With the media calmed down, and the attention off of the Sword Guild, operations could resume as usual from their Guild Headquarters.

  Walking through the lobby, Henrietta made her way through the lobby and arrived at the elevator, only to find out it was out of order, with yellow tape sealing the doors. Not letting it ruin her day, she headed towards the stairs, and was about to open the door until a familiar face walked out, one of pure anger that was muttering to himself. He was that distracted by his dour thoughts, that he did not even notice Henrietta stood there, with her arm outstretched for the door he just walked out of.

  "One thing after another! If it's not a video, it's stupid stairs...Arghh"

  Nathaniel, the Sword Guilds Overseer, stormed out of the building, leaving Henrietta bemused.

  Inside of the Guilds office, Henrietta walked thorough the door and was greeted warmly. A marked difference than what she experienced downstairs. Before she could even take her coat off, the Head of Security dove at her, wrapping her arms around her slender waist, and lovingly rubbing her face against her body.

  "Henrii! I haven't seen you in forever!"

  Wearing her trademark blue dungarees, even her recent promotion had no way of forcing a smart work attire on the unruly girl. Henrietta smiled down at her, momentarily witnessing the image of a puppy overlapping with her.

  Cute!

  "Ha Ha. It's only been a week, but I'm happy to see your smiling face JJ....Your uncles not working you too hard is he?"

  From the far end of the office, the Guild Masters face popped up from behind a cubicle partition. Upon seeing it was only Henrietta who mentioned him, he quietly sat back down and continued with his work.

  "I'm okay, uncle would never do that....Then again, I had to devote myself entirely to work for the last week, and couldn't even leave the office.....But it's fine, I had some interesting things to entertain me.......What are you up to today Henrii?"

  Jesse finally released her grip, and sat back down on her swivel chair, sending herself into a spin while she listened.

  "I just came in to see if any Dungeons need clearing in our District...I was also wondering if there were any reports of, hmmm, strange sightings or anything?"

  Henrietta was trying her best to ask in a casual manner, but as she spoke, she realised how peculiar the question sounded. It being too late, she could only smile calmly at Jesse and wait for a reply. Thankfully, Jesse did not notice anything wrong, and only thought that Henrietta was referring to a recent video that was circulating.

  Jesse burst out laughing, motioning with her hand for Henrietta to lean in close.

  "Shhh, uncles fuming over the video. He's trying to get to the bottom of it, but I refused to help because it's too funny, and also because....."

  Jesse gave her a mischievous grin and an accompanying wink. Even so her words were low, they did not evade the notice of the Guild Master. His stressed out voice called out from within a cubicle across the room.

  "Henrii, come and have a look at this. Do you know tech stuff? I need to find out who posted this video, but the host site won't tell me, or even take it down!"

  When Henrietta heard his words, she immediately knew it was nothing about her Red, so she calmed down internally. But now she was left with curiosity, and even more after seeing Jesse's behaviour.

  "I leave that kind of thing to Philomena. Why, what is it?"

  The Guild Master did not reply, only beckoning her forth, of which she complied. Looking over the shoulder of the Guild Master, Jesse joined them both as she leaned against Henrietta. The computer screen on the desk was set to a popular video hosting site, with a paused video, and the view count underneath visibly increasing as they watched.

  Henrietta furrowed her brow, with something from the paused video seeming familiar to her. The Guild Master pressed play on the video, and it made her eyes open in disbelief, and also made her begin to panic.

  Recorded the night of the Dungeon collapse, the scene and angle were extremely familiar to her. It was of Nathaniel the Guild Overseer, stripped completely naked and hopping around with his flag pole erect. The video had a voice over, commenting about the giant rabbit being in its natural habitat, all said in an elderly British voice that was calming to the soul. A second later and the video looped, but gone was the voice, now Techno music replaced it and a series of overlays and some select rewinding, and fast forwarding, created an R-rated music video.

  The video was about to transition into another cut, with the length of the montage being over five minutes long. The Guild Master paused it and turned to look at Henrietta. Instantly Jesse's voice spoke up.

  "Ehhh uncle! Why'd you stop it already, we was just getting to the best part. The next cut had him hopping down streets and meeting famous people. It's hilarious!"

  Completely ignoring his niece, the Guild Master stared at Henrietta, his face clearly displaying signs of stress.

  "That video of him is everywhere! Don't get me wrong Henrii, the videos hilarious and it might teach Nathaniel some humility....But, it looks terrible for our Guild to have a pervert on the books.....I wanted to just fire him, using bringing the Guild into disrepute, but the lawyer advised against it.....Can't you do something Henrii? Please!"

