As the chip was fully inserted, Eous's body suddenly began to float, emitting a dazzling white light.
Watching this scene, Ye Qingfeng felt a strange sense of familiarity.
*Wasn't this just like some clips he'd seen online before!*
*Bangboo super evolution, right?!*
At the same moment, in the video store, Belle suddenly fell unconscious. Various scenes flickered continuously in her mind, finally settling on an image of Hollow Zero. Before she could prepare herself, the Hollow abruptly expanded, enveloping her within it.
"Don't... don't scare me..." Wise caught his unconscious sister immediately, at a loss for what to do, and could only call her name over and over. "Wake up... Belle!"
Belle couldn't feel her body — only the thoughts in her mind. She struggled desperately to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt as though they were glued shut.
She couldn't perceive time, colors, or sounds — only the pitch-black darkness before her.
*[Terms and Conditions of Use... No authorization for use by others...]*
A somewhat feminine electronic voice suddenly rang out in Belle's mind, causing her a splitting headache.
*[Not transferable or assignable by any other means...]*
Meanwhile, inside the Hollow, the four members of the Cunning Hares, led by Eous, smoothly made their exit.
"Manager! You did it — we're out!"
Billy cheered the moment they left the Hollow.
But aside from him, the other three sensed something was wrong.
Ever since Eous had inserted the chip, it had silently led them toward the Hollow's exit without a single word. During this time, Eous not only failed to produce Belle's voice, but its movements were eerily mechanical — like an emotionless robot.
Ye Qingfeng had noticed the anomaly early on. The Eous that usually scurried swiftly on its little legs now took each step as though following a strict program, every stride exactly the same distance.
If he hadn't confirmed that the route Eous was leading them matched the closest exit path on his own mental map, Ye Qingfeng would have restrained it without a second thought.
He was also a hundred percent certain Billy hadn't missed the oddness either.
But now wasn't the time for wild speculation — he needed to get to the video store and check on Belle's condition.
*[...You agree that, for the purpose of protecting the common interests of yourself and this entity, to grant full authorization when necessary...]*
Meanwhile, the voice in Belle's mind continued.
The moment they left the Hollow, Eous collapsed, its body convulsing uncontrollably.
"The Bangboo's seizing. We should go to the store and check on the main body."
Seeing Eous convulse, Anby sensed something was wrong and suggested.
"Right, we need to get to the store and see how Belle is doing." Ye Qingfeng immediately agreed. "I have a bad feeling about her situation."
Belle only felt that the voice in her head was unbearably loud. *Ugh... so noisy... what is that sound...*
*[Do you agree to the above User Terms?]*
*No...*
Belle felt information churning through her brain — it was deeply uncomfortable. Without fully processing what the voice was saying, she instinctively refused.
*[Do you agree to the above User Terms?]*
The unknown presence in her mind inquired again.
*I said no... how many times do I have to tell you?!*
Instantly, a wave of pain shot through her brain, radiating throughout her entire body.
*It hurts so much...! Stop it! My eyes... my organs... they're all going to...*
*I agree! Fine, I agree, okay!*
Belle immediately chose to agree, and only then did the pain in her organs, brain, and eyes slowly recede.
*[Authorization agreement signed and completed. It is a pleasure to serve you.]*
*[Let us together bring New Eridu...]*
At the same time — outside New Eridu City — a conversation highly relevant to these events was taking place.
"How surprising. One [Key] has already been activated."
A pause, then: "Which one was it? Ghost? Jinni? Or Youkai?"
"None of them. It was Fairy."
"Oh my, oh my now this is getting interesting." A faint smile curved. "Will another [Key] appear in the future?"
---
Back at the Sixth Street video store, Belle slowly opened her eyes, a hint of confusion still lingering in them.
"You're finally awake." Wise sighed in relief upon seeing her conscious. "Don't worry — it's alright. You're safe at home."
Belle, who had been staring downward, suddenly perked up. Recalling the confusion before she had fainted, she immediately questioned Wise: "What about that memory chip? Where are Qingfeng and the others?"
"And... how did I even get back?" Belle's emotions began to stir involuntarily.
"Sis, calm down." Wise tried to soothe her. "You just recovered don't get too worked up."
He continued: "I'll tell you everything in a moment, but first, tell me what happened after you read the chip."
"Brother, you're so mean... I asked first!"
Belle pouted, then laid out the entire painful and unsettling experience she had just endured.
"Hmm... Sounds like sleep-talking." Wise fell into thought after hearing her account, muttering softly to himself. "Or maybe like a transcript from a psychiatric ward..."
"Anyway, I roughly understand what you went through. Now it's my turn to answer your questions."
Wise calmly began to recount the subsequent events.
"After you read the data chip, Eous went haywire. It seemed to enter some kind of overload state, flashing white light like a stage light ball at a 404 Livehouse show."
"I thought the escape attempt had failed, but then Eous suddenly moved and led Nicole and the others out of the Hollow."
"Throughout all of this, you were unconscious constantly twitching and murmuring."
After hearing Wise's account, Belle's expression suddenly turned serious. "Brother, you didn't secretly record any of that, did you?"
Wise smiled helplessly, slowly pulling out his phone and waving it in his hand. "That's what you're worried about? Didn't expect you to guess. Not only did I record it I already sent a copy to Qingfeng."
"Wha—what?!" Belle's eyes widened instantly. She lunged at Wise, trying to grab his phone. "Give it to me! You actually sent it to Qingfeng?!"
Wise retreated with a few quick steps, easily dodging her. Seeing that she had no chance of getting it back, Belle's heart sank. Then the thought that Ye Qingfeng might have already watched it made her chest go cold and numb.
"I'm never speaking to you again, brother!!"
Belle stumbled back in utter despair, collapsing onto the sofa and rolling around in protest. "I can't go on living! Wuwuwu..."
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