Neptune woke with a start, and immediately she felt immense pain on her right arm. It felt ridiculously sore, and her eyes felt like they had stared at the sun for an impressive longevity. She groaned as she sat up, ignoring the searing pain from her body.

How long has she been out? Neptune squinted her eyes, now that she was finally conscious and probably quite functional, she was lying down on her own bed at the guild. She quirked her eyebrows, how did she get here? The last she remembered she was fighting that really big dogoo and-

Her eyes widened, Gira. She swiveled her head left and right to see if the girl was there, but of course no one was. Panic was slowly eating her when the door opened. Purple eyes instantly find the door, revealing a very relieved looking IF.

"Geez, you're finally awake. I'll go get Compa-"

"Wait-" Neptune placed a hand to her throat, it hurts. "Right, uhm, water." IF walked to the bed side table and poured Neptune a cup, to which the purple haired character chugged down, quenching her undying thirst. She demanded another cup full, IF obliged.

Once Neptune had have her fill, she waited for IF to come back with Compa, which didn't take long.

"Nep-nep! You're awake!" Compa shouted, making Neptune wince at the volume. The peach haired girl took notice and clamped her mouth shout, whispering an apology.

"What happened?" Neptune asked, as she let Compa examined her while IF walked closer to the bed and placed a hand on the purple haired girl's head. "Well, you almost died."

"What...?"

"Yeah, you see, Gira, one of lady Vert's trainee mage, brought you here. You were unconscious and she was almost at her limit, both of you were trudging along the forest in that state. Fortunately, I was on the way back from the quest I was doing." The coated girl sighed in relief. Neptune winced when Compa applied a pressure on a sore spot on her head.

"You know, Nep-nep, you were asleep for two days straight that I had almost alerted Lady Vert of your condition, but Grandpa said it was just exhaustion so I held back." Purple eyes widened.

"T-Two days?!" Both her friends nodded. "That's...That's a long time napping." IF nodded. "Yeah it was-" She smiled in relief. "But I'm glad you're okay."

Neptune gave her a shocked look, she felt warm. This feeling, it was what she felt when she was with her mother in the other world. She misses her. Neptune nodded at IF.

"Me too..."


Neptune yawned, stretching her sore back and groaning in satisfaction. It had been a couple of hours since IF and Compa's visit, and now she lay restless on her bed. She sighed in boredom.

Compa told her to rest as she had somehow strained her right arm, hence the inexplicable pain she was going through. The purple haired girl, of course, complained, saying that she needed to check on Gira and head straight to the smith-

Neptune's eyes widened, groaning in pain when she suddenly sat up. Seems like her abdominal muscle also suffered the consequences. She grumbled, placing a hand on her stomach, as she rests her back on the bed rest.

'Stupid author, making me go through this pain.'

The heart, she remembered now. The ooze dropped an item, and then Gira took it. She furrowed her eyebrows, where could Gira put the heart? Did she steal it? She wouldn't do that...right?

Neptune sighed, then she looked at her hands. They were slightly shaking, she must've been real exhausted to still be shaking after those two day nap. Come to think of it, she had asked IF if it was normal to see status, wondering if it was only her. But of course, IF told her it was normal, which somehow made her less special. Well, it's not like it's something amazing.

Anyways, Neptune asked her how to activate it. Back in the forest, she had somehow activated it without saying any words, which was somehow strange since there is a way on activating it.

Neptune narrowed her eyes. IF told her to focus, well imagine your status in front of you, and just simply say-

"Status."

Just as IF say, the purple haired girl's status popped appeared in the infinite space.

NEPTUNE

Level: 6

Class: ?

Race: ?

Skills: Appraisal lvl 5 (passive), Quick Step lvl 5 (passive), Quick Evade lvl 4 (passive), Pin point lvl 1 (active), Cross Combination (active), Corrosive resistance+, Fatigue resistance+, Storage, PRIDE lvl 1 (active/passive)

AG: 16 STR: 20 INT: 12 DEX: 22 DEF: 15 LUK: 6 MP: 4

Neptune looks at her status, bewildered. Looking at her status now and comparing it from back then, did it somehow doubled considerably? Dang, those were a lot of skills, well, not really, but she has really come a long way to obtain those skills, huh?

She looks through her skills and saw a new skill called 'Storage.' Neptune tilted her head to the side and then it hits her, is it one of those skills where she could like take and place things out of space?

She wondered, so she decided to try.

But how?

