As Billy whispered into Sam Li's ear... At this very moment, on the other side, Hu Tao, Xiangling, Anby, and Nekomata had already launched their assault on the Notoriety Ethereal. In an instant, blades flashed and swords gleamed.
Nicole shouted, "Everyone get out of the way! I'm firing an Ether Grenade!"
Hearing this, Anby instinctively halted her attack and retreated rapidly to the rear.
Nekomata urgently warned the others: "Hu Tao, Xiangling, Guoba, get out of the way! Nicole's custom Ether grenade packs a serious punch—don't get caught in the blast..."
No sooner had she spoken than Nekomata, Hu Tao, Xiangling, and Guoba scrambled backward. Simultaneously, Nicole lifted her portable case and pressed the launch button. The custom Ether grenade shot out, striking the Notoriety Ethereal's body squarely. A massive explosion erupted.
BOOM!
The custom Ether detonation triggered a violent Ether reaction, instantly engulfing half the colossal Notoriety Ethereal's body.
Nicole's heart leapt with joy. "Hit it—"
Nekomata exclaimed excitedly, "That's our Nicole! One shot like that should've blown that Notoriety Ethereal to smithereens."
Anby shook her head. "No, it should have a second form—"
Just then, Billy rushed over, weapon in hand. "Nicole, boss, Guoba bro, I'm here to help..."
He had barely arrived when he witnessed the Notoriety Ethereal shifting into its second form. Without hesitation, the group unleashed another barrage of assorted attacks. Combined with Guoba's scorching fire and ramming charges, they effortlessly reduced the Notoriety Ethereal to a pile of pitch-black Ether fragments.
The battle concluded. Billy holstered his pistol and spun gracefully in place.
"Well now, little Bangboo, now you've seen my skill! Once you master my dual-pistol marksmanship, taking down a few Ethereals will be a breeze…"
However, not a single Bangboo paid Billy any attention. All the Bangboo swarmed around Guoba, chattering incessantly:
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm mm-hmm (Big Boss Guoba, you're so awesome)..."
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm da (Big Boss Guoba, teach us that fire-breathing move from just now)..."
"Mm-hmm da, mm-hmm da, hmm hmm (Guoba Leader, I want to learn that reunion slam move to knock Ethereals flying)..."
"Hmm hmm, hmm hmm, hmm hmm (I heard there's a powerful Azhdaha Bangboo in the Outer Ring, but I think Guoba Leader is even stronger)..."
...
A crowd of Bangboo swarmed around Guoba Leader, shouting "Leader!" and begging him to teach them the techniques he'd just used against Ethereals. For ages, Bangboo were seen as weak. Since birth, they'd played the role of human assistants. Without human help, they couldn't stand a chance against powerful Ethereals.
But now, they witnessed Guoba chasing the Notoriety Ethereal, spewing fire, even sending the Notoriety Ethereal flying in one blow. This was the most formidable Bangboo they'd ever seen. They all scrambled to get Guoba to teach them.
Seeing this, Guoba placed its hands on its hips. "Lu, Lu-lu—"
Billy frowned in confusion. "What is it saying now?"
Xiangling explained, "Guoba says it wants to teach the Bangboo how to fight Ethereals."
Hearing this, Billy was instantly speechless. He'd seen all kinds of Bangboo: some grinding coffee for humans, some assisting sheriffs in tracking criminals, some transporting goods, some working as shop clerks, others laboring on construction sites... But this was the first time he'd ever heard of a Bangboo training other Bangboo to fight against the Ethereals...
Wait—he forgot again. Guoba wasn't actually a Bangboo; it just looked like one. Billy always got them mixed up.
Nekomata asked curiously, "Meow, Guoba, they don't have flamethrower modules installed, nor the hardest bodies. Your moves probably can't be taught to them..."
Those two moves Guoba just used were indeed powerful. Especially that unadorned, straightforward charge—utterly impossible to imitate. If an ordinary Bangboo tried that move, it would be pure suicide.
Hearing Nekomata's confusion, Guoba seemed to understand her words. Placing its hands on its hips, it stared blankly at the Nekomata. "Lu... Lu-lu—"
Xiangling translated, "Guoba says it seems to recall some past martial arts it can teach the Bangboo to fight the Ethereals."
Hearing this, Nekomata and Billy exchanged bewildered glances. Neither had imagined this little creature possessed martial arts skills. Then again... judging by its performance in the recent battle, Guoba had clearly regained some of its former strength. Recalling past techniques seemed entirely plausible.
Soon, the group returned to the training grounds for the Bangboo. According to the original plan, Billy was supposed to teach them spearmanship, Nekomata evasion, and Belle how to use various instruments... But now Guoba had appeared, and the Bangboo were willing to learn from him.
Since that was the case, they decided to let Guoba give it a try while everyone watched.
In front of dozens of Bangboo, Guoba stood with his hands on his hips. His usual dopey demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by the agility of a nimble little chubby. He kicked, punched, and even performed a backflip. After finishing his bizarre martial arts routine, Guoba stood before the Bangboo with hands on hips again. "Lu, Lu-lu—"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm-da (Got it, Boss Guoba)—"
And so, led by Guoba, the Bangboo began a peculiar training session. They weren't learning firearms or machinery, but Guoba's peculiar martial arts.
Watching the Bangboo mimic Guoba's kicks and punches, Billy felt utterly helpless. Covering his face, he couldn't bear to watch—this was the first time he'd witnessed such an absurd spectacle. The Bangboo were actually learning martial arts. This was completely off the rails...
Nekomata's face brimmed with curiosity. "But the Bangboo aren't even equipped with martial arts modules. Can they really learn Guoba's techniques?"
Hu Tao chuckled. "One's willing to learn, the other's willing to teach. Let them try. Might just work wonders."
Billy was speechless. "..."
Belle was speechless too. "..."
She was contemplating whether to inform Zhu Yuan and Qingyi about the situation here. If not a single Bangboo passed their assessment in a few days, and none received their Hollow Combat Certification, that would be awkward.
Just then, Nekomata seemed struck by an idea and suddenly grinned. "Billy, why don't you join the training too? Strengthen your close-combat skills."
Billy was naturally reluctant. "Hey, hey, hey! I'm a gunner—why would I need to learn close-combat martial arts..."
But before he could finish, Nicole kicked him straight into the training grounds.
Nicole said with deadpan seriousness, "You love showing off, yet you're always full of holes. If it weren't for Nicole and Anby constantly covering for you, you'd have been devoured by the Ethereals long ago. You really should learn some close combat skills."