Staring at the murals on the temple walls, Balthazar reminisced about centuries ago. The mural depicted a tall female figure although others probably could not tell now since the mural was discolored and the wall was decayed. But he knew who it was. She will be remembered as someone who shaped the world today but people have now forgotten what she was like. Those who do were very few now.

"Lord Balthazar," called Eili, "breakfast is ready."

Balthazar took one last look at the mural and proceeded to the large room where the wide hallway led to. The large room, unlike the rest of the old temple, was cleaner and fully furnished like that of a living room but some parts of it were converted into a bedroom separate by a curtain and a small kitchen. And at the kitchen, his elf companion, Eili, was setting up the table.

Eili was at least more than 70 years old but had the appearance and behavior of someone in her mid-teens. Her nicely combed and flowing silver hair fell to her waist, accompanied by her slender figure, flawless skin and large, innocent eyes marked her as an example of the unnatural beauty of her race.

They sat down and Eili started eating while Balthazar looked at his dish. Every time he looked at food set before him to eat he could almost laugh; he has no need for food to live, just to satisfy the rumbling in his stomach, nothing more. But even so he ate.

Throughout breakfast they didn't talk to each other, concentrated on the plate before them. But it was only after when Eili, washing the plates, said suddenly, "It sure is quiet without them around."

Balthazar looked at her. He knew what she meant. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were much noisier back when he was training the CPU Candidates.

"When do you think they will awaken?" asked Eili.

"I'm not for sure. We will just have to wait and see," answered Balthazar.

"Do you think they will ever find those CPU Memory Cards that can awaken their processor units within them?"

Balthazar thought about the items the CPU Candidates need to be full-fledged CPUs like their two predecessors before them. But while he knew about the location of where the candidates were to be born but for the memory cards he had no idea. The only thing he could say to Eili was, "They will, have faith. Even in death I'm sure there are still some ways the True Goddess can guide them to the cards."

"I see," Eili finished cleaning the plates and wiped her hands with a towel, "But I am curious as to what they are doing right now, how is life for them?"

"They can take care of themselves. And if they are in any danger, what we taught them can protect them."

"But not for everything."

Eili was right. Balthazar had always anticipated dangers that the candidates won't be able to handle. But still, they had to be sent out to experience the world in all its beauty and all its dangers. It was also the best way for them to find the cards. He can't come along with them. He believed it was better off they went on their own.

"I really hope for them to be safe before finding the memory cards and becoming CPUs. Despite their training, the duels and the monsters, they had yet to fight the greater powers out in the world. Who knows if they were to come across such power?"

"You're correct. But we can only hope for the best."

Eili grumbled which was too low for Balthazar to hear. She was getting tired of 'hoping' for the candidates. Every time she thought about them she sometimes couldn't help but feel worried for their safety. What made her feel worst is that she and Balthazar won't be there to save them if their lives are ever in peril. She wanted to speak out her concerns but it would be useless. Right now, she wanted to say something to make her feel less worried, "So what do you think of them during the years we trained them?"

"What I think about them?" Balthazar was surprised by her sudden question.

"You know, what they are made of and the sorts."

"Depends on which candidates you're talking about."

"Well, how about the last few you trained? Neptune, Nepgear, Plutia, Nereus and Uni."

"They…"Balthazar paused, trying to think of the words to say, "They were fine students. Youthful, naive, impulsive, innocent, cocky, which is expected but has potential. Great potential."

"And Vergil? We hadn't seen or heard from him for five years now."

Vergil. The CPU Candidate he found and trained at the far south of Gamindustry, "It is not best to rule him out yet. He has mettle and will make a fine leader."

"You sound calm about them."

"Because I believe that they will awaken. Ban and his sisters did."

Eili nodded. Ban and the twins; she missed the twins. It was fun back when they stayed together. Even with Ram's pranks, they will always have something to laugh about and she stilled remember the adorable and shy Rom with her timid and innocent personality.

