After Neptune had finished buying some of the essentials that Nepgear might need, they had decided to get back to the tavern. The whole time the older purple haired character had spent trying to get the kid beside her something, the younger purple haired girl would often glance at her and shook her head and repeat the words.

"I don't need anything, master, just use me whatever you like."

Neptune's eyebrow twitched at her words and scolded the little girl on saying such things, which only makes Nepgear tilt her head but stayed quiet. Finally arriving back the tavern/guild house, Compa had immediately greeted them from the counter whilst wiping some glasses. IF, who was also present in the room, greeted as soon as her eyes landed to them. Seated on a nearby chair the green eyed adventurer cleaned her blades, a soup steaming hot in the table and some oil and dirty cloth lying just beside the soup bowl.

"Iffy! I told you no weapons on the table!" Compa scolded her friend as she saw that there was a hunting knife lying by the table. Wincing, IF shoot her an apologetic smile and removed the weapon on the table.

"We're back, what's cooking?" Neptune asked her peach haired friend, the smaller girl hid behind her still cautious. "Steamed leanbox vegetables, fried cokridol, mashed potatoes, oh and booze." At the mention of food, the older purple haired character's stomach grumbled, causing Compa to giggle lightly and ushered for them to sit down and told them that she would get them food.

Neptune looked at the girl behind her and placed a hand on her head, causing the kid to look up with her dull purple eyes. The two settled themselves besides IF who took notice of their presence and stopped cleaning.

"Well ain't that cute of you?" The green eyed adventurer said as she noticed Nepgear's attire, who shrink in her seat, trying to make herself disappear. IF shifted her gaze from Nepgear to Neptune. "She's like your mini-you."

"Yeah, you weren't the first one." The purple haired girl said with a nod. "Seems like you bought her stuff, that's good. How's the back?" IF asked, as Neptune flexed her shoulder and winced lightly. It was still sore, but it was at least bearable. Her joints had also healed now thanks to Vert, and the bruise on her face had almost faded.

"Still sore, but overall, I'm fully fine."

"How convenient, didn't take you as a fast healer. Some people I know, who was in a similar state, couldn't even leave their bed, much less work." IF said in slight amazement. "Well you're talking to the great Neptune. And Neptunes are all fast healers."

"...right." IF said with a sigh and went back to cleaning her equipment. A gentle silence began and only the sound of the other adventurers and their boisterous laughter, the smell of strong but somewhat fragrant alcohol surround the inside of the tavern/ guild house. What really piqued Neptune's interest, was Compa's pops drunkenly laughing with other huge men, taking large sips of alcohol ever so often.

"Oh gosh! Don't you look cute!" Neptune looked to her left and saw Compa carrying two trays of food, while looking adoringly at the younger purple haired girl, who shifted closer to her master. "Did your big sis bought you those clothes?" Nepgear looked at her master who only smiled at her and nodded. The kid nodded slightly at the peach haired girl and opened her mouth to speak.

"...Master...did..." The child said in words. "Well isn't that nice, it really suits you. You really look like your master." Compa said with a smile, when she saw a something spark in those dull purple eyes of the girl for just a second. No matter how the peach haired girl despise the fact that the little girl was addressing Neptune as her 'master,' she didn't dwell on it. Since the child was probably been told to always address whoever bought them as master, and be their mere pet, she decide to leave the child alone.

"I'm really confused right now, this is literally the first time I saw your grandpa here."Neptune said as she looks at the older man behind Compa, still drinking away with his buddies. The peach haired girl looked behind her and chuckled. "Yeap, he's apparently banned from the usual place, so here he is."

"I still don't get why he drinks elsewhere when he literally owns a tavern himself." Compa shook her head.

"It's fine, me neither. I'm guessing you're both really hungry?"

"You have no idea." Neptune said as she eyed the trays on Compa's hands.

"Here you go, Nep-nep, Neptune junior!" Compa said with a large smile on her face as she placed two bowls of steaming hot soup, a portion of steamed vegetables, that fried cokridol, basically an oversized monster chicken, that looked deliciously juicy and mashed potatoes. The peach haired girl then excused herself when a couple of adventurers came in and are now standing by the front desk.

