"If you want me to call you outside the scope of our commission, it's not impossible. After all, I still owe you a favor..."
Ellen spoke softly.
"What? You want to cash it in now?"
"It's a big favor. If you wish, there's no time limit."
Faced with Ellen's "clear terms," Zane considered for a moment before shaking his head.
"I'll keep it as a debt for now."
A favor owed is always worth the most.
He could feel its weight. Ellen wasn't exactly warm by nature—there was a faint sense of aloofness about her. Yet because of this debt, she had clearly taken a step back in how she treated him.
Best not to spend it too soon.
"Hm? What's that up ahead?"
Suddenly, Eous's voice caught everyone's attention. He ran forward, picked up a backpack, and called out,
"Proxy, do you recognize this?"
"Yes, without a doubt. It's Rain's! She really did come to the tower!"
"There might be clues inside..."
Eous answered Lycaon while rifling through the bag. Finally, he pulled out an electronic device, eyes widening.
Beep—beep—beep—
Staring at the countdown on the screen, Eous panicked and threw what looked like a "timed bomb" away.
Lycaon shielded Eous while the others braced for impact. But instead of an explosion, strange, melodic music filled the air.
Eous blinked, then ran to the device. After checking it over, he picked it up.
"Just a music player."
Fiddling with it, he added,
"Looks like it was set on a timer. Nothing dangerous... huh?"
Before he could finish, a sharp crash sounded behind him. His heart sank.
The next instant, a metallic hand—gleaming like a demon's claw—lunged straight at him.
"Watch out!"
Ellen and Rina sprang forward in unison—one striking the Gray Veil Marionette back, the other shielding Eous.
The Gray Veil Marionette slid across the floor with a graceful step, stopped with a sweep of her feet, then dipped into a polite bow.
When she rose, she extended her hand—not an invitation to dance like before, but a challenge to fight.
"Where did this one come from?!"
Eous looked from the suddenly appearing Gray Veil Marionette to the surroundings, utterly baffled.
"Since she has extended such an invitation, then let's not refuse."
Lycaon stepped forward. Everyone could tell that battle was inevitable, while Zane remained off to the side, watching quietly.
But as he observed, his brow furrowed slightly.
The Gray Veil Marionette now... seemed different.
It was as if only her humanity had been eroded, leaving an Ethereal that clung to fragments of instinct, drawn to the sound of music.
The rationality of the Ethereals...
There had to be a connection.
"Watch out!"
Just as Zane was lost in thought, a shout pulled him back. He looked up to see Ellen charging in.
The Shark Scissors flew out, cutting through the air and breaking Black Veil Marionette's assault. Ellen caught the scissors back in hand, glanced at Zane, and bit her lip.
"What are you just standing there for?!"
She knew Zane was strong, but seeing him motionless, she couldn't help but worry. The moment Black Veil Marionette appeared, she had instinctively rushed forward.
The Black Veil Marionette spun into another attack, blades flashing along the hem of her skirt. Ellen retreated quickly, sweeping Zane backward with her tail as she moved.
"Hey, Ethereal! Over here!"
Before the fight could escalate further, Eous had appeared at a distance, holding the music player and shouting loudly.
He pressed a button, then hurled it away.
Both Gray Veil Marionette and Black Veil Marionette instantly lunged after it, veils fluttering as they reached for the device.
A spatial fissure opened beneath them, swallowing both twins and the player whole. As the rift snapped shut, the music cut off.
"Phew... lucky there was a rift below."
"They were actually lured by the music..."
Lycaon's expression hardened as he spoke.
"It seems someone is deliberately using the Ethereals against us."
"Was it Rain? No... that doesn't add up..."
Eous fell into thought, but Zane and Ellen were caught in a very different scene.
"You jerk!"
Ellen, Shark Scissors in one hand, glared at Zane—who was still curiously fiddling with her tail. Her face flushed with embarrassment and irritation. When he still didn't let go, her expression darkened.
The next moment—
Bang!
She yanked her tail back, gave a sharp huff, and strode toward Lycaon and the others—ignoring Zane, who was now embedded in the wall behind her.
Zane pried himself free, clicking his tongue as he stretched his limbs.
As expected of a shark's tail.
So powerful!
Way too strong, dammit!
Of course, he had noticed Black Veil Marionette's sudden attack. He had simply been testing whether she would truly strike—only for Ellen to sweep him away before he could confirm.
But the result was clear enough. Black Veil Marionette had attacked in earnest.
And it was very different from before.
Suddenly, a burst of fire lit up the hall. A dozen shells streaked through the gates—straight at Eous!
Ellen, who had been walking casually, immediately froze. Her eyes sharpened. The next instant, she exploded into motion, like a shadow skimming the ground.
Blades flashed.
Several shells were cut apart in midair, Ellen planting herself in front of Eous with a cold snort.
Then she surged forward again.
The rebels panicked. Their attack had failed, and their enemy was too strong. They turned to flee.
But under the eyes of a top predator like the "Shark," escape was impossible.
By the time the others caught up, Ellen had already finished the job—her enemies lying unconscious, as if in a childlike sleep.
Lycaon and Eous quickly assessed the situation. The latter prepared to thank Ellen—the danger just now had been very real.
But before he could, Ellen suddenly collapsed. Thankfully, Rina caught her in time.
Seeing Eous's worry, Rina explained gently that Ellen had only fallen asleep.
"They won't be waking anytime soon... Let's get everyone out of the Hollows first."
Lycaon's voice was steady, and no one disagreed.
Before leaving, Zane glanced back at the spot where the twins had fought. His eyes glinted faintly.
It seemed he would need to find that old man again...
The grandfather of the twins' original selves.