Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: The Gallery Maintenance Exam
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The communication hub for everyone summoned to Jijiyong's world.
Hero Gallery.
There, the only non-human entity called Galju, Imoogi El, had suddenly vanished without a trace starting from some point.
Some said Galju must be dead, while others figured he was just busy or had left because the gallery had changed too much.
The gallery wouldn't collapse just because Galju was gone.
But the vibe had definitely cooled off compared to before. The two main culprits? Galju's sudden disappearance and that post from Yeongkeul Magic Swordsman.
Especially Yeongkeul Magic Swordsman's post—it was like he'd dumped poison into the gallery. The exact incident El had worried about before leaving had blown up.
[Preemptively Dealt with Future Cancer Bitch]
— Posted by: Samhapchung
Lena bitch was gearing up to backstab me again, so I killed her first. This should eliminate any future headaches, right?
└Why is Lena yours lololol
└Why? What a shitshow lolololol
That was when a real shitstorm started blowing through the gallery.
The foul, bloody wind showed no signs of dying down, and soon enough, people started leaving the gallery just like El had.
Time flowed on relentlessly, and before long, the day of the annual Gallery Maintenance Exam had arrived.
From veterans who'd taken it multiple times to newbies facing it for the first time after over a year—a notification appeared before everyone.
Among them, one Imoogi who had kept his distance from the gallery eyed the notification with gleaming eyes.
Like returning to a home he'd left behind, it was time to show his face in the gallery again.
Of course, only if he passed this exam.
'Gallery Maintenance Exam.'
Yeah, it's already been over a year since I started using the gallery... and since I came to this world.
That weirdo troll Yeongkeul Magic Swordsman or whatever made it so damn hard without the gallery.
'It was rough at first.'
No, think about what I do here.
Imagine suddenly losing your phone, computer, laptop—your internet in daily life.
Even getting through a day was torture.
In that time, I focused more on Cheong, Silpi, and Ceres, so our bonds grew even tighter than before. But my boredom lingered.
And now, a chance to fix that.
Gallery Maintenance Exam.
Passing this means I'm back in the gallery.
'Hope things have quieted down by now.'
Of course, I'd have to check myself—but first, pass the exam.
ZZZzt. Fwoosh!
'What the—?'
With the exam's start, a blinding white light flashed before his eyes, and suddenly he was pulled into a space shimmering with aurora lights.
'Where the hell is this?'
Pulled here without any warning.
What kind of exam needs a whole separate space like this?
Arrows or something dangerous could pop out anytime. Better stay alert.
"No need to be so tense."
A familiar voice from behind.
Along with it, a pale, delicate hand lifted his body effortlessly.
"Have you forgotten my voice?"
The figure turned his body around to face her directly, letting him get a clear look up close at the one who'd presumably dragged him here.
Golden hair and eyes sparkling like molten gold.
Clothes blatantly unlike modern fashion—like cosplay—and translucent wing-like garments adding an air of mystery.
No doubt about it.
The facial features. The stunning beauty. The outfit and unique wings matching his memories.
All pointed to one being he knew.
"Yes, Hero."
The goddess at the center of this world he inhabited—the creator of the land that would one day be called the Craido Continent.
Goddess Raine.
She flashed him a bright smile.
"Hmm~? Who else could pull something like this but me?"
She'd somehow conjured a luxurious chair and sat down as she spoke.
"First off, congrats on safely making it through a year in this world."
Words from the goddess to someone who'd endured a year in an unknown world far from his original home.
But instead of gratitude, he scowled.
"A quarter correct."
What the hell was that vague number?
Not even half—a quarter?
That meant at least three other culprits besides her.
Pat pat.
"Still, it's fascinating. Everyone else came with their original bodies intact."
"Of course not. I don't have that kind of power."
As she cautiously stroked his body, Raine continued.
"Any discomfort?"
It had been uncomfortable as hell at first.
But time heals all wounds, or so they say. He'd fully adapted to this body by now.
"For the Gallery Maintenance Exam, obviously."
Theory exam? Or a combat evaluation?
As he stared into her eyes to gauge her intent, she smirked knowingly and booped his nose with her fingertip.
"Nothing like that, so relax. It's simple—just chat with me."
"Yep. Simple, right?"
He had no choice but to nod.
No, from what he'd seen on the gallery, people were freaking out big time.
"Simple reason: no one remembers what happens here. Waiting blindly for the result amps up the anxiety."
"I'm a goddess, even if I don't look it. Reading thoughts is child's play."
Don't lie—the unspoken warning. He nodded again.
Pointless once she could read thoughts anyway.
"Alright! Exam time~. Dear Hero, what's your name?"
"El Grace...?"
"Oh, right."
Swish.
A small cluster of lights gathered to his right, forming text.
"Basic personal info."
As she checked off more details, a surprise question hit him.
"Enjoying the gallery?"
"You say 'was' like it's not anymore."
The goddess who made the gallery couldn't possibly be unaware of the shit going down.
And sure enough—her upturned lips said she knew and was just prodding.
"If I stepped in, sure."
Mortal affairs are off-limits for gods, huh? Something like that.
"Hero. I respect all the heroes who come here and their choices."
"Hehe. Exactly. The gallery's for the heroes' free communication. A goddess like me can't suppress that freedom."
Her smiling face brimmed with conviction that her choice was right.
Now he got it from her face.
Yeah, that was it. It'd felt off from the start.
She froze.
The one pretending to be Raine halted her stroking hand.
For some reason, she looked aggrieved as she spoke.
"I've been Raine this whole time—the goddess who made the Craido Continent. Why say that all of a sudden?"
Whoosh.
He summoned wind to escape the imposter's arms.
She let him go—maybe to hear him out—and he continued.
"......"
She gazed down silently, then her lips twitched into a clearly alien smirk.
"Oh my."
Tss tss tss.
"You hurt my feelings."
The gleaming golden hair and eyes darkened to an abyssal black.
Her face shifted from benevolent smile to blatant contempt and mockery.
"How'd you know?"
Three pairs of black wings unfurled from her back, flapping as vast darkness engulfed the space.