Chapter 45
“Are you sure you don’t want to change your choice?”
“I said the middle cup.”
When I didn’t change my answer, the gambler chuckled and simultaneously lifted all three cups. The ball was under the left cup.
“Aw shucks, too bad.”
“Noona, I told you. They’re all divine spirits after all. They don’t cheat.”
“……”
Shu, who had just been watching silently, interjected annoyingly from the side.
I had no retort, even if I had ten mouths.
The cup game I had boldly challenged ended in failure.
“Haa. I guess I’m just the diligent working type after all……”
This is what I get for being overconfident.
I took a seat next to the gambler.
“Summon cocktail making kit.”
Instead of relying on luck, I should rely on my specialty skills.
“Huh? You’re going to make cocktails? I don’t think those sell well around here.”
“I know. It’s for me to drink.”
“Noona. We don’t have that much time…”
“Shh.”
I took out a small glass and carefully layered grenadine syrup, crème de menthe, and brandy on top of each other.
Using the floating technique to separate the colors distinctly, I made a ‘Pousse Café’.
The spirits waiting their turn at the cup game glanced over at me.
“Watch this. I’m going to set this glass on fire!”
As the flames flickered over the Pousse Café, everyone murmured. Since it clearly looks like a beverage, they probably can’t predict what I’ll do with it.
“Surely he’s not planning to drink that?”
“A human? Wouldn’t a human die from that?”
More important than the flashy fire show itself is fulfilling the ‘what if’ and ‘no way’ sense of anticipation.
I showed the flaming glass to the spirits, letting their anticipation build as the flames danced.
“She, she’s really going to drink it?”
“Someone stop her!”
As their reactions intensified, even passing spirits got drawn into the commotion.
‘This should be enough.’
Dragging it out too long would kill the momentum. I downed the Pousse Café in one gulp and spread my hands out defiantly.
A shower of thunderous applause rained down. Riding that energy, I chose the highest proof liquor. I lightly coated my fingertips with the liquor and lit it…
“Ooooh!”
The spirits cheered at my dazzling hand motions.
“Come, come, a fire show like no other! Expect even bigger and more dazzling flames this time!”
Encouraging their responses, I hid my hands behind my back and extinguished the fire.
“Fire! Quickly, show us the flames!”
“A big flame, sounds exciting.”
Curiosity-filled gazes locked onto me.
‘This time, I’ll breathe fire.’
I took the liquor into my mouth and reignited the fire on my fingertips.
Even the gambler, who had initially been displeased about me stealing customers, stood up to watch. Passing spirits also stopped in their tracks to gawk.
“Alright, this is the finale!”
Stepping back for safety, I blew out with all my might… Hoo!
Whoosh!
The roaring flames erupted to an explosive reaction. After finishing the show, I politely bowed to the audience.
“If you enjoyed that, please show your appreciation. Your coins will keep this bartender alive.”
I made a coin-shaped gesture with my thumb and index finger and gave a winking motion with one eye.
“Wow!”
“Isn’t she a fire deity, not a human?”
Accompanied by thunderous applause, coins came raining down at my feet.
“With this, makgeolli is no problem…”
“Noona. Are your hands okay?”
As soon as the fire show ended, Shu ran over and asked.
“They’re not okay, so go pick up some coins for me.”
I tried to brush him off with a dismissive remark, but Shu panicked and grabbed my hands.
“Where does it hurt? Is there still residual heat?”
“No, I meant the coins…”
“The coins aren’t important right now? Your hands! Are your hands okay?”
Shu didn’t even glance at the scattered coins on the floor, solely focused on inspecting my hands.
What’s with him? Could he actually be worried about me?
“I’m fine.”
“But the flames were dancing all over…”
I grabbed Shu by the shoulders to steady him as he half-dazedly pawed at my hands.
“I said I’m really fine.”
“……”
Shu blinked his pink eyes a few times with a blank look, then finally let out a relieved sigh, seeming to regain his senses.
‘Unexpected.’
I thought he would prioritize collecting the coins over worrying about me.
For the system, subscription fees are the important thing.
‘Though he may have been concerned to ensure he keeps collecting fees from me.’
“Anyway, the coins!”
“Okay, okay.”
Shu waved his hand, and the coins swirled in the air before gathering towards me.
‘Is this guy actually a wizard?’
<Notice>You have received 75 coins!
Whoa, this is more profitable than I thought.
“This has better returns than cocktails? Should we change careers?”
“Really? So we can buy makgeolli now?”
That was true. I enjoyed making cocktails more than the risky fire shows that could go wrong.
“Let’s go.”
Leaving behind the spirits demanding an encore, I headed towards the tavern.
🫧
“How are we going to carry all of this?”
