Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Gold Solis Party
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People hurt and tired, what should they do?
Some would say pain is what makes youth what it is, while others might claim humans are born tough enough and should just grit their teeth until they build up immunity.
Unfortunately, I'm the darling of rational, civilized society.
A human blessed with the wisdom to analyze causes and prescribe treatments accordingly, rather than relying on mental fortitude or unproven folk remedies.
That's why I was having a drink at the bar inside the Crawler Guild.
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-How does that rational, logical prescription of yours lead to daytime drinking? Even your goddess can't fathom the causal link with her foresight.
‘Alcohol is the cure for all ills. And among them, it's the best for mending wounds of the heart.’
-Healing? No, it's numbing. Recovery? No, it's escape.
‘Sometimes fleeing from reality is nothing to be ashamed of—it can even help.’
-If you can't even say that with a straight face...
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I ran my index finger along the rim of the glass filled with amber liquid of life, pulling a slightly glum expression.
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‘It was a shock to be turned away by the one I served with all my heart.’
-Ahem... ahem... Didn't your goddess explain? I expended too much power trying to communicate with my one and only daughter—
‘So, can I get an answer now?’
-...Of course, if you wish it, how could I refuse? It's been ages since your goddess received an offering like this—my memory of it is hazy—and there's no precedent for a god returning a gift, but even so, for my daughter—
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The goddess's rambling, overflowing with lingering affection, made the corners of my mouth twitch upward without me realizing.
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‘I was just testing the waters because I was frustrated. Don't take it seriously.’
-...You're teasing your goddess.
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Realizing she'd been played, the goddess's voice turned pouty somehow.
Even though it was just a mental voice, I could picture her sulking, and it made me chuckle.
Good drinking snack.
I raised my glass, letting the amber liquid flow into my mouth—a brief chill, then a burning rush from esophagus to stomach.
Was it in some old novel? Alcohol is cold fire.
Spot-on description.
The only downside? Unlike my old body, this one's too sturdy—takes a lot to get me drunk.
They say the world grows as beautiful as the amount of booze in your glass. To beautify my world, I'll need quite a bit more.
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"Master. Another round."
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I held out my glass with just ice left, but instead of refilling it, the master glanced to my side.
As if seeking permission.
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"I said I'd buy one, but are you trying to bankrupt this old man's wallet?"
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At the end of the master's gaze sat an old man looking our way with a sly grin.
For his age, he had a massive build—even under loose robes, his solid muscles were outlined clearly.
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"I never pass up an opportunity."
"Yet you've turned down my offers multiple times, haven't you?"
"I never pass up an opportunity."
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Parrot-like response. The old man snorted a laugh, then nodded to the master.
A bottle embossed with a dragon's face in crystal tilted, filling my glass as icebergs floated up.
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"Heard a young fellow of your drinking capacity's been in a bind lately, so I thought I'd buy you a consoling drink. Looks like I've hooked a big one."
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I gave a small scoff at the old man's weak complaint.
Dragonheart 17-year is pricey, sure, but to him, it's less than a speck of dust.
Besides, to begin with...
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"A good chunk of my troubles come courtesy of Mayer's granddaughter."
"She's cute as a bunny. How does she read this old man's heart so well?"
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Mentioning his granddaughter turned the old man's face into a beaming, doting grandpa grin.
No reasoning with this guy.
Irritated, I grabbed my glass again.
The old man, reminiscing fondly about her, now shot me a sly smile at my reaction.
Damn irritating geezer.
But this granddaughter-spoiling, seemingly scatterbrained rich old coot is the Crawler Guild's current master—one of the dungeon city's four great powers.
Grand Sorcerer Mayer.
A hero from two generations back, with achievements numbering among the city's finest.
And the one who once dismissed me: "Talent like once-in-a-century, but her actions just scream underestimating Crawler."
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"If Seria reads Mayer's heart just twice over, I'll wither away."
