How Could This Not Be My Business
Watching Park Gwang-seok drain his 45th glass, Kim Ilshin couldn't help but wonder, 'Is this guy even human?'
He had never expected his drinking contest with Park Gwang-seok to drag on this long. The beer dwarves drank was twice as potent as any ordinary brew on the market. Yet, even after downing 45 massive mugs of the stuff, Park Gwang-seok still held onto his senses. His tolerance was truly mind-boggling. It was baffling enough that such a small frame could hold that much liquid.
'I’m starting to hit my limit, too.'
Kim Ilshin’s body had reached its breaking point long ago. It wasn't the intoxication—it was an unforeseen factor. 'I’m seriously going to burst. How many liters have I drank now?'
Thanks to [Perfect Mind (S)], he could keep his wits about him no matter how drunk he got, but he felt like his stomach was going to explode before he ever lost consciousness. That was why Kim Ilshin had made the proposal: why not settle this with Captain W?
Captain W was a liquor created by the dwarves shortly after the Great Cataclysm was suppressed. Alcohol was an absolute necessity for dwarf life, but the spirits available in Korea at the time didn't satisfy their refined tastes. As soon as they had the facilities, they began brewing their own. That was when the trouble started. One dwarf, longing for the high-proof spirits of his homeland, had failed to control the potency. And so, Captain W was born.
'The time-machine liquor that makes a whole week disappear if you drink it.'
The brew, crafted by an overly enthusiastic dwarf, was so potent that even other dwarves couldn't handle it, and naturally, its production was quickly discontinued. Captain W, which had nearly vanished from the world, had been brought back into production ten years ago by a dwarf who had gotten his hands on the recipe. Because production was so limited, it was hard to come by, but the Great Whale Tavern kept a stock. Occasionally, some foolhardy soul would try to challenge Captain W, though their ends were never pleasant.
“How long did that guy last last time?”
“Last? Don't make me laugh. He passed out after one sip.”
“Oh, right. That happened.”
“Do you think those two can actually drink that and stay standing?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure.”
While the onlookers traded guesses, a tavern employee emerged from the kitchen. On the tray in his hands sat two glasses.
“Two glasses of Captain W, as ordered.”
The employee set the glasses on the table. The smell of alcohol rising from the shimmering, transparent liquid stung their noses.
“Are you sure about this? This is your last chance to back out.”
Park Gwang-seok, staring at the Captain W before him, urged Kim Ilshin to give up. Naturally, Kim Ilshin had no intention of quitting. That remark meant Park Gwang-seok was running out of steam.
Kim Ilshin picked up his glass without a word. Park Gwang-seok, eyes wide, raised his own glass even higher as if to say he wouldn't be outdone. Then, he thrust the glass forward.
“I acknowledge you for making it this far. But I have no intention of losing.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
The two clinked their glasses and downed the contents simultaneously.
'…How is this even alcohol?'
His face twisted instinctively. It felt like he had swallowed poison, not liquor. His mouth, tongue, throat, and stomach—every part of his body that touched the Captain W felt like it was burning away. He could map the shape of his throat and stomach so clearly he could have drawn them if he’d had a pen. The rising intoxication was incomparably stronger than before. A searing heat surged from deep within, his vision blurred, and his physical senses dulled.
He couldn't move his body properly. His upper body, in particular, kept swaying back and forth, side to side, against his will. Kim Ilshin was certain that if not for [Perfect Mind (S)], he would have collapsed long ago.
“Ugh….”
Park Gwang-seok wasn't doing well, either. It was impossible for anyone to drink this and remain unscathed. Park Gwang-seok, his gaze fixed on Kim Ilshin, was gripping the table tightly with both hands. He was trying to steady his unfocused eyes and his body, which threatened to tip over—a sign of just how precarious his state was.
“One more, would you like one more?”
“Don't ask! Bring it out!”
The employee who heard the order immediately brought out more glasses of Captain W. The atmosphere inside the tavern grew increasingly heated.
“Let’s drink right away.”
“Understood.”
Kim Ilshin and Park Gwang-seok downed the drinks the moment they arrived.
“One more!”
And then they downed another.
“Guh… are you going to keep going?”
“Are you… perhaps, scared…?”
“……One more!”
They kept drinking. The onlookers watching the contest were certain they would never see such an incredible drinking match again.
“A record that will never be broken again….”
