episode_0084

“Sigh, did you have a real shock yesterday? I was out for a walk with my son after a long time, and suddenly someone jumped at us. It was neither charming nor understandable…”

“…You must have been really surprised. Ah, your ordered Okbo-dan is ready. Please enjoy it comfortably.”

“Mmm ~ The taste is good today too. Well, anyway, I think we should continue to be careful in the future. You never know when or where something might happen…”

Among the many non-human guests who frequently visit the cocktail bar, could quite a few of them have been caught up in yesterday’s attack?

Today, the majority of the non-human guests who visited mentioned yesterday’s incident and expressed their anger.

Someone without any manners made hateful remarks and even tried to kill themselves with a weapon, which was not something to overlook.

Feeling the same emotions as the guests, I empathetically offered a word of comfort in response to their outburst.

“By the way, Pixie guest, did you not experience such a thing? You seem no different from usual.”

What was surprising was that amidst this, Pixie maintained the same appearance as always.

However, in his subsequent response, both I and the fox-like non-human guest couldn’t help but look at Pixie with suspicious eyes.

“An attack? Did that happen… Oh, now that I think about it, I was chased by Hwang Jorong. He relentlessly followed me, whether I was hungry or not.”

“”…””

“Hah, thought I was going to die after a long time? Even when chased by pigeons, it wasn’t so thrilling, but this time, it sent shivers down my spine… Wait, why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, nothing.”

…Perhaps the attacker tried to assault Pixie but then left for no reason, making things awkward?

Feeling compassion for the seemingly remarkable race in various ways, an inexplicable sense of dread swept through me as I sympathized with the anger they vented.

“What was that?”

Thinking I might have misunderstood, I furrowed my brows and looked around, only to find that the fox-like non-human guest was already on high alert, tail bristling.

…It seems like what I felt wasn’t just my imagination.

As I fixed my gaze sternly on the fox-like guest, she, with an anxious expression, who had been nibbling on a biscuit, looked back at me.

“Did you feel it too, Miss?”

“Just for a moment… Yes, I felt it, guest.”

“Then I wasn’t mistaken. Ugh… Excuse me, I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for the conversation.”

“Yes, please take care, and come again next time?”

Seemingly feeling fear towards the approaching unknown presence at the cocktail bar, the fox-like guest rose from her seat early and left the bar as if fleeing.

Did her disappearing act raise questions?

Pixie, with a bewildered expression, briefly glanced at the spot where the fox-like guest had departed and then immediately threw a question at me.

“Why did she leave so abruptly? Do you know something?”

“Well, maybe something happened at home suddenly? Since she didn’t mention anything, I’m not sure either.”

“Mmm, I feel uneasy. This won’t do, I should leave now too. I’ll come back next time!”

“Yes, I’ll assist you in having a comfortable time next time, guest.”

Whether sensing an imminent danger, Pixie swiftly emptied his glass and concealed himself at the cocktail bar.

As Pixie vanished like that, the eerie feeling grew stronger.

“…What on earth is coming that’s causing this?”

This sensation was the first since becoming a vampire.

It felt like being a frog in front of a snake, perhaps?

Feeling a sense of shrinking, I stared fixedly at the exit, forgetting to clear the seats left by the departing guests.

“Sister, why are you so scared? Has something bad happened?”

“I don’t really understand. Is this a crisis or not?”

“What!?”

“Don’t worry and just keep doing what you were doing. Oh, if the next customer comes in, tell them that I’ll take care of it.”

“Okay, got it, unni!”

…Even the angel-like being near the counter didn’t feel as intimidating as this one particular species did.

I wondered what kind of creature could exude such a frightening presence.

In preparation for any unforeseen circumstances, I tidied up the place more meticulously than usual. Shortly after, with a clinking sound, a customer revealed themselves at the cocktail bar.

Yes, let’s find out who is walking around emitting such an aura of intimidation, shall we see their face at least once?

After wiping the table clean with a wet tissue, did I greet the customer with a professional smile?

Upon confirming the identity of the customer, I couldn’t help but put on a stiff expression.

“Huh? Oh? Uh, hahaha… Hello?”

“…”

The culprit who started living with Jaehyuk.

