Almost a week had passed since Helena joined Jinn’s escort group, but she still had not entered a single town.

  There was not much action on the road either. The caravan was large and protected by many adventurers, so most bandits and monsters did not dare attack it. The path they traveled was considered safe. Helena did encounter a few monsters, but they were so weak that they were not worth mentioning.

  Part of the reason Helena never set foot in any town was because the caravan never stopped.

  Whenever supplies were needed, Jinn would send some of his clan members ahead. By the time the main group reached the outskirts of a settlement, those members were already waiting outside with everything prepared. The caravan simply collected the goods and continued on without delay.

  So Helena had very little to do.

  But there were good things as well.

  She was no longer traveling alone. She had people to talk to, people to eat with, and friends who shared her tent. Even though those friends, Laysandra, Clara, and Sasha, looked exhausted every morning, everything overall went smoothly.

  Today, however, was different.

  Today Helena would finally enter a town.

  Rob had explained earlier that he was on a tight schedule, which was why they avoided all previous towns. But there was one place they had to stop, a town two days away from the capital. Rob had business there that could not be avoided.

  Which meant that tonight Helena would not be sleeping in a tent.

  And that was why Laysandra, Clara, and Sasha were extra happy. After so long, they could finally sleep peacefully, without worrying about becoming Helena’s reluctant body pillow.

  ---

  It was early evening when the caravan reached Mistwood Town. It was not a large city, but still big enough to have lively traffic flowing through its gates. A long line of adventurers, traders, and travelers stretched before the entrance. Guards checked identification and allowed people inside one by one.

  Adventurers were returning from quests, talking loudly and covered in dirt and dried blood. Amid the usual clatter of hooves, wheels, and chatter was another sound entirely.

  The rumbling engine of Helena’s chopper.

  Heads turned. People stared. Whispers spread like wildfire.

  "What is that thing?"

  "I have never seen a monster shaped like that."

  "She must be a tamer."

  It was manageable until one man panicked when Helena’s headlight turned on. He pointed and screamed at the top of his lungs.

  "It is about to breathe fire!"

  That one shout was enough to ignite chaos.

  People drew swords, mages raised their staffs, and guards tensed, unsure whether they should intervene.

  Jinn immediately rode forward and motioned for his group to stand between Helena and the crowd. Helena slowed and stopped behind them, lifting her hand slightly to show she meant no harm.

  Jinn glared at the man who screamed.

  "It is not breathing fire, you genius. That is light magic for traveling at night," he said sharply. "And it is not a monster. It is an Iron Horse, something crafted by people. It is not alive, so calm down."

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  A few adventurers blinked, suddenly recognizing him.

  "Isn’t that A-Rank Jinn?"

  "The Beast of the Capital?"

  "It really is him."

  Whispers of admiration replaced the earlier panic.

  Jinn raised his voice. "Everyone, clear the way. We need to enter the town."

  Helena leaned forward slightly. "Thanks, buddy."

  Jinn smiled. "No worries."

  With the crowd settled, they entered through the merchant gate after a brief set of questions. Helena felt many curious gazes, but she ignored them. Her eyes were fixed on the town itself.

  The roads, the buildings, the warm lantern lights, the smell of food cooking...

  She had not seen anything like this for more than a century.

  When she appeared on Earth, cities had already fallen. Survivors wandered like ghosts, their faces hollow, always waiting for the virus to claim them. But here, people laughed, argued, tended shops, cooked meals, and lived honest lives.

  A warm but bittersweet feeling rose in her chest.

  How she wished her family could have seen something like this, a world not drowning in despair.

  The caravan slowed down. Helena pressed her foot on the brake, her chopper sliding slightly before stopping.

  "We are here," Jinn said.

  Helena looked up at the inn ahead, a neat building with warm lights. Jinn motioned toward it.

  "Should we head to the stables first? You will need somewhere for your Iron Horse."

  Helena shook her head. "No need. I will store it in my ring. I have felt too many greedy eyes on it since we arrived."

  Jinn remembered Krome telling him about her storage ring. "Right, that makes sense."

  Helena dismounted, touched the chopper, and stored it in her ring. Several people gasped openly, but Helena paid them no mind.

  The caravan split into two groups because twenty carriages could not fit near one inn. Half went to another inn down the road.

  Helena stretched just as Rob approached.

  He chuckled. "I fear we may have made Miss Helena work too hard."

