Inside the Ballet Tower.
"Hey... isn't it getting creepier around here?"
Belle peered around timidly from within Eous's Bangboo frame, the small machine's body curling into a trembling ball as she shuffled forward, each hesitant step taking a surprising amount of courage.
Whoosh!
A ghostly, half-transparent white figure darted past, streaking through the air like a phantom.
"Ahhh!!!"
Belle screamed through Eous's speakers and bolted backward—straight into Lycaon's arms. The latter had already crouched down in anticipation, catching her easily.
Wrapped in Lycaon's thick, warm white fur, Belle felt comfort seep through the Bangboo's sensors as Lycaon's deep, reassuring voice rumbled in her ears like a gentle drumbeat.
"Proxy, please compose yourself. As long as Victoria Housekeeping still stands, you won't be harmed in the slightest."
"Mm... alright, I get it."
After a short pause, Belle steadied herself and had Eous hop down from Lycaon's embrace.
Just then, a soft, soothing voice spoke—it was Rina. She patted Corin's back gently, bending down to whisper encouragement.
"Corin, everyone else has already found their courage. You can do it too."
"Sniff... sniff..."
Corin sniffled twice, then raised her small hands to wipe away her tears. Though her voice still trembled, she clenched her fists, bit her lower lip, and gathered her courage.
"Y-yeah... Corin will do her best!"
"That's wonderful. Such a good girl!"
Rina smiled tenderly, ruffling Corin's hair.
Corin blushed and looked down shyly, but soon her face softened with a blissful, hamster-like expression under Rina's gentle touch.
Belle watched through Eous's eyes, a little envious, though she didn't dare say anything. Realizing how silly she must look, she quickly shook Eous's head to clear the thought and blurted,
"It's getting late—we should move out!"
At her cue, everyone began moving forward again.
Before long, Belle noticed more white, translucent "ghosts" drifting through the air, some even rising up from beneath the floorboards. Their transparent bodies twisted into grotesque shapes and eerie grins. Though harmless, they made her heart race violently in her chest.
Still, after Rina's earlier encouragement, she felt braver—though not entirely at ease.
"There weren't this many before, right?" she asked nervously. "Could it mean we're close to something... dangerous? Like a warning?"
"No."
Lycaon's sharp eyes swept the surroundings, lingering briefly in every possible hiding spot. His body bent slightly forward, instinctively ready to shield the proxy.
"The Ballet Tower is filled with Doppelgängers disguised as ghosts. To imitate them perfectly, they've taken on the look people imagine ghosts should have."
"They're harmless—mischievous, but cowardly. Especially afraid of stronger spirits."
"The only reason they've stayed away until now is because Phaga's with us. Ghosts, by nature, avoid powerful vampires."
At that, Belle had Eous's arms fold across its chest, her tone faintly sulky.
She was still a baby, and so was Corin.
But Belle? Not at all.
She was the kind of girl who could talk about lubricants with Billy without blushing. Did Phaga and Ellen really think they could fool her?
In the pitch-black room, Wise suddenly heard his younger sister Belle mutter softly,
"I wonder how smoothly things are going with Phaga and Ellen."
...
As it turned out, Ellen might have been doing fine—but Phaga could only manage a bitter smile.
"Hey, how about walking for a bit yourself?"
Phaga trudged onward with Ellen on his back. Admittedly, her soft, smooth thighs felt pleasant against him, and thanks to his presence, no Doppelgänger dared to appear. They'd been walking peacefully for a while now.
Still, carrying the "weight of love" while staying alert for lurking Ethereal troublemakers was more exhausting than it sounded.
Ellen didn't care. She bit his ear gently and whispered,
"You're the one who said you'd carry me if I got tired."
"And Rina said you're not allowed to dislike me for being lazy... Oh, by the way, the carrot on the data panel says there's a spatial fissure five centimeters left of the next corner. Be careful when turning."
"A carrot that hasn't been updated in years? You sure we can trust it?"
Phaga sighed helplessly, lowering his gaze. Still, when they reached the corner, his body automatically steered away from the supposed danger.
As they turned, the corridor opened up again.
Moonlight, hazy as silk, poured through the windows—dreamlike and soft, weaving an ethereal scene.
Phaga continued forward with Ellen on his back.
Suddenly, Ellen tapped his shoulder.
"Phaga, look over there."
She stroked his cheek with a teasing smile, then turned his head toward something on the ground—a small teddy bear lying there for no reason.
Sensing something, Ellen slid off his back, grabbed his hand, and pulled him closer.
Phaga could only shrug and follow along. It was just a toy, after all. Using his Vampiric Sight, he checked it—only a faint Ether coating. Nothing dangerous.
