Welcome Party!
Lizbet, having heard my proposal, quietly started getting dressed. Her expression looked complicated, like she was deep in thought. But by the time she'd finished dressing and drying her hair, and we arrived at the restaurant, she was already smiling again. I'd figured she'd agonize over it all day, but she must've made up her mind quicker than expected.
"By the way, did you hear? Als said he wanted to throw a welcome party for me today."
"Oh yeah? I was thinking we should do something anyway, so that's perfect."
"He said to do it in my room tonight."
We chatted about what to eat for the party while grabbing sandwiches for lunch, then decided to browse the adventurer gear shops until Als showed up. Tomorrow, I'd swing by Lianna's shop to stock up on clothes, and that'd pretty much wrap up my preparations for life in this world. Who knew when another world-dooming hero would pop up? Considering Erebos was something of a dud, I needed to gear up thoroughly. Not just levels—equipment too.
So Lizbet and I wandered through smithies selling armor and weapons, but honestly, I had no clue what was good or bad. I'd never had anything to do with swords or plate mail my whole life—how was I supposed to tell?
"Sema, you're so huge that finding armor or weapons to fit might be tough... Maybe we should look for a place that does custom orders?"
"Custom weapons and armor? I thought I had plenty of cash from the settlement and Hero Eater bounty, but apparently not."
Should've skipped the camera, maybe? I was down to just over seven gold coins now... And decent-looking gear started at gold prices. No wiggle room there.
"Doesn't matter, right? You basically took down the Hero Eater yourself. The bounty was supposed to go to all the guilds involved besides us, but since you got it, you'll definitely get paid. Plus, we haven't collected on that commission from Baul yet."
Oh. Right, the Hero Eater. I was the one who finished it off. I got all the experience, too. Sera mentioned I'd be summoned to the lord's castle for the reward, so something was coming my way for sure. And Baul's commission on top? I'd totally forgotten—suddenly, I felt rich.
Remembering those unclaimed bounties eased my mind. The panic to grab cheap gear ASAP faded, replaced by a leisurely "let's just browse slowly" vibe as we kept wandering.
Before we knew it, sunset was approaching. No armor fit me at all—we'd have to pick a smithy for custom work. Weapons had some usable ones, but nothing that screamed "this is it," so we'd think on it more. Felt less like shopping for gear and more like a date with Lizbet... Still, with over ten years till doomsday, a few leisurely days wouldn't hurt.
On the way back to the inn, we stopped at the restaurant for party food and hit a liquor store for booze.
"Speaking of, what's Essentia? Not just this country, right? What's it mean?"
"This world. Specifically, the name of our planet."
Figured as much. So Essentia was the isekai's name.
"You’ve got a lot to learn, Sema. Maybe I should take you to the library sometime and make you read some books."
"Huh, now that I’ve got hands, the library’s an option? Nice. Hands are the best. Take me sometime."
We bantered like that while loading up on food and booze—enough for three, maybe a bit much, but since turning half-human, I'd never really felt full, so whatever. Time to test it. Neither of us knew much about liquor, so I grabbed about ten bottles of interesting-looking ones. Lizbet said it was too much, but leftovers were mine anyway. Paid for everything myself.
Back in my room, setting up, Lizbet spotted the used condom in the trash, blushed beet red, smacked my back, and tossed it. Sorry, slipped my mind...
She fetched a table and cups from her room, and we were setting up when Als arrived with another bag of food. Way too much grub tonight.
We sat at the finished table—me facing Als, Lizbet sliding in opposite the center, but with bottles between her and Als, she ended up right next to me. When did those bottles get there? Als didn't seem to care... but damn, it felt like Lizbet was mine now. Nice.
And so our three-person welcome party kicked off—for me getting the Humanization Skill and moving into the inn.
"You're gonna start your own guild?"
We toasted with beer, chatted idly, then I shared the idea I'd had today.
"Yeah. Thought about it, and it'd be more fun that way."
They both gave me worried looks. Come on, really?
"You sure? We're struggling hard as it is. We still joke that maybe we should've worked for another guild a year or two before starting our own."
"Taxes are still a nightmare for me... Without the guild office clerk's help, I'd be lost. Never realized why big guild masters have dedicated admins. Guild leaders who quest too? Superhuman."
Taxes were a pain, yeah. I'd dabbled before my family cut me off—experience there'd help. Starting with one or two members? Manageable. Hire help or consultants later.
"Not zero worries, but I don't aim for a mega-guild or anything grand. Just wanna live my way. Divine Beast starving? Please. Worst case, I join another guild."
They laughed, nodding—that made sense.
"True... You're basically the only adventuring Divine Beast."
"From magic school, I heard there are fewer than ten worldwide. And seeing you fight? You've got the skills. Should be fine."
Under ten? I was a rare mob for real.
"Not right away, though. I'll stick with you two for a bit, then start when the time feels right."
First, turn Lizbet into my mare and recruit her properly.
"Hmm... Why not just join our guild? Experience sharing—better to join short-term."
"Dunno the right timing yet, and it's stubborn, but I wanna kick off with my own guild. I'll join if needed."
Truth? Once I decided, joining someone else's felt wrong.
Als grinned, said sure, and toasted my future guild preemptively. You'll suffer when it happens, Als...
Beer ran out, so we cracked the weird ones from the store.
"This one... 'White Glen'? Not at the inn shop."
Lizbet uncorked it, sniffed—grimaced. Strong stuff.
"Ugh, smells brutal... Als, you're a lightweight—don't overdo it."
She filled our glasses sparingly, even hers. Not her vibe.
"Hmm... Yeah, packs a punch."
I sniffed—alcohol and smokiness, like strong whiskey.
"Taste test?"
We toasted. Als flinched, barely sipped. Lizbet downed hers, grimaced, grabbed snacks. I sipped—yep, whiskey notes. Strong aroma, high proof... but a nutty finish. Nice for the price.
The twenty-somethings might find it harsh, though.
"Strong, but good value?"
"You like strong booze, huh? Hate this."
"Not dying for more... Sema drinks it later. Next!"
Lizbet opened bottles, tasting. Some decent, some soju-like. Neither thrilled them.
"Beer's best... This green one: 'Layla Desire'?"
She poured. Different reactions this time. Sniffing the subtle crimson hue—not booze, but sweet fruit and flowers.
"Whoa, nice scent."
"Yeah, not boozy. I could handle this."
We toasted. One sip, and I knew: date-rape bait. Sweetness masked the kick. Tell them? Nah—they loved it.
"Tasty! Fruity, no burn..."
"Totally. Als can drink this, and it's sweet."
...Als was a lightweight, right? Tastings had them flushed—Als red-faced, Lizbet buzzing. I shelved my review, told them to stick to this, passed her my fave strong one.
"Why like the harsh one... Here."
She didn't hand it—leaned in, topped my glass, refilled Als's and hers with Layla Desire.
"Saved one bottle. Memorable name. Cheers!"
"“Cheers!”"
Moments later, Als keeled over backward, out cold.