Neptune blinked twice, doing what IF told her to dismiss her status. Once her status disappeared, she held out her left hand, as her right hand was currently unavailable, and tried to summon something, anything...does she even have an item in her-

A sword appeared out of nowhere, Kyro's. It came out as particles, once it materialized completely, she grasp the handle, her arm giving out for a moment but managed to regained her hold on the sword. There in her left hand, was a sword, a broad sword to be more precise. It's blade glimmering from the light coming from the candle in her bed side table, it's handle wrapped in leather clothing, making her grip on the sword firm.

Amazement was etched on Neptune's face. So the sword she used, that was Kyro's, was actually a loot? You could loot other players? Well, it's not like they are players, per se, but why did a sword appeared?

Was she thinking about weapons? Perhaps the sword she was looking forward in buying?

Forget about swords, she has another problem. How does she put it back? Does she just say 'storage?' or does she just imagine it being placed in her inventory?

Neptune wondered and decided to try the first choice.

"Storage." She stated, as she waits for something to happen...nothing. Her eyebrows furrowed, well that was silly. Neptune tried once again, but this time imagining the item being stored away...Still nothing.

"What a pain in the butt, how would I even-" Accidentally loosing her grip on the sword, it went out of her grasp, sending it falling on the floor, but it didn't. As soon as the weapon was out of Neptune's hand, it disintegrated.

"Oh." Neptune said, dazed. "So that's how."

"Neptune, you up?" IF called out as she entered the room, purple eyes immediately shifting their gaze towards the coated individual. "Good, Compa wanted me to tell you that dinner'll be ready, could you get up on your own?"

"Yeah, just give me second." Neptune said, removing herself away from the bed rest, instantly regretting her decision. Incredible pain shoot through her stomach making her groan in pain, IF walked towards her, helped her out of the bed, righted Neptune's body.

"Thanks."

"It's nothing."

The two walked out of the room, with Neptune lagging behind the other girl, using IF's shoulder as support. Once they were nearing the mess hall, which was supposed to be brimming with the chatters of adventurers, they only heard two people conversing.

IF and Neptune thought it was Compa and her Grandpa, but they shook away the thought. They could hear Compa's high pitched voice, but the other sounded like a woman, a really mature one with a calm voice. They heard them giggle at something, causing IF and Neptune to look at each other.

Curiosity got the better of the green eyed girl and decided to go open the door.

"-prised that you came and visit, Lady Vert." IF froze by the door as soon as she opened it, while Neptune looks at her friend's expression and shifted her gaze in front of her.

Sitting on another chair across Compa, was a woman wearing an elegant green dress with a combination of white. She had blonde hair, green eyes, pointed ears and a bust that easily surpasses their peach haired friend.

"Ah! Nep-nep!" Compa called out and walked towards the purple haired character. "Hey Compa, I thought dinner's ready- hnk!" Neptune was winded, rubbing the spot IF had elbowed. She glared at the coated girl, when she saw her bowing her head.

"Lady Vert, it's a pleasure to be in your presence." IF said, bowing her head to the woman called 'Vert.' "IF, no need to bow, we're all friends here." The woman smiled, then her eyes strayed towards Neptune, who was grumbling. 'Vert' frowned for a brief second before changing it into a smile when IF asked her a question.

"Whoa, you're the person in charge!" Neptune shouts, as she pointed at Vert, to which IF immediately swatted away.

"Forgive my friend for her rude behavior-" Neptune huffed. "What brings you here, Lady Vert?"

"I'm here to check on my apprentices, I heard they were in some kind of trouble?" Compa nodded. "Yes, Gira is in one of our rooms resting. She was awake just a few minutes until you arrived." Vert sighed in relief.

"I see, and Kyro?" IF and Compa looked at each other, then back to the blue eyed woman. "Lady Vert, only Gira's here, there were no signs of Kyro anywhere when I found my friend and Gira." The woman stared at IF for a minute, before she released a shaky sigh. Vert took a couple of deep breaths and looks at Neptune.

"And you, what were you doing with Gira?" Neptune frowned. "I was...helping her. Actually, I've met Kyro before the...incident." Vert narrowed her eyes. "Tell me what happened." She commanded.

Three pair of eyes settled on Neptune, they waited for her to start, when finally the purple haired girl nodded. She grab hold of IF's right shoulder and seated to where Compa was previously sitting.

"I-alright, I'll tell you everything." Neptune reluctantly said.

