ALL NOVEL Chapter 77
“I’m late.”
By the time I slipped out of Anchorpol’s workshop, a considerable amount of time had passed.
“Take a look around!”
“Hey, bro! What you’re looking for is over here!”
Colorful hawkers everywhere.
So this is Hwangdo—no surprise that it’s brutal at night.
Before I knew it, the street was adorned with red banners and crimson lights.
There were plenty of taverns near the workshop catering to dwarves, and where there’s booze, there’s bound to be revelry.
Like the dark inner workings of a human,
only after welcoming this late-night hour does the nightlife show its true colors.
Well, I’ve gotten used to coming back late, but what bothers me is Yeriel.
Even when I was at Black House,
she always waited on the first floor, taking catnaps until I came back.
“I feel so bad…”
As a dorm supervisor, she could have easily given me some demerit points, but—
“Lev, you can’t do this next time!”
“There are unexpected inspections, you know! It could be dangerous!”
After giving me a cute little scolding,
“Today, I’ll let it slide since you trained, okay?”
“And… aren’t you hungry?”
I always got off easy like this.
Truth is, if I were following the FM regulations of this academy, I’d already be over 50 demerit points.
Thus, thanks to Yeriel looking the other way, I’ve been afforded additional growth and avoided expulsion.
“But… today is unavoidable.”
After the show-and-tell about the ring wrapped up,
I couldn’t escape having a drink with Anchorpol…
He seemed to be in a good mood, keep offering me drinks,
Ding!
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[Gray Ashen Bolt]
[Rarity: SS]
[A crossbow containing the essence of the Great Demon Leragie. It is said that only those chosen by a demon can wield it.]
[*Effects of the Black Dragon’s Tendon: Enhances dark elemental attacks. The cap on your erosion level increases with your growth.]
[Equippable]
[Unique effects available]
[View details available]
————————————————
“Just look at its dazzling beauty…”
The Gray Ashen Bolt was upgraded from the tendon of the Water Dragon to that of the Black Dragon by craftsman Anchorpol.
He seemed to take a liking to the bowstring as additional effects appeared.
“After all, matching with elemental attacks is key.”
So, drinking all this was just for the sake of leveling up!
“The taste of booze in this world isn’t too bad either.”
Of course, as a student, drinking might be a bit of an issue, but…
I’m in my late twenties back in my original world, a seasoned adult…
And Levdenek isn’t considered a minor in this universe.
So this little indulgence shouldn’t be a big deal.
“It’s sweet…”
It’s been a while since I had a drink, and the rating of the Gray Ashen Bolt also jumped from S+ to SS.
————————————————
[Legendary Items Owned]
[Gray Ashen Bolt]
[Grand Sage’s Memorize: Chains of Induction]
————————————————
Two SS-rated items that can only be farmed in the late game.
Gradually, the outline of my gear is taking shape.
All that’s left are the annoyingly hard-to-boost stats and proficiency, right?
Thankfully, there’s still time until the Gate of the Underworld, so I’ve thought about what to do in the meantime.
“Trial 3, and maybe some circle magic?”
If I boost my stats a bit more, Trial 3 would be doable, and I even prepared a gift to thank the Wind Monster Sinatis who helped me that day Tobiel showed up.
Also, since the mana cost will increase for the smooth use of the Chains of Induction, learning magic from Yeriel seriously seems like a good idea.
“In the end, I’m right back to thinking about Yeriel.”
Just as I thought of her,
“Huh?”
There she was, in the distance.
Yeriel’s pure white hair, loosened unlike usual, was flowing freely.
Dressed in a thin outfit with just a cardigan, which wasn’t her usual going-out attire.
She seemed to be looking for someone in a bit of a frantic manner.
Tap!
I immediately approached her and grabbed her wrist.
Thud!
“…! Lev…!”
Though Hwangdo is generally safe during the day, that changes with alcohol.
Especially in the underground revelry, as depicted in the original game, it’s a bit dangerous for women.
“So you were here…”
Seeing me, she momentarily wore a look of relief but then began to circle around me with a tense expression again.
“…?”
In this state, I must smell pretty boozy…
“Lev……”
Could it be that the smell was too strong?
Yeriel’s expression steadily froze in shock.
