Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Drinking Buddy
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Even back on Earth, and here in the Central Plains too, sharing drinks with someone you'd just met wasn't all that unusual.
Sure, things changed a bit if you were of different genders, but knocking back a few cups to break the ice with a stranger wasn't exactly weird.
Once the sun went down in a world where there wasn't much else to do, gathering at an inn and chatting noisily was one of life's little joys. That made it even more normal.
Back when I ran my fortune-telling stall, I'd naturally share a drink or two with customers I clicked with.
In a world where you had to lop off an enemy's head before your drink got cold, why not?
Anyway, that's how my drinking session with the Heavenly Demon began...
-Clink
'Ahh, I'm buzzed.'
Honestly, it was the best drinking party I'd had so far.
First off, the booze.
No need to explain that one.
This was liquor from the Heavenly Demon herself. How could it be anything less than top-shelf?
Every bottle was some rare vintage I'd never even heard of in the Central Plains—or if I had, I'd never laid eyes on the real thing.
The taste was a solid pass. And the vibe?
That was pretty great too.
It wasn't a lie when she said she enjoyed her drinks. The room was dimly lit, but the lighting and decorations hit just the right note—easy on the eyes.
And the company? A peerless beauty.
The only issue was her identity. But with killer booze and eye candy, the whole experience was that much better.
'Up close like this, she really is gorgeous.'
I'd thought she was pretty the moment I saw her, but with a few drinks in me, she looked even more stunning.
I'd seen plenty of beautiful women since coming to the Central Plains, but compared to my master, they all fell a bit short. This woman, though? She was on par—impossible to call one better than the other.
If you factored in my master's... assets...
-Glance
'...Master wins.'
No matter who it was—even the Heavenly Demon—she couldn't beat my master there.
I knew they were ridiculously huge, but I never imagined no woman I'd seen outside the Central Plains could measure up.
She really was something else. I quickly averted my gaze before she noticed.
Even if she couldn't see my face under the hat brim, someone like her would sense it...
"How is it? To your taste?"
-Startle!
"Y-Yes?!"
"The side dishes, I mean. If they're not to your liking, I'll have something else brought in."
"N-No, it's fine! I'm enjoying it!"
I jumped, thinking she'd caught my rude thoughts.
My heart nearly stopped.
She probably hadn't read my mind, but I'd definitely snuck a peek at her chest.
'But seriously, wear something less revealing...'
I'd been too scared to notice earlier, but her outfit was downright dangerous.
Her cleavage was on full display, and the loose fabric barely covered her—any shift, and skin would spill out.
I had to wonder if this was appropriate guest attire.
She was sitting primly in the lotus position now, so nothing was showing, but one wrong move and disaster.
'Not that I'd ever ask.'
Was I insane enough to question the Heavenly Demon's wardrobe?
She was in her own room—probably just dressing comfortably.
No way she wore it to seduce me.
"I'm the type who focuses more on the liquor than the food anyway. No need to worry."
"I see. That's a relief, then."
"They say good sides enhance the drink... but then you're not tasting the liquor itself, right? I prefer it straight."
In truth, I hadn't touched much of the meat dumplings because her presence was still intimidating. But what I said was true enough.
'She's barely eaten any herself.'
For someone asking if it suited my taste, she hadn't eaten much either.
Of course, I wasn't bold enough to point that out.
But before I could speak, she beat me to it.
"You're like me."
"...Pardon?"
"I prefer liquor over sides too. I used to eat a bit back in the day... but they get old fast. Liquor never does, no matter how much you drink."
With that, she refilled my empty cup.
"Here. I poured for you, so pour for me now. No more solo pours after this."
-Glug
She filled it right to the brim.
"Another one-shot?"
One hand held her cup, the other the bottle, that signature smile on her face.
I thought to myself,
'She's a good person.'
I didn't know about anything else,
but as a drinking buddy, she was the best I'd met.
"Cheers!"
