The Hollow.
Hoshimi Aya's side.
The group arrived at an open area. After setting up the data pylon, they attracted the attention of some Etheralss, but Hoshimi Aya casually cut them down.
They were all the most common types, with power levels barely reaching first or second grade; there weren't even any Elite-grade ones.
"Um, Aya, could you go take a rest over there?"
"You handled them all by yourself. There's no way we can just stand by and watch, right?"
Caesar looked at Hoshimi Aya, who was slowly sheathing her blade, and persuaded her.
Hoshimi Aya had single-handedly dealt with all the Etheralss. One had appeared next to her just now, but before she could even make a move, it vanished in the blink of an eye.
"Huh?"
"...Slow hands get nothing."
"You were too slow, you can't blame me."
Hoshimi Aya was momentarily stunned by Caesar's words and turned her head away.
What a joke. She was too slow, and now she was being told not to move.
"Proxy, how much longer will it take you?"
"This is so boring."
Lucy asked, leaning against the side.
She had been leaning there for nearly ten minutes, and not a single Etherals had managed to reach them.
There were quite a few Etheralss at the beginning, but before Lucy could even draw her weapon, they were already gone.
Everyone else was the same; they had all given up and were just waiting. Only Caesar kept trying persistently to steal kills.
Of course, Caesar's blade hadn't even made contact when a flash of red light appeared, and the Etherals was gone.
"Caesar, that's just how Aya is."
"Aya is very persistent when it comes to cutting down Etheralss."
"You can't talk her out of it."
Ling collected the data.
After a few more minutes, the data from this data pylon was finally collected.
The group set off for another location.
However, as soon as Hoshimi Aya arrived at the position, Lucy pulled her aside, tightly gripping her hand, and dragged her to a spot quite far from the data pylon.
"Lucy, what are you doing?"
"They need me over there."
Saying that, Hoshimi Aya prepared to break free from Lucy's grasp.
"No way, Aya. You're going to rest with me here for a bit."
"Leave that side to Caesar and the others."
"When this is done, I'll let go of you."
Lucy held onto a pillar with one hand and Hoshimi Aya with the other.
Although she knew she couldn't physically restrain Hoshimi Aya, she was betting that Hoshimi Aya wouldn't forcibly pull away over something like this.
"...Lucy, it's unnecessary."
"It's just a few Etheralss."
Hoshimi Aya tried to wrench her hand free, but it was held tightly. If she pulled forcefully, she might injure Lucy. After weighing her options, Hoshimi Aya chose to stop struggling.
Meanwhile, on Caesar's side.
"Proxy, don't worry."
"We are here; we won't let the Etheralss hurt you."
Caesar held a shield in one hand and a sword in the other, looking spirited.
Wright and Bernice were the same.
Ling, hearing this, paused, turned around, and saw Hoshimi Aya being held tightly by Lucy not far away.
"Alright then."
Ling nodded and began collecting the data from the data pylon.
As soon as it started, Etheralss began to gather nearby.
"Excellent!"
"Wright, Bernice, we each take one side."
Caesar commanded.
Seeing this, the two nodded and surrounded the data pylon in a triangular formation.
Ten minutes later.
Once they confirmed it was resolved, Lucy let go of Hoshimi Aya.
Caesar and the others walked over.
"Thanks, Lucy."
Caesar gave a smile.
When they came over here, she had pleaded with Lucy for quite a while before Lucy agreed to hold Hoshimi Aya back.
"Tch, don't let it happen again."
Lucy turned away and rubbed her hand, acting proud.
"That was too much."
"Ling, say something to them."
"It's just a few Etheralss, what's the big deal?"
Hoshimi Aya sounded somewhat wronged.
"Uh..."
"Aya, just let it go."
"You didn't lose anything."
Ling gave an awkward laugh.
The fact that Hoshimi Aya had taken on all the work by herself earlier was indeed a bit excessive.
But she couldn't talk her out of it. The method she came up with wasn't exactly unreasonable.
"Fine, there's still one more, anyway."
Hoshimi Aya comforted herself.
Soon, the group set off for the next location.
Seeing this, Bernice put away her flamethrower and directly grabbed both of Hoshimi Aya's legs.
Hoshimi Aya:!!!
"Bernice, well done!"
Caesar gave Bernice a thumbs-up.
"Caesar, don't worry."
"I will definitely control Aya."
Saying that, Bernice still felt uneasy, so she even restrained Hoshimi Aya's hands as well.
"Seriously, is this necessary?"
Hoshimi Aya looked at the group and questioned them.
However, none of them answered, each avoiding Hoshimi Aya's gaze.
"Boss, the Etheralss are coming."
Wright reminded them.
Caesar and Lucy nodded. The three formed a triangle, safely protecting Eous, Bernice, and Hoshimi Aya in the center.
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