Hatta's words were stuck in my head all the way to Jayadeva's workshop. While walking I noticed that many people making it through the city center are at least taking a peek at me. I had no idea what Aisha and Will, but it was for sure working.

I passed by the memorial cannon and went inside.

- Morning! - I said loudly, so they would hear me even with all the noise around.

Rishi was working alone, with his hand on a shield, fully concentrating. Probably enchanting the item. On the other hand, his father was looking through a bunch of papers covering a large table. Trying to figure out a mechanism, while a bunch of other people around him were doing their best to produce parts.

He took his eyes off the drawings and looked up, at me.historical

- Good morning, Peter. What brings you here? We are very busy right now...

- I just wanted to inform Rishi about something.

- Well... As you can see he is enchanting an item. If he stops right now, he will have to start over, and we don't have that kind of time - he smiled apologetically. - If it's something important I can pass on the message.

- Yeah. That will work. Just tell him that Hatta will take care of the class points for him. As many as he needs, and I will bring later more crystals. That's all.

- You sure he will be safe? - he asked, and I detected the note of concern in his voice.

- We made this mistake once Jayadeva, and won't repeat it ever again. Hatta will make sure he will be hundred percent safe. I'm sure of it.

He nodded in response.

- I'll tell him.

- Thanks. Have a good day - with those words I left.

I had a lot of spare time to waste. I was gonna go hunt the next day, but it was still too early for preparations, so I just walked around, checking how is the city doing. I roamed the alleys for hours, wondering if there is a chance for real-life for me here. I was thinking if I ever could be just a normal person after what happened.

I got so lost in thoughts that only hunger managed to bring me back to reality. Then I returned to the device, to get some food, and went to spend my evening in Velvet Lotus.

Zo? was sitting on the stool by the entrance, and bouncing off those who weren't welcome. There was a pretty long line, kept in a surprising order. Almos everybody was getting in. I waited for my turn, just like anybody else would.

But I was noticed, and soon people started whispering and turning to confirm what they just heard, whatever it was, was the truth. Zo? noticed the commotion and my person.

- Just get in, Peter.

I shrugged my shoulders and headed inside.

- Good evening Zo? - I said before entering, but there was no answer.

In the first room, the usual view greeted me. The duo was playing cards, and Alice played with her cat, occasionally putting some weapons away.

- Hi everybody.

- Good to see you, Peter - said Alice.

Her words grabbed the attention of other guests. Louna and Anna ignored me. They seemed to ignore most of the people.

I pushed through the cloth blocking the entrance and found myself in the main hall. I nice, quiet music hit me at first, then I realized how crowded the establishment was. There were barely any tables left unoccupied.

I found one to the side and immediately went there. Then I started looking around for familiar faces, but my view was blocked by the crowd around. Some people were dancing, others just loudly talking, and drinking.

- Hi, Peter - Shavonne came out of nowhere. - Can I get you something.

- Oh... Hi. Yeah. Something to drink. Wine maybe?

- One glass of wine then! I'll be right back.

She left me to return shortly with a mug of red liquid.

- Your wine.

- Thanks... Is anybody I know in the club right now? I don't see anybody.

- Yeah. I'm here.

- Then can I invite you for a drink.

- Sorry honey, but I'm working - she winked at me, and left.

I sighed, and spend some time slowly drinking my alcohol. I looked around and saw few people peaking at mi discreetly, whispering. And then I was suddenly approached by three extraordinary beautiful women.

The first one was of Asian descent. Short with dark eyes and long, straight, black hair, and bangs. She was wearing a black skin-tight dress.

The second was a tall brown-skinned, long-legged girl with green eyes and short, black hair. She had big earrings that caught my eye. She also was rocking a dress, of dull orange color.

The last one was a white blonde with a big smile and clear blue eyes. Again, in a dress, although this time it was a dark red.

- Are those seats free? - asked the second one. - I'm Eshe by the way.

She extended a hand. I needed a second to nervously swallow the last sip of my wine, then I shook the hand awkwardly.

- Y-yeah...

- Can we sit down with you then? - asked blonde, smiling widely at me.

- Sure, go ahead.

- I'm Veronika, and the last one of us is Hitomi.

- You are quite a legend. We came to see if what they say about you is true - said Eshe flapping her long eyelashes at me while sitting down on the closest chair.

- Oh... And what do they say about me?

The rest followed, taking the spots on my right and left, surrounding me like predators surround their prey.

- That you stopped the first war by yourself. That you were the first one to come up with a tactic for hunting large amounts of monsters. That you were the first to explore the canyon, and meet aliens. How do they look? - asked Veronika.

- Y-yeah. I did those things - Shavonne caught my eye, passing relatively close. - Shavonne! Could you get us some more drinks?

She came closer, and briefly looked at my company.

- Sure thing. Just don't let them eat you - she winked at me and left.

- We like to play with our food - said Eshe, more to me than to her.

This made me sweat a bit since nothing like that ever happened to me before, but, as they say, there is the first time for everything. I had Hatta's words stuck in my head, and those very words made me go for it.

When the decision was already made, I relaxed a bit, allowing myself to get more in control of the situation.