"So, this gentleman is the store manager."
Belle's expression wasn't entirely natural either; after all, she had played a part in badmouthing him just a moment ago.
Fortunately, Geno didn't really mind.
"It's fine. I'm used to being talked about like that by Twiggy on a daily basis. My tolerance is quite high."
"Ahaha... well then, sorry to disturb you today. I'll be taking my leave first. Let's chat next time, Twiggy."
"Ah, bye-bye, Little Belle~"
Watching Belle make her escape, Twiggy gazed after her retreating figure with lingering reluctance, looking as if she were watching a lover who was about to pass away.
However, the instant she disappeared from her view, that reluctance vanished in a flash, as if it had never appeared on her face to begin with.
"That was a quick wrap-up. Good work."
"Is there any point in pretending to be serious at a time like this?"
Geno looked speechless. Since when had Twiggy become such a ham?
Just who had led her astray? (The culprit remains unaware).
"Ahem, anyway, let's go inside first."
-----------------
"I see. So she's a neighbor from across the street. This is the first time I've seen you chatting so happily with someone else."
Geno held a cup of coffee, its rich aroma permeating the room. He had bought it from Master Tinman's coffee shop on his way back.
"Yeah, even I was surprised."
Looking at her reflection in the coffee cup, Twiggy couldn't figure it out herself. How did that girl pierce through her psychological defenses so easily?
Perhaps this is what they call affinity?
"Let's leave that aside for now. I've obtained a new piece of intel here. The Cunning Hares have accepted a commission. It seems they'll be heading to the Red Fang Gang's territory in a couple of days."
"The Red Fang Gang? I remember that's a street gang."
Twiggy had some impression of them. Although this gang was large in scale, they weren't exactly an impressive power.
Furthermore, while the Red Fang Gang controlled the lower-level districts through violent means, they provided basic living guarantees (such as maintaining order and job opportunities) for the slum residents, thus gaining the tacit approval of some of the lower-class populace.
However, rumor had it that their reputation seemed to have undergone some changes recently.
Taking a sip of coffee, Twiggy asked Geno for more detailed information.
"What are they going there to do?"
"Supposedly, they are going to retrieve a mysterious box. That client approached me once too, but I felt there was something off about it, so I ignored him."
Geno placed his finished coffee cup on the table. Although they were also short on funds, they weren't desperate enough to accept such shady commissions.
If they were set up, it would be miserable. Both of their identities were very sensitive.
"But they still accepted it. It seems the Cunning Hares' financial crisis is even more severe than I imagined."
"Not that severe, surely not enough to be forced to jump into a Hollow."
"Heh, true."
She picked up the dessert that came with the coffee and took a bite. The taste wasn't bad.
Twiggy thought for a moment, then continued, "Let's go take a look anyway. Just in case something happens..."
Halfway through her sentence, she saw Geno looking at her with an amused expression. Twiggy immediately felt guilty; her eyes darted away, and she picked up the coffee cup again to drink, as if trying to hide something.
"Alright, I'll go take a look. Who asked our Miss Twiggy to care so much about someone else~ I've never seen you care this much about me."
Geno shook his head. He had never seen Twiggy this attentive to him in their daily life.
But he understood. That person could be considered Twiggy's 'white moonlight'—her cherished ideal.
After eating and drinking his fill, Geno stood up. But he wasn't going to find the Cunning Hares; their operation wasn't today.
He prepared to go to the city, specifically the city center of New Eridu.
He was going to do something big. He was preparing to open a company.
Although the Hollow Raider business was free, it ultimately couldn't be brought into the light, and it was easy to be targeted by Public Security.
Most importantly, the money earned from raiding Hollows was no longer enough to support Twiggy's research.
He had to find a brand new, safe, and efficient source of funding.
For example...
Games.
And specifically, the kind of games where players could spend real money.
-----------------
"Boss Nicole, is this commission really okay? That's the Red Fang Gang!"
Billy was meticulously maintaining his twin guns, holding a skeptical attitude toward the commission his boss had accepted.
"Of course I know there's something wrong with this commission, but the mere Red Fang Gang isn't enough to be our opponent."
Nicole explained her helpless move while organizing her equipment.
Although this commission was indeed a bit dangerous, but—ah, but—it simply paid too much.
"Besides, if the Cunning Hares don't get some income soon, let alone paying off debts, we'll all be drinking the northwest wind next month."
The Cunning Hares' financial deficit was simply too severe. If they finished this single job, they would not only be able to pay off all their debts but also have quite a bit left over. It was indeed very attractive.
'When the time comes, I definitely have to reward myself properly! Hehe!'
Nicole fantasized about having a big feast after completing the commission, but then she discovered that Anby, who usually had quite a few complaints about her risky investments, was currently leaning against the wall without saying a word, lost in thought.
So, she turned her head to ask Billy.
"What's wrong with Anby? Why is she dazed over there, not moving a muscle?"
" maybe she has a stomachache. After all, this morning's bread was near-expired food."
Nicole and Billy whispered amongst themselves, while Anby was wandering in the clouds, paying them no mind.
She was examining the item in her hand, her expression somewhat grave.
'This tracker... the style looks familiar...'
In Anby's hand was an oddly shaped electronic component. This was what she had found on Nicole's boot when they encountered danger in the Hollow that day.
She had destroyed it on the spot, which was why Geno's signal had disappeared later.
But this tracker still made Anby somewhat concerned, so she had brought the fragments back, preparing to investigate.
'It seems to be military tech. Could it be... I should ask a Proxy to investigate it.'
"Anby!"
"Huh? Nicole, is something the matter?"
Just as she was thinking, Nicole suddenly leaned close to her ear, giving her a jump.
"You're asking what's the matter... Aren't we going to complete the commission? Everything is ready, we're just waiting for you. What's wrong with you these past two days? You're always spacing out. Is something on your mind?"
"No, it's nothing."
Subconsciously stuffing the fragments into her pocket, she didn't want to let Nicole get mixed up in this matter.
Because she already had a rough conjecture.
"Then let's set off! We definitely have to make a killing today!"
"No problem! Boss Nicole! For next month's food budget!"
Everyone got in the car. Billy turned on the car stereo, and a powerful beat began to play.
"Cunning Hares! Move out!"
"Woohoo! Let's go!"
Slamming on the gas, the second-hand small family car belonging to the Cunning Hares managed to drive with the visual intensity of a Formula 1 race car.
Hopefully, it can still return safely from this mission.
-----------------
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