Chapter 54 - When a Tiger Dies (1)

For the first time in a while, I dreamed. Not of soaring freely through the sky, but of my life back home.

I couldn't call those ordinary days... My parents had died in an accident when I was young, leaving me to live alone.

I hadn't wanted help from my relatives. They were good people, but I felt I would be too much of a burden. Besides, they weren't exactly well-off themselves, so I couldn't ask for help. If anything, I felt so guilty that I barely contacted them.

I simply fought tooth and nail to survive on my own. There wasn't a part-time job I hadn't done, and I could barely attend school. I managed to scrape together the minimum attendance, but it was enough to leave me adrift. College was beyond my wildest dreams.

After that, my memories grew hazy, as though fog had settled in my head. All I focused on was keeping myself fed.

My circumstances were a complete mess, but perhaps something out there still didn't want me to die.

["Jonghyeok. We really don't mind. Why don't you come live with us?"]

["Hey, Park Jonghyeok. Let me know when your shift's over. Let's go to an internet cafe. You're broke? I'll cover some of it."]

["Do you like soccer? Or baseball?"]

["You've worked hard, so I'm giving you a little extra. People like you are hard to come by these days."]

I had what people called luck with people.

My relatives genuinely worried about me, and my friends were considerate without a mean streak among them. My boss at my part-time job must have felt sorry for my circumstances, because he made sure I was paid well, too.

If people were going to show me that kind of goodwill, shouldn't I return it?

It was only basic human decency. I kept that in mind and lived an honest, hardworking life.

The military was no trouble either. All I had to do was follow orders properly. For someone with nothing, such a strictly regimented life was actually comfortable.

I considered making a career of it, but I was still drifting and put the decision off. What would have happened if I'd stayed? There was no point wondering.

'God works in strange ways.'

I wasn't particularly religious, but I didn't deny God's existence. When times were hard, I could curse God, and when things went well, I could believe in him.

Or turn to him in a crisis. That seemed to be human instinct.

'As far as I'm concerned, the people who show me kindness are gods.'

Someone who showed kindness to a person in need. What else could they be to that person but a god? At least, that was how I saw it.

Even after I was abruptly dropped into the Forest of Four Seasons, there were people who helped me without asking for anything in return. People whose faces I didn't even know. Those were bonds I could never give up.

Goodwill for goodwill. Gratitude for gratitude.

Above all, be someone who gives first rather than receives. Even if they don't respond in kind, let it go. They can call me a sucker for all I care.

Otherwise, I'd be making fools of everyone who had shown me kindness. At least, that was what I believed.

"Mmm..."

I struggled to pry my eyes open. Even then, my vision was so blurry that I had to blink several times.

'Where am I...?'

My mind was too foggy to think straight, so I started with what I could see. As my blurry vision gradually cleared, a vivid blue sky came into view.

Fluffy clouds floated lazily across it. How pretty, I thought.

'Why am I looking at the sky...? What was I...?'

Just as I wondered what I'd been doing, something slid into view. A face with a relaxed, rather stupid-looking expression. It was a little cute.

I stared at that face and immediately recognized it.

"Why are you here..."

Before I could finish the question, everything that had happened before I passed out flashed through my mind like lightning.

The attack in the dead of night. The desperate battle with the giant tiger. Its claws tearing my flesh, and then its enormous fangs piercing my body. Finally, splitting its head open, only to collapse while trying to finish it off.

As it all came back to me, I bolted upright.

"Aaagh! Ugh...!"

But the agonizing pain all over my body, especially in my right shoulder, forced me back down.

Right. My shoulder had been completely wrecked. I'd been so busy making sure the tiger was dead that I hadn't even administered first aid.

Fearfully, I looked at my right shoulder.

"Huh?"

To my surprise, though, my right shoulder was intact. The tiger's bite had left my jersey in tatters, but the skin showing underneath was unbroken.

Before I could wonder what on earth had happened, I spotted a glass bottle lying on the ground. It was unmistakably the Elixir bottle Starlight Lady had given me.

"... Did you pour it on me?"

"..."

My voice was dazed as I asked the speed-sloth. It merely wore its usual vacant expression, but that was answer enough.

"Heh."

A laugh escaped me. How many times did I owe this little guy my life now?

Without the speed-sloth, I never would have survived.

'Speaking of which, where's the tiger?'

Judging by the blue sky, it was morning. If I'd survived until morning, the tiger was definitely dead.

