READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 4
< Chapter 4 >
“…What is this?”
Upon seeing the window, she still hadn’t grasped the situation. She had only posted about plants in the gallery and left nice comments! Yet, an unbelievable reality was before her.
【You have been banned for 999999 days.】
【Reason for ban: Figure it out and resolve it yourself.】
【You have been appointed as a sub-administrator of the gallery.】
【Accept】 【Reject】
999999 days, what amount of years is that even? 2739 years. Having finished the calculation, she felt dizzy.
Why would they do this…? Given the instruction to figure it out suggests that’s the key point.
Come in as a sub-administrator. In the gallery, this is what’s known as a “badge of shame.” They’re offering the blue armband.
Or… Just watch the 2739-year ban without accepting? One would die before it ends. Even a dragon might not survive that long. Or humanity could be extinct. It was an incredibly long time.
Trembling.
She wanted to be angry, but there was no one to direct her anger at. With no choice left, she eventually pressed the accept button. Accept, then leave the position right after lifting the ban.
【You have been appointed as a sub-administrator of the gallery.】
【Administrator chat has been activated.】
She became an administrator and immediately lifted the ban. Ban lifted.
And then she could leave the position. Just then, a notification sound rang.
【Administrator Chat】
The alarm shone. She felt compelled to check it. She carefully moved her finger.
—Moderator: Hey, you came?
—Moderator: Know this, even if you lift the ban and leave, you’ll get banned again.
The popped-up chat hit the nail on the head. A single sentence that completely saw through her intentions. Could they be reading her mind? It was so accurate it made her suspicious.
Talking about banning again. While thinking it was malicious, she pressed the hologram keyboard.
—Plant Druid: Why are you doing this to me.
—Moderator: Because you’re a talent that fits right in with the badge of shame?
—Demon King-chan: Hawawa! An Elf spy old-timer has come~~~
—Plant Druid: I’m not an Elf spy old-timer!!
She shook with anger as she clenched her fist in rebuttal. She was an elf, but neither an elf spy nor an old-timer.
In reality, none of that applied to her. But the more she got angry, the more it seemed true. The fish bit the bait.
—Demon King-chan: The concept of a stubborn Elf spy old-timer is weird~~~
—Plant Druid: I told you, I’m not an Elf spy old-timer!!! And your concept is weird enough!!!
—Demon King-chan: Elves are too serious, which is a turn-off > <☆
Now that I think about it, Demon King-chan. This guy is also a badge of shame holder. To think I have to be a badge of shame holder alongside such a person. She was angry but forced herself to endure it.
The image of elves was bad enough already. How much effort had been made to improve the image of elves? There must not be any more damage to the reputation of elves.
‘I’ve barely managed to change our image over the years…!’
Unlike the past, filled with old-fashioned and stubborn elves, the atmosphere has changed nowadays.
With the emergence of the new generation of elves, the gallery no longer outright rejects elves. It’s not that they hate elves per se, but rather, they dislike what’s known as the ‘old-timer’ elves.
After so much effort to change our image…! Didn’t I even write such posts anonymously?
—Anonymous
Title: Why the term “Elf spy” is fucking stupid lol
If you’re openly an elf, what are you gonna do, bitches lol
Spies, lol, that’s hilarious
Come to Elan if you dare, I’ll beat the shit out of you
Upvotes: 2899 Downvotes: 37
ㄴLOL, not an elf spy but an elf warrior lol
ㄴLOL, elf warrior is legit lol
ㄴCan’t help but be the elf tribal chief lol
ㄴElf warrior lololol
ㄴSuch a manly charm lol
The so-called elf warrior. Instead of the elf spy concept, I earned affection with a warrior concept.
After that, to escape the image, I didn’t act old-fashioned and serious like an elf spy. I revealed my elf identity and treated everyone kindly.
—Plant Druid
Title: The flowers bloomed today ^^
(A simple beautiful white flower.jpg) Please purify yourself by looking at this~~
ㄴHow did you grow this?
ㄴWith care ^^
ㄴElf bitch using racial buffs to grow flowers and acting all high and mighty lol
ㄴSeems like your parents didn’t raise you well. ^^
ㄴlololol
ㄴNo cursing but the parental diss is savage lololol
ㄴDo you think you’re superior because you grow plants lol
I talked a lot about plants because I like them. I’ve heard that my way of speaking smells a bit old-fashioned. But it’s not because I’m an old-timer. It’s just how I speak, and I can’t change it. Anyway, it’s not true.
Thus, in the gallery, I solidified my position as an elf who grows plants.
