37 – Escapee from Another World
The news of Ju-Jjak’s resurrection came to her late at night just before she fell asleep.
A short and definite report had come up at this late hour.
Ju-Jjak had come back to life, and the Galléri had reverted to its original form.
That’s what the report said.
But was that all?
Beatrice had a question as she read the report.
If Ju-Jjak didn’t die, why was he expelled from Galléri’s administrators?
If Ju-Jjak really died… how did Ju-Jjak resurrect?
And who killed Ju-Jjak?
She couldn’t figure out the answers to all these questions.
She’d never heard of the Galléri system error.
Resurrecting after death was something you’d hear in legends and fairy tales.
There might be someone on the continent who could kill Ju-Jjak, but there was no definite evidence or circumstances.
In the end, everything was in the dark.
She put down the arising questions with the report.
And she realized one vital fact.
‘So… what in the world happened to Juddak?’
In the report, it was mentioned that Juddak had come back to life and the geopolitical changes that resulted.
However, the details about Juddak himself, the most crucial information, weren’t included.
Beatrice doubted the status of Juddak.
Juddak’s activity had decreased.
Compared to his usual posts and comments, his activity had significantly decreased.
There had to be a reason why he was posting approximately only 20% of his usual content.
She focused on figuring out this reason.
Was he too busy to respond…? Or could there be another reason…?
Her speculation stirred her imagination, and drew the image of Juddak.
Juddak, who had been attacked by his attacker, managed to resurrect… he must have left his post.
Even if he was uninjured, Juddak would have decided to leave his post somehow.
‘Falling into danger once… is the same as falling into danger twice.’
That’s human psychology. People want to escape from the danger.
In the process, Juddak may have lost his composure.
Even though he tried hard not to show it, his activity log didn’t lie.
‘So then… what state are you in, Juddak?’
There’s no one to provide an answer.
However, Juddak’s condition could be speculated.
It wouldn’t be a good one.
If Juddak, attacked in his own home, went somewhere else.
Could he find a safer place?
No.
If he could have found a safer place, he would already have chosen it.
If Juddak was attacked in what he could consider the safest place…
Could there be a place for Juddak to escape to?
‘If there’s no such place… where in the world is Juddak?’
Where would Juddak, who had lost his sanctuary, be headed? Is his situation normal?
The fact that Juddak’s situation has become serious enough to affect his gallery activities…
Imagining Juddak in crisis, she clenched her fist.
‘We’ve only received help from the kingdom so far… it’s our turn to help this time.’
In order to do so, she had to find out where he was.
The last wish left to the kingdom…
That should be able to tell her Juddak’s location.
She didn’t bother to convene the kingdom’s council. It was clear that it would only waste time.
Listening to others’ opinions? That was unnecessary too.
There was never any thought of hesitating about this decision.
Beatrice in tyrant mode stepped out of her bedroom.
“Your Majesty?”
“I can’t sleep. Just going for a walk. Wait here.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Dismissing the guards and escorts, she headed down into the castle’s basement.
Unlike the brightly lit upper floor, it was dark, damp and cold.
With a small spark, she conjured a lamp and continued down as a heater in hand.
The seemingly endless stairs eventually showed the floor.
Arriving at the vault located deep underground, Beatrice found her direction.
It’s a physical labyrinth and a path twisted by magic. Even so, she moved with bold steps.
One step forward. Four steps to the right. Three steps to the left. One step backward….
Moving as she remembered, she arrived in front of a door size enough for two people to barely enter.
A place not easily accessed by anyone.
She applied the royal seal to the kingdom’s treasury, and a blue light flowed out.
Beatrice opened the door and went inside.
Not comparable to the empire, but worthy of the name treasure room, all kinds of treasures were displayed.
What she was looking for was the item displayed in the farthest corner of the treasure room.
A shriveled monkey’s paw.
It was the treasure that had granted the wishes of the ancestors.
As she approached the hand, a low voice growled from somewhere.
–Speak your wish.
It was a malevolent voice inducing fear from anyone who heard it.
Nevertheless, Beatrice voiced her desire.
Judd. She had to find his whereabouts.
“I want to know where Judd is, he’s the manager of the gallery.”
A brief silence ensued, and the monkey’s hand responded.
–I will fulfill your desire.
“Excuse me?”
–Your wish will be granted.
He claimed he’d fulfill her desire… but she hadn’t wished for something!
Beatrice’s confusion did not last long.
The monkey’s hand crumbled into dust, scattering into the air.
Then, from somewhere, a firefly turned up and hovered around her.
‘…There’s no way a firefly could have entered here.’
Did the firefly appear because of her wish?
She followed where the firefly led her.
She moved outside. To the ground. And she chased the firefly flying fierce into the distance.
Drawing a magic circle with her hand, she felt her body leisurely rise into the sky.
‘Where could it be leading?’
The firefly’s speed was too fast to tug another person along with her.
To avoid losing sight of the firefly, she concentrated and flew through the sky.
The direction pointed towards a secluded forest.
