Chapter 20: Phaethon

Meanwhile, in the Janus District of New Aelius City, at the corner of Sixth Street, inside a video store...

The television was still broadcasting news about Fourteenth Street...

“Let’s return to the scene on Fourteenth Street. Shortly after the emergence of the companion hollow, an explosion occurred in the upper floors of a nearby residential building.”

“It is understood that the explosion was triggered by the Public Security Bureau.”

“During the operation to crack down on the illegal violent gang, the Crimson Fangs, the Public Security Bureau and righteous citizens employed swift and forceful measures, deploying armed forces from the Air Police Unit...”

“Stop watching! I was the one involved in that explosion the news is talking about!”

Nico frantically pushed open a door inside the video store.

“It’s an emergency! Billy, Anbi, and my client’s target have all fallen into that hollow!” Nico rushed to the television, slammed it off, and shouted urgently at the two in front of her: “Oh! I can’t reach Qingfeng either! He might have gone in too!”

"I need the help of the String Artisan!! This is a request for my entire life!"

“Hello, Nico. Next time, try knocking properly before walking in.”

The boy with gray hair sat comfortably on the sofa, squinting as he lazily teased.

“I feel like I hear this at least three times a month...” the blue-haired girl added with a sly smirk, “Nico’s lifetime request~”

“Help me through this crisis first, then you can mock me all you want!”

Nico pleaded desperately to the blue-haired girl, "Please! Legendary String Artisan—Phaethon!!"

“What trouble did you get into this time?”

Both turned their heads toward Nico and asked in unison.

“Sister, I checked outside—the coast is clear.”

The gray-haired boy immediately went to the door, peered through the peephole, saw no unfamiliar faces, and returned to the room to reassure the blue-haired girl.

“Relax! I wasn’t followed or surveilled! I barely escaped from Fourteenth Street—only me!”

The gray-haired boy’s expression grew slightly serious. “Better be true.”

“Oh come on! I know the municipal election’s coming up—the atmosphere’s tense!”

“By the way, Nico—who’s this Qingfeng you mentioned?” The blue-haired girl clearly found this unfamiliar person more interesting. “I’ve never heard you talk about him before.”

“You mean Qingfeng? He just joined the Hare’s Den recently—he’s a huge fan of the Hare’s Den! He begged me for ages until I finally agreed!”

The blue-haired girl looked at Nico with clear disdain and ruthlessly exposed her lie: “I bet you tricked him into joining the Hare’s Den...”

After knowing Nico this long and thinking she understood the Hare’s Den, who in their right mind would voluntarily join it?!

“How do you... know...” Nico, caught out, tried to save face. “It’s not like that! It was Qingfeng...”

“Enough.” The gray-haired boy tried to steer the conversation back. “Nico, focus on the matter at hand.”

“Right. Did you come running here because you’re being chased by debt collectors again?”

The blue-haired girl teased with a grin.

“I’m not being chased by debt collectors! I was set up by the Public Security Bureau and that furious reporter from Lido Channel!”

Nico crossed her arms and complained, then gave them a brief account of her clash with the Crimson Fangs.

“...So, Anbi and Billy fell into the hollow, and Qingfeng probably went in too—otherwise he wouldn’t be unreachable!”

“I need to rescue them and retrieve the item my client wants! It’s urgent—only you can help me!”

“Why not apply for rescue through the Hollow Investigation Association?”

The gray-haired boy didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he asked curiously.

“I... don’t want the Association to notice me right now. If they find out we’re hollow thieves, it’ll be trouble...”

Nico explained seriously. “To feed those greedy bastards, I’d have to give up most of my fortune! I can’t just abandon my staff!”

“Abandoning your staff... sounds very Nico-like.”

The blue-haired girl smirked teasingly.

“Hey! Don’t slander me! I’ve set aside a substantial portion of revenue for staff emergency rescue funds!”

Nico gave a slight huff of annoyance. Though she was greedy, they were still her employees.

“In short! My demand is simple: bring my people and my client’s item back safely from the hollow!”

"Standard String Artisan business—won't you take it, Phaethon?" Nico laid down her final condition. "After this job, I'll pay off all my past debts at once!"

A client walking in was free money—and Nico had said that much... but there was still room to haggle.

“Nico, your debt’s been overdue for months. Aren’t you going to pay interest?”

The blue-haired girl’s lips curled into a sly, mischievous smile.

“Fine, fine... I’ll give you a share of the reward for this job. Happy now?”

Nico reluctantly conceded.

“Hmm. That sounds more reasonable.”

The gray-haired boy nodded in satisfaction.

“Then let’s go! I’ll head to the hollow and wait for you!” Nico, seeing their agreement, immediately prepared to leave—“Ouch—”

“Nico, you’re injured...”

The blue-haired girl sensed Nico’s exhaustion and soothed her with a playful tone: “There, there~ Nico, rest for a bit. You’ll need to help transport Ies to the hollow later.”

“You want me to take my Bumbu clone to the hollow? Sure, no problem!”

“Sister, help Nico with her wound. I’ll prepare the HDD and get everything ready for your infiltration.”

The gray-haired boy gave a few instructions, then sat down at the computer desk nearby.

“Got it! Nico, sit on the sofa.” The blue-haired girl sprang into action. “I’ll find the first-aid kit.”

The blue-haired girl spent a moment searching before rushing back to treat Nico’s wound.

“Sister, I’m done preparing. Once you finish with Nico, come over!”

“Alright! Coming!”

The gray-haired boy stood aside. The blue-haired girl stepped forward and sat down.

“Ling, Zhe, I’m off with Ies!” Nico grabbed Ies, who had been watching them from the sofa, and turned to complain as she left: “This turned into such a mess—I’ll demand extra payment from the client.”

“Alright. Be careful.”

Ling and Zhe replied in unison without turning around.