Chapter 36

Assistant Moderator (3)

The news that the Heavenly Demon had become an Assistant Moderator spread like wildfire.

She had already been a well-known registered user, so it was only natural that the Gallery would erupt into an uproar.

An Assistant Moderator might be an inferior version of the Moderator, but they were still a manager.

Anyone who broke the rules or angered the Heavenly Demon now faced a high chance of being banned.

The Heavenly Demon probably won't do that, though.

She had a strong tendency to follow her own path.

No matter what anyone said, she simply continued forward without wavering.

You could call it a mentality of steel.

Or perhaps it was the tolerance that came with old age.

To genuinely anger the Heavenly Demon, someone would probably have to hurl insults too vile to repeat.

And if someone did that, they couldn't complain about getting banned.

In any case, from my perspective, it was little more than an ordinary incident.

The Heavenly Demon becoming an Assistant Moderator probably wouldn't change much.

It simply meant that the Gallery had gained another manager.

Since I was acquainted with her, I might receive a few minor conveniences.

Not that I intend to rely on her.

If I depended too heavily on the Heavenly Demon, I would inevitably grow lazy.

I was already receiving plenty of help.

Rather than clinging to her, it was better to become stronger on my own.

Now that she's an Assistant Moderator, she'll probably be busy.

Assistant Moderators were essentially volunteers.

Unpaid slaves.

Yet if they neglected their duties, they could lose the position and even get banned.

The Moderator was especially rigid and placed great importance on rules and principles, so she couldn't afford to be careless.

“I should focus on my own work.”

I had escaped from the muscular mushroom, and the Heavenly Demon had become an Assistant Moderator, but I still had things to do.

I needed to receive the barricades from Passing Dwarf and reinforce my shelter.

He had said he would send them around lunchtime, so the trade request should arrive soon.

After I finish installing the barricades...

Just as I began thinking about what to do afterward—

Passing Dwarf has requested a trade. Would you like to accept?

A trade request arrived from the dwarf.

Apparently, speaking of the devil really did summon him.

I accepted.

Passing Dwarf: You accepted immediately. Guess you've got some free time?

Wild Grylls: I was waiting for you.

Passing Dwarf: Ah, sorry. I'm into women. It's hard being this popular.

Wild Grylls: You lunatic lol. Did you finish the barricades?

Passing Dwarf: I did, but there are a lot of them, and they're big. Do you have somewhere to store them?

At his question, I looked around.

Perhaps because the Mad Dog pack had once lived here, the area surrounding the cave was surprisingly spacious.

The interior was large as well.

Three enormous beasts had once lived inside it, after all.

If necessary, I could store some of the barricades inside the cave after installing a few outside.

I admired the photos the dwarf sent.

One showed an ordinary wooden defensive wall.

It consisted of sharpened wooden posts placed tightly beside one another.

The other was closer to a barricade.

A wall and a barricade were technically similar, but their shapes were different.

The wall stood vertically, while the barricade leaned at an angle.

It consisted of pointed wooden stakes arranged diagonally and tightly bound together.

Wild Grylls: I have space. About how big are they?

Passing Dwarf: Look at these first.

Passing Dwarf: (Photo of a wooden wall.)
(Second photo of a wooden barricade.)

Passing Dwarf: Which one looks better?

“Oh?”

Passing Dwarf: You're not planning to live there permanently. If you only need something temporary, the spikes are probably better. They're easier to install too.

Wild Grylls: Those do look better. I dug all those fucking holes for nothing lol.

Passing Dwarf: Just bury them roughly. I'll make the rest in this style.

Wild Grylls: How long will it take to make more?

Passing Dwarf: What I've already sent should provide decent protection. If that's not enough, make some yourself. They're easy as long as you know how to tie rope.

Wild Grylls: I'll think about it. Can you send these now?

Passing Dwarf: Yep.

Passing Dwarf has registered the trade items.

Passing Dwarf: Take them.

Wild Grylls: Is there anything you need?

Passing Dwarf: Just give me booze lol.

Wild Grylls: Can't give you alcohol, but I'll find you something to eat with it. Fish okay?

Passing Dwarf: Not bad. Don't you need a fish trap to catch them?

Wild Grylls: It'd be useful, but the fish are so huge that I think it'd be difficult.

Passing Dwarf: I'll make one. You'd better give me the food. Deal?

Wild Grylls: Deal.

The items the dwarf had sent arrived as soon as the trade ended.

I had assumed the barricades wouldn't be very tall.

I was wrong.

Even when placed diagonally, they stood slightly taller than I did.

If anything, building them this way must have required even more effort.

They're bigger than I expected.

There was no time to stand around in surprise.

More barricades would arrive shortly.

Fortunately, the delay between each delivery allowed me to position them one at a time.

Their size probably caused them to take longer to transfer.

Or perhaps there wasn't enough open space for them to appear all at once.

“Whew.”

