The next morning, the Salamander slept in a little longer than usual. Anby and Nekomata had gone together to carry out one of Nicole's jobs, while the mistress of the Cunning Hares and Billy had headed out to do a major supply run on Sixth Street. Since Vesmir and the others had been doing well with their morning market, Ignis had not needed to prepare breakfast for everyone for quite some time.
Today, he planned to spend some time working on the autocannon. Compared to the heat treatment of the barrel, machining the receiver was relatively simpler. Those precise, delicate components were no challenge to the Salamander's superb forging skills.
Just as Ignis lit the forge and prepared to heat a block of alloy, his phone rang.
It was Belle.
"Ignis, we've got trouble." The Proxy's voice was clearly anxious. "Mr. Rhode went to the Ballet Twins Hollow."
"What? That old man went into the Hollow by himself?"
Wasn't this just making things worse? He had been doing everything he could to help secure the compensation Rhode deserved, and now the person involved had gone to such a dangerous place on his own. If something happened to him, all that effort would be wasted.
"When we opened the shop this morning, a young man came by," Belle quickly explained. "The one who argued with Grandpa Rhode in the square in front of the Ballet Twins Hollow before. Hong. He said he saw Grandpa Rhode heading toward the Ballet Twins Hollow early this morning, muttering something like 'the shadow is my granddaughter, I have to go take a look.' He even asked him to pass along a note."
"The note says he's very grateful for our help, but he wants to personally confirm whether the shadow inside the Hollow really is his granddaughter."
"This…" Ignis was momentarily at a loss for words. "We need to bring him back. That's no place for an elderly man."
"My brother already took Eous over to the Ballet Twins Hollow," Belle said, sending a location pin. "Ignis, please head there as well. We'll meet up and then go into the Hollow to get him out."
"I'll depart immediately."
That old man's decisiveness was astonishing. How could he just decide to go into the Hollow to look for his granddaughter on his own? Could it be related to that female voice they had heard outside the broadcast room? Surely it couldn't be that coincidental.
The flexible manipulators of the intelligent workbench assisted him in donning the neuromuscular suit, then helped him put on his power armor. With its help, the Salamander could put on or remove the armor in just a few minutes.
Now that he had proper credentials, Ignis boarded the metro wearing his power armor openly. Public Security personnel tried to stop him, but he produced his Hollow Investigator credentials and stated that he was heading to execute a Hollow mission. It worked remarkably well. Many Hollow Investigators relied on their own protective gear, and those without sufficient resources often used public transportation to reach areas near their targets.
This was likely the unique sense of casual normalcy of a city that coexisted with Hollows, transporting licensed armed personnel via public transit.
After getting off at the Ballet Twins Hollow metro station, the Salamander immediately went to rendezvous with Wise. Fortunately, the other party had not been waiting long. Ignis did not say much. They both understood that with an elderly man's physical condition, Rhode could not last long inside the Ballet Twins Hollow. They had to find him quickly.
"Ignis! Let's move!" Belle's voice rang out, and the Salamander once again stepped into the Hollow within the Ballet Twins building.
Fairy accessed nearby surveillance footage and confirmed that the old man had indeed entered from their current position. Although spatial distortions within a Hollow could cause people entering from the same location to appear in completely different places, such changes were not significant in a short time. That meant Grandpa Rhode's current location should not be far from them.
"Why is it so dark here?" Ignis muttered after steadying himself. Thankfully, Fire-Sight allowed him to see a few steps around him. Otherwise, he would truly have needed to feel his way along the walls.
"There's no lighting nearby. When we restored the power system last time, we bypassed some non-critical areas. This just happens to be one of them. Let me see…" Eous walked a few steps. "This seems to be a warehouse. Our previous objective was the rooftop, so we didn't bother with places like this."
"I think I'm seeing traces of thermal radiation." Ignis's Fire-Sight revealed things invisible to normal eyes. "Yes, it's Mr. Rhode's."
"Mm. Fairy also says it's detected signs of activity. Let's catch up." Belle transmitted a route map to Eous, and the Bangboo dashed off.
Honestly speaking, this place was pitch-black beyond belief. Combined with the damp fog constantly interfering, the thermal radiation traces Rhode left behind were intermittent. The warehouse's design was also utterly deranged, with internal walls arranged in complete chaos, showing no sense of functional zoning whatsoever. It looked like something a child had scribbled at random. This deeply offended the Salamander's sensibilities as a former engineer. Several times, he nearly punched through those crooked, jutting walls. However, they could not be sure whether Grandpa Rhode might be on the other side. If the Salamander smashed through a wall and sent debris flying, it could easily shatter the old man's fragile bones, leaving nothing but fragments to shovel out.