I barely managed to turn my head and saw the house-sized tiger lying on the ground. It wasn't moving a muscle. Definitely dead. That was a relief.

'What time is it...?'

From the bright sky, it was well past early morning. Grimacing, I unsteadily hauled myself up.

After such serious injuries, I should stay lying down, but I at least wanted something soft beneath me.

'Huh? Where's Roundfur?'

When I staggered into the cave, Roundfur was missing. The cub wasn't beside me begging for food either. Its sudden disappearance made me anxious.

"Roundfur! Roundfur, where are you!"

"Kyu?"

A reply came from behind me when I shouted Roundfur's name. Puzzled, I turned around, but couldn't see the cub. I called again.

"Roundfur?"

"Kyuu."

This time I heard it clearly. But it came from the tiger's direction. That puzzled me for a moment, but not for long.

"Kyuuu..."

Roundfur appeared from behind the fallen tiger. Rather than jumping, the cub struggled to clamber over it, looking both pitiful and adorable.

I gave a warm smile at the sight, only to notice something odd.

"Roundfur. What's that on your mouth? Is that blood?"

"Kyu!"

Roundfur beamed and answered enthusiastically. So it was blood.

I was starting to get a bad feeling about this. Just in case, I asked.

"Where did you get it? From the tiger?"

"Kyuu!"

Roundfur patted the surface below with a forepaw—the tiger, in other words.

I could only rub my face. Apparently, the cub had been eating the dead tiger while I was unconscious. Its neck was practically shredded, so that was probably where Roundfur had concentrated its efforts.

With a conflicted sigh, I addressed the cub.

"Fine. Just don't eat too much. Your belly will burst."

"Kyuu."

Roundfur answered in agreement. Having confirmed the cub was alive, I went back into the cave, then lay on the soft mat to rest my body and mind.

'Oh, right. The time.'

I immediately logged onto the forum. Please let it still be morning.

10 unread messages

As soon as I entered, a notification alerted me to unread messages. Heavenly Demon was the only person I chatted with privately. They were probably from her.

'It's well past lunchtime.'

No wonder Roundfur had been eating the tiger's corpse. More time had passed than I'd thought.

After last night's fierce battle, perhaps it was only natural that I'd been unconscious for so long. Besides, if the speed-sloth hadn't poured the Elixir on me, I would have bled to death.

'I'd better reply to Heavenly Demon first.'

I was curious about what was happening on the forum, but answering her came first. I opened the flashing notification and entered the private chat.

Heavenly Demon

My honored friend. It is morning, yet I have heard nothing from you.

If you went to bed late last night, I understand.

My honored friend. You seem to be sleeping rather late.

My honored friend?

You have not even logged onto the forum.

Has something happened, by any chance?

Please reply if you see this.

My honored friend. It is already lunchtime.

Has something truly happened to you?

The messages were filled with mounting worry. She seemed terribly concerned about me.

I felt a little embarrassed, but quickly sent a reply to ease her worries.

I'm sorry, Heavenly Demon.

A huge tiger attacked last night, and I passed out.

Heavenly Demon

A huge tiger attacked you?

How large was it?

Its eyes were more than a head higher than mine.

Heavenly Demon

A beast truly worthy of being called lord of the mountain.

Are you all right?

It punched holes through my body. I nearly died.

The speed-sloth saved me by pouring Elixir on me.

Heavenly Demon

Thank goodness.

Were you unconscious for a long time?

Yes. I think so.

The bite still hurts like hell.

Heavenly Demon

If you wish, I will send you an herb that is excellent for relieving pain.

I'm fine.

I can drink some Elixir.

I'm going to rest for a bit now.

Heavenly Demon

Nothing is better than rest after a fierce battle.

Rest well, then.

I never doubted you would return, my honored friend.

Thank you.

I'll post on the forum soon, too.

With Heavenly Demon's concern and encouragement, I brought our conversation to a close. I clambered off the mat and made my unsteady way toward the Elixir.

My body hurt terribly, and I didn't know whether the speed-sloth had applied it thoroughly. Speedy's claws weren't suited to delicate work, after all.

GULP

I took a sip of Elixir and slowly removed my clothes. Between the dried blood and the holes that had been punched through my body, even undressing was a struggle.

'The fabric must have gotten pushed inside before the wounds healed.'

The jersey had stopped the tiger's claws, but not its teeth. Riddled with holes, it probably wouldn't function properly anymore.

