met now? Your misunderstandings are cleared up, and Juveniel said she became young again with the Elixir of Youth.
- Non-login: Is... that so?
- Juveniel: You are correct, Juddak. However...
- Juddak: Then meet up in person and solve it. Don't just peck away at each other in text chat like this.
Though I had zero relationship experience, even I knew that important matters could only be resolved by talking face-to-face.
“So please, take it outside the gallery!!!”
- Juveniel: Understood. Do you remember the place where we first met?
- Non-login: How could I ever forget...
- Juveniel: Meet me there. Juddak, I apologize for being a nuisance.
- Juddak: It's fine, so just head on out.
And so, the great commotion drew to a close. Having seen my card threatening to 'Close the Gallery Shop,' the gallery members naturally stopped oppressing the witches. The witches also refrained from using their bizarre speech patterns and adapted to the gallery's dialect, allowing the issue to fade away naturally.
A few days later...
[Title: Thank you, Juddak] [Author: Juveniel]
(Photo of a man and a woman holding hands, wearing rings)
Thanks to you, we met up, reconciled, and have started a family. Thank you so much!
[Upvotes: 3124] [Downvotes: 412]
[Comments]
- Juddak: Ugh, damn eyesore couples, live happily together or whatever, I don't care.
> ㄴ Juddak: Let me know if you need anything, or don't, whatever.
ㄴ Author: You've already helped us more than enough! Thank you!
> ㄴ LMAOOOOOOOO
> ㄴ Acting so tsundere, as expected of Great Juddak.
> ㄴ Ah, Juddak is seriously so cute it's killing me, LMAO.
And...
- Juveniel: Juddak, please accept this.
- Juddak: ???
Through the moderator chatroom I had invited them to previously, the fixed-nick Juveniel sent something over. When I pressed the accept button, a potion slightly larger than a fist materialized in my hand.
- Juddak: What's this??
- Juveniel: It's a Time Stop Potion that I made. If it touches something, that object breaks away from the flow of time for a certain period. Please don't drink it directly.
Though I didn't know exactly what it was, it seemed to be a rare item.
- Juddak: Thx thx
The golden liquid sloshed inside the glass bottle.
“Hmm, will I have a use for this?”
I didn't know. I shoved the potion deep into the cupboard and returned to my hammock.
“Anyway, it ended well.”
Mentally blessing the future of the newlyweds who had finally united after wandering for so long, I picked up a cup of coffee.
Right then.
[Juddak! Nothing happened while I was gone, right?]
“Operator? It's been a while.”
[I've been quite busy lately... I'm sorry if you needed my help.]
Honestly, I wanted to unload all kinds of stories on her, but...
‘Why bother.’
She said she was busy. It happens.
I swallowed back the complaints I was about to pour out to the Operator.
“Yeah, good work. How about it, do you want a cup too?”
[Oh, what is that?]
“An essential beverage for people like you who are drained by work fatigue.”
[An item has been transferred.]
“Have a drink~”
The Operator carefully accepted the hot mug.
“Caffè Latte? What an interesting name.”
The faint, pleasant aroma wafting from it was enough to make her mind feel light.
“The smell is nice, too.”
She blew on it gently, then took a sip. A bitter yet smooth and sweet taste washed over her.
“Oh.”
The Operator smiled brightly, finding it perfectly to her taste. It felt like it softly comforted her body and mind, which had been exhausted from overwork.
“Thank you, Juddak.”
The Operator beamed and sent a message , thinking once again that she had made the right choice in picking him.
A leisurely afternoon.
As I sat there drinking coffee while chatting casually with the Operator's message window, I suddenly felt a strange sense of emptiness.
“Ah! Gallery loss.”
No wonder something felt missing. I immediately checked the backlogged popular posts.
★ All members of the Witch Association support the Juddak! [67]
★ A piece of Juddak fan art that came to mind because of witches [421]
★ Thank you so much, Juddak! [54]
★ With a coy expression... Oh my [164]
Most of them were letters of gratitude from the witches. Aside from those, what caught my eye...
“Ugh, this fan art again, seriously!”
...were the works of talented artists, including the fixed-nick ‘Ma-Gallery Cartoonist,’ who consistently gender-swapped me into a girl against my will.
[Title: A piece of Juddak fan art that came to mind because of witches] [Author: Ma-Gallery Cartoonist]
(Fan art of Juddak as a beautiful Succubus girl wearing a witch's signature black pointed hat and robe)
(Fan art of Juddak blushing as a strong gust of wind blows her robe aside, fully exposing her thin underwear)
How's this?
[Upvotes: 8299] [Downvotes: 0]
[Comments]
- Kya!
- THIS IS IT~!
- Bring more, no, bring all of it!!!
> ㄴ Author: I literally just finished working on this...
ㄴ Ah, LMAO. It seems you don't grasp the situation, but we're saying we need more.
> ㄴ Since you just finished, it's time to start working on the next one, keep it up.
- Great Juddak
> ㄴ No wonder her heart is so big, considering she quenches the gallery members' throats with Banana Milk and the Beer of Courage...
> ㄴ Oh...
- Damn it! It's Great Juddak again! I was planning to sleep after reading just this post, but I ended up seeing Great Juddak. Now I... have no choice but to do that...
> ㄴ (Rustling emoticone)
> ㄴ Whoa whoa... bro, what are you pulling out...
> ㄴ You can't do that!
> ㄴ Do you even know what it is?
> ㄴ Ahem...
> ㄴ Juddak: Do you guys seriously want to die?
No matter how many times I told them I wasn't a woman, they refused to listen.
What ticked me off even more was...
“It's drawn too damn well.”
...the fan art was, frustratingly enough, a masterpiece. Because of that, it felt wrong to just wipe the post completely or get genuinely angry.
“Sigh, whatever. I'm a man anyway.”
As long as I don't let it get to me, it's fine.
Right as I thought that and refreshed the gallery...
- Mystified: Is it just me, or does the gallery system seem a bit weird? [16]
“Huh?”
I spotted a post that caught my attention.