—Demon King-chan: It smells like grandma from the elf spy old-timer~~~
—Plant Druid: I smell like flowers, you know!!!!!!!!
—Demon King-chan: Granny~ play with me > <☆
—Plant Druid: I’m not a granny!!!
The greatest crisis in my gallery activities. I feel like I’m about to transform into a dark elf due to Demon King-chan’s provocation.
Trembling trembling trembling.
She clenched her fist tightly and contained her anger.
‘Do I really have to wear this badge of shame because of that guy?’
This is really not okay. She tapped away at the administrator chat.
—Plant Druid: I really can’t do the badge of shame! Seriously!
—Moderator: You want to quit being a badge of shame holder?
—Plant Druid: Yes! I can’t do it with that weird person!
—Demon King-chan: Demon King-chan isn’t weird, it’s cute > <☆
She suppressed her anger and waited for the next chat. Maybe if she pleaded persistently, they might grant her request. Holding onto that tiny hope, she waited for the chat to come up.
—Moderator: Hmm. Then don’t do it.
A smile blossomed on her face.
—Moderator: But in that case, don’t engage in gallery activities.
Her smile froze. She was at a loss for words, her hand stopped. It was tyrannical. But she couldn’t resist.
‘Stop gallery activities?’
That’s absolutely impossible. A choice I really don’t want to make.
Talking about plants makes me happy, but that’s not everything.
There’s a lot to gain from being in the gallery. With so much information exchange, one must stay in the gallery.
Didn’t a gallery member predict the Great Eastern Earthquake decades ago? The gallery is full of hidden talents and valuable information. Losing access to the gallery would be a great loss.
“…I can’t give up.”
But then.
I’d have to wear the badge.
I hate it.
I really do.
She teared up as she slowly raised her finger.
—Plant Druid: I’ll… be a badge of shame holder…
—Demon King-chan: Hawawa~~ The noble kneeling apology of the elf spy old-timer is precious~~ > <☆
I haven’t felt this powerless in the last 100 years.
“Sob… I’ll just do the badge of shame thing…,”
The queen of the elf nation, Elan. Eris logged into the gallery with sad eyes.
* * *
After Demon King-chan became a badge of shame holder in the gallery, the speculation continued as usual.
‘Who will be the next badge of shame holder?’ Given the influence each badge of shame holder has in the gallery, it was not a matter to be taken lightly.
Title: Who do you think will be the next badge of shame holder?
This time it’s Demon King-chan, but will the next one be even more of a disaster?
ㄴ Demon King-chan is okay though;;
ㄴ lol, Demon King-chan is deep enough, you’re saying there’s worse?
ㄴ Sometimes those damn newcomers come lol
ㄴ Lucky it’s not a regular post, would’ve gone crazy for real lol
ㄴ What the hell are you talking about
ㄴ That picture just now… wasn’t it laughing?
ㄴ Aaaaaaah!!!!!!!
ㄴ lol, what did you see lol
ㄴ You better not look for real
ㄴThe brain that hasn’t seen it lives, please buy it cheap
ㄴ Even if it’s expensive, buy it lol
ㄴ This guy must be in a hurry lol
ㄴ (Your brain is already contaminated.)
Title: There are 2 badges of shame positions left. Who will fill the remaining two?
ㄴ Just one Demon King-chan already completes the quota of villains, the rest will probably be normal lol
ㄴ Really? lol
ㄴ The posts from Moderator are already the epitome of madness lol
ㄴ Ta-da~ There’s no such thing~~
ㄴ Maybe they’ll fill it with villains?
ㄴ Eh, surely not
ㄴ I was happy when I could say that…
ㄴ Ah, has ‘that badge of shame’ not arrived in this dimension yet?
ㄴ lol, which dimension did you come from
ㄴ Maybe they’re choosing the badge of shame
ㄴ Seems likely
ㄴ Waiting to see who will be picked as the badge of shame
The majority of the gallery’s interest was focused on the badge of shame holders.
There are two badge of shame positions left. Who will fill the remaining two? While everyone was showing interest, a new ID filled one of the vacant badge of shame positions.
Title: Uh, why did it turn blue??
lolololololol
ㄴ lol, of all people, it had to be them lol
ㄴ At least it’s better lol, poor thing lol
ㄴ Plant Druid has become a badge of shame holder lololol
Elves are significantly less active in numbers. Should I say less, or should I say they’re hiding? Among users who openly reveal their elf identity, Plant Druid was the most likable named user. Plant Druid has become a badge of shame holder.
A true old-timer who freely uses the old-timer speech style. While being serious was a flaw, some gallery members found even that to be charming.