She told them everything. Their expression showed sheer shock, but Vert stayed completely silent but her hardened eyes and clenched jaw tells Neptune everything she needed to know. Of course, knowing that someone under your wing died is a quite a heavy burden. Neptune bit her lip, feeling sympathetic towards the Lady.

"-Gira was badly injured at that time so I decided to try and save her. End of story."

There was a pregnant pause, but then Vert blinked. She, Neptune, tried to save them but only managed to save Gira, which was a big thing. She managed to save them when Vert can't or wasn't around. She furrowed her eyebrows, but still, Kyro's...gone.

She clenched her fists, but unclenched them almost immediately. Her blue eyes fixated on the mysterious purple haired girl. She knows everyone in the kingdom of Leanbox, as a ruler should, but never has she once seen a person with purple hair and eyes. What's even more strange was that despite her not knowing this strange person, Neptune was somehow familiar.

Vert's eyebrows furrowed, who in the world is this girl? From a hundred years ago perhaps?

"I thank you...uhm..."

"Neptune.

"I thank you, Naptune for saving Gira, if it weren't for your heroic acts, she wouldn't be alive right now." Vert nodded to herself as she stated her sentence. She stood up and placed a hand on her chest.

"Neptune, I, Vert of the kingdom of Leanbox, is in your debt." Neptune, IF and Compa was shocked to hear Vert, a ruler of the kingdom, say those words. Well, in Neptune's part, she was completely elated. Who wouldn't? A ruler was saying that she's in her debt. How great is that? She could actually ask for anything...

But she didn't save Gira for that cause, heck, she didn't even know that Gira and Kyro were Vert's trainee.

"Lady Vert you shouldn't-!" IF sentence was cut off when she saw the blue eyed woman put a hand towards her. "Hush now, IF, as much as I don't like any of this to happen, I'm willing to step aside my pride for my comrades."

"Lady Vert..." The coated girl uttered but nodded in understanding. Vert smiled at her and returned her gaze towards Neptune, who was scratching the back of her head. Not meeting her gaze.

"You know you really don't have to do that, it's not like I'm after your money and-" Neptune said and now faced the Lady. Her eyes widening, finally noticing something very, very interesting.

"Holy smokes! You're an elf!" Neptune suddenly blurted out, her purple pools shimmering in amazement as she takes a good look on Vert. Blue eyes blinked in shock and confusion.

"E-Eh?"

"Your ears! I just noticed just now and IF, seriously? For someone who claims they have a crush on someone, you sure do have to leave the important detail!" The purple eyed girl shouted, while IF stammered.

"T-That's not- wait why is knowing Lady Vert an elf an important detail?!"

"IF, of course it's an important detail! Do you have any idea how great elves are?! Not only are they good with bow and arrows they tend to have great magical affinity. Not only that! They also have a really really long life span that could reach up to thousands of years! Plus aren't their ears just really cute? I mean it's no cuter than those of beastmen, but you gotta appreciate their ears."

The trio stared at Neptune as she finished rambling with wide eyes.

"W-Where have you learn of this?" Vert asked, scared. Well, she's flattered that Neptune would think elf ears are cute, but to know knowledge about how long the elven life span, is just quite frightening.

"Huh? Isn't it common knowledge?"

"C-common knowledge?" The lady asked, growing more scared. Who really is this strange girl?

"Nep-nep, you sure do know a lot..." Compa said, eyes still widened. Neptune could only tilt her head in confusion, why were they acting like she has said something strange? Her stomach grumbled, faint red hue dusted her cheeks as she felt three pair of eyes staring at her.

"Sorry, I'm quite hungry." Neptune said, her peach haired friend suddenly remembering something she had nearly forgot. "Oh! The dinner! Hang on Nep-Nep, I'll prepare everything so you hang tight." Compa said in a hurry as she bolted in the kitchen.

Silence had once again befall, and the purple haired girl's awkward clearing of her throat caught the other two's attention.

Anyways, Vert... you had dinner yet?" IF gave the purple haired girl a look, scolding her on calling Lady Vert just 'Vert.'

The woman, on the other hand, was a bit shock at how casual someone, who she had just met, calling her name without any formalities. She admit she had thought 'Who does this girl think she is?' but of course, there was another route that lead to her shaking her head in negation to Neptune's question.

"See? Even Vert's okay with it, calm down Iffy." The purple haired girl groaned, then turned her attention towards the Lady in the room. "I know you've probably tasted Compa's cooking, but humor me into just getting along with my act." Neptune winked, while Vert could only tilt her head in confusion.

Who really is this Neptune?