  From listening to his words, Henrietta was thankful she was in the clear. She had thought that she had heard the last about that night, and finally started to relax slightly, but now it's being looked at again. Henrietta then became slightly puzzled at why she was being asked for help.

  "At least that explains why he was in such a foul mood downstairs.....But wait a second, why are you asking me for help anyway?"

  Answering her question, the Guild Master choked on his words mid sentence and then looked sheepish.

  "Can't you ask your fami.....Ahh, never mind"

  The look of contempt that was displayed across Henrietta's face, actually made the muscle-bound Guild Master shrink back slightly. Feeling slightly bad for the man, she reluctantly replied, if only to not let it become awkward.

  "We're still not talking....Anyway, just ignore it, a new video will go viral soon enough anyway"

  Jesse suddenly became animated, leaning in closely to Henrietta, she took in a big whiff of her, under the guise of preparing to speak.

  "That's what I told him! There's already one vying for it. This idiot who cosplays as a duck or something, thinks that he found a ghost...I'll show you after Henrii, it's actually pretty funny"

  Ignoring his niece, the Guild Master span around and enlarged the screen, before highlighting some text.

  "If only we could find out this person, we could negotiate with them to take the video down"

  Henrietta was not the most technological savvy, but she was also not a complete amateur. At that moment, she looked at the Guild Master like he was a dinosaur.

  "Guild Master, you are aware when something's on the internet, it's there forever...Not to mention all the reuploads"

  While Henrietta was admonishing the Guild Master, her eyes noticed the name of the uploader that he had highlighted.

  Maid-of-Justice.......Aww you're joking me!?

  Henrietta suddenly got the same sinking feeling when she was cornered at the Guild Masters apartment. Not wanting to let anything show, she decided to extricate herself from the situation, and used Jesse for it.

  "JJ, show me the duck guy please. I need a pallet cleanser from watching that video.....Especially seen as the Guild Master showing me that, could be constituted as sexual harassment......."

  The moment the Guild Master heard what she said, even so it was said half in jest, he reacted without mercy. Driving his foot forwards, he kicked his computer and lodged his foot inside the hardware. A loud thud emanated from the computer, and with it a series of sparks radiated from under his desk. Now with a black screen and himself sweating profusely, the Guild Master smiled awkwardly.

  "Ha Ha. I have no idea what you're talking about....Oh Henrietta, I'll have a list of Dungeons made for you immediately...You have a holiday coming up, I'll double, no, triple it seen as you've been working so hard!"

  Without looking back over her shoulder, Henrietta followed Jesse back to her computer while she replied.

  "Sure, I'll take you up on that when I find a good reason for a holiday"

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  Before the Guild Master could say another word, he felt an immense pressure and killing intent aimed directly for him. He knew who the culprit was, and it made him wish he never crawled out of bed that morning. Looking over to the side of the room, he could see his personal assistant staring daggers at him, with only half of her face showing as she leaned out of a room.

  As the person responsible for managing the Guild Master, any cases directed towards him, she would be responsible for. Plus the fact that the girls in the the Guild were a tight knit bunch. who had each others backs.

  Jesse jumped back onto her swivel chair, the momentum sending her into a spin again. Picking the perfect time, she reached out a finger and jabbed at her keyboard, before continuing to spin around. Henrietta was getting dizzy from the display, clamping her hand on the youngsters shoulders, she stopped her.

  The two ended up staring at one another, with Jesse blushing and also thankful for Henrietta's forcefulness. Regaining her composure, she hurriedly pressed play on the video.

  "This is it Henrii. This moron was just making another cringe ghost video, but then he gets knocked over face first into a puddle and even loses his camera!"

  Henrietta enjoyed seeing fools embarrass themselves as much as the next person. Covering her mouth to hide her laughter, she froze and stared at the computer monitor when the video ended. The final frame of the video was taken within the sewers, and also became a hot topic for the viewers, with the consensus claiming it was a crocodile skin handbag, and the minority claiming it was broken sex toy.

  His hand! Red's hand! I could recognise those beautiful fingers anywhere!.....The sewers, so that's where he fled!...Now with the attention nearly completely left our Guild, well apart from the pervert....I can set about getting him!

  Seeing Henrietta freeze, Jesse misunderstood and thought she was disgusted with the people in the video. Quickly she began to write a comment under the video, the action shocking Henrietta back to normality.

  "Trash video....Fakeeeeee!!!!!!!"