In fact, in the Hollow, it would be stranger not to have Ether residue.
"Huh? Phaga, come here—there's writing on it!"
"What does it say?"
Phaga approached slowly, chuckling.
"Don't tell me it's the manufacturer and production date."
"Of course not!"
Ellen shot him a look, holding the doll up. Written on its body were the words:
[Five little dolls... one slipped away...]
[No road home... no friends to stay...]
Phaga frowned.
"Doesn't look like something printed by a factory. Who'd buy a toy with this on it?"
"So it's handwritten? What kind of creepy rhyme is that supposed to be?"
...
"Mr. Lycaon, look! There's a doll ahead!"
Corin spotted an exquisite teddy bear lying on the floor. She ran over, picked it up, and turned around with a bright smile, showing it off like a girl proudly displaying a seashell she'd found.
Lycaon smiled warmly. The feeling of family always softened his heart. He was about to say something when suddenly—his instincts screamed danger.
Years of combat experience made every hair stand on end.
When he turned back, the doll was crying.
"Corin, throw it away!"
Lycaon roared.
"Yes, Mr. Lycaon—!"
Startled by his shout, Corin flinched and hurriedly threw the doll.
Too late!
The airborne doll suddenly extended several tentacles, shooting out and wrapping tightly around Corin's arm.
With a sharp yank, it flew back into her grasp.
At that exact moment, a nearby door slammed open, releasing a terrifying suction.
Corin gripped the doorframe with all her strength, but the pull was far too strong—and the doll's tendrils were now teasing at her fingers.
"Mr. Lycaon!" she screamed.
"Corin!"
Without hesitation, Lycaon stomped the ground, propelling himself forward in a burst of speed.
Mid-air, his prosthetic leg ignited, spewing a jet of nitrogen that boosted him even faster.
But—he wasn't fast enough.
Corin was sucked inside, and the door slammed shut.
BANG!
Lycaon's fury erupted; he kicked the door open and charged in.
"Corin! Corin?!"
His voice echoed in the cramped room.
No answer.
Rustle...
A faint sound came from behind.
Lycaon's pupils dilated. He rolled forward, then turned sharply to scan the area.
His breath hitched—the door he'd shattered moments ago was perfectly whole again.
With a heavy slam, it closed.
He frowned, stepped closer, and cautiously pressed down on the handle.
Creak...
The door opened easily.
Lycaon stepped out, looking around in confusion.
"Rina?"
His voice echoed down the empty hallway.
No response.
He was alone.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Ballet Tower—
Ellen dusted off the doll and hung it around her neck.
"Corin loves cute things like this. I'll give it to her later."
"Sure, but couldn't we just buy one outside?"
Despite his words, Phaga didn't stop her. The writing on it was unsettling, but removing it would be easy enough.
"This doll's really well-made. You probably can't find one like it outside," Ellen said.
Then her eyes brightened. She tugged on Phaga's sleeve.
"Hey, Phaga, look—another doll! Ugh, this one's so ugly."
Phaga leaned closer.
Whoa. Missing an eye. Definitely ugly.
But then he noticed something else.
He frowned.
"Wait, this one has writing too."
"What?"
Ellen leaned in. Written across the one-eyed bear's body were the words:
[Four little dolls... one left behind...]
[Gold and silver tempt the eyes... greed will claim your life...]
Ellen blinked.
"What the hell does that even mean?"
...
"Um... Rina, are you sure the Ballet Tower isn't haunted? Lycaon and Corin are both gone!"
Belle's voice wavered as she clung tightly to Rina, pressing Eous's Bangboo body almost flat against her.
Rina smiled softly, perfectly hiding her worry behind calm eyes. To ease Belle's fear, she teased,
"Miss Proxy, my powers are actually a lot like a ghost's. Do you like ghosts like me?"
"Don't—don't joke around, Rina!"
Belle's cheeks flushed within Eous's cockpit, her heart skipping slightly.
Someone as gentle as Rina... how could anyone not like her?
Eh?
Suddenly, Eous's display flickered and went dark. Belle pointed through the Bangboo's hand.
"Rina, look—another doll."
Rina's gaze followed her direction. In a nearby corner lay yet another teddy bear, missing one eye.
"Let's go around it."
The last one had left too deep a scar, so Rina suggested a detour.
Belle nodded quickly. She had no desire to touch another cursed toy.
But just as Rina started to move away, a sudden sense of danger struck her.
She swiftly darted backward, hands raised, ready to fight.
Then—something rained down from the ceiling.
A shower of dennies clattered to the floor.
Clink, clink~~
Expressionless, Rina turned back.
The one-eyed teddy bear was walking toward them, its insides rustling with every step.
"You... like money?"