"I wonder how they are. If I remember right, they are all just monster hunting and completing quests for people."

"Yes. But at least it prevents them from becoming rusty."

"With your teachings I don't think they will at any time."

Balthazar smiled; they were truly great pupils, the best he could hope for. But it doesn't mean that they are without flaws. They struggled and moved forward. Mastering weapon arts that he taught them; some specifically for one or the other. He taught them how to wield several types of weapons but at the final phase of their training, he made sure they learned to fully master their preferred weapons; Ban with his hammer, Vergil with his spear, the swords for Nereus, Nepgear and Neptune, the rifle for Uni, a plushy for Plutia, the staff for Rom and Ram. But it was not just the weapons in hand; they adapted quickly with the lessons in magic taught to them by Eili, with Plutia and the twins at the top and the poorest magic user of them was Neptune. He wasn't entirely a flop with magic though; he could still beat some of the weaker magicians in the world. But even so, it was clear magic isn't his preferred study. But in place of magic, he made use of his inherent ability of summoning energy blades.

"They are talented. The CPU Candidates," Balthazar turned to look at Eili, "When I trained them, Nereus, Ban and Vergil were dedicated and achieve all expectations I have for them. But they were still flawed in other ways that could affect their combat capabilities. Nepgear, you knew her for the first few months; she lacks self-confidence and I did what I could to help her break it."

"But she did improve."

"Yes but there's still a small part of that doubt that plagued her. Other than Nepgear, Uni had always tried her best. She struggled but always tried to improve. Rom and Ram; they're just little girls but has as much potential as their brother. You should know since they spent more time with you to hone their magic capabilities. As for Plutia, she is a good girl and will become a great magic user on the level of Lady Isis and Lady Hecate. Lastly, Neptune is superb with the blade. His swordsmanship might as well surpass all the other candidates. It compensates for his poor magic abilities.

"Ok," Eili looked at the clock hanging on the wall, "Looks like I have to go."

"To the nearby community?"

Eili nodded, "The fridge will be empty soon. I need to buy some groceries that's all."

"Alright."

"Do you need me to buy anything for you?"

"No, I don't need anything."

Eili crossed her arms, "I think you should go outside more Lord Balthazar."

"Do I?"

"Yes you do. You're always coup up in this temple. That's the only thing you do when you don't have any CPUs to train."

Balthazar let her words swim in his head and then realized she was right, "It would seem that you're right."

Eili scowled and furrowed her brows, "Really? You just realized that?"

"My apologies."

"Well then, maybe I should bring you along with me. I was thinking after buying food I want to go to that pond in the woods."

"You mean where the Ents live and the people from the community will visit every month?"

"Yeah. Tonight there will be a party there which is something the elves, halflings and fairies plan almost every month and any of the other races can attend."

Balthazar thought about it. It had been a very long time since he last tried to socialize. Even more than a hundred years ago, he occasionally attended any form of social activities, preferring to stay in the barracks or training halls.

"So? You considered?"

Balthazar shook his head, "No Eili. You can go on your own."

"Aww, don't be like that," Eili looked him in the eyes, "Pretty please."

Balthazar twitched, because gone was the serious expression and in its place Eili used the puppy eyes. Though this isn't for the first time. Looking straight at him with those eyes, the thousands of years that hardened him melted away. The puppy eyes were truly deadly weapons. He sighed, "Very well, I'll go."

"Yay!" Eili thrown her hands up like she achieved a tremendous victory.

"Honestly Eili, you always demand me for things and order me around as if you're my superior."

"Maybe in a way, I am. You may be the one who took me under your wings and ask me to train the Candidates in magic and that makes you my master but don't forget that I am the one who took care of you all the time for the past 50 years."

Balthazar sighed again; he can't deny that.

"You don't have to worry about someone recognizing you. I mean you're…well, you know."