Fortunately, Belle was an excellent guide. Working together with the Salamander's Fire-Sight, they advanced methodically through the darkness, until several shipping containers blocked their path. Ignis did not want to think about how an old man who could barely stand with a cane had managed to get past these containers, nor why they were here at all. With a splitting headache, the Salamander could only use his powered gauntlet to punch holes through the containers for himself and the Proxy to pass.
"No matter how many times I see it, it's still amazing. How do you even destroy walls like that?" Eous circled around the Salamander, staring at the gauntlet crackling with arcs of electricity. "They just turn into powder. It was the same when you hit Ethereals. Once struck, they usually just get disintegrated."
"Power field. A type of weapon. It can also be used as a tool." Ignis kept the explanation as brief as possible. He did not expect the girl to truly understand what a power field was.
"Wait, Fairy says there are some security cameras nearby. That's great. I can use their night vision to check the surroundings." As the Proxy spoke, Eous stopped and flopped down on the ground, idly kicking her legs.
A few minutes later, the little one stood up. "I found a route. The only viable path nearby. Grandpa Rhode should have gone that way."
Following the Bangboo through the darkness and turning several corners, the Salamander finally saw Rhode's thermal radiation traces within his field of vision, fresh and continuous.
That meant they were already close to the old man.
To avoid attracting Ethereals, the Salamander abandoned the idea of calling out. He was not afraid of Ethereals himself, but engaging them in chaotic combat in such darkness while protecting a frightened, fragile civilian was no easy task.
After advancing another dozen meters in the dark, Ignis heard Rhode's voice.
"Who? Who's there?" His voice was filled with panic, but the good news was that it was strong and clear. It seemed he had not suffered any injuries.
The Salamander hurried over, but the thunderous sound of his footsteps clearly gave the old man quite a fright.
"Don't come any closer!"
The old man curled into himself, raising his cane and swinging it like a sword. But as a frail, untrained elderly man, there was little threat to it. The Salamander ignited his flamethrower, a small flame lighting up the darkness.
The visor on his helmet glowed red, especially striking in the dark. Combined with his massive armored frame, the old man mistook him for some kind of Ethereal.
"Don't be nervous, Mr. Rhode. It's me." Eous carefully dodged the old man's cane and approached. "I'm the video store manager from Sixth Street."
"It's you, young lady." The old man calmed down. "Then he…"
"He's the giant you've seen before. We're here to take you out." Belle quickly explained.
"I never expected you'd come looking for me in a place this twisted and roundabout. I thought I was going to be lost here for the rest of my life." The old man was so emotional he was on the verge of tears. "This place is like being trapped by ghost walls. There's no way out at all."
"Don't worry. We're here to take you out." Ignis spoke calmly as he extended his hand. "Sit on my hand. It'll be easier than walking on your own."
"Sigh… I came in hoping to find traces of my granddaughter, but in the end, I just caused trouble for all of you." The old man apologized as he carefully settled himself onto the Salamander's palm.
"Mr. Rhode, originally my two colleagues were supposed to come looking for you today." Ignis followed behind Eous as they began heading back. "We already prepared a full plan to deal with your granddaughter's agency. Their contract is fundamentally invalid. Nicole Demara will help you recover the money you were cheated out of over the years, along with the compensation you're entitled to."
"I… I truly don't know how to thank you all." Rhode's voice trembled. "Every one of you is so kind. I really don't deserve this."
"There's no need to feel guilty. The Cunning Hares have their own principles." Ignis reassured him. "You just need to treat this as a normal commission. Nicole Demara will take a portion of the compensation as payment. We're simply in a client–contractor relationship. Ensuring your safety is also part of our job."
"Don't worry, Nicole is really capable." Belle chimed in. "Among everyone I know, she's easily in the top tier."
"I thought you'd prefer Victoria Housekeeping more." Ignis joked along with the Proxy.
"Von Lycaon and the others are indeed excellent, but their rates are way too high." Belle sighed. "Normally, I wouldn't even make that much money from a single commission if I hired them. Our books aren't exactly healthy either. It'd be great if Nicole could pay back a bit more of what she owes us."
"Now you see how good the Cunning Hares are. Affordable and efficient."
As they chatted along the way, the darkness seemed less frightening. Having already passed through once, the return route felt much more familiar. When they escorted the old man to the edge of the Hollow, he unexpectedly refused to leave.
"I still want to see the place where my granddaughter danced for the last time."
"No." Ignis rejected the request without hesitation. "This place is far too dangerous for you. We've already been fortunate enough not to encounter any Ethereals along the way. If we head toward the stage area, it's much farther in. Setting aside whether your body can withstand Hollow corrosion, if you get injured, Nicole Demara will kill me. That commission of yours is a big one. Big enough to even cover what she owes the Proxy. Don't make this difficult for us."
