Chapter 25, I Think I Might Be a Little Drunk

Translator: Lizz

 

My connection with Rena Kirisame goes back to when I had just entered university.

 

It all started with something trivial, and because of that little thing, she’s been teasing me in some way for four years.

 

This time too, she suddenly messaged me like, ‘Let’s drink!’

 

Ah, if I were busy, I wouldn’t go, but since I’ve got some extra money now, I decide to go.

 

But before that, I stop by the Guild to renew my explorer card. It’s helpful because any Guild can handle it, regardless of affiliation.

 

The Guild folks seem kind of unsettled – did I do something weird?

 

It gets awkward, so I quickly leave and head to the izakaya.

 

It looks like a regular izakaya… But when I step inside, the atmosphere is rather quiet. A staff member comes over and leads me to a private room. Is this place actually kind of fancy?

 

When I slide open the door, the always-blonde gyaru is already there… Wait, huh?

 

“Yo! Tora, over here!”

 

“Huh? Where’s everyone else?”

 

“No one else is coming.”

 

“Eh? Really?”

 

I mean, back in college we used to drink with all our friends, but it’s been a while since it was just me and Rena.

 

“What? You don’t like being alone with me?”

 

“No, it’s not that. You’re dressed kind of unusually.”

 

I mean, she looks exactly like an office lady. This might actually be the first time I’ve seen her like this.

 

“Just got off work! Anyway, listen to this.”

 

“Huh?”

 

After that, I start thinking I probably shouldn’t have come. What follows is an endless rant about her job.

 

Apparently, her middle-aged boss has been giving her creepy looks lately. She doesn’t say where his gaze lands, but with something that prominent, I guess there are guys who look at her that way.

 

Even I didn’t know where to look at first.

 

“That’s how it’s been… hey, are you listening?”

 

“Yeah, I’m listening. Bosses like that suck.”

 

“Right. …I’ve been talking about myself the whole time, but what about you, Tora?”

 

“Me? Oh, I’m still unemployed.”

 

Maybe because I just got a bunch of money, I don’t really feel the urgency even though I’m still unemployed.

 

“Isn’t that bad? Are you okay?”

 

“W-Well, I’m okay.”

 

“That’s definitely bad. So, how’s the dungeon stuff?”

 

“The dungeon… yeah, I’m doing it bit by bit.”

 

After that, for some reason, the conversation shifts to dungeon exploration. As we talk, I realize that Rena explores dungeons pretty often too.

 

Apparently, she’s even joined a Guild, and she says she mostly vents her work stress in the dungeon.

 

“I seem to be good at magic. I’m kind of bad at physical stuff. Hey, wanna see my stats?”

 

“Eh, I’m good.”

 

“Why not? It’s not like it costs anything. I’m the one showing you, so come on.”

 

When it’s my turn to show mine, I feel like I’m going to lose badly and it’s kind of scary. Before I can even brace myself, Rena casually shows me her explorer card.

 

＝＝＝＝＝＝

 

Name: Rena Kirisame

 

Explorer Rarity: S

 

Level: 32

 

Health: 99/329

 

Mana: 157/498

 

Strength: 117

 

Speed: 435

 

Resilience: 137

 

Dexterity: 506

 

Luck: 322

 

Usable Magic:

Fireball, Freeze, Thunder, Offense Down, Defense Down, Graviton, Blast, Flare

 

＝＝＝＝＝＝

 

“Whoa! You’ve learned so many spells!”

 

I almost jump in surprise when I see her card. But when I look closely, it kind of seems like I’m stronger in other areas?

 

Also, I notice her health and mana are pretty drained. Maybe work’s been wearing her out.

 

“Well! I’ve been exploring a lot. Ever since college, I’ve been going in whenever I had free time!”

 

She giggles.

 

“A-Amazing. Thanks.”

 

I thank her for showing me and hand the card back, and now Rena’s grinning at me.

 

“So, it’s my turn now, right?”

 

“Huh? For what?”

 

“What do you mean ‘for what’? I showed you mine. Show me yours.”

 

Ugh, I knew it.

 

“No, no, it’s fine. Mine’s nothing special.”

 

“Nope! Not happening! Come on, show me!”

 

She keeps pushing, and in the end, I give in and show her my explorer card.

 

“…Huh?”

 

She freezes for a moment. What is this awkward silence?

 

“No wayyyy!? How did you get so ridiculously strong!?”

 

“Whoa! You scared me!”

 

After a moment, she suddenly shouts and I jump.

 

“Seriously, what happened? I’ve never seen stats this high before!”

 

“No, no, that’s not it. You just don’t know much about the exploration scene yet.”

 

“Did you get strong through that subscription thing or whatever?”

 

“Yeah, kind of… but according to the AI, I’m still nowhere near the top.”

 

I feel like it’s rude to say that to someone with a lower level than me, but I’ve already said it, so there’s no taking it back. But Rena doesn’t really seem to mind stuff like that.

 

“That subscription thing is definitely weird! Also, I’m curious about those goggles.”

 

“Oh, I actually brought the goggles with me.”

 

While packing my bag to go drinking, I accidentally brought them along. I take them out and show her, and the blonde gyaru immediately grabs them and starts inspecting.

 

“Hmm? The design’s kind of old-fashioned. It doesn’t look that weird, though. Hey, where’s the power button?”

 

“There.”

 

“…? It won’t turn on.”

 

Huh? Maybe the battery’s dead. After that, the conversation shifts to how weird the subscription system is and other stuff, and once the dungeon talk settles down, it’s already getting pretty late.

 

“Isn’t it almost time for the last train?”

 

I figure I should start getting ready to head home, but Rena’s moving kind of sluggishly.

 

“I think I might be a little drunk.”

 

“Yeah, you’re definitely super drunk. Be careful getting home.”

 

“What’s that supposed to mean? That’s cold.”

 

She says that while poking me in the stomach. She’s been hitting me a lot today for some reason.

 

“Also, my place is kind of far. Your place is pretty close from here, right?”

 

“Yeah. Just a short train ride.”

 

“Then, um… maybe tonight I could-”

 

Just as she’s saying that, something falls from above. Wait, is that a daikon?

 

[T/N: Daikon: a type of radish]

 

“Ow! What the-!?”

 

Oh yeah, there’s an item like that!

 

Looks like a healing item called a Heal Daikon just dropped right on Rena’s head. That seriously catches me off guard.

 

<Today’s login bonus.>

 

“Huh!? The goggles just talked!”

 

“That voice is AI Miria. But why did the login bonus drop just now?”

 

<Starting today, the Newcomer Support Login Bonus is active.>

 

So there’s another type of login bonus now. I can’t keep track of them all anymore.

 

“Geez. What even is a login bonus? Anyway, about staying at your place tonight-”

 

<Today’s login bonus.>

 

“Ow!? Hey, why is it dropping again?”

 

This time, a mana-recovery carrot falls, right onto Rena’s head. She’s probably getting a bump from that!

 

“Ugh! What is even happening right now!?”

 

“It’s a long story. Anyway, let’s just head home.”

 

I take Rena, who’s completely thrown off by everything, to the station, and that strange drinking night comes to an end.

 

Oh yeah, she said something like ‘Let’s do Dungeon Fest together!’ at the end. I don’t really get it, but since she invited me, I guess I’ll give it a shot.

 

Around this time, I start thinking more about dungeons than job hunting.