Chapter 10 - Forcible Recruitment of the Gallery Moderator (3)
– I summarized the funding rumor for today [3].
– Mixing cola with canned tuna is surprisingly tasty [5].
– I haven’t been able to sleep for a while.
– How to make the marketplace food even tastier…jpg [12].
“Today, too, the gallery is peaceful.”
I spent meaningless hours reading and lurking through the countless posts.
I had just recruited a new moderator, hoping to reduce the burden of managing the gallery and dive fully into gallery activities, but it was still difficult.
[Admin Chat]
– Head Moderator☆: Hey, Moderator, what’re you doing instead of working? Don’t you see the tactical nukes overflowing?
– Full Elf: Managing the gallery is too difficult… Besides, you were the one who forced an Elf who didn’t want the job, you lunatic!!
– Head Moderator☆: Sigh. All newbies are like that. Let’s just work hard.
– Full Elf: Waaah!!
The newbie was incompetent.
“That’s why being nice from the beginning is useless. They only think about leaving. Tsk tsk.”
These days, Elves lack fighting spirit. Really, they lack spirit.
The new Moderator still had much to learn.
Especially, perhaps, due to Full Elf’s past misdeeds.
– Lol, Moderator, clean this up too~
– Too sweet~ Managing the gallery is so fun~~
– Full Elf: I like watching tactical nukes.
It felt like the number of tactical nukes was increasing.
– Head Moderator☆: If you have time to write, get to work.
– Full Elf: It wasn’t me!! Who would even like that in the first place?
I felt the need for a new Moderator.
Then, I stumbled upon an intriguing post.
Title: I haven’t been able to sleep for a while
Author: Diehard Vampire
For many years, I cannot sleep.
This is truly a curse. I want to be free.
But the curse, damn, does not release me.
Not “release,” but “damn.”
The curse has robbed me of my words.
Oh, curse, damn. Damn, damn, damn!
Another day of suffering.
Recommended: 0 | Not Recommended: 0
[Comments: 0]
“What on earth…”
Amidst the flood of posts, this cryptic one stood out.
Even when I checked the user’s history, their comments vastly outnumbered their posts.
The odd thing, though, was the chilling lack of interest from others.
No one had even mentioned Diehard Vampire, despite it being easy to click out of curiosity.
So, I decided to leave a comment.
– Head Moderator☆) Why isn’t anyone commenting on this?
ㄴ Author) Oh! A rare interaction. But I don’t know either. Curiosity? Sadness?
ㄴ Head Moderator☆) Your persona is extreme.
ㄴ Author) Not a persona. I’ve tried countless ways, but they failed. It’s painful.
An interesting point was that Diehard Vampire wasn’t exactly causing trouble.
“No tactical nukes. No harassment. No record of misdeeds?”
Is it possible to not have a criminal record in the gallery?
I was impressed and had an idea.
ㄴ Head Moderator☆) You interested in becoming a Moderator?
ㄴ Author) Question.
ㄴ Head Moderator☆) Feels like you’d be good at it.
ㄴ Author) Unknown attempt.
ㄴ Head Moderator☆) But there’s an advantage. If you become a Moderator, no one will ignore you anymore.
ㄴ Author) Excitement! No, not excitement, but excitement. Not excitement but release. Release! Release!
“Intense persona, but whatever.”
My instincts weren’t wrong.
If Diehard Vampire became a Moderator, the gallery, which Full Elf had thrown into chaos, might stabilize.
And if Diehard Vampire turned out to be trouble?
“Then I’ll just apologize later.”
Act first, report later.
★ Moderator List
– Full Elf
– Diehard Vampire
– ?? Who’s the one above?
– Is there a new Moderator?
– Anyone but me! Huh?
– Hold on, damn it, Head Moderator!!!
I appointed Diehard Vampire as a Moderator for now.
*
A few years ago, a creepy post surfaced in the gallery.
