Inside the Ether chamber, the researchers in protective suits stared confidently at the figure within, treating it as the greatest achievement of their lives.
In truth, the idea had sparked in one of them years ago.
The official Void Hunters of New Eridu were terrifyingly powerful.
If they could create a clone replicating a Void Hunter's abilities, wouldn't it tip the scales against the New Eridu authorities?
Of course, collecting combat and ability data from such high-level targets was easier said than done.
It was only in recent years—
When Hoshimi Miyabi rose to prominence like a shooting star, becoming the youngest Void Hunter and unleashing overwhelming power—that the rebels revived the idea of cloning a Void Hunter.
For the past two years, they'd orchestrated Hollow incidents again and again.
One of their main goals? To harvest combat and ability data from Hoshimi Miyabi.
And just a few days ago—
Having finally gathered enough data, they poured every last drop of Ether energy and resource they'd hoarded over the years into the project...
They succeeded.
The first Hoshimi Miyabi clone was born.
They hadn't even had a chance to test it—
But now, someone had come knocking.
The lead researcher grinned.
"Perfect. We'll use those small fries as our test subjects."
But nearby, another researcher hesitated.
"But... the commander said the clone was supposed to be sent to Hollow Zero. If something goes wrong here, how are we supposed to explain it...?"
The lead researcher smirked.
"What could possibly go wrong? You and I both know what this clone is capable of. Even if that youngest Void Hunter showed up herself, she might not win."
He paused, then added,
"Relax. Treat this like a test run."
With that, he issued the command—
Release the Hoshimi Miyabi clone. Time to measure its strength.
Once all preparations were complete...
Another rebel, fully armed, ran in.
"Professor! They've entered the surveillance zone!"
The researcher lit up.
"Good. Those unlucky fools really walked straight into the testing grounds."
He tapped rapidly on the keyboard, and the monitor lit up.
A ruined landscape appeared on screen.
In the distance, small silhouettes were just barely visible.
Looking closer—
It wasn't hard to make out Keqing, Hu Tao, the Traveler, Paimon, and Xiao.
The researcher hit another key and zoomed in.
Now their faces were crystal clear.
He grinned smugly.
"Let's hope you lot can hold out long enough to burn through some of the clone's Ether. Otherwise, when it comes back, it'll just start tearing things up again."
This researcher was the one the others called "Professor."
Soon, two or three more researchers gathered around the screen, eyes gleaming with anticipation—
Eager to watch the clone unleash its full power.
...
While the rebels prepared their experiment...
Meanwhile, with Keqing and the Traveler—
After crossing a vast stretch of land, the group entered a city block lined with towering buildings.
Like the ruins they'd seen earlier, these structures had been bathed in Ether for well over a decade.
Some had collapsed completely, others still barely stood.
Paimon looked around, surprised to find that the dense fog had thinned again.
"Proxy, didn't you say the deeper we go, the more dangerous it gets? Where are all the Ethereals? We haven't seen a single one!"
Belle, piloting Eous, explained calmly,
"That's exactly what's so terrifying. The stronger the Ethereal, the fewer weak ones around them. Which means... we're probably already in the territory of a high-level Ethereal."
Keqing and the Traveler immediately went on alert, eyes scanning their surroundings.
But all they saw were ruins.
No movement. No signs of danger.
No Ether surges they could sense.
Keqing frowned slightly.
"You're sure there's a powerful monster nearby?"
Belle nodded.
"Positive. I just ran a scan—there's a strong Ether radiation signature up ahead. We should circle around."
She pointed forward with Eous—
Unaware that the direction she indicated was precisely where the rebels' hidden lab and the clone were located.
Seeing her so serious, Xiao said calmly,
"Then let's head there and deal with the monster."
Keqing nodded.
"If what the Proxy says is true, taking out that threat will bring us one step closer to suppressing this Hollow."
Belle was speechless.
"…"
She'd thought they were joking—
That these few people seriously intended to suppress Hollow A37 by themselves.
Now it was clear... they weren't joking at all.
Regret crept in.
She never should've taken this job. Escorting Keqing's group into Hollow A37 was starting to feel like a mistake.
Noticing her dazed expression,
Paimon called out,
"Hey, Proxy! Come on already! If you stand there too long, the monsters'll grab you!"
Belle sighed.
"…Fine."
There was no turning back now.
All she could do was follow.
...
Just then—
Xiao, who was leading the group, came to a sudden stop.
Gripping his spear, he stared warily at the ruins ahead.
Hu Tao tilted her head.
"What's wrong, Yaksha Xiao?"
Xiao's gaze narrowed.
"It's coming."
Paimon tensed.
"W-What's coming? Don't tell me the Proxy was right—there really is a high-level monster up ahead?! Traveler, get ready!"
She zipped behind the Traveler.
But Xiao shook his head.
"I don't know what it is... but it's fast. Stay alert—it's coming."
He couldn't identify the approaching entity—
But he could feel its hostility loud and clear.
Without hesitation,
Xiao dashed forward, spear in hand, ready to intercept.
Keqing called out,
"Xiao, be careful!"
Hu Tao raised her Staff of Homa.
"Traveler, let's go!"
The Traveler nodded.
"Right."
As the rest of the team charged forward, Paimon flew after them in a panic.
Belle, helplessly swaying on her tiny Bangboo legs, followed last, mumbling under her breath.