Generally speaking—or at least according to Ignis's rather shallow understanding of Hollows—this was not a place that should have many people in it. Those who entered were usually Hollow Raiders or investigators, people who had already accepted the possibility of dying inside before setting foot here.
"Thank you so much!"
The Salamander wrenched his thunder hammer free from the wreckage of a humanoid combat mech, the disintegration field instantly vaporizing the core armor plating along with the primary control unit inside it.
"If you hadn't shown up in time, we probably would've died here."
The speaker was part of a young couple, barely in their early twenties. The man held a pistol, but judging from his grip alone, it was obvious he had never received any formal training. His build was slender, with no sign of real combat capability.
As for the woman, she was even more extreme. Other than screaming, she had spent the entire time clutching her phone, filming the rampaging humanoid mech nonstop without even attempting to dodge.
Ironically, it was thanks to her piercing screams that the Salamander had noticed them in time—charging in to intercept the mech and smashing it apart with a single blow.
"This isn't an amusement park." The Salamander raised his shield, scanning the surroundings with vigilance. His gaze flicked sideways, brows knitting. "And take your finger off the trigger. One twitch, and you'll fire."
"Huh?" The man hurriedly pulled his finger out of the trigger guard. "A-Are you from the Hollow Investigative Association?"
"That depends." Nicole's voice came from behind as the rest of the Cunning Hares finally caught up.
"You're fast!" Billy said, lugging his autocannon as he jogged over.
He hadn't wanted to use it at first, but Ignis hadn't given him any chance to refuse before departure—dumping the autocannon and four drum magazines straight into his hands. Thankfully, Billy's core power output was high enough, and he'd recently undergone maintenance with higher-quality components. Otherwise, the weight alone would've crushed him.
"Any more enemies?" Anby flashed to Ignis's side, her chainsaw sword humming menacingly.
As for Nekomata, her agile figure flickered past the couple before she sprang up and perched atop the Salamander's power pack.
"Looks clear for now, meow." Nekomata shaded her eyes with her fingers, peering around. "But those Ether fragments on the ground—were those your doing, Ignis?"
"It was the machine," the young man said, pointing with his pistol at the shattered mech. "It smashed through a cargo container and charged out, destroying those Ether deposits."
"I was just getting excited about today's video footage!" the woman clutched her chest, still shaken. "Then that thing rushed us—and this big guy came out of nowhere, knocked it over, and smashed it to pieces!"
"Put the gun down. Remove the magazine. Clear the chamber." Ignis saw the man's finger unconsciously creeping back toward the trigger and felt a headache coming on. "This is exactly why amateurs shouldn't carry firearms."
His sharp bark froze the young man in place. Billy stepped forward, smoothly took the pistol, dropped the magazine, racked the slide, and reseated the round back into the mag.
"I'll hold onto this for now." The robot's face display showed a cool, piercing gaze, paired with his icy voice—oddly charismatic. "If you don't intend to shoot something, don't put your finger on the trigger."
"S-So cool…" The woman stared, eyes wide.
"So, you really are professional Hollow investigators!" The man grew visibly excited, convinced by Billy's handling. "Please take us out! Helping civilians in danger is part of your duty, right?"
"And why do you assume we're Hollow investigators?" Nicole's lips curved upward, her bangs casting a shadow over one eye. "And are you truly 'trapped' in danger… or did you come looking for thrills?"
The leader of the Cunning Hares studied them with interest. "C41 Hollow has been declining lately. Ether levels are lower, more unstable. So, you got curious? Treasure hunting? Seeking excitement? Or showing off your manliness in front of your beloved?"
"Y-Yes…"
"Oh dear, what a pity." Nicole clicked her tongue theatrically. "This big guy here may be kind-hearted, but we're not Hollow investigators." She pulled out a pocket watch and snapped it open with a click. "You have one minute to convince me to let you go."
"Y-You're Hollow Raiders?" The man's face drained of color. According to official propaganda, Hollow Raiders were ruthless criminals who'd do anything for profit. Falling into their hands meant certain death.
"P-Please—"
"Forty-five seconds." Nicole cut him off flatly.
His girlfriend looked just as pale. Remembering New Eridu Public Security broadcasts, she felt her life flashing before her eyes—and burst into tears.
"Crying counts toward the time too." Nicole tossed the pocket watch into the man's hands. "Thirty seconds left. Any ideas?"
"I—I won't report you!" Watching the second-hand tick away, he panicked. These people were clearly not merciful types.
"That's it?" Nicole almost laughed. "How stupid. If I kill you, there'll be no one left to report anything."
The man looked desperately toward Ignis. This giant had just saved them—surely he wasn't evil.
"A-At least spare my girlfriend!" The man dropped to his knees, ready to beg.
"Time's about up." Nicole wasn't impressed. "Anby."
The white-haired girl stepped forward and pulled the trigger on her chainsword. The weapon roared to life.