‘This month's interest paid in full. But please ensure no delinquencies.’
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Her hazy gaze, red eyes, and smile flashed in my mind, making me shudder involuntarily.
That's cute?
To me, she looks less like a bunny and more like a bhopałevit ready to snap my neck anytime.
Mayer cackled at my crumpled expression.
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"Is this it? The reason Wolfram made it, and why that girl's sweet-talking you now?"
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After teasing me awhile, he shifted to Keseff Heyrel.
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‘You've been side-eyeing it, pretending not to notice.’
"Mind if I take a look?"
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Mayer eyed Keseff Heyrel hungrily and asked permission.
Honestly, I hate the idea of my fresh-out-of-the-forge baby getting pawed by an old-timer... but with all the debt, turning down a weapon peek feels awkward.
I nodded curtly, face sour.
Money's the enemy.
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"Hmm."
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With permission granted, Mayer lifted Keseff Heyrel with a serious look.
The over-70kg silver staff rose effortlessly in one hand.
What kind of sorcerer has that strength?
Did he skip magic for weight training?
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‘Monstrous geezer.’
-......
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The goddess seemed about to say something, but stayed silent.
Probably cursing the old coot but couldn't bring herself to voice it.
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"Silver's excellent for mana storage, but soft—that's its flaw. Here, though, the surface, core, and circuits are silver-lead alloy, aligning the structure for efficient mana resonance and hardening it."
"These four chambers loaded with pure silver... trigger them for bursts of amplification? With that mass, the base multiplier's huge—amateurs couldn't handle it."
"Pure silver, so once aligned, tougher than steel... I like it. Bit light, though."
"Yeah, a piece like this? Worth going into debt for."
"What a... violent thing."
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Mayer concluded with a satisfied nod after inspecting Keseff Heyrel.
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"Heard you got back from the dungeon recently. Tried it in real combat? How was mana control during amplification? Mana converting to spells—or blessings, by your terms—any strain? And—"
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Then questions poured at me like a storm.
I brushed off the annoying ones, answered what mattered, and ordered more Dragonheart 17.
Free booze? Drink it while there's an excuse.
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"...Hmm. So, you soloed an Am Fear Liath Mòr."
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Conversation paused after my answer on the Floor Lord battle—first since returning.
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"My eyes never lie."
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If he mistakes a bhopałevit for a house rabbit, maybe he needs temple healing.
Mayer set Keseff Heyrel down gently beside me with a thunk!, eyeing me greedily.
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"Still no interest in my offer?"
"Yes."
"Shame... what a shame..."
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True to past form, Mayer shook his head genuinely regretful.
But sensing no more talk, he stood.
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"You said you need money?"
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As he left the bar, he dropped advice.
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"Heard the Shieldlove kid's recruiting a supporter to reach the lower floors' entrance. I know you hate dealing with him, but they're the only lower-floor party left in the city. If cash is tight, pay 'em a visit."
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Following Mayer's tip, I visited the Gold Solis Express.
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‘Heh. Who's this? Unexpected visitor.’
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Thus began a hellish time facing the sleazy golden-haired, bronzed-skin tongue-flicker who greeted me like that.
That's the current situation.
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‘...Arjen... 21 years old.’
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Watching Gold Solis update my carrier profile with footage from moments ago, I couldn't hide my gloom.
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‘Do I really need money this badly?’
-...I have no idea anymore.
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The goddess never knew much anyway, so no big loss.
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"So, when's departure?"
"Once the last carrier supporter spot's filled, then notices to clients—three days, including that."
"Plan same as last time?"
"Mm. Mostly."
"Any points to watch?"
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Gold Solis pondered my questions before replying.
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"Follow basic lower-floor crawler common sense, and no big issues. Rest is... client luck? We screen 'em decently, so don't sweat it."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Three days later.
Gold Solis's assurance crumbled spectacularly.
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"Bugs Lucky Lionel."
>
Thanks to a client he failed to screen properly.