Chapter 55
The bar we went to was called the ‘Fang & Claw . ’ Perhaps the most fitting kind of name for an establishment catering to adventurers, or so I think, as I push open the doors and walk inside . Well, this was surprising . Unlike the rather wild-sounding name, the interior had a relaxing mood and dim, atmospheric lights . As it was much the same at the Silver Sky Inn, I wasn’t sure if this was tradition or the new fashion in the city . We looked around a little shyly until the person that we were looking for waved us over . It was Rex .
“Did you wait long?”
“Nah, just arrived . I am glad you have come as well, Daniela . Now, let’s have a drink!”
“I will start with ale . ”
Daniela ordered to the barman, and so I ordered the same thing .
“Pretty relaxing in here, eh? Adventurers don’t come around here too often because of it . Those men drink to become wild . But men like me, we come to enjoy the taste . ”
Rex says with a shrug . The bar in Fhiraldo’s guild had always been a rowdy place . I didn’t hate that atmosphere to be honest, but I didn’t hate this either . I saw myself becoming a regular in a place like this .
We didn’t wait long before the drinks arrived . Daniela and I grabbed our mugs and faced Rex and the others .
“A toast then?”
“Yes, to our meeting . ”
“To that . ”
Clank . The mugs lightly hit each other and were then emptied by all . I wasn’t the biggest drinker, but this went down easily . The alcohol content seemed to be moderate and it did not leave a burning sensation in my throat .
“I think we have some introductions to do then . As you know, I am Rex . A swordsman . ”
The first of the group that I had seen in the forest . He was also the first to attack the wyvern .
“I am Darius . You have my grat.i.tude for what you did . ”
He was the man with the greatsword who had carried Danny . That had been an incredibly tense moment .
“And I am Wesley . Thank you for helping us . ”
“Benny . I’m a swordsman like Wesley and Rex . ”
They were all advance guards… I couldn’t help but think as I shook hands with them .
“Farid . I’m good with the shortsword . ”
“Simon . I use the bow, but I am generally in charge of carrying the luggage . ”
One rear guard and six advance guards… Oh well, I and Daniela were generally the same . Though, we were also capable of ranged attacks .
“It’s nice to meet you all . I am Asagi . ”
“Daniela . I have also been granted the name Light Wind . ”
She was already boasting about her new name . And it seemed to have been effective .
“Hey, hey, you have an alias… Bah, how lucky…”
“I wonder if I shall ever receive one . I doubt it will be any time soon…”
Several of them voiced their envy of such an honor . Was it really that great? Having an alias?
“In fact, Asagi has also been granted one, ‘Silvergreen . ’”
Daniela said the most unnecessary things .
“Asagi, you, that is incredible!”
“No… That means we were saved by an adventurer with an alias!”
“Will you shake my hand, Silvergreen!”
“Uh, I wasn’t exactly happy about it and… I’m not shaking your hand!”
They all gathered around and cheered loudly . Get away from me!
Daniela was quite distracted by her steak, which had arrived . Well, this relaxing atmosphere was now ruined!
And like that, there was boisterous laughter, yet it was still slightly quieter than other taverns as we ate and drank . The food here was so good, that Daniela and I were practically racing to see who could stuff themselves first . The dishes of meat were especially great . I had seen annoying reporters on TV talk about meat being ‘so soft you don’t need to chew!’, but I had to now admit that such meat did exist . It was so delicious . I swore to become a regular here as I stuffed myself with meat and ale .
Before we knew it, the other customers had left, and it was now almost midnight .
“Well, we should call it a night soon . ”
“Yeah . Thanks for inviting us today, Rex . ”
I stood up and thanked him for introducing us to such a good place . Rex wrapped an arm around my shoulder and roared ‘Don’t mention it!’ into my ear with barely controlled laughter .
After leaving the tavern and separating with Rex and the others, we returned straight to our inn . Nighttime at Spiris was lively, but Daniela and I were so stuffed and had no energy to stop by anywhere else . We arrived very late at the Silver Sky Inn, but the lights at the entrance were still lit . And when we opened the door, Joshua was working behind the front counter .
“Ah, Asagi . And Daniela . ”
“Good evening . Are you working?”
Joshua put down the pen he was using to write and smiled .
“Yes . Just getting the accounts organized . ”
“But it’s so late . ”
“Oh, no . This is my job . But I am just about to finish . Here is your key . ”
I was impressed with how smoothly he handed us our room keys . There wasn’t even a short pause in the conversation . A real hotelman .
“Thank you . Please don’t work yourself too hard . ”
“Ah, thank you very much . I am off to bed then . ”
He says with a chuckle and starts to put away the doc.u.ments . I couldn’t help but laugh as well .