The old man sighed, hesitated in place for a while, then finally shook his head and left.
"Thank you for coming to save me today."
Watching the old man exit the Hollow, Ignis felt that it wouldn't be many days before he tried to come back in again.
"Should we investigate the voice Mr. Rhode mentioned? Otherwise, he'll just sneak back in a few days from now, and next time he definitely won't tell us."
Facing the Salamander's suggestion, Belle agreed as well. If they couldn't give the old man some kind of answer, none of them would have peace for a while. They also couldn't watch him constantly to stop him from entering the Hollow.
"Alright. Then we'll make another trip to the broadcast room." Eous stopped in place. It seemed the Proxy had started routing again.
"Follow me. I found a rift that leads near the stage."
Phaethon truly lived up to her reputation as a legendary Proxy. She really did find a rift nearby. Unfortunately, the rift was blocked by a door. As for obstacles like that, Ignis had only one solution.
BOOM.
With a violent explosion, the door was ripped straight out of its frame by the Salamander. He had no time to deal with any kind of puzzle mechanics. If fists could solve it, there was no need to think. However, he noticed a thermal signature that had just jumped into the rift.
"What's wrong? Is something off?" Belle asked curiously when she saw the Salamander pause.
"Something went in, but it's small." Ignis gestured briefly. "No time to worry about it. We're going in."
After a wave of dizziness, the Salamander steadied himself. He never liked this kind of high-speed internal Hollow transit, but the efficiency was undeniable. They landed near a corner, and Ignis immediately took the outer position, maintaining vigilance.
"The target is behind this wall next to us. Let me see if I can—"
THUD.
The Proxy felt there was no need to finish that sentence. The big guy was already winding up to start demolishing the wall. Every time she entered a Hollow with him, it was the same story. Walls and security doors that once required detours were simply smashed apart by this giant with two deafening punches, forcibly carving out a path.
"Small hammer to pry the seam," Ignis said something the Proxy didn't understand as he lit up his powered gauntlets and traced a square on the wall with his fingers, large enough for him to pass through.
"Then the big hammer finishes it!"
The powered gauntlet flared with brilliant light, arcs of electricity ripping through the air.
"Oh! Ten!"
With a meaningless battle cry, the Salamander punched straight through the wall.
"Boss, it's done." The giant waved his fist at the Proxy in a showy manner.
The Proxy didn't know how to respond, so she just went along with it. "Good job. I'll tell Nicole to give you a raise when we get back."
Eous slipped through the opening, but in less than a second, the little one sprinted right back.
Only then did Ignis notice a group of Ethereals on the other side of the breach.
"Damn. The neighbors are home. It's fine. I'll clear them out quickly."
The Salamander smashed his massive fists together and charged forward.
The enemies consisted mainly of two types of Ethereals. One type were Corrupted, unfortunate souls eroded by highly volatile Ether within the Hollow. The other type was more unusual. They could phase out of walls, move like phantoms, and were clad in brass-like armor.
Ignis surmised that a group of Hollow Raiders had been attacked by Ethereals. The volatile Ether they carried had transformed those raiders into Corruption Forms.
But that didn't matter anymore. Now they were all enemies, which made things simpler.
The flamethrower opened fire first. Two torrents of fire surged forth in the darkness. The blinding flames marked the beginning of the battle and ignited the brass-clad Ethereals. Ignis had no intention of letting these things ambush him later from blind spots. They had to be eliminated first.
Burning ether fuel was pumped out under compressed air, coating their bodies. The sticky fuel quickly melted the brass shells and incinerated their cores.
Several Corrupted charged at him, swinging weapons encrusted with ether crystals. Some of the more heavily mutated ones even fired ether lasers directly from their heads. The Salamander immediately activated the deflection shield of his Iron Halo, knocking the beams aside. Fortunately, the area wasn't large. The flamethrower's range was sufficient. Flames surged and purified these Ether-corrupted humans.
But that wasn't the end.
Among the Corrupted stood an enormous silhouette. This grotesque being was nearly as tall as a Dead End Butcher. In life, it had worn a helmet with a pair of sharp horns jutting from either side, and an eye-like emblem on the front, making it resemble a cyclops from myth. Its body was similar to a Farbauti, shaped like an inverted triangle. Massive arms paired with a disproportionately small lower body forced it to move like a gorilla.
But a gorilla had only four limbs. This monster had two additional pairs of appendages growing beneath its arms, shaped much like the scythe-like limbs of the Tyranids. It must have been extraordinarily strong in life, perhaps the strongest fighter among that group of Hollow Raiders. After being eroded by volatile Ether, it had transformed into this monstrosity.
