Races: Online (VR Smartphone App)

The gleeful shouts of a Mermaid rang throughout the entire amusement park, similar to the excited squeals of a dolphin—Han Jing quickly clamped her mouth with his hand.

His mere action caught the stares of some people, but he eventually waited for Odele to calm down. Faeran stifled a chuckle, a hand on his mouth at the clear discomfort on Han Jing's face.

Once Odele stopped wildly gesturing and waving her arms about, continuing with her dialogue, he let his hand drop. "Mhphf, mhpf—ah, sorry. I got a tiny bit excited."

"Yes." Han Jing eyed her with a look that an older brother might give his younger sister. And he was well-versed in that, when Jinjing was younger she also messed around gleefully... it stopped when she started school and it sucked out the enthusiasm and liveliness to her—giving her more spunk, than cuteness.

But Odele retained a certain bubbliness that charmed him.

His mental defenses were up, right?

A sheepish smile was on her face. "I'm just really glad that we're finally here."

"We're still at the entrance of this place," Jilanya said dryly. She told them earlier that she was uninterested in this trifling human engagements, but still came along by virtue of not being left behind.

"But we're finally heree~" Odele argued with a pout and motioned to the people passing by all of them. There were at least a decent number of people, groups of friends, families and even couples together in this amusement park. "Why would I not be happy?"

So yeah, Odele was just naturally bubbly.

Han Jing couldn't blame her for it, it was similar to when he was Han and practically exploring the Otherworld... it truly was a whole new world. He cleared his throat and waited for them to be admitted into the theme park. He had thankfully gotten tickets prior to their arrival and at a good discounted rate too.

"Okay, so here's the plan guys. Stay low and don't attract too much attention."

"Why would we ever do something like that?" Faeran said, clearly distracted. He waved at a group of young women that passed them by and earned some giggles. His gaze finally returned to Han Jing, an aura of innocence around him. "We're nothing but very simple travelers in this place."

"The mere fact that we're here is already attention grabbing, human."

Han Jing stared at the Demon Lord with a frown, until he remembered and grabbed Jilanya's shoulders—"Wait, you're not telling me that some kind of dragonic entity will come here and tear the entire amusement to dust, are you?"

The Colossal Wyvern hitting the city of Gloria was still fresh in his mind.

"Hands off, boy." The Succubus scoffed and waved a hand at him dismissively. "While the chances of attracting the notice of the World is high—it's not like we have the eyes of the Moderator here."

His conversation with Peach of the World noticing him came back to his mind. That was the reason why he stumbled into the Mirror Version of the world, or whatever Mou Gu called it before. Han Jing's brows furrowed. "Peach?"

"Whatever she calls herself." Jilanya rolled her eyes. "But here's the thing, unlike you who have only begun to grow stronger thanks to your participation in the Creators' whims and worldmaking—prior to this, I have already established myself. Even if something were to happen, I can ensure my survival."

Han Jing rubbed his face. "I thought it was only a thing... there. Not here."

Didn't they explain that the Creators did it in an attempt to make Races work together and form a better relationship? Peace talks paired with calamities when they gathered—it made sense on why it wasn't successful.

"It's certainly not the same Creators that'll send you some disaster, but there are other entities naturally." Jilanya smiled, not that kindly. "It can't be helped especially if you have invited such a high archdemon as myself."

"Or a Wood Elf such as I from a prestigious and respected position from my brethren."

Han Jing stared at them—these two, no—all three of them should be aware of this more than he could ever do. He sighed and glanced briefly at Odele. "Please don't tell me you're the daughter of some minor sea god or anything like that?"

Odele beamed. "Nope."

"Thank Go—" Han Jing cleared his throat, and tried to wrap his head around their situation. Like a movie. Similar to a book. He had watched something like this before. He took one final deep breath and then scratched his head, "Okay, whatever. If you'd like to separate from us, Jilanya. It's most appreciated."

Faeran bursted into laughter. "Ah, that's a solution. It'd be terrible if we attract some Exorcists or other Demon Slayers—well, whatever it is that your people have here."

