Five days were left until the end of the year.

Frost remembered exactly how things started out just six months ago. Although most of that was skipped due to time shenanigans. Still, part of her wondered how different life would have been if she never went to Grandis.

Would she have followed the same path? Probably. She figured that no matter what route she took she still would have taken the mantle of responsibility over the Nexus.

But this was not what she had in mind when she thought about a different life.

When one thought of a fantasy world the first thing that came to mind was usually adventure and magic. Frost was no different, but there was much more to a fantasy world than just those. Food, the culture, the people that lived in this world – all of it was worth discovering as someone from a different world.

That’s why she imagined a life where she could do just that. No fighting. No rushing to save the world. Just immersing herself in a world far from home.

She took a deep breath of the festive air and strode through the bustling crowds of C6. Thousands of people roamed the great streets of the City of Clubs. There were no weapons to be found on the backs and belts of people, and neither did the residents of this Sector appear to have ever picked up a sword.

They were dressed casually as the masses partook in the largest event that was held at the tail end of the year – the Blooming Week, or the Blooming Festival as many chose to call it. Countless stalls packed with delicious hand-held food lined the sides of the streets. Children, parents, couples, and visitors wore permanent smiles as they indulged in the festivities hosted by none other than the Demi-humans.

The City of Clubs held the lowest population of adventurers per capita. Most were just normal people living regular lives where education was endorsed rather than being a privilege. Although, the City of Clubs was also home to significant Academies that taught combat and magic.

People dressed in colored robes bearing the insignia of such Academies and their ranks could also be seen amongst the crowds. Children as young a ten were wore both the regular school uniform and the magical combat robes. Such people were obviously prodigies in some area of magic, and it boggled Frost’s mind what was considered ‘strong’ to regular people.

That being said, she was happier to see that education existed outside of the Ateliers.

“School life also exists in this world too, huh. The City of Clubs is the only place that really has it. Aside from the inner Atelier Sectors.” Frost spoke to herself, adjusting her shades as she kept her eyes out for a certain trio who joined her today. “Now… They said they were going to wait by a stall. The problem is there’s a thousand stalls. Do they think I’m omnipotent or something?”

A long sigh slipped past her lips.

She was dressed casually again, this time in a black, buttoned up shirt with a large open coat and nondescript pants. It was nothing special, but her presence automatically gathered various eyes from men and women alike. None if really bothered her to begin with, although…

“Oh my –! Ma’am!” A voice called from a stall painted in pink and white hearts. “Ma’am! Lady in the button dress! With the shades! Do you have a moment to spare!?”

Curious, Frost wandered over towards the voice. It came from an incredibly well-endowed Elf who stuck half her body out the stall just to greet her. The Elf looked like she was in her thirties with short, silver hair with a strand of gold. Certainly a unique look, and she looked like she would be dragged through the other side of the stall by her the sheer size of her chest.

“Come right up to the side of the stall so I can talk to ya!”

Oh shit.

Frost could already sense the lust in her eyes and froze just moments before reaching the stall, which she quickly realized was a booth. And not any typical booth too. She was not so naïve to realize that this Elf was providing debauched services within a wooden shack of all things.

“Hold on.” Frost squinted her eyes, pretending to act surprised all of a sudden. “Sorry, I thought you were someone else.” She apologized with a friendly smile.

Yeah, right. There’s no way I’m getting any closer.

It took a special kind of pervert to set up a stall like this in the middle of a festival – never mind the street.

“Aww! How about I give you a discount because you’re so cute~! This is the first time I’ve seen a human like you in aaaaaaaall my travels across the Brandar sea border!” She exclaimed, beckoning her to approach.

“How about I give you a healthy slap. On the house.” Frost reflexively retorted as if possessed, her smile becoming wry since she didn’t want to cause a scene. “Listen, lady – I’m not interested.”

Frost had never been catcalled this directly before. It happened when they passed through the forbidden grove that was H9, but to have someone call her out like this caused her skin to crawl. However, it was harmless in the end, and it wasn’t like she had ill intent to begin with.

Right. I’ve dealt with monsters for so long that I assumed the worst from her.

“You’re really funny for a human! Tell you what, I’ll throw in my special fruits grown and imported straight from our village over in Spiritas! It’s fresh – fresh, I tell you! Do you even know the hassle it took to sneak this stuff past the walls!?” She pulled out a basket of phallic-looking fruits that sparkled as if enchanted with magic. “It’s the kind of stuff they don’t allow here! If someone like that scary like those Justica Arms people knew then I’d be in big trouble! Think about the risk I’m taking here.”

… she’s seriously telling me of all people this? And why am I entertaining this too? Nav. Are those stuff really illegal here?

“Not at all. There is also no evidence to suggest that fruits grown in Spiritas are any different from those grown locally, aside from perhaps the taste and potency.”

Frost was about to leave until someone smacked the back of the head of the woman, right before she was dragged deep into the stall.

“W-Waaaah!? Hold on – I wasn’t done talking to her!” She cried, right before an identical voice shouted: “This is why no one lets us out of the village anymore!”

A second person appeared in her place and wore far more appropriate clothing. If Frost didn’t know any better then she would have thought that this woman suffered from some kind of personality disorder, because the person behind the stall looked exactly like the first Elf, except that her skin was slightly darker.

But most importantly, the stench of lust was lost on her.

“Sorry about my sister. She’s… one of those Elves. I’m just happy she’s into humans now.” She spoke in an elegant, dignified voice like she came from nobility. “The fact that you approached either means you had intentions to buy her service or are new around her. I’m guessing you’re the latter.”

“So avoid stalls with hearts printed on them?” Frost sighed.

“Yes, basically. But you’re half right.” The Elf was also oddly infatuated with Frost. It was not lust like her sister. “You’re… human, I take?”

“As human as can be.” Frost assured, smiling to support her claim, though it didn’t convince the Elf. “What makes you say that?”

“Are you actually not from here?” The Elf asked again, shocked that Frost even asked such a thing. Her emerald eyes exploded with concern, finally giving Frost a reason to stick around and figure out just what she meant.

… I guess this is a good time to get to know the world better outside of the Impuritas and the Corrupted. Demi-Humans can vaguely tell that I’m not human too. Or at least can tell to keep their distance. Instincts and intuition aren’t governed by Skills, huh.