As they stepped outside, Emilia walked ahead and pointed forward into the distance. She took a deep breath before exclaiming enthusiastically:
"Our destination will be the town's main market, where the spirit of our town is best reflected—all in one place."
After Ace nodded to her, she began walking in front of him, her steps lively like a child who knows every corner of her hometown and wants to proudly show off all its wonders. He followed her quietly, his eyes scanning the road they were taking—a street lined with shops and homes, not bustling with noise but wrapped in a comforting calm.
However, as they advanced, sounds began to rise in the distance—not chaotic, but a harmonious blend of calls and shouts, growing denser bit by bit until they reached a wide street that housed the grand market. The moment they stepped in, they were enveloped by the roar of life. Shops stood side by side—some small and modest, others with large glass fronts displaying a wide variety of goods.
Along the sidewalks, numerous tables were neatly arranged, leaving enough space for pedestrians to walk comfortably. The sounds were like a storm—not disordered, but a balanced symphony of voices. The market spoke its own language. Vendors called out their wares in different dialects—some raised their voices with confidence, while others whispered enticingly to attract buyers. Bargaining voices rose here and there, followed by scattered laughs or irritated objections from customers unhappy with the offers or prices. All of this blended with the sounds of carts passing by, their wheels squeaking and adding a distinct tone to the market's melody.
The people's clothing was simple in design, practical enough for ease of movement among the crowd. Ace found himself comparing their outfits to the refined designs he had seen in the small boutique earlier. The contrast was stark—most wore plain robes or humble clothes. Yet, what struck him more than this disparity was not the clothing, but the faces—features so well-proportioned that beauty seemed to be the norm rather than the exception.
Amid the usual human appearances, something different caught his eye—something he wasn't accustomed to seeing on his own planet. He noticed individuals with distinctly animalistic traits, far more prominent than those he had seen in the queue earlier. They moved seamlessly among the crowd, as if their presence were entirely ordinary and unremarkable.
With a quick assessment, he realized they were a small minority compared to the humans around. He tried to appear natural as he observed them, controlling his facial expressions while examining their features, avoiding direct, intrusive stares. These individuals had clearly visible animal ears, short fluffy tails, and longer ones that fluttered with every step. Some had prominent noses or bodies covered in soft fur, while others had more complete coats of hair. Some embraced these traits fully, while others bore only subtle differences.
As he looked around, a young girl drew his attention. At first glance, she appeared entirely human, but she had long ears resembling a rabbit's that twitched constantly atop her head, picking up even the faintest sounds. She was speaking with a large man who had fully embraced his animal form—his body covered in thick black fur, with twisted horns protruding from his head, resembling a bull. Ace also noticed another man, more elegant in appearance, dressed in a black suit. He had a bushy tail that swayed with each step, as if choreographed with his movements. His face was sharply defined, with narrow eyes and furry pointed ears that added to his striking look.
The more he observed, the more astonished he became. Those ears that perked up at the slightest sound, the tails dancing fluidly in the air, the eyes glowing with strange hues, the fur coating parts of their bodies—these features weren't accessories. They seemed like genuine extensions of their beings, as if they were living bridges between human and animal in a bizarre harmony. Their movements weren't artificial—they carried an effortless authenticity that couldn't be imitated. A shiver ran down Ais's spine—not out of discomfort, but from a blend of awe and thrill.
He wondered if the town had a culture encouraging its people to imitate animals. But if that were the case, how had they reached such an extraordinary level of realism? Their appearance wasn't mere mimicry or costume. They truly were non-human individuals. Encountering beings unlike ordinary humans wasn't new to him, but he had never seen so many gathered in one place, mingling freely with humans as if part of one unified society.
There was no fear, no anxiety—only coexistence. A strange but cohesive mix where differences faded in the rhythm of daily life. He thought, perhaps on another planet, the boundaries between humans and other beings were not of great significance.
He turned to Emilia, who had been silently observing him, enjoying the expressions of awe and wonder on his face. Unable to suppress his curiosity, he asked in a quiet voice, laced with a subtle plea for an answer:
"Who are they? Why do they look like that?"
In his eyes, the girl saw no disgust or revulsion—only a pure gaze filled with a hunger for understanding. That moved her to reply in a cheerful tone:
"I suppose this is your first time seeing some of the demi-humans."
Ais's eyes widened, as if he had received an incomprehensible piece of information. He tilted his head and repeated in surprise:
"Demi-humans?!"
Emilia studied his face again, as if giving him time to process what she had said, then continued in her calm voice:
"Yes! As the name suggests, they are individuals who possess traits of both humans and animals. They have human minds, but their bodies carry features of other creatures—either in appearance or in instinct."
She paused for a moment, her eyes shimmering with a faint sadness before continuing in a softer tone:
"Unfortunately, they are not always accepted in human societies. They're often treated as outsiders, as if they belong to neither world. Humans fear them, and animals don't fully accept them. They constantly live in a gray area, with no true home to call their own."
A heavy silence settled between them, thick with unspoken truths, but it didn't last long. Emilia stepped forward a few paces, then turned around playfully, lifting her arms as if to embrace the whole world. She spoke with a radiant look, tinged with pride:
"But here in the town of Shilda, we're different! Diversity is our strength. No one is treated as an outsider here—as long as they respect the rules and live peacefully. In this town, demi-humans are not oppressed. Our laws protect them and grant them full rights."