No matter what it was, the Salamander had no intention of letting anything block his path. Watching the monster lower its head and charge straight at him with its sharp horns, he was suddenly reminded of the Sandy Plains, where Diablos would also launch headlong charges like this.
But as a veteran Monster Hunter player—and a hunter devoted to the lance—Diablos was one of his favorite targets. Its movements were straightforward and easy to read. More importantly, his current physical condition far surpassed anything a standard monster hunter could ever manage.
"Come." Ignis faced the rapidly closing twin horns without the slightest fear. A Space Marine's reflexes allowed multiple actions within a single second; before the monster's horns could impale him, the Salamander seized them first.
The massive creature's charge came to an abrupt halt. The Salamander stood like an iron wall, stopping it completely. The iron-clad giant exerted force with both arms and shoved sideways, slamming the creature's horns straight into the ground. It struggled, trying to wrench its horns free, flailing its arms in an attempt to drive the Salamander away.
Ignis was not about to miss such a perfect opportunity. As any Monster Hunter player knew, what mattered most when fighting a Diablos was simple—break the horns.
Electric arcs flared across the power gauntlets. The Salamander brought his hand down in a cleaving strike onto the corrupted colossus's head, severing both massive horns at once. The beast let out a wail of agony, attempting to rise and fight back with its fists. But Ignis had already lost interest.
He lunged low into the creature's chest, shattering its scythe-like appendages with a few strikes before unleashing a barrage of blows directly into its torso. The colossus staggered backward, ether crystals that formed its body raining down continuously. Though its ether radiation field negated part of the power gauntlets' disintegration field, the relentless assault still overwhelmed it.
In the end, Ignis leapt up, grabbed the monster by the neck, and used his own weight to drag it down. He forcibly tore its helmet free from the ether crystal mass and crushed the core inside with a single punch.
"It's done." After the battle, Ignis reported to the Proxy immediately. "Those horns were solid—would've made decent decorations."
"Don't even think about it. Ethereals disappear once they leave the Hollow. You can't take those horns out." Belle pointed ahead. "Let's go. The stage is just up front."
"That's a shame." Ignis picked up the pair of horns, but they were already beginning to dissipate.
They had barely taken a few steps when a sound came from the darkness—"eh-ne… eh-ne." A Bangboo entirely black walked toward them.
"A Bangboo? Is it… talking?" Ignis couldn't understand Bangboo language and had to look to Belle.
"It's saying we shouldn't still be here and should leave quickly," Belle translated. Then she asked, "Little guy, do you know what's going on with that female voice here?"
The Bangboo spoke again. "[I heard from other Bangboo that it's an audio left behind by a pair of ballet dancer sisters. On the day the building fell, they didn't leave. Instead, they rushed into the broadcast room and guided others to safety. They indirectly saved many people, but they themselves never made it out…]"
After hearing the Proxy's relay, Ignis let out a quiet sigh. So, the audience's escape had been entirely due to the sisters' selfless actions. True heroes—saving others while leaving themselves behind.
The pitch-black wandering Bangboo spoke again. "[You know them? That's good. I also found a recording they left for their family. I'll give it to you.]"
The little one held out a voice recorder and handed it to Eous, who pressed the play button.
「"Grandpa, it's me, Augilia."」
「"and there's also me Augetta. I'm together with my sister right now!"」
「"Grandpa, I'm sorry."」
「"Please take good care of yourself."」
「"It's really dark… getting darker and darker."」
「"It's okay. Being eroded by the Hollow isn't that scary. It doesn't hurt at all."」
「"Not at all… it doesn't… hurt…"」
「"Grandpa… I miss you so much… you… must live on…"」
The recording cut off there. Ignis and Belle fell into silence—these were the sisters' final words.
"Do we still need to go to the broadcast room?" Belle asked The Salamander.
The wandering Bangboo spoke again, and Belle suddenly cried out in surprise.
"It says there's still another recording in the broadcast room—one where the sisters guide people to the shelter level! We have to get it!"
"That's the best news we've had today." The Salamander nodded. "Let's move."
This recording was far too important. Not only could it ease the old man's longing for his granddaughters, it could also become a weapon to help him fight the agency. Once released into the public sphere, the Ballet Twins Agency would be utterly destroyed.
They hadn't offered any support to the heroes who helped others escape disaster—instead, they had exploited the sisters' only surviving family member. The resulting public pressure would be enough to draw the attention of the Supreme Court themselves.
Ignis couldn't help but wonder if all of this was somehow aided by those two Ethereals from the shadows. Perhaps, within the Hollow, there really were spirits watching over everything.
===BREAK===
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