Just as the waiter turned to leave, Hazuki raised his hand. "Oi! Before you go—bring me another two big ales!"
The waiter nodded. "Coming right up, sir!"
Hazuki leaned back, grinning to himself. "Today, I'm gonna enjoy myself." Thinking about tomorrow's problems? Not his style. Today's worries were for today's Hazuki. Tomorrow's problems? That's for tomorrow's Hazuki to deal with.
For now—meat, ale, and relaxation.
As he drank, Hazuki casually looked around, taking in the sights of Yumia Town. Since the town bordered another kingdom, it wasn't just humans living here. Beastkin were everywhere. He spotted a few with wolf tails chatting near a stall, and further down, a catfolk woman with sharp eyes was bargaining with a merchant.
Then—
"WHOA!"
Hazuki almost spat out his drink as a massive, muscular man covered in thick, dark fur walked by. "That dude looks like a gorilla!" He stared, half-impressed, half-intimidated. This town was way different from the capital… and he kinda liked it.
As he kept drinking, Hazuki observed the beastkin around him. "Man, some of them have a lot of fur… unlike Ellyn." He paused. Wait. No. NO. "I'M NOT A PEDO!!!"
He quickly shook his head. "I was talking about Ellyn's mother! Yes, yes, HER! That's what I meant!"
Hazuki rubbed his temples. "Damn it… why did I reject Ellyn's offer to become her father?!" If he had agreed, he could have just been her dad instead of her fiancé. But noooo—his dumbass got roped into a marriage promise instead!
He groaned, chugging more ale. "I screwed myself over!!!"
Hazuki leaned back, taking another sip of ale. "Well… let's just hope that when Ellyn turns into an adult, she becomes as hot as her mother. No—MORE!" He grinned to himself. Yes, that would be ideal. But for now—food and drink.
He grabbed a piece of meat, preparing to dig in, when a thought hit him. "Uhh… better control myself. If I get too drunk, I won't even know where I'll end up sleeping." He shuddered at the idea of waking up in a ditch—or worse, back in the stable. No way. Tonight, he had to be responsible… or at least try.
"Oi! More drink!" Hazuki waved at the waiter, slamming a few coins on the table. "More meat!! More ale!!" The waiter nodded, rushing to fulfill the order.
Hazuki leaned back, laughing like a man who just won the lottery. "HAHAHAHA! THIS IS REAL LIFE!! DRINK! BOOZE! MEAT!!" He grabbed his mug of ale, chugging it down like a champion. Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! "FWAAAAHHH!!"
With a grin, he devoured another piece of juicy, roasted meat. "Damn! This is what life's about! None of that hero bullshit! Just good food, good drinks, and a full stomach!" Other customers glanced at him, some chuckling at his enthusiasm. Hazuki felt on top of the world.
… Until the alcohol really started kicking in. "Hic! Ehehehe… More ale!!" He wobbled in his seat, his face flushed red, raising his mug high while swaying slightly.
Then—he started singing. A loud, drunken tune about food, drinks, and life itself.
"Meat so juicy, ale so strong!
Fill my cup, all night long!
Forget the quests, forget the pain!
Just one more drink, again and again!"
"No monsters, no slime, no boss to fight!
Only booze and a feast tonight!
A poor man today, a king till dawn!
Drink up, drink up, till the ale is gone!"
The customers in the stall turned to watch. A few grinned, some nodded to the rhythm. One older customer took a sip of his ale and muttered, "Huh… his voice is actually pretty good." Another laughed. "For a drunk idiot, he's got talent!"
Completely oblivious to the attention, Hazuki just kept singing, swaying back and forth. This… was happiness. Until someone ruined it.
"OI! SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
Hazuki's drunken singing was abruptly interrupted by a deep, growling voice.
He turned, wobbling slightly, to see a massive beastkin—a bear-like man covered in fur and muscle—glaring at him with annoyance. Hazuki hiccupped. "Huh?! You lookin' for a fight?!"
