The evacuation effort unfolded swiftly and in surprisingly orderly fashion.
By now, night had given way to morning, and exhaustion hung heavy over everyone—except Billy, who remained inexplicably chipper. The rest were bleary-eyed, drained in both body and spirit.
Outside the Hollow, rescue crews from the Hollow Investigation Association had been waiting for hours. But when the figures finally emerged from the breach, they weren't the team that had originally entered—it was Zhong Yan's group.
Upon inquiry, the grim truth came to light: the original squad had been wiped out. Why that hadn't been communicated through official channels remained a mystery.
Among those waiting was the New Eridu Public Security's Criminal Investigation Special Response Team, led by Qing Yi, who had temporarily stepped in for Zhu Yuan during her suspension.
"So that's why I couldn't reach you. You were stuck in the Hollow," Qing Yi said, giving Zhu Yuan a quick once-over. "At least you made it out alive."
Zhu Yuan, visibly shaken and disheveled, glanced toward Zhong Yan and the others—currently surrounded by grateful civilians. Her expression clouded.
"Qing Yi... there's something I need to ask you."
"Oh? Do tell." Qing Yi's eyes lit up. She lived for questions—mysteries were her favorite kind of puzzle.
Zhu Yuan recounted everything—her time in the Hollow, the role Zhong Yan's group played, and her growing suspicions about their identities.
After a moment of contemplative silence, Qing Yi tilted her head. "Tell me, Zhu Yuan... do you think they're bad people?"
"Of course not!" Zhu Yuan replied immediately, her tone firm, resolute.
Qing Yi raised her hands in a there you go gesture. "Then why doubt them? They saved your life. Saved civilians. Remind me, what's the Public Security Bureau's protocol for detaining Proxies or Hollow Raiders?"
Zhu Yuan paused. "We need... concrete evidence. Witnesses, physical proof."
"Do you have any?"
"No."
"Then what's the problem?"
Her words struck home.
They had already searched Zhong Yan's place and found nothing suspicious. Her suspicions alone were meaningless.
"Zhu Yuan," Qing Yi continued gently, "being an officer doesn't mean you stop thinking for yourself. Sure, sometimes the law must come first. But when the choice is yours... follow your gut."
"If they saved people today, they might save more tomorrow. Unless they've committed unforgivable crimes, what's the point of making enemies out of allies?"
"Even the noble halls of the Public Security have sheltered Red Fang sympathizers. We don't serve them. We serve justice as we see it."
Qing Yi's words were warm but weighty—like a mentor speaking from experience.
Zhu Yuan listened, then smiled faintly. "You're right. Without evidence, what justification would I even have to arrest them?"
She stretched; Her figure silhouetted against the morning sun—drawing admiring glances from nearby officers.
"Tired?" Qing Yi asked, amused. "Go get some rest. You're still technically suspended, remember? If the higher-ups catch you here, I won't be able to cover for you."
With that, Zhu Yuan returned her sidearm, offered a quick thanks and goodbye to Zhong Yan's group, and quietly left Fourteenth Street—finally allowing herself the rest she'd earned.
Even a suspension can be a blessing in disguise.
———
Meanwhile, Nicole and the others weren't so lucky.
Having emerged from the Hollow without proper clearance, they were immediately questioned by Public Security.
But Nicole, ever unbothered, flashed her official Hollow Investigator ID with a confident smirk.
"I saved a dozen lives in there. You sure you wanna accuse me of illegal entry?"
The officers backed down instantly.
Though Nicole often took morally questionable gigs, she was a licensed Hollow Investