"Repeat the mission report," Ignis said, standing in the parking lot behind the Proxy siblings' house.
"Today, Boss Nicole took the team and followed this cat into Dead End Hollow." Ignis extended a finger toward the dark-skinned catgirl.
"I have a name! It's Nekomiya Mana!" The catgirl puffed up, clearly displeased. "You can call me Nekomata! I'm the one who drove you here, after all."
"Nekomata, while you and the boss were searching for your family's relic, you discovered a little girl," Ignis continued, ignoring her protest. "Then, while fleeing from the Notorious Ethereal known as the Dead End Butcher, you all fell into a Hollow rift."
"That's right, nya. When we came out of the rift, we were in Canvas Street—the Red Fang Gang's old turf, nya," Nekomata nodded. "There were lots of stranded refugees there, nya. We've got to find a way to rescue them, nya."
"In today's news, Vision Corporation announced plans to demolish that area," said Wise, the older brother, nodding grimly. "No wonder they got the development rights for such a low price. If they don't have to deal with relocating the residents, that saves a lot of money."
"That's awful," said Belle, the younger sister, frowning as she crouched beside her Bangboo, Eous, tightening a few parts.
Hearing that people had been abandoned there—about to become casualties of the demolition—Ignis felt his anger flare.
"Nicole sent me to get your help, along with the Cunning Hares' Bangboo units," Nekomata added quickly. "Right now, she and the others are with the refugees. The Public Security hasn't issued any evacuation orders. Nicole's helping them file a lawsuit against Vision Corporation for compensation."
She's thinking about money at a time like this? Ignis felt a twinge of frustration.
"Nicole's so kind," Belle said softly. "She stayed behind on purpose to calm everyone down." She gave Eous's head a light tap—maintenance complete.
"That's not the point!" Nekomata snapped, ears twitching. "The news said Vision's demolition plan is already in motion! Their last unmanned train loaded with explosives has departed!"
"If that charge is set…" Nekomata trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
"The boss will be sent flying to heaven," Ignis muttered. "Straight to prison heaven."
"So, our goal is clear," Wise said, pulling the conversation back. "Intercept the train."
"I don't think I can stop it this time," Ignis admitted, weighing the odds. Halting a speeding train was not exactly feasible.
"We've located usable tracks inside the Hollow," Nekomata explained. "There are several track switches along the route. We can reroute the train into a tunnel, and when it slows down, we'll throw the Bangboo onto the roof."
"The objective is to stall the train, correct?" Belle confirmed.
"Correct. You'll climb through the ventilation hatch from the roof, reach the cockpit, and shut it down," Wise said. "As for that Notorious Ethereal—the Dead End Butcher—we don't know its current location. Proceed with caution."
"My task," Ignis said, "is to secure the route and, when necessary, clear a path." He extended his hand, letting the small Eous crawl into his palm before placing it gently into the truck's cargo hold.
"Then let's move out," the Salamander said, climbing into the vehicle as Wise closed the door behind him.
"Guide us, Proxies!" Nekomata called as she jumped into the driver's seat and started the engine.
After a high-speed drive, Nekomata parked near Dead End Hollow on Fourteenth Street. She yanked open the cargo door and let Ignis out.
Neither of them wasted words. Grabbing Eous, they rushed straight into the Hollow.
"No wonder Phaethon chose this place," Ignis remarked.
He had barely gotten his footing when he spotted the three track-switch control mechanisms the Proxies had described—standing right next to a maintenance booth.
"So close to the first target," Ignis said approvingly. "Feels like we've improved a lot since last time."
"They've got this AI helper called… uh, Fairy or something," Nekomata muttered. "It even talks back to me."
"Updated software?" Ignis asked. "Lead the way."
"Ahaha…" Wise's voice over comms sounded oddly nervous. "This way's shorter."
Belle controlled Eous, the little Bangboo sprinting ahead on short legs, leading a giant and a catgirl through the ruins of derailed trains.
"Seems every Hollow we enter lately looks like this," Ignis said. "Tracks, train cars, platforms everywhere."
"This area used to be a major transport hub—Old Eridu's lifeline," Eous explained, stopping between two carriages. "Something's blocking the passage. Move those crates aside."
The stacked crates were clearly placed by someone—likely to keep wandering Ethereals away from the switches.
