I Became a Childhood Friend of the Middle Boss

Chapter 97

Anyone entering the High Academy is treated as an adult or quasi-adult according to the law.

At just 19 years old, they are granted the freedom to engage in all activities permitted for adults.

They can buy alcohol or cigarettes.

Now, they can play games late into the night without restriction.

They can access saunas at night.

They can stay overnight in accommodations.

They can marry without parental consent.

Obtain a driver’s license.

And as long as it’s not a criminal act, almost everything is allowed.

It doesn’t matter if they’ve passed their birthday or not.

One might worry about granting too much freedom to academy students, but in this world, that’s not the case at all.

“It’s about enjoying life to the fullest before you die.”

It’s a world where monsters roam.

The lives of hunters who kill and survive in such a world are not taken lightly.

Living beings who never know when, where, or how they might die are the hunters.

Naturally, the standard of death applies equally to students aspiring to become hunters.

The ratio of students who die during training or classes before becoming hunters is not low at all.

Whether they were sincerely trying to protect humanity, seeking wealth, fame, or power, or for other reasons, the fact remains that they were willing to become the hunters the world needed.

Therefore, the world, in return for their dedication, guarantees them the status of quasi-adults and grants them freedom.

“Of course, there are drawbacks to this.”

These students, at an age ripe for passion, are still inexperienced in wielding power, easily falling into the trap of thinking they are special and becoming obsessed with power.

In the academy city where these students gather, crimes, incidents, and accidents are bound to happen continuously.

Their methods, no longer recognized as juvenile delinquency, become even more sophisticated.

With the intertwining of the hunter’s meritocratic worldview, the academy city inevitably becomes both a paradise for hunters and a lawless zone.

This was also mentioned in the game.

As someone who was a veteran in a past life, delving deeper here….

“In the Academy City, many children are born without their parents’ knowledge.”

It’s the dark side of the Academy City.

It can be considered a problem stemming from unchecked freedom.

Therefore, as adults, one must also know how to exercise restraint to some extent.

That’s why.

“Did everyone pour themselves a drink!?”

“Cheers!”

“As the host of this gathering, I must say, it’s everyone’s first time drinking, so don’t just gulp it down recklessly. Control your intake to avoid getting drunk, don’t force anyone…”

“If you feel like you’re going to get drunk, drink water. If you feel like you’re going to vomit, go to your rooms and do it there.”

“Just like Geonwoo said, if you feel like you’re going to get drunk, drink water, and if not, just go back to your rooms to rest! Got it!? Cheers, everyone! To a new beginning!”

“To a new beginning!!”

On the evening after the entrance ceremony.

Me, Yeonha, Goeunbi, Lisa, Yonghaerang, and the triplets.

We gathered in my room for a drinking party.

◈

Geumgang Academy boasts a history of over 150 years.

As a result, various traditions had naturally been passed down.

The entrance ritual was one of them.

It was a traditional ceremony where students who held the Academy entrance ceremony became juniors and wished for nothing but good things to happen in the future, accompanied by drinking.

“Probably just an excuse wrapped in tradition to drink.”

Although it might sound grandiose to talk about rituals and traditions, no one really cared.

As long as they could drink, it was fine.

That’s why Goeunbi, Yeonha, Lisa, and others came to my room with alcohol and food to celebrate the entrance ritual.

By the way, it wasn’t breaking the rules.

The dorm supervisors had allowed visiting other rooms as long as they were informed beforehand.

Thanks to that, we could all gather in my room to drink.

“Ugh, bitter… This is the taste of adulthood. But it’s not so bad that I can’t drink it.”

“Ah! It’s refreshing and has a kick to it. It would be even better if we sweat and drink, right?”

The first drink we had was beer.

Not long ago, Goeunbi had bought a set of frozen beer mugs among her useless purchases.

We each evaluated the taste as we drank from the frost-covered beer mugs she brought.

The reactions were generally divided.

There were those like Goeunbi who grimaced at the bitterness of their first taste of alcohol, and then there were those like Yonghaerang who found it to their liking from the start.

In Yeonha’s case, she belonged to the latter group.

“It’s nice because it’s refreshing. I think I understand why Principal Seonsaeng always sang about wanting to drink beer when it’s hot.”

“But remember not to just drink beer. A sip of alcohol, a bite of food. Eat while you drink. Go on.”

“Ah, thank you.”

It’s dangerous to drink on an empty stomach.

You need to fill your belly with something.

I stopped the young lady who was trying to gulp down beer fearlessly.

Then I picked up a piece of chicken with a fork and fed it into her mouth.

Holding her hair back to keep it from falling, I gently opened her mouth as she took the chicken and smiled brightly.

“That’s what they call ‘chimaek’. How is it?”