ㄴ Wow, they took the plant old-timer elf lololol
ㄴ Where’s… my glasses…???
ㄴ My eyes,,, are blurry…~~~
ㄴ lolololololol
However, the problem was that they were liked in a mocking manner.
Title: Why an elf of all things? Picking an elf spy as a badge of shame holder? Sigh, the gallery’s ruined
ㄴ At least they’re not an elf spy but an elf elder lol
ㄴ lol, always posting about plants, understandable since they’re a Druid
Title: Because they’re pretty? Elves age slowly for real
ㄴ Judging by their speech, at least middle-aged, elderly lol
ㄴ lol, elf tactical nuke is not okay!!!!!!!!
ㄴ Waiting
ㄴ Don’t do it!!!!!!!!!
ㄴ Isn’t Plant Druid the Elf Queen? lol
ㄴ Elf Queen~~ take me~~~
ㄴ After Demon King, the Elf Queen as a badge of shame? Lololol
ㄴ What if it really is the Elf Queen?
ㄴ It’s not gonna be the Elf Queen lol
ㄴThe Elf Queen just passed 200 years old. Judging by speech, an elf old-timer is at least 800 years old.
ㄴ 200 years old… is young…?
ㄴ 200 years old is fresh indeed;;
ㄴ It’s a chicken coop…
ㄴ Can’t we ask for a chest pic as a badge of shame initiation?
ㄴ Are you crazy lololololol
ㄴ 900 years old,,, grandma,,, show chest,,,?
ㄴ Aaaaaaah!!!!!!!
It’s elder abuse. My eyes were blurry, so I pressed accept by mistake. Amid various jokes, a serious question also emerged.
ㄴ But why did they accept the badge of shame? They could have just declined.
ㄴ Right?? I thought declining was an option.
Surely, it’s possible to decline the administrator position. Then why did they accept the administrator role? Even after some time had passed, they still held onto the badge of shame position.
Did they really decide to become an administrator? Or did they press it by mistake because their eyes were blurry?
Everyone posted their speculations while waiting for the appearance of the plant elf old-timer. Shortly after, the post everyone was waiting for appeared.
—Plant Druid
Title: Cowardly….!!
If you give me a 999999-day ban, I have no choice but to accept the badge of shame!!! It’s tyranny to receive the ban and then be told to lift it!!!
Upvotes: 1872 Downvotes: 1
ㄴ lolololol
ㄴ 999999-day ban lol
ㄴ And yet, no cursing lol, how do you endure this? lol, tough, really tough
ㄴ If you don’t like it, you know what to do lol
ㄴ Yeah lol, that won’t work on Moderator~ lolol
ㄴ lol, really tyranny, but what can you do besides getting angry? lol
ㄴ You got kidnapped lol
ㄴ So, did you confront Moderator?
ㄴPlant Druid: I did, but was told if I didn’t like it, to also quit gallery activities…!!!!!!!!!
ㄴ lolololol
ㄴ Even an elf elder can’t resist gallery activities lol
ㄴ Living for the joy of posting about plants, how could they endure lol
ㄴ Looks like the plant elf old-timer will be a lifelong badge of shame holder lol
ㄴ For real lol, until they die of old age lol
ㄴ They’re already old, aren’t they?
ㄴ You, get out lol
ㄴ lol, harsh words
ㄴ Then, until death, they must do it lol
Amidst the mocking atmosphere, there were also those who inquired about the relationship between elves and demons.
ㄴ But aren’t demons and elves really on bad terms?
ㄴ Elves worship nature, and demons erode it, opposite tendencies
ㄴ Exactly
ㄴ Simply put, elves are of the light attribute, and demons of the dark attribute. Do you think they’d get along? lol
ㄴ One of them dies lol
Although demons don’t greatly affect nature, their bodies become stronger and shift towards the dark spectrum. To create the best conditions for demons, the forest becomes engulfed in darkness.
On the other hand, elves bring light to the forest. Positioned on completely opposite spectrums, their relationship couldn’t possibly be good.
ㄴ If they meet in an official setting, they’re bound to fight lol
ㄴ Elves old-timers waving their staffs in anger lol
ㄴ Can’t imagine those two as badge of shame holders. What would they even talk about?
ㄴ Maybe they’ll still have a normal conversation?
Someone speculated they would be considerate of each other. To function as badge of shame holders, they would need to cooperate. But was that speculation accurate?
—Demon King-chan: The old-timer’s angry staff waving is scary~~ > <☆
—Plant Druid: Who’s waving a staff!!! I’m not old enough to carry a staff!!
