Perhaps Wise thought the virus was nothing serious, or maybe he simply had confidence in his own skills—or he might've had some special method for purging malware.
After all, it was highly likely that the siblings were part of the original developers of the HDD system, and maintaining it daily would require a very high level of expertise.
Staring at the USB plugged into the computer, Su Chen could do nothing but pray for them.
"We'll leave the USB with you guys for now. Just let us know once you've found anything."
"In the meantime, we'll make some preparations to take down that Ethereal."
Nicole had already sensed that this commission wouldn't be simple.
From accepting the job to dealing with the Red Fang Gang, everything about it had been unusual.
Now the safe was beside a high-tier Ethereal—that thing wouldn't be easy to handle. They needed to get ready.
At the very least, Billy needed a full stock of bullets and some broken parts had to be replaced.
"No problem. You guys go ahead and get ready. I'll let you know if anything comes up."
Wise nodded in agreement.
"Well then, see you two later!"
Nicole waved as she led Su Chen and the others out of the video store.
No sooner had they stepped outside than a mouthwatering aroma wafted through the air.
Anby twitched her nose, and her stomach growled audibly.
She looked at Nicole and said earnestly, "Nicole, I want ramen~"
Last night, she and Billy had fallen from a high-rise on Fourteenth Street into the Hollow. By the time they made it out, it was already daytime.
After a whole night, plus intense combat, her energy reserves were practically empty.
And now, with that heavenly ramen aroma in the air, there was no way she'd settle for filling her belly with potatoes.
"We're low on Dennies, and..."
Nicole was about to refuse.
But then her own stomach growled loudly. She glanced at Su Chen—the MVP of the Hollow—and finally made up her mind.
Su Chen had performed spectacularly, taking down so many Ethereal and harvesting so many cores. He deserved a reward.
Nicole gritted her teeth and said, "Everyone worked hard in the Hollow today. Let's splurge a little. We're going to [Waterfall Soup] for General Chop's ramen!"
"Awesome! General Chop's handmade ramen is so good!"
Anby rubbed her belly, lost in blissful memories.
Though burgers were still her favorite time-saving food, a hot bowl of ramen was a luxury she could definitely enjoy when things were calm.
"Is it really that good?"
Su Chen asked with curiosity.
In the game, General Chop's ramen wasn't just delicious—it had better stats than an S-tier amplifier.
And it was expensive. He wondered what the real-world price was like.
"Trust me, it's seriously tasty."
Anby replied with a serious expression.
"You'll see for yourself soon enough!"
Nicole grabbed Su Chen and dragged him along.
"What about Billy?"
Su Chen asked as they walked.
"No need to worry about me, Big Bro Su Chen! You guys go eat—I'm gonna hit the arcade!"
Billy tossed out a quick reply and happily dashed into the game center across the street.
The ramen shop was open-style, with a counter that wrapped around the kitchen area. Customers sat on tall stools right by the sidewalk. The small, sturdy General Chop was currently facing his customers, pulling noodles with his mechanical arms.
Nicole, Su Chen, and Anby sat in a row and looked over the menu.
"Welcome! Nicole, what'll it be today?"
"I can make anything on the menu—or off it too!"
General Chop greeted them enthusiastically.
He remembered Nicole and Anby very well.
One was a stingy girl, the other a bottomless pit.
The handsome young man beside them was new though. He must've had some bad luck to end up recruited by the Cunning Hares.
"The usual for me—white bowl herbal broth noodles." Nicole looked at Su Chen and Anby. "Don't hold back—order whatever you want."
"I'll have the white bowl braised meat noodles, extra noodles!"
Anby shouted with full energy.
Meals were the only time she ever showed any real spirit.
Su Chen glanced at the menu and thought for a moment.
"Then I'll go with the black bowl bone broth noodles."
He could see the thick, fragrant broth bubbling in front of General Chop. Pork bones, old chicken, and cured ham all simmered together.
The menu photo showed generous chunks of meat—just looking at it made his mouth water.
But the price was terrifying. Just like in the game.
Nicole's white bowl herbal broth noodles cost 1,800 Dennies, and his black bowl bone broth noodles were a whopping 5,000 Dennies.
Having once worked a temp job for 3,000 RMB, he couldn't help but flinch a little. (T/N: 3000 RMB = 417 USD)
Still, with the skills he had now, he figured... might as well enjoy it.
"White bowl herbal broth noodles, dine-in! White bowl braised meat noodles with extra noodles, dine-in! Black bowl bone broth noodles, dine-in!"
"That'll be 9,300 Dennies!"
General Chop announced.
"I've got it."
Nicole opened her wallet and reluctantly handed over the Dennies to General Chop.
Before they sold the Ethereal cores—and after accounting for debt repayments—this was enough for maybe two more ramen meals.
"You can let go now, Nicole."
General Chop tugged at the bills she was still clutching and had to remind her.
"Haha, sorry."
Nicole let go with a sheepish smile, painfully watching the money disappear into the register.
With payment done, General Chop began preparing the ramen—or rather, he started operating the two mechanical arms behind him to make it.
Su Chen watched the fluid, elegant motions of the mechanical arms and couldn't help but ask, "General Chop, does this still count as handmade ramen, or is it machine-made?"
This ramen, and Tin Master's hand-ground coffee, were two things that had always puzzled him.
"Huh?!"
General Chop's noodle-pulling halted briefly as he answered awkwardly, "You really hit me with that one."
He couldn't help but grumble inwardly. This guy definitely fits with the Cunning Hares—brain circuits totally unpredictable!
"I was just asking. Please focus on the noodles."
Su Chen said considerately.
Beside him, both Nicole and Anby burst into giggles—Nicole practically shaking, and Anby's lips twitching into a subtle smile.
Su Chen smiled too. He might not have gotten an answer, but the laughter of two beautiful girls was a reward in itself.
(GeneralChop: Oh, great, I'm just part of your silly play now, huh?)
Before long, three steaming bowls of noodles were served.
Anby's white bowl braised meat noodles had the largest portion—chunks of red-glazed meat glistened with juice, clearly full of savory flavor.
In front of Su Chen, the black bowl bone broth noodles floated with large meat pieces—the meaty aroma slammed right into his brain.
Nicole's white bowl herbal broth noodles were vegetarian, emitting a soft herbal fragrance.
"Sss~"
Su Chen sniffed, and the rich aroma rushed into his nose.
Just from the smell, he knew this ramen would be amazing—hundreds of times better than anything he'd had before crossing over.
But just as he was about to dig in, he heard a 'slurp' from beside him. Turning his head, he saw Nicole staring at his bowl as she sucked back a single strand of drool.