"Fire Picker?"
Zane raised an eyebrow slightly. That sounded more like a codename than a real name—those two characters didn't look like a proper name at all.
"Yeah, I got this info through some secret channels. My task is to investigate what's going on behind it."
As they entered the Hollow, the lighting shifted, and warm light spilled down on them. Qingyi looked at Zane with a faint smile and continued, "Because of your status, I can't share too much. Honestly, I'm only here trying my luck because I received a mission related to another matter."
Zane didn't respond, but curiosity stirred in his mind. For someone like Qingyi to be investigating the Fire Picker, could that person be some notorious outlaw?
Or maybe a dangerous criminal?
If something serious did come up, maybe he could lend a hand.
"By the way, how well can you resist Hollow erosion? If it's not great, give me your friend's info—I'll go rescue them for you."
Qingyi glanced at Zane, assuming his silence was due to Hollow erosion, and asked with concern.
Zane snapped back to attention and waved a hand dismissively. "I've tested it before. My resistance is pretty solid—I can move around just fine in the Hollow."
What a joke. He was an Ethereal—resisting erosion wasn't even a factor. Being in a Hollow felt more like being at home. He didn't need that kind of protection.
To put it plainly, if it came down to who could last longer in the Hollows, not just humans, but even intelligent machines couldn't outlast him.
Of course, he'd never say that out loud.
Thanks to being in the Hollow, his Ether fluctuations were still a bit unstable, but they were gradually calming down.
"That's good. By the way, that girl cat is your companion, right? Did you two agree on a meeting point?"
Qingyi pulled out a palm-sized device—it was an official Hollow mapping tool called "Carrot."
"Dead End Hollow is a companion Hollow, and it's still largely unexplored. This Carrot map was generated using data from several military mechs deployed to suppress the Hollow."
"Let's hope your friend isn't too deep inside, or it'll be a real problem."
She handed the Carrot over to Zane.
The display was easy to understand, and Zane quickly located the place Lingzhe had planned to go—the tunnel where the train had been intercepted and blown up.
"Oh? Over there, huh."
Qingyi looked at the location Zane pointed to, a trace of confusion crossing her face.
Because of the Fire Picker incident, the higher-ups had ordered both the Defense Force and the Public Security Bureau to tighten their focus on Hollow activity—especially in the Janus District.
One of the reasons Qingyi came to the Dead End Hollow was to investigate Vision Industry. A Public Security Bureau investigator had uncovered some suspicious activity tied to the company.
This was originally assigned to the Criminal Investigation Special Unit, but as luck would have it, everyone else was tied up, and only Qingyi had time to spare—so she came alone.
That area was on her list anyway.
Could the Hare House's distress call be related to Vision Industry?
Qingyi had her suspicions but kept them to herself. She just nodded to Zane and said, "The Hollow's dangerous. You look like someone who's never fought in here before—no wonder you got pushed around."
To her, Zane looked like some well-behaved rookie—clueless and inexperienced in combat, just like the Public Security Bureau's desk jockeys.
"Better safe than sorry. Stick close to me. Don't worry, I'll protect you if we run into trouble."
With a casual swing of her weapon, Qingyi walked ahead, her voice drifting back to Zane.
"Okay... sure."
Zane opened his mouth, then slowly responded. Why did it feel like things were getting a bit off track?
Qingyi glanced back at Zane trailing behind her, tilting her head slightly. Her twin ponytails swayed with the motion.
Why did it feel like she was babysitting?
Weird.
Was it his personality? Or just because he was... good-looking?
"Food and sex, basic instincts," she thought to herself.
Did that even apply to robots?
She shook her head and looked away. She really was getting old—random thoughts like that were just ridiculous.
As they walked, she suddenly stopped. One hand gripped her staff while the other went to her forehead.
No, this wasn't her imagination.
Her thought module really was starting to go haywire.
It was... uncomfortable.
Noticing the pained look on her face, Zane frowned. What was happening?
He moved to her side, about to ask, when Qingyi suddenly lost strength and collapsed backward.
Zane quickly caught her and lowered her into a seated position. Seeing that she was still conscious and otherwise okay, he let out a breath of relief.
What just happened?
"Senior, are you alright?"
She didn't answer, just frowned tightly as if she were enduring something.
After a moment, her expression eased.
At the same time, the last trace of chaotic Ether fluctuation on Zane's body quietly vanished—unnoticed in his concern for Qingyi.
"I'm fine."
Shaking her head, Qingyi got back to her feet. She looked alright, but Zane still said,
"Senior, if you're really not okay, you should head out first. I can handle things here."
Besides truly being concerned, he also kind of wanted to act independently.
"No way. I can't leave you alone in the Hollow. I'd be worried sick."
Qingyi tapped him lightly on the head with her staff and shook her head.
She had already scanned her body—no damage, everything normal.
She had no explanation for what just happened, so she shelved it for now.
"Let's go."
Without giving Zane a chance to argue, she turned and kept moving toward their destination. Zane could only follow, a bit exasperated.
...
"General, kill confirmed."
With a loud crack, the end of her Azure Kite (three-section staff) shattered the core of an Ethereal. Qingyi smiled slightly, snapped the segments together, and the staff returned to its original form.
She turned to Zane, let out a sigh, and said, "I knew it. You really suck at fighting. Now I'm genuinely curious—how did you manage any illegal work before?"
"But hey, even with that, you still came into the Hollow to rescue your friend. That's pretty brave."
She walked over, jabbed him lightly with her elbow, and grinned.
"Call me Master. How about I teach you how to fight?"
"Ancient martial arts are deep and powerful. Trust me—after some training with me, you'll be way better."