Drunk

"Hm?" Zhang Ruofeng was a little surprised. He could tell that the proprietress, Christa, was much more skilled than Jiang or himself, but he hadn't expected her to be a Level 4 adventurer. It was rare for adventurers to run shops in Orario, especially anywhere other than weapon shops or the Pleasure District.

"Well, she definitely wouldn't use her full strength if she hit me." Jiang gave a self-deprecating laugh. "One punch from her could kill me."

Seeing Zhang Ruofeng's puzzled expression, Jiang continued, "Her name is Christa, the 'Snow Maiden.' She became an adventurer at the age of sixteen and reached Level 4 last year. But it seems she was badly injured in the Dungeon's fiftieth floor. She lost an arm, and more than five of her companions died. It hit her hard. Around that time, I'd just gone through the loss of my entire party, too. One day, while nursing a hangover, I saw her drinking silently, so I went over to strike up a conversation. Then she hit me. I tried again the next day, and she hit me again." Jiang looked a little embarrassed. He took several big gulps of beer before continuing.

"Maybe I just couldn't stand seeing someone sitting alone in a corner, looking so lonely as she drank. It always reminded me of myself, and it hurt. Especially when I thought about how all my companions had died while I'd survived. I felt guilty, and I had to endure other people's misunderstandings, too. I was incredibly lonely." Jiang traced the rim of his glass and continued, "Back then, I really didn't know anyone. I'd only been an adventurer for a few months, so I'd never heard of the famous Winter Beauty, the 'Snow Maiden.' Thinking back, if I'd known she was far beyond a weak adventurer like me, I probably wouldn't have tried to talk to her."

Seeing how intently Zhang Ruofeng was listening, Jiang cleared his throat and said, "Anyway, after a while, we got to know each other a little better. She learned about what I'd been through, I guess, so she wasn't quite as cold toward me. We'd drink together, though I'd be lucky to hear her say a few words all night. She talked even less than you. Then, somehow, I suddenly found myself enjoying her company. She'd listen quietly and occasionally make fun of me. One night, I got drunk and confessed my feelings to her." Jiang looked embarrassed as he spoke. He rubbed his nose and gave a slight cough.

"And she rejected me in a second. Hahaha." Jiang's voice turned a little dejected. "We're not in the same Familia, after all. And even though she's lost much of her strength, I'm still far too weak for her. So it's only natural she turned me down."

"That doesn't mean you're out of chances," Zhang Ruofeng pointed out. "You never said she didn't like you."

"Yeah. She said I'm too weak right now. And because of her fear and the loss of her left arm, she can't adventure anymore. She's seen how pitiful and frightening weakness can be. She gave me ten years to grow stronger than she is. If I fail—or die trying—she'll leave Orario." Jiang sighed.

"But you don't seem to be working that hard. You're still hanging around the fourth floor," Zhang Ruofeng said, growing even more puzzled. Looking at Jiang's gloomy expression, he knew Jiang genuinely liked Christa. But Jiang didn't seem to be doing much to become stronger. With his current abilities, he could probably venture below the seventh floor or start pursuing his ambitions. After all, in just a year, he'd grown almost as strong as Zhang Ruofeng was now. He was a rare talent among adventurers.

"Haha, it's hard to explain." Jiang smiled helplessly. "But all in all, I guess I just don't have the courage. The way I grew up made me timid."

"Good luck." Zhang Ruofeng wasn't interested in Jiang's personal hang-ups, and he had no way to help. Other people couldn't resolve those kinds of problems for you. You had to work through them yourself.

"Ah..." Jiang took several more gulps of beer before going on. "Man, you've got it good. You're both surrounded by that ice-beauty aura, but Xin Mu seems much more obedient. Christa, on the other hand, is always beating me up. I'm happy she at least interacts with me, but compared to your girlfriend, Christa's chest is way too small!"

Zhang Ruofeng had been drinking, too, but he suddenly felt someone watching them and quickly turned around. Christa stood behind Jiang, her expression cold. Because he'd been drinking, Zhang Ruofeng hadn't noticed her at all. Jiang was in even worse shape than Zhang Ruofeng. He was about to make fun of him for choking on his drink when he noticed Zhang Ruofeng staring at something behind him with a strange expression. Jiang immediately knew something was wrong. He turned around and felt a fierce, icy wind that seemed to freeze him in place.

"Hahaha... Christa, why didn't you say something when you came over? Want to sit down and have a drink? This is a new friend of mi—" Before Jiang could finish, two mugs of beer slammed onto the table in front of him, sending foam flying all over his face. Christa gave a cold snort, turned away, and said, "The drinks are on me." Then she went straight back to the bar.

"Hahaha..." Jiang awkwardly rubbed his nose. He was embarrassed to have the woman he liked discover that he'd been talking about her chest. Seeing that Zhang Ruofeng wasn't laughing at him helped ease the embarrassment a little. Jiang picked up his wooden mug and took a few more gulps. Zhang Ruofeng didn't call him out, either. He did feel like laughing, but that would only hurt their relationship. He and Jiang weren't close yet, and they'd only become friendly because Zhang Ruofeng had threatened him. For now, the best choice was to get their relationship back on track.

They'd each had five drinks, but what left Zhang Ruofeng speechless was how easily Jiang trusted people. It was his first time drinking with Zhang Ruofeng, yet he'd already passed out face-first on the table.

"Hey... hey..." Zhang Ruofeng called to him several times, but got no response. He could only shake his head in disbelief.

Just then, Christa came over from the bar. Hearing Jiang, who was slumped over the table, mumbling her name, she snorted and said to Zhang Ruofeng, "Leave him here. I'll dump him in the storeroom to sleep in a while."

"Oh, all right." Zhang Ruofeng was used to her cold manner and simply nodded. Seeing how serious Christa looked, he figured Jiang really would be sleeping in the storeroom that night. He got up to pay, then walked out of the shop, swaying slightly.

"Take care," Christa said as she collected the money, then turned back to her work. Zhang Ruofeng paused briefly, then continued toward his Familia's estate.