  Helena shook her head. "Actually, it feels like the opposite. I feel rusty from not doing anything. A large bandit attack would have helped me warm up."

  Rob stiffened. "I would prefer not to experience that."

  He quickly recovered and laughed. "As expected of Miss Helena, always looking for excitement. But we merchants try to avoid all fights. Safety first, even if it means boredom."

  Helena shrugged. "Still boring."

  Rob laughed again. "Sorry. Nothing we can do about that. For now, take a good rest. I have work to attend to."

  He turned. "Laysandra!"

  Laysandra hurried over. "Yes, sir?"

  "Arrange the rooms for everyone. Take someone with you."

  "Understood."

  Helena smiled. "I do not mind sharing a room with you."

  Rob nodded. "That works well. There might not be enough rooms otherwise."

  Laysandra forced a smile. She already knew her peaceful sleep was gone.

  Jinn returned with Jeji, who immediately demanded, "Where is the Iron Horse?"

  Everyone ignored him.

  Laysandra and Sasha headed to the front desk to arrange the rooms. Helena followed them inside. The inn was not luxurious, but it was warm and full of life. Guests talked in the lobby while others ate dinner.

  Laysandra returned. "Let’s go, Helena."

  Helena took one more glance around and followed her.

  Sasha and Clara took the room next to theirs. Helena and Laysandra stepped into their own room. It was small but comfortable.

  Laysandra stretched. "Let’s change into something comfortable. I have been wearing these stiff clothes all day."

  Helena touched her own outfit. She had worn the same tactical crop top and cargo pants for days, cleaning them with her ability but never changing. She had plenty of clothes in her ring.

  She looked at Laysandra. "Does this inn have a bath?"

  "I think so," Laysandra answered. "You have to pay for it, but Mr. Rob told me to cover your expenses, so do not worry."

  Helena smiled. "Thank you."

  Money meant nothing to someone who carried a Philosopher’s Stone inside her chest.

  ---

  Helena and Laysandra reached the women’s bathhouse changing room. Warm steam came through the doorway.

  Helena casually began undressing.

  Laysandra froze and turned toward the door. "I will wait outside while you change."

  Helena lightly caught her wrist. "Where are you going?"

  Laysandra hesitated. "You want to change, right? So I thought I should give you privacy."

  Helena tilted her head. "Why? We are both women."

  "Well… yes, but I was not sure if you minded." Laysandra fidgeted nervously.

  Helena smiled. "I do not mind at all."

  Laysandra hesitated, then nodded. "If you do not mind, I will stay."

  Moments later, both stood in their undergarments. Laysandra’s eyes widened as she looked at Helena.

  "Your body is beautiful. Do you do anything to maintain it? It looks like a piece of art."

  Helena laughed softly. "No. It is natural."

  Her perfect body was the privilege and curse of being a Perfect Human.

  Laysandra was about to speak again when her face stiffened.

  "Oh no."

  Helena blinked. "What is wrong?"

  "I forgot to bring my spare clothes from the carriage." She stared helplessly at her old outfit. "Do I really have to wear these again? What a hassle..."

  Helena chuckled. "No, you do not."

  Laysandra stared. "Why not?"

  Helena grinned. "Because I am here."

  ---

  Later that evening, the inn’s common room was lively with chatter and warmth. People enjoyed dinner, shared rumors, and relaxed after a long day.

  Until two women entered.

  Conversation froze. People stared. A few spoons hovered mid-air.

  Not because they were famous.

  Because they were dressed like nobody else.

  Helena walked in wearing a lavender pajama set with a giant letter H on her shirt, paired with matching crocs. Laysandra wore bright orange pajamas decorated with white radishes and the same style of crocs, though slightly too big for her.

  They looked like they had arrived from another world.

  Laysandra whispered, "Where do you even buy clothes like this?"

  Helena smirked. "Do you not like them?"

  "It is not that. They are just very colorful... and maybe a little childish." She poked her crocs. "And what is this footwear? What is it made of? It does not feel like leather."

  Helena smiled. She could not say they came from another world.

  Among the Awakened on Earth, there had been one who could create clothing as his ability. She had bought many outfits from him, mostly because she enjoyed dressing her daughter.

  The pajamas Laysandra was wearing originally belonged to Hana.

  Laysandra sighed. "If it is a secret, you do not need to tell me."

  She tugged the soft fabric again. "But it is very comfortable."

  Helena gave her a warm, motherly smile.