The Filial Defier's One-of-a-Kind Brew
"Th... then, is this perhaps...?"
I gulped and shot Haron a meaningful glance. He gulped too and nodded.
"You think proper-minded elves would leave booze made by that unfilial bastard alone? They turned it all into fertilizer for the next World Tree or burned it to ash... heh heh."
"Oh..."
"In short, it's the only bottle left in the world. This has to be a huge help in our negotiations, right?"
He was blabbing on about it being the world's only one, but every world has its salesmen, and scammers swim around with just their mouths above water, don't they?
Well, cash like gold is useless to me anyway... this tangible stuff is way better. Not settling for this alone, but handing over booze like this as a starter...
The bottle in front of me had a unique aroma and glow that suggested, just like he said, it wasn't something I'd see often even as an adventurer in this world. My head nodded on its own.
We exchanged those loaded looks, silently sealing the deal, and like our minds were synced, we couldn't hold back our desire. We lifted our glasses to our lips.
At a drinking party, downing a shot or refusing one? Unthinkable.
Following Haron's lead, I poured the golden liquid into my mouth. The taste and aroma were secondary—the message window popping up and the change surging through my body made my eyes widen as I let out a deep breath.
Consumed a one-of-a-kind otherworldly substance. Stamina +5.
First-time (one-time only) desecration of an NPC's divinity. Acquired 3000 points.
"Whew... this aroma, this taste... the flavor is beyond words. My body feels lighter somehow—truly one of a kind, eh?"
Haron closed his eyes blissfully, a smile spreading across his face. For a booze lover like him, tasting the world's only legendary brew—and getting the elixir-like stamina boost the message confirmed—was the obvious reaction.
Ha... didn't see this coming...
Honestly, the vibe, scent, and glow screamed extraordinary, so I'd half-hoped it was an elixir... Beyond the flat +5 stamina, the backstory Haron mentioned let me snag a first-achievement massive point haul without trying. More satisfying than the stat bump.
How many points did I just score...?
At my superb realm peak, bumping from 80 to 100 stats takes 625 points per stat. I'd been scraping by on meager points per world hop, grateful for that weird egg's mana boost... Now, over 6000 points for free? My eyes drifted to Haron's crooked safe.
"Old man, got more of this? Doesn't have to be much... a sip's enough. If you've got rare booze or potions like this, I could sweeten the deal."
I smiled slyly, hiding my eager eyes as I spoke. Haron smirked like he'd expected it.
"Even if I wanted to, this is all I've got. Truth is, I lucked into it in my youth—hard to top that."
"Hm... doesn't have to be booze. Anything with a unique backstory like you mentioned?"
The sudden point windfall was crystallizing my path beyond superb to fire realm. Urgency leaked out unbidden.
"Even so, this is it. I'm just a dwarf fiddling with metal scraps—what else would I value besides booze?"
It felt like epic hentai with a bombshell suddenly drifting into boring territory. My cackling fire realm future shimmered like a mirage... then that doppelganger fucker waved it away.
"Ah! Aside from my commission and wyvern loot processing, you'll meet imperial reps anyway. Float the idea then? Empire could swap rewards for what you're after... what do you say?"
Haron's brain was firing on all cylinders, true guild master style. I nodded, balls metaphorically slapped into gear.
"Just mention it when you report my commission done to the empire."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Say money's no object—bring the rarest, most unique stuff. With the full wyvern corpse, they'll haul barrels like your booze, right?"
"Hm... fair point. Empire's got to have a few... Deal! But if they bring booze, you share a taste like you did with me?"
The old fart winked grotesquely, nausea rising. But priorities: massive points or not. I straightened my face and nodded.
"Fine. But a sip for trade? One drop otherwise."
Contracts demand thoroughness. His clause screamed poison pill—I called it out. Haron tsked reluctantly.
"Tch... fine, I'll haggle it."
Achievements are unpredictable, mechanisms unknown. For a real man like me, this beta begging felt gross, but fire realm demanded it. I nodded, satisfied.
"Then let's head to the open lot. Time for me to get moving."
"Oho! Right, follow me!"
With Haron leading, buzzing with anticipation over the wyvern haul, I followed.
+++
After handing Haron some wyvern parts for our party and his cut, I headed home, worried about my party members. Spurred by my push for higher floors faster, they'd overdone it and weren't back yet. I detoured to the alchemy guild.
No chance of real trouble for them, but even tiny possibilities can't be ignored...
Can't be helped till they're strong enough... With me around, they might slack on leveling anyway.
If they hit B-rank like Park Jisu, I could tote them then... Game bus fails on huge level gaps, same here. Sighing and shaking my head, I spotted the alchemy guild door and entered.
Ding-a-ling!
Cheerful bells rang as the well-oiled wooden door swung open.
"W-Welcome...?"
"Hm?"
The guild's vast potion variety draws me like a tourist every fantasy world. I'd memorized the staff... but this newbie? I eyed her curiously.
"Ah, h-hello...!"
"Yeah..."
She squeezed her eyes shut for a forced greeting, then trembled, eyes darting anxiously.
Ho...
But more intriguing: cat ears twitching atop her head. Folded like a puppy's—Scottish Fold vibe—flicking with her pursed lips.
Fun, but the real hook? Fuckin' catgirl... pink fur... damn...
I'd seen tons of demi-humans roaming streets, but pink fur this vivid on a furry beastkin? First time. Saliva gulped involuntarily.
Pink's been blessing men's juices since forever, right?
Maybe 'hongik' really means pink pussy...?
Old sayings never lie.