...
Two days passed in a flash.
The bustle of New Eridu spread like a spider's web—converging strength and struggle into this lone tower of a city in the sea.
And in one of the web's messier, but warmer corners sat a not-too-big, not-too-small multi-purpose agency officially registered as "Tender House."
But to those familiar with it, it was known by a much cheekier name—Hare's House.
Inside Hare's House...
"According to the latest reports, the Cretan Hollow on 14th Street has stopped expanding and is now fully contained. Residents have been safely relocated, and normal life is gradually resuming."
"For further details, starting this morning, the military and Public Security Bureau have jointly sealed off the area."
"The reason is to test the Hollow Research Institute's latest results within the Hollow. If successful, they could significantly improve disaster response measures."
The television aired New Eridu's latest updates. With a smooth voice, the host conveyed only what the public was allowed to know.
No lights were on inside. The glow of the TV cast flickering light across the dim room, landing on Nicole's pale face and carving faint shadows across it.
"We interrupt this program for an announcement from the Security Bureau."
"Recently, Hollower activity has surged, and illegal Proxies are on the rise as well. We urge all vigilant citizens to report tips or provide leads. Verified information will be rewarded with a substantial bounty..."
Nicole shot the screen a silent glance. A few hundred Dennies was a substantial bounty?
If they added a couple zeros to that, she might actually consider reporting herself.
"Hm hm hm~ hmm~ Nicole Boss, you've been totally out of it lately. Come on, perk up already!"
Billy was humming to himself as he polished his dual pistols with gun oil—freebie from a Star Emblem Knight merch bundle. His gaze flicked over to Nicole, sprawled on the sofa, and he asked with genuine curiosity.
After all, Hare's House had just scored a major windfall. Knowing Nicole, she should've been in top spirits.
He propped one leg up and leaned over to set the oil aside. With that motion, the wild boar patch on the back of his red jacket wriggled to life, practically animated.
"Aww... Nicole's just lost her spark because of something that's so close, yet still out of reach... Don't worry, it'll pass."
Anby sat curled in the corner on a little green sofa, both hands holding a still-steaming burger. Her cheeks puffed slightly as she spoke mid-bite.
"Seven million... that's one zero, two zeroes, three zeroes, four zeroes, five zeroes…"
Nicole lay on her back, arms stretched overhead, counting each zero on her fingers.
Sure, even if she'd known beforehand, she wouldn't have sold to the rebels. Too risky—could drag down the entire Hare's House.
Still, she couldn't help but feel she'd taken a massive loss.
"Sigh…"
She let her arms fall, staring listlessly at the ceiling.
When the hell would Hare's House finally hit the jackpot overnight...
Riiing riiing—
The sharp ring of the private line broke the silence. All three of them looked toward the source—it was Hare's House's private line, usually only used for shady deals.
The sound rang harsh in the quiet room. Nicole and Anby didn't move, so Billy took it upon himself to pick it up.
"Hello, Hare's House speaking."
"…Oh, I see."
Billy looked up at Nicole, pulling the phone away slightly as he spoke.
"Nicole Boss, someone's offering a Hollow-related job. Target location: Dead End Hollow."
"You want to talk to her?"
Nicole's eyes shifted to Billy, her listless expression tightening just a bit.
It had been a while since they'd received a new Hollow job. Those were always more lucrative than everyday "do-it-all" commissions.
She stood, walked over, took the phone, and began the conversation herself.
After gathering the key info, she raised a brow. Seeing Billy and Anby looking at her, she explained:
"This commission involves us too. If the Red Fang Gang hadn't gotten wiped, we probably wouldn't have gotten this gig."
The job itself wasn't difficult—well within Hare's House's capabilities—so Nicole agreed to it without hesitation.
However, when it came to scheduling, she requested a delay of a few days.
They still had to return to the Cretan Hollow with Phaethon to guide Zane toward the Hollow core and secure the Ethereal core—no time to spare right now.
She half-expected the client to cut pay or cancel entirely.
Surprisingly, they didn't seem to mind at all and agreed to the delay.
"Alright, once Hare's House is ready, I'll notify you right away."
She hung up the phone, visibly in higher spirits. The 7 million Dennies she'd been brooding over the last two days? Forgotten.
Nicole—fully restored!
"Alright, let's prep for what's ahead."
She stretched, then turned to Billy.
"Billy, make sure you restock your ammo. This time we're targeting a Core Ethereal—we can't afford slip-ups."
"Even if our job is just to protect Eous, it won't be easy. Who knows what's become of the Cretan Hollow core after all this time."
"They make it sound great on TV—'completely under control' and all that... but after all these years, have they really managed to fully contain even a single Hollow?"
"Nicole Boss! Why are you only warning me and not Anby?! Don't underestimate Star Emblem Knight's pre-battle prep!"
Billy huffed in protest, but Nicole met his outburst with an utterly calm stare that said, "What's your point?"
Billy backed down quickly. Knowing protests were futile, he went to refill his ammo.
Anby didn't budge. Outside of fresh-out-of-battle cases, her backpack was always at full charge anyway.
After a bit, Nicole received a DM from Belle. She skimmed it, grabbed her suitcase, and headed for the door.
As she walked out, she called back to the others.
"Let's move out!"
...
Inside the Cretan Hollow.
Atop a high-rise rooftop.
"Hmm... it's tricky, but I can manage."
In Zane's hands, a swirl of Ether energy coiled and pulsed—dark at its core but glowing faintly at the edges, strange and radiant.
Panta sat nearby, watching his boss fiddle with the energy, head full of questions but curiosity winning out.
As Zane slowly manipulated the mass, threads of barely visible pale-blue energy—thin as hair—began to peel away from the main core.
It was ice-elemental energy.