Following her words, the look of astonishment on Ais's face faded, replaced by a spark of admiration and wonder. His eyes lit up with a new gleam, as if he had just discovered a part of the world he hadn't known existed. Emilia noticed that glimmer—not just born of curiosity, but of genuine fascination. After all, those around him bore a blend of human and animal traits in a way that defied the sciences he had studied—something that eluded logic, like a fantasy come to life.
They continued walking through the market, and Ace soon noticed something else that piqued his interest—the carts. It wasn't their shape that surprised him, as they were made from the same familiar wood and designs. What stunned him were the creatures pulling them. Some were familiar—horses with long manes, donkeys with short statures—but others were like nothing he had ever seen.
Some were covered in thick fur, walking on four heavy limbs, their steps causing subtle tremors beneath his feet. Others had solid bodies covered in tough skin, moving smoothly despite the chaos. The most curious ones resembled giant lizards, their scaly skin shimmering under the light in vibrant colors. Their wide eyes moved independently, each scanning a different angle simultaneously. Some walked on four legs, dragging their thick tails behind them, while others stood upright on two strong limbs, their small front arms folded against their chests as if guarding an unseen treasure.
As they walked further, a group of people appeared ahead, distinct in appearance. They moved through the crowd in eye-catching outfits—some wore long, flowing cloaks, while others donned shiny metal armor, gleaming as if warning anyone to keep their distance. Their weapons were equally intriguing: swords of various sizes hung from belts, spears rested on shoulders, and daggers were barely visible. Those with bows had colorful feathers adorning their backs, like deadly ornaments that hid the promise of death beneath their beauty.
Their behavior was different—bold, indifferent. Some sat in cafés, laughing loudly and sharing jokes, unconcerned with the stares around them. Others roamed the shops, eyes scanning for something specific.
Despite their varied appearances, one thing united them—gleaming pendants hanging from their necks, each with its own shine, some silver, others bronze. When Ace asked Emilia about them, the bright cheer that had filled her face vanished, as if a cold breeze from the past had extinguished the light in her eyes, leaving behind a shadow of sorrow.
Ace sensed he may have asked the wrong question. The air around them grew heavy and uncomfortable. He wanted to say something to ease the moment, but words failed him. Emilia noticed his unease. She took a deep breath as if trying to push away the storm in her chest, gathered herself, and returned to composure—though not her usual one. A pale smile appeared on her lips, laced with both sadness and bitterness, and she said in a quiet voice:
"They're adventurers."
Her answer was simple, concise, yet it carried a dense ambiguity for Ais, who felt a slight relief, but also sensed that much remained unsaid. Emilia kept her eyes locked on his, perhaps telling him silently that he had received all the answer he deserved. Still, he looked like he was waiting for more.
She realized he might not have fully understood, or perhaps wasn't convinced. Her face reflected a mix of surprise and curiosity. She tilted her head, eyes widening as she asked softly:
"Mr. Ais, you've heard of adventurers before, haven't you?"
Ace blinked several times before answering:
"No, this is the first time I've heard of them."
A moment of silence passed between them. Then, a small smile appeared on Emilia's face, carrying a touch of gentle sarcasm—not to insult, but to tease a companion unfamiliar with the obvious. She raised an eyebrow and gave him a sly sideways glance before saying in a playful tone:
"Mr. Ais, from the way you look, I thought you were someone quite knowledgeable. How have you never heard of adventurers?"
He hesitated for a moment, then let out a short laugh, a mix of embarrassment and relief. He shook his head and replied honestly:
"Where I come from, people like them don't exist."
The smile faded from Emilia's face, though not entirely. It became a calm, reflective expression. She exhaled slowly, then raised her hand, pointing a finger like a little teacher explaining something new. She spoke with a confident tone:
"Well then, let me add something to your knowledge about our land. Adventurers are simply people who have chosen—or been forced—to make adventure their profession. They take on task requests submitted by others in exchange for a fee. They're not tied to any one place. They travel from city to city, country to country. Some enter the profession for wealth, others for something much greater—fame and glory."
She paused there, perhaps allowing her words to settle in the young man's mind—or maybe because the memories stirred within her were pulling her elsewhere. She lowered her head slightly before adding in a quieter voice, tinged with nostalgia and sorrow:
"And then there are the few… who become adventurers simply because they want to feel free, because they want to explore the unknown."
She fell silent then. It wasn't a barrier—it was an open path, full of unasked questions. Then she lifted her head, her eyes regaining a bit of their shine as she added:
"Simply put, the path of the adventurer offers many things—challenge, fame, and fortune."
After her explanation, Ace looked at her thoughtfully, then said casually:
"So, adventurers are freelancers."
She tilted her head, then let out a small groan before replying:
"Not exactly." She paused, then continued:
"The work of adventurers isn't as unregulated as some might think. True, they often work alone or in small groups, but there are specific guilds that oversee their affairs and organize their missions. Every city has at least one adventurer's guild, where they can receive assignments."
She paused again, then pointed firmly as she added:
"Many people mistakenly believe that guilds exist to protect adventurers. That's not the case. If one fails a mission or faces deadly danger, there's little the guild can do—other than record the incident in official logs. That's why it's considered a risky profession, especially when things spiral out of control."
As she spoke, her voice took on a serious tone, conveying an undeniable truth. Ace listened quietly. He didn't speak, but he felt his understanding of the profession sharpening. He hadn't expected a young girl to possess such extensive knowledge, and he admired her informative and precise way of explaining things.
Afterward, they continued their walk. During this time, Ace glanced at the signs hanging above the shops. The letters were written in a script different from the one he was used to. Although the spoken language was familiar, it was only natural to him that even if people spoke the same language, the written form might not look the same.