The Great Thief

 “This is Southern Island Ice Beer. Because a special type of ice has been added, it is kept cold all the time. I believe you can buy it in the Dawn Highlands,” Lord Metz Drakrep said as he took a sip of the first glass of alcohol, then asked confidently, “Am I right, Elf?”

 “Yes indeed, your knowledge is astonishing,” Lu Li praised, only able to nod.

He could guess this first glass of alcohol without a moment’s hesitation. Lord Metz Drakrep not only knew its name and characteristics, but also its place of production.

 “Were we planning on winning him and then have him point out the passage?” Tirion Fordring quietly asked Lu Li.

 “Yep,” Lu Li answered. “As long as we win, Lord Metz Drakrep will do as we say. He’s a Dwarf that really enjoys betting, and as long as the thing being bet on is worthwhile, he will keep to his word.”

 “What are the chances?”

Tirion Fordring poured a glass too, but he couldn’t determine what type of alcohol it was.

Normally, a person of his age who enjoyed drinking should have seen it all. However, the first time he saw Ice Beer that could be kept cold forever, he did not know why it had not spread in popularity.

“Not guaranteed, but let’s try our luck,” Lu Li said helplessly.

It was his first time that he heard about this type of beer since he met Hachi Chan. He seriously doubted whether everyone else and Hachi Chan were playing the same type of game.

 “This second glass of alcohol, if I’m not wrong, should be Gordok Green Wine. Wine made by Ogres is always strong. I remember that you can buy this from Kleig. If he’s dead, then you must be able to get it from Young Kleig.”

 “Yes, your guess was right.”

Another one had been guessed correctly, which made Lu Li feel slightly discouraged.

It seemed like this old alcoholic was indeed well-versed. He had even tried alcohol brewed by the Orgres. Lu Li was unsure if the remaining 13 bottles were enough to win.

 “Let me think. Hmm… this is a marvellous taste. Is this… Jungle Wine?” Lord Metz Drakrep asked in surprise, then continued, “I never thought I would have the chance to taste the real Jungle Wine. This type of wine can only be bought from the sailor Nick Lax Firamog. This old guy kept denying he kept it in stock. This is good wine to lure the Sea Giant, Nagurash.”

“Wow you are so knowledgeable,” Lu Li said as he sighed inside.

“Haha, Sulfuron Slammer! This is easy to guess. Did you think I wouldn’t know the new alcohols on the market just because I haven’t been out in years? I have to thank those relatives of mine who have been reduced to slaves of Ragnaros. What else can they not use to make alcohol? This has been made with a special kind of magma. Legend says that it is alcohol from the fire element. One will be covered in fire after drinking it. I bought a batch a few months ago to help me exercise my will and protect myself from Polymorph.”

“Hehe,” Lu Li laughed dryly. At this point, he felt rather despaired.

“Is this Watchtite Spirit? No, no, no, this is Winter Spring Fire Wine, hahaha,” Metz Drakrep laughed, expertly noting the difference between these two alcohols.

Lu Li began to think and private-messaged Water Fairy.

He had no choice but to use his trump card. He asked Water Fairy for a favour and then found an excuse to pause the bet. After this, he spoke to Water Fairy in a place with no one around.

Lord Metz Drakrep had no interest in the fact that Lu Li had an extra female Elf next to him. He urged the bet to continue. There were still more than ten types of fine alcohols that he hadn’t tasted. Even though it was just a tasting, in reality, he had gulped down every last glass.

It was such a hard opportunity to come by where he could drink so openly and publicly.

Plus, there were so many people around him watching him indulge himself. The young fellow ones were listening to his talk and almost worshipping him to the point of crawling on the ground.

In the world of the Dwarves, Lord Metz Drakrep was not the strongest in terms of combat, nor was he the longest-living, but he was the most well-versed in alcohol-knowledge. Everyone had to bow their heads in front of him, even Magni Bronzebeard.

The next tens or so alcohols were also distinguished by him one by one.

Even though there were one or two that he had to contemplate over for a while, this didn’t affect the end outcome.

 “Wait, there is another type of alcohol. I originally wasn’t going to bring it out, but since Your Excellency loves alcohol so much, I’ll have to reluctantly present it,” Lu Li said as he carefully brought out a bottle that contained a dark green liquid.

 “Ooooh, quickly bring it over for me to taste.”

Lord Metz Drakrep became instantly interested once he heard how careful Lu Li was.

Lu Li poured the liquid into this newly washed wine glass. He watched Lord Metz Drakrept take a sip, then saw his anticipated look of confusion on the old Dwarf’s face.

The gaming company had spent a lot of time and effort in making this game. Every aspect of the game reflected detail, an example of which was this alcohol. Different alcohols had different recipes and different taste, different brewing processes and different origins. As such, Lord Metz Drakrep tasting different wines was not purely out of fun.

Perhaps some people would ask why Lu Li could not just brew some alcohol of this own? This would make it harder for the opponent.

In reality, Adventurers couldn’t brew alcohol on their own, at least not now. Moreover, it wasn’t as simple as casually mixing things together then receiving recognition from the System. Only NPCs could produce a type of alcohol that could be presented in a tasting.

As it happened, Lu Li knew someone like this.

A Waitress of Southshore called Emma Felstone, who he had good relations with, made all the alcohol sold at Southshore. She was a master at brewing alcohol. Even the most basic ale could be brewed with a different taste by her.

Lu Li thought of Emma when he saw Lord Metz Drakrep so full of vigour.

As such, he immediately decided to turn to Emma for help. He asked Water Fairy, who was also familiar with her, to get in contact with her. She successfully got a bottle of new alcohol that was still in a testing stage and had not yet been officially launched.

If it was not officially launched, then Lord Metz Drakrep naturally wouldn’t be able to taste it beforehand.

Otherwise, given how much the Dwarf loved to drink, he would be able to try out any new alcohol, no matter how remote its origin. Communication between Dwarves was not made through steel, but through alcohol.

“This alcohol is excellent, but I haven’t tried it indeed.”

Lord Metz Drakrep tried it again and again, and had nearly finished the whole bottle.

In the end, he had to admit in frustration that he had never had this before.

Naturally, he couldn’t produce a name, and of course could not give its origin.

Lu Li was elated and smiled. This problem seemed easy to solve, but it was also not that simple. Not all NPCs could brew alcohol, and not all NPCs would be willing to sell new developments to you, let alone at such short notice.

Only Emma Felstone could do that. Lu Li wouldn’t have had any other way if it was anyone else.