Setelah mengunggah laporan perkembangan terakhirku larut malam, aku berganti pakaian dan memutuskan untuk tidur lebih dulu.
Meski tadi tidak sadarkan diri, tubuh dan pikiranku benar-benar lelah. Sepertinya stamina terkuras habis selama proses pemulihan.
Meski begitu, mungkin karena berbagai obat-obatan dan ramuan medis digunakan, kecepatan pemulihannya luar biasa cepat.
Karena aku bahkan menjalani Internal Cultivation Art tepat sebelum tidur, aku bisa bangun pagi-pagi sekali.
’Ah. Benar. Pakaian.’
Bangun pagi, aku baru menyadari kalau aku telanjang bulat.
Itu karena aku sangat kelelahan sampai tertidur seperti pingsan.
Setelah berpakaian, aku keluar dan mulai menyiapkan makanan.
’Bbareumbo sedang... tidur nyenyak.’
Memeriksa kondisi Bbareumbo di sela-sela itu adalah bonus. Bocah itu tidur pulas, benar-benar mati rasa.
Ini pertama kalinya aku melihatnya tidur seperti ini. Selama ini aku hanya melihatnya terjaga dengan ekspresi lesu yang itu-itu saja.
Artinya dia benar-benar kelelahan. Sekarang giliranku melindungi Bbareumbo.
Bogeulbogeulbogeul-
Seperti biasa, aku mulai menyiapkan sarapan.
Entah mereka makan apa selagi aku pergi, tapi gudang makanan sudah berkurang cukup banyak.
’Karena aku, mereka tidak bisa bebas pergi berburu.’
Kecuali ada binatang buas yang menyerbu Shelter atau hobgoblin memberikan dukungan, makanan pasti terkonsumsi dengan cepat.
Bahkan tiga orang makan sehari saja berarti minimal sembilan porsi. Kalau satu pasukan, tentu jauh lebih parah.
Memang bukan tanpa alasan logistik dianggap faktor paling krusial dalam militer. Ketika puluhan ribu orang harus makan, segalanya jadi gila.
’Di mana aku cari makanan? Apa sebaiknya aku cabut pengacak itu?’
Aku menatap pengacak itu di sela-sela menyiapkan makanan.
Pengacak itu masih berjalan dengan setia selagi aku pulih. Itu barang hasil transaksi dengan I Will Become a Duke.
Menurutnya, alat itu tidak mudah rusak. Dia bilang kalau sampai bermasalah, dia akan menggantinya gratis.
’Biarkan dulu untuk sekarang. Aku harus mengamati sekitar tiga hari.’
Masih ada banyak tempat untuk mencari makanan. Hanya memancing di sungai saja tidak masalah.
Hanya saja, ikan saja tidak cukup sekarang karena jumlah orang sudah bertambah banyak. Kalau kami berhemat, itu pasti cukup.
Maka, ketika sarapan sudah hampir siap, aku menyalakan musik di Jukebox.
[♩♫♫♬~ ♩♩♫♬~]
Ini lagu yang aku kenali lagi. Awalnya berbahasa Inggris, jadi aku tidak akan mengerti sepatah pun.
Namun entah karena efek mimpi itu atau bukan, aku memahami arti lagu itu sepenuhnya.
Lagu yang cukup terkenal tentang menghitung bintang alih-alih menghitung dolar.
’Apa-apaan ini?’
Aku hanya bermimpi. Dan dalam mimpi itu, aku menggunakan bahasa Inggris dengan lancar.
Meski begitu, mimpi hanyalah mimpi. Menguasai bahasa hanya dengan bermimpi itu aneh.
"Gnuuugh... Siapa..."
Saat aku tengah merenung, Lackey yang mendengar lagu bangun tidur, terhuyung-huyung berdiri.
"...Hah?"
Lalu matanya langsung bertemu dengan mataku. Berkedip seolah tidak percaya itu bonusnya.
Selain berkedip, dia bahkan menggosok matanya dengan tangan dan menyipitkan mata.
