(Soren POV)

It was going nowhere with Vert! She received a complement from Aneeta Job even called her Big Sister Vert it made her passed out!

Maho: Oh, she passed out.

Nepgear: V-V-Vert?!

Soren (😑): Oh, my god.

We've headed toward Lakeside Forest Depths within the caves. Made halfway end up fighting against monsters and robots.

Maho (smile): That's amazing! Thanks, everyone! Robots are easy for you, huh?

Soren: You've gotta be careful. It would be bad if you got hurt, Maho. You'll make us worried about you.

Maho (happy): You actually care about me like that?! Oh, I'm swooning...

???: All of you are so strong.

IF: Whose there?!

???: Apologies. I didn't mean to startle you. But thank you. Because of that weirdo, my deliveries couldn't get through. I'm the AI of this facility.

IF: Facility? So this cave is a fabrication.

The talks went on like in the game it turns out this facility AI is actually "Aneeta Job" herself. It's a character she plays as everyone little sister whose cute and bubbly. She was bored. Just makes logs that everything is fine. Nothing else at all since people used to work here gives her more to do.

Unexpectedly she had sort of malfunction with alarms went off. About to pull a sky net on us. A robotic female voice can be heard

Ziri lvl.75

???: Escape. I highly recommend it.

Ram: A robot?!

Nepgear: Is this the defense system?

Ziri: No. I have nothing to do with the defense system. I currently have no reason to be at odds with you. I have my own duty to fulfill.

Ziri left further inside. After a bit she stop as it seems Ziri waited for us.

Ziri: My name is Ziri.

Nepgear: Ziri?

Ziri: That is my unique identifier. Refer to me as such.

Soren: Okay. Doesn't explain why are you here.

Soren: I will backup the data in this facility, and then destroy its functionally.

Nepgear: Destroy? Why would you do that?

Ziri: This production facility currently manufactures one type of product, but in the future, its usage changes. It will manufacture mech soldiers.

Soren: 'Basically this world version of Terminators or something for Arfoire to use'.

After a bit of talk. Vert shows up.

Vert: I have underlings in the intelligence too. I received the report that you were looking for Neets, so I had to investigate... I was told Aneeta's AI was created to eliminate humans. Is that true?!

Ziri: It is a fact.

Vert: Oh, no...

Warning goes off because there are goddesses here and raising the threat level to 5! Ziri gave us an option to erase Aneeta permanently. The girls are determined to defeat her without erasing Aneeta. Ziri is determined to defeat us in order to complete her mission.

Time Skip-Couple of hours later brought to you by Izu aka Kamen Rider Zero-Two and Secretary

Izu: President? Shall we go enjoy the beach together?

Author: Yeah. 'Even I need a break every now and then'.

It didn't take long for us to defeat Ziri. She fled and saved Aneeta. The AI was able to fix her. Vert decided to join us while Aneeta watched over Leanbox. Whatever works for Vert. Now she has a little sister in AI. My friends and I are at Vert mansion chilling until I went into one of the guest rooms.

Soren: Time to head back into the dungeons. That fight was unsatisfying. Time-

*Knock x3*

Soren: 'Damn. What now'? Who is it?

Nepgear: Its Nepgear.

Open the door letting Nepgear in.

Soren: What is it?

(3rd POV)

Nepgear looks down with a blush and smile.

Nepgear: Just wanted to see you. You were kinda quiet back there. Didn't seem to interact much.

Soren: Decided to back off for a bit. Let you girls chill without me.

Nepgear: We do enjoy having you around. Can I....ask you something?

Soren: Sure.

Nepgear: After everything is over. What would you do next?

Soren: I'll just continue my journey towards the next world.

Nepgear had a small frown. Hear Soren say he'll be leaving after this world makes her sad.

Nepgear: I see.

Soren pat her head to comfort her.

Soren: I promise I'll see you every now and then.

Nepgear hugs Soren tightly to hide the tears from eyes.

Nepgear: Can I tell you one thing at least?

Soren: Su-mph!

Nepgear straight kiss Soren on the lips it caught The Gamer off guard.

Nepgear: I love you.

Soren: N-Nepgear.

Nepgear: Already know you have Aphrodite and Asuka. I don't mind you'd have more than one lover. I wanted to be with you too.

Soren: You don't really know. The things I've done. My past-

Nepgear: I don't care. Still be with you no matter. Tell me. Does Asuka know about your past?

Soren shook his head no.

Soren: I worried if she ever found......Asuka would be appalled by me.

Nepgear: I wouldn't!

Soren: You don't know that! You may live in a world where your life goes back to normal every now and then after saving the world. But not mine! You deserve better, Nepgear. My mind is to mess up. What keeps me sane is my Gamer Mind and remembering what I'm fighting for.

Nepgear: 'Soren'.

Her eyes Widened. Nepgear saw Soren's broken eyes filled with nothing but anger, sadness and regrets.

Nepgear's heart tightens that makes her want to cry even more. Unsure what kind of hell Soren endured. It is the first time he's actually shown his true expression that Soren kept inside for many years. Never shown it to Aphrodite because The Gamer didn't wanted to worry her than she already is.

Aphrodite loves him dearly and would do anything to heal his heart from all the scars and trauma Soren experience. Nepgear stays firm and wants to know his past regardless of what Soren says.

Nepgear: Please tell me. Let me hear you out. I want to know your past.

Soren: What happens of-

Nepgear: That's up for me to decide.

Soren: Nepgear.....

He sigh.

Soren: Fine. How about we go to a dungeon? It'll give us more time.

She nodded as the two went to Twilight Town sitting on top of the train station staring at the sunsets.

Soren: Are you sure?

Nepgear: I'm sure. Can I ask you one more thing? Does Aphrodite know?

Soren: Yeah.

Nepgear: I see. 'Aphrodite must've loved Soren a lot despite whatever past he has. Honestly I'm a little nervous. Can't back down after coming this far...'. I'm ready. Please, tell me, Soren.

Chapter End