The building was similarly embedded in the station’s walls, but this, in particular, was several sizes bigger than the other ones I’ve seen before. Additionally, it had plenty of open space in front of it where a crowd was buzzing about.

The entrance’s swirling light show of various colors drew my attention in like a moth to the flame. The crowd was similarly eye-catching. Most of the people I had seen since I came to the future had outstanding looks and clothes, but this place had a different level of ‘outstanding’. Like a competition of weirdness. A man with his hair and beard wrapped around his body instead of clothes, a yellow eyes covered in wires, transparent headed guys in cloaks of rolling smoke and the linbogs… oh god, the linbogs. Either wrapped in bones or gleaming leather strips. They barely covered their unmentionable green parts!

The contrast between this place and the quiet streets were palpable. Even though I was probably one of the most ‘normal’ looking people by my standards in this circus festival, I garnered more attention than I expected. I wasn’t complaining at all. I spent so much money on these clothes I expected some kind of recognition deep inside. Was this feeling the reason people liked to buy clothes? I shouldn’t indulge myself too often otherwise my vanity will skyrocket.

I didn’t plan on mingling around here, so I headed straight towards the entrance.

“Mister, please! Would you mind exchanging a few words?” approached me a yellow-eyed male in a similar getup to the metal scale clothes I had on the first station.

My first instinct was getting rid of him ASAP, but I had to realize that it would have been counterproductive to my purpose. I came out today to have fun and socialize a little.

“What’s up?” I asked back in the end.

“I couldn’t help but notice that you came here by yourself. I was wondering if you would be interested in a hired friend for the night?” he asked with a stiff smile. “I’ll be your best friend for the entire night. I have a few recommendations from satisfied customers if you are interested.”

I had to swallow my reflexive ‘What?’ question. I was sure I heard him right, but it was still hard to accept.

[If you don’t mind spending a little, it could be helpful to have someone guide you through the night,] chimed in Genna.

[Hell no!] I refused without thinking. I wasn’t a crowd favorite or social butterfly, but I would be damned to pay someone to be my friend. There was a line that I wasn’t willing to cross here.

“Thanks for the offer, but I have to refuse,” I answered.

“No problem! If you change your mind, you can find me at the entrance usually if I’m free. Have a great night!” he said with a small nod.

With a sigh, I turned back to head inside but…

“Excuse me!” came another voice from the side.

I nearly groaned from frustration as I turned towards the voice but GOD DAMN!!! I was willing to bet my eyes popped out from their sockets like a certain wolf’s from an old cartoon. Two shining globes of beacon were radiating right into my face. Steam filled my head, and my eyes transfixed on the two objects in front of me in awe. Oh, dear Universe, I repented all my sins right there and then. How could I thank it for these blessings? Was I worthy enough to lay my eyes upon such-

“Hello?” she asked while bending her legs a little so she can try to look into the spots where my eyes were supposed to be behind my helmet. She even waved a little in front of her chest.

“Oh, yes! What?” I asked after snapping out of my trance. I tried looking up at her face but the struggle to keep my eyes up there was immense. Those shapes, the size, the form, the little strip of cloth that covered them… Instincts begone!

“How come someone like you is all alone?” she giggled with a coy smile, but the resulting jiggle in other areas of her body distressed me greatly. If I had pressure valves, they would scream with steam rushing out.

Something confident! Something confident! “I couldn’t find anybody worthy so far to come along,” I said finally.

I actually managed to say something that wasn’t garbage. Great job me!

“Is that so? If you find what you see acceptable we might come to an agreement for my company this lovely evening,” she laughed sweetly.

The magic of the moment slipped away just like that. It was silly of me to think this was a genuine approach. Of course, it had to be something like this. Her looks were otherworldly, and I have to admit I seriously considered her offer. In the end, I didn’t accept it; I wasn’t that desperate.

“Maybe another time,” I told her.

There was no change in her expression, she just replied, “If you are sure.”

I wish she didn’t turn around when she walked away. It was a traumatic experience. When I saw her other side, I felt the urge to puke blood like a moronic wuxia character. The perfect shape and size of her… My heart bled that day.

I shook my head and took a few deep breaths to calm my blood. I noticed a few more people inching closer to me, and before another bombshell cast her web around me, I darted off towards the entrance with hurried steps.

