"Boss, we can't reach any of the patrol squads!"
"What?" The bald, one-eyed leader of the Red Fang Gang slammed his hand against a crate. "Did they run off outside the Hollow?"
"Probably not," his trembling lackey replied. "It's more likely they've all been wiped out."
The boss's single eye twitched with rage. "Useless trash!"
With a vicious swing, he backhanded the underling so hard the man collapsed, unconscious. The rest of the gang stood frozen, afraid to even breathe.
"…Forget him. Leave the body. We're moving deeper in!"
He gave a cold snort, then turned his gaze toward the bound girl sitting in the corner — Niya, tied hand and foot. A wicked grin spread across his face.
"Don't look so scared, little miss. Once we get our ransom, you'll be free." He chuckled darkly. "Of course, that's if I'm in a good mood."
Niya struggled helplessly, the nylon ropes cutting into her wrists. Her fear only made the man laugh harder — after all, he had no intention of letting her go. She was the perfect bargaining chip.
But his laughter was cut short by a sudden scream.
"Ah—!"
He whipped his head around just in time to see two figures standing in the entrance, several of his men already lying unconscious at their feet.
"Protect me!" the boss barked, pulling his remaining lackeys in front of him. "Who the hell are you!?"
Nicole smirked, her hands on her hips. "You mean you don't recognize the Cunning Hares? Wow, you really are nobodies."
One of the half-conscious thugs groaned from the floor. "Cunning Hares… aren't they always on the worst-rated merc list? I even gave them a one-star—"
"Billy!"
At Nicole's shout, Billy casually fired a shot into the wall beside the man's head. The thug went silent immediately.
"Better," Nicole said with satisfaction. She turned back to the bald man. "Listen, big guy. Drop your weapons and maybe we'll let you crawl out of here alive."
The bald man barked out a laugh. "Surrender? You've got guts, lady. Maybe too much."
He yanked Niya up by the neck, holding her like a shield. "One more step, and the kid dies!"
Nicole froze. The child's terrified face and the man's bloodshot eye made it clear he wasn't bluffing.
But then, the man noticed something odd — Nicole was smiling.
"What the hell are you laughing at?"
Before he could react, a flash of light dropped from above. Anby's blade, crackling with electricity, came down in a vertical arc.
The bald man barely twisted aside, the sword missing his head but plunging deep into his shoulder instead. He roared in pain, swinging Niya's limp body toward Anby. She leapt back, pulling her weapon free.
Blood poured from his wound, but the man's will was terrifying. Clutching Niya with his other arm, he staggered upright, shouting hoarsely, "Anyone moves, and she's dead!"
Niya had already fainted — maybe that was for the best.
Nicole's jaw tightened. Their ambush had failed. The advantage was gone.
"Kill them!" the bald man roared. "If they resist, this girl's life is mine to take!"
But before his men could advance, he suddenly screamed again — a short knife had buried itself in his shoulder.
"Hi-ya!"
From above, a figure flipped through the air, landing a perfect kick across his face. The bald man crashed to the floor, and the newcomer snatched Niya away, retreating swiftly beside Anby.
Anby blinked, stunned. "You're…?"
"Nekomiya Mana," the cat-thiren replied briskly. "Introductions later. Let's finish this first!"
She gently placed Niya down, then turned to face the oncoming Red Fang thugs.
The fight exploded again. Nicole and Billy took one side, Anby and Nekomiya the other. Within minutes, the outpost was in shambles.
Meanwhile, from behind a pile of debris, Bailu peeked out nervously.
All the way here, she and Nekomiya had been shadowing the Cunning Hares — watching them plan, strike, and nearly fail. When things went south, Nekomiya had told her to stay hidden… and then leapt in to save Niya.
Now that Niya was safe, Bailu sighed in relief. Finally over…
"Oh no," she whispered. "I forgot to tell Nekomiya not to mention me!"
Before she could panic further, a familiar voice called from the entrance.
"Nicole! Nicole!"
It was Belle, followed closely by Eous, sprinting toward them.
"What's wrong, proxy?" Nicole asked.
"Massive Ether readings detected!" Eous shouted, panic clear in his tone. "That fight made too much noise. A whole swarm of Ethereal Alpeca are heading this way!"
Nicole frowned. "They're just Alpeca. We can handle a few."
Eous pointed back the way they came. "Look!"
Nicole turned — and her expression drained of color.
Dozens of ethereal beasts were pouring in: Dullahan, Thanatos, even corrupted combat drones glowing with unstable energy. Some were massive enough to blot out the light filtering from above.
"Anby!"
"I see them." Anby's voice was calm, though her sword hand trembled slightly. On her flank, more high-risk Ethereals were breaking through the shattered walls.
They were surrounded.
"Boss, what now?" Billy asked, reloading his pistols.
Nicole gritted her teeth, eyes darting between the others — Anby, Billy, Nekomiya holding Niya, and the Bangboo proxy trembling beside them.
After a long breath, she made her decision.
"Billy, Anby — pick a direction. We're breaking through. As for you…" she looked at Nekomiya, "…take the kid and the Bangboo. Run. Don't look back."
Nekomiya's fur bristled. "You can't be serious, meow! What about you?"
"We'll improvise," Nicole said with a bitter grin.
Billy just nodded grimly. Anby drew her blade. None of them argued.
"No… no, that's insane," Nekomiya muttered. "You'll all die, meow…"
Nicole didn't reply. "If we stay, we all die. If we push forward, at least someone gets out alive."
She raised her hand. "Anby, Billy—go!"
The three of them charged as one.
Nekomiya stared after them, clutching Niya tight. She wanted to run after them — but she knew they were right. Still…
"Wait!" she suddenly gasped. "Bailu! There's still another child — Bailu's here!"
Nicole froze mid-step. "You said Bailu?!"
As if things weren't bad enough — now another kid was in danger.
But there was no time to think. The Ethereals lunged.
"Looks like this is it for the Cunning Hares," Nicole muttered. "Let's make it count."
She took one final step forward—
—and then, a voice echoed through the Hollow.
"Be not afraid."
The air trembled. A massive water dragon surged from nowhere, crashing through the advancing Ethereals and sweeping them aside like debris.
"Boss—look!" Billy shouted, pointing upward.
Everyone turned.
Hovering above, a man in ancient garb, long hair flowing, horns glinting faintly under the Hollow's dim light, looked down upon the battlefield with calm, piercing eyes.
Nicole's breath caught.
"That's…" she whispered.
"Dan Heng."
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon.
patreon.com/deadlygoober