“It tastes better eating like this. It’s worthy of being in a drama.”

“Let’s try ‘pimaek’ later.”

“Yes! Oh, but my hands…”

“What do you want to eat? I’ll get it for you.”

“Oh… thank you. Then, I’ll go with… pepperoni.”

The pizza was in an awkward position for the young lady to reach.

So, I leaned over the table to hand her the pizza she wanted and also brought a pizza for myself.

Then, I drank beer too.

“…It’s been a while.”

It’s the first time drinking after reincarnation.

It tasted familiar yet missed.

Memories of coming home after work in a past life, drinking and playing games, came flooding back.

After taking a sip and reminiscing, a bitter smile crept onto my lips.

Although I didn’t know my drinking capacity after reincarnation, the alcohol went down smoothly.

Then the young lady interjected.

“If you want me to eat snacks with you, why are you just drinking? Come on, have some snacks too.”

“…It’s delicious.”

Just like I did to the young lady a while ago.

She fed me snacks.

Maybe because I didn’t eat the snacks with my hands, they tasted even better.

Before we knew it, the glasses were empty.

That’s when Goeunbi stepped in.

“Alright! Since we’ve had beer, it’s time for soju! If you’re Korean, it has to be soju!”

“I haven’t tried soju before… And mixing it might make me drunk…”

“So you’re not drinking, Gyungwoo? Who drinks soju without Gyungwoo!?”

“…Give me a glass too.”

Goeunbi took out a retro-looking soju bottle.

She tried to shake the soju bottle, as if she had seen it somewhere before.

“I heard from a senior, soju tastes better if you drink it like this. Huh? Why isn’t a whirlpool forming?”

“Eunbi, pass it here. Let me shake it.”

“Huh? Oh, sure.”

“Don’t shake it like that, shake it like this.”

“Oh, like this?”

“Yeah, that’s it.”

I tried to recall memories from my past life.

Luckily, I succeeded without much difficulty.

Inside a sky-blue soju bottle, droplets swirled and spun.

As onlookers marveled at it, I poured soju into a glass.

“Cheers then!”

“Cheers!”

Once again, Goeunbi proposed a toast.

We clinked glasses, downing the soju in one go.

“Ugh… Whether in my past life or now, I just can’t get used to soju.”

It felt like drinking alcohol in a science lab.

It didn’t sit well with me.

Whether in my past life or now, I still don’t understand the taste of soju.

Others’ opinions were similar.

“So… this is the taste of Korea…”

“It’s too… bitter… I wonder if this is the kind of alcohol you drink to get drunk.”

Goeunbi and Lisa frowned.

The two who set down their soju glasses quickly brought snacks to cleanse their palates.

The triplets had similar reactions.

“Really? I think it’s better than beer. Ah! This bitterness, pursuing only the essence, is truly a man’s taste. It’s clean and good.”

It seemed that only Yonghae enjoyed soju…

Well, there was one more.

“It’s a bit different.”

“…Is that sweet?”

“Yeah, when you savor the taste, you can feel a sweetness at the end, right?”

“…”

Yeonhae also seemed to enjoy soju.

Thinking she had been silent because she was enduring the bitterness of soju, she had actually been savoring the taste.

Soon, she reached out and poured more soju into an empty glass.

“Would you like another drink?”

“Just a little. Let’s have some snacks too.”

“Sure. Here, cheers. Kyaah—.”

“…”

“I like this because it doesn’t make me too full. Another glass?”

“…You’re not chugging it down thinking you’ll get tipsy magically, right?”

“Huh? You told me to drink at my own pace, so I am.”

“Is that what you call drinking at your own pace? Still, sip it slowly.”

“Okay! Cheers.”

“…”

Surprisingly,

Yeonhae seemed to handle alcohol well.

She continuously emptied her glass while others were drinking water and eating snacks.

For me, who was drinking along with her, it felt subtly burdensome.

“No good.”

It already feels bitter in my stomach.

Indeed, me and soju don’t get along.

There was nothing I couldn’t drink, but it’s better to enjoy it if you’re going to drink.

I decided to switch my drink.

I held a beer and a bottle of soju at the same time.

At that moment, Goeunbi showed curiosity.

“Are you trying to make a shandy now? Do you know how to get the ratio right? They say if you get it wrong, it won’t taste good…”

“You can just eyeball the ratio. Who’s up for a shandy?”

“Me! Me! Me!”

“I’ll have one too, please.”

“Are you making it for us? Then count me in.”

“Are you going to drink too, Haneul?”

“Yeah!”

I can make a delicious shandy.

It was one of the few things I could boast about, having been nothing more than a low-ranking company employee in my past life.

“…It’s sad.”

