Taking advantage of Su Chen and Nicole's covering fire, Billy and Anby managed to push back the Ethereal and regrouped with the rest.
"Boss Nicole! You actually came to rescue us!"
Billy shouted, clearly overwhelmed with emotion.
"Isn't rescuing you part of the usual routine?" Nicole knocked on Billy's mechanical head. "I even spent a fortune to bring Phaethon here to help!"
"Phaethon!?"
Billy suddenly perked up, frantically looking around.
"Whoa whoa whoa! A scarf-wearing, talking Bangboo? That's the legendary Proxy—Phaethon!"
He stared at Eous, wide-eyed and full of admiration.
Even Anby couldn't keep her composure, watching the Bangboo with a mixture of curiosity and reverence.
"Hehe, yes, that would be me!"
Eous clasped her hands behind her back, bunny ears swaying smugly.
It was obvious Belle was thoroughly enjoying the admiration.
"Boss Nicole, I'm seriously touched!"
"I thought you'd leave us to fend for ourselves in the Hollow, but you actually brought Phaethon in to rescue us!"
Billy shouted with a mix of shock and gratitude.
"Is that how you see me usually? For your information, the Cunning Hares pays big for our employee accidental injury insurance!" Nicole stood akimbo, thoroughly displeased. "Once we're done with these Ethereal, I'm teaching you a lesson."
"Ahem… I think that's the least of our worries."
Su Chen cut in, interrupting the conversation.
"Hmm?"
Everyone turned toward him.
Su Chen pointed at the surroundings—twenty more Ethereal had joined the field. And more were still coming.
In mere seconds, their numbers exceeded eighty.
And it wasn't just the weaklings. Level 1 Ethereal, with power on par with a normal human, were in the minority. Most were Level 2, triple the strength of a regular person, and even Level 3s—nine times human strength.
"Tsss!"
Nicole and Belle both tensed instantly.
That many Ethereal? This was no minor trouble.
"Proxy, any side routes to escape?"
Anby asked Eous, trying to avoid the impending fight.
"I'm afraid not. We're surrounded. The only way out is to cut through. At the very least… we need to thin them out."
Belle's tone grew grim.
This was a real crisis. Sixty, seventy Ethereal shouldn't have gathered so densely, but facts were facts—they had to deal with what was in front of them.
"Then we fight our way out. Just some Ethereal—they can't stop the all-purpose agency: TheCunning Hares!"
Nicole's voice was firm.
"Right, Nicole."
Anby gripped her electric blade tighter, resolve flashing in her eyes.
Compared to earlier, when she and Billy had to face the Ethereal and the Hollow's spatial chaos alone, the current situation was much better.
At least they had Nicole, Su Chen, and a legendary Proxy at their side.
"Let's go, Boss Nicole!"
Billy was about to charge when he suddenly paused, looking awkward. "Uh… did any of you bring extra ammo? I'm running real low."
Nicole shook her head. She hadn't even gone home, let alone brought Billy's specific rounds.
"Mine won't fit."
Su Chen held out his hands, helpless.
Even though he had unlimited ammo cheats, they only worked for him. Plus, his and Billy's ammo types weren't compatible.
"Sigh, I might really die here today. If only you hadn't come, Boss Nicole—I could've at least had a Starlight Knight figure at my grave…"
Billy joked in mock despair.
"Don't be so dramatic. I've got plenty of bullets—enough to handle your share too."
Su Chen patted his shoulder.
"OHHH! I'm so touched!"
Billy shouted with enthusiasm. "Su Chen, you shine like Starlight Knight himself!"
He hadn't expected the newly recruited Su Chen to be so thoughtful. This man was like the brother he never had!
"If you run out, use this."
Su Chen handed over the Raiga that Anby had given him.
He didn't need it to deal with these Ethereal. Better to give it to Billy—and save on future repair bills.
"Su Chen, are you sure?"
Billy stared blankly at the blade in his hand.
At a time like this, any weapon was precious. Taking Su Chen's weapon felt like taking half his life.
"I've got plenty of bullets." Su Chen smiled gently. "Alright—I'm going in first."
He spun around and dashed into the Ethereal horde, closing the distance in a few swift strides. Within moments, more than twenty Ethereal stood between him and the others.
"Whoa! What the hell—he charged in!?"
Billy was stunned, his language processing short-circuiting.
Su Chen had just handed over his melee weapon—and then jumped straight into the enemy swarm!? Was this guy trying to die?
"He just… went in like that?"
The group stared in disbelief at Su Chen's recklessness.
A shooter should stay behind tanks and melee fighters—not dive headfirst into a swarm of monsters!
They knew Su Chen had great aim, but that didn't mean he could survive in a sea of Ethereal!
"Su Chen handed Billy his weapon… he's trying to sacrifice himself to protect us!"
Belle whispered in shock.
She had always thought Su Chen was a bit of a playboy, but now... he was willingly risking his life for them.
Especially considering he'd only joined Cunning Hares two days ago. To sacrifice himself for such short-term acquaintances—this man was too noble.
Belle felt a deep pang of guilt.
She'd been badmouthing him before—but he was ready to lay down his life? She was scum!
Nicole, Anby, and Billy all agreed with Belle's interpretation. They were deeply moved.
"We have to draw some of their fire and support him!"
Anby said calmly.
As she spoke, she rushed toward the swarm. Electric arcs flashed as she struck with precision and force.
She hadn't known Su Chen long—but she didn't want to lose a teammate like this.
"We're coming, Su Chen! Hang in there!"
Nicole's suitcase was practically overheating from rapid fire.
She thought of Su Chen shielding her during the fall from the building. Of him carrying her all the way from Fourteenth to Sixth Street.
She couldn't let this man die—not after just two days. If he sacrificed himself for the Cunning Hares, she'd never forgive herself.
"Hang in there, big bro! We're almost there!"
Billy yelled with all his might.
He was running out of bullets—forced to alternate between shooting and slashing with the Raiga Su Chen had given him.
That big bro who gave up his own weapon in a crisis couldn't die. He just couldn't.
For a moment, the battlefield split in two.
Su Chen fought alone in the heart of the Ethereal swarm. Nicole and the others desperately tried to push forward.
"Tch… you guys really need to stop jinxing me."
Su Chen sighed as he listened to their shouting.
Sure, he leaned toward the chaotic good side of things—but self-sacrifice? Yeah, no thanks. Not unless someone made him do it.
Charging into the swarm wasn't a noble sacrifice.
It was just that these Ethereal… weren't even a threat to him. He could wipe them all out.
A single roll dodged a spiked strike, the creature's claws tearing sparks from the concrete.
Su Chen drew Ebony and Ivory, murmuring softly:
"Let the slaughter begin."