"M-Master?!"
"Ya, bocah."
"Ooh! Kau sadar!"
Lackey ribut besar dan melangkah ke arahku. Tentu saja, anggota rombongan lainnya ikut membuka mata karena keributan itu.
Sementara itu, Lackey memeriksa setiap sudut tubuhku dan memasang ekspresi haru yang berlebihan.
Meski selama ini kami sering bertengkar, ternyata Lackey benar-benar khawatir padaku...
"Apa kau akhirnya mau membuat ubi gula?!"
"Kau tidak dapat sarapan hari ini."
Bajingan ini menganggapku sebagai pemasok ubi gula berjalan. Konyol sekali.
Tentu saja, mengingat kepribadian Lackey, itu artinya dia benar-benar tulus peduli. Baginya, ubi gula setara dengan Fasting Pills milik Bbareumbo.
"Ggyuuu! Ggyuuu!"
"Bbiik! Bbiik!"
"Bbaaak!"
Setelah keributan singkat, semua anak kecil ikut terbangun. Reaksi mereka semua sama.
Awalnya, mata terbuka lebar karena tak percaya, lalu mengendus baiku beberapa kali sebelum menempel padaku.
Mungkin karena mimpiku panjang sekali, bahkan kehangatan ini terasa sudah lama kunantikan. Terutama bulu lembut Wonmo—itu menyembuhkan hati.
"Kau hidup."
"Ya. Aku hidup."
[Itu luka yang seharusnya fatal... Pemulihan yang luar biasa.]
Ludwig dan Cain juga mengungkapkan kegembiraan mereka. Meski senang melihatku, mereka lebih dulu menunjukkan rasa ingin tahu.
Mereka bilang wajar saja kalau aku mati di tempat karena luka-luka itu.
Atau bahkan setelah menuangkan segala jenis ramuan termasuk Elixir, mereka tidak berani berharap sembuh total.
"Kalau sampai aku cacat atau gimana, mau kalian apakan aku?"
[Shuttle galeri?]
"..."
Mendengar kata-kata kejam Cain, Ludwig mengangguk.
Aku ingin membantah banyak hal, tapi aku tidak mengucapkan sepatah kata pun. Sejujurnya, itu juga penilaian yang sepenuhnya objektif.
Bukan cuma satu titik; seluruh tubuhku gosong seperti arang. Tidak ada yang akan menyangka bisa sembuh total.
Lebih dari sekadar bertahan hidup, hanya tersadar saja sudah hampir mukjizat. Dan aku bahkan mencapai pemulihan sempurna.
"Cain-ssi."
[Bicara.]
"Sekadar tahu saja, kalau kau jadi tak berguna, akan kupakai kau sebagai penggosok kapalan kaki."
[Aris-nim seharusnya membawamu pergi.]
Mengakhiri candaan setengah serius, kami langsung melanjutkan makan.
Gudang makanan hampir kosong, tapi setidaknya daging masih ada.
"Mmm! Ternyata kau hidup!"
"Halo?"
Saat aku memasak daging, Three-Legged Crow muncul dengan natural. Dia juga bereaksi gembira atas keselamatanku.
Meski, seperti Bbareumbo, itu lebih mirip memperlakukanku seperti pohon yang memberi makanan enak.
Maka, setelah sekian lama, aku bisa menyelesaikan sarapan bersama rombongan.
Setelah sarapan, aku memeriksa kondisi fisikku secara menyeluruh. Memastikan apa yang berubah itu penting.
’Tidak peduli seberapa sering kuperiksa, aku tidak merasakan sesuatu yang berbeda secara mencolok.’
Meski terkena Flame Tsunami secara langsung, tidak ada yang berubah.
Aku bisa mengabaikan peningkatan mana. Kendali?
Uuuuung!
"Master. Sepertinya lebih besar dari sebelumnya."
"Ya."
Tidak ada yang namanya kendali bagiku.
Jauh dari kendali halus, karena jumlahnya bertambah, Aura-ku hanya semakin besar.
