Chapter 15: Gallery Surfing While Awaiting the Wave Defense
I tilted my head as I looked over the Wave-related notice.
"A new mission? Something urgent besides the Wave?"
To satisfy my curiosity, I dug through the gallery diligently, but it was like they'd blocked any leaks in advance—no clues whatsoever. And two knights? No way they're heading to the Wave spawn point with just three people, right?
"Nah, no chance... Even in a fantasy world, three people holding that off would be impossible."
The undead horde blanketing the entire plain—that was an army that could overwhelm even modern weapons through sheer numbers. Stopping it would require siege warfare no doubt. I figured it was probably something like three powerhouses tipping a razor-thin balance.
With that in mind, I kept browsing the gallery, gathering info along the way.
I will provide as much help as possible within the limits...
↳ IDontWannaDoIt: As this is aid for Wave response, I order you not to use this notice for non-Wave matters. Violators will face appropriate punishment—heed this.
Welcome to the Ark Gallery!
📌 Wave-Related Notice
[Exchange System Thorough Investigation]
[Can't Stop Eating Jam... T_T]
[Isn't It Time for Duke Blackmore to Emerge from the North?]
[(Imperial Official) Research on Improving Food Shortages]
[Anyone Who Can Contact the Western Continent Witches?! Urgent Plz]
────
[Undead Go Boom lol]
[Grand Emperor Heads Out!!]
[Ugh I Packed for Nothing]
[But wasn't Lord Valerian feeling unwell? Hope he's okay]
[Pushing My Tale of Marching with Grand Emperor]
"Exchange system... Yeah, I've been curious about that too."
I'd wondered before but had nothing to exchange, so couldn't check. Curious who dumped their assets into it, I clicked the post.
Hey fellow gallery dwellers I'm a merchant whose routes span from the Imperial Capital to the southern spawn zones (pic of my massive caravan).
Given my line of work, I needed to figure this exchange system out to avoid ending up on the streets. So I tested items from my caravan stock, and now I've got a solid outline—posting it here.
First up, bread. Why bread over precious metals? If you have to ask, don't do business. Start with cheap stuff, and only throw in pricey items if you're stumped
Tested wheat by grade—got reasonable points per grade.
Then, to compare, hired a top baker to make baguette-like loaves. Made different grades and exchanged (pics of graded breads).
Result? More points than raw wheat. It's not just raw materials—the cook's effort and skill factor in for higher value.
To the doubters saying "just fiddling makes it pricier?": Check this (pic of twisted nether something).
This is my "baked" bread. Exchange system rejected it. Next, tested iron farm tools, pottery, jewelry—stuff where craftsmanship varies wildly.
Same as bread. Made proper ones myself this time—got points, but less than raw materials;;
Conclusion: Exchange = raw cost + finished quality. Low quality depreciates.
I worked hard on this, so read it well and it'll be useful. Grateful? Upvote and go.
And use this wisely, earn points, buy tons from my caravan
↳ Go look at the breads in the post. Insult to info posts.
↳ That's what it says~
↳ Thanks brother. We'll make our best, eat first, then trade the rest.
↳ rofl gotta eat first lol
A post that basically dissected the exchange system. Impressed by the effort, I smashed an upvote too.
"Raw cost plus quality..."
I'd kinda guessed from the Mod-Only Shop descriptions on cost/regular price. But this confirmed it. Memo memo.
My notebook filled with various infos. The wiped-out to-do list was repopulated. New entries like "Real-Time Hot Posts" at the top, and "Methods for Info Gathering."
I had solutions in mind, but with the ongoing Wave, it'd have to wait.
"Sora, mind if I memo while browsing...?"
Yes. Understood. Initiating auto-skip for quality posts.
Competent AI assistant is the best. Thanks, Sora!
Seriously, it's been almost 3 years since he went north—why no news? Any gallery folks heard?
Friend's church-connected, been waiting a year to ask about demonization treatment, dying here.
Every meetup he yaps about it, my ears are callused ;
↳ He'll be out soon
↳ lmao
↳ Protagonist appears lol
↳ OP: Just talked about it
↳ NoHolyWaterLeft: This is classified, you madman...
↳ OP: ? Why spill classified to me then
↳ NoHolyWaterLeft: Didn't know you'd post in gallery;; Anyway, I'm off to write a report—you should show your face at the church knights soon too..?
↳ OP: Ugh you're useless
↳ roflololololololol
↳ Ahahahahahaha
↳ What's classified?
↳ "Super Secret" abbr
↳ Thx thx
↳ Super Secret confirmed lol
Demonization? Hoped the Wave spawn post's Blackmore family info would help, but now more mysteries. Plus, from the post, seemed like the north blocked gallery access. Gallery reactions suggested everyone knew, so info should be here?
Turned to Sora's screen.
Explaining based on gallery data. 'Demonization' refers to humans exposed to corruption developing magic beast traits. Usually prevented by internal mana. Occurs from prolonged unprotected exposure or sudden massive intake.
Spreads to humans too...? Corruption was terrifying. And Blackmore family? Seems super famous. Tell me, Sora!
"Any gallery info on the Blackmore family?"
Presumed lost as posters perished. Duke Blackmore's posts remain, but only north entry records—no details.
All dead... Felt down for no reason. Oh well. I noted Blackmore in my book, then flipped to my idle gallery update plans page.
"A system to buy and teleport items would be handy, and real-time hot posts... Make it real-time upvotes."
Rain. I have a proposal regarding gallery upgrades.
Muttering and tweaking plans, Sora rarely spoke first.
"A proposal? Something urgent come up?"
A bit flustered, I asked back. With those damn pups running everywhere... Their food bill had nuked my wallet. Points on fixes would hurt bad.
No. Regarding the Hero and Great One issue from earlier—a way to help.
Solution for those pups? Tears welling, I looked up at the screen.
"Sora, you're the absolute best."
You're too kind, Rain.