We poured for each other, clinked glasses, and downed them.
Empty bottles piled up around us, and stars spun in my vision with each one.
-Spin
How long had it been since I'd drunk like this?
This body barely got tipsy no matter how much I drank, so feeling this plastered was a rare treat.
The one time I'd blacked out was with the Sword Empress at a tavern—we went wild, and my memory cut off. Otherwise, my tolerance was insane.
I could outdrink Dang Ayoung, trained in martial arts, on booze alone...
-Wobble
'Whoa.'
Sitting down, I still had to brace myself on the table to stay upright.
I felt like I'd topple any second.
"What's wrong? Need a break?"
Unlike me, the Heavenly Demon showed no sign of intoxication—her pale complexion unchanged.
And she'd drunk at least twice as much.
'I'm pretty strong with liquor myself.'
Anyone else would've been flat-out by now, but the gap was this wide.
Even martial artists could only expel so much with inner energy. Someone like her? Limits didn't apply.
Made sense. Her looks and aura made drunkenness seem off-brand. Sobriety suited her better anyway.
And honestly, I preferred her sober.
'If she got wasted and decked me, I'd be gone.'
You never know how people change when drunk. She was kind now—why risk seeing otherwise?
My pride as a self-proclaimed boozer...
'Save it for someone worth impressing.'
Straining my pride now could lead to a blackout and disaster, so I meekly set down my cup.
"Feeling the heat... mind if I rest a bit?"
"I never said you could rest."
-Flinch!
"Kidding. Gaze at the view outside until it settles."
"Th-Thank you."
For a second, I was terrified.
Even as a joke, that hit too close—cut it out.
Clutching my pounding chest, I headed to the window as she suggested, breathing in the night air.
"Hoo..."
-Flutter
To cool the alcohol-fueled heat, I grabbed the front of my cloak and fanned it.
Cool night air rushed in, soothing my flushed face and body.
The breeze felt so good on my face that I instinctively reached for my hat—then yanked my hand back.
'That was close.'
Master had told me to keep my face covered, but I hadn't understood why until now.
It bewitched women.
'I don't get what's so great about it...'
I didn't see the appeal myself, but Dang Ayoung and Yeo Socheon insisted. What could I do?
Better to stay safe and covered.
No need to flash it and rile up the Heavenly Demon.
"Haa..."
Exhaling the rising fumes, I stared out the window when her voice came again.
"Enjoying the view?"
"The atmosphere's great."
"Liquor's my only pleasure in life, so I go all out. Even this gets stale after staring too long."
"I see..."
No matter how scenic, years of it would bore anyone.
Gazing at the moonlight spilling into the room, I realized how deep in danger I was when her voice returned.
"If you're up for it, mind sharing some fun stories?"
"...Pardon?"
"I heard you ran a shop in the Central Plains, telling fortunes... You've got plenty of tales, right?"
"W-Well, yes..."
More than I could count.
The world's full of all sorts—learning "people like that exist" was half the fun...
Plenty to share as drinking stories, too.
"Stories here have their limits. I told my strategist to fetch entertaining ones, but they're meh... We shared drinks, but you haven't told many."
"True..."
"I'd share mine if you want. Not that exciting—stuck in here all day."
She leaned against the table as she spoke.
The loose fabric draped over her like a blanket, slipping with the angle...
'Whoa.'
"What do you say? Interested?"
Her snowy hip was fully exposed.
Even with my head spinning, a man's instincts wouldn't miss that.
"No pressure, of course. If not, can't be helped."
"Then..."
I was about to refuse—worried my stories might pique her interest in the Central Plains and draw her out...
"But I'd be disappointed."
-Chill!
The alcohol's warmth vanished in an instant—my body froze solid.
My fingertips trembled from the aftershock.
'What was that?'
Had she done something?
Too quick to catch.
Whatever it was,
"Will you accept?"
Staring at the seductive, dangerous woman before me, I had only one answer.