Interlude

Xia Nan frowned, his pitch-black eyes sizing up the man before him, who looked openly hostile and reeked of alcohol.

He knew perfectly well that alcohol affected certain areas of the human brain, causing people to make impulsive, irrational decisions.

Although he had not been transported to this world for long, and his own strength was not particularly formidable.

When faced with a possible provocation from a stranger, he had still prepared himself to respond.

He instinctively began assessing the balance of strength between them.

"Hm... heavily intoxicated. He probably isn't pretending."

"Unsteady on his feet. Whether I retreat for now or attack, I can make use of that."

"The Beheading Longsword is more suitable against a humanoid enemy, but its length may be inconvenient at our current distance. I need to create some space first."

"Judging from his build and clothing..."

Meanwhile, Chapton looked at the two people in front of him, who had strangely fallen silent.

A sense of unease gradually rose within him.

He knew the man who was so drunk he seemed barely conscious.

Bernie, the town's well-known drunkard.

Though he was a proper adventurer who made his living off mission bounties, he spent nearly every waking moment drinking in River Valley Town's taverns.

Only when he was truly out of money would he occasionally go on a couple of missions with his former party. Once he had earned enough for more alcohol, he would go right back to idling around town.

And he was a terrible drunk.

In the mere half year since he had come to River Valley Town, Chapton alone had thrown him out of the White Tit Tavern three times for causing trouble while drunk.

The only reason Chapton had not blacklisted Bernie was that the man was still a decent person when sober.

As for the Black-haired Youth on the other side...

Chapton suddenly noticed that the young man had slightly lowered his body. He had clearly assumed a fighting stance, and one of his hands had even risen faintly, as though ready to grasp the Sword Hilt at any moment.

"No need for that, no need for that."

Behind them, two middle-aged men dressed like adventurers hurried forward.

They grabbed hold of Bernie, who looked as if he might collapse unconscious from drunkenness at any second, and said with awkward smiles:

"Sorry about that. He drank too much. We got caught up in the excitement just now and didn't keep an eye on him."

Then one of them turned to Chapton behind the bar, patted his chest, and said loudly:

"This friend's expenses today are on my tab."

After offering Xia Nan a few more apologies, they dragged Bernie back to their table.

It was not because they had seen how strong Xia Nan was.

These experienced, low-ranking adventurers might stab comrades they had lived and fought beside for a priceless piece of equipment during a mission.

But that was only because there was enough profit sitting on the other side of the scales.

Having survived mission after mission, they naturally were not fools who ignored everything else and let their emotions dictate their actions.

For a trivial matter that could be settled with a wave of the hand, they would gain an enemy of unknown background and uncertain strength for no reason.

Even an idiot knew which choice to make.

They were all in the same line of work. Who knew whether they might run into one another somewhere in the future, or what condition they would be in by then?

With two companions present, Bernie naturally could not come into conflict with Xia Nan.

Of course, anyone who thought that made them good people would be gravely mistaken.

If some enormous benefit capable of overturning their moral principles truly appeared before them, they would not be any slower to act than they were to blink.

The imagined conflict never happened, and the little disturbance in the tavern came to an end.

Though Xia Nan was somewhat surprised, he had no further thoughts about it.

Since someone had offered to pay, he naturally accepted.

"One Meal No. 3," he said to the Tavern Owner in front of him.

After eating dry rations in the forest for so many days, he truly could not take it anymore.

Honestly, one night he had even dreamed of returning to his Previous Life, finding a restaurant he often visited, and stuffing himself.

Now that the mission was finally over, he naturally had to reward himself properly.

Come to think of it, it was only because of the late hour that most of the shops along the street had already closed, leaving him nowhere to dispose of his spoils.

Otherwise, according to the Adventurer's Manual, he would have had to visit all sorts of shops, which would have taken up more than half his day.

Sizzle—

Steam rose, and the fragrance of food flowed into his Nostrils with every breath.

It was still the same combination of Stewed Meat, Mushroom Soup, and white bread.

He soaked the bread thoroughly in the Mushroom Soup.

Then took a bite.

"Tsk."

The soft dough almost instantly melted into a creamy fragrance in his mouth, mingling with the sweet, savory flavor of the Mushroom Soup before sliding down his throat.

Xia Nan narrowed his eyes in enjoyment.

This is how people are supposed to live.

He sighed inwardly.

At the same time, Chapton, the Tavern Owner, placed a glass of what appeared to be rather expensive liquor before him.

"This one is from the White Tit Tavern."

Seeing Xia Nan's puzzled gaze, he explained.

"Thank you."

There was no reason to refuse, so Xia Nan nodded in thanks.

The wineglass settled on the table, its clear liquor swaying gently.

As he ate dinner, his thoughts drifted, and his eyes grew slightly unfocused.

By the time he had returned to River Valley Town, it was already late. With nowhere to deal with his spoils, he had decided to return to the White Tit Tavern and rest for the night.

The bandages wrapped around the "Green Pine" Wooden Sword on his back were a layer of disguise, since he was worried someone might notice something unusual.

He would observe things for a few days. Once he had the chance to commission a scabbard from a Blacksmith Shop, it should become much more convenient.

The liquor entered his stomach, leaving a burning sensation on his tongue.

Yet his body showed no reaction at all.

Xia Nan guessed that his current Constitution of "8" was at work.

Previously, the 1 point of Strength and 1 point of Agility gained from maxing out [Whirlwind Slash] had already made him feel as though he had changed into an entirely different body, causing his combat power to soar.

Now, after absorbing Dewdrop, the 3 points of Constitution it had brought him were an equally tremendous boost.

After traveling all day, even Wood, who had already gained a Profession Level, had ended up with his chest heaving as he panted.

Yet Xia Nan had remained completely at ease, without the slightest strain, as though he had merely gone for a walk.

Dewdrop had, of course, helped replenish the stamina he had expended along the way, but it was still enough to prove just how formidable Xia Nan's endurance had become.

On the other hand, while it was not as obvious as the enormous increase in health points from games, heightened Constitution also allowed Xia Nan to withstand more damage in battle.

Though he had not tested it yet, he was certain that he could now cast [Whirlwind Slash] multiple times in a short period without impairing his physical functions.

The awkward days when swinging a few extra strikes left his arms aching and weak were gone.

Thinking further, increased Constitution also meant greater resistance to impacts.

If he returned to Thin Mist Forest now and let that Petrification Lizard ram him from behind again...

Xia Nan suddenly shuddered, and the center of his back seemed to ache faintly.

I definitely wouldn't die, but... better not.