Time, once it begins to flow unnoticed, often leaves people sighing—why does it pass so quickly?
It had been exactly twelve years since the battle against the Ethereal Army. Over those twelve years, New Eridu had been completely transformed, and even the Hollows that once plagued the city had almost all been eradicated.
However, for reasons unknown, Hollow disasters still occasionally emerged within the borders of New Eridu—usually manifesting as sudden growth or expansion of existing Hollows. Every time this happened, it would send waves of panic through the population.
Thankfully, New Eridu had long since escaped its reliance on Ether energy, and with technological advancement, Hollow cleanup operations had become startlingly efficient.
Disasters of this kind usually took no more than three days to fully clear. Slightly larger or more distant Hollows could be handled in under a week.
Perhaps because the threat level of Hollows had diminished so significantly, many people—especially the newer generation who had never lived through the chaos—had forgotten how dangerous they once were.
Among them were Zhong Yan's three children.
Two days ago, a Hollow had suddenly appeared on the outskirts of New Eridu. The Public Security Bureau and Hollow Investigative Association immediately dispatched elite teams to contain it, but so far, only half had been cleared.
The operation would likely continue for another three days.
And so, taking advantage of the weekend break, Zhong Ling, Zhong Xi, and Zhong Lan snuck out of the house, intent on exploring the Hollow.
Before leaving, they had researched Hollow-related information and even prepared accordingly—bringing medication to resist Ether corrosion, as well as New Eridu's newest Anti-Ethereal combat agents.
They believed that with these tools, they could navigate the Hollow freely. As for the idea of danger or death... at their age, such concepts were still difficult to fully grasp.
They were, after all, at the most mischievous stage of childhood.
...
"So, this is what a Hollow looks like?" The three of them raised their heads to gaze at the massive Hollow wall before them, marveling aloud.
Though the Hollow before them was merely a typical accompanying Hollow, their unfamiliarity with the chaos of earlier days made it seem incredibly grand.
They didn't know that in the past, Hollow Zero was visible from every corner of New Eridu—its overwhelming presence could truly blot out the sky.
"Let's go inside—but be careful. I heard the Ethereals inside are dangerous and very aggressive," Zhong Ling said, handing resistance meds to Zhong Xi and Zhong Lan, urging them to take it immediately.
Once that was done, the three carefully stepped into the Hollow.
Their vision began to blur, and when they opened their eyes again, they had already arrived within the Hollow's interior.
Inside, Ether crystals were visibly growing at an astonishing rate—as if they were alive. The sight was captivating but eerie.
Zhong Xi couldn't resist stepping forward to touch one. Its icy feel was like pressing against solid ice.
"Big Brother, be careful!" Zhong Lan's voice suddenly cried out from behind her. Looking up, Zhong Xi finally noticed the two dormant Ethereals nestled behind the Ether crystals.
Her touch had awakened them—and in an instant, both launched an attack.
The abrupt turn of events stunned Zhong Xi into paralysis.
Zhong Ling reacted immediately. He pulled out the Anti-Ethereal spray from his pocket and rushed forward, spraying it toward the attackers.
Upon contact, the Ethereals began to disintegrate at a visible pace, their movements slowing dramatically.
The delay was enough. Zhong Xi dodged to the side just in time to escape a potentially fatal strike as the Ethereals dissolved into dust.
"Xixi!" Zhong Ling ran over to check on her.
Still shaken, Zhong Xi was speechless. Her shark tail, a part of her expression and mood, hung limply on the ground—completely motionless.
Zhong Lan also pulled out his vial of Anti-Ethereal spray, ready in case more enemies appeared. But his hands were trembling, clearly traumatized by what had just happened.
Luckily, the area was temporarily safe.
"Big Brother, maybe we should go back..." Zhong Xi clutched Zhong Ling's sleeve, her voice trembling.
They had finally understood why their parents always warned them to stay away from Hollows.
"Okay, let's go," Zhong Ling nodded. He was scared too—afraid of dying in the Hollow... and more afraid of getting his siblings killed because of his reckless decision.
But just as they turned to leave, they discovered the path they had used to enter was gone.
Their preparations hadn't accounted for the chaotic nature of Hollow space. The entrance had only been a one-way portal—they couldn't go back the way they came.
Panic set in.
Even Zhong Ling, the eldest at thirteen, struggled to stay calm.
But as the oldest, he had to hold it together—otherwise, his siblings would crumble.
Forcing himself to steady his breathing, he said, "Don't worry. There are usually enforcers inside Hollows. If we keep walking, we might find them."
