Its reach had long surpassed any other forum. The user base was a chaotic mix, and by now, whether it continued to exist was no longer something even its founder could decide.
"Alright, then I'll leave it to you to cement Hare's House's identity—tie Nicole and the others to the Hollow removals, and put them right in the spotlight."
Seeing Zane's serious expression, Belle understood this wasn't something to be taken lightly. A sense of pressure welled up inside her, and she nodded firmly.
Once the arrangements were set, Zane turned to Nicole and the other four.
"But that alone isn't enough. I'll be hosting a gathering soon. When the time comes, you might be tasked with something... earth-shaking."
"Zane, we understood from the moment we made our decision earlier—this responsibility is heavy."
Nicole stood, meeting his gaze.
"Don't worry. When it matters most, Hare's House will be reliable."
Her eyes glinted faintly as she added softly, "We will be."
Then she lifted her chin, locking eyes with him.
"We'll head back for now. Once news hits the Hollows Forum, Hare's House is going to be in the middle of a storm. We need to be ready."
Zane gave a small nod, and Nicole moved to leave. Nekomata and the others followed, but she paused at the door, turning back after a moment's hesitation.
"Zane, I need to discuss something with you. Tonight—answer the phone at the cat café. Please."
With that, she pressed her lips together and left with Hare's House. Only Belle and Wise remained.
"Zane, since they're going back to prepare, my brother and I should do the same."
Belle rose, looking at him with a hint of helplessness.
"I was planning to spend the day with you. Qingyi and Nekomata both said you seemed... different, and it looks like they were right. You're actually taking the initiative on things like this."
"But I trust you wouldn't risk Hare's House without reason. There's still a lot you haven't told us, isn't there?"
Zane's calm expression didn't change. Belle smiled faintly, waved, and left with Wise.
When the last of them were gone, the tanuki house was silent except for Zane, seated quietly on the sofa, the little white cat curled at his side.
His gaze flickered as his thoughts drifted.
After a while, he shook his head and rose, heading deeper into the house.
It's only just beginning...
...
Outside the Dead End Hollow ruins.
"The Defense Force has completely pulled out."
A woman in glasses, seated in a wheelchair, spoke quietly while looking at the screen in her hands.
She then lifted her head toward the tall man beside her, curiosity in her voice.
"So... what's your plan now, Tyce? You know the Fire Pickers and your people are already mortal enemies."
"Why ask how I'll end it? This is part of the plan... exactly how it's meant to be."
The man named Tyce stared toward the ruins, his gaze seeming to cut through space to the very spot where the Ether crystals had vanished.
"How it's meant to be? You've got other intentions, don't you? Not very honest—especially for partners."
The woman arched a brow in mild dissatisfaction, though she didn't press. Her cooperation with him had never really been about trust.
Shin had placed her bet, and she had placed hers—one side was bound to win.
"What other intentions? The goal's always been the same—to take the world back from the Hollows."
"The Hollows can be humanity's key to progress, but they must never become a threat to our survival."
Tyce's expression grew more solemn. He raised a hand, clenching it slightly, eyes glinting as old memories surfaced.
"The Fire Pickers are our natural enemies. It's inevitable. The struggle between us will go on."
"So what's your endgame?"
Her tone was casual, curiosity without real weight behind it.
But Tyce answered without hesitation.
"In the end, there are only two outcomes. First, we win—and things proceed as intended. But I know that's not very likely."
"The other is that the Fire Pickers win. In that case, we'll be doomed... but honestly, the original outcome isn't much different. So there's nothing to fear."
A faint smile touched his lips, his black hair shifting in the breeze.
"Only those prepared to die have the right to pull the trigger."
"If he wins, it means he can do what we couldn't—and I'd accept that. All the hatred will be ours alone, vanishing with us."
"In truth, that's the safer outcome. The better one. I look forward to the day he clears the path ahead, and I'll cheer for the Fire Picker's name."
"If that day comes, I'll personally clear his final obstacle, no matter the cost."
Lowering his hand, Tyce's eyes shone with conviction, though his expression soon leveled out again.
"I've long been ready to pay any price. After all... I have nothing left to lose."
"And nothing left to fear."
His gaze flickered with countless memories.
"We've achieved much, but also committed many wrongs. There's no stopping now..."
"Those who never should have been involved. Those who vanished into the dark. Those who left after one choice too many..."
The Hollows, New Eridu, beyond the city walls, the Fire Pickers...
"When I reach hell, I'll atone to them all myself."
He looked up at the sky. Beyond the glare of the sun, he seemed to glimpse a half-black, half-white moon.
His gaze shifted slightly.
Deeper still, where the darkness was thickest—something else lingered.
A pitch-black celestial body, the source of it all, visible only when the full moon blazed brightest in the night sky.
"Humanity will win."
"They must."
The woman in the wheelchair listened, a flicker of thought passing through her eyes before she smiled lightly.
"You make it sound easy. But things aren't exactly peaceful on your side, are they? Can you handle it?"
His own expression eased.
"I have enough time to set everything in order. You just need to provide the support I asked for."
With that, he turned and left without hesitation. She didn't mind.
Her attention returned to the screen in her hands.
"Sigh... Everyone sounds so grand. But me? I'm just a weak woman who wants to stick close to the Fire Picker..."
Smiling to herself, she shut the device. The disappearance of Dead End Hollow—Shin was bound to know.
Maybe she'd go see her.
...Though that one really was annoying.