The question at the moment was what he would do until heading over to the tavern to celebrate. There were plenty of things he felt like doing, especially with all of the copper burning a hole in his pocket, though he found himself walking to Falmur's shop.
He had grown accustomed to the layout of Merdlum, finding his way to the equipment-selling establishment without much trouble, except for the random callouts and high-fives he received from passing adventurers.
"Good job, Dragon Slayer!"
"Nice moves out there!"
All he could really do was smile and wave in return, not knowing how to handle such attention. As soon as he entered Falmur's shop, he was greeted by a grin from the bald-headed owner of the place.
"Jett, my man!" Falmur said, calling out to him from behind the desk as he noticed him, "Heard you've been slaying dragons out there? Didn't know you had it in ya'! My gear must be just that great, huh?"
"Err, something like that–man, how does information get around so quickly here?!" He asked.
"A rookie like you handling a dragon–an Abyss Dragon, no less–is definitely something that spreads like wildfire around here," Falmur said, wiping his hands with a rag, "That's just how the people of Merdlum are–there is a lot of pride taken in achievements from people from your town, yeah?"
"Yeah, I sorta get that," he responded.
It seemed that the owner had just gotten done with some blacksmithing work as his hands were covered in dust, which he wiped away before daring to touch his precious merchandise, straightening display sets of armor.
"So, what can I do for ya?" Falmur asked, "Need some new gear?"
Fortunately, he didn't actually need any replacements for his clothes after the battle as he was careful not to receive any blows from the dragon, though there was some dirt on his dark-black cloak.
"Actually, I didn't come here to buy anything," he said.
"Huh?" Falmur raised an eyebrow.
"I was wondering, what town do you think would be best to go to from here?" He asked, "I know it's a bit weird to ask you, but I'll pay for that information."
Falmur scratched his chin, "Listen, I might be a businessman, but I ain't heartless; I'm not going to charge you for information like some sleazy haggler. Besides, you're a repeat customer and practically a hero of Merdlum at this point–I'd lose sleep if I charged ya like that."
"Really? Thanks," he showed his gratitude.
"Just wondering though, why don't ya just ask the people at the Guild?" Falmur asked.
It was definitely a reasonable question, as there was no doubt that the Guild was the proper channel to request such information, though Jett had his own reasons.
Leaning against one of the walls in the shop, he answered, "Truthfully…I'd feel bad asking which city to go to since I'd be abandoning Merdlum in doing so. It's not that I don't like this town, but if I want bigger and better things, well, you know?"
"I gotcha. That's what happens with a lot of adventurers that start here–just the way it is," Falmur said, "Still, what brought you to me?"
"You're a blacksmith and the owner of a shop that sells items for battle…In a town that frequently has passing adventurers, you're sure to hear a thing or two," he told the blacksmith.
Falmur chuckled, "Smart–fortunately for you, you're not wrong. I just so happened to hear of a place where a lot of up-and-coming adventurers are heading. It's a city that is rumored to be attacked by one of the Reverse King's generals soon."
"Really?" He asked, clearly intrigued.
"It's a city east of Merdlum, though you'll have to pass through some sketchy mountains and a raging river–they call it the "Home of Paladins"--Lethrunia," Falmur informed him.
It was definitely news to his ears, though it sounded to be exactly what he was looking for–even better, perhaps, as the prospect of facing an aspect of the Reverse King's forces stood out as a perfect opportunity to him.
"Lethrunia…Thanks!" He said, getting the information he wanted, leaving in a hurry.
"No problem–but hey, you better stop on by now and a then and buy somethin'!" Falmur called out.
There was no doubt that he was feeling truly acclimated to the world of Fantasia, or at the very least, the humble town of Merdlum felt like home already; wearing his adventurer outfit, marching through town with others recognizing and praising him, he felt like a part of it all.
Even before reaching the first step to enter the tavern, he could tell it was a lively night; there were already drunken adventurers and civilians laughing it out just outside of the doors, along with quite rowdy cheers from within.
To the once reclusive, youthful man, this would've been a deterrent, but all it did was bring a smile on his face as he entered the establishment.
"There he is!"
"Jett–!"
–Immediately upon entering, he was greeted by the bundle of adventurers from the Guild, which of course he recognized Vildren immediately, even though the amethyst-eyed man was out of his usual armor, instead wearing a black training shirt and some leather pants.
Taken aback for a moment by the overwhelming greeting, he then responded, walking over before sharing a clasp of hands with Vildren.
"Thanks for having me!"
'...At first, the atmosphere of the tavern was suffocating. The stench of booze and boisterous people in it made me sick. Now, it's totally different–it's alive; this is the joy of company,' he thought.