After some time, I finished placing and adjusting everything.

I didn't know exactly how the system determined where traded items would appear, so the process was somewhat awkward, but no accidents occurred.

There's no inventory system or anything like that, is there?

Large deliveries like these would probably cause trouble every time.

It would be convenient if there were a separate space where traded items could be stored temporarily.

***

Title: Work Finished!
Wild Grylls

(Photo of the shelter with the barricades installed.)

Finally finished installing the barricades. I still have more to do, but this feels satisfying.

By the way, isn't there some kind of space for temporarily storing traded items? They kept appearing out of nowhere, and positioning them was a pain.

Good work. That feature actually used to exist, but it's restricted now.

Wild Grylls: Why was it restricted?

Smuggling. People used to complain that the system handled things like the military, but then the Moderator from two generations ago ruined an entire territory with it, so the feature was blocked.

Isn't that restriction meaningless for the Moderator? They can do whatever they want.

Yeah. The Moderator could remove the restriction. But do you really think the current one would?

Wild Grylls: Couldn't they allow storage for just ten minutes? That would be enough.

There are people who hide drugs up their asses to transport them. Like hell the Moderator will approve that lol.

They might make an exception for you, Grylls. But is there even a system for removing restrictions for only one registered user?

No. Maybe for an Assistant Moderator. And even then, you'd have to suck up to the Moderator lol.

One thing's certain: the current Moderator is an old-fashioned hard-ass, so he won't allow it.

Don’t Abandon the Hero: I'm not old-fashioned! I merely value rules and principles! Calling someone old-fashioned just because they uphold order is the other person's fault! The technical term for that is antisocial behavior!

The Moderator's here?

Moderator, why not remove the restriction, then? You can decide now, can't you?

Don’t Abandon the Hero: I've actually been considering it! I'll review the matter positively, so please wait! Now, if you'll excuse me!

He was reviewing it positively.

Perhaps there was reason to hope.

Even being able to store items for five minutes would help.

Although I had arranged the barricades, they were still scattered around somewhat messily.

No. I'm asking for too much. What am I thinking?

I quickly shook my head.

This wasn't good.

I had resolved to reduce my dependence on the Gallery, yet here I was becoming annoyed by a minor inconvenience.

Its functionality was truly like a drug.

No wonder people couldn't stop using the Gallery.

I could only grow by overcoming difficulties myself.

I renewed my resolve.

First, I should inspect the barricades properly.

Someday, I might have to build barricades by myself.

Perhaps something would happen to the dwarf, or I might lose access to the Gallery.

I needed to understand the structure of the barricades in preparation for that possibility.

He carved grooves into the wood and fitted the stakes into them. Then he secured everything tightly with rope, just in case.

When I had some free time, it might be a good idea to practice by making a small barricade.

There were trees everywhere, so I would never run out of materials.

The only thing lacking would be my craftsmanship.

Whatever I made would probably be far inferior to the dwarf's work.

Aren't dwarves supposed to be short? He made all of this by himself?

The dwarf's physique suddenly came to mind.

The barricades stood slightly taller than I did.

It was surprising that a dwarf had built defensive structures this tall all by himself.

He constantly pestered me for alcohol, but perhaps Passing Dwarf was actually someone important.

“Kyuu.”

“Are you hungry?”

Wonmo approached and looked up at me with his bright, round eyes.

While I was installing the barricades, lunchtime had arrived before I knew it.

There was no fish left, so I would probably have to settle for a fasting pill today.

I gave Wonmo a large piece of meat that I had bought through the Gallery.

His eyes sparkled, and he immediately began devouring it.

I also need to learn how to set traps.

The problem was whether ordinary animals would fall for ordinary traps.

The only small animals I had seen so far were squirrels and rabbits.

Even those were considerably larger than normal.

The rabbits were about the size of medium-sized dogs.

They were also incredibly fast, fleeing the instant they sensed my presence.

Then I'll just make the traps bigger.

It was a simple but effective solution.

Instead of setting a trap for a rabbit, I could build one as though I were trying to catch a wild boar.

While chewing on the bitter fasting pill, I glanced behind me.

I had felt something climbing onto my back, and sure enough, it was the Swift Sloth.

“Do you want one too?”

“...”

It nodded at its usual painfully slow pace.

I handed it a fasting pill and browsed the Gallery.

After taking a brief rest, I planned to circulate the cultivation method.

Heavenly Demon has requested a private conversation! Would you like to accept?

“Huh?”

A message caught my eye while I was browsing.

The Heavenly Demon hadn't sent me a trade request.

She had requested a private one-on-one conversation.

As far as I knew, ordinary users and even registered users couldn't use private conversations.

Apparently, the feature had been restricted to prevent cliques from forming.

So why could the Heavenly Demon use it?

Is it different for an Assistant Moderator?

I had my doubts, but I couldn't exactly reject a request from the Heavenly Demon.

I accepted.