There was a feeling of unease eating at the pit of her stomach.
She had nothing but to chase the firefly in pitch-black darkness.
***
At that moment, the gallery was still enveloped in a party atmosphere.
Those who lost their seed money had regained their futures.
Those who lost their chicken and cola had regained hope!
They loudly celebrated the name of Judd, who created something from nothing, and chattered joyfully as they usually would.
─Just Punch! Just Punch! Just Punch! Just Punch! Just Punch!
─Just, you’re a god…!
ㄴBut did Just not clean up the mess he made?
ㄴLet’s bury such truth
ㄴFor real lol, everyone’s having fun so don’t ruin it!!!!!!!
─Vegetation Druid
Title) Ahh!!!!!
I thought I had escaped but was caught again!!!!!
ㄴlol, you’ll never escape, nerd!!!!!!!!!
ㄴFor your whole life!! Either Just dies or you die, one of the two!!!!!!!
ㄴWords from an elf geek whose) secretly pleased
ㄴSomeone needs me? That feels good lol
ㄴIs the elf geek gritting his teeth and pretending to hate it? lol But he’s still working hard as a pawn, right?
─King of Devils
Title) The revival of the Devil’s Sword~~~
Gasp!! The sword is back in my hand~
I’m going to start looking for opponents to slash~~
ㄴInsane,,, insane,,, insane,,, insane,,, insane,,
ㄴWho gave the sword to him!!!!!
ㄴHe’s always been like this lol
ㄴSurprisingly, he cuts regularly so it’s not scary? Lol
─King of Devils
Title) Everyone, obey meee~~
Bow your heads now~~~
If your neck stiffens, I’ll discipline you with the Devil’s Sword~~
ㄴWho the hell gave this brat a sword again!!!!!!!!!
ㄴGasp
ㄴKing of Devils! King of Devils! King of Devils! King of Devils! King of Devils!
ㄴKing of Devils is a god!!!!!!!!!
ㄴJust’s reliable right hand, King of Devils, please have mercy on us…!!!!!!!!
ㄴDemonKing) Feeling better now~~
ㄴlol
ㄴSeriously, who would have thought this crazy bugger would come back?
ㄴIs the gallery already ruined, really?
ㄴNewsflash. The Demon King was actually chosen by the buggy. We might be screwed already.
ㄴHow did we only end up with complete assholes? I’m frightened, so scared lol
— Hero
Title) In need of a hero party…!
Need manpower capable of protecting the buggy…!
Anyone will do…!
ㄴWhy have the standards suddenly lowered? lol
ㄴlol Why so cute, hero?
ㄴThis one seems somewhat shocked after the buggy’s death.
ㄴFor real lol
ㄴBut the hero usually had fun with the buggy…
ㄴThe hero is incredibly kind, lol
ㄴ But if the hero’s party is guarding the buggy, isn’t it basically a buggy party?
ㄴHuh?
ㄴI can’t believe you spilled such an inconvenient truth.
ㄴDon’t you fear the hero’s sword…?
ㄴEh.
ㄴJust call it the hero’s party lol let that be it lol
ㄴ Buggy) Lol it really is the hero’s party, no doubt.
“Everyone seems to be having fun.”
In the warm and pleasant atmosphere of the gallery.
Even the buggy managed to force a smile.
What a relief. The Gallery is the same as always.
Murmuring to himself, he headed towards the dark forest.
***
The forest was ominously dark and deserted.
The reason Ju-ddek had come this far was straightforward.
He had died.
Ju-ddek, who had failed to learn to shoot a handgun, had suffered a dreadful shot to the heart.
Blood escaping from his body. The body getting colder. Sleep coming with the cold.
These were the signs of a dying body.
He was dying…
Ju-ddek’s memory ended there. Darkness came.
He thought he had died, but he regained consciousness from the warmth he felt from his fingers.
The light emanating from the ring given to him by a dwarf shrouded his body.
A miracle…? Or maybe it was a blessing or magic.
The color of the ring seemed duller than before.
Grateful for the fact that he had been revived, Ju-ddek immediately got up.
He hurriedly picked up the handgun that had fallen on the floor and pointed it around.
There was no one else. The broken door had somehow been restored.
But… that was it.
This place was not safe.
The instinct of survival quickly devoured him.
‘Once fooled… Would he not be twice?’
There was no guarantee that the man, soiled in white, wouldn’t return.
There had been ones who dealt carelessly and were fooled three times in a row.
The idea of leaving this place filled his mind.
He had to get out. To where? Let’s just get out first.
Ju-ddek hastily changed his clothes, preparing to go outside…
He took a photograph of the vivid bloodstain on the floor for a post in the gallery.
Wasn’t it proper gallantry to take a picture first, even if the noodles were spilled or if there was a fire?
There wasn’t much for Ju-ddek to take.
Just a handgun and a pouch containing silver and gold coins.
He went out and headed towards the merchants’ guild where the servants were resting.
If he were to run away, where would be the safest? He pondered on his next destination.
To the east were Majeros and Terin.