Aku sudah mencoba mengecilkannya sebisaku, tapi tidak jauh berbeda dari sebelumnya. Semuanya sama.
’Sepertinya tubuhku hanya matang dipanggang dan itu saja.’
Meski agak mengecewakan, yang terpenting adalah aku hidup. Aku melihat sisi baiknya.
Seperti menyadari betapa berharganya berjalan setelah kakimu patah, bertahan hidup adalah hal terpenting bagiku.
Bahkan memiliki bentuk fisik yang jauh melampaui manusia biasa pun tidak berguna. Forest of the Four Seasons adalah tempat di mana kau bisa mati dalam sekejap mata.
"Ah, benar. Apa yang terjadi dengan keluarga Flame Horse?"
"Aku membawa mereka, tapi mereka kembali. Kata mereka di sini terlalu dingin."
Untungnya, keluarga Flame Horse juga baik-baik saja. Ngomong-ngomong, pulang karena terlalu dingin—lingkungan memang penting.
Itu belum semuanya. Mengingat kekuatan destruktif Flame Tsunami, seharusnya sampai ke Shelter.
Namun Shelter tetap utuh tanpa satu pun bekas hangus. Apa mungkin secara mengejutkan api itu tidak sampai ke sini?
’Aku harus segera ke sana memeriksanya.’
Aku berencana menunjukkan bahwa aku hidup dan baik-baik saja, sekaligus memeriksa lingkungan di sana.
Tentu saja, aku akan berangkat setelah memulihkan kondisi fisikku.
Kalau aku berangkat sembarangan dan terkena Flame Tsunami lagi, itu benar-benar berbahaya.
"Apa ada yang terjadi selagi aku pingsan?"
"Ibu Cheongseol datang."
"Ah."
Kedengarannya itu pasti sangat berbahaya. Mendengar itu membuatku sedikit pusing.
Karena Cheongseol tidak mau makan kalau aku tidak ada. Dia mungkin mendapat kesan buruk.
"Apa katanya?"
"Awalnya, dia menunjukkan reaksi dingin dan tidak senang. Tapi saat Cheongseol tidak mau makan, dia jadi khawatir."
"Jadi cuma khawatir... dan itu saja?"
"Cheongseol bilang dia tidak mau makan karena Master sakit. Mendengar itu, ibunya tercengang."
"..."
Sulit memahami situasi pastinya. Bagaimanapun, karena aku mungkin akan bertemu dengannya lagi, aku membiarkannya.
Selain itu, apakah ada serangan selama aku pingsan, apakah ada perubahan lingkungan, dan sebagainya.
Musim panas telah tiba, kawanan serangga berkembang biak, dan Sky Whale muncul—semuanya seperti biasa.
"Bbareumbo melindungiku saat itu juga? Aku?"
"Dia diam-diam melindungimu."
Aku mendengar kesaksian bahwa bahkan dalam situasi seperti itu, Bbareumbo melindungiku sampai akhir.
Saat aku tanya kenapa tidak membawaku masuk ke dalam rumah, jawaban yang berbeda kembali.
"Pohon itu juga membantumu."
"Pohon? World Tree?"
[World Tree terus menjatuhkan embun ke tubuhmu. Embun World Tree memiliki kekuatan penyembuhan yang sebanding dengan Elixir.]
Cain yang memberikan penjelasan. Mendengar kata-kata itu, aku menengadah ke World Tree.
Pohon suci yang diam-diam menjaga tempatnya. Apakah itu imbalan atas semua bantuan yang kuberikan selama ini?
Bagaimanapun juga, berkat pengabdian banyak pihak, aku bisa pulih total. Itu membuat hatiku terasa hangat dan tersentuh.
’Mulai sekarang, meski dia memperlakukanku seperti dispenser makanan yang menghasilkan santapan, akan kubiarkan saja.’
Setidaknya untuk Bbareumbo, tidak apa-apa memperlakukanku seperti itu. Menyelamatkan nyawaku sudah lebih dari cukup.