"Cultivators," Han Jing explained and thought about Dai Song Lan from last night. Yeah, it was just last night when he bought the pearl that he got from Odele... it was actually what he used to pay for their dinner last night, and then some.

"Hmph. How rude of you, but I suppose that is expected... I can definitely leave. But my demonic traces will still be on your person, so it does not matter."

"Wait—you can leave some kind of residue on me?" Han Jing quickly brushed his shoulder, much to the amusement of Faeran and the lack of Jilanya.

The Demon Lord snorted. "Surely, you do not think that it's easy to remove it like that?"

"Ugh. You know what—whatever. I'm just here to take Odele on a trip and enjoy her time—wait, where's Odele?"

"Did she wander off?" Faeran looked idly about. "Something must have caught her eye."

"I'm not the one who has super senses here." Han Jing frowned at them.

"She is not some child for you to worry about." Jilanya rolled her eyes. "She may have asked you to bring her here—but she does not need you floundering about her like a gaping crawfish."

Faeran nodded his head. "She's even older than Ellynn—but then again, age doesn't speak much of maturity does it?"

Han Jing groaned. "I'm going to find her—maybe the two of you can stay here."

"Us? Stay in one place?" Jilanya raised a brow at him. Her red lips pursed into a smile at his words. "You seem to clearly underestimate or do not know who you are talking to. This idiot beside me is free spirited."

Faeran nodded and motioned to himself. "Asking me to stay in one place is akin to telling a bird to not use their wings and fly."

Han Jing stared at them and then sighed. "Okay, the two of you are on your own then—I'm sure Jilanya here can disappear in a cloud of smoke and end up back at the hotel or hell... and you Faeran—you're going to leave after this, right?"

"My, my throwing out your guest immediately."

"No, I'm planning things out." Han Jing stared at the two potential beings that could wreck his city in havoc and raised his hands. He waved his hands at them and managed a grin. "As much as I'd love both of you to stay—you guys clearly have important duties as befitting of your positions."

"Well, that is true—I've been telling you that." Faeran nodded along with a heavy sigh. "As much as I wish to sojourn here and keep decorating your hair with flowers and enjoy the nectars of sweet chrysanthemums, we must unfortunately part ways."

Han Jing looked at Jilanya with the straightest face he could muster and said, "That never happened."

"I do not care whatever travesty you two do." the Demon Lord gave him a scornful look. "Leave me be, if you wish to find that Mermaid then do so."

"Right." Han Jing sighed and scratched his head. While flattery worked with the Wood Elf, the Demon Lord wasn't that quick to get honored by praises. He cleared his throat and looked around. "But yeah… I mean you guys can even stick around, or not."

"Be decisive with your decisions, do you want us to leave or not?" Jilanya snapped at him.

"Now, now don't get too upset." Faeran chuckled and rested a hand on her shoulder. "I was the one who invited you after all."

"Well, your words about the World reacting definitely put me on edge." Han Jing sighed but then stepped away from them. "I mean you guys aren't tied down to me. So I'll see you around if you're still here—other than that, I need to find Odele. Bye."

He didn't wait for another word and walked away from them. 

As much as he'd like to bring them along or not, it was too risky for them to be gathered together. Hopefully the Demon Lord and the Wood Elf got the message.

The only one he couldn't let go right now was the Mermaid.

He glanced across the numerous people and searched for Odele. Surely someone as eye-catchy as her and squealed the first time they stepped in here wouldn't be that hard, right? 

She really shouldn't have gone off on her own but she did it. If it weren't for the fact that the pearls he needed were with her… then, he'd probably still find her regardless of it. Not because he cared a lot about them or anything like that, but he was worried about consequences.

It was too risky endangering her.

Han Jing didn't trust her words—daughter of a minor sea god or not, a Mermaid lost in land was almost equivalent to Atlantis rising from the depths and attacking his city with a tsunami because of her.contemporary romance

Or he had an overactive imagination.

Regardless, Han Jing called out her name and shouted. "Odele!"

done.co