Chapter 157: Roman

    Roman, this is Derek Hunt. I just gave him his Onyx Badge and decided to treat him to a celebratory drink. Shae said. Derek, this is Roman. A little halfling dipshit who is getting a little too big for his britches.

    Oh, so they have halflings as well? This day keeps getting more and more interesting. Derek thought as he watched the banter between the two.

    Youre calling me a dipshit? I wasnt joking! No drinking today. Roman spat.

    Shae waved the halfling off. Yeah, right you know youre going to cave. Its too much money to go towards supporting your habit.

    The halfling ground his teeth but relented. Fine! But youre buying by the jug! He pulled a small jug out of his storage ring and slammed it on the bar. Then, he slammed down two small shot glasses, not even half the size as regular ones, that were surprisingly crafted from the same obsidian that he had observed at the Crown Hotel.

    You sure your new friend can handle it? The halfling eyed Derek up and down. I would hate to get on the bad side of an Onyx.

    Shae slapped Derek on the back. Youll have no problems with him.

    The halfling nodded. Good. Payment up front. He stuck his card out.

    Shae grumbled, but soon pulled out his bank card and transferred the money. Little runt.

    Roman clicked his tongue and walked back to the makeshift fighting arena.

    Interesting guy. Derek said. Old friend?

    Something like that. Shae reached up and grabbed the small jug to pour them each a shot.

    They both took one of the glasses and drained it. Derek didnt know what to expect, but he certainly didnt expect what happened. Battery acid was the only comparison Derek could think of as the liquid slid down the back of his throat.

    If he didnt know any better, he would have thought the liquid took half of his tongue down with it. He slammed the glass on the bar. What the fuck was that?

    Shae gave Derek a toothy grin. Its some good stuff, huh?

    I dont know about that. You could have at least warned me. Derek said as he watched his HP tick down faster than his innate healing could bring it up. Holy shit! Is it a poison or a venom or something?

    Shaes grin got wider. Nope, just a drink one that actually works on folk like us.Yo?ur favorite stories at novelhall.com

    Folk like us? You mean people with a death wish?

    Nope, people with a high enough Endurance and Vitality to drink it. People who are past the stats that allow normal drinks to have any effect. Shae explained.

    So youre saying that this will get us drunk? Derek asked.

    Shae snapped his fingers and pointed at Derek. Exactly. Then he grumbled. For 25,000 gold a jug, it better.

    25,000 gold? For a jug that small? Derek stared at the jug like it was a priceless treasure. He picked it up. Its not even full! There was less than a liter of liquid in the small container.

    The prices we pay for luxury. Shae said.

    Luxury my ass. Derek said. I dont even like being drunk.

    Shae waved him off. It was bound to happen. I broke off from the party, then. The Golem Dungeon was the third dungeon I did solo, and the first elite one.

    I see.

    It was easy. Shae said. My class was practically made for it. I was fast and precise. I went through the whole dungeon in less than an hour. I was powerful enough to break a core in one hit, and fast enough to dodge any attacks. Of course, I was dancing on a tightrope the whole time. Im sure I would have been finished if I got hit one or two times. Luckily, I was out to prove myself, and I took my training very seriously.

    Derek laughed as he took another drink. I could tell. I couldnt hit you to save my life if it werent for my skills.

    Shae took another drink. Ere we go. He slurred. Whew!

    Huh? Derek asked.

    The brew. Roman said as he walked back over, cleaning a mug with a rag. The toxins build up with each drink until one more takes you over the edge, then BOOM! Youre shitfaced. I havent worked out how to make it a slow build, yet.

    I see. So no buzz, just straight up drunkenness? Derek asked.

    Nothin wrong wit that. Shae said.

    The halfling laughed. Shae seems to like it.

    Derek frowned and took another drink, then another, then another. I guess its going to take more than the usual for me. He took another three drinks.

    Looks that way. The halfling answered.

    Shae took another drink as well, before Roman took his shot glass away. Thats enough for you. Judys already going to kill you for buying a whole jug, better not risk blacking out.

    Derek held his hand out. Give me the mug.

    Roman shook his head. That shit will eat right through it.

    Derek sighed. It had been years since the last time hed even had a buzz, much less gotten drunk. He was sure hed be fine if he did get drunk, plus, he had Cure Toxin if he needed it. Not to mention the skill would probably level.

    Derek took the jug and tipped it up, taking two big gulps. His HP rapidly diminished, but nothing else happened. I guess its not strong enough for me. He said.

    Roman clicked his tongue. Youre the first. He looked over to a now passed out Shae and smiled. Hes going to shit a brick when he realizes the whole jug is almost gone and he only got drunk once from it.

    I guess you dont have anything stronger.

    Than that? Nope. Never thought Id need it. Would you drink enough to cover the cost of me making it stronger? Roman asked.

    Derek snorted as he thought about the price of the previous jug. Not on your life.

    Didnt think so. I got plenty of customers for the Onyx stuff. Shaes been good about introducing them to me.

    How did you get into doing this, anyway? What made you want to brew alcohol for high level people? Derek asked.

    Brew alcohol? The halfling laughed. You got it all wrong. Im an Alchemist.