At the entrance, I saw one of those distorted spaces in a red dress talking with a few people before they headed inside. I could faintly see a humanoid form under the dress but other than that her body was a twisting mass of distortion. Reminded me of the videos in the news where they distorted certain parts. I assumed she was a female since the dress, but it could have been a male as far as I knew. As I got closer, I saw her head turn in my direction. The small dark spot in the middle of the distortion that was her head made it kind of obvious. I could also see how she looked me through from top to bottom and how her gaze lingered on my shoes for a fraction of a second longer.

“Welcome to Spectrum Reality, Sir! If you wish to enter, please touch this metal plate,” said an androgynous voice. Fun fact about her voice: I had no idea where it came from. My ears couldn’t pinpoint the origin of the sound. It was coming from everywhere around her, not just her head.

I touched the plate without a word, and I was already thinking about a couple of question to ask Genna about this race, but she had other things to say.

“Is this your first time here?”

“Yes. Did I do something wrong?” I asked with a frown.

“Oh, no! I’m sorry for my inappropriate phrasing. Our regular guests of your caliber usually use the VIP entrance to avoid inconvenient encounters like you had to endure on your way here,” she said while turning towards the crowd. “If you wish, I could give you the necessary information so you could enter Spectrum Reality most comfortably next time,” she continued and held up one of her hands towards me.

[You can touch her. She just wants to transfer some information,] Genna said.

Her hand felt dry and scratchy, like a wall. Even though I couldn’t make out anything because of the distortions, I could feel her hand, and it wasn’t nice. After the info transfer, she wished me a great night, and I went in.

The thumping music blasted into my ears and body as soon as I passed through a dark barrier at the entrance. I was on a balcony with a few people mingling about around me, but on the lower floor, the stacked crowd was dancing to the music in a strange rhythmic symmetry. There was a strict order in their movements even though the whole thing was a chaotic mess of movements. I would have even called it quite artistic if it weren’t for the few mushroom people flailing around their tentacles senselessly… Those things were disturbing in every way possible.

The whole place was covered in bright lights and colors swimming around on the walls the floor and even in the air.

On a few elevated places, professional male and female dancers of various races were moving around to the beat in extravagant clothes. The linbog female, in particular, caught my attention. She was doing athletic movements on the thick column of her podium rather than dancing. Every time she flashed her perfect set of pointy teeth the small linbog crowd around her started wooing, snarling and clapping in excitement. They were strange little creatures for sure.

“Isn’t the music a bit loud?” I asked Genna with a frown but following my question a small screen popped up in front of me.

[You can adjust the volume or change music if you wish,] she commented.

I played around with the screen a bit but no matter how far up or how low I set the volume the other people around me didn’t even twitch. I tried switching music too, but there was still no response from the others. [Is this only for me?]

[Yes, you adjust them to yourself only.]

[But how can I switch the music? How can those people dance to the same beat if they can change the music they hear?] I asked while pointing down.

[The music can vary on personal level while the rhythm and beat change together for everyone.]

[I see. The most important question is how can I get a drink here?] I asked while looking around for a bar.

[Say it out loud.]

“What? Drink?”

[Yes.]

“How may I be of service?” said someone from behind.

A human guy was standing behind me in a black uniform. That was a fast response. Did he pop out of the air?

“I’d like a drink please,” I said.

The guy clapped his hands together and a big screen popped up on his left palm. “Please take your time.”

The drink list was quite extensive, and I had no idea what was what. Since this was a rare occasion for me, I decided to be ballsy and went for a drink that promised special effects. There was no description of these ‘special effects, ’ but I would drink it slowly in case it worked better on me than expected. Kal’s sex drink was enough for a lifetime. The drink’s name was Vermillion TT. When I tapped the screen for the drink the guy closed it up, took out a metal rod from his belt laid it out on his palm and it unfolded into a circular plate. I had seen this before. The guy who bought off the Piece of Shit from me had one of these too.

My hunch was proven right because a bright red drink appeared in a tall tube a second later on the plate.

“Here you go! Anything else I can help you with?” he asked.

I took the drink and thanked him. It smelled sour but pleasant. After my helmet’s mouth plate slipped up, I took a sip, and it was delicious. A bit too sweet for my taste, though. I didn’t feel anything strange, so I took a few more sips.