Balthazar knew what she meant. The people of Gamindustry thought he was dead long ago. And if any saw him up close, they most likely won't recognize him. Back then, he had the appearance of a young man who had lived through thousands of years. But his body finally aged, slowly though. Now he had the appearance of an old, wizened man.

"Alright, better get ready," Eili said before she went off to her room.

"All right everyone, we're approaching the city soon," said Arata Akiyama, the woman in charge of the moving party that was currently transporting the residents of the village to their new home in Zeca city.

There were some cheers and hoots from several of the villagers in the bus and among them was Neptune. Sitting next to him was Plutia, who was close to drifting off to sleep and next to her was Nepgear who was sitting by the window. One seat behind them sat Nereus and Uni.

Their bus along with two others were moving along the road which was ancient, built long ago before the Great Tari Crash. Surrounding were three jeeps filled with guards and behind them were three large moving vans. Miles ahead of them, the silhouette of the city was visible and was growing larger as the buses continued on.

Nepgear looked out at the city and then heard a soft and slightly audible tremble, "Hey, do any of you hear that?"

"Hear what?" asked Neptune.

"Yes, I can hear it," said Nereus.

"Huh? What do you hear, Nepgear…?" Plutia said in a sleepy tone.

"I think it sounds like…footsteps," Nepgear answered.

"Hey yeah. Now I can hear it," said Neptune. He leaned out of his seat, narrowed his eyes and peered through the front windows. After a few seconds he exclaimed at what he saw ahead of the caravan, "Holy mac and pudding, those are giants!"

And he was right. All the people in the bus saw the giants up ahead. The giants; two of them, a female, who had the appearance of a young adult and a male who was a mid-teen in giant years and could be the female's younger brother. They were walking beside the road and when the caravan walked past them, the young male giant waved at them. Some of the humans in the jeep, the moving van and buses waved back.

"I wonder where are a pair of giants are going," said Uni.

"I think they might had been to Zeca city and are just going home," said Nereus.

"I wonder how many other races are there in the city." said Nepgear.

"Most likely a lot. You remember the town and communities that old man Balthazar had us visit? There were a lot of different races living together. He said it is how life is in cities, towns and communities. Unlike the village," said Neptune.

"Yes I remember. It will be nice to be in a city again. I can't wait to visit the stores with all the fancy gadgets and technology," Nepgear said excitedly with her eyes sparkling.

"I thought as much, little sis. For me, I wonder what kind of restaurants and the type of food they have."

"Why do you suddenly thought about the food there?" asked Nereus.

"I'm not for sure… it just came to mind and it got my stomach rumbling. That's all. But enough with me, what about you? Got something in the city that interests you?"

"Not much. But I think we need to ask for the way to the Guild when we get there. We would need work if we were to make a living in the city."

"Oh right, the Guild. I wonder if we will get some fat cash working at a place like that especially since it's in a big city."

"There will mostly be a lot of quest for us to do in the Guild. But yet again, there might also be a lot of people working there like we do. I hope there won't be a rough competition," Nepgear pointed out.

"Competition huh? Well then, if there is one then I guess we will just have to show them our mettle. Team Nep for the win!" said Neptune while pumped a fist up.

"Wait?" Nereus looked at Neptune with questioning look, "When do we even have a team name? And if we are using that name, you can leave me out of it."

"Gah! That was harsh dude. I thought that was a pretty slick name."

"With you using your name in it, I say you are just being egotistical."

"Hey look! We're coming up close to the city," said Uni.

Everyone looked at the city which was just half a mile ahead now. Even from their distance, they could see tall buildings and counted two skyscrapers. They also see up ahead, some kind of wall made out of blue light. Someone in the bus asked Arata Akiyama, "Um Miss, what is that light up ahead?"

"That you see there is a force field. It is the protective wall that guards the city from danger. Mainly from monsters," answered the browned-hair agent.

"How is it made? Magic?" asked a young female individual.

Arata shook her head, "No, it's constructed entirely by technology."