Still, it was a very pleasant thing to be able to catch the interest of people who had just learned to drink, with my humble skill, and liven up the atmosphere.

Tinkle, clink! Clunk! Cheers!

I exaggeratedly showcased a performance.

At the end, I quickly clasped my hands together, collecting the crossed chopsticks in an X shape.

The moment the different proof soju and beer mixed, bubbles burst.

“Here, drink up.”

“….”

I handed the glasses back to the people.

Instead of the glasses, they blinked at me.

“Wow… It doesn’t seem like your first time making this. What’s up? Have you made it before? Is this not your first time drinking?”

“Yeah… It looks familiar. A bit suspicious.”

Goeunbi laughed with a sly face.

Lisa sent a suspicious glance my way.

Both of them demanded an explanation from me.

“Have you ever secretly drunk alcohol without me knowing?”

Yeon Haneul also joined in.

Her sharp gaze was fixed on me.

Unfortunately, I had only one answer for them, as I had no intention of talking about my past life.

“When would I have had time to drink? Today’s my first time drinking.”

“Suspicious…”

“It’s suspicious.”

“It doesn’t seem like it…”

“I just learned it on the internet.”

“Even more suspicious…”

“That’s even more suspicious.”

“Are you lying right now?”

Of course, they weren’t easily fooled.

But since I didn’t keep talking, they couldn’t do much as women.

In the end, they decided to let it go.

“Yeah, there were people around me secretly drinking too, but when you think about it, there’s nothing really surprising. Let’s say it’s the first time. Still, Gyeonwoo, you turned out to be a playful one, huh?”

“Gyeonwoo, you were a delinquent student.”

“I’ll tell your mother.”

Though Yeon Haneul’s words made me flinch inwardly,

I chose not to react.

In a situation where nothing was certain, she had no way of informing her parents.

On the other hand, Goeunbi took the opportunity to tease me.

“This, this… Could it be that you’ve been smoking without us knowing?”

“I’ve never smoked.”

It was embarrassing to say it out loud, but I am a good person.

Even if I recalled memories from my past life, my essence hadn’t changed.

It was inconceivable that I, at a young age, would put alcohol and cigarettes in my mouth.

Without leaving any room for doubt, I responded promptly to Goeunbi.

“Even if that were the case, cigarettes…”

Actually, I wasn’t entirely uninterested.

Since I had never experienced it before, it was possible for curiosity to arise.

I had never smoked in my past life either.

Cigarettes were too expensive to spend on.

It was money that could buy a bowl of rice, not cigarettes.

I’d rather invest in games.

“But now, there’s no reason to do that anymore, right?”

Unlike in my past life, unless my family suddenly faced ruin, I had no need to worry about money in this life.

I could buy cigarettes whenever I wanted.

Thinking like that put my mind at ease.

Moreover,

“It would be cool…”

After all, a man popular with women is probably that kind of man.

Blond hair, wearing sunglasses, skin tanned enough for muscles to show clearly, sporting piercings, looking good in a sleeveless t-shirt, and having tattoos – that kind of man.

If such a man flicked a lighter, lit a cigarette, and smoked, how atmospheric would it be?

“If there’s a motorcycle there, that’s it.”

The ideal man.

Regardless of gender, anyone would fall head over heels for him.

I should not only drink but also smoke, and getting a driver’s license wouldn’t be a bad idea.

I tried to hold back my thoughts.

“Just this once, try smoking….”

“No.”

“….”

Before I could finish my sentence,

They responded with a serious expression.

I was at a loss for words.

“I really hate the smell of cigarettes.”

“Cigarettes are bad for your health.”

“Just try smoking a cigarette.”

“….”

Goeunbi, Lisa, and Yeon Haneul.

The three of them put on stern faces and shook their heads.

‘Why do they dislike it?’

Was I mistaken in my thoughts?

Or maybe they have a different taste.

But even if it’s regrettable, there’s nothing I can do.

Especially since Yeon Haneul seemed to despise it so much, I had my doubts but decided to give up.

Yong Haerang also chimed in.

“Why smoke? Smoking reduces lung capacity, which means your strength will decrease too. If you want to become a serious hunter, you shouldn’t smoke.”

“… Haerang is right.”

Listening to him, it made sense.

Cigarettes weaken me.

No matter how much it weakens me, even if it’s just a little, it’s undeniable.

Fully convinced by Haerang’s words, I nodded.

“Anyway, let’s have some beer. Cheers.”

“Cheers!”

At this rate, the liquor will become lukewarm.

To change the subject, I raised my glass.

Glasses from different people clinked against mine as they passed by.

We downed the beer.

The reactions were all positive.

“Wow, this is delicious! What is this? Mixing soju and beer gives this flavor? I should only drink beer from now on.”

