Within the Development Zone Hollow, several Adepti led the members of Hare's House in consecutively slaying multiple high-tier Ethereal, causing the once-active Hollow to decline.
Meanwhile, during the battle, Billy suddenly noticed that Anby was growing fiercer as the fight went on. She was single-handedly pursuing a Notoriety Ethereal, cutting it down with ease.
Watching the Notoriety Ethereal collapse and dissolve into drifting Ether energy, Billy's face brimmed with astonishment.
"Anby, since when did you get this strong? And that last move—how did you pull off such a massive lightning strike?"
He gestured with both hands as he spoke. That very strike had cleanly severed the Ethereal's head, ending it completely.
Not just Billy, but Nicole and Nekomata also stared at Anby in puzzlement.
Anby looked bewildered.
"I... I don't know what happened. My power just surged. Even without the device on my back, I can effortlessly control electricity now..."
At that moment, Nekomata seemed to notice something and hurried over to Anby's side.
"Meow, what's this? A purple gem..."
Nicole frowned.
"Let me see."
It looked familiar.
Wasn't this a Vision? She had seen such gems before on Keqing, similar to Qingyi's Geo Vision. They were said to be gifts from the gods...
Seeing this, Nicole quickly asked,
"Anby, where did you get the Vision?"
Anby looked equally bewildered.
"I don't know either..."
All she remembered was wanting to fight, to defeat the Ethereal in front of her, to become stronger—hungering for power. And somehow, that desire had made her stronger.
...
As the group discussed this, Sam Li, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper slowly approached.
Noticing Anby's Vision, Mountain Shaper solemnly declared,
"Only those with unwavering conviction can receive such a gift. Treasure it."
Beside him, Billy blurted out,
"Brother Mountain Shaper, what about me? When will I get a gem like that?"
He had witnessed it firsthand: the moment Anby obtained the gem, her power surged dramatically. She had effortlessly subdued a Notoriety Ethereal on her own.
Billy's blood boiled with excitement, yearning to possess a similar gem right then and there.
However, Mountain Shaper shook his head.
"I already said, only those with the most unwavering conviction stand a chance to catch the gods' attention. If the gods themselves won't even glance your way, then you're still a long way off from obtaining a Vision..."
After hearing these words, Billy covered his face in frustration.
So that meant... his conviction wasn't strong enough? Even the gods wouldn't give him a second look?
Before Billy could process it, Mountain Shaper added,
"Beyond that, there may be another reason. You are not of flesh and blood, but rather something akin to a relic mechanism. I have never witnessed such a being attain the Vision."
Hearing this, Billy sank deeper into despair.
The thought that he might never obtain a Vision in the future made him sigh heavily—then sigh again, and again.
Seeing this, Sam Li spoke calmly.
"Though there is no precedent, every phenomenon must have a beginning. By universal rationality, Billy is not incapable of attaining a Vision."
Even the Geo Archon had once said the same.
Mountain Shaper nodded repeatedly.
"Mr. Sam Li speaks with profound truth. Even a mechanical body holds the potential to earn the gaze of the divine."
After hearing Sam Li and Mountain Shaper's words, Billy was instantly rejuvenated. He leapt to his feet.
"I knew it! I'm a high-intellect tactical unit designed for firepower-based area suppression. Once I gain a Vision, I'll be even more formidable..."
Overjoyed, Billy started waving his arms around like crazy.
Only after receiving a sharp kick from Nicole did he finally settle down.
...
After a brief rest, Anby said earnestly,
"Time's running out—it's already evening. We should eliminate all the high-tier Ethereal in the Hollow before nightfall."
Billy exclaimed excitedly,
"Leave the Ethereal up ahead to me! Once I show off my most perfect form, I'm sure to catch the attention of the gods and be granted the most precious Vision... Great Geo Archon, Electro Archon... what other gods were there? Anyway, any god will do! Open your eyes quickly and behold the most dashing form—you won't be disappointed..."
Sam Li remained silent.
"..."
Cloud Retainer was speechless.
"..."
Nicole kicked Billy again.
"Stop dawdling—let's get moving!"
Nekomata was already bursting with impatience.
"Nicole, after we suppress Hollow Zero, will the Hollow Special Operations Department or the Hollow Investigation Association pay us?"
Nicole thought for a moment.
"They should... pay us. Don't worry, I've been in this line of work for years and never had anyone stiff me... Wait, actually, there was one. You're the first."
Nekomata fell silent.
"..."
...
Immediately after, led by the Adepti, the group proceeded to another section of the Development Zone Hollow. Under the combined assault of Anby, Billy, Nicole, and Nekomata, the Notoriety Ethereal didn't last long before being slain.
At last, all high-tier Ethereal within the Hollow had been dealt with.
The once-bustling Hollow fell completely silent. The Hollow quickly quieted down—its Ether levels, activity, and corruption all dropping sharply.
In the past, Nicole would never have passed up such a golden opportunity. She would have scoured the Hollow thoroughly, searching for storage rooms or hidden caches—maybe even finding valuable supplies.
But now, Nicole couldn't care less about petty gains.
If she was going to profit, it had to be big.
After all, they had cleared an entire Hollow. New Eridu's authorities would have no choice but to reward Hare's House properly.
As the Hollow subsided, the chaotic space within stabilized considerably. The group emerged effortlessly.
Just as Anby had predicted, night had already fallen.
The moment they stepped out, Nicole's phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID—Tsukishiro Yanagi.
"Hello, Miss Tsukishiro Yanagi. I was just about to come find you... Yes, that's right... We've suppressed the Development Zone Hollow. All those high-tier Ethereal inside were slain by our Hare's House team... Alright, alright. We'll head back immediately. We can discuss the details once we return..."
With that, Nicole hung up.
Billy asked curiously,
"Does Tsukishiro Yanagi need something from us?"
Nicole smiled.
"Of course she does. Let's hurry back—Tsukishiro Yanagi and Hoshimi Miyabi are already waiting at the entrance of Hare's House..."
With that, the group immediately headed back to Hare's House.
By the time they reached the street where their base stood, night had fallen. Under the streetlights, the figures of Hoshimi Miyabi and Tsukishiro Yanagi were faintly visible.
The two had been waiting there for quite some time.