We ended up with a ton of makgeolli.
At the tavern, I ran into a few spirits who had watched the fire show earlier, and they bought me makgeolli saying they enjoyed it.
‘The problem is lugging all of this back.’
The woven bamboo bottles filled with makgeolli were quite heavy.
“Hmm. You look like you need some help, Noona.”
“There’s too much liquor.”
“Should I help carry some?”
“Of course, you have to help too.”
When I held out one of the bottles to Shu, he puckered his lips with a displeased look.
“I feel pangs of guilt if I neglect someone in need. But you don’t seem that desperate for help, Noona?”
“Help me.”
“Your words are too curt to sound sincere.”
Now Shu was even sticking his tongue out mischievously.
Ah, is that how it’s going to be?
I abruptly grabbed the crotch area of Shu’s pants and tugged.
“Eh? Noona?”
“Merciful Lord Shu! Please relieve this tired, weary bartender of her burdens.”
Pride was useless to a tired worker like me. This was no big deal.
“Th-there’s no need to go that far!”
Shu panicked, then muttered a brief incantation. Simultaneously, the bamboo bottle I had been shouldering became much lighter.
“How’s that?”
Shu shrugged. Just in case, I opened the lid to check if the makgeolli was safe. It was still filled to the brim.
“You summoned the wind earlier to collect coins. Are you a magician?”
“Yes, I’m quite useful, aren’t I?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“Then let me have a sip!”
“Can’t do that. You’re too young.”
I narrowed my eyes sternly. If he tried to act like an adult, I was ready for a whole confrontation.
“Tch.”
Shu obediently backed down. Ayy, good kid.
“Still, you came all this way too, so you must be tired. I’ll make you a non-alcoholic cocktail when we get back.”
“Yes!”
I lightly patted Shu’s shoulder and took the lead.
‘Not all drinkers like every type of alcohol.’
Alcohol is a matter of personal taste. With its diverse charms, preferences inevitably differ. Just as I have liquors I prefer and others I don’t care for.
‘My cocktails just didn’t suit the tastes of the people here.’
So, I should create cocktails that bring out the sweet, mellow flavors of makgeolli.
I walked forward, envisioning various possible combinations in my mind.
🫧
To cut to the chase, the reaction to the makgeolli cocktails was explosive.
“Persimmon makgeolli is ready!”
‘Persimmon Makgeolli’ made by blending makgeolli, ice, persimmons, and a spoonful of honey, then mixing in soda water.
It captured the rich, sweet flavor of persimmons along with a refreshing, tangy fizz from the carbonation.
“Delicious and novel! I’ve never tasted anything like this before.”
“It goes down so smoothly. I could drink this all day.”
The spirits all had satisfied expressions as they drank the Persimmon Makgeolli.
They didn’t even have a culture of mixing other ingredients into alcohol to begin with, so presenting them with these unfamiliar drinks must have been quite the novelty.
‘Unusual makgeolli like this should be less off-putting.’
There were also varieties like ‘Apple Makgeolli’ made with lemon juice and apple juice, and ‘Quince Makgeolli’ mixed with quince syrup.
“One more glass!”
“Me too! Take my order!”
The divine spirits shouted, each holding a handful of coins. The line, which had formed before I knew it, kept growing longer.
Some divine spirits rejoined the line for another round, while others playing baduk games further away moved closer.
“The loser has to buy a makgeolli cocktail, is that it?”
The spirits in line traded banter while waiting their turn, making the surroundings quite lively.
As I happily observed the ever-lengthening queue, a familiar face caught my eye.
‘Ah, it’s her!’
The gumiho who had earlier left just one coin was eyeing the scene curiously before joining the line.
🥂
⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊ Translator Note ₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆
A Pousse Café is a type of layered cocktail that is visually striking due to its distinct, colorful layers. The drink is created by carefully pouring different liqueurs with varying densities and sugar content into a glass so they form separate layers. Traditionally, it’s served as a dessert drink or after-dinner treat, showcasing the bartender’s skill in creating a beautiful, multi-layered presentation. Each sip can offer a different flavor experience as the layers mix together in the mouth.
Persimmon makgeolli is a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage that combines the milky, slightly sweet and tangy flavor of makgeolli (a fermented rice wine) with the sweet and fruity taste of persimmons. This variation of makgeolli is made by adding ripe persimmons to the fermentation process, imparting a unique flavor and aroma to the drink. The result is a refreshing and flavorful beverage that is often enjoyed chilled and pairs well with a variety of Korean dishes. The natural sweetness of the persimmons balances the tartness of the makgeolli, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy fruity and slightly sweet alcoholic drinks.
🥂
Thank you for reading! ♡
