Chapter 172: Freya (Extra)
Chapter 172: Freya (Extra)
"Adela, why are you dragging me along? Last night was the finale of Sorcerer 100%. I'm dying to get home and finish—""The Eastern Army clinched first place by a narrow margin. It's a single heroine ending. She ends up happily with the male lead."
"I haven't even watched it yet!"
"Then there's no need for you to watch it anymore. Unless, of course, you're on the Eastern Army side, like me."
"I'm part of the Northeast Alliance..."
Adela raised an eyebrow.
Sorcerer 100%had four main heroines, each associated with a fanbase organized into a faction named after a cardinal direction: East, South, West, and North. Each heroine embodied a different archetype—confidante, childhood friend, love-at-first-sight, and energetic companion. The final vote had the Eastern Army, Western Army, and the four-army mix occupying the top three, with such razor-thin margins that the winner was unpredictable until the last screening.
By contrast, the Northeast Alliance was utterly absurd, the most niche of all selections. Female viewers usually favored single-heroine endings, while male viewers leaned toward multiple-heroine outcomes. And if they went for multiple, they typically chose all four, not just two.
Noticing Adela's gaze, Freya's confidence only grew. "I know it's hopeless, but I can't help it. I'm just that kind of innocent person!"
"An innocent flirt? That's a first... and yet you picked two?"
"I only like these two. I don't dislike the other two, but I can't force myself to care for them."
As they talked, the taxi glided to a smooth stop. The human driver in the front seat pulled his multi-purpose hand out of the control panel and used his slender, steel-chain finger to retrieve a freshly printed receipt from the card reader. Adela snatched it and scanned the spell seal with her chip, completing the payment.
"Have a wonderful evening," the driver said.
Stepping out, Adela noticed Freya lingering, staring thoughtfully after the taxi. Curious, she asked, "What is it? You're not interested in the driver, are you? If so, why didn't you ask for his Curtain account just now—"
Freya shook her head. "No. I was wondering why he bought a car that requires a multi-purpose hand instead of a steering wheel. Is it cheaper?"
Adela laughed. "You don't get it. You never took any Mechanist courses, did you? Multi-purpose hands make driving far more responsive and improve handling in emergencies. That's why almost all low-end vehicles have replaced steering wheels with universal control consoles. Taxis, excavators, and construction vehicles, for example, have all ditched traditional steering. Operators must use multi-purpose hands.
"So steering wheels are basically a luxury now. Even wealthy owners rarely drive themselves and hire drivers instead."
"So the drivers need to have normal hands to show the car's luxury?"
Adela shot Freya a surprised glance. "Being able to say something this insightful is proof that you've already started thinking like the upper class! I only picked up these little tidbits from chatting in casinos... Anyway, cheer up! We've finally arrived at your favorite place!"
Freya turned to see a six-story building bathed in multicolored lights. The store name, woven in illusions, shimmered in the night sky: Hemp·Shy·Grass
. Taxis constantly dropped off and picked up guests, a testament to the center's popularity. "The most high-end leisure center in Caimon City? I could spend four times at other places for what one visit here costs."
Adela looped her arm through Freya's. "Don't worry about money. I've won quite a bit recently. This round's on me. You just relax and enjoy yourself! Think of it as celebrating that you finally shook off that annoying man who charmed you."
"I thought you weren't a fan of places like this."
"Once in a while is fine. The point is I'm here with you. You've been wearing that sulky look all day, and I couldn't stand it."
Freya touched her cheek. "Is it really that obvious?"
"In short, the best way to forget one man isn't deleting him. It's replacing him with more. Come on. This place won't disappoint."
The first floor was a bath hall with ten entrances, separated by gender and species. Guests changed, grabbed hand cards, and washed up, complete with options including hot springs, saunas, scrubbing, or massages. The second floor offered a lounge with a buffet, tabletop games, board games, bamboo mat rooms, and a casino. Even without sexual interest, the atmosphere was lively and relaxing.
After dining, they arrived at the second-floor elevator. The attendant, an androgynous beauty in a tight uniform, had a flat chest, a round bottom, smooth skin, pink-heart pupils, and a neutral voice. "Which floor would you like?"
"Which floor is the mud cafe?" Adela asked.