Nepgear looked at the force field with her eyes sparkling again, "Wow, a force field. I really like to know what it's made. I can't believe they don't know what a force field is."

"You can't blame them for not knowing. Some of these people grew up in a village and barely learn or heard of the more advance life from the outside world," said Nereus.

"I'm sorry. It's just that…wow," Nepgear continued to stare at the force field. Her brother looked at excited and unbelievably happy expression. Neptune had to smile; his sister can be cute and funny when it comes to technology.

At last the buses reached the force field. When they got close, the force field in front of the caravan disappeared and they continued on towards the outskirts of the city. They saw that behind the force field there was a building where people stood and looked as if they were guarding the force field, judging by their uniforms and the guns and various melee weapons each individual had sheathed.

As the caravan continued on towards the city all they saw were trees that formed the woods. But there were trees lining the besides either end of the road they were taking could tell anyone that they were planted by hand. Everyone in the buses could see ahead, the city. All of them looked at the buildings that were tall, large, and finely made with bricks, concrete and steel. Then the woods disappeared into flatlands bordering the side of the city they were on. The five friends looked at the flat, grassy lands which was partly disturbed by what looks like a construction going on. They saw houses were being built while a few seemed to be completed. It all indicates that they were building suburban areas for more people to live.

"Well folks," Arata spoke out loud for everyone in the bus to hear, "Welcome to Zeca City."

Many of the villagers cheered.

Now they had reached the city itself and the caravan were moving on the streets along with a few other vehicles. The sidewalk lining the streets were crowed with pedestrians. The air was filled with a hundred different sounds and noises that the villagers never experienced nor heard back at their village. They all took a look at the life that was going on in the city. People walking either with a calm pace or were hurrying to get somewhere quick. They saw many different shops, stores, cafes, restaurants and a few malls on their way to their destination.

Their destination was a group of five stories apartments that were going to be where they stay. The growing government of the city were the ones who sponsored them their new homes, and lives, in these apartments. The buses and moving vans stopped in front of the flats while the jeeps continued their way down a road. The villagers huddled out of the buses and gathered at the pavement in front of one of the flats.

"Welcome everyone to your new home. Here, these flats which were recently built are for all of you. Especially this is," Arata gestured to the flat I front of them, "This is flat has been cleaned and prepared for your arrival. Your rooms shall be decided with the numbers on these paper slips," Arata motioned towards her one of her associates who held up a glass bowl filled with paper slips. Arata continued, "Don't worry about which house you end up with. They are similar and with only the slightest differences. And also don't worry about your furniture and personal belongings, we will help move them up to your designated houses. And finally, one last thing. We are aware that many of you are unfamiliar with this kind of lifestyle so that is why we have a temporary assistance drone ready in each of your rooms to help you get ease into your new lives. They are programmed to help answer any questions about domestic life that you have and can help give instructions if you need it. So that's all and once again I wish to welcome you all to Zeca City and enjoy your new lives in this fast developing city."

Arata's associate held out the glass bowl as everyone took a single paper slip. Three white vans arrived, carrying men consist of humans, dwarves, changelings and a few elves. They were the moving team that will assist to bring the furniture up to the former villagers' new home. Neptune and his friends got their slip of paper and look at the numbers written.

"Apartment 11. Just a floor up if I'm right," said Nereus.

"We got apartment 14. Looks we're living close to each other," said Nepgear.

"Alrighty then, Nepgear and Plutia you go check the new house. I'll go find our stuffs," instructed Neptune.

"You go and check on our new house too Uni," asked Nereus.

"Ok," replied Uni.

"I can't wait to see what our new home will be like," said Plutia excitedly in her usual speaking pattern.

They were about to go their separate ways when Arata called out, "Excuse me, can you five wait for a moment?" The agent walked towards them, pulled out a notepad from her pockets and flipped through the pages. When she found what she was looking she asked, "Are you all, Neptune, Nereus, Nepgear, Uni and Plutia?"