"No time for that," Ignis thought, glancing at the tracks. The demolition train could arrive any minute; Nicole and the refugees could be caught in the blast. He simply punched the barrier.
Boom!
"Careful, nya!" Nekomata yelped as chunks of concrete and debris flew everywhere. "You'll attract the Dead End Butcher, nya!"
"If it shows up, we deal with it," Ignis said flatly, squeezing through the gap toward the switch.
"These switches aren't in good shape…" Belle murmured as Eous examined the mechanism. "Could have been sabotaged. The hydraulic systems are damaged."
"Damn it!" Ignis tried to shift the lever himself. It worked—but as soon as he let go, it snapped back into place.
"We need something to jam it," Belle suggested.
"The crates!" Nekomata remembered. "See if one's still intact—we can wedge it in!"
Ignis nodded, grabbed a solid piece, pulled the switch again, and shoved the object into place with his boot.
The weight was perfect—the switch held.
"Any more crates?" Ignis asked.
"Nope, nya. The rest are dust, nya." Nekomata shook her head.
Ignis frowned, regretting his earlier recklessness.
"It's fine! That one worked, and there's still time before the train reaches the next switch," Belle reassured them. "My AI picked up two nearby objects about the same weight and size. We can use those instead."
"Lead the way." Ignis's usual composure was gone—he was clearly on edge.
Nicole, Anby, Billy, and countless civilians in Canvas Street were seconds away from annihilation. The thought made his hands tremble.
"Calm down. I know you're worried," Eous said as they moved. "But the calculations show—we still have time."
Following the Bangboo, they crossed an old skybridge over the rails—and saw a grotesquely twisted train car jammed across it, other cars dangling below like sausages.
"What the hell?" Ignis muttered. "We sure this is the right way?"
"Path's correct, big guy," Wise replied over comms. "Judging by the deformation, something threw that train car up there."
"Nyaaa…" Nekomata's fur puffed up, tail curling tight. "That kind of strength is terrifying, nya…"
Ignis did a quick estimate. To toss several train cars onto a bridge like that… it would take power on par with an Imperial Knight.
Meaning—something of that level was here.
The thought sent a chill through him, but he forced it down. People are waiting. No time to freeze.
"The nearest route is through that carriage. Any ideas?" Phaethon asked through comms.
"Of course," Ignis said, igniting his Flamestorm Gauntlet. "It's just a carriage—nothing that can stop me."
"I can try crawling through," Nekomata offered, peeking under the train, "but not with the Bangboo."
"Get out of there!" Ignis shouted, heart lurching. Good thing he caught himself, or she'd be dead.
"U-um… excuse me…" A faint female voice echoed from inside the carriage.
"Nya?" Nekomata jumped back, fur standing on end. "Who said that? The carriage? With such a cute voice?!"
"Eh?" Whoever was inside sounded startled.
"Miss Train-Car, we're in a hurry! Please lift your foot and let us pass, nya~!" Nekomata whined playfully.
"This isn't the time for jokes!" Ignis barked. "Ma'am, if you can move, step out! Otherwise, stay clear of the wall!"
"Are you investigators from the Hollow Investigative Association?" the weak voice asked. "My team was separated while we were fleeing from a dangerous Ethereal."
Nekomata and Ignis exchanged glances—then decided to lie. "Yes, we are investigators."
"I don't have any Carrot data for this area… You know the way out, right? Please—take me with you." Her pleading tone made refusal impossible.
"One more won't hurt. But to open this carriage, we need to get to the other side." Ignis was nearly tearing his hair out.
"T-then please, both of you step back. I'll make an opening."
Then Ignis heard it—a sound he knew all too well.
The whine of an engine spinning up… gears engaging… power feeding into a high-speed rotary mechanism.
No way…
Nekomata heard it too. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she pressed her ear against the carriage.
"Ow, that sound's awful, nya!" The mechanical grind made her ears twitch painfully.
Suddenly, the shriek of tearing metal split the air—a glowing, red-hot saw blade burst through the carriage wall in front of Nekomata, showering sparks everywhere.
"NYAAAAHH!"
Once the first breach was made, the rest came quickly. From inside, the woman sliced open one section after another until an irregular hole took shape.
The cutting alone was enough to make Nekomata and Phaethon's Bangboo cling to each other in terror.
As for Ignis—he just stared and murmured, "Beautiful saw blade."