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Although he didn't understand why they let those captured rebel soldiers go, Ignis still respected Victoria Housekeeping's decision. Besides, they had no manpower to spare to guard those people, so after issuing a warning, they simply let them leave.
As Rina had said, those men were no longer worthy of trust to their original unit, and even if they wanted to return, it was impossible.
Re-entering the Hollow—this was already their fourth time going back and forth—and even someone as mild-tempered as the Salamander couldn't help becoming irritable. The journey was filled with setbacks. Although the Proxy kept explaining that such things were common in Hollow exploration and that their earlier streak of perfect luck was actually the rare exception.
Before entering Tower A of the Ballet Twins, Von Lycaon raised his hand to signal everyone to stop, then walked alone to the entrance to check something.
"Both of you, when I left earlier, I set up some detection traps by the door. None of them have been disturbed." Von Lycaon returned. "Looks like those rebels are still holding their position inside the building with no sign of leaving."
"Then it seems their mission isn't finished." Ignis continued matter-of-factly. "We still have the chance to trap them inside."
"Indeed." Von Lycaon looked up at the giant. "However, with our outer perimeter guards missing, the enemy will certainly increase their vigilance. This time, a direct clash is unavoidable. We must break through their defenses as quickly as possible and rescue Miss Rain."
Ignis raised his autocannon. Although the barrel was heavily scorched, it could still fire a few rounds. "Then this is exactly my area of expertise—breaking lines, eliminating enemies behind cover, and shielding comrades during the assault. I'll send their cover and them straight to hell together."
No one from Victoria Housekeeping doubted the giant's combat strength. He had already shown enough earlier. His thick armor and weapons made it clear: this man was a living war-machine—deadly both up close and at range.
"Let's work together and get Rain out." Belle's voice came from Eous' body. The tiny Bangboo clenched its little fists, its electromagnetic muscles tensing. ["Master, good news—I've completed the secure decryption of the building's Hollow data. I can now track heat signatures inside in real time."] The Proxy's smart assistant was finally contributing.
After such a long period of data collection and comparison, it had fully mastered the Hollow's parameters. Combined with its earlier breach of the building's security system, it could now track specific targets.
"Fairy, I've been waiting for you to say that—good job!" Belle's voice was full of excitement.
"Then let's move." Von Lycaon led them toward the atrium.
Since power had already been restored in Tower A, there were no Ethereal here, and the elevator quickly carried them to their destination.
The moment they entered the atrium, Fairy reported that it had located the nearest biological heat signature, the floor covered in slashes left by that strange Ethereal's blade-legs. Having access to the building's security cameras was too convenient, greatly assisting their expedition.
But the convenience lasted only a few minutes—because the access gate leading into Tower B had been shut. Worse yet, the door had been physically locked from the inside, disconnected from the security system—clearly the rebels' handiwork.
Everyone knew time was critical. Ignis activated the disintegration field on his power fist. Crackling blue electricity danced across it as the disintegration field broke the multi-layered ether-alloy gate down to its base molecules.
They filed through the opening. Eous immediately broke into a short-legged sprint. Though Tower B still had power, its lights had been deliberately turned off. To avoid wasting precious time fighting ambushing Ethereal in the dark, they had no choice but to light their way. Fortunately, Fairy had breached these systems as well—lights turned on automatically as they approached.
"Won't this expose us too early?" Rina asked worriedly. After all, this was supposed to be a surprise attack. Getting discovered because of lighting would be unfortunate.
"No problem. I'll tell Fairy when to turn them on." Belle said as Eous picked up an old newspaper from the floor.
"'A special performance at the Ballet Twins Tower by the genius dancers Nette Sisters!'" the Proxy read aloud. "Lights! Soundstage! A once-in-a-lifetime experience! In the event of an emergency during the performance, the building will guarantee your personal safety to the highest—"
Eous turned toward Von Lycaon as Belle recalled the earlier trip to the control room. "Remember those toy bears singing nursery rhymes? Looks like this building didn't protect anyone at all."
The good news was that a nearby elevator lit up. It was a visitor-use elevator with limited access, but anything was better than walking the entire way. Inside, Belle described to Ellen, Corin, and Ignis everything she found in the control room—the eerie nursery rhymes and toy bears. Corin trembled in fear, while Ellen remained indifferent, yawning repeatedly.
Exiting the elevator, they found themselves in a long corridor with no lights—meaning plenty of Ethereal were gathered within.
The Salamander was the first to burst out when the elevator doors opened, the blue glow of his power-fists glaring in the darkness. Like an enraged bull, the giant charged straight into the Ethereal swarm. He rammed, stomped, and pulverized enemies with precise, swift strikes—clearly the movements of a seasoned warrior.
"Don't stop—move quickly!" Ignis barked, smashing a Metro Goblin with a single punch.
Victoria Housekeeping's members followed the charging bull tightly, Rina carrying Eous. Countless Ethereal shifted in the dark. Ignis' judgment had been correct—a full frontal engagement would take far too long, and the noise would alert the rebels.
As the Son of Vulkan spearheaded the advance, his momentum was unstoppable. Any Ethereal in his path was instantly erased. Those attempting to ambush from behind were swiftly dispatched by Von Lycaon and Ellen. The group carved a bloody path through the creature-filled corridor. The Salamander was sure the rebels had deliberately drawn these Ethereal here to block their way.
The Son of Vulkan dared not use his flamer. Though his power armor protected him from the heat, Victoria Housekeeping didn't have such protection. If he ignited a mass of Ethereal and started a fire, these mortals would be trapped.