—Demon King-chan: Gasp. So, are you preparing for a bonsai funeral???? o0o
—Plant Druid: I’m young!!!
—Demon King-chan: Even grandmothers were young once~~~ > <☆ Teehee~
—Demon King-chan: Grandma’s house special: When you open the cookie jar, there’s a sewing kit inside~~
Trembling trembling trembling.
Eris punched the armrest of her throne repeatedly. Impossible! She couldn’t win the verbal fight!
It was already hard for an elf, who’s weak to provocation, to win against a battle-ready demon. It was obvious she couldn’t win, but Eris couldn’t stand the frustration.
“Oh, someday… I’ll get my revenge…!”
She watered her plants, tears in her eyes, promising revenge. Today was another peaceful day.
* * *
Amid the confirmation of the second badge of shame holder, someone posted a question in the gallery.
Title: But they’re selecting the badge of shame holders really fast, aren’t they? Could it be they’ve already planned for a third one?
ㄴ Right?? It’s super fast for real
ㄴ The fastest I’ve seen among all the Moderators
ㄴ There was even a Moderator who ran with tactical nukes
ㄴ That guy was the pioneer of tactical nukes lol
ㄴ He even coined the term tactical nuke lol
“Hmm.”
A third badge of shame holder, huh. I pondered as I read the post.
Truthfully, I hadn’t selected the third badge of shame holder yet. However, I was thinking about whom to choose from the candidates.
‘To choose someone normal or another crazy one.’
A normal person would have fewer penalties. But most of them have low highs. On the contrary, their lows being higher is an advantage, but is it really?
Being normal means having the mental capacity of an average person. In the gallery, being continuously exposed to all sorts of tactical nukes quickly breaks them. Even I felt a bit dizzy around tactical nuke MK.27.
What about a crazy one? High highs, but their lows can break through the floor. They could make a big mess, and their mentality could be trash.
A dice that only rolls 6s and 1s. But what if it lands on 6?
That would mean someone amazing enough to be a lifetime badge of shame holder. Brilliant individuals with terrible social skills. These two traits often combine to create a super badge of shame holder.
‘There is someone who catched my eye.’
I touched the air to click on a post.
―Hero
Title: Looking for people to save the world again today!
I, the Hero, am looking to form a party in preparation for threats to the world!
To protect the continent, I’m forming a Hero party and seeking members to defeat evil!
—Dangerous journey, low pay, constant danger, safe return uncertain, honor and glory if successful—
ㄴ lol, the job conditions are worse than a badge of shame holder lol
ㄴ Is this really a hero?
ㄴ As if they’re a hero lol
ㄴ The concept of a hero exists, but… there’s no reason for them to post this. They get support from the kingdom.
ㄴ Is the hero a woman?
ㄴ Yes, a woman.
ㄴ So I’ve heard.
ㄴ But lately, the continent is peaceful, so there’s not much for a hero to do.
ㄴ So they’re doing gallery activities? lol
ㄴ Ah lol, even a hero gets bored and goes on the gallery lol
ㄴ Are they really a hero?
ㄴ Would a real hero spend all day on the gallery lol, you idiot lol
ㄴ A real hero is busy lol
ㄴ Even in peace, they’re busy dealing with the remnants of the Demon King lol
‘It’s an extreme concept, but.’
What if they turn out to be surprisingly good? Or just a lunatic. A lunatic who believes they’re a hero.
“Hmm.”
After a moment of contemplation, I made my decision. There’s a fitting comment for such a person. I casually left a reply.
ㄴ Moderator: How about contributing to the peace of the continent by guarding the gallery
ㄴ Moderator, no!!!!!!!
ㄴ This crazy lol
ㄴ Guarding the gallery lololol
ㄴ Hero: What’s good about guarding the gallery?
ㄴ Moderator: With the continent at peace, there are more unemployed
ㄴ Is that a good thing?
ㄴYou’ll have more companions lol
ㄴ Moderator really is crazy lolololololol
ㄴ Crazy, I tell you, this won’t work!!!!!!!!!!!
The gallery reacted positively. Amid the explosive responses, the awaited reply was posted.
ㄴ Hero: That sounds better than I thought! As expected, Mr. Moderator is a good person!
ㄴ They accepted it lololololol
ㄴ lolololololol
ㄴ Uh, why did it turn blue lololol
ㄴ Moderator you crazy!!!!!!!!!
ㄴ Please think again, this really isn’t right
ㄴ To the destruction of the gallery lolololololol
A hero who spams daily posts becoming a badge of shame holder? No one but Moderator to stop the hero?
ㄴPlease think again!!!!!!!
An emergency alert rang out in the gallery.