Thank you Again

William rolled over and opened his eyes. He had just woken up from one of the best naps of his life. He couldn't feel his left arm and glanced down at it to see the marks. The type of marks that appeared to the chosen few that were blessed with mind-bending sleep. 

He wanted to take his time waking up. Alas, a blue screen appeared and interrupted up the process. 

[ > Kazi Hossain: Let's meet at Gate 5 in the afternoon!

> Yoon Sun-young: k

> Aisha Al-Mansoori: ok 

> Elena Petrovna: Sure! I will bring lunch! ] 

William groaned, hand wiping the small drool at the corner of his lip. 'I'm too lazy...' 

The injuries and alcohol from yesterday took their toll. Even with thirteen hours of sleep later, William still couldn't get himself to move too much. As a matter of fact, his muscled ached to the point that he realized that his numb arm probably wasn't because of a good nap. It was from blocking Goliath's attacks. 

[ > Kazi Hossain: William! I bet you're hung-over! I told you! ]

William winced. 

[ > Kazi Hossain: Remember those vitality potions I recommended? Might as well use them today.

> William Martin: Okaay. ]  

"Freaking mind-reader..." Just as he was told, he got out the vitality potion and drink it. Like some sort of miracle, in less than a minute, he got better. His minor headache disappeared and his muscles were coursing with energy. Not enough to get rid of the fatigue but enough for him to start the day and get himself cleaned.

The shower, the bathroom, the mini-kitchen, all of this was thanks to Kazi. 'He even got us the hidden objective with that stunt he pulled. Sometimes, I wonder if there's anything he can't do.'  

Cleaned and in fresh clothes, he sat on his bed. He glanced at the mini-kitchen. As much as he appreciated its existence, he hardly used it. William didn't know how to cook and preferred take-out anyway. He checked his messages and read a new message from Kazi specifying the time. William sighed. He really didn't want to go...

'There's no Timmy's in the Nebulous Bazaar either. Mornings suck.' 

But if he couldn't get the coffee of his choosing, then maybe he could get a drink of his choosing. William was independent now. He had his own money and he could buy his own stuff. 

"Yeah...yeah!" William stood up and pumped a fist. "I can go and get all the drinks I want!" 

***

He was skipping his way inside Nulgupjisin Grill House. Going inside, he saw the waitress Ming and nodded at her. Ming smiled at the familiar face and beckoned him over at a seat.

'Finally! I get to drink by myself—'

William froze up.

"Uhh..."

"Hello."

The table that Ming beckoned him over to wasn't empty. No, no, no, someone was sitting there. Baggy eyes, short black hair, and a sword seated next to her. 

"Sun-young, hi." William forced a smile. A green bottle lay in her hand, halfway dipping toward a tiny glass, and he couldn't tell if she was drunk or dead-tired. Tentatively, he took the seat across from her. Sun-young didn't say anything and filled her small glass with the green bottle. He squinted.

'Soju...?' 

Gulp. Sun-young took a shot of the soju and then refilled for another. 

"Um...uh...did you train?" he asked, pointing at the huge blade massive her. "Aren't you supposed to be resting up?"

The System famously prevented infections for players and drinking a potion before sleeping was a great way to get rid of aches. William being the teenager he was forgot to do that. 

"I meditated," Sun-young replied. 

"Meditating? First Kazi, now you. What, is there some secret power-up behind meditations that I don't know about."

Sun-young shrugged and took another shot of soju. Every time they were here, Sun-young ordered some type of alcohol and discreetly shared it with William. Every single time, Kazi silently disapproved. This morning was no exception. She called the waitress over and got her to bring a small glass for him. 

"Um...promise you won't tell him?"

Sun-young didn't verbally reply. That left William concerned. 

"You know Kazi doesn't like me drinking," he clarified. "And I know, I know! I shouldn't be drinking in the morning but I can't help it! It's too good! Remember that thing you got me last time? The milky, bitter one in the bowl? I kinda want to try it again."

"I'm from a family of functioning alcoholics." Sun-young filled his cup up till it was nearly leaking. "I really don't care."

'Sorry for not being able to tell. The bags under your eyes are kinda scary.' 

Despite that, William couldn't help the smile on his face as he devoured the drink. "Thanks! Hehe!" His face scrunched up, glass down. "It's not really sweet, huh?"

"You mentioned the one from last time. The one in the bowl, right?" Sun-young called the waitress over again. "Makgeolli, please."

The waitress returned with a golden kettle and a bowl. "Be sure to shake it," Sun-young said. Ming did just that before pouring the milky white drink into the bowl. As Ming poured it for William, Sun-young began to delve into an explanation. "It's not super alcoholic but don't underestimate it. You'll empty that bottle in five minutes and the affects will hit you strong."

"Kazi set-up a meeting, remember? I may not look like it but I try to be on-time for all things."

"Hm." Sun-young raised her glass when Ming was done and William grabbed the bowl. "Last tip: drink it one go. It's better that way."

 William took a deep breath and did just that. 'It's like a creamier sake or something. Somehow, it's sweet and bitter!'

So weird yet so good! The bowl left his lips and he let out a sigh of relief. When he opened his eyes, he saw that a freshly filled bottle was in Sun-young's grasp. 

"Wait, so how long have you been drinking?"

Sun-young took a couple seconds to think about it. "...like since four o'clock?"

"F-four!?"

"I drank, took a nap home, then came back to drink again."

'Lady, I think you have a serious issue.'