Head north and you’ll reach Ardell.
Westward lies the Teseur Empire and Elan,
The choice was not hard to make.
Going east was never a consideration,
For there was no connection to Mageros or Terein.
Out of the list too, was the west.
What would change if one went to the Teseur Empire? Would the empire welcome one with open arms?
Elan would be the same. The Elven snobs would probably scorn humans as primitive. Even finding Elan was a grueling task.
The only place that seemed closest and reliable was Ardell, to the North.
Judak took out a document he received from Serendia.
‘If you ask for help, they will definitely agree.’
Choosing to go to Ardell, to keep oneself alive, is possibly way better.
Despite that optimistic thought, the reality was harsh.
“Ardell? You can’t go there unless you know somebody.”
“Ah, Brother. Why do you want to go Ardell? If you want to kill yourself, do it properly.”
“And with the rumor of your death causing political unrest in Galle, there is no coach willing to go Ardell.”
There was no carriage to Ardell!
Due to the fewer interactions between guilds and Ardell.
Realizing the pessimistic state, Judak managed to get a carriage to Mageros.
“Do you want a carriage to Mageros? You need 30 silver.”
“Here. Just try to take a detour near Ardell.”
When a gold coin was proffered instead of a silver coin, the man smirked happily.
“You are generous, sir.”
“Can we leave right away?”
“We can, sir.”
As Judak climbed the rickety carriage, he tried to make sense of the situation.
The coachman had just said, rumors of his death were astir in Galle.
Which means… is the spot of the Galle manager still vacant?
Was it because I died and came back to life that I’m no longer the Gallery manager?
What would happen if I try to access the Gallery now?
Jokingly, I accessed the Gallery.
【Gallery Manager : Your authentication has been released.】
【Would you like to try again?】
【If you access the Gallery, you will be granted administrator privileges again.】
He hesitated before pressing No.
It’s too early. I shouldn’t return to the Gallery yet…
I have to go at least somewhere safe, somewhere hard for others to find me.
After the carriage had escaped from the Duke of Hessen’s territory, it stopped on the carriage road near Ardel after half a day.
“This is the nearest place to Ardel. Ardel’s direction is over there.”
“….”
From Noble mtl dot com
There’s no other choice. This is as close to Ardel as we can be.
He got down from the carriage and walked toward the dark forest he had pointed.
It was raining and dark, but this was for the best.
Soon, it would be Ardel’s territory. If I have run away this far… I should have a little leeway?
I’m tired, and… sleepy.
In order to chase away the sleepiness, he accessed the Gallery.
【Authentication as Gallery Manager Successful.】
At the same time, the Gallery returned to its original form.
Seeing the burning Gallery due to arguments about the funeral and the resurrection breadcrumb, I giggled.
The Gallery was still the same. It was still fun.
He wrote his usual relaxed posts and left playful comments, just like always.
With the strenuous schedule, I was dead tired. My eyelids were half-closed, but I could manage still.
In one corner, an alert from the admin chat blinked.
They asked if I was okay, but I responded simply.
─ Me) I’m perfectly fine, of course.
No, I’m actually not.
─ Me) Nothing happened lol
Something happened, but I purposefully replied in a cheeky manner.
‘…No need to explain the situation in detail.’
Realizing his life was in danger would likely distress the gallery.
He masqueraded calmness and led the gallery in its usual ambiance.
Forcing the corners of his mouth to lift.
He wrote as he usually did on the gallery—his laughter stiff.
‘The gallery will be fine like this.’
As if nothing had happened.
Thinking so, Judak tread through the forest.
A dark forest where anything could seemingly appear.
What caught his gaze was an abandoned shack.
Let’s rest a bit over there….
His hands trembling at the thought of the eerie stories he’d heard about the shack, but he quietly opened the door.
Thankfully, there were no warm soups. Neither were there any cold ones.
Traces of abandonment had left various parts of the wooden floor broken.
Judak purchased new clothes with his points from the gallery and changed into them.
Since I have to go to Ardel from here… it’s roughly a day’s journey, isn’t it?
He hid in the corner of the shack in the darkness, hunkering down with a gun in his hand.
Despite his tension, he could not easily fall asleep.
Though his mind is clear, he was utterly tired. He wished to close at least his eyes to alleviate his fatigue.
As his head bobbed lower, he heard something with his ears.
Footsteps.
Footsteps.
Someone seemed to be standing in the doorway of the shack.
Judak woke up with a start and gripped his gun tightly.
Could it be him again? Will I be able to shoot him this time? Hopefully, he’s not the owner of the shack. Hot soup would scare me.
He pointed his gun towards the door.
Creak.
The door slowly opened, and… Judak, who was about to pull the trigger, paused.
This time, it wasn’t a man as white as snow from head to toe.
It’s a woman with sky-blue hair. She carefully held the doorknob and stared at Judak.
As if to say I’m not a harmful person, at the end of the cautious movement of closing the door,
her mouth opened.
“…I will ask. Are you the Jujak of the Gallery?”