"Yes. What is it Miss Akiyama?" asked Nereus.

"Are you all thinking of applying for the Guild?"

"Yes we are. Why?"

"Well as you know that the Guild are aware of who you five are. Your achievements and success as so called 'monster hunters' has caught the attention of the head of the Guild. So he had already sign you all up as guild members."

"Wait, we are guild members now?" Neptune asked.

"Yes. So I had been requested by the head to bring you all to the Guild after you finished moving."

"That's pretty convenient," said Uni, "We were going to go there anyway."

"Ok then. I will wait until you finished," Arata said. She smiled politely before walking away.

"Man, sure had been a while since I last walked past this many people," said Neptune. He and the others were following Arata as they make their way through the bustling streets of Zeca City. From their new apartments, they had walked for almost half an hour now before they reached a huge park. And opposite the park was a large, marble building.

"Welcome to the Guild," said Arata. She led them across the road, down paved lane and up the steps to the front glass doors. The glass door slid open when they approached and they entered a huge room where there were many people walking around, chatting in groups or were crowding around a series of notice boards with sheets of paper hanging on them. There was also clerks standing behind counters with monitors and were attending to some of the people in the room with another counter opposite them.

"And this," Arata spread her hands, "is the Guild. As you can see here there are many people, the guild members, who come here to undertake quest." She walked towards one of the counters and the female clerk sitting behind it noticed her, "I'm here by the request of the Guild's head, Mr. Dash. I'm Arata Akiyama." she asked politely.

"Ok, let's see," the clerk checked the few notes written down on notepad papers sticking to the counter and found what she was looking for, "Ah, yes. Miss Akiyama. I called him right away," the clerk picked up a receiver, press a number and said something into it before putting in down and said, "Mr. Dash will be here in a minute, please wait here."

"Thank you," Arata nodded with a polite smile before turning to the group, "Okay, he will be here soon."

As she said that, they heard someone exclaimed in disgust. They looked at the counter behind them and saw one of the people managing it took out a pair of rubber gloves, put them on, and picked a large, slimy tentacle. From his expression, they could tell it wasn't disgusting appearance-wise, it was the awful, pungent smell coming off of it.

"That looks like the tentacle of a zeugl," said Uni.

"Eew…zeugls are so icky and disgusting…" said Plutia. Everyone agree. Zeugls are monsters that have tentacles and one huge gaping mouth with rows of teeth. They usually reside in places that are very filthy. As evidence by the person who placed the tentacle on the counter, he was covered in dirt and mud with people covering their nose when they walked pass him.

"Yep, I'll be glad to not get close to one of those," said a man. They looked at his direction and saw a man in his mid-50s with both his hair and beard graying and was wearing a formal outfit.

"Hello, Mr. Dash," greeted Arata.

The head of the Guild greeted her back, "Hello to you too, Miss Akiyama." He then greeted the five friends and shook their hands in a friendly manner, "So, you all are the ones I heard about. The monster slayers from the rural areas. There aren't many outside the city. There are only a few and even fewer that the Guild would sent request to instead of relying on our own guild members. Oh wait, where are my manners? I haven't told you my name. My name is Jake Dash."

"Hello Mr. Dash…so you were the one who gave us all those quest?" asked Plutia.

"Yes. I say I am impress with all your progression. Young people like you have brilliant expertise in such a dangerous occupation. Although you five aren't the first teenagers daring all these quests. There are a lot more youngsters having this job than you would think."

"So it's because of our expertise that automatically landed us a job as guild members. Well it still wouldn't be too hard for us," said Neptune confidently.

"Still, don't let that confidence get over your head," said Nereus.

Jake Dash clapped his hands together to get their attention, "Okay, now the introduction is done. Let me show you around the Guild."

"Then it looks like it's time for me to go. Farewell," said Arata before heading for the glass doors.

