Episode 32: The Drunken Whale
[The Drunken Whale Tavern]
‘It’s amazing I even understood the snake’s promise to treat me, but now it wants to drink alcohol?’
I’ve heard of alcohol brewed with snakes, but I’ve never heard of—let alone seen—a snake actually drinking it.
“Are you seriously asking me to treat you to alcohol?”
At my question, the black snake nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
‘…So it wasn’t a misunderstanding.’
“Snake, think again. That place isn’t for snakes—it’s for whales.”
“Sssk!”
The snake hissed in protest.
“I’m not lying! Look, it’s written right there on the sign: ‘The Drunken Whale.’”
“Shk!”
Despite my pleas, the snake reared its head high, poised to charge into the tavern.
If this kept up, it’d barge in for real!
“Fine, let’s call you a drunken whale—no, a drunken snake. But you still can’t go in.”
“Sssk?”
The black snake turned to me, as if demanding another explanation.
“I’m underage. Taverns can’t legally sell alcohol to someone my age. So buying you drinks is impossible.”
“Shuuk…”
This time, the snake seemed to accept the logic. It deflated with a disappointed hiss.
‘To be that upset… It must really love alcohol.’
Though I still couldn’t picture a snake drinking.
“Is there anything else you want? Something you like?”
“Sssk.”
It shook its head dismissively, as if nothing but alcohol mattered.
‘Would it rather die than accept anything else? This reminds me of the drunkards from my past life.’
What now?
If I send it away empty-handed, will those fangs punish me for breaking my promise?
No way!
I didn’t join the Demon Sect just to die pathetically from a random snake bite.
“How about this?”
After a moment’s thought, I made a new offer.
“I’m too young to drink now, but after my coming-of-age ceremony, I’ll be an adult. When that happens, we’ll drink together. Deal?”
The snake listened quietly before giving a reluctant nod.
‘Yes! It accepted!’
Relieved, I sighed—only for the snake to turn away abruptly.
‘Done with me already?’
Its decisiveness was almost hurtful.
“Sssk!”
Wrapped in the handkerchief I’d given it, the snake slithered gracefully into the bushes.
Watching it disappear, I mused:
A strange meeting, but I doubt we’ll cross paths again.
After parting with the snake, I returned to where I’d promised to meet Dad.
‘While he was distracted earlier, I even bought supplies for the Demon Sect!’
My pack bulged noticeably heavier than before.
“Huh? Dad!”
“Byeol, over here.”
He’d already returned and stood waiting at our meeting spot.
“Dad!”
For some reason, his beckoning hand filled me with joy. I sprinted into his arms.
“Did you get the flower shoes?”
Oh right.
To complete Operation Prove Byeol Has Changed, I needed to show I’d bought them safely alone!
“Here! Made from top-grade silk. Pretty, right?”
“To me, our Byeol is a million times prettier than any shoes.”
His earnest gaze pierced me.
‘Uh-oh. He’s not focusing on the shoes at all!’
Time for drastic measures.
“Did you see how brave I was buying them? All by myself!”
I thrust out my foot clad in the new shoes, shoulders squared.
‘I won’t die just from being apart from you, Dad. So stop worrying.’
I amplified my brave face, determined to reassure him.
“Any trouble on the way back?”
“Well… I met a snake! But I wasn’t scared! Caught it bravely and sent it home!”
“…Byeol.”
Dad’s soft voice halted my rambling.
“Yes?”
“When you’re with me, it’s okay to drop the act.”
“…….”
“You’re not alone anymore.”
‘How did he know?’
Busted.
Despite my act, he’d noticed my trembling.
‘Was I that tense around the snake?’
The lingering stiffness in my muscles confirmed it.
“I’m really fine…”
“You’re brave enough already. Now lean on me, okay?”
His tender expression unleashed a floodgate of tears.
‘Don’t cry…’
Yet somehow, I felt safe enough to let go.
“Daaad!”
I buried my face in his chest, sobbing.
Between hiccups, I spilled everything—the fear of being bitten, the snake’s unexpected kindness, its love for alcohol. Dad listened in silence.
“Sniffle… I didn’t cry!”
As I stubbornly wiped my face, Dad cupped my cheeks with his large hands.
“Why not? Our Byeol’s adorable even when crying.”
“N-No I’m not!”
“Alright. If you say so.”
‘My plan to look tough and ease his worries… Total failure.’
All that effort wasted…
As I pouted, Dad hugged me tighter.
“You did perfectly. Byeol’s first errand was flawless. I’m proud, my daughter.”
His praise melted away the day’s stress.
‘Acting like this, I really feel like a six-year-old. I should be focused on changing the original plot’s tragic ending…’
But nestled in Dad’s warmth, a new thought surfaced:
Maybe being an ordinary kid for a little while isn’t so bad.
Mysterious mist coiled around the black snake hidden in the bushes.
When it cleared, a handsome young man stood where the serpent had been—Gwangyu, one of the Demon Sect’s Eleven Elders, with piercing amber eyes that glowed like a predator’s.
‘Came to see this rumored rising star of the sect on a whim…’
He brushed back his wind-tousled hair, recalling the child’s fearless approach.
“My apologies for the stone earlier. Humans usually spread such… creative rumors about my serpent form.”
‘Even adults panic at the sight, yet that pea-sized kid just… talked to me.’
“Entertaining. Almost perfect—just lacked alcohol.”
A rare smile curved his lips.
‘How long since I enjoyed someone’s company? Five centuries?’
As the only beastman among the Elders, infused with divine serpent blood, Gwangyu knew the weight of false legends.
‘Let them fear the “monstrous” black snake. It keeps fools from bothering me.’
“That pea did promise drinks upon adulthood, though.”
He lounged beneath a tree, smirk widening.
“A pledge to share liquor with a child… Easily ignored.”
As he drifted toward sleep, a clear voice echoed in his mind:
“I’ll keep this snake safe, so no more stones, okay?”
“It’s nice! Even fetched my dropped purse!”
Gwangyu’s eyes snapped open.
“Since they amused me… Maybe I’ll indulge them.”
His finger traced the promise in the air.
“The pea’s first drink.”
‘Proper drinking should be taught by adults, after all.’
Suddenly, he sat upright.
“Biwang said they were in seclusion training. Why at the market?”
A chuckle escaped him.
“Skipping duties? How… relatable.”
For Gwangyu—the sect’s infamous slacker—this only deepened his interest.
“Now, for a proper nap—”
A voice sharp as lightning pierced his back.
“Gwangyu.”
“Huh?!”
The sect leader stood there—Cheonma, the doting father himself.