The bear beastkin slammed his mug down and stood up. "WHAT DID YOU SAY, SHITTY HUMAN?!"
Hazuki wobbled to his feet, pointing a shaky finger. "WHAT DO YOU WANT, BEAR HEAD?!"
The air grew tense as other customers whispered among themselves. The bear beastkin growled, baring his sharp teeth. "I'M GONNA RIP YOU APART, SHITTY HUMAN!!!"
With a roar, he charged straight at Hazuki, swinging a powerful punch.
But—
Hazuki effortlessly sidestepped, the punch barely missing his face. The beastkin stumbled forward, surprised. Meanwhile, Hazuki just laughed drunkenly. "Ehehehe~ This is fun! Come on, big furry guy! Hit me!"
He playfully swayed to the side, mockingly dodging again, while the crowd watched in shock. "Wait… is that guy actually dodging while drunk?" "Is he really drunk, or is this some weird fighting style?!"
Hazuki grinned, waving at the beastkin. "Come on, come on! Is that all you got, big guy?" The bear beastkin roared again, his frustration growing.
The bear beastkin snarled, his fists clenched, while Hazuki grinned like an idiot. "Oho~ big guy~ you missed!"
Then, he turned around, bent over slightly, and shook his butt. "Here, big guy! Kiss my ass! Hahahaha!"
The crowd erupted into laughter. "BAHAHAHA! DID HE JUST—?! THIS GUY IS INSANE!"
The bear beastkin's face turned red with rage. "YOU LITTLE—!!!" With a furious roar, he lunged again, swinging a wild punch.
"EEEEHHH! TOO SLOW, BIG GUY!" Hazuki effortlessly dodged, his movements so fluid it looked intentional—despite being drunk. The beastkin stumbled forward, growling in frustration.
But before he could regain his balance—
THUD! Hazuki, still grinning, raised his right leg and slammed it down onto the beastkin's back—all while taking another sip of ale. "Ehehehehe~"
The crowd exploded with laughter. "HE'S DRINKING WHILE FIGHTING!!! THIS GUY IS INSANE!!!"
The bear beastkin hit the ground hard, groaning in shock. Hazuki mockingly tilted his mug toward him. "Cheers, big guy~!"
The beastkin's rage hit its peak.
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
Hazuki grinned slyly, dodging every attack with effortless, drunken ease. "Now, now, calm down, big guy!" he teased.
The beastkin roared, throwing wild punches, but Hazuki sidestepped each one, casually sipping ale between dodges. Then—he glanced at his mug. Empty. "Tch. No more booze."
Without thinking, he tossed the mug over his shoulder.
THUNK! It smashed right into the beastkin's head. The giant furball wobbled, his eyes rolling back.
Then—
"UURGGHH…"
THUD!
The beastkin collapsed, unconscious.
Silence fell as the crowd stared, stunned. Then—
"BAHAHAHAHA!!!" Laughter erupted across the stall. "HE TOOK HIM OUT WITH A MUG!!!" "WHILE DRINKING!!!"
Hazuki blinked, then looked down at the unconscious beastkin and his empty hand. He grinned.
"Ehehehehe~Hic~"
He raised his hands in victory. "I WIN!!! HIC~"
The cheers grew louder. Tonight… Hazuki was a legend.
The next morning, Hazuki slowly opened his eyes.
His head throbbed.
His body felt… oddly comfortable?
Huh?
This wasn't the stable.
Nor was he on the streets.
The bed was soft.
For a moment, he thought—"Did I finally get lucky and wake up in a beautiful woman's home!?"
Then—
He heard voices talking nearby.
"Huh? Where am I…? And why is the place I'm sleeping in so comfy?"
He sat up.
Looked around.
And then—
Metal bars.
A stone floor.
A grumpy-looking guard sitting nearby.
…
"EHHHHHHH!!! WHY AM I IN JAIL?!?!"
His shout echoed through the cell.
The guard sighed. "Ah, you're awake. Good. Now shut up."
Hazuki clutched his head, trying to process everything.
What the hell happened last night?!
( End of Chapter )