"S-Sent by someone?" Nicole's eyes widened at Uchiha's words.
In her mind, Uchiha had always been a lone wolf. Even when she'd extended an olive branch during their last encounter, he hadn't shown the slightest interest.
And now, he was claiming he'd come at someone else's request to help them? It was almost unbelievable.
Among the people Nicole knew, there was likely no one with the clout to sway such a powerhouse. Which meant—whoever had contacted Uchiha was likely a friend of Belle's.
As a Legendary Proxy, it wasn't too strange that she'd have connections with powerful figures in the industry.
"How exactly are you planning to assist us? And who sent you?" Belle eyed Uchiha with clear suspicion.
She didn't trust this unexpected arrival one bit—especially the vague "on behalf of someone" excuse. The Hollow had only just formed. Very few people even knew they had entered. Who could have made such a request?
Uchiha's shadow clone, behind the mask, hesitated briefly—but he knew what Zhong Yan intended. So he gave a direct answer:
"Zhong Yan. I found his Ether compatibility of zero intriguing, so I struck a deal with him."
"He asked me to find you. He and your other companion are currently somewhere in this Hollow. My task is to guide you to them."
The moment they learned it was Zhong Yan who had reached out to Uchiha, both Belle and Nicole looked stunned.
Belle began to piece things together. Back at the building, Zhong Yan and Uchiha had appeared to clash—but given Uchiha's strength, there was no way Zhong Yan could've escaped unharmed.
The only logical explanation was that Uchiha never intended to kill him. After all, someone who could toy with giant Ethereals wouldn't let a seventeen-year-old boy walk away—unless he'd let him go.
That train of thought made everything click into place. And Uchiha had no real reason to lie to them.
Besides, if he'd truly wanted to harm them, there was no need for all this talk.
"Nicole, what do you think?" Still unsure, Belle handed the decision to her.
Nicole, who had worked with Uchiha before, remembered him quite favorably. If he'd been truly malicious, she wouldn't have walked away with three million Dennies from their last deal.
After a moment of thought, she nodded. "Let's trust him for now. We've got no better way to locate Anby and Zhong Yan quickly."
With Nicole making the call, Belle agreed—and the two established a temporary alliance with Uchiha. Under his guidance, they began heading toward where Zhong Yan and Anby were.
...
Elsewhere, in a building not yet touched by Ether Crystal corrosion, Zhu Yuan was tending to the civilians—many of whom were in poor condition.
Prolonged exposure to the Hollow, even without full corruption, caused extreme discomfort.
With no specialized medication available, Zhu Yuan could only do her best to comfort them—assuring them that the Hollow Investigation Association would send help soon.
As for Billy, stuck in the same building, he was practically squirming with anxiety due to Zhu Yuan's presence. As a member of New Eridu Public Security, she could easily arrest him if she learned he was a Hollow Raider. He was silently praying for Nicole and the others to show up and whisk him away.
Just then, a Cat Thiren girl arrived—it was none other than Nekomata, who had previously snuck into the Hollow behind the investigator squad.
"You... Are you gathering nearby civilians here?" Nekomata asked, surprised by the crowded lobby.
Hearing the voice, Zhu Yuan came over. She was visibly exhausted from caring for so many people, her complexion pale.
Still, she forced herself to respond clearly. "I'm Zhu Yuan, Public Security from the Janus Quarter. I got pulled into the Hollow by accident. I'm helping gather civilians who didn't evacuate in time."
Nekomata blinked, suddenly feeling admiration for the officer. Then, as if remembering something, she spoke more urgently: "I saw a Hollow Investigation Association team earlier! They must be here to rescue you. Should I go get them?"
Having followed the team into the Hollow, Nekomata knew the Association had begun deploying rescue ops. Seeing Zhu Yuan and the civilians here, she figured she might as well help and guide the squad back here.
Though she was disappointed—Zhong Yan and Anby weren't among the civilians.
"Really? That's great news! But... why didn't you go with the team and leave the Hollow with them?" Zhu Yuan asked, excitement fading into suspicion.
Nekomata replied without hesitation. "I have a few people I must find. I won't leave until I know they've made it out."
"I see... Well then, let's go call that team back here first. As for the ones you're looking for, I'll help you find them. That's part of my duty as a Public Security officer," Zhu Yuan said with a firm pat to her chest.
The gesture touched Nekomata deeply.
"She really is a symbol of justice," she thought to herself.
Afterward, Nekomata led Zhu Yuan back the way she came. Once she confirmed the Hollow's spatial node hadn't shifted, they re-entered the one she had used.
They soon arrived back at the spot where Nekomata had first entered—but the investigation team was no longer there.
"Let's search the area. They may have left some traces behind," Zhu Yuan said, thinking like a seasoned professional.
Her sharp eyes caught something almost immediately—bullet fragments lodged near the corner of a wall.
"These are Ether-infused specialized rounds—only official units carry them. That means the team fought Ethereals here," she deduced quickly.
Then she spotted a faint blood trail on the floor. Following it, they soon found a wounded figure.
But the figure's condition was terrible. His suit had been torn apart, his body covered in wounds from a vicious battle.
Pale from blood loss, he used his last ounce of strength to shout upon seeing them—
"Run...!"
In the very next instant, a towering Ethereal appeared, its weapon mercilessly driving through the man's chest.
He died within seconds, breath gone before his body even hit the floor.
And then Zhu Yuan recognized the creature.
"An upper-tier Ethereal... Thanatos?!"