Maka, setelah selesai membereskan, aku mengambil waktu untuk beristirahat.
"Ggyuu!"
"Bbiik bbiik!"
Saat aku berbaring diam dan beristirahat, Wonmo dan Tyranno berjalan menghampiri.
Pandangan penuh kecemasan. Bagaimana bisa makhluk semanis ini?
Aku diam-diam memeluk si kecil dan menikmati waktu istirahat. Sedangkan Cheongseol sedang apa, kau tanya?
"Haljjak. Haljjak. Haljjak."
Apa lagi? Seperti biasa, dia menjilati pipiku seperti permen.
Sambil menikmati kedamaian yang sudah lama tidak kurasakan, aku diam-diam menyalakan Gallery. Seketika, badai suara notifikasi meledak.
Notifikasi bahwa pesan-pesan baru telah tiba. Itu mungkin pesan dari pengguna
Chapter 450: Survival Report (3)
After posting my survival update at a late hour, I changed clothes and decided to get some sleep first.
Regardless of having been unconscious, my body and mind were exhausted. It seemed my stamina had been drained from the recovery process.
Still, perhaps because various medical supplies and medicinal herbs were used, the recovery speed was remarkably fast.
Since I even went through the Internal Cultivation Art right before sleeping, I was able to wake up early in the morning.
’Ah. Right. Clothes.’
Waking up early, I belatedly realized I was completely naked.
It was because I had been so exhausted that I fell asleep as if passing out.
After getting dressed, I went outside and started preparing a meal.
’Bbareumbo is... sleeping well.’
Checking on Bbareumbo’s condition in the middle was a bonus. The guy was sleeping soundly, dead to the world.
This was my first time seeing him sleep like this. I had only ever seen him awake with that perpetually languid expression.
It meant he was that exhausted. Now it was my turn to protect Bbareumbo.
Bogeulbogeulbogeul-
As I always did, I started by preparing breakfast.
I don’t know what they ate while I was out, but the food storehouse was emptied considerably.
’Because of me, they couldn’t just go out hunting as they pleased.’
Unless beasts invaded the Shelter or the hobgoblins provided support, food was bound to be consumed at a rapid pace.
Even just three people eating a day meant at least nine meals. An army would be far worse.
Supply isn’t considered the most crucial factor in the military for nothing. When tens of thousands of people need to eat, things go crazy.
’Where do I get food? Should I pull up the disturber?’
I stared at the disturber mid-meal prep.
The disturber was still steadfastly running while I was recovering. It was an item traded with I Will Become a Duke.
According to him, it wouldn’t break down easily. He mentioned that if it ever malfunctioned, he’d replace it free of charge.
’Let’s leave it for now. I should observe for about three days.’
There were still plenty of places to procure food. Just fishing in the river alone posed no problem.
It was just that fish alone weren’t enough now that the number of people had grown so large. If we rationed, it would be fine.
Thus, when breakfast was somewhat prepared, I turned on the Jukebox’s music.
[♩♫♫♬~ ♩♩♫♬~]
It was a song I knew again this time. Originally, it was in English, so I wouldn’t have understood a word of it.
Yet whether due to the effect of the dream or not, I understood the meaning of the song entirely.
A pretty famous song about counting stars instead of counting dollars.
’What on earth is this?’
I had simply had a dream. And in that dream, I used English fluently.
However, a dream is merely a dream. Mastering a language simply by having a dream was strange.
"Gnuuugh... Who..."
While I was pondering, Lackey, who heard the wake-up song, stumbled up onto his feet.
"...Huh?"
Then his eyes locked right onto mine. Blinking as if unable to believe it was an added bonus.
Beyond blinking, he even rubbed his eyes with his hands and squinted.
"M-Master?!"
"Yeah, you brat."
"Ooh! You woke up!"
Lackey made a big fuss and strode over to me. Naturally, the rest of the party opened their eyes at the commotion.
In the meantime, Lackey checked every corner of my body and put on an overwhelmed, emotional expression.
Though we bickered all this time, Lackey really was worried about me after all...
