After more than ten minutes, Wise completed the calibration of the HDD device, and Su Chen and Nicole set off with the Bangboo named Eous.
More precisely, Su Chen was the one carrying the Bangboo, while the injured Nicole walked beside him.
"This is what sets Phaethon apart from other Proxies."
Nicole pointed at the Bangboo and explained to Su Chen, "Phaethon can connect their consciousness directly to the Bangboo and enter the Hollow alongside Hollow Raiders, analyzing the interior in real time."
"They're way more impressive than those Proxies who just use a temporary Carrot. That's why Phaethon rose to become a legendary Proxy so quickly."
"Now that we've got Phaethon on board, rescuing Billy and Anby should be no problem!"
Nicole rested her hands behind her head, completely at ease.
"Definitely a cut above the rest. I should stay on their good side."
Su Chen nodded in agreement.
Having played the game, he naturally knew what made Phaethon special.
When it came to Hollow exploration, as long as they stepped in, success was pretty much guaranteed.
And if he could cozy up to Belle and her silky legs, he wouldn't have to worry about his own Hollow dives in the future.
Also, if he remembered correctly, Belle—whose main account still hadn't been deleted—was a bit of a rich girl.
"Wait a sec. What are you thinking? You're not making a move on Belle, are you?!"
Nicole noticed something off in Su Chen's expression, and her eyes took on a dangerous glint.
A rabbit's senses were as sharp as its escape instincts—Nicole could smell the scum energy from a mile away.
He had just been hugging and carrying her around, and now he was eyeing someone else?
She clearly remembered: in the video store, Su Chen had only shaken hands with Belle.
"Of course not. I just think it's important to get along well with such capable people."
Su Chen answered calmly, though a cold sweat trickled down his back.
Her instincts were scary—she had nailed it.
"Is that so?"
Nicole narrowed her eyes like a fox.
"Naturally." Su Chen replied with a hint of guilt, then tugged at the Bangboo's ear to change the subject. "This little guy is adorable. Its ears are so soft—just like real rabbit ears."
"Um, Mr. Su Chen, thanks for the compliment!"
"If possible, could you please put me down? We're almost at the Hollow."
Belle's voice suddenly came from within the Bangboo.
Clearly, her consciousness had already linked to it.
She hadn't expected to be carried by Su Chen.
Even though the Bangboo body was cold and mechanical, being held by such a handsome guy still made her feel a little bashful.
When Nicole or Anby held the Bangboo, she never reacted like this.
"Alright, Belle."
Su Chen gently set the Bangboo down.
"Eh? Why are you calling me that so intimately all of a sudden?"
Belle sounded a bit flustered upon hearing his tone.
"Because you're adorable—just like a little sister to me."
Su Chen chuckled.
Honestly, he couldn't help himself. After all, Belle was the character he'd raised to level 28. Feeling a bit of attachment was only natural.
"Thanks for the compliment. Let's hurry up and rescue them from the Hollow!"
Belle replied shyly.
Even someone as edgy as her couldn't help but blush a little when called cute to her face.
Off to the side, Nicole watched Su Chen flirting and ground her teeth silently.
Back at the video store, Wise was already considering putting up a sign that read [Su Chen and Dogs Not Allowed].
With laughter and chatter, Su Chen and the group officially stepped into the Cretan Hollow.
…
On the other side of the Cretan Hollow—
Anby was speaking into her headset, recording a log: "Hello, this is Anby Demara, official employee of the all-purpose agency the Cunning Hares. Due to an accident, I have found myself in one of the most inhospitable regions in the world—Cretan Hollow!"
"If you don't learn the survival rules here, you may not last even a single day. In this place, you will encounter ferocious Ethereal and the dangers of Ether corruption. You must exercise extreme caution to survive as long as possible."
"I will now document everything to demonstrate the correct way to survive in the Hollow until rescue arrives. Should I perish, this recording may serve as evidence for future investigation."
After the monologue, Anby began making her way through the Hollow.
She encountered several Ethereal—and dispatched them effortlessly with her electric blade.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice rang out nearby.
"Whoa, isn't that Anby?! Thank goodness, I knew you'd be safe and soun—"
Billy was cut off mid-sentence, a high-voltage blade poised at his throat, as he choked out the final syllable: "—nd~"
"Whoa whoa whoa! What was that for?! You almost sliced me!"
Billy leapt aside, shouting in exaggerated panic.
Anby: "Encountered another rational individual. He closely resembles my coworker: Billy Kid."
Billy: "What do you mean 'resembles'? I am Billy Kid!"
Anby replied with utmost seriousness, "There was once a case where an investigator encountered an Ethereal in the Hollow mimicking human behavior. He brought what he thought was his teammate out of the Hollow, and the Ethereal revealed its true form—causing catastrophic damage to the city. Thanks to a brave investigator's sacrifice, the Ethereal was finally pushed back into the Hollow."
"Hold up, hold up! An Ethereal leaving a Hollow would instantly disintegrate! That's from a movie, isn't it?!"
Billy suddenly recalled something and shouted, "It's that new horror flick that just came out!"
"I watched the entire death list from that film."
Anby continued undeterred.
"That was the credits roll!"
Billy clutched his forehead in defeat.
"Question: Who would you most like to have lunch with?"
Anby asked, her face expressionless.
"Most like to have lunch with? Uh… that'd be the superhero—Starlight Knight!"
Billy hesitated, voice lacking confidence.
"Incorrect answer. Initiating elimination protocol."
Anby raised her blade, blue electric arcs crackling along its edge.
"Wait, wait! Put the sword down!" Billy nearly leaked oil from the fright and quickly blurted, "Actually, it's Monica Onee-san from that late-night drama Oh~ Sweetie!"
"Warning lifted. Rational individual identified as the genuine Billy Kid. Meeting with Billy Kid increases my survival probability by over 68.7%."
Anby sheathed her blade and exhaled slightly. "Glad you're safe, Billy."
"I told you, it's really me."
Billy sighed in exasperation, then asked, "It's been a while since we fell in here. Boss Nicole must be thinking of a way to rescue us, right? You think she'll send someone in?"
"That's Nicole, after all! Ha ha ha…"
As he spoke, Billy broke into self-amused laughter.
"Considering Nicole's consistent pattern of tight-fisted financial management, your doubts about her calling for backup are reasonable."
Anby analyzed with her usual blank stare.
"Damn it, now I'm really starting to worry."
Billy groaned, covering his face and mumbling, "Especially since Boss Nicole's got a new reliable recruit now…"
"Anyway, let's stop overthinking it and focus on surviving. Same as always—you tank, I'll provide ranged support!"
"Got it!"
"Oh, and Anby, are you sure you're not the same kind as me? I mean, some sort of robot-cyborg hybrid?"
Billy probed again.
Compared to himself, a high-emotion advanced mechanical unit, Anby seemed more like a mid-grade AI bot.
Billy couldn't help but think—kind of rudely.
"Rational individual resembling Billy Kid must be re-verified."
"Question: Who would you most like to have lunch with?"
Anby unsheathed her electric blade once again.
"I was wrong! I was wrong!"
Billy raised both hands in surrender. Seeing that the blade remained unsheathed, he quickly shouted, "It's Monica Onee-san from Oh~ Sweetie, okay?!"
"Verification complete. Rational individual confirmed as the real Billy Kid."
Anby put away her blade. A subtle smile appeared at the corner of her lips. "So, what were you trying to ask earlier?"
"...Nothing."
Billy responded weakly.
Trapped in a Hollow, betrayed by his own teammate.