Meanwhile, in the Janus Quarter of New Eridu City, at a corner on Sixth Street, inside a video rental store…
The television was still broadcasting news about Fourteenth Street.
"Let's return to the scene at Fourteenth Street. Shortly after the emergence of the Hollow, an explosion occurred on an upper floor of a nearby residential building."
"It is reported that the explosion was triggered by the Public Security Bureau."
"In the operation against the illegal violent gang, the Red Fang Gang, the Public Security Bureau and righteous citizens took swift action, mobilizing the armed forces of the Air Police Unit…"
"Stop watching! I'm the one who caused the explosion they're talking about in the news!"
Nicole pushed open a door inside the video store, looking flustered.
"The situation is urgent! Billy, Anby, and the target of my commission have all fallen into that Hollow!" Nicole rushed to the television and turned it off, then urgently addressed the two people before her. "Oh right! I can't reach Qingfeng either! He might have also entered the Hollow!"
"I need the help of the proxies! This is the request of a lifetime!"
"Hello, Nicole. It would be better if you could knock properly next time."
The gray-haired boy comfortingly sat on the sofa, squinting his eyes and leisurely quipping.
"Feels like I hear that at least three times a month…" the blue-haired girl muttered with a hint of mischief. "Nicole, the request of a lifetime~"
"Help me get through this crisis first, then you can tease me all you want!"
Nicole pleaded pitifully with the blue-haired girl. "Please! Legendary Proxy Phaethon!!"
"What trouble have you gotten into this time?"
Both of them turned to look at Nicole and spoke in unison.
...
"Belle, I've checked. There are no suspicious people outside the store."
Wise immediately went to the door and peered through the peephole. Seeing no unfamiliar faces outside, he returned to the inner room and reported to Belle.
"Don't worry! I wasn't followed, and no one's watching me! I worked hard to get out of Fourteenth Street, and I came alone!"
Wise's expression grew slightly serious. "That's for the best."
"Ugh! I know, the municipal election is coming up, and things are tense!"
"By the way, Nicole, who's this Qingfeng you mentioned?" Belle was clearly more interested in this unfamiliar person. "I've never heard you talk about him."
"Oh, Qingfeng! He just joined the Cunning Hares not long ago. He really admires the agency and begged me for a long time before I agreed to let him join!"
Belle looked at Nicole with disdain, mercilessly exposing her lie. "I bet Nicole just sweet-talked him into joining the Cunning Hares…"
Having known Nicole for so long and understanding the Cunning Hares well, who in their right mind would join willingly?!
"How did you… know…" Seeing her lie exposed, Nicole tried to save face by arguing, "That's not true! It's Qingfeng who…"
"Alright." Wise attempted to steer the conversation back. "Nicole, let's get down to business first."
"Yeah, Nicole, rushing here in such a hurry… are you being chased by debt collectors again?"
Belle teased with a smile.
"No one's chasing me for debts! I was set up by the Public Security Bureau and that furious reporter from Lido Channel!"
Nicole crossed her arms and complained indignantly, then briefly recounted the conflict with the Red Fang Gang to the two.
"…So, Anby and Billy fell into the Hollow, and Qingfeng might have accidentally entered it too, otherwise I wouldn't have lost contact with him!"
"I need to rescue them and retrieve the client's item! It's urgent, and only you can help me!"
"Why not apply for a rescue from the Hollow Investigation Association?" Wise didn't immediately agree to Nicole's request but instead asked curiously.
"I… don't want to attract the association's attention for now. If they find out we've been doing Hollow-diving jobs, it'll be trouble…"
Nicole explained seriously. "Feeding those greedy guys would cost more than half my assets! I can't just abandon my employees, can I?"
"Abandoning employees… sounds exactly like something Nicole would do."
Belle teased with a smile.
"Hey! Don't slander me! I've allocated a significant portion of the revenue to the employee emergency rescue budget!"
Nicole let out a slightly dissatisfied huff. Despite her greed for money, those guys were still her employees.
"Anyway! My request is simple! Safely bring my people and the client's item out of the Hollow!"
"Standard Proxy business, right? Won't you take it, Phaethon?" Nicole proposed her final condition. "After this job, I'll pay off all the previous debts in one go!"
Business that comes knocking shouldn't be refused, and since Nicole put it that way… but there's still room to negotiate.
"Nicole, you've been dragging your debts for months. Aren't you going to consider the interest?"
Belle curled her lips into a sly smirk.
"Fine, fine… I'll even give you a share of the commission's reward this time, okay?"
Although reluctant, Nicole made a concession.
"Hmm, that sounds more reasonable."
Wise nodded in satisfaction.
"Then let's get going! I'll head to the Hollow first and wait for you!" Seeing their agreement, Nicole immediately prepared to leave. "Ouch—"
"Nicole, you're injured…"
Belle noticed Nicole's fatigue and comforted her in a playful tone. "Alright~ Nicole, rest for a bit first. We'll need your help later to transport Eous to the Hollow."
"Bring your Bangboo duplicate to the Hollow, right? Got it, no problem!"
"Belle, help Nicole treat her wounds. I'll configure the HDD and prepare for your Hollow infiltration."
Wise gave a couple of instructions and sat down at a computer desk nearby.
"Okay, no problem! Nicole, go sit on the sofa first." Belle immediately sprang into action. "I'll go find where the first-aid kit is."
It took Belle a little while to locate the first-aid kit. She hurried back to the room and treated Nicole's wounds.
"Belle, I've finished the configuration. Once you're done treating Nicole, come over!"
"Alright, alright! Coming!"
Wise got up and made room. Belle quickly walked over and took a seat.
"Belle, Wise, I'm heading out with Eous now!" Nicole grabbed Eous, who was standing on the sofa watching them, and complained before leaving, "I didn't expect things to blow up like this. I'll have to squeeze some extra fees out of the client."
"Okay! Be careful on the way."
Belle and Wise spoke in unison without looking back.
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