Otherworld Destruction Gallery

Title: Head Moderator, He’s a God!

(Bottled water photo)

It’s not just bottled water; this thing is incredibly handy.

It’s lightweight, making it more efficient for combat or hunting, and it doesn’t get in the way when running.

It allowed us to explore slightly further, extending our village’s activity range.

ㄴ Did the Dwarves make this?

ㄴ I’m a Dwarf, but this is the first time I’ve seen a material like that.

ㄴ The bottle is unbelievably light. I even wondered if I brought it along at all, only to find it tied to my waist.

ㄴ Seriously, that thing is practically enchanted.

“Eh, the bottle’s getting more of a reaction.”

After selling a few bottles of water, I used the points I earned to sell about 100 more.

But surprisingly, the praise focused more on the bottle itself.

The most common feedback was that it made combat more convenient.

As the place is called the Otherworld Destruction Gallery, is there hardly any proper civilization here?

Maybe that’s why efficient bottles for immediate combat and exploration were so popular.

‘Is this world really in such a dire state?’

All I’d seen was the ruined royal capital.

Even now, holed up in a warehouse, I had no idea what was going on outside.

So, I naturally began to write a new post.

Title: Lol, catching demon beasts is ridiculously easy, yet you species guys are struggling with this?

Guys, I just got here and don’t know much about what’s going on outside.

From the looks of it, things seem bleak, but is this continent really on the brink of destruction?

ㄴ Lol, came here to see who wrote that title—turned out to be the Head Mod.

ㄴ The bait is classic, Head Mod style.

ㄴ It’s not on the brink of destruction; it’s already been destroyed.

ㄴ The big reason was that humans, who used to dominate the continent, basically wiped themselves out fighting each other.

ㄴ ? Haha, look at the elves who hid in the forest while humans were busy fighting demon beasts.

ㄴ Haha, you don’t like it? Then come at me, kid.

The comments were not friendly.

I thought I might not get any useful information, but then a summary post conveniently appeared in the featured section.

Title: A Summary for the New Head Mod’s Knowledge

Three-point summary:

1. A rift suddenly appeared.

2. A ton of demon beasts poured out.

3. The allied forces were defeated, and the continent was destroyed.

ㄴ There’s no main post; what’s he summarizing in three lines?

ㄴ It’s a heavily compressed version, but it’s accurate, yeah…

ㄴ Fact It’s true.

ㄴ Head Mod☆) So, that many demon beasts showed up? Enough to overwhelm all the continent’s species?

ㄴ Not exactly… Ah, damn, it’s hard to explain.

ㄴ Here’s a simple summary:

Humans = Backstabbed each other.

Elves = Fled to the forest out of fear.

Dwarves = Attacked the Elves.

Dark Elves = Also attacked the Elves.

Beastmen = Attacked humans.

Other species = Too few in number to know.

ㄴ That’s right.

“In the end, they lost because they were fighting among themselves.”

What stood out even more was the focus on the elves.

There was significant elf hate, or “Elf-hate” in the gallery—are they like the British if this were Earth?

-If things get complicated, just blame the elf, and it’ll be right.

-You again, elf?

“Ha ha, seems like life isn’t that different here.”

I laughed, then paused, looking up.

Turning my gaze slightly away from the bright system window, I could see the moldy interior of the warehouse.

Judging by the deep darkness, it seemed long past midnight outside.

“This isn’t the time to be doing this.”

It didn’t mean I planned to go outside.

Being trapped here was the safest option.

But I lacked defenses.

That shelf blocking the door wouldn’t last against any of the demon beasts ranked in the gallery; it’d shatter immediately.

“I should at least push the heavier stuff against the door.”

The shelf wasn’t enough.

But I lacked the strength and the willpower.

After some hesitation, I opened the shop window and searched.

[Energy Drink ‘Red Boom’] – 2 Points

“Oh, of course they have it!”

Fortunately, most Earth items were available.

Among them was Red Boom, a popular energy drink alongside Monster.

I bought a can, took a big gulp, then paused and glanced at the gallery.

-Ah, my strength’s completely gone, for real.

-I think I might actually be dying this time.

-I can’t even handle a single goblin now…

“…Should I try posting it?”

It seemed like it might help.

*

[Head Moderator’s Marketplace]

[New Product Arrival!]

[‘Red Boom’] – Remaining Stock 100 / 2 Mana Pellets

-?? What’s this?

-Red Boom? Red explosion?

-The name alone sounds cool.

-Did this item ever exist on the continent?

With the new product announcement, the gallery’s attention quickly gathered.

Those who had already experienced the benefits of bottled water bought the cans without question, and soon, reactions began pouring in.

Title: Wow, crazy, what is this thing?

