Chapter 20: Phaethon

At the same time, in a corner of Sixth Street in the Janus District of New Eridu, inside a video store...

The television was still broadcasting news about 14th Street...

"Let's return to the scene on 14th Street. Shortly after the companion Hollow disaster appeared, an explosion occurred on the upper floors of a nearby residential building."

"It is reported that the explosion was triggered by the Public Security Bureau."

"In the operation to crack down on the illegal violent gang, the Chiya Gang, the Public Security Bureau and righteous residents took thunderous measures and used the armed forces of the Hollow Investigation Team..."

"Stop watching! I'm the one involved in the explosion mentioned in the news!"

Nico pushed open a door in the video store in a panic.

"The situation is urgent! Billy, Anbi, and my commission target have all fallen into that Hollow!" Nico rushed to the TV, turned it off, and shouted urgently at the two people in front of her: "By the way! I can't contact Qingfeng either! He might have entered the Hollow too!"

"I need the help of a Proxy!! This is a request for my life!"

"Hello, Nico. It would be better if you could knock on the door normally next time."

The gray-haired boy sat comfortably on the sofa, squinting his eyes and complaining unhurriedly.

"I always feel like I can hear this at least three times a month..." The blue-haired girl complained with a hint of belly-blackness. "Nico, your request for your life~"

"Help me get through this crisis first, and you can mock me however you want afterward!"

Nico begged the blue-haired girl bitterly. "Please! Legendary Proxy——Phaethon!!"

"What trouble did you get into this time?"

The two turned their heads to look at Nico at the same time and asked in unison.

"Sister, I've confirmed it. There are no suspicious people outside the store."

The gray-haired boy went to the door at the first opportunity and looked outside through the peephole. Seeing no unfamiliar faces, he felt relieved and returned to the inner room to tell the blue-haired girl.

"Don't worry! I wasn't followed, nor was I tailed! I spent a lot of effort to run out of 14th Street, just me alone!"

The gray-haired boy's expression was slightly serious. "Better be that way."

"Geez! I know, the municipal election is coming up, and the wind is tight!"

"By the way, Nico, who is this Qingfeng you just mentioned?" The blue-haired girl was obviously more interested in this person she didn't know. "How come I've never heard you mention him."

"You're talking about Qingfeng! He just joined the Cunning Hares a while ago. He admires the Cunning Hares very much and begged me for a long time before I agreed to let him join!"

The blue-haired girl looked at Nico with disdain and ruthlessly exposed her lie. "I think Nico must have tricked him into the Cunning Hares..."

Having known Nico for so long and considering herself to understand the Cunning Hares, who would be bored enough to join the Cunning Hares?!

"How did you... know..." Seeing she had been exposed, Nico tried to argue to save face. "That's not it! It's Qingfeng..."

"Alright." The gray-haired boy tried to change the subject back. "Nico, let's talk about business first."

"That's right, Nico came to the door so hurriedly, are you being chased for debt again?"

The blue-haired girl teased with a smile.

"I'm not being chased for debt! I was set up by the Public Security Bureau and that furious reporter from the Lidu Channel!"

Nico complained with her arms crossed, then briefly told the two about the conflict with the Chiya Gang.

"... In other words, Anbi and Billy fell into the Hollow, and Qingfeng might have accidentally entered the Hollow too, otherwise I wouldn't be able to contact him!"

"I want to save them, and I want to get back what the client wants! The situation is urgent, only you can help me!"

"Why not apply for rescue from the Hollow Investigation Association?"

The gray-haired boy didn't agree to Nico's request immediately but asked suspiciously.

"I... I don't want to be targeted by the Association for the time being. If it's found out that we are doing things like grave robbing, it will be troublesome..."

Nico explained seriously. "To feed those greedy guys, even half of my net worth wouldn't be enough! I can't just leave my employees alone!"

"Leaving employees alone... sounds quite like Nico's style."

The blue-haired girl teased with a smile.

"Hey! Don't make false accusations! I have allocated a large portion of the revenue for employee accident rescue budget!"

Nico hummed slightly dissatisfied. Although she was very greedy for money, those guys were her employees after all.

"In short! My request is simple! Bring my people and the client's things out of the Hollow safely!"

"Standard Proxy business, aren't you going to take it? Phaethon?" Nico put forward the final condition. "After finishing this order, I will hand over all the previous debts together!"

Business at the door, might as well take it, and Nico has already said so... But it's possible to bargain a bit more.

"Nico, your debt has been delayed for several months. Aren't you considering the interest?"

The blue-haired girl hooked a cunning smile at the corner of her mouth.

"Fine, fine... I'll also give you a share of the commission for this commission, okay?"

Nico was reluctant but made a concession.

"Hmm, that sounds more reasonable."

The gray-haired boy nodded with satisfaction.

"Then let's set off quickly! I'll go to the Hollow and wait for you!" Seeing them agree, Nico immediately prepared to act. "Hiss——"

"Nico, you're hurt..."

The blue-haired girl noticed the exhaustion on Nico and comforted her with a playful tone: "Alright~ Nico, rest for a while first. I'll have to trouble you to help transport Eous to the Hollow in a while."

"Take your Bangboo clone to the Hollow, right? Okay, no problem!"

"Sister, you help Nico treat the wound. I'll go prepare the HDD and help you make preparations for infiltrating the Hollow."

The gray-haired boy gave two instructions and sat down at the computer desk not far away.

"Okay, no problem! Nico, go sit on the sofa first." The blue-haired girl immediately took action. "I'll go find where the medical kit is."

The blue-haired girl spent a while finding the medical kit and hurriedly ran back to the room to treat Nico's wound.

"Sister, I've prepared it. You can come over after treating Nico's wound!"

"Okay, okay! Coming!"

The gray-haired boy stood up and gave up his seat. The blue-haired girl walked over quickly and sat down.

"Ling, Wise, I'm taking Eous and setting off!" Nico grabbed Eous, who was standing on the sofa looking at them, and before leaving, didn't forget to complain to the two: "I didn't expect such a big commotion this time. I have to find the client and ask for a big additional fee."

"Okay! Be careful on the road."

Ling and Wise said in unison without looking back. ===== CHAPTER 21 =====