Looking at the plate made the purple haired girl's stomach grumbled one more time. She wasted no time digging into the food, groaning in delight as she bit into the Cokridol meat. Taking the soup bowl, she took a careful sip and groaned once again in delight. Neptune dug her spoon on the mashed potato and was about to put it in her mouth, but stopped once she noticed Nepgear has yet to eat and only stare at her, waiting for her signal.

Like a trained dog.

Neptune sighed, and shook her head. "Nepgear, you really don't need my signal to eat."

Nepgear tilted her head in confusion. "...They told me to always wait for master, and a mere slave eating without master's signal is a punishable act." The older of the two felt her hand clench. Damn slave traders.

"Well, I'm not your master and you should understand that."

"But-"

"Nepgear, just eat your food until your belly is fully satisfied, okay?"

The slave closed her mouth and nodded, reluctantly reaching for the spoon and scooped a nibble of the mashed potato.

...

It was another day in Leanbox. Neptune and Nepgear had started off early, catching a small but hearty breakfast consisting of hot chocolait, two slices of bread and the leftover soup from the night before. Compa had also woken up early, as she was the one who served them their food, before heading out with her pops to gather some crates in the market area, leaving the tavern to one of their attendant. IF was nowhere to be seen, the peach haired girl had told Neptune that she took another quest and had been long gone since dawn, making the purple haired character wince in the information.

Neptune stood in front the quest board looking for a job that would actually make really good money. There are easy jobs that make small money like the job she took yesterday, looking for a missing person also looked quite easy with a decent amount of 1,000 credits, assisting a doctor also makes the same money as looking for a missing person. All those quests are all good and all, but they're boring...Well looking for a missing person is probably not boring, in fact it's really concerning that someone is missing.

The purple haired character took the information about the missing person, it says here that he had brown eyes, a scar on his left cheek and was seen last wearing a green tunic. He was last seen five days ago near the power plant, not too long ago since Neptune arrived in this world. A reward of 1,500 credits was written below. It seems doable and interesting, she folds the paper and placed it inside the pocket of her hoodie.

Purple eyes shifted back to the quest board and looked for more jobs, her eyes widening when she saw a reward of 15,000 credits for a subjugation mission. She read the information and saw that it was about a distorted goo disturbance, 3 were seen on a nearby village and was terrorizing the people living in that area. Meaning 5,000 credits each kill.

It looks like a really good quest, the problem was Neptune's still kind of traumatized from when she was nearly killed by one of those things. It's really hard to pass up the quest too, thinking in a different light, someone had probably decided to get the quest anyways. A more skilled individual who's used to those type of thing.

The purple haired girl looked behind her where she told Nepgear to sit and wait in their table and saw the little girl looking at her with her dull eyes. Neptune shifted her gaze back to the quest and took it. She's just gonna read it again, she won't do it. She'll probably find someone to take the quest on the way.

Walking towards the direction of the power plant would take them thirty minutes in total. Nepgear followed her master like a shadow, never lagging in her step and stopping if her master stopped. Neptune looking behind her ever so often before eventually stopping and beckoned for the girl to walk beside her, to which the little girl didn't question.

"Are you feeling alright?" Neptune asked the girl beside her, who looked up to meet her master's gaze and tilted her head. "...I'm feeling fine, master, thank you for asking." Was her reply, causing the older of the two to frown at how Nepgear address her, but she shook her head and continued walking.

Arriving the power plant, they were greeted by the sight of a rusted building. Vines crawling from the walls, rust covering every inch and corner, molds combining with rust, and the creaking sound it made from within. It was a very old building.

Neptune whistled as she looks at the seemingly abandoned building. "I expected a running power plant and not this." She said as she raised her head to see the structure looming over them.

The puple haired girl took the quest information from her hoodie. "It says here that they last saw the person we're looking for in this power plant." Neptune said, she shifted her gaze and looked around to search for any kind of clue where to start.