I walked around a bit and decided to lean onto the railing on the balcony to watch the people below. I’ve never been a dancer myself but some of the people down there were downright hysterical. Especially those mushroom folks. Nothing was right with them. What was with that offbeat flailing? Disturbing…

As I was taking another sip of my drink, I noticed that the movements and the lights became slower and they started to pop out more somehow. Hard to describe the exact sensation.

[Is this stuff strong?] I asked while looking at the drink.

[No, but don’t drink it too fast. It might have strange effects on you. Better be safe.]

I agreed with her and started nodding to the beat.

At one point without me noticing a girl came up to the railing next to me. She was only a few steps away wearing huge shoulder pads and mean looking boots. The sides of her head were shaven, and the rest was a short mess of raven black. Shorty after a guy in transparent plastic clothes swaggered up to her. Thankfully he had underwear on…

“Don’t get mad at me. I’m just being honest with you,” said the guy with a small laugh as he leisurely leaned onto the railing in a twisted posture.

“I appreciate honesty, but when you hear the fifth smartass trying to lecture you about it I can’t help getting ‘mad’,” she replied with raised tone.

“Come on Larinth! Maralain beat you fair and square, don’t be a sore loser.”

The girl drew in a sharp breath and stepped closer to the guy. “I know Maralain’s clone’s BEs, all three! None of them are for speed, yet he moved nothing like a Resonar!” she snarled.

“Hey! I’m not the one at fault here,” the guy said while backing away from her. “You’ll get him next time, I’m sure.”

She stared the guy down for a long time before letting go of her tension with a loud sigh. “I don’t want to beat him. I’m just mad I’m not better. I wanted to join the Semwick Games this cycle,” she said without looking at him.

“The what?” the guy asked as he stood up straight.

“You heard me right.”

“You’re kidding me,” he said with a smile.

“No, I’m not!” she responded while looking back at him with a straight face.

“WAHAHAHAA!!!!” the guy suddenly burst out laughing. “Hey everyone!” he called out to the surrounding people loudly. “Larinth wants to join the Semwick Games! AHAHAHAHAAAA!”

I looked around, and few people nearby started smiling and talking while looking at the girl. These people must have known each other.

“I’m serious!”

“Come on Larinth! Just because you lost once, you don’t have to lose your mind over it,” he said as he swaggered away still chuckling.

The girl sniffed aggressively while looking at the snickering people around her. Her sight ended up on me since I was beside her, still leaning against the railing. She looked me up and down with a disdaining look and asked sharply, “And what are you looking at?!”

I was staring at her without a doubt. It was obvious even with the helmet on. My head felt strange from the drink. The lights and the music were slowing down, and the colors were far more vivid than before. It might have been the reason why the question didn’t catch me off guard.

“I’m looking at you. Is there a problem with that?” I asked.

She clicked her mouth and continued while turning her body towards me, “Want to make fun of me too like that ass?”

“Why would I make fun of you?”

“Because I want to join the Semwick Games?” she said while running her hand through her hair. “I shouldn’t have told anybody...” she turned away and mumbled.

“I have no idea what the Semwick Games are… I couldn’t laugh even if I wanted to,” I told her honestly.

“Are you trying to take me for a fool?” she turned back and asked.

“At first impression, I wouldn’t say you look like a typical fool, no.”

“What’s your angle then? There’s nobody in the world who doesn’t know about it,” she said with a frown.

“I’m out of this world you know,” I said with an honest laugh.

“You seriously don’t know about the Semwick Games?”

“I swear!” I said as I made a cross over my heart. “I wouldn’t mind learning about it, though,” I told her as I stood up and put one of my hands into my jacket pocket. “If you are willing?”

Her frown deepened before asking, “But you surely know about the Clone Games, right?”

“Nope,” I chuckled.

She stood there still for a few moments, trying to stare holes into me but in the end, she came closer and said, “Where in the Darkness were you living up until now? If you don’t even know about the Clone Games you are missing out on something HUGE!” she explained and then shouted, “Seats and one more round of drinks!”

Following her order, two comfy looking armchairs grew out of the ground with a small table in between. I could also see the previous drink guy approaching us from the corner of my eye.

“We have a lot to talk about then,” she said with a half smile. “I’m Larinth! C ranked Clone Fighter!”

“I’m Rabunde! Amateur Time Traveler.”