Of course, he brought in all of his familiars into the tavern as well, earning some claps and definite curiosity as he summoned the near dozen figures in an instant. Still, it seemed mostly everybody was too drunk to question Jett's summoning capabilities.
"Drink! Drink! Drink!"
–It wasn't as though he was adverse to alcohol, it's just that he was completely and totally inexperienced with it. Even worse, the mead of Merdlum was undoubtedly more potent than anything he would've come across in his past life.
Gunter already had mead staining his beard, slinging his arm around Jett's shoulders, "Drink up, Jett! Tonight, we celebrate a total victory over the Abyss Dragon!"
"Yeah!" Vildren chipped in, nearly stumbling forward as he held his mug up, spilling some of the amber liquid on the floor.
'He's already wasted!' Jett thought.
As the man of the hour, all eyes were on him as he held the mug of potent liquid, gulping as he looked down on it. It definitely wasn't a pleasant scent that met his nose as he brought the rim of the mug closer to his lips.
"Drink! Drink! Drink!"
"Do it! Do it! Do it!"
'Talk about peer pressure!' He thought.
The cheers certainly filled him with the courage to finally do it, bringing the cup to his lips before allowing the foamy, yet smooth liquid flow across his tongue and straight down the hatch. It wasn't a pleasant taste, but for the occasion, it went down easily, allowing him to gulp it down while the cheers only seemed to increase in volume now.
"Gah–!"
After downing the entire mug, definitely calling upon his own image of Gunter in order to do so, he let out a sharp breath as the taste certainly left its own impression within his mouth.
"Well done!" Vildren called out.
"That's my Master!" Gunter celebrated.
"--Woah!"
Before he knew it, he was swooped up by both Gunter and Vildren, hoisted up and paraded in the tavern; the two seemed to be a pair of rather energetic drinking buddies, even as refined and knightly as Vildren seemed.
"Dragon Slayer! Dragon Slayer! Dragon Slayer!" The tavern of adventurers chanted.
After enough, he finally hopped down, though he was slightly wobbly in his landing considering there was some booze to fiddle with his sense of balance.
"I-I'd like to carry Master, too!"
Edith, with her cheeks clearly flushed by some alcohol herself, suddenly said, bringing her face uncomfortably close to Jett's own.
"Edith?!" Jett said in surprise, having to lean back as the silver-haired girl was far too close for the man who had seldom interacted with the opposite gender, "--You're totally wasted!"
"...Am not!" Edith argued, pouting almost like a child.
It was the most forward and vocal he had ever seen the usually stoic, serious woman, definitely catching him off-guard. Somehow, for better or worse, through Edith constantly walking closer and him walking backward, leaving him separating from the others in the tavern.
Though there was definitely a reason nobody noticed him and Edith's drunken shenanigans: Vildren and Gunter were having a drink-off, or more accurately, Gunter was facing all of the adventurers alone in a battle of booze-drinking.
"Jett! Why're you moving away from me…?" Edith asked with cheeks even further flushed.
'She totally is drunk!' He realized.
It was the first time he'd heard his name leave the lips of the most dutiful of his familiars, striking a place in his heart he didn't know existed. Of course, if placed into an awkward position, the idea of simply retrieving Edith back into [Void Inventory] was an option, though using it in such a scenario felt "tyrannical" to him.
–While dealing with his drunken companion, the entirety of the tavern suddenly went silent as "something" was felt seemingly by everyone within it; like an inexplicable shudder of gravity, rippling with an uneasy power.
'What was that…? Is that somebody's magical signature?' He wondered.
It managed to bring even the drunken spellblade's attention as the silver-haired woman looked towards the entrance.
Following the unknown sensation, a figure walked through the tavern doors, slapping them open and letting themselves in with a beaming smile.
"So, this tavern is still up and running? I thought this dingy, old place would've collapsed by now," the stranger said as they walked in, looking around at the establishment's wooden interior.
They hardly looked like they belonged in a tavern, seeming no older than their mid-teens, yet they wore armor that was spectacular in nature–all-white as if forged from quartz itself with radiant, golden hair to match.
'Who is that…? Why is he giving off such a strong presence?' He questioned.
For the first time, his System activated when looking at another person, causing a digital prompt to appear in his vision when looking at the quartz-armored stranger; it was a feature he only saw when looking at terrific monsters, not fellow humans.
'What…? This can't be right? Is my System broken?!' He thought.
[BOSS: "Constantine, The Twelfth General of the Reverse King | The Erupting Star" | Lv: 50]
'A general of the Reverse King?...What's that level?! This is a starter town right–this is way too early!' He panicked.