  The moment Jesse pressed enter, the whole comment section refreshed. That was when a long reply thread appeared with hundreds of likes and comments. Henrietta who was acting normal again, suddenly changed back to being shocked. Her poor brain was beginning to feel like a see-saw, with the back and forth of her emotions.

  Leaning over Jesse, she clicked on the thread and expanded it. The main comment read.

  "What would you do if monsters could communicate?....I met one!"

  Henrietta's mind went into overdrive, the video showing her darling Red, and a comment asking such a question, to her the two could not be a coincidence. Her womanly intuition was screaming at her, and she wasted no time in obeying it. Saying a silent apology, she decided to use Jesse again.

  "What's that JJ? That comment thread?"

  Jesse pursed her lips and scrutinized it before replying.

  "Probably some sad loner trying to drum up clicks and then direct people to his channel. It happens all the time"

  With a mischievous grin, Henrietta placed a hand to her cheek and gently tapped her finger.

  "A guy? I think it's a girl who made the comment....Do you want to make a bet?"

  Jesse had not known Henrietta personally for a very long time, so she was not aware of how strange her behaviour was at that very moment. She instead believed it was just another less often seen, playful side to the red haired beauty. Taking her chance, she decided to try and capitalise on the chance and close the distance somewhat.

  "Ohhhhh a bet is it Henrii! Okay I'll take you up on that.....But if I win, then, hmmm, you pay for a day out at the theme-park....And if you win, then I'll pay!"

  Jesse was ecstatic she had implemented a win-win situation for herself, now all she had to do was pray that Henrietta accepted.

  "Okay JJ, it's a bet!"

  Jesse's feet involuntarily performed a jig, excitement coursing through her body, making her lower half move vigorously. She dove forwards and pressed her face into Henrietta's stomach, while wrapping her arms around her. She quickly admonished herself, as she felt her self control slipping, and also her hands.

  Releasing her grip, she quickly got to work at her computer while she replied.

  "It's not a bet Henrii, it's a date!"

  Henrietta smiled at her, viewing the girl as a younger sister, whereas Jesse had a completely different idea, one that was laced with impure thoughts. Less than a minute later and Jesse had finished. She had hacked the personal information of the commenter, and brought up all the relevant information, including their name, address and even a picture.

  Seeing that the person was a single man, Jesse was ecstatic that she won the bet. Henrietta smiled and spoke up.

  "Looks like you were right, I lose JJ....The theme-park will be my treat then"

  Jesse did not reply at that point, a smile was permanently etched onto her face, and her mind was squarely enraptured, losing herself in the myriad of preparations she must make. She only managed to mumble to herself.

  "I need an outfit, would casual be okay, or should it be formal...It's our first date so it should be formal, but it's a theme-park, so it's casual....What about footwear, heals or flats? Full makeup, or light makeup? I'll need new underwear as well....."

  Picking up on some of the words that Jesse was mumbling, Henrietta gauged that was the best point to make her exit. Turning to leave, she managed to get to the door of the stairs, before she was stopped by the Guild Masters personal assistant, Cynthia.

  "Miss Herperial, I have the list of eligible Dungeons for you....Also if I may, please disregard the Guild Masters comments earlier. He has no right to request you to leverage familial connections....Do not worry, I will thoroughly discipline him later"

  Henrietta always felt warm and secure in Cynthia's presence, unknowingly seeing her as a motherly figure in the Guild. She also felt slightly sorry, only slightly though, for the Guild Master being punished, knowing full well how scary Cynthia could be.

  "Aww thank you Cynthia...It's okay, I've forgotten about it already....I'll see you later"

  With her list in hand, Henrietta casually walked down the stairs until she was out of sight, then she broke into a run, wearing a look of excitement.

  In the lower end of District 4, the houses were all subsidised by the Central Government, creating opportunities, but also a solid class divide. Pushing the metal security door open to his house, Cody walked inside and called out.

  "I'm home grandma.....I paid the electric and water when I was out before, I also picked up something for dinner"

  An elderly voice made its way out of a room from down the hallway, with the soft sound of classical music playing on the radio joining it.

  "Ohhhh, is that you Cody?"

  Taking his shoes off, he started up the stairs, before he paused to reply to her.

  "Yeah grandma, it's me. I'm going up to my room"

  The elderly voice came for a final time, before Cody made it into his bedroom.

  "Okay dear"

  Shutting his door behind him, he locked it and then started stripping off. Discarding his tracksuit, he rummaged about in his wardrobe, before he found something that looked respectable. Now dressed in black jeans and a matching shirt, he flashed a smile at his mirror and was happy with himself.

  "Right, I can do this! This is my ticket to the big money!"

