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***
"Is that Bangboo really that strong? Meow?"
Nekomata's jaw dropped in shock.
If someone had told her before that a Bangboo could fight a Notorious Ethereal, she never would have believed it.
So small and cute—at most it could maybe chase down a petty thief. Normally, they were just data carriers for Hollow exploration.
Since when could a Bangboo unleash lightning and pummel the Dead End Butcher?
"I only just found out myself."
Nicole was equally shaken.
She had thought this adorable Bangboo was a special model Sol Mercer ordered to satisfy some eccentric hobby of his.
Never did she imagine the little thing would chop up a Notorious Ethereal as easily as killing a chicken.
And this was just the Dead End Butcher's first phase. From Baal's display, even its second phase wouldn't stand a chance.
So… had Sol left this Bangboo behind just to protect her?
'Honestly… always pulling these little surprises that make a person's heart flutter…'
Nekomata suddenly turned to the stunned little girl beside her. "Little one, do you want to go to New Eridu? I can take you there, meow!"
"Really? Thank you, big sis!"
The girl beamed with joy.
She was a resident of Canvas Street, and lately things had felt off—she needed to see with her own eyes what shady tricks Vision Corporation was playing.
"Then Nicole, until we meet again!"
Nekomata grabbed the girl's hand, ready to bolt.
She remembered Baal's earlier words—telling Nicole to keep her eyes on this bad cat.
But with a lightning-charged Bangboo chopping away at the Butcher, her nerves were on edge.
Better to slip away now, before she ended up fried into a lightning-cat.
Click!
Nicole's integrated weapon unfolded, three black barrels pressing against Nekomata's waist.
"You're not leaving just yet. We haven't recovered your relic." Nicole smiled sweetly. "Besides, Baal told me to keep a close watch on the bad cat who led us right to the Ethereal."
"Meow-meow-meow! No need for rough treatment, I'll stay put." Nekomata raised her hands in surrender, forcing a laugh. "And, uh—you're mistaken. It's a family relic, not my relic."
"Or maybe I'm not mistaken." Nicole's smile sharpened. "When Baal comes back, maybe it really will be your relic."
"Meow!"
Nekomata glanced at Baal, who was still cleaving the Butcher apart in bursts of lightning, and let out a sharp squeal.
My relic? No way!
But for now, she could only wait until Baal finished the fight—and accept whatever judgment followed.
…
Elsewhere, Victoria Housekeeping Co. was tracing the orange trail left by the railgun blast, drawing closer to the battlefield where the Cunning Hares clashed with the Dead End Butcher.
The closer they came, the brighter the thunder flared, the louder the monstrous roars echoed. The group stopped in their tracks.
"So scary… is the sky falling?"
Corin clutched her chainsaw, trembling with fear.
She was the most timid of them all, too afraid even to look directly.
Corin's so useless… making everyone embarrassed… wuuu…
"Another mess again." Ellen sighed, her tone thick with irritation. "Why is today so full of trouble? At this rate, I'll never get off work."
Von Lycaon frowned deeply. "That sound… someone is fighting the Dead End Butcher—and it's losing ground."
He was certain. Just like Sol Mercer, another powerhouse had appeared—someone who'd never existed in New Eridu's records.
Two Void Hunter-level fighters emerging in such a short time… it was almost unthinkable.
'Since when did Void Hunters show up in groups?'
No—more likely, the one fighting was Sol himself.
That made more sense than imagining two new Hunters appearing at once.
"You're right, Lord Lycaon." Rina's eyes narrowed, a smile on her lips. "And it looks like someone with the same element as me."
"But compared to that radiance… I'm just a little firefly. The path to becoming a perfect maid is still long indeed."
She gazed at the lightning flashing in the distance, awe and confusion mingling in her chest.
Even from afar, her own electrical weapons seemed to quiver, aching to submit.
It felt as though the storm ahead was the true master of all lightning.
It was the first time she had ever experienced something like this.
"Compared to that strange weapon, this thunder-wielding fighter is the greater priority," Lycaon said gravely. "And by coincidence—or not—the weapon's landing point is near that battlefield."
"First we'll witness this fighter—likely Sol. Then we'll move on to the weapon."
"As you command, Lord Lycaon."
"Got it, boss. But don't forget to count the overtime."
"C-Corin won't drag everyone down… let's do our best!"
Victoria Housekeeping Co. advanced once more. Soon, they reached the battlefield's edge, where they spotted a cluster of figures—a pink-haired girl, a Thiren, a red robot, a girl in a green combat suit, and a small child.
Lycaon gave a slight nod.
His butler's professionalism allowed him to recognize the Cunning Hares immediately.
Normally, a firm like theirs—with its shady reputation—wouldn't warrant monitoring. But Sol's presence had raised their rating considerably.
If the Cunning Hares were here, then there was no mistake.
The one fighting the Dead End Butcher had to be Sol—the man who cleared an entire Hollow in ten days, who bested Hoshimi Miyabi in a duel.
Then, stepping closer, they finally saw the full battlefield.
"A Bangboo?!" Corin gasped, disbelief in her voice—then wilted, hanging her head. "Corin's so useless… even a Bangboo's stronger than me…"
"…"
Lycaon watched, speechless, as a violet Bangboo mercilessly tore into the Dead End Butcher.
Not Sol, not some unknown fighter.
But—
A cute Bangboo.
A Bangboo demolishing the Dead End Butcher.
A Bangboo with Void Hunter power.
Yes…
It was harder to believe than if seven new Void Hunters had appeared at once.