Unsure if it was done deliberately, Jessica found she was left on the eastern side of Mercury City. She had a lot on her mind. What was once, a nerve wrecking walk, was now enjoyable.

The first few times she came, the mana waves of power graded beings caused her to be very uneasy. While it was rare, adventurers became used to the sight after a while. Seeing as once or twice, a high graded being will move through different parts of Mercury City.

Somehow finding it foreign, Jessica was bewildered the first time she saw one such person come to the northwest section to put up a request. Having been explained that, they must have needed to filter through who they wanted for their request.

In normal cities, the populace was fill with too many normal people. For them, a graded being can be a very scary thing. Let alone someone of a high grade. They could kill simply by not controlling their mana, causing a non-graded being to die without a way to fight back.

For that reason, to see higher graded beings that didn’t need to, nor did they try to conceal their mana without a reason. Mercury City was a place filled with freedom that the rest of the world didn’t allow. In exchange, it was chaotic and dangerous.

Moving through the streets, she didn’t dislike it. Having gotten used to it, she found herself enjoying this place. To make things better, even though she didn’t to worry about her dues. Helga paid, allowing them a month free.

To give Jessica more time to think about the proposal, Cassie had postponed her second month. In exchange, Jessica would have to make up for an extra gold each month after. This wasn’t something done at her own discretion. Jessica had agreed to it.

The first thing she did when she returned was go home. While she said that, it strangely had become home. Joe was happy to have her, and she enjoyed his accommodations. For that reason, when she fell asleep. She didn’t wake up for an entire day.

When the next day came, she even woke up late. Not caring how, Joe didn’t appear surprised by her appearance. He had finished his breakfast and was sitting at the counter with a few newspapers.

Pausing what he was reading, he glanced over the paper to speak, “Welcome back. Where is Saleh?”

She had to stop and think about it, they had separated so she wasn’t completely sure, “He will be back later.”

Even though he appeared to be in the know. Jessica spoke less of things she shouldn’t speak. As if understanding, Joe didn’t ask anything else. He returned to reading his newspaper.

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Walking out the door, she glanced up to see the sun. As the morning had passed, the streets were not filled with the same bustling. Moving with the smaller crowd, she found a good place to eat and walked in.

Surprisingly, the place was doing very well. Every table had at least two people. With a quick glance, some of the tables showed that one or two people were with each other. Those that were clearly not together didn’t interact, as if an invisible barrier was put up between them.

Because of the sheer number, they shared the same table. It was possible to see one or two tables being fully occupied, as nobody seemed to be there with anyone else. Seeing this, she almost was about to leave.

Having been spotted a Grade F dressed as a waiter came up to her, “Hi, you’re in luck. While we're very busy, there are a few spots open if you’re okay with sitting with other parties.”

Hesitating for a moment, Jessica couldn’t help but turn back. She didn’t get to ever enjoy time off. With these two months, she was feeling a bit lazy. This was one of the places that didn’t do takeout, therefore if she wanted to eat it had to be here.

Nodding, she was led through a few open paths. Ushering her through a series of complicated twists and turns, she was brought to a table near the back. Currently, there were four people sitting, with a single chair left open.

Nobody was talking, likely implying that no one had come with anyone else. Instead, they were willing to sit with strangers to enjoy a good meal. As if the more busy it was, the louder an advertising it was.

It was hard to deny that if graded beings that didn’t like associating with others they didn’t know. While inside the city, it was not supposed to allow random fighting. Doing so was met with heavy penalties, combined with the already harsh conditions to remain inside the city. There was a semblance of safety.

Just as she was seated, about to open the menu. She felt everyone’s gazes land on her for a moment. Very quickly, half the gazes left. While two remained, glancing up with a furrowed brow, she was met with a bit of surprise.

Looking up, she saw a man and woman. Claire and Jack were seated on the other side of the table. As the three stared at each other, they all kind of smiled awkwardly at each other. Nothing was said as they all turned to look back at the menu.

Taking this time, the other two ignored their strange interaction as they grabbed hold of the waiter to order their own food. Soon, silence returned as the waiter left and the group of strangers kept to themselves.

Having snatched a newspaper Joe was finished with, Jessica began to read after she got an opportunity to order. This allowed her to avoid any more strangeness. It wasn’t as if Claire and Jack had left things badly.

Jessica, didn’t know them well enough to explain. It was clear she had her own troubles. Claire and Jack were attacked by robbers. It just so happened that one of them had a hidden agenda. Therefore, the attack was bound to happen regardless. However, they were uncomfortable traveling with Jessica after.

Finding out someone they were working with had a bounty, it was not surprising. Especially when she didn’t explain what was going on. She didn’t blame them, and they had the right to separate, she would have done the same.

Thus, there was nothing for them to say to each other. Neither of them owed the other.