“The smoothness of the drink is nice. I actually prefer this.”

“Soju is tasty, but this is good too. Can I have one more glass?”

“Be careful, it hits you fast. Here, let me pour you another…”

“Do Gyungwoo! I’ll have one too!”

“Us too!!”

“…Just drink among yourselves. It’s easy to make if you know the ratio.”

The glasses of people rained down on me.

It’s quite a job to make them one by one.

While I was rolling up barley for Yeonha, I taught them a way.

After that, we spent time laughing and chatting while sipping barley drinks.

As the intoxication started to rise, the atmosphere became livelier.

Lisa spoke up amidst it all.

“Continuing to drink barley is bitter. Is there no sweet alcoholic drink?”

“Sweet taste…”

A thought came to mind.

I got up from my seat and walked over to the refrigerator in the room.

There was ice cream in the freezer, bought to eat when drunk on alcohol.

I took out a few and returned to my seat, carrying them.

“If you have this, it will taste sweet.”

It’s a drink I made several times in my past life.

The method is very simple.

I tore open the Screw Bar ice cream wrapper and put the ice cream in a large paper cup.

Then I poured in some soju.

I handed it to Lisa.

“This is Screw Bar Soju. Here you go.”

“You poured soju into ice cream? Thank you. I’ll try it.”

Lisa hesitantly took the glass.

She had a face as if she was about to drink traditional rice wine.

But after taking a sip of the alcohol, her expression brightened.

“Oh… It’s subtly delicious. The sweetness is nice. So you can drink it like this…”

“It’s also delicious with Melona.”

“Melona? It’s a Korean word I’ve never heard before… Is it ice cream that tastes like melon?”

“That interpretation seems right. Although the flavors have become more diverse these days.”

“If that’s the case, I should be able to make it too. I should try making it next time.”

Lisa twirled the ice cream stick around.

Seeing her frequently sipping on the alcohol, she seemed to like it quite a bit.

I chuckled as I watched her.

It was then that I felt a gaze.

“…”

“Why?”

“Oh, nothing. Just thinking it’d be nice to get a score from Lisa.”

“…”

Beside me.

Yeonha was glancing at me.

Although I didn’t seem to have done anything wrong, there was a strange sense of discomfort.

Feeling burdened by her gaze, I subtly avoided eye contact.

I reached out with the ice cream I had brought a little while ago.

“Just in case, I did well to bring several ice creams.”

Just like I made one for Lisa, I made a soju with a screw bar for Yeonhae too.

Only then did her eyes calm down.

“Here, you should try it too.”

“…Hmph, I’ll drink it nicely.”

“How is it?”

“…It feels like eating a screw bar. Wouldn’t it be better to just eat a screw bar?”

“….”

“Still, it’s cool and delicious. Thank you.”

Yeonhae shivered.

I shivered along with her.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have learned how to make cocktails in my past life.”

Suddenly, such a thought crossed my mind.

I felt a bit regretful that I couldn’t make a tastier drink for Yeonhae.

No, it’s not too late even now.

It wouldn’t be bad to casually learn it as a hobby when I have time.

“Hey, guys! Let’s not just drink, let’s play a drinking game too!”

“Is there such a thing as a drinking game? I’m not familiar with it…”

“Oh! If you don’t know, you learn while drinking in a drinking game!”

“Alright, come on! I’ll accept it blindly!”

“Gyunwoo, do you know?”

“No, I don’t know either… I only play games at home…”

“Hmm?”

* * *

At that moment.

Students were celebrating their admission by drinking and enjoying an admission ritual.

Professor Park and Kang Hanbyeol were no exception.

“Let’s start the ritual now.”

“Okay.”

Gamnamseok Dormitory.

Since the space wasn’t that wide, the two had to sit at makeshift desks.

The only snacks were two chickens on the table.

They exchanged glances as if wanting to eat the chicken right away.

The two of them, following tradition, uncapped the soju they bought from the convenience store at the same time.

One bottle per person.

Baeksa took the lead.

“Then, for our entrance exam!”

“For our entrance exam!”

“Hanbyeol, I’m counting on you!”

“Sagun, let’s have a good time!”

“At first?”

“A shot.”

The two raised their soju bottles in a toast.

Then, following tradition, they drank the soju in one gulp, determined to empty the bottle in one go.

As a result.

“Cough! Cough! Eugh… It’s awful… Why does the master enjoy drinking this stuff?”

“I knew it would be bitter… but it’s even more bitter than I thought. Experiencing it firsthand is different from just knowing it in your head…”

According to tradition, they were not allowed to touch the chicken until they finished all the soju.

The two had to force themselves to empty the bottles, making various expressions.

And then…

Their academy life began.