*
“No way, Lev wouldn’t…?”
pungent and unfamiliar scent.
For Yeriel, who usually didn’t indulge in alcohol, it was bound to be an alarming smell coming from me.
Her heart sank with a thud!
Wandering around the red-light district at this hour, a man acting alone, and the strong stench of alcohol…
The combination draws a simple conclusion.
“Ahh….”
This is awkward.
Am I even allowed to get mad at him? He’s not my boyfriend or anything…
How should I react? Yeriel started seriously contemplating.
Of course, if he were to say right now,
“I just came from a restaurant with a strong alcohol smell!”
then Yeriel would immediately believe it.
Or if he honestly explained…
That would be more than enough.
She would try her best to understand.
However, since he acted in a way inconsistent with a student’s position, as an elder, she had to give a stern warning.
“Right…!”
Yeriel decided to follow her convictions.
Public and private matters must be distinguished, so she had to speak up.
Slide.
Yeriel softly grasped Lev’s hand and looked into his chest to say,
“Lev, we’re students of Claris Academy, the most prestigious in the Empire…?”
“…?”
“Of course, the stress from exams, or the pressure from our studies, I understand well… And everyone has their own ways of coping…”
“Yer…iel?”
“Right. While it’s important to respect that, as this relates to relationships between the opposite sexes…”
As she spoke more, tears began to glisten at the corners of Yeriel’s eyes.
“Even so…”
Why is this happening?
As she tried to force down this emotion, finally, Lev’s mouth opened.
“Yeriel, wait.”
“Uh…?”
“Hold on tight.”
Those firm words calmed Yeriel.
I feel like this has happened a few times in the past.
“Ah!”
In reverse, Lev grabbed Yeriel’s hand and pulled her along.
“Lev…?”
Buzz.
Chatter!
Winding through the raucous taverns of the alley…
When Lev and Yeriel came to a stop, they were in front of a dark forge, the lights off due to being closed for the night.
He sighed deeply and swept his bangs back.
“Believe it or not, I came here for a bowstring.”
Then he showed off his usual weapon, a black crossbow.
“Uh…?”
With the oil still fresh on it, he seemed to be telling the truth.
“And I also identified a few items. Want to sit next to me for a second?”
As Lev knelt down and opened his small backpack, Yeriel approached him as well.
Inside were various scrolls and potions inscribed with Hwangdo’s seal.
Among them was a white-glowing ring that appeared briefly.
It looked like a beautiful ring probably to be used for an engagement.
Thinking about it, Lev was from a noble family, and it shouldn’t be a surprise if discussions about engagements were happening with another family.
He shouldn’t have visited the red-light district.
“…What a relief. What a relief…”
Anyway, he was just as Yeriel believed him to be.
“I’m such a fool…”
How embarrassing.
Even though numerous people had passed by Yeriel’s side,
why couldn’t she calm down about him?
She had boldly stated to Aria that Lev was a good person and that she firmly believed in him!
“Ah, and about the alcohol… My craftsman is a dwarf, you know? The atmosphere just… It’s my fault.”
With Lev’s confession, Yeriel regained her composure.
Right, she still had this to address.
“That’s right! Lev, that’s not right…! We came to Hwangdo to receive an award, and it carries the meaning of representing Claris Academy…!”
“Exactly.”
Feeling embarrassed for almost misunderstanding, Yeriel began to ramble.
“As we heard in the awards ceremony, we must always show an exemplary image to others… right?”
“Yep.”
Kneeling like this, they seemed to feel closer somehow.
“…”
“So… uh…”
“So?”
Lev wore a look as if he were questioning why she wasn’t scolding him more.
And just as Yeriel noticed a hint of mischief in his expression,
“With such behavior…”
Her gaze had already dropped to the floor.
Slide.
“!!”
Lev leaned closer and whispered in her ear.
“Why? Are you worried I’d go into that red-light alley?”
“…!”
As Yeriel struggled to reply no, her mouth just opened and closed,
his pleasant voice tickled her ear.
“Yeriel… you have quite the imagination.”
“…………”
In the adjacent alley, like the swaying red-light,
her face turned crimson and hot.
She couldn’t lose.
Holding Lev’s cuff, she whispered softly.
“Lev, you’re a bit naughty….”