I was running from zombies for half a day.

Then the Head Mod starts selling this weird item?

I was dying of thirst, so I took a sip, and my legs wouldn’t stop moving.

The damn zombies are now left way behind, frozen in confusion.

What is this, lol?

ㄴ Haha, stuttering from side effects.

ㄴ So, is this like a potion or something?

ㄴ For real, I drank it too, and sliced through those persistent zombies in one blow.

Title: This is truly amazing.

It feels like my glory days have returned.

With just a sip, I felt wide awake!

I was too weak to even climb a tree, but now I’m running through the forest.

It feels great after killing those demon beasts lurking to invade. ^^

ㄴ If you elves hadn’t messed around, all the demon beasts would’ve been gone ages ago.

ㄴ Shouldn’t we ban elves from buying in the marketplace?

ㄴ (OP) Screw you, screw you! Come to Ellad if you’re so bitter.

“Oh… really, to this extent?”

I thought it would give some strength to these tired otherworlders.

But to those who hadn’t experienced even a tiny sliver of Earth’s civilization, caffeine was like a nuclear bomb.

A few people accidentally downed it in one gulp and even ended up killing the demon beasts.

One particularly benefitting group was the elves.

Title: Is it just me, or do only elves get the best boost from Red Boom?

Looking at elf posts, they seem to get a few times the stats of other species…

Is the Head Mod an elf?

ㄴ No, no, not that! Anything but that!

ㄴ My savior, Head Mod, my enemy, the elf, Head Mod, the elf enemy, my savior…

ㄴ ^^ Pathetic other species, did you finally realize Head Mod’s an elf?

“Hmm, why do elves get a stronger boost?”

Featured Post) Maybe it’s because they eat plants?

They’re skinny from eating grass, remember.

But after losing the war, they can’t even eat plants, so drinking this would boost them more.

ㄴ Oh? Maybe?

ㄴ That sounds right. There’s no evidence or history suggesting Head Mod is an elf.

ㄴ Didn’t Head Mod say they just arrived here?

ㄴ Stick out your tongue, inferior species, if you’re jealous.

ㄴ Then why does it work for Dwarves too?

ㄴ Well…

“Wait, for Dwarves too?”

I searched through a few more featured posts.

Surprisingly, Dwarves also gained a good boost.

Curious as to why, I kept reading.

-If you think of it as a drink substitute, it’s fine!

-The taste is similar enough!

-I especially like the uplifting feeling!!

“Interesting. Does it not have to be alcohol?”

They’re known for being picky about drinks, discarding them if the flavor’s slightly off.

But when I searched for keywords related to Dwarves, I realized there was more to it.

-I miss the taste of the drinks my mother used to make.

-Drinking this Red Boom keeps bringing back memories of the drink I forced myself to forget.

-Life was better before the great war.

After the defeat in the great war against demon beasts, they’d been forced to quit drinking.

There were occasional posts about alcohol, which I’d assumed were from trolls, but they were heartfelt laments.

“…Wait, alcohol?”

Something sparked in my mind.

I instinctively turned to the shop window.

*

“Huff, huff, these damn demon beasts!”

Swoosh!

Another demon beast flew through the air, severed into two.

The gleaming sword had already cut down hundreds of demon beasts, but it didn’t signify victory.

“Grrr…”

“Screech!”

“Damn it.”

The number of demon beasts was overwhelming, and he was alone.

Knight Rox of the fallen kingdom of Kelton was nearing his limit.

No knight, no matter how skilled with aura, could take on thousands of demon beasts.

Even if they were mere low-rank demon beasts.

“So many of them still remain.”

Hiding in an abandoned cabin between cliffs, he muttered while looking at the hundreds of demon beasts surrounding him outside.

It was an end unbecoming of a knight who once served a shining kingdom.

“Your Highness, forgive me. It seems I’m finally coming to see you.”

Before his death, the king had asked Rox to restore the kingdom.

But having failed to protect the king, rebuilding the kingdom was a pointless fantasy.

He slowly closed his eyes.

He instinctively knew this was his end.

[Head Moderator’s Marketplace]

[A new item has been stocked!]

Until the loud notification popped up.

“…?”

[Energy Drink ‘Red Boom’] (new!)

“An energy… drink?”

Why would a drink contain something called energy?

But he didn’t care.

If he could take down even one more demon beast while dying, he’d be satisfied.

[Mana Pellet –10]

[Item has been safely delivered!]

“So this is an energy drink…”

The thin metal container was decorated with two enraged bulls locking horns.

“This is almost like the kingdom’s symbol.”

He chuckled, managed to open the can, and downed five cans in one go.

“!!!”

Soon, between the cliffs, a mountain of demon beast corpses began piling up with his fierce battle cry.