Races: Online

Han Jing knew that his [ Mental Fortitude ] was up, but he questioned if this Mermaid's voice could bypass that, or he really was just some sort of sucker to women like Odele or Chan Lee who were bubbly and smiled at him. 

He rubbed his face. "Geez. Must be nice to have that kind of talent."

"It did have its price," Odele said with a small sigh. "Now I cannot assure you if it is true history, or a passed on tale—but they said, my people were once capable of taking not only the waters, but even the land and air. We were powerful and our voice shook the entire world. Humans and other creatures paid tribute to us for their survival, but then due to the arrogance of my ancestors, we were stripped of that ability to stay in the air and land and are now forced to only stay in the deep waters and compete with others also dwelling there..."

She did not have to elaborate any further.

The memory of the Chut returning to the ocean in the Otherworld and by its mere presence, turning the water to something close to murky dark and swamp waters was enough. The Wood Elf was quick to dispel the atmosphere with a loud sigh. "But now that we're here, let's go somewhere else. When we were headed here to meet up with the two of you, we saw a man with a cart. I wish to try one of those ice cones."

"Ice cream?"

"Yes."

"It's the same thing." Jilanya shrugged.

"Well, I guess that's not going to strain my wallet." Han Jing sighed with relief. "Let's get out of here and don't try running off again, Odele. I know you want to be helpful… but, you're going to cause a bit of trouble if you do that and we don't want any of that."

"Oh yes, the young gentleman from last night at the restaurant promised not to tell of our presence, didn't he?"

"He did, but if he or anyone else in his cultivator group decide that it's too risky to have you guys here…" Han Jing glanced at the three of them—and worried more about the cultivators than for the three. "Let's just say, we stay out of everyone's attention and that of the World?"

"Low-key, got that." Odele smiled. "Don't worry about a thing, Han, we're pretty chill."

Faeran nodded sagely. "What she said."

"Low-key." Han Jing sighed and hoped that it truly did stay that way. But so far, nothing bad was happening and it was time for ice cream. He then glanced at Jilanya. "Hey, you can eat ice cream, right?"

"Why wouldn't I be able to eat it?" She narrowed her eyes at him. 

"Eh, it's cold and you're hot—like hell and stuff." Han Jing coughed. "I mean, you practically bursted into flames earlier, well yesterday at the train, so what if ice cream accidentally freezes your brain or whatnot?"

The Demon Lord rolled her eyes. "I do wish that your people quit imagining it inaccurately like that.  That's quite a simpleton's way of thinking—but yes, we can consume ice cream and other so-called human indulgences. It might have been awhile since I came here, but Demons do like possessing humans for a chance to indulge in pleasures of the flesh."

"...you need to possess us to enjoy stuff?"

Jilanya sighed and extended her arms forward, paying idle attention to her painted fingernails. "While my current form takes on the appearance of your kind, it does not change me. A Demon's nature is different from you Humans, and naturally, it means that our contact with things of this world is also different to how your race experiences it."

"So it's like your taste bud won't be able to enjoy ice cream."

"Must your example truly be an ice cream?" Jilanya glared at him. 

Han Jing shrugged. "No, but we're having ice cream—so might as well. I'll probably go with chocolate, vanilla or something."

"Are you not going to ask me, Han, about how my race perceives things in this world?" Faeran motioned to himself.

Han Jing shook his head and waved his hands. "Here's what I can tell so far—you guys lied about my mother's cooking being good back then. Shame on you people."

"Woah, you two have met Han's life giver?" Odele asked and then pouted, "I missed the opportunity. Why didn't you tell me to come sooner, Han?"

"She was very lovely."

"Forget I brought her up at all."

Jilanya rolled her eyes and dismissively waved a hand. "We've also met up with a certain woman that Han seems to be in close ties with from before." Despite her flippant voice, she was recounting events that Odele had missed.

"Oh you mean the one at the apartment that Han is staying at?" Faeran rubbed his chin. "We gave her a flower back then before you arrived."

"Really?" Odele's eyes widened. "Are you trying to engage with this person? You should have brought them along for this trip!"

He grimaced. "No, and they're not the same person. I met Bo Lifen while she was jogging with Jilanya while we were out to buy some beer, and the one I gave the flower to was Chan Lee—but only because Faeran forced it on me." 

"Oh my, he didn't deny that he was trying to 'engage' with them." Faeran chuckled.

"I just said no, didn't I?" Han Jing finally pointed at the ice cream stall. "Ice cream time guys and only Odele is going to get hers."

"But I was the one who wanted the ice cream cone!"

"Sucks for you, I'm the one with money."

"Don't be like that Han."

—-—-

Author's Note: Although things at Kraelonia Academy have ended on a somewhat very serious note… I hope this relaxing chapter about them in an amusement park was enjoyable. This was really what I had been aiming for when I first thought of Races: Online—different races meeting up offline on earth, lol. Thank you for reading the chapter!