  Turning the camera on, on his computer, he sat down and began to speak into it.

  "What would you do if you met a monster who could communicate?....Have you ever asked yourself this question? Well today I met a Lizardman who could communicate....Not primitive communication, but full on have a conversation and he was friendly!"

  Doing his best to sound believable, and forcibly stop himself for devolving into speaking in slang, Cody carried on with his video for another ten minutes. By the time he was finished, he was already expecting how much of a buzz it was going to make. But what he did know, was that now he needed evidence.

  After exhausting his brain thinking, he fell into a deep sleep while tucked up comfortably in bed, with his body pillow of Amri-Chan firmly within his grasp. Suddenly he was jolted awake, the feeling of a murderous gaze sent a chill down his spine. Sitting bolt upright in bed, he fearfully looked about his room.

  The pitch blackness that enveloped his bedroom, was only minimally staved off by the moonlight from outside of his open window.

  Open? I closed it......

  As that thought occurred to him, the fear he was feeling instantly doubled, and his brain forced his eyes to work overtime, and peer into the bleakness. His efforts were ultimately not needed, when from the corner of his room, a sudden spark turned into a flame, and illuminated the face of a woman.

  The shock forced Cody backwards, resulting in him pressing his back against the wall, and banging his head on a shelf. The pain helped focus his mind, and just as he was about to call out, the woman spoke first.

  "Cody Jenkins, 18 years old, works part time as a janitor, single, lives alone with his grandma, Sherell Keele, 76 years old........Grandads whereabouts are unknown, parents died from a drug overdose, the same bad batch of heroine"

  After hearing all of her words, he fully understood that it was not a simple robbery, or a case of mistaken identity. He tried his utmost to think if he had offended anyone, but his solitary life and good attitude would not allow it. That was when he saw his computer in the corner of his eye, and he had a horrible realisation.

  FUCK!

  Cody found the courage to finally reply.

  "I'll delete the video. I'll keep my mouth shut. I promise I won't say anything ever again. Just please don't hurt me or my grandma!"

  Even so the woman's features were obscured by a black mask, her eyes conveyed no emotions, yet exuded and indifference to his life. In a matter of fact tone, she spoke.

  "The news report tomorrow will say that an elderly woman and her grandson died together in a house fire. Their charred bodies will be cremated with no one to even mourn them......But, that does not have to happen if you answer all my questions truthfully"

  A slight trickle of urine escaped under the bed covers, the woman's words seeping into his soul. With his voice broken from fear, he quickly stammered out a reply.

  "I'll be honest! I promise, I promise, I'll tell you anything!"

  "Good boy. Now tell me everything about the Lizardman you met, and do not leave out a single detail"

  For close to an hour, Cody relayed every detail of his encounter with Bob, telling her everything about him, right down to a description of his voice. After hearing his story, she spoke again, but this time with a hint of excitement, her indifference slightly diminished.

  "Tomorrow you will make another video, tell everyone you made it all up for attention. Then you will delete your account. If anyone approaches you, you will stick to that story. If you don't, there's no place on this planet you can hide where I won't be able to find you......As for my Red, continue to interact and meet with him, and do whatever he asks. Then relay it all to me when I come and see you........Each time I will leave you a present...Understand?"

  Cody sat there, his head pecking like a chicken as he agreed with everything she said. As for what reason he said what he did next, he himself was not even aware. He even cursed himself at the very moment he uttered the words.

  "Miss, are you going to hurt him?"

  The temperature in the room increased in an instant, the flame that illuminated her face turned from a mixture of orange and reds, to that of a raging blue.

  "Hurt him!? That's so far from the truth, that if you even harbour those thoughts, I will kill you on the spot!"

  Sweat was pouring from Cody's body, the braids of his hair making for perfect waterways, and the urine patch on the bed growing larger with the addition of saltwater.

  "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

  Whilst he was half way through his grovelling apology, the blue flame burst into life, expanding to fill the room. As quickly as the flame expanded, it dissipated into nothing, not even singing a single item. The intense heat vanished in its entirety, leaving even the very notion of heat as a fleeting delusion.

  Looking towards the woman again after shielding his eyes, Cody saw she was no longer there. Turning his head in every direction, his eyes darted around and confirmed she was not in the room anymore. He even deigned to lean over his bed and check underneath. The stories his grandmother told him as a child played in his mind at that moment.

  That was when he noticed that the window was now closed, and on his window sill was an envelope, with a stack of money tightly bound within it. Cody finally managed to calm himself down, understanding he just had an infinitely close shave with death.

  "Women are scary!".