A window similar to the trade interface appeared.

Heavenly Demon: Benefactor, can you see my message?

Wild Grylls: Hello. I can see it clearly. Can Assistant Moderators use private conversations?

Heavenly Demon: Normally, they cannot. However, I persuaded the armband holder to grant me this authority. I must be the one to initiate the conversation, though.

Wild Grylls: I see. How are you finding the Assistant Moderator job?

Heavenly Demon: There are many images that please the eye. However, those with shallow enlightenment like yourself would fall prey to inner demons upon seeing them.

I roughly understood what she meant.

The last time I had wandered in without knowing anything, I had been thoroughly blinded by what I saw.

But the Heavenly Demon was a true Gallery addict among Gallery addicts.

She would easily brush such things aside.

In a way, she possessed all the qualities of an excellent Assistant Moderator.

She had plenty of free time, was immune to inner demons, and possessed a rock-solid mentality.

From the Moderator's perspective, appointing her had probably seemed like a good idea.

Wild Grylls: Sounds like you're having a hard time. Is there no time limit on private conversations?

Heavenly Demon: There is none. However, the entire conversation will be visible to the Moderator. That does not concern me. What I intend to teach you is only the foundation.

Wild Grylls: The foundation? Didn't you already teach me everything? You said I'd even opened something called the upper dantian.

Heavenly Demon: That is true. However, the problem is that you opened it far too quickly. Without a proper foundation, one will inevitably become unstable. Even a bridgehead that appears sturdy will eventually collapse if it was built carelessly.

The language was clearly related to martial arts, yet strangely enough, I understood it.

The part about shoddy construction especially resonated with me.

This must have been what people called wisdom.

She was an excellent teacher.

Wild Grylls: That makes perfect sense. You're saying my body could collapse because it was built carelessly, right?

Heavenly Demon: Correct. From now on, I intend to teach you the fundamentals. No matter how sturdy the stem may be, it will quickly wither if its roots are weak.

Wild Grylls: Thank you. I'm just not sure I'll be able to understand everything.

Heavenly Demon: Do not worry. I shall explain it in terms you can understand. First, sit in the lotus position.

I followed her instructions and sat cross-legged.

Perhaps because I had grown accustomed to it, the posture no longer hurt.

It actually felt refreshing.

Later, I should practice other positions as well.

There was no downside to becoming more flexible.

Heavenly Demon: Good. However, I would prefer that you call it internal energy rather than mana. It is not necessarily incorrect, but hearing you call it mana bothers me for some reason.

So it bothers her.

She must have taken tremendous pride in internal-energy cultivation.

Well, she was an old woman who had experienced everything the world had to offer, so her pride was understandable.

It was something I ought to respect.

I would have to be more careful from now on.

Heavenly Demon: Ah, there is one thing I wish to ask. What did it feel like when you circulated the cultivation method? Did you feel any obstruction at the crown of your head?

Wild Grylls: Not at all. It just felt like the energy traveled throughout my entire body and completed a full circuit.

Heavenly Demon: Then it seems you truly have opened the Gate of Life and Death. Your internal energy appears to flow freely through the Governing and Conception Vessels.

I had no idea what any of that meant.

Still, I could tell she was impressed.

Wild Grylls: That's a good thing, right?

Heavenly Demon: It is exceedingly good. In terms of cultivation, you have reached the late stage of the Peak Realm. However, your advancement was far too abrupt, so you likely cannot even manifest sword energy properly.

Wild Grylls: Sword energy? You mean putting mana into a sword?

Heavenly Demon: Internal energy.

Wild Grylls: I'll be careful. Anyway, I can't do it. This is the first time I've heard of it.

Heavenly Demon: You would likely struggle not only to manifest sword energy, but even to reinforce your own body. That is precisely why the fundamentals are important.

Wild Grylls: I see. Understood.

Heavenly Demon: Therefore, understanding the route will make matters easier. Read carefully. When circulating your cultivation method, the internal energy flows through the lower dantian, the perineum, the coccyx...

The Heavenly Demon's lesson continued.

At considerable length.

I could only stare blankly with my mouth hanging open.

I didn't understand a single word.

It felt like I had started with the basics of one plus one, only for her to suddenly throw calculus at me.

The Heavenly Demon's intensive tutoring continued.

Heavenly Demon: If this is too difficult, I can show you through a drawing.

Wild Grylls: Can you do that?

Heavenly Demon: (A rough diagram of the circulation route.) How is it? Can you see it clearly?

I could certainly see it.

It was roughly a side view of a human body with the internal circulation route drawn inside.

What language is this?

The problem was that I couldn't understand any of the writing.

At least the route itself was illustrated, so I could more or less guess where it went.

Is this really going to be okay?

It was far too difficult.

Meanwhile—

SwordMaster: Moderator, you traded with the Heavenly Demon, didn't you?

Don’t Abandon the Hero: Huh?!