The purple haired character walked around before stopping by the gloomy entrance. Wind passed through Neptune's face, making her shiver and feel uncomfortable. She let her eyes wander at the inside of the structure, but was having a hard time as it was quite dark.

"...I think...we need to go inside." Neptune looked behind her and saw Nepgear looking beyond, before shifting her gaze to meet the eyes of the older girl. "You don't have to go if you don't want to, you know." The little girl shook her head. "I'll go if master goes." Nepgear's words made Neptune smile, she nodded and reached out her left hand.

"Hold my hand, I don't want you getting lost."

Nepgear looked at the outstretched hand then to Neptune. She was really confused, why was her supposed 'Master' so kind to her? What has she done to deserve such kindness?

The younger purple haired girl reluctantly brought her hand up and held Neptune's own. Her supposed 'Master's' hand was soft and warm, she was surprised to know that there were no callous on her hand from wielding a sword, but never mind any of that, her master's hand was so warm.

The duo walked inside the power plant, there was not much to see but same old rust, a rotting beam and molded walls. There was also the ominous sound of the wind passing through their ears, the dripping water, and the creaking of the old pillars.

Over all there was nothing there, but that didn't prevent Neptune from equipping her katana. She felt Nepgear shifting closer to her and tightened her hold on her as they went further in.

A few minutes went by with them walking aimlessly inside, small rays of light had started to peek through the cracks on the roof, making it more bearable to see.

"I thought we're gonna walk without ever seeing anything." Neptune sighed. "You feeling okay?" She asked Nepgear, who was still holding the older girl's hand. "...I'm feeling fine...master... thank you for asking."

"Hmm, well if you're feeling unwell you could-" The purple haired girl stop mid sentence, she whipped her head in front of her and pushed Nepgear behind her. A growl erupted in front of them, as two glowing red eyes peered through the shadows. The creature in the shadows revealed itself with one very large brown paw, then it's snout came into view. Rows of deadly yellow razor sharp teeth occupied its mouth, while saliva dripped from it. A pair of hungry red eyes giving of an extremely terrifying intimidation, and two pointed ears sat atop it's head.

Neptune felt her eyes grow wide as she looked up to meet the monster's gaze. Looking from the size, it was as tall as her, in fact it's probably taller than her. The monster wolf type's body is coated in scratches while greyish fur mixed well in the sea of brown it's brow fur.

The purple haired character pushed the other girl further behind her, trying to shield the other girl from the horrors of this wolf. Neptune looked at the creature intently, scanning it.

Del Wulff

Level 9

STR: 20 INT: 10 DEF: 10 AGI: 30

Roaring waves lvl 4 (active), Detect, Quick step, Quick dodge, Thick skin+, Night vision (passive)

For a big monster such as this wolf in front of her, it wasn't that too life threatening. Who was she kidding, of course it was life threatening! It's a level nine monster! One level down from the distorted ooze, but still! She shouldn't have to be surprised about the sized the the creature. The current world she's in isn't her usual norm, she had come to an understanding that creatures are likely to be way bigger than usual. With bigger scary teeth, really red glaring eyes like the one that's staring at her intently right now.

Now that she realized, this Del Wulff's intelligence was quite high and it's agility was not something to laugh at.

Okay.

She was in deep shit and she needed Nepgear out of here.

The Del Wulff snarled at the both of them as Neptune slowly back away from it. The creature bent it's body down, ready to strike if the girl takes another step. Claws at the ready, fangs bared frighteningly at the two, the wulf didn't take another minute to lunge at Neptune and Nepgear.

The older of the two saw this and immediately placed blade in between the Del Wulff's sharpened claws. The weight was overwhelming, Neptune needed to grit her teeth and support the sword with her other hand. Damn it was so heavy.

It felt like being stomped on by a full grown buffalo, not only that but the stench coming from the wolf's snout made her cringe. "J-Jeez, you really mint. Lots of mint." Neptune quipped as she muster all the strength in her arms and pushed the wolf away from them. Nepgear had ran to someplace safe on Neptune's command, watching with worried eyes as her master fought the beast.