“Have a good night . ”
“And you as well . ”
We ended that polite interaction and headed off to our rooms . I was on the third floor, but so was Daniela . Though, our rooms were separate . I handed Daniela her key and entered my room . I hadn’t noticed as I was walking and talking, but apparently, I was quite drunk . And it only took a few minutes after falling into bed for me to travel into the world of dreams .
And in the dream, I was working at the convenience store . The uniform I was wearing felt very nostalgic as I dealt with midnight customers . This was a time when the complaints tended to start coming . Salarymen who had to work late hours . Taxi drivers who had to deal with drunk customers . Hosts and hostesses who stopped by the convenience store after work . There was quite a variety of customers at midnight .
I was waiting idly as I had finished cleaning and everything else when a certain customer entered the store . The person was wearing sweatpants and shirt and held their wallet in their hand as they stuffed snacks and drinks into a basket . The customer killed some time at the magazine rack before finally coming to the counter .
“Good evening . ”
“…”
Being ignored by customers was the norm . The ones that spat out a barrage of complaints were the special kind . And so it didn’t bother me . All I needed to do was scan the barcodes .
“That will be 2,150 yen . ”
“…”
“Yes, that’s 3,000 yen then . Here is the change . 850 yen . Thank you . ”
I offer the bag of groceries . But the customer does not take it .
“Is something the matter?”
“…”
“Um…”
The customer stares at me silently . I stare back without thinking, and it suddenly hits me that she is incredibly beautiful . But there was also something familiar about her . Was she famous?
“Asagi . ”
“Huh?”
“Asagi…Asagi…”
“Huh?”
“Asagi…Asagi…”
The customer calls my name . I didn’t understand how she could have known . But the more I think, a fog seems to fill my head, and nothing comes together .
“Asagi…Asagi…”
“Sorry? Uh, excuse…”
The customer grabs my hands instead of the bag . The hands are cold, and as pretty as she is, this is slightly eerie .
“Ah, could you please let…”
“Asagi…Asagi…”
“L-let go, just let go!”
“Asagi…!”
“Ahhh, stop!”
The arms that are clutching my hands begin to distort as my vision becomes blurry . My body is swaying as if I am floating in water .
“Asagi! Hey, Asagi!”
“Customer…customer…”
“Who are you calling a customer! Wake u-, aghh, sto-, let go of me you fool!”
“Bahh…what…?”
My eyes slowly opened and the mysterious customer transformed into Daniela . She was practically hovering over me . Her face was bright red . I didn’t understand what was going on . But the dream had been so frightening, yet the familiar face in front of me now was somehow terribly nostalgic and dear to me .
“Asagi? I, mmm…!”
Before I knew it, my arms were wrapped around her and our lips had pressed together .
The bar we went to was called the Fang Claw . Perhaps the most fitting kind of name for an establishment catering to adventurers, or so I think, as I push open the doors and walk inside . Well, this was surprising . Unlike the rather wild sounding name, the interior had a relaxing mood and dim, atmospheric lights . As it was much the same at the Silver Sky Inn, I wasn t sure if this was tradition or the new fashion in the city . We looked around a little shyly until the person that we were looking for waved us over . It was Rex . Did you wait long Nah, just arrived . I am glad you have come as well, Daniela . Now, let s have a drink I will start with ale . Daniela ordered to the barman, and so I ordered the same thing . Pretty relaxing in here, eh Adventurers don t come around here too often because of it . Those men drink to become wild . But men like me, we come to enjoy the taste . Rex says with a shrug . The bar in Fhiraldo s guild had always been a rowdy place . I didn t hate that atmosphere to be honest, but I didn t hate this either . I saw myself becoming a regular in a place like this . We didn t wait long before the drinks arrived . Daniela and I grabbed our mugs and faced Rex and the others . A toast then Yes, to our meeting . To that . Clank . The mugs lightly hit each other and were then emptied by all . I wasn t the biggest drinker, but this went down easily . The alcohol content seemed to be moderate and it did not leave a burning sensation in my throat . I think we have some introductions to do then . As you know, I am Rex . A swordsman . The first of the group that I had seen in the forest . He was also the first to attack the wyvern . I am Darius . You have my grat.i.tude for what you did . He was the man with the greatsword who had carried Danny . That had been an incredibly tense moment . And I am Wesley . Thank you for helping us . Benny . I m a swordsman like Wesley and Rex . They were all advance guards I couldn t help but think as I shook hands with them . Farid . I m good with the shortsword . Simon . I use the bow, but I am generally in charge of carrying the luggage . One rear guard and six advance guards Oh well, I and Daniela were generally the same . Though, we were also capable of ranged attacks . It s nice to meet you all . I am Asagi . Daniela . I have also been granted the name Light Wind . She was already boasting about her new name . And it