Chapter 125: Chapter 125 - Adventurer Party(Part 9)

"Cheers!" Grinned Ekspen, as he held up his mug of beer.

"I don’t mean to be a wet blanket here, but should we really be drinking before another day in the Labyrinth?" I frowned in bemusement, as I took a sip of whiskey.

"It’s just a couple of rounds, and stopping a potential Goblin outbreak is cause for celebration, it’s fine so long are we’re careful not to overdo it," Smiled Sakri, as she patted my shoulder.

She’d let her hair down, which was usually tied up in buns, and was wearing casual clothes...she’s pretty hot, now that I’m getting a look at her like this. But she seems to have a thing with Ekspen, so I’m not gonna shoot my shot.

Yeah, I know, the whole ’just because a goal has a keeper doesn’t mean that you can’t score’ thing, but like I’ve mentioned before, I want to avoid creating any friction between me and other Adventurers.

It was currently around 9 PM, and we were at the bar near the Guild. After we got back from the Labyrinth, Ekspen basically insisted that we meet up here for drinks after getting changed. Seems like a bad idea to me, but it won’t have any lingering effects on me personally, so I have nothing to lose.

After all, my Universal Resistance counts alcohol as something to nullify, so I just need to stop suppressing the Skill and I’ll fully sober up instantly. I’ll never have to worry about being hungover in this world.

The same can’t be said for them though, but hey, it’s their choice to make, so whatever. They’re grown ass adults, a lot older than I am, and also a lot more experienced, so they probably know their limits.

"U-um, I think this is a bad idea too...I, uh, get hungover the next day even after just one or two drinks, so...," Muttered Ilex, staring at the mug of beer in front of him warily.

Seriously? He must have a pretty weak tolerance...in my old world, when I first started drinking, I didn’t get hungover at all. Like, sure, I’d feel a bit groggy the next day if I drank way too much, but not to the extent where I’d call it being hungover.

I did experience hangovers towards the last year or so of my previous life though, and it was pretty damn unpleasant. I’m super grateful for Universal Resistance, I never have to go through that again.

"At least have just the one drink, make sure to have plenty of water in between and afterwards, and you should be just fine. I know it’s a little premature to celebrate with one more day to go, so we’ll keep it light.

And tomorrow, we’ll properly celebrate! There’s a great marijuana café in town, they serve alcohol there too, we plan to celebrate there once we’re done with the Labyrinth tomorrow. Make sure to keep your schedules open for then," Laughed Ekspen, as he chugged down about half his beer.

"Sorry about him, he’s a bit of an alcoholic," Sighed Dispo wryly.

"Hey! I’m not an alcoholic, I just like a good drink every now and then," He protested indignantly.

"Remind me how many bars we’ve gotten banned from because you drank too much and then-...?" Began Sakri teasingly.

"O-okay, maybe I do get a little wild when I’m properly sozzled, but I’m just having fun," He countered defensively.

Wow...people in this world still say ’sozzled’? I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say that in my old world, outside of, like, old British movies and shows. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Well, I’ll just have this one drink and then head back to my hotel room to get some rest," I remarked, as I held up my glass of whiskey, which I’d drank a little more than half of so far.

I’m deliberately drinking it slowly with small sips so that it doesn’t seem like I’m leaving too soon...I might find their upbeat energy a bit much for my liking, but like I’ve said, it’ll be beneficial to maintain a positive relationship with them.

They’re well-liked in this town, and they’ve probably got good raps in other towns as well, considering that they’ve dedicated themselves to going around and helping other Adventurers get stronger.

Which also means that they’ve got connections and influence, it’d be a waste to deprive myself of the option of someday using those connections for my own benefit. It’s much easier to ask for favors from people with whom you have a good relationship with.

"Oh, you have to try these, it’s a speciality in this bar, and it’s so good," Sakri pushed a bowl of some dark, crunchy-looking chips towards me.

