"Let me borrow this! I'll return it later!"
Seeing the car owner scramble away, Ellen was just about to hijack the vehicle and drive off. But the wail of police sirens was closing in fast from behind. After a quick glance at the situation, she had no choice but to abandon it.
At that moment, a voice called out from ahead. Ellen looked up to see Lycaon and Rina had already secured another car, with Corin climbing aboard.
Without hesitation, Ellen leapt toward them.
Not far away, the car owner sighed in relief as Ellen left. But his relief didn't last.
A police car with a blown tire came skidding across the road and slammed into his car with a loud crash, mangling both vehicles.
Staring at the wrecked mess—with his own car crumpled from the side impact—the owner's legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees.
Damn it, I just took out a loan for this new car!
The Public Security Bureau will cover this, right? Right?!
...
While Victoria Housekeeping split up to divert some of the pursuers, the "Hollows Walkers" forum was exploding with activity.
Night Ming: "So, you guys already started moving?"
Xian Yihe: "Of course! Trust our speed, come on! It's just a little..."
Furina, Judge of the Gods: "Aha, I'm almost there!"
Dexiri: "Latest update—Masked Fools are currently being chased in the Elden District..."
Xie Gou: "I'm on-site. Still a ways from the Janus District. Hurry up."
Earphone Baby the Cutest: "Hehe? I'm already in the Janus District... If anyone's here, you should see me. I'm the one carrying the big box..."
Night Yan the Prince: "Wow, what a coincidence, I see you! Hand a few over, I didn't manage to buy any..."
Orca Doesn't Eat Fish: "What? This stuff is in short supply? I run a store, I'll send some over right now!"
Bai Jia Feng Zhan Ji: "Whoa, really that good?"
Look at You Little Thing~: "I've called in my aunts, uncles, and even the cats to help. How's that?"
March Has No Seven: "Heh... heh... heh..."
Ancient Greek God of Klee: "Uh... Do we need bombs? I thought this was supposed to be a non-violent action..."
Mysterious Person So Pitiful: "This is like a festival! Just imagine the scene—it's gonna be fun as hell!"
No Good Name for Now: "Yeah, I'm seriously hyped for this."
End of Watch: "We need more people here! The Janus District is overflowing, we need organization!"
Die, My Friend, But Not Me: "On my way! I've been sitting at home too long—time to make an appearance!"
Desire to Stroke the Divine Dragon's Horn: "Tch. As the ancients said: those who bring firewood for the people must not be left to freeze in the snow..."
Yin Yang Ji: "Got supplies! Free of charge! Line up at Sixth Street intersection!"
Hoshimi Miyabi Hunters: "I'll head over later. Just saw Section Chief Ya—wait, no, I'm out!"
Happy Aries~♪: "Uh... I set up a drink stand at Seventh Street. Anyone in need, come by..."
My Name Is Wei Haozi: "Hey, what happened with the guy two posts up?"
Cyber Steamed Bun: "I was with him. The pilot bailed, and the helicopter went down—right on his house..."
Feng Yuezi Nan: "Alright, alright, let's move. At this pace, we'll hit Janus District in less than ten minutes..."
...
"Boss Nicole! Did Proxy say why we're supposed to head for the Janus District?!"
"You asking me? How the hell should I know?!"
Nicole swerved the truck, barely dodging an obstacle as she sped up onto an overpass. In the distance, she could already see the familiar skyline of the Janus District.
"Nicole! They're cutting us off! Turn left at the next intersection!"
Anby, calm as ever, assessed the situation outside and made a quick judgment. Nicole immediately nodded, locking the advice in her mind as she prepared for the turn.
New Eridu's roads crisscrossed like a web, and Nicole made full use of them, weaving circles around their pursuers while inching closer to the Janus District.
Above, enemy aircraft carried powerful signal jammers. If Trigger hadn't forced one helicopter to drop out earlier, Nicole might never have been able to reestablish contact with Phaethon.
She still didn't know why Belle and Wise wanted her to enter the Janus District—but she trusted them.
The chase raged on. The truck was performing far beyond its limits, leaving the official pursuers choking on exhaust.
But just as Nicole was about to shake them, a red-tailed missile streaked from a suddenly appearing fighter jet, not at the truck—but at the road ahead.
Boom!
The explosion tore the road apart, chunks of asphalt flying everywhere. Nicole slammed the brakes hard—her first time since the chase had begun.
The truck skidded, tires screeching, and stopped just short of the broken edge.
Nicole stared at the gaping road ahead, her mind racing for options. But with the pursuers closing in fast, time was running out.
Her jaw tightened. She shifted into reverse.
Behind her, Trigger, Soldier 11, and the others moved instinctively. Seeing her reverse, they suddenly realized what she was about to do.
Billy's face went pale.
"Ni—co—le—boss—don't—!!!"
But before his words finished, Nicole slammed the accelerator. The truck's engine roared like a beast.
Straight at the broken road, the truck launched forward—then up into the air as its wheels left the ground.
The full moon hung bright in the night sky, perfectly framing the soaring truck.
A world-famous painting—Leap of the Hare's House!
But as the vehicle reached its peak and began to drop, Nicole realized the truth.
This distance... isn't enough!!!
The truck clipped the opposite edge and started plummeting. Nicole's heart seized. Billy was already bracing to jump.
Then suddenly—the truck jerked, halted mid-fall, then shot upward, slamming into something with a heavy thud.
A mechanical arm lifted it skyward. And finally, Nicole and the others saw what had caught them.
"Long time no see!"
Koleda grinned, operating the disguised electromagnetic grappling machine's arm to set the truck safely back on the road.
Outside the machine, Grace held an iron bar in one hand and a remote in the other. Seeing the truck arrive, she pressed the switch.
In an instant, a barrage of strange projectiles fired from the machine's rear. Massive electromagnetic pulses erupted, sweeping across the pursuers!
Helicopters above staggered in midair. On the ground, equipment sparked, failed, and fell into disarray. The pursuers' advance slowed to a crawl.