"But be careful—there might be more Ethereals. Keep your sprays ready. I promise, I'll get us out of here."
His determined tone gave the others a sliver of hope—a thread to cling to.
Zhong Ling was their lifeline.
...
The three wandered aimlessly through the Hollow.
Terrified of more Ethereals, they crept forward cautiously, always detouring at the first sign of danger.
But the rescue they'd hoped for never came.
They walked from noon to dusk, the sunlight turning orange as it faded.
That was when reality set in—they might die here.
"Found some food earlier—doesn't look tainted by Ether. Eat a bit," Zhong Ling said, returning with dusty cans of food, handing them out with forced excitement.
After all, civilians caught in past Hollow outbreaks were usually evacuated before cleanup. No one expected children to be inside.
Now, Zhong Ling was scouring leftovers just to keep them alive.
Survival was their only hope.
"Big Brother... are we going to die here?" Zhong Xi asked quietly, her voice filled with despair as she accepted the food.
Facing death for the first time, they realized how fragile they were.
But even worse than death was the waiting. That agonizing uncertainty—especially for those who desperately wanted to live.
Seeing his sister so disheartened, Zhong Ling forced a weak smile. "No. I said I'd get you out of here, didn't I? Just trust me."
In truth, even he didn't know if they'd survive.
But as their only hope, he had to keep them going.
Then, he noticed Zhong Lan crying silently in the corner. Walking over, Zhong Ling wiped away his tears.
"Why are you crying again? You're a man—don't cry so easily. If you're tired, just take a nap."
He flopped onto the floor between them and, for a moment, deeply missed their father.
Zhong Ling didn't know his father was Uchiha. He only knew he was strong. If their dad were here, he'd definitely get them out.
Suddenly, a disturbance nearby jolted him awake.
Looking up, he saw a massive figure crawling from a pile of Ether crystals atop some ruins.
It wasn't human.
An Ethereal.
And the pressure it gave off far exceeded anything they'd encountered before.
A Dullahan—an upper-class Ethereal.
Realizing the danger, Zhong Ling stood immediately. "Get up! Now!"
Zhong Xi and Zhong Lan, hearing the urgency, finally noticed the monster.
They bolted in the opposite direction, consumed by fear. Their only thought was escape—no courage left to fight.
But they didn't realize Zhong Ling wasn't following.
He stayed behind.
Because he'd seen two upper-class Ethereals.
Besides the Dullahan, a Thanatos stood nearby—both now aware of their presence.
If they all ran, they'd be caught for sure.
Someone had to stay.
He was the oldest. He couldn't let his siblings die.
That's what heroes did on TV, right?
Zhong Ling told himself that, but his trembling body betrayed his fear.
To calm down, he roared—yelling to pump himself up.
The noise made Zhong Xi and Zhong Lan stop and turn.
"Big Brother! Run!!"
But Zhong Ling didn't respond.
Instead, he charged toward the two Ethereals.
Caught off guard, the Dullahan raised its blade arm to strike.
But Zhong Ling pulled out his spray and fired it directly at its body.
It began to disintegrate—but not fast enough.
The Dullahan swung its blade—
Zhong Ling ducked with a clumsy, panicked motion—barely dodging death.
Then he sprayed the Dullahan's core—its heart.
It shattered, and the beast collapsed.
But Thanatos had already vanished—reappearing behind Zhong Ling.
At point-blank range, it drew its bow.
Zhong Ling turned—but too late.
The arrow loosed like lightning.
"Big Brother!!"
Zhong Xi and Zhong Lan screamed.
But in that moment, a flicker appeared behind Zhong Ling.
A hand reached out and caught the arrow mid-flight—then crushed it like paper.
Thanatos froze.
Why would its ally save a human?
But before it could process the betrayal, a specialized pistol emerged.
Bang!
The bullet hit dead center, filled with powerful anti-Ethereal compound.
Thanatos died, never understanding why.
...
"That was way too close. What were you three thinking?! Don't you have parents?" Zhao Anmen said, still shaken.
He had been leading a team to clear the Hollow when he heard the shouts—and found a child fighting two upper-class Ethereals.
Thankfully, he acted in time. If he'd been even a second later...
And yet, that boy had actually killed one of them. His speed... terrifying.
Zhao Anmen turned to inspect the boy—
And froze.
Zhong Ling's face was streaked with tears of terror.
But his eyes—
Blood-red.
With a single tomoe.
Eyes he'd seen before—though slightly different, unmistakably of the same lineage.
Uchiha.
Zhao Anmen realized something.
Something he had sought for years—
Might finally be answered.
"Let's get you out of here. Then… take me to see your father."