"Uh, sure...thanks," I replied, before reaching for one and tossing it into my mouth, crunching it between my teeth.

Oh, hey, that’s pretty good. It’s super crunchy without being too hard, and it’s got a nice salty flavor to it. Hm, it’s got a kinda meaty taste to it too...

"Um, what is this?" Inquired Ilex, as he tried one too.

He’s become a little bit less awkward around this group, guess that’s only natural after spending two days with them. He’s still pretty damn awkward though.

"Leftover animal parts mashed into a paste, flattened into a sheet, then broken up once hardened, and finally, deep fried. The specific ingredients and spices added are a secret though, no one except for the owner of the bar knows the recipe," Explained Ekpsen, as he took another swig of his beer.

Leftover animal parts mashed into a paste, huh? Sounds like how sausage is made...so I guess these are, like, sausage chips or something? It’s pretty good, maybe I should order a to-go portion for myself.

"Some people lose their appetite for it when they hear how it’s made, that’s why this one refuses to eat it," Smirked Sakri, as she nodded at Dispo.

"Don’t judge me, I get easily squeamish, I can’t help it," He huffed indignantly, as he munched on a garlic bread stick.

"You literally kill Monsters for a living, don’t you see blood and guts on the regular?" I inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"That’s exactly what I’ve said to him about this!" Nodded Ekspen in agreement.

"Yeah, but I don’t eat the Monsters I kill. And for the record, when I first started as an Adventurer, I threw up constantly after killing Monsters," He muttered saltily.

"Hey, don’t talk about throwing up while we’re eating," Frowned Sakri, as she tossed another sausage chip into her mouth.

"Okay, I’m think I’m done," Sighed Ilex with a slight slur, his cheeks kinda flushed, before he let out a hiccup.

Wow, just from one beer? He really is a lightweight, isn’t he?

"Damn, you look like you’ve chugged an entire bottle of hard booze, I’d kill for a tolerance like that...imagine how much money we’d save if we could get this drunk off just one beer," Sighed Ekspen wistfully.

"Yeah, you’d probably consume a lot more than one drink even if you did have a weak tolerance," Responded Sakri dryly.

"Heh...yeah, maybe I would."

"I’m done too, thanks for treating us to this," I spoke up, as I downed the last of my whiskey and set the glass down.

Not exactly high quality stuff, but it’s pretty strong, I feel fairly buzzed right now. But you can’t get any really good booze outside of the capital, this is about the best that’s available to Commoners.

"Oh, by the way, we’ll be doing things a bit differently tomorrow. We’ll have a proper formation that utilizes all five of us, instead of it being just you two up front and the three of us following behind," Remarked Ekspen, after ordering another beer for himself.

"Oh, um, okay," Nodded Ilex, who looked like he was kinda zoning out.

"Sounds good," I added, reaching for a garlic bread stick.

"I must say, I’ve quite enjoyed this...watching the two of you in action has been a treat. You both definitely have the potential to surpass us and make it to Diamond rank sooner or later," Said Dispo with a smile.

"What, you implying that you’re stronger than us?" I smirked jokingly.

"Maybe," He chuckled light-heartedly.

Okay, so...this might not be so bad after all. I’ll admit it, I’m not having a half-bad time right now...don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait for tomorrow to be over and done with, but well...it hasn’t been entirely unpleasant, I suppose.

"Not to spoil the mood, but we should probably wrap things up soon. I’m starting to feel kinda sleepy myself," I remarked with a stifled yawn.

"Yes, I agree. If we don’t stop now, we’ll probably carry on well into the night, knowing him," Laughed Sakri, as she nudged Ekspen.

"Fine, we’ll head out once I’m done with this drink," He relented with a sigh, as he sipped on his beer.

"Here’s to hoping that tomorrow’s as great a success as yesterday and today were," Grinned Dispo, as he held up his mug cheerfully.

I don’t have a drink, but I’ll toast to that sentiment...

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