Still, for a single jersey to have performed that well was incredible value.

'So they weren't joking about adventurers wearing jerseys on the job.'

I took off the jersey and checked my body. Apparently even Elixir couldn't heal severe wounds without a trace. Deep scars remained, especially where those long fangs had bitten me.

Just in case, I poured Elixir over the scars. The smaller ones faded somewhat, but the fang wounds remained unchanged.

'Better put some on the other places, too.'

I applied Elixir to every injury to prevent bacterial infection. A short while later, having treated all the wounds, I closed the bottle.

By then, the pain in my shoulder had eased. Earlier, even getting up had been difficult. Now I could at least walk.

'Without Elixir, I really would've been in trouble.'

I felt boundlessly grateful to Starlight Lady for a trade that had given me exactly what I needed. Then I decided to head to the forum and make a survival check-in first.

Where'd Grylls go? Is he dead?

Seriously, what if he's dead?

Grylls. Come back.

Quite a few people were looking for news of me when I entered the forum. There were some weird posts scattered among them, but they were quickly deleted.

The admin or Heavenly Demon must have been handing out instant bans. All that remained was my survival check-in.

Survival Check-In

Wild Grylls

(Photo of a badly scarred shoulder)

(Photo of a blood-covered body)

It's me. A fucking huge tiger showed up last night, and I seriously almost died;;

I was out for at least ten hours and only just came to. Yep, the scars are from the tiger biting me.

Think I'd better do nothing and rest today. Everything hurts so much I can barely move;;

└Sword Masta: You're alive. Tigers are aggressive, so it must have been a difficult fight... You really were in danger.

└Wild Grylls: I was so scared I thought I'd piss myself.

└Sword Masta: It's not like anyone's there to see it lol. And even if you did, I'd understand.

└Wild Grylls: Have you ever killed a tiger, Sword Masta?

└Sword Masta: I have. It was a fairly large one.

└Wild Grylls: I'll post the tiger I killed later. It's seriously huge.

└Passing Dwarf: Hey. Does that mean no crab today?

└Wild Grylls: Yeah, probably. Really sorry;; I honestly think I'll die if I go out there.

└Passing Dwarf: Then give me one tomorrow. I can get you the shoes in a bit.

└Wild Grylls: Thanks, thanks. You're a saint. I'll get a mature mandrake if I can.

└Starlight Lady: Those scars are awful... And all that blood...! Have you used the Elixir?

└Wild Grylls: Yes. The speed-sloth poured it on me while I was unconscious. I'd probably be dead otherwise.

└Starlight Lady: You say such frightening things so casually. Anyway, I'm glad you survived.

└Wild Grylls: It's thanks to the Elixir you gave me, Starlight Lady. Thank you so much.

└Starlight Lady: I owe you my life, Grylls. I hope you recover soon.

└Slutty Princess: How's the jersey doing?

└Wild Grylls: (Photo of a tattered jersey) This is how it ended up. Still, it got me through several close calls. Thank you so much.

└Slutty Princess: So the protection worked! I'll send you more jerseys later!

└Wild Grylls: I feel like all I do is take, so there's no rush. I've still got some left.

└Where's the tiger?

└Wild Grylls: I'll make another post soon. Gonna eat first.

└Are you selling the tiger too?

└Of course he should. Butchering is a fucking pain lol.

└We all know you're just waiting to snap it up.

└Busted lol.

Well, I thought differently.

Normally, I would have put it on the auction house and moved on, but I'd changed my mind. This thing had driven me to death's door, and its hide looked pretty useful.

In particular, a properly cared-for hide could come in handy in all sorts of ways.

'Maybe I should just butcher it myself.'

That was a good idea. Roundfur had already torn into the meat anyway, and it was time for me to improve my own skills.

I might have to do my own butchering someday. This was my chance.

└Wild Grylls: Nah, I'm going to butcher it myself this time. About time I got some practice.

└? Didn't you say you were hurt?

└Wild Grylls: Yeah, but I've still gotta do it. It'll rot if I leave it.

└If you're doing it, definitely ask the butcher guys for advice.

└Do what the guy above said. They're all nice people. Seriously.

└They'll usually share all their expertise, too. Dunno about tigers, though.

└Wild Grylls: Is there a reason?

└In their line of work, talking shit gets you stabbed. They have to be nice.

That was a perfectly reasonable explanation, which made me trust them even more.