“This isn't just divine protection… they must be avatars of Dionysus!”
“Wait, two avatars of a god?! This is a major event!”
The total number of glasses piled up reached 14. They had long since surpassed the previous record of four.
'I can't feel my stomach.'
Kim Ilshin’s stomach, which had been burning like crazy until just a moment ago, had now reached a state of total numbness. He felt like he could be stabbed with a knife right now and wouldn't feel a thing. Captain W was, indeed, poison disguised as alcohol.
“……One more.”
Kim Ilshin said in a hazy voice. The drink arrived immediately, and he picked up the glass. But Park Gwang-seok’s hand couldn't reach for his. His arm, drained of strength, simply hung limp on the table.
“Elder…?”
“No way….”
“Ah, no. You have to get up, Elder! Please, open your eyes!”
“That’s right! You can’t lose like this!”
Cries of desperation flew from all sides, but Park Gwang-seok, his forehead buried in the table, didn't budge.
'Is it finally over?'
Kim Ilshin set his glass down and leaned back in his chair. He saw the employee approaching to check on Park Gwang-seok’s condition.
Thud.
Finally, the employee’s hand touched Park Gwang-seok’s shoulder.
Crash!
Unable to withstand even the slight force of the touch, Park Gwang-seok’s body tipped over and rolled onto the floor.
“Zzzzz!”
A thunderous snore erupted from the fallen, sleeping Park Gwang-seok. With that, the winner of the drinking contest was finally decided.
“The winner is the human, Kim Ilshin!”
The employee, who had been doubling as the referee, announced the winner, and the onlookers who had been watching the contest erupted into cheers and gasps simultaneously.
“Damn it, Kim Ilshin! From now on, you’re the avatar of Dionysus!”
“Hey! Challenge me next time!”
“Like you’d stand a chance! Don't challenge him, challenge me!”
“Bring beer for everyone here! It’s on me today!”
“Kya! The booze tastes great!”
Once the contest ended, the tavern turned into a festival. Regardless of the outcome, it had been an amazing and thrilling sight, so the patrons couldn't hold back their own drinking.
'I’m at my limit.'
Kim Ilshin sat right there at the table where the contest had taken place, catching his breath. Thanks to [Perfect Mind (S)], his mind was still fine. But the fact that only his mind was fine was a problem in itself.
“Are you okay…?”
“……No. I don’t think I am.”
Hana Lin, who had approached his side, checked on his condition. Hwang Deok-soo, wearing an expression of pure astonishment, was with her. Kim Ilshin asked as he stood up with Hana Lin’s support.
“Can I get permission to use the Mountain Range Workshop now?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Elder Park may have a temper and hold a grudge, but he isn't the type to break a promise.”
“…That’s a relief.”
Confirming that the plan had succeeded, he took steps supported by Hana Lin. Hwang Deok-soo headed toward where Park Gwang-seok was lying, saying he would take care of him.
“Watch your step. Lean on me a bit more.”
She seemed to be heading for the bedrooms on the floor above the tavern. Since this place doubled as an inn.
“I’m going to get some rest, so handle the rest yourself.”
“Yeah, I got it, so just follow me.”
Kim Ilshin staggered up the stairs and walked to the front of the bedroom on the second floor.
“……Thank you.”
“Hmm…?”
Hana Lin whispered softly. Because she was looking down, he couldn't see her expression.
“For going this far for someone else’s business, thank you.”
Hana Lin seemed to feel guilty that Kim Ilshin had ended up in this state. In her dejected voice, he could feel both apology and gratitude. He could understand the gratitude. Without the drinking contest, it would have been difficult for her to use the Mountain Range Workshop. But there was no need for her to feel sorry.
'It’s not someone else’s business.'
If they hadn't received permission to use the Mountain Range Workshop, Hana Lin wouldn't have been the only one in trouble. From the beginning, the reason Kim Ilshin and Hana Lin had come to Jangsan-gul was to stabilize the Hyeonwol sword. Without the stabilization process, he couldn't use the sword. That was why he had provoked Park Gwang-seok, set up the drinking contest, and endured until he secured the victory. From start to finish, Kim Ilshin had entered the contest for himself, not for Hana Lin.
'I need to tell her there’s no need to be sorry.'
Kim Ilshin opened his mouth to tell her the truth.
“How could this not be my business.”
“……Huh?”
His memory cut off there.