"You must be first-timers. At Crystal Fate, both the teahouse and Mud Cafe operate in the same area," the attendant said with a faint, alluring smile, more captivating than Freya herself. "The third floor offers private rooms for single clients or small groups of up to three. You can take your time choosing your preferred mud tea and enjoy the service in fully soundproof rooms. Special requests, like costumes, props, and even bio modifications, can also be accommodated.
"The fourth floor is the casual encounter lounge, with a variety of common scenes like orphanages, classrooms, city halls, offices, streets, forests, libraries, elevators, washrooms, and treatment rooms. Staff wear matching outfits on their left wristbands. Guests can change into costumes to play out the scenes or simply enjoy the service, but the rooms aren't fully soundproof, so guests need to be a little more open.
"The fifth floor is for special fetishes. It's highly advanced, so I won't go into detail and risk ruining your appetite."
The attendant pulled out a sheet of paper, covering most of it so that only the first line was visible. It read, "The lightest service."
Having grown accustomed to seeing all kinds of fetishes on the Curtain, Freya remained composed. Adela, on the other hand, paled on the spot and turned green.
The attendant quickly noticed, then gently kissed Adela on the lips to ease her tension. "Better?"
"Much better," Adela murmured, touching her lips, slightly dazed. "So sweet..."
The attendant smiled and continued, "The sixth floor is staff-only. So, which floor would you like?"
Adela glanced at Freya. After a moment, she said, "Third floor."
"Very well," the attendant pressed the button, giving Adela a lingering wink. "My employee number is 115. I'm currently available for selection, but I'm quite popular. Act fast if you want me."
Even after hundreds of rounds at the casino, Adela had never lost her composure. Yet now, her pretty face flushed red.
She followed Freya to the third floor. Another attendant led them to a private room and handed over a palm-sized Curtain interface for selecting mud tea.
"Any race preferences?"
"Hmm..."
"Clothing? Prisoner outfit? Hunter suit?"
Adela glanced at the unenthusiastic Freya. "You don't seem interested at all. You're embarrassing the Veela race."
"I just... don't feel desire."
The attendant added helpfully, "If you can't decide, I can send a ready performer over first. You might find the perfect match. Any rough preferences?"
Adela nudged Freya with her elbow. "What does that dog of a man of yours look like?"
Freya thought for a moment. "A human male, a head taller than me, in his twenties. Appearance-wise... he's not as good-looking as me. Lazy and laid-back, but his smile is charming, and his profile is handsome."
Adela grinned. "We'll pick based on that description. There can be slight differences."
"Understood. Hemp·Shy·Grass will do its best to meet the guest's preferences."
Soon, ten young, handsome "puppies" lined up in the room. Some were rugged and striking, with white hair and hunter uniforms, like Gerard working a part-time job after hours. Others had flashy, flamboyant appearances. Their eyes sparkled like stars, as if they had stepped straight out of a drama or movie. A few wore wicked, enchanting smiles that tugged at the heart, exuding the very essence of a lover from head to toe.
Even Adela, whose excitement threshold had been pushed to the limit by gambling, felt her heart stir. She grabbed Freya's hand. "I think the second one from the left looks pretty good, and the third is fine too. The two in the middle look almost identical. They are probably a twin-style option. And... Freya, which one do you like? Wait, you're a veela. Surely you would want them all, wouldn't you?"
"I... don't really like any of them."
Adela froze, then waved her hand helplessly. "Next batch."
"Any favorites this time?"
Freya shook her head.
"Next batch. How about the third from the right? He's definitely better than that dog of yours! I'm tempted!"
She shook her head again.
"Next batch."
Ten minutes later, Adela sighed. "Freya, my dear Freya, what on earth do you want?"
Freya looked down thoughtfully, then back up at her. "Adela, I really appreciate how much you care for me, but I'm just not interested... maybe we should—"
"Maybe what?"
"Maybe cash it out."
Adela kicked her lightly. "Go to hell. I'm treating you today. How dare you be so hard to please?"
Freya smiled faintly. "Adela, since you don't come here often, make sure to enjoy yourself. I'll head home and catch up on my show."
"Aren't you part of the Northeast Alliance?"
"Even if it's not my preferred ending, I still want to see it through."
After saying goodbye, Freya returned to the first floor to change and left the glittering palace of indulgence. Outside, she stood amidst the bustling street. The crimson moon loomed over the city, and neon lights painted the urban landscape in vibrant hues. The city remained as devoted to entertainment as ever. The buildings damaged in the 422 incident had been fully repaired, and the commotion over the Blood Moon Tribunal involving Fernandez had long since died down.