"Now, I'm sure you five see those notice boards there," Jake pointed at the noticed boards, "There is where we post the quests," he walked towards the boards with the group following, "As you all know by now that every quest is scaled from a rank of F to S. The boards here have F to A rank quests."

Nereus looked at the papers pinned to the boards. Each boards had LED lamps bearing the different ranks of the quests, "So what about the S-rank quests?"

"Those are over there," the Guild head pointed at the adjacent wall where a separate board which had the words 'S-rank' flashing in LED lamps above the board, "The S-rank quests, as you know, gives the most amount of credits. But with that large credit earning comes great danger, well, you know how S-rank quest are."

There were only a few guild members standing near the board and looking over the eight quest papers pinned to it. They read the titles written in large letters that tells them what the quest was about. Neptune pointed to one of them, "This one says that a chort has been causing a lot of trouble for some villages and settlements.

"Hmm, the chort must had been powerful to be considered an S-rank," said Nepgear.

"Indeed. I still remember the last person who took this quest. He failed and lost an arm."

"He lost his entire arm? But he managed to return?" Nepgear looked at the old man with eyes filled with surprise.

Jake nodded, "Yes he did. That man was a vampire."

"Well that explains it how he survived," said Neptune.

"But still, for a vampire to lose to a chort, that would mean it must be one old and mean buck. I could imagine the hind muscles on that beast," said Nereus and the other agreed. Chorts, big four-legged monsters with faces that have goat-like features and ram horns.

"Well, he isn't one of those vampires gifted with unique abilities. He only had his superhuman strength and speed to fight with."

"So what happened to him?" asked Nepgear.

Jake shrugged, "I'm not for sure what happened to him. But he never returned."

"Either he quit or he decided to sleep for a few years. Vampires usually do that," said Uni.

"Hmm…This says that a Nemean Lion had ate a lot of people and caused trouble for some villages," said Plutia, tapping her finger on another piece of paper.

"Whoa, a Nemean Lion. That's a rare one. We can get our wallets stuffed fat with its skin," said Neptune.

"Only if you could cut through it. The Nemean Lion's skin is impenetrable," said Jake.

"Only to weapons that have sharp blades and bullets," said Nereus, "The best way to kill is one; magic. The skin is like thick body armor to magic and can be penetrated with a powerful attack. The second way to kill the lion is with sheer brute force. Bash it with a hammer or a club with great strength and it can die from internal bleeding, shattered bones, or skull, and damaged organs, all the while keeping the skin safe and undamaged."

"Impressive. You know your monsters very well. Where did you five learn all of this? Did whoever taught you all bestiary also trained you?"

In sync, all five of them nodded, "Well then, he or she who taught you all this must be a very skilled and knowledgeable person. Who is this man? Or woman?"

"He's a man. An old man who can pretty much passed off as a grandfather. His name is Balthazar," answered Neptune.

"Balthazar…An interesting name," Jake said. He tried to continue but the ringing of his hand phone stopped him. He dug out his phone, flipped the cover and answered whoever was calling him, "Yes? Ok, I will be right there in a few short minutes," he ended his call and put his phone back in his pockets, "Blasted, it seems I got some urgent business to attend to. I'll have to speed run this. So you all see that door at the back there?" he pointed to a wooden door at the far back, "That door leads into a corridor where if you go straight on and take a left, you can see a training hall. We got all the equipment guild workers need to train and practice. And if you turn right, you give see a large room. That room is an armory of sorts. That is where if anyone wants their equipment fixed or simple need a new weapon. The blacksmith there even has magically enhancements. The counters you see there at the front is where you register a quest you want to take and where you receive your pay upon completion. And finally, opposite the counters where the 'Quest item deposit and Evidence disposal'. That is where, when you finished an item fencing quest, you will deposit the items the quest asked you to get and the guild will hand them over to the people who posted the quest. That counter is also where they will dispose of the evidence you collected as proof you killed the monster."