seemed to have been effective . Hey, hey, you have an alias Bah, how lucky I wonder if I shall ever receive one . I doubt it will be any time soon Several of them voiced their envy of such an honor . Was it really that great Having an alias In fact, Asagi has also been granted one, Silvergreen . Daniela said the most unnecessary things . Asagi, you, that is incredible No That means we were saved by an adventurer with an alias Will you shake my hand, Silvergreen Uh, I wasn t exactly happy about it and I m not shaking your hand They all gathered around and cheered loudly . Get away from me Daniela was quite distracted by her steak, which had arrived . Well, this relaxing atmosphere was now ruined And like that, there was boisterous laughter, yet it was still slightly quieter than other taverns as we ate and drank . The food here was so good, that Daniela and I were practically racing to see who could stuff themselves first . The dishes of meat were especially great . I had seen annoying reporters on TV talk about meat being so soft you don t need to chew , but I had to now admit that such meat did exist . It was so delicious . I swore to become a regular here as I stuffed myself with meat and ale . Before we knew it, the other customers had left, and it was now almost midnight . Well, we should call it a night soon . Yeah . Thanks for inviting us today, Rex . I stood up and thanked him for introducing us to such a good place . Rex wrapped an arm around my shoulder and roared Don t mention it into my ear with barely controlled laughter . After leaving the tavern and separating with Rex and the others, we returned straight to our inn . Nighttime at Spiris was lively, but Daniela and I were so stuffed and had no energy to stop by anywhere else . We arrived very late at the Silver Sky Inn, but the lights at the entrance were still lit . And when we opened the door, Joshua was working behind the front counter . Ah, Asagi . And Daniela . Good evening . Are you working Joshua put down the pen he was using to write and smiled . Yes . Just getting the accounts organized . But it s so late . Oh, no . This is my job . But I am just about to finish . Here is your key . I was impressed with how smoothly he handed us our room keys . There wasn t even a short pause in the conversation . A real hotelman . Thank you . Please don t work yourself too hard . Ah, thank you very much . I am off to bed then . He says with a chuckle and starts to put away the doc.u.ments . I couldn t help but laugh as well . Have a good night . And you as well . We ended that polite interaction and headed off to our rooms . I was on the third floor, but so was Daniela . Though, our rooms were separate . I handed Daniela her key and entered my room . I hadn t noticed as I was walking and talking, but apparently, I was quite drunk . And it only took a few minutes after falling into bed for me to travel into the world of dreams . And in the dream, I was working at the convenience store . The uniform I was wearing felt very nostalgic as I dealt with midnight customers . This was a time when the complaints tended to start coming . Salarymen who had to work late hours . Taxi drivers who had to deal with drunk customers . Hosts and hostesses who stopped by the convenience store after work . There was quite a variety of customers at midnight . I was waiting idly as I had finished cleaning and everything else when a certain customer entered the store . The person was wearing sweatpants and shirt and held their wallet in their hand as they stuffed snacks and drinks into a basket . The customer killed some time at the magazine rack before finally coming to the counter . Good evening . Being ignored by customers was the norm . The ones that spat out a barrage of complaints were the special kind . And so it didn t bother me . All I needed to do was scan the barcodes . That will be 2,150 yen . Yes, that s 3,000 yen then . Here is the change . 850 yen . Thank you . I offer the bag of groceries . But the customer does not take it . Is something the matter Um The customer stares at me silently . I stare back without thinking, and it suddenly hits me that she is incredibly beautiful . But there was also something familiar about her . Was she famous Asagi . Huh Asagi Asagi The customer calls my name . I didn t understand how she could have known . But the more I think, a fog seems to fill my head, and nothing comes together . Asagi Asagi Sorry Uh, excuse The customer grabs my hands instead of the bag . The hands are cold, and as pretty as she is, this is slightly eerie . Ah, could you please let Asagi Asagi L let go, just let go Asagi Ahhh, stop The arms that are clutching my hands begin to distort as my vision becomes blurry . My body is swaying as if I am floating in water . Asagi Hey, Asagi Customer customer Who are you calling a customer Wake u , aghh, sto , let go of me you fool Bahh what My eyes slowly opened and the mysterious customer transformed into Daniela . She was practically hovering over me . Her face was bright red . I didn t understand what was going on . But the dream had been so frightening, yet the familiar face in front of me now was somehow terribly nostalgic and dear to me . Asagi I, mmm Before I knew it, my arms were wrapped around her and our lips had pressed together .