While waiting for Captain Zhu Yuan, Seth didn't stay idle. Instead, he used the time to "interrogate" Perlman once more.
After the attack, Perlman finally realized that those bastards, Bringer and Sarah, were simply out to kill him.
With no way out, Perlman spilled everything he knew—how he had used Vision Company's resources to sabotage New Eridu, how he had supplied materials to the Exaltist Order's research facilities, and how he had profited illegally…
After listening to Perlman's confession, Seth took a deep breath.
"You've done so many terrible things."
Perlman quickly defended himself.
"It's not like that! None of this was me—it was all that vile Miss Sarah! Outwardly, I was the boss of Vision Company, but in reality, no one listened to me… they all treated me like a puppet!"
As he went on, Perlman grew angrier. Whenever there were benefits, Miss Sarah and the others divided them among themselves, never leaving him a share. But when it came time to take the blame, they wanted him to carry it all. It was beyond unfair.
He continued ranting, laying out the inner workings of Vision Company in detail. For example, when Miss Sarah wanted his signature, refusing meant threats… Or at mealtimes, despite being chairman of Vision Company, he was forced into the employee cafeteria. Was that fair? Even his so-called "chairman's office" was barely half the size of Miss Sarah's secretary's!
When Seth finished listening, he asked seriously,
"Do you have evidence?"
Perlman froze, then his eyes lit up.
"Evidence… yes, of course I do! I'm not stupid. Since they were committing crimes under my name, I kept proof. Every time I signed something, I made a backup and tucked it into Vision Company's files…"
Hearing this, Seth studied Perlman's eyes and felt he wasn't lying.
Of course… this was only Seth's intuition, not absolute. Everything still depended on finding that evidence.
As the two spoke…
Suddenly, Seth's expression changed. He raised a finger to his lips.
"Shhh—"
Perlman glanced around nervously, whispering,
"Officer Seth, what is it? Did Bringer find us?"
Seth listened intently, then frowned deeply.
"No…"
Perlman exhaled in relief.
"Whew, you scared me. I thought Bringer was here."
But Seth's voice turned grim.
"It's Ethereal—"
Perlman jolted in fear.
"What? Ethereal? We're doomed."
Better Bringer than this. Dying by Bringer's hand was preferable to falling to the Ethereal.
In their current state, Seth was gravely injured and unable to fight, while Perlman's combat ability was practically zero. Even against ordinary Ethereal, they didn't stand a chance.
"Officer Seth, we need to get out of here," Perlman urged.
Seth's voice was low and firm.
"Don't make a sound. Don't draw the Ethereal here."
But fate never spares the fearful ones.
No sooner had Seth spoken than he spotted several Ethereal slowly emerging from the far end of the street through the window.
As they drew closer, Perlman panicked. He stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.
The noise instantly drew the Ethereal's attention.
Cursing under his breath, Seth forced himself to ignore the pain from his wounds. He grabbed his shield and baton, readying himself for a fight.
Moments later, several Ethereal appeared in the doorway. The sight of Seth and Perlman instantly stirred their hunger.
Just as the moment turned dire—
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunfire shattered the silence, followed by Zhu Yuan's voice.
"Senior, Proxy, there's trouble over here—"
Perlman's spirits soared at the sound. Before Seth could say a word, Perlman shouted desperately,
"We're here! We're here!"
Hearing his cries, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi rushed over. The moment they stepped inside, they spotted Seth and Perlman.
Zhu Yuan let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness, we finally found you."
Qingyi said calmly,
"You're both safe. Just in time…"
Belle, piloting Eous, stumbled in.
"Mission accomplished—"
Zhu Yuan quickly rushed to Seth's side, checking his injuries. Seeing that he wasn't in immediate danger, she finally breathed easier.
Only then did she ask about the convoy attack.
Seth recounted everything—how the convoy had been ambushed by bandits disguised as Security Personnel, how Bringer had pursued them, and how they had barely escaped into the Hollow…
When Zhu Yuan heard that Chief Bringer was an undercover agent for the Exaltist Order, disbelief flooded her face.
"That's impossible… Chief Bringer, he… he's done so much for the Janus District, he even saved me once…"
She had always looked up to Chief Bringer as her role model, striving to be as outstanding as he was.
But now Seth claimed he was the Exaltist Order's mole—one of the masterminds behind everything.
At her side, Qingyi seemed unsurprised.
"So, since Chief Bringer failed to kill you, he staged the ambush and framed you as the culprit behind the convoy attack."
Seth nodded.
"Exactly."
Both Zhu Yuan and Qingyi wanted to believe Seth.
But the idea that Chief Bringer was a Exaltist Order spy, the one behind this entire incident… Zhu Yuan couldn't accept it. There had to be some mistake, some misunderstanding.
Seeing her turmoil, Qingyi spoke slowly.
"In any case, let's get Seth and Perlman out of the Hollow first. Then we'll find the evidence Perlman mentioned and decide what to do next."
For now, that was all they could do.
Zhu Yuan took out a pair of handcuffs and secured them on Perlman.
Meanwhile, Qingyi helped Seth to his feet. With the Proxy leading the way, they began moving out of the Development Zone Hollow.
They were near the Hollow's edge. If all went smoothly, they would be out within ten minutes, free from danger.
But before they could clear the ruined streets, a figure suddenly appeared ahead—Chief Bringer, his face stern and righteous.
The sight made Perlman panic. He darted behind Qingyi.
"He's back! We have to run—"
With only Chief Bringer in their way, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi stood their ground.
Zhu Yuan stepped forward, demanding,
"Chief Bringer, I want an explanation."
An explanation?
Bringer let out a cold laugh.
"Zhu Yuan, I told you not to come here. Since you insisted on meddling, I'll deal with you too."
As he spoke, Bringer drew a knife from behind his back.
The sight made everything clear to Zhu Yuan—Seth had been telling the truth.
At her side, Qingyi unsheathed her weapon.
"Chief Bringer, you'll have to go through me as well."
Bringer sneered.
"You? You think you can stop me?"
He was just about to strike them down when—
A familiar voice rang out from behind.
"And us too."
Bringer turned and saw Hoshimi Miyabi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Asaba Harumasa, and Soukaku arriving. Together with Qingyi and Zhu Yuan, they surrounded him.
For the first time, Bringer's brows furrowed.
...