Fortunately, a multi-ton Adeptus Astartes charging at full speed was already a terrifying weapon. The weaker Ethereal were crushed outright; the stronger ones, if they blocked the way, ate his fists.
They broke through, fighting out of the swarm. Once they exited the corridor and lights came back on, the Ethereal refused to pursue, retreating silently back into the darkness.
Even Ethereal feared the Son of Vulkan. In the rest of their exploration, high-level Ethereal avoided their path entirely. The few that didn't—Ignis granted them the right to eternal rest without hesitation.
But this time, the end of the corridor was blocked by a wall of piled junk. The infuriating rebels had dragged massive furniture and debris here. Clearing it normally would take far too long.
Ignis glanced at Von Lycaon, who replied with a firm nod. The power fist flared again, blasting apart the makeshift barricade.
Once the lights came on, the Proxy found another newspaper in the heap.
"'The genius Nette Sisters are bringing their special performance to the Ballet Twins Tower, yet strange phenomena plague the building. Multiple tenants report noises coming from empty rooms. The sisters' stage costumes, stored in Tower B's lobby, were stolen. The costumes were found on the Tower B rooftop, but no mortal presence was captured in the security footage.'" Belle read. "Looks like the haunting rumors about this place aren't new at all."
The Proxy discarded the newspaper and led the way. According to Fairy, their target was now extremely close.
The Salamander slowed his pace, avoiding unnecessary noise during high-speed movement that might alert the enemy too early. After all, they didn't yet know the enemy's firepower setup or fortifications. Crashing straight into a prepared kill zone would be anything but pleasant.
Considering the rebels had supplied a small squad with so many rockets, they clearly weren't lacking in firepower. Even if the Salamander could tank the hits with his Iron Halo and armor, could Victoria Housekeeping's members be guaranteed absolute safety? The Son of Vulkan didn't want the number of people needing rescue to suddenly increase.
The sound of servomotors quieted, and the hum of the power pack softened as he reduced output. The cost was immediate—the Salamander's movements became sluggish. Without the support of the electromagnetic muscle bundles, driving a multi-ton suit of Mark X Gravis Power Armor with only physical strength was no easy feat.
Thankfully, the distance wasn't far. Just around a corner and up the stairs ahead, the enemy would be in sight.
Since he was already this close, the Salamander immediately pushed the reactor to full power. His voice, amplified by the vox-array, erupted into a furious roar: "The fire of Vulkan burns in my chest!"
The giant surged up the stairs like a green storm. The enemy, stunned by the battle cry, froze in place. Ignis spotted several fortified positions at a glance—these men had set up two heavy machine guns and multiple rocket launch points in a space less than ten meters wide. The Son of Vulkan was relieved he hadn't let Von Lycaon's group come up first. Seeing the rebels in chaos, still fumbling to chamber rounds, he immediately pulled an anti-personnel grenade from his chest and hurled it.
Despite the name "anti-personnel grenade," the device contained a very real five kilograms of ether-based explosives. When the projectile—almost the size of a heavy artillery shell—landed inside the enemy's machine-gun nest, those soldiers felt their blood turn cold.
Then the violent explosion heated them right back up.
The five kilograms of high-yield ether explosives and its load of steel balls created a terrifying metal storm that shredded the rebel position. Most were torn apart instantly. Even the rocket launch racks were blown apart, triggering simultaneous detonations.
The chain of explosions left the rebels reeling. They knew someone had broken through the atrium and eliminated the outer teams—but the Ethereal-filled corridor had failed to stop them, and the rebels had heard no warning noises before the assault.
Someone tried to sound an alarm, but the Adeptus Astartes was faster. Ignis rushed past and crushed him underfoot into a smear of pulp.
A few survivors dug through the rubble for usable rockets and launchers, ready to fire at the Salamander. Von Lycaon came running up to warn them, but the Son of Vulkan had already turned and released a jet of flame.
The secondary-refined ether fuel ignited them like living candles. They couldn't scream—their vocal cords had already turned to ash—and they silently writhed until they disintegrated entirely.
Another squad of soldiers appeared at the corner and froze the moment they saw Ignis.
"It's the ones from the atrium!" one rebel shouted.
"Stop them! Don't let them ruin the plan!" ordered a man with different shoulder insignia—clearly an officer—holding a large equipment case.
"Gentlemen, surrender now and spare yourselves further suffering!" Von Lycaon rushed forward, dropping one man with a flying kick.
The Wolf Thiren worried that if Ignis got too immersed in killing, he might leave no survivors. They still needed information from someone's mouth.
The Salamander understood, of course. In his plan, everyone except the officer was expendable.
The soldiers stared at the flames, the torn bodies of their comrades, and the massive crater in the middle of the fortification—the blast had even punched through the floor. It was impossible to muster the will to resist. Since they couldn't win, they turned and ran. In their panic, the officer even dropped the case.
"Damn it—the device!"
"Forget it! Fall back!"
The Salamander wanted to pursue, but with his strength he might accidentally kill them outright. Fortunately, Victoria Housekeeping's members stepped in. Rina accelerated forward, blocking their escape route, and the two Bangboo rammed into the officer.
A burst of electricity dropped him unconscious, while Ellen and Corin swiftly knocked down the remaining rebels.
"Mr. Von Lycaon, the area is secure, but we haven't found Miss Rain," Corin reported to Victoria Housekeeping's leader.
"Then these men are only lackeys. The hostage must be with their commander." Von Lycaon looked at the stunned rebels.
"Von Lycaon, what is this device the armed man was carrying? It looks like some kind of transmitter." The Proxy noticed the fallen case.
Multiple indicators were lit on its outer shell, and Fairy detected data signals coming from it.