Neo arrived at the gates.
He noticed a tense aura between Kane and Apollo.
"You can't get inside unless you register your traits," Kane said.
"Are you guys crazy? Revealing the Traits is as same as revealing our weakness! We won't…"
The group became silent when they saw Neo.
Kane and Alexander bowed, showing formal respect to him as the Ruler of the City.
Apollo, on the other hand, had wide eyes.
His lips quivered as if he had seen a ghost.
"Yes, I'm Neo Hargraves," Neo answered and thought,
'Did he find my name from wanderers? And why is he so shocked?'
Apollo snapped his neck towards the two women behind him.
"He exists! I told you he was real!"
The waist-long black-haired woman chewed the bubblegum as she nodded. Her pale white skin, crimson lips, and platform boots were quite striking.
The corner of her lips rose as she scanned Neo with her gaze.
The other woman, much younger, perhaps only twenty, maintained a passive expression.
She stared at Neo with an uninterested gaze, but he could see the look of interest hidden deep within her eyes.
"This is interesting," the black-haired woman said.
She ruffled Apollo's hair before he could speak and stepped forward.
"I'm Emma Carter, an S-ranked Awakener. These two are Charles Edward and—"
The golden-haired boy cut off Emma and spoke,
"If you say so." Emma shrugged. "He is Apollo, and she is Athena.
"We are here on behalf of the Awakener Association.
"We heard the news about the Anomaly #33's defeat. The Association wanted to help the city recover from the damage and sent us here."
Kane and Alexander had grave expressions.
They had known the [Myths] were coming.
But meeting them in the flesh was entirely different.
The [Myths] were only standing, and yet they were radiating a powerful aura that threatened to swallow the two whole.
Driven by instincts, Kane was about to grab his sword when he and Alexander were suddenly enveloped by Neo's Aura.
The Aura was comforting and helped them relax.
"Thank you for coming here. Please come inside," Neo said.
"You are not going to ask us about our Traits?" Emma asked with a smirk.
"It's fine. I know your Traits already."
Her smile disappeared instantly.
Even Athena, who had been disinterested, became alert.
They stared at Neo with sharp gazes.
Surprisingly, it was Apollo who broke the tension in the air.
"We'll complete the procedure. Of course, we can't reveal our complete traits for obvious reasons. But we will disclose some of our abilities."
As he spoke, he heard Athena's voice inside his head.
'Why are you doing this?'
'He said he knows our Traits. There is no point in hiding them.'
'He could be bluffing.'
'Doesn't matter. I need to recruit Neo Hargraves no matter what. If I need to reveal my abilities to show my goodwill, I will gladly do so.'
Before the two bickered, Emma interjected.
'Apollo is correct. This guy is dangerous. It's best if we have a cordial relationship with him until we can find the full extent of his abilities.'
'You are worried. He is that strong?'
Apollo spoke in his mind, surprised.
'He has a very high mastery in Darkness.'
Emma became silent for a few seconds before adding,
'Forget it. We should stop talking in our mind, or they will get suspicious.'
Apollo gave a slight nod before he turned to Neo.
Just then, Neo opened his mouth.
"You can take your time. I have no problem waiting for a few minutes."
"…You knew we were talking with telepath?" Apollo asked.
Apollo held a strange expression.
Alexander passed them a form for registration.
They filled it and entered the city.
"Woah. This place is quite good." Emma whistled. "But doesn't look like they are happy to receive us."
The citizens were staring at them with frowning expressions and cold eyes.
Neo led them to his office.
He sat on the sofa with Apollo, Emma and Athena sitting on the opposite side.
Kane and Alexander stood behind Neo.
"So, what's the real reason the Association approached us?" Neo questioned as he drank the tea being served by Calista.
Calista's movements were slow and deliberate.
She activated her Trait to know if Apollo was speaking the truth.
"To help the city and congratulate you. It's not every day a [Myth] is born. The Association is always trying to maintain a friendly relationship with them."
Neo placed the teacup down and turned to Calista.
Apollo and the others followed his gaze and saw Calista shaking her head.
Apollo's face hardened.
Neo nodded with a faint smirk.
Emma, on the side, couldn't hold back her chuckle, seeing the troubled expression on Apollo's face.
While he was a Myth, he was a child too.
He looked cute with a bitter smile.
Only Emma had the leisure to laugh in the present setting.
Apollo ignored her and clicked his tongue, leaning forward.
"We had to make sure the Myth who defeated Anomaly #33 wouldn't become a problem for the Awakener Association.
"We were scouting a potential threat."
"It's the truth," Calista revealed.
Neo was a bit surprised.
"You answered pretty easily. I thought you would try to hide your objective a bit more."
"We don't have the leisure for that."
"Neo Hargraves. I want to recruit you to the Awakener Association. Consider the words I have spoken earlier as a showcase of my goodwill."
Kane, Alexander, and Calista were shocked.
Being invited to the Awakener Association by Apollo – one of the strongest Myths – at that, was a big benchmark of one's career success in today's time.
If it was anyone else in Neo's shoes, they would've been jumping in joy.
"Why do you want to recruit me?"
Apollo chewed his words, carefully organizing his thoughts.
His expression was far more serious than what one would expect from a child like him.
"I received a prophecy about you."
Neo's calm words were a bit surprising.
He seemed neither shocked nor curious.
Apollo hadn't expected this reaction.
"I suppose you won't tell me about the prophecy unless I agree to join the Association?"
Apollo emptied his cup and prepared to retreat for the day.
"You can take your time before you give an answer.
"It is a difficult decision to leave the comfort of your city and join us.
"We won't hold it against you if you refuse the offer."
Before Apollo could stand, Neo spoke,
Apollo froze, taking a few seconds to understand Neo's words.
"What....? Are you an idiot!?
"Think carefully before making an important decision !
"The Awakeners of our Association have a 60% mortality rate. You'll be sent on dangerous missions regularly!
"How can you agree to throw your life so carelessly! You-"
"So I should not join the Association. Is that what you are saying?"
Apollo opened his mouth and closed it, unable to form words.
In the end, he clicked his tongue, irritated, and left after leaving a few words.
"We will leave in three days. Pack your luggage, say goodbye, and complete whatever you have to in this city before then."