The Del Wulff quickly backed away from Neptune, but pounced back as soon as it landed on it's feet. The purple haired girl gritted her teeth, as she narrowly dodged a claw coming her way. Thank god for her quick dodge! Neptune quirked her eyebrows as she dodged another incoming slash, she breathed through her mouth. Her stamina could handle such movement for a couple of times, but doing it over and over again would burn it quickly.

She felt herself smile, well it seemed easy enough. Three levels above her was nothing compared to defeating that distorted ooze eight levels higher than her.

Was what she tells herself.

The beast was now getting annoyed at hitting mere air. It jumped back and placed it's hind legs a step back, the beast then curled itself then roared. It released sound waves capable of shaking the entire building, as Neptune embedded her sword in the ground but wasn't enough to keep her upright. The purple haired girl found herself flying into a debris, air knocking out of her lungs.

The Del Wulff used this moment to strike, it rushed towards Neptune and opened it's mouth. The purple haired girl struggled to find her footing, and as soon as she looked in front of her she was only able to register the wolf running towards her, razor sharp teeth bared intent of finishing her off.

Without a beat, Neptune used her left arm to shield herself. It was a stupid mistake, really.

"MASTER!

CHOMP

"AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGG!"

An ear piercing scream shook the entire place, the wolf had attached itself to the purple haired girl's limp and bloodied arm. Neptune looked at the sight with horrified eyes, tears had started to stream down her face at the excruciating pain she was experiencing. She tried to move her arm away from the jaws of the predator, but only made it sink it's teeth deeper into her arm.

Drool had started to leak from her mouth as she screamed in pain. Neptune gritted her teeth, as she breathed heavily through her mouth. She tightened her hold on her sword and took the opportunity to stab it into the Del Wulff's right eye.

The beast finally released itself on Neptune and howled as it whimpered in pain. The purple haired girl stood still panting in exhaustion as she cradled her torn arm close to her, blood dripping excessively on the ground and a bone in her arm was broken and was poking through the torn skin. She was bloodied once again, it had seemed that she had the knack for getting herself hurt.

Neptune gritted her teeth, it was supposed to be an easy mission of finding one guy, why in the world is there a wulff on the side?

The purple haired girl heard a voice say 'master,' she whipped her head to where Nepgear was located and smiled warily to her. Nepgear looked like she really wanted to rush towards her, it made her sigh in relief. She thanked whatever Gods was present that Nepgear was safe, it was all that mattered.

Another growl was heard from the Del Wulff, it's own blood dripping from eye. It snarled at the person in front of it, considering her not just a mere prey, but also a threat.

The Del Wulff rounded Neptune, whilst the girl tightened her grip on her sword. Nepgear watch in horror as the humongous beast circled her 'Master.' Her dull purple eyes found itself looking back at the state of the older girl's situation, she clenched her hand.

She needed to do something, her master was protecting her. A mere slave was being protected by her kind master.

It was unforgivable.

It was in an instant when Nepgear noticed the beast lurching itself forward, it's salivating mouth opening once again, claws looking more deadlier than ever, when the younger girl ran to where Neptune was pathetically trying to shield herself from the oncoming attack.

In the corner of her eye, Neptune saw a purple haired girl running towards her. The Del Wulff was nearing her at an incredible speed, it's huge mobility was incredible despite its huge body, but Nepgear was running towards her, with her frail and small body.

Her heart stopping in her chest as she feared for the little girl's life.

"NEPGEAR NO!" Neptune shouted, but that didn't stop the younger girl to run to her aid. "GO BACK! STAY BACK! NEPGEAR!" The girl called Nepgear head her master no mind, she stand her ground in front of her 'master' and held up her hands.

"Oh Gods of the water, aid me in my need and I call upon your mighty soul. Pierce all that dares to defy you." The Del Wulff leaped, its body above the both of them, ready to finish the both of them with a bite on their necks.

"NEPGEAR!"

A large spear like water came out from the tips of Nepgear's hands, she held the rod part of the spear and threw it directly in the beast's form.

"Streaming point!"