The blood moon hung quietly once more. Yet flyers posted on lamp posts calling for fighters hinted that the wheels of history were already beginning to turn.
The distance to her apartment was a bit far. Freya had intended to take a taxi but hesitated, instead renting a nearby bike. She unlocked it with her chip and rode home.
Passing a Meleco convenience store, she stopped to buy snacks and alcohol. At checkout, the clerk said, "Moon Candy brand is on a buy-three-get-one promotion. Members get 50% off. Would you like some to keep at home?"
Freya glanced at the prominently displayed Snow White Moon Candy and shook her head. "No, thanks."
Half an hour later, she returned to her apartment building. Just as she reached the third floor, the familiar scent of Lala Fat reached her. Excited, she quickened her pace, only to see the delivery person handing Lala's order to a neighbor.
She stepped aside to let the delivery pass and let out a quiet sigh. Unlocking her door, she switched on the light and was immediately met by a fierce predator.
"Meow~"
"Little String, I'm back!"
Freya quickly filled its food bowl and cleaned the litter box. Watching the Scottish Fold devour its meal, she gently petted its back. "You feeling okay? Not hurt, right?"
Little String looked at her with mild confusion. "Meow?"
She gave its head a careless ruffle before heading to the shower. Lately, she often felt an urge to dress immediately after bathing. She had resisted the past two days, but today, her mood was particularly low, so she let it happen naturally.
Leaving the bathroom in her underwear, Freya felt her life had changed tremendously. She opened the Curtain and queued the Sorcerers 100% finale. The first thing she saw was the usual 30-second ad. Ten seconds in, a 20-second Heresy Court notice appeared.
[The notorious criminal "Eater of the Dead" Ronna Chios remains at large, possessing combat power ranging between Two-Winged to Three-Winged. Citizens are urged to report any sightings immediately. Dead or Alive: 50 Gold Coins; Information Reward: 5 Silver Coins.]
["Fraudster" Iger Perskin, "Corpse Lover" Archibald Harvey, and "Demonic Saint" Ashe Heath have self-exiled from the Blood Moon Kingdom. Their bounties have been revoked.]
"He's really left the Blood Moon Kingdom..."
Freya slumped over the desk, staring at Sorcerers 100% on the Curtain. A sudden hollowness washed over her, and she found herself growing tired of the happiness that existed only through the screen.
She turned it off and sat there in a daze. After a moment, Little String leapt onto the desk, nudging her head and rubbing against her face as if to say, "Master, I'm worried about you."
Caught off guard, Freya blinked, then rubbed her wet eyes and hugged Little String tightly. Fully recharged, she felt a spark of life return. The nearly suffocated cat wriggled free, retreating to a corner to lick its paws, grateful for the small reprieve.
Freya ignored it. Feeling energized, she opened New Folder and tapped on Used So Many Times I Lost Count!
She thought to herself, Goodbye to the old, hello to the next one. First, let's revive ourselves with something worth watching. Episode one, two, three, four...
After half an hour of scrolling through the entire folder without finding suitable materials, Freya opened her chip and selected Album.
The chip could capture images directly, essentially recording exactly what she saw. But the photos consumed space, and storage was limited, so only the most precious were worth keeping.
Freya had once considered photographing the cult leader. Contrary to his appearance, he remained alert even in sleep. Every time she aimed, Ashe would turn away, and it had happened more than once.
Until one night, Freya's playful side took over. She pounced on Ashe while he slept, pinning him down and seizing the rare chance to snap a close-up of his profile before he could move. She still hadn't achieved her main goal in the night raid, but she had preserved this precious shot of "the most vicious criminal in Caimon in a century."
The room was dark, with only a sliver of blood moonlight spilling through the window onto his slightly panicked, shy face. Looking at the photo, Freya couldn't resist opening a newly bought drink and gulping it down.
Minutes later, some of the alcohol soaked into the chair. She shifted to another soft chair, spilling again on the upholstery, then lay down on the bed, spilling some onto the sheets.
After a few drinks, Freya finally felt tipsy and tired. She wiped the spills with a tissue, satisfied, and closed her eyes.
After some time, Little String jumped onto the bed, nudging her to check if she was alive. Freya opened her eyes, scratched her chin, and looked at the photo on the screen. She sighed helplessly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I've already used you up, but I still want to see you. I think... I really do miss you."