World Guide Map Release Commemoration—[Shadow Night Tavern SS]
Late at night, Milfie was sleeping beside me, but I just couldn’t fall asleep.
“Munya munya, I can still eat more...”
Watching her mumble sleep-talk that seemed backwards from the usual, I got up and looked out the window.
The moon looked similar to the one in my original world, but it was two, no, maybe even three times bigger.
It was stunningly beautiful. But somehow, it also felt a little scary.
Who exactly am I? And what should I be doing?
… No, maybe I’m overthinking it.
I’m just me.
“Ahhhhhhhhhh! So tasty...!”
Startled by Milfie’s blissful muttering, I left the room.
Doesn’t look like I’ll be sleeping tonight.
Might as well take a walk around town and map the area a little.
---
[Shadow Night Tavern] 4.7 ★★★★☆ (2689 reviews)Secretive Adventurer
★★★★★
Known for having a lot of other races.
Everyone looks so happy.
Nameless Mage
★★★★☆
Fruit wine is delicious.
Occasional squabbles.
A-Rank Adventurer
★★★★★
Tavern open until morning.
Great snacks, lots of people.
Perfect for sleepless nights.
Commoner of the Royal Capital
★★★★★
Sometimes scary, but the opposite happens too.
Ehehe, ehehehe, ehehehehe.
---
“Welcome.”
When I opened the creaky wooden door, the inside was just as the reviews said—buzzing with various races.
There were folks not even a meter tall, and on the other end, beastkin well over three meters tall.
The tavern master looked similar to that old man Rildo, but supposedly their personalities were polar opposites.
I sat down at a random counter, but there was no menu.
That’s when the curvy lady beside me spoke up.
“Oh? First time here? You’re looking all around.”
“Ah, yes. I’m not used to this kind of place... Um, where’s the menu?”
“Ehehe. Master, this kid wants a menu.”
She looked a lot like Big Sister Miri, but there was something... more sultry about her.
“We don’t have that sort of thing. Just tell me what you wanna drink.”
Ah, I see. A strong-style establishment.
Apparently, they have beer, but I’m not really a fan.
If possible, I’d like some fruit wine. Let’s go with that.
“Belt wine is good.”
“Belt... What does it taste like?”
“Well now. You’ll know once you try it.”
What a name—sounds like something that’d cinch your waist.
Still, that’s her recommendation.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
I came here to get any clue I could about the catfolk.
I took her advice and ordered the belt wine.
“I’m Durian. You?”
“I’m Tabito. Came from the countryside.”
“Ahahaha, you give off that vibe. But—”
After that “But—”, she leaned in and sniffed by my ear.
“You smell like a strong man.”
Th-That’s way too sexy!?
What’s with the emotional whiplash?
Then she gave a gentle laugh again—“Ehehe.”
“Here’s your belt wine.”
“Ah, thank you.”
At that moment, I was handed two small shot glasses filled with an orange-colored drink.
We’re going straight to shots?
“A toast to our meeting.”
“Y-Yeah.”
I couldn’t possibly refuse.
So I... downed it in one go.
“... It’s good.”
“Told you.”
“And this... wait, is it non-alcoholic?”
“That’s right. Oh, you didn’t know? This place doesn’t serve alcohol.”
“Huh?”
—
Sober Adventurer
★★★★★
The best tavern you can enjoy even without alcohol.
Never seen such a wholesome place.
—
I had completely missed that review.
So places like this exist too, huh.
And the master—with that intimidating look, it’s all non-alcoholic!? Stylish as hell!
“This place has people with all sorts of pasts. Lots of interesting folks.”
“Is that so?”
“For example, that woman dancing over there? She’s a famous assassin in the capital.”
“... What?”
“She doesn’t drink for work reasons. Then there’s that handsome-looking guy over there.”
“Oh, I see him.”
“He’s a mercenary who once fought a hundred men on his own.”
He doesn’t look like it at all.
Seriously? Everyone here’s kinda scary.
Then I noticed an obviously powerful, massive man.
Given everything I’ve just learned... he’s probably trouble.
"He is—"
"Y-yes?"
He caught my attention.
"He's a guy from the capital who always storms out after fighting with his wife. He can’t handle alcohol, so he kills time here."
"That's kind of sad."
There really are all kinds of people!
"Hehe, interesting, isn’t it? But that’s what’s great about this place. Whatever’s going on outside doesn’t matter here. Everyone’s just having fun. So, what brought you here? A bar in the middle of the night... it's usually for the lonely, those searching for someone, or folks just passing time."
"Ah, well, I guess it’s sort of like I’m looking for someone. Do you know anything about the catfolk?"
"I know about beastkin, but I’ve never heard of catfolk."
"I see..."
Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem to know.
I asked someone who looked like they might, but they didn’t know either.
I guess they really are rare.
"Sorry I couldn’t help."
"Oh, no, thank you anyway. I had a good time."
Before I knew it, time had passed, and sunlight was filtering in from outside.
Milfie must be waking up soon. I should get back.
"Come by again sometime."
"Ah, sure. Master, how much do I owe—"
"My treat. I like you."
"Eh, uh, thank you so much!"
What a generous and kind lady.
Now that I think about it... what does she actually do?
Maybe she's just a lady who really loves alcohol?
◇
After Tabito left, the master called out.
"Durian, that's rare. You talked to someone you just met."
"… Yeah. But that kid was cute, wasn’t he? All jittery and wide-eyed, reminded me of how I used to be."
"Hah, yeah. You were just a brat back then."
Durian Earlgrey.
Also known as “Durian the Afterimage.”
She's said to be the most talented court magician in the royal capital.
And also notorious for being exceptionally ruthless.
"Did you notice the way that kid's mana flowed?"
"Mana?"
"The only reason I spoke to him was for this bar’s sake."
"… What do you mean?"
"It was incredibly refined. It didn’t match his appearance at all—he must’ve gone through terrifying training. And the power pouring out of his body was unreal. Yet there he was, glancing around like a lost puppy. Of course I had to talk to him."
"… I didn’t see any of that."
"Right? But when I spoke to him, he was just a normal guy. It’s strange. He was so kind, it was almost unsettling."
"Should we ban him, just in case?"
"Haha, if we make him mad, we might end up dead."
"… He didn’t seem that strong to me."
"I’m good at sensing mana, you know. And for the first time in ages... I felt death."
"… Hah, don’t joke around."
But Durian didn’t laugh.
"Tabito, huh? This bar really is fascinating. So many interesting people come through."
"You’re the weirdest one of all."
"Hehe, another belt liquor, please. Let’s toast to our safety."
"… Sheesh, you always twist things your way."
"Oh my, but I’m being honest."
What do you think about this chapter?