To me, an irreplaceable existence, even if called a savior.

It was because the woman who had burned down my precious studio apartment four months ago had now visited the cocktail bar with an awkward demeanor.

Why the hell is she here?

Without extending a welcoming gesture, I simply stared at her, trying to convey that she had come as a customer, perhaps having read my thoughts.

Sending her a suspicious glance, I guided her to the spot I had just cleaned up.

“Here is the menu. If you have any questions, feel free to call me anytime.”

“Yes, yes…”

Although the guest was not particularly pleasing, proper hospitality was necessary.

That’s the basics of the service industry.

It wasn’t about being overly friendly to a dragon.

“I-I’m sorry… Could you recommend a cocktail for me? I-I haven’t been to a place like this much…”

“Of course, what flavor do you prefer, ma’am?”

…Absolutely not.

—–

In most fantasy novels, dragons are often portrayed as a race driven by stimulation.

Living through vast epochs.

Having experienced almost everything worth experiencing, they always seek new stimuli to escape the boredom and monotony that plague them.

Is that why?

The dragon guest before me also seemed to crave a stimulating taste.

They said any type of taste would do.

As long as it was stimulating enough to make their body tremble.

“…What should I make?”

While it may sound simple to hear, honestly… I was quite perplexed.

Since their preferences were quite abstract, would it be okay if I crafted a cocktail based on my own thoughts?

“Just fill a glass with spirits?”

Spirytus, a drink that allows you to clearly examine how your digestive system is structured the moment you consume it.

Rather than concocting a cocktail, should I just offer them that? I briefly considered it, then immediately shook my head.

If they get drunk and start rampaging, what would I do?

I dismissed the futile thought from my mind and continued contemplating.

“…It’s impossible to make it too strong; I’ll have to rely on the taste.”

Among cocktails with moderate alcohol content, which one had a stimulating taste?

After much deliberation, I could barely recall a cocktail with a rather provocative name.

A cocktail primarily used as a digestif, combining the sharp taste of peppermint with a fragrant aroma to soothe and refresh the stomach after a meal.

If they only sought stimulation, wouldn’t this be quite fitting?

Having made my decision, I informed the dragon guest calmly about the cocktail I would prepare for them.

“Since you seek stimulation, I recommend the Stingher. Drink it and experience a sensation akin to being pricked by needles… Give it a try.”

As the cocktail was relatively easy to make, I quickly prepared it.

Pour 2 ounces of Cognac and 1 ounce of mint liqueur into a mixing glass.

Add 2 dashes of Absinthe and some ice, then stir for 15 to 20 seconds.

Finally, place a strainer over a rocks glass filled with completed ice from the shaker, and pour all the contents from the mixing glass. That’s it.

“Your Stinger is ready. Please enjoy it slowly and with a relaxed mind.”

As I carefully handed her the glass, the dragon leisurely sipped the cocktail as if about to enjoy tea time.

“…Hm!”

Did the sharp taste stimulate her?

The dragon, who momentarily furrowed her brow, soon placed the glass back on the table and expressed gratitude towards me.

“The flavor… hmm, quite nice.”

Well, despite saying it was fine, she seemed reluctant to touch it further.

It seemed too stimulating for her taste.

I offered her a plate of biscuits, politely seeking forgiveness.

“I’m sorry if the recommended cocktail doesn’t suit your taste. Would you like me to switch it to something milder?”

“Oh, no! I was just savoring the aftertaste. I’m really fine, so please don’t worry.”

“Understood, ma’am.”

Well, if she insists it’s fine, there’s no need to push further.

Nodding my head, I slowly backed away. The dragon breathed a sigh of relief and began eating the biscuits.

“Nom nom… gulp, slurp… gulp…”

After devouring about four biscuits, the fiery dragon suddenly burst into tears.

Is she already drunk? That could be a real problem.

I maintained a firm grip on my composure, ready to restrain her if necessary.

Soon, amidst sobbing, a tearful apology filled with guilt flowed from her lips.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I really messed up…”

…Seems like you’ve been through a lot in these past four months, fiery one.

I prepared a sweet cocktail to lighten the mood and decided to listen to her story.

“Take your time and tell me, what has happened?”