"Are you finally making candied sweet potatoes?!"
"No breakfast for you today."
This bastard thought of me as a candied sweet potato shuttle. How ridiculous.
Of course, given Lackey’s personality, it meant he sincerely cared. To him, candied sweet potatoes were on the level of Bbareumbo’s Fasting Pills.
"Ggyuuu! Ggyuuu!"
"Bbiik! Bbiik!"
"Bbaaak!"
After a brief commotion, all the kids woke up too. Every one of them had the same reaction.
At first, eyes wide with disbelief, then sniffing my scent a few times before clinging onto me.
Perhaps because I had such a long dream, even this warmth felt like a long time coming. Especially Wonmo’s fluffy fur—it was healing itself.
"You lived."
"Yes. I lived."
[They were wounds that should have been fatal... What a marvelous recovery.]
Ludwig and Cain also expressed their joy. Though glad to see me, they showed curiosity first.
Saying that it wouldn’t have been weird if I had died on the spot from those injuries.
Or that even after pouring in all kinds of herbs including Elixirs, they hadn’t even dared to hope for a full recovery.
"What were you going to do if I ended up crippled or something?"
[Gallery shuttle?]
"..."
Following Cain’s ruthless words, Ludwig nodded.
I had a lot to say, but I didn’t utter a word. In truth, that too was a purely objective judgment.
It wasn’t just one spot; my whole body was burned to charcoal. No one would have expected a complete recovery.
Beyond simply surviving, just regaining consciousness was close to a miracle. And I had even achieved complete recovery.
"Cain-ssi."
[Speak.]
"Just so you know, if you become useless, I’m going to use you as a callus remover for my feet."
[Aris-nim should have taken you away.]
Ending our half-joking banter, we immediately proceeded with the meal.
The food storehouse was nearly picked clean, but at least meat remained.
"Mmm! You were alive!"
"Hello?"
As I cooked the meat, the Three-Legged Crow made his natural appearance. He also reacted with joy over my survival.
Though, like Bbareumbo, it was closer to treating me like a tree that gives delicious food.
And so, after a truly long time, I was able to finish breakfast with the group.
After breakfast, I thoroughly checked my physical condition. Confirming what had changed was important.
’No matter how much I check, I can’t feel anything noticeably different.’
Despite taking the Flame Tsunami head-on, nothing had changed.
I could pass over the increase in mana. Control?
Uuuuung!
"Master. It seems bigger than before."
"Yeah."
There’s no such thing as control for me.
Far from fine control, because the amount increased, my Aura only got bigger.
I tried my best to shrink it down, but it wasn’t much different from before. Everything was the same.
’Looks like my body just got roasted crisp and that was it.’
Though a bit disappointing, being alive was what mattered most. I looked at the bright side.
Just like realizing the preciousness of walking only after breaking a leg, survival was the most important thing to me.
Even possessing a physical build far beyond the realm of ordinary humans was useless. The Forest of the Four Seasons is a place where you can die in a blink.
"Ah, right. What happened to the Flame Horse family?"
"I brought them, but they went back. They said it was too cold here."
Fortunately, the Flame Horse family seemed fine too. By the way, going back because it’s too cold—environment really is important.
That wasn’t all. Considering the destructive force of the Flame Tsunami, it should have reached all the way to the Shelter.
Yet the Shelter remained completely intact without a single burn mark. Did it surprisingly fail to reach here?
’I should go check it out soon.’
I plan to show them that I’m alive and well, and also inspect the environment over there.
Naturally, I’ll set off after boosting my physical condition.
If I set off recklessly and get caught in a Flame Tsunami again, it’d be genuinely dangerous.
"Did anything happen while I was knocked out?"
"Cheongseol’s mom came."
"Ah."
That sounds like it must have been pretty damn dangerous. Hearing that made me feel a bit dizzy.
Because Cheongseol won’t eat unless I’m around. She might have gotten a bad impression.
"What did she say?"