"Wait we need evidence?" asked Nepgear.

The head of the guild nodded, "Yes. There are three types of evidence you can give; one, though not a physical evidence, it still works. If the monster that was supposed to be slayed hasn't been sighted for a long while, it is proof of the quest undertakers' words that they killed the monster. Second, is photographic evidence and the third is the parts of the monster the undertakers killed. It can be anything from a limb to the head."

"That's one disgusting chore," said Uni.

"Yes, it usually isn't everyone's favorite form of proof but it is better than waiting for month or when you don't have a camera on you. But that's it. Good luck to you all and welcome to the guild. You five can start now if you wish. Farewell," he gave one final nod before walking briskly away.

"So…," Neptune spoke after the Guild head left, "Here we are, now officially Guild members."

"Yes we are. So are we gonna try and take on any of these quest…?" said Plutia.

"No, I think we should save it for later. Tomorrow maybe. We ought to settle in our new homes today," said Nepgear.

Nereus agreed, "Nepgear's right. We have a lot of unpacking to do."

"All right," Neptune said as they headed for the entrance, "If we manage to finish by evening, I say we should go out into town and find somewhere to eat. I think we should try a steamboat restaurant. Oh man, would love me some boiled shrimps."

"Oh, that does sound delicious Neppy."

"I guess we could try steamboat. Right Nereus?" Uni asked her brother.

"It does sound good. We'll go. If we finished by this evening of course."

When they reached the sliding doors they had to pass through a bunch of people entering the Guild. Nepgear fell behind the others as she tried to walk pass them. When she managed to exit the doors she bump into something.

"Ouch!" That something hit her at the side and fell on the ground. She saw that it was a guitar case that belonged to a young man with rusty brown red hair who was close to her age. Both of them said almost at the same time,

"Oh I'm sorry."

"Sorry about that."

"Here let me…" Nepgear reached down for the guitar case. Her hand touched the handle just as she felt the warm sensation of another hand. It turns out that they both reached for the guitar case handle at the same time although Nepgear got to it first. But this touch wasn't some minor contact though. Their hands were literally in full contact with another, with the young man's on top of hers. Nepgear's heart skipped a beat when she realized her situation and looked at the young man who also looked back. Their gaze held for a split second, but for Nepgear it felt like longer. Finally, they drew back their hands although Nepgear did so more immediately, in a more panicked way.

"Um…," Nepgear didn't know to say. She felt her cheeks turning red.

"Miss, your cheeks are getting kind of red, is there anything wrong?" said the young man.

Nepgear squeaked like an embarrassed, innocent anime girl. She half-jumped and half-straighten herself while shaking her head. The young man didn't know why she did that but he couldn't help but smile at her reaction. He thought it was actually cute. He picked up his guitar case and said to Nepgear, "Again, I'm sorry for bumping into you."

"Oh, no, no. I wasn't looking where I was going," said Nepgear as she calmed down a bit. She could still feel herself blushing.

"Hey Nepgear, you're alright there?" She heard her brother calling from a few feet away.

"Yes, I'm fine. I will be there in a second."

"Ok. But who's that guy you're talking with?"

"I-It's no one," Nepgear turned to the young man again, "S-so, um…I'll just go. Again sorry," she took a few pace towards the steps.

"Yeah, I'm sorry also," said the young man with a very friendly smile, "Bye then."

"Yeah, bye," Nepgear said before turning around and putting a foot in front of her. That foot found the edge of the second last step. Nepgear, surprised, slipped, "Whoa, Nepgear!" she heard her brother shouted. Nepgear felt her body weight shifted as she started falling. It happened for just half a second, her view was the marble steps that she was about to hit and would had continue to roll down. But then she felt herself being pulled back. A hand grasp hers and pulled her back safely. She found her footing again along with that warmth sensation again.

"Whoa there, you really need to watch where you're stepping," said the young man, "You would had hurt your head or broke a bone falling down these steps."