"Ah—!" The man broke into a cold sweat as Anby advanced, chainsaw whining. Her expression was blank, her glassy eyes devoid of emotion. It reminded him of a movie he'd seen recently—villains who killed with the same indifference.
"I-I have money! I'll pay! Just get us out—I'll withdraw it immediately!" He thought of his savings. Buying his life with money would still be worth it.
"Now that's more like it." Nicole's face blossomed into a radiant, professional smile. "Anby, Billy—help our guests up."
"Thank you for purchasing services from the Cunning Hares. This service includes escorting you safely out of the Hollow."
The couple stood up in a daze. Just who were these people?
"Relax. The Cunning Hares are professionals in Hollow-related affairs. We guarantee your safe exit today." The pink-haired woman raised three fingers, her gemstone-like nails gleaming. "Fifty thousand dennies per person."
"Wait—wait!" The man blinked. "That's three fingers! How is that five? And what exactly are you people?"
"Correct, five. Or you're free to leave on your own." Nicole met his eyes. "What are we? Hollow Raiders. We also take escort jobs."
"I wasn't planning to get involved," she added, glancing at Ignis. "But we've got a real good guy on the team. Consider this a lesson—don't treat Hollows like playgrounds. This one's a paid service."
"Nekomata, give them the pre-drafted contract." Nicole opened her case, revealing stacks of unsigned agreements. The cat Thiren flipped down from the Salamander's back and handed the contracts over.
They skimmed through it. Aside from the steep fee, there were no loopholes. Remembering how the giant had charged in and crushed a combat mech with one blow, they clenched their teeth and signed.
It was expensive—but their lives mattered more.
Watching them sign and press their thumbprints, Nicole clapped her hands happily and called out toward the path they'd come from.
"Alright, everyone—come out. Problem solved. Let's welcome our new friends to the departure group."
A group of over ten people emerged, roughly half men and half women, all looking dejected.
Seeing the couple join the line and adopt the same defeated posture, Ignis couldn't help but find it amusing. Nicole really can do business anywhere.She'd probably squeeze profit out of the Twelve high Lords of Terra themselves.
He'd thought this C41 Hollow run was just about scavenging valuables for sale. Instead, after hours of fighting Ethereals and autonomous mechs, they'd found little more than a few locked storage crates—still hanging from the grip of his shield.
Then Nicole, following Carrot's data, encountered attacked civilians. After saving them, she'd immediately pivoted into an escort business.
Their luck was real. The C41 Hollow was in decline—lower Ether density, reduced activity, minimal risk of Ether radiation or corruption. Those rumors had spread online, luring thrill-seeking amateurs inside.
But Ether was still Ether. Untrained civilians with no weapons stood no chance—especially with dormant combat mechs hidden in old containers.
Ignis had already saved many people. Nicole insisted they needed a lesson, so she drafted contracts on the spot, stamping them and turning the rescued into the Cunning Hares' first escort service customers.
She's a genius, Ignis thought. Turning immediate fear into demand and profit—fast, direct, ruthless efficiency.
Granted, much of it relied on the intimidating image of Hollow Raiders, their brutal weapons, and a mix of coercion and bluff. Still, no one was hurt—just frightened.
The countdown trick had been Ignis's idea. Movie clichés work surprisingly well.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen," Nicole chirped like an enthusiastic tour guide. "We'll soon reach the edge of the Hollow. You'll safely return to New Eridu, and we'll escort you to the nearest bank to withdraw payment in order."
"Don't think about running. We signed contracts—skip out, and I'll sue you in court."
She pulled out a small flag. "Come on, dear customers—follow the flag. Falling behind means you're on your own."
Ignis wondered if they should issue matching hats. She looked disturbingly experienced as a guide. Considering the Cunning Hares' range of operations, maybe she really had done this before.
He checked the HUD—Carrot showed the Hollow edge was close.
"Let's take a detour…" Nicole whispered. "Those two just joined—don't get out too fast, or they'll feel cheated."
Ignis snorted despite himself. Fair enough. Paying that much to exit in five minutes would sting.
So… a longer tour it was.
Ignis led the way, shield raised in exaggerated caution. Nekomata lingered at the rear, eyes locked on wallets, itching to profit from distraction.
Anby's presence shut that idea down immediately. She would absolutely intervene—and Nekomata knew she'd lose.
Billy walked beside the Salamander, relaxed.
"Are we giving those guns back later?" the robot asked. "We confiscated several."
"Why would we?" Ignis replied quietly. "So, they can misfire and shoot themselves—or someone else? Keep them. Extra income. We'll hand them over to Public Security later."
They wandered the Hollow for another half hour before finally exiting.
Watching the rescued civilians bow repeatedly, eagerly withdrawing money to pay, Ignis realized—Nicole's method really worked.
Let's hope this money doesn't vanish too quickly…Just how much debt does the Cunning Hares actually have?
===BREAK===
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