"At first, she showed a cold, displeased reaction. But when Cheongseol didn’t eat, she grew worried."
"Grew worried... and that’s it?"
"Cheongseol said she didn’t want to eat because Master was sick. At that, the mother was astonished."
"..."
It was hard to grasp the exact situation. Anyway, since I’ll probably see her again, I let it slide.
Other than that, whether there were attacks while I was passed out, whether there were environmental changes, and so on.
Summer had begun, bug swarms proliferated, and the Sky Whale made its appearance—everything was as usual.
"Bbareumbo protected me back then too? Me?"
"He quietly protected you."
I heard testimony that even in such a situation, Bbareumbo protected me to the end.
When I asked why they didn’t just bring me inside the house, a different answer returned.
"That tree helped too."
"Tree? The World Tree?"
[The World Tree steadily dropped dew upon you. The World Tree’s dew possesses healing power comparable to an Elixir.]
Cain gave the explanation instead. Hearing those words, I looked up at the World Tree.
The sacred tree quietly maintaining its spot. Was it a reward for all the help I’d provided until now?
Either way, thanks to the dedication of many, I was able to recover completely. It gave me a warm, touched feeling inside.
’From now on, even if he treats me like a food dispenser that produces meals, I’ll let it slide.’
At least for Bbareumbo, it was okay to treat me like that. Saving my life was more than enough.
And so, after finishing the cleanup, I took some time to rest.
"Ggyuu!"
"Bbiik bbiik!"
While I was lying still and resting, Wonmo and Tyranno waddled over.
Gazes brimming with worry. How could creatures be this cute?
I quietly embraced the little ones and savored the rest. What was Cheongseol doing, you ask?
"Haljjak. Haljjak. Haljjak."
What else? As she always did, she licked my cheek like candy.
Savoring the peace I hadn’t felt in a long time, I quietly turned on the Gallery. Immediately, a storm of notification sounds erupted.
Notifications that new messages had arrived. They were probably messages from fixed-nick users who had read my post.
[Starlight Lady: Grylls-nim! Grylls-nim! Are you really okay?!]
[Starlight Lady: If you’re okay, please contact me!]
The first one I received was from Starlight Lady. A reaction similar to Asella’s.
Seeing this warmed my heart again. Made me feel like I hadn’t lived my life in vain so far.
[Wild Grylls: Yes. I’m okay now. I survived thanks to the Elixir you gave me, Starlight Lady-nim.]
[Starlight Lady: Elixir! Speaking of which, I’ll send them right away! While Grylls-nim was passed out, I did nothing but make Elixirs!]
[Wild Grylls: How many are there?]
[Starlight Lady: I made about 10!]
[Wild Grylls: ;;;]
That meant she made one a day.
Normally it took at least three days, so it was a worrying thought.
[Sword Matstar: Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?]
[Wild Grylls: Yes. Surprisingly, I’m perfectly fine.]
[Sword Matstar: What a relief. If you had ended up paralyzed from the waist down, I almost would have cried.]
[Wild Grylls: Why lower body paralysis?]
[Sword Matstar: Hahaha]
[Wild Grylls: ...Teacher?]
Sword Matstar is... um, let’s move on. It’s probably a joke.
Afterward, I checked in on the other fixed-nick users one by one. Everyone had worried reactions.
Some even sent things that were good for the body, like Starlight Lady did. Birthday wishes were an added bonus.
’Should I go outside and get some exercise?’
Rather than lying down and resting like this, walking circles around the Shelter sounded better.
Since I might have to go out hunting soon anyway, it was good to loosen up my muscles.
Or play with the kids. Conveniently, we had a soccer ball, so that wouldn’t be bad.
"Guys. Want to go outside and play ball?"
"Ggyuu!"
"Bbiik!"
Answering energetically as if just playing with me made them happy.
I smiled gently and grabbed the soccer ball. It was a gift Princess Chaenggu gave me before.
Just as I set the ball down on the ground—
"Huh?"
Ggumulggumul-
A small beast was crawling along. Sharp quills on its back were an added feature.
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