Nepgear looked at the young man, standing at least a head taller than her, and saw that he was giving her a soft grin, "So do be careful next time."

Nepgear nodded and returned his grin, "Thank you for saving me there."

"No problem. But could you let go of my hand?"

Once again, Nepgear's heart skipped a beat when she realized, twice already, they were holding hands. No. it was more like grasping each other's hands. Plus, they were standing close to each other. She quickly pulled her hand back and took a step back.

"Hey, sis," Neptune called from the base of the steps, "Man, that was close. You almost fell."

"I'm okay. He saved me," said Nepgear, gesturing to the young man.

"Hey, thanks for saving my little sis there. I ought to own you one."

The young man held up a hand, "No need for that. I'm just glad that I prevented an accident or else Nepgear here could end up in the hospital."

"Yes. Again, thank you Mister," Nepgear said before bowing to show her gratitude.

The young man raised an eyebrow, "Mister? Nay, no need to call me that. I know your name now but I haven't introduce myself yet. That's bad manners, if I'm correct," he held out a hand, "Greetings Nepgear, My name is Falcom."

Nepgear shook his hand, "It's nice to meet you Falcom."

"So, I have to go now. Got some work to do and money to earn."

"Oh, so you work here in the Guild too?"

"No, I'm just a regular here, doing quest to earn some cash that's all. What about you?"

"I'm a guild member here. My brother, friends and I just became one today."

"So you and your brother and friends knows how to handle monsters huh? I have met many people who do before."

"Yes, we do. So you're a warrior yourself?" Falcom nodded, "Well ok. I don't want to waste any more of your time."

"Goodbye Nepgear."

"Bye."

Nepgear walked down the steps and Falcom entered the Guild. When she reached the bottom, Neptune said, "Looks like you made a new friend."

"Well, I guess."

The siblings caught up with the others waiting at the sidewalks. Nereus asked, "What was that just now. We saw you almost fell down the steps."

"It's nothing. It was just a bit of an accident that's all," Nepgear answered.

"Really? Why does the accident involve you looking embarrassed around that guy?" Uni asked while crossing her arms.

"What?! You all saw that from here?"

"We didn't actually hear anything except when you screamed like you were embarrassed or something."

"We can also see that you do looked kind of embarrassed back there…" said Plutia, "I could had sworn you looked red…"

"N-no! I-I was…um…" Nepgear couldn't find the words to explain, even if she could she was too embarrassed to tell them how she felt back there with Falcom and her holding hands. To her, it was like something out of a romance story. She can feel her face was beginning to redden.

"Whoa sis, your face is becoming red again. Does it have something to do with that guy? Falcom was it?" asked Neptune.

"N-no, it wasn't."

"Well, if it does then it better not be some relationship you two are having because you are still too young for that."

"W-w-what?! What makes you said that Neptune? We just met!"

"Yeah I know that. But still if it comes down to you having a relationship with a boy then sorry but you're too young to be dating. Your big bro has spoken."

"But I don't…I'm not interested in that kind of stuff. Like I said, Falcom and I just met. So he is more of a friendly acquaintance."

"Alright then, but I'm watching."

"Geez, you two," Nereus said, "Come on, let's just go home already." and from there they started retracing their way back home.

So I guess I did manage post a chapter after all. I want to admit that I am getting tire of writting this story but that won't mean I would give it up yet. I really want to end this one and move on the sequel/reboot. But even so I appreciate the reviews and follows and favourites this story got, so thank you readers out there.

And also, about Falcom, if any of you wonder why I would want to gender bend her well...I'm not really for sure. It just came to me and I thought one of the Makers should be gender bended. But don't worry she is the last one. No more gender bending, the rest of the characters that appeared in the franchises remains the same.

And lastly, check up my new story that I posted alongside this one. It is set in the Hyperdimension and if I use a timeline it should start after HDN VII like all other new stories being posted.