Title: Never Go to the Ruined Castle of Mariaka
(Creepy photo of the ruined castle of Mariaka)
Just from the ominous appearance, I’m sure no one will approach it.
Still, if you dare to try your luck, I suggest quitting immediately.
As a resident of Mariaka, I’ll say it’s a place you shouldn’t even look at as a joke.
They say a vampire ancestor, over a thousand years old, lives there.
It’s rumored to be full of all sorts of curses.
But one thing’s for sure: if you go, you’ll die.
Never, ever go to the ruined castle of Mariaka.
Recommended: 444 | Not Recommended: 44
[Comments: 44]
– So, we’re definitely supposed to go, right?
ㄴ Author) Damn you.
– I’m a treasure hunter, was planning to go there today; is it just a rumor?
ㄴ Author) Go if you’re not afraid of death.
ㄴ Now I’m curious because you’re so insistent;
ㄴ Even just looking at it is creepy.
– Isn’t that the place even Demon Beasts avoid?
– Just looking at it tells you to stay away.
It was a story about the ruined castle located in Mariaka, under the Kingdom of Kelton.
The ancient castle, existing before the Great War, was barely spoken of within the kingdom.
Everyone knew to keep quiet about it.
Even after the Great War, not a single Demon Beast approached the castle, sparking terror.
But the real issue started with this post.
– I’m planning to visit the castle today.
– Going because the Author said not to.
– Castle Raid Team 1/4
If they say “never go,” it means “definitely go.”
Those who honored this rule ventured to the castle, hoping to retrieve something from the ruined world.
[This post has been deleted.]
[This post has been deleted.]
[This post has been deleted.]
– Holy crap; it’s terrifying.
– Where did everyone go?
All their IPs were deleted.
Then, a new post appeared in the gallery’s popular section.
Despite having no votes, a post with zero recommendations appeared in the popular section.
Popular Post) Nice to meet you, everyone.
Author) Diehard Vampire
The little ones who disturbed my sleep.
Why did you ignore my warning?
The curse awakens my appetite.
I shall satisfy my hunger with the filthy blood.
But remember, this is what you all brought upon yourselves.
Recommended: 44 | Not Recommended: 44
After that ominous post, nearly a hundred IPs were deleted each day.
It didn’t matter if they were human, beastmen, elf, or dwarf.
The massacre continued for a week until it finally stopped, embedding itself deeply into gallery lore.
Never respond to Diehard Vampire’s posts.
That unwritten rule had been upheld, yet the Head Moderator not only engaged but made Diehard Vampire a Moderator.
Popular Post) Head Moderator, you bastard!!!
Out of all choices, why did you choose him?
I can take anything else, but I can’t tolerate this.
Seriously, I’m warning you to reverse this immediately.
If you don’t want us all dead, cancel it right now!!!!!!
Recommended: 44 | Not Recommended: 44
[Comments: 44]
– Whoa, why are the votes and comments always the same?
ㄴ It’s always been like this, especially when Diehard Vampire’s involved;
ㄴ This is really screwed up.
– What was Head Moderator even thinking?
– Seriously, he messed up this time.
ㄴ Author) I swear if Head Moderator doesn’t retract this, I’ll come after him.
ㄴ Lol, how are you going to find him?
ㄴ I’ll find a way. I really have to this time.
ㄴ Diehard Vampire★) What are you swearing to do? Why threaten Head Moderator? Are you evil?
ㄴ Oh crap;
ㄴ Um…
ㄴ Diehard Vampire★) Answer.
ㄴ Diehard Vampire★) Answer.
ㄴ Diehard Vampire★) If you continue ignoring my demands, I will issue 999-day bans without hesitation.
ㄴ Author) I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I won’t disturb you with reckless words again.
*
“Was it really this bad?”
In hindsight, I had appointed a troublemaker.
The issue was that this troublemaker existed in the real world.
But strangely, I felt curious.
[Admin Chat]
Diehard Vampire: Greetings, everyone. I thank Head Moderator for appointing me.
Head Moderator☆: Hey hey, I’m counting on you.
Full Elf: …
Diehard Vampire: Leave everything to me. It’s all for Head Moderator.
Diehard Vampire: Question, though. Why does Full Elf ignore me?
Full Elf: …
Diehard Vampire: If it’s because they’re speechless, I understand. I’ll pay a visit to have a face-to-face conversation.
Full Elf: Eek… Head Moderator, please help me…
The new Moderator, Diehard Vampire, followed my instructions well.
And how was the gallery management?
Sometimes, memories of being ignored resurfaced, leading to threats of mass bans, but at least gallery management was impeccable.
– Look at all the tactical nukes gone.
– Wow! The gallery has never been so clean.
– Aw; now I can’t drop any tactical nukes;; I had even prepared the new version.
ㄴ Stop preparing that crap, damn it.
It turned out Diehard Vampire was a powerful deterrent.
No gallery member dared throw tactical nukes at a walking legend.
This created a strange, ambiguous atmosphere in the gallery.
“Come to think of it, Diehard Vampire mentioned killing people.”
Seeing how he was playing with Full Elf now, I doubted he’d actually kill anyone.
Curious, I finally decided to ask directly.
Head Moderator☆: Hey, Diehard Vampire, did you really kill people?
Full Elf: Gasp
Full Elf, sensing something, sent a cautious message, but Diehard Vampire seemed unfazed.
Diehard Vampire: It was all due to the curse. I sought eternal rest to stop it, but some humans broke the curse.
Head Moderator☆: So, you did kill them? That’s a bit much.
Diehard Vampire: There is no need to worry. I only drain the blood of the wicked. It’s quite sweet, actually.
So, he’s saying he’s kind?
Still, it seemed unfair.
Wasn’t he forced out of eternal rest, only to resist his vampiric urges?
Head Moderator☆: Hmm, okay for now.
If he went too far, I’d simply remove his role as Moderator.
After stocking up on exorcism salt from the shop, I turned up the brightness on the lights.
“I’m not scared or anything.”
*
Inside the abandoned castle of Mariaka, perched on a sheer mountain cliff.
In the now rarely visited audience chamber, a languid woman sat on the throne.
“…”
With silver-white hair and red eyes, her pale skin contrasted with a crimson dress, creating an eerie atmosphere that filled the vast audience chamber.
[Hehe]
A sinister laugh echoed in the chamber, resonating in her mind.
The mistress of the ruined castle, Erzebet, was the progenitor vampire, cursed to lose both speech and sleep.
She was also the recently appointed Moderator, Diehard Vampire.
[Head Moderator, how amusing.]
What could he possibly be thinking?
She looked at the Head Moderator who had appointed her as an administrator with fascination and took a sip of cola.
[Mm! This dark drink is always delicious.]
Her eyes instinctively squinted as the refreshing taste washed over her, momentarily making her forget the curse that bound her.
Even the intense bloodthirst seemed to fade.
[One should always repay a favor.]
Head Moderator, even the name sounded good—her benefactor.
Erzebet diligently clicked through post after post, fulfilling her role as an moderator.
Then, a new post appeared.
Title: Listen, Head Moderator
Author: Frederick
The Adrian Empire forbids the sale of alcohol.
How dare you defy this?
Do you not understand that the imperial family rules over all?
You’ve crossed the line, so stop all alcohol-related items in the marketplace.
This is both a warning and an order.
Make these changes by tomorrow morning.
Recommended: 504 | Not Recommended: 999+
[Comments]
– Ugh, damn the crown prince!!
– Enough with the one-sided sanctions…
– The empire’s been done for ages… Should I just quit?
– Adrian? Isn’t most of their land overrun by Demon Beasts?
– Lol, as long as it’s not my country~
– Humans fighting again? lol
ㄴ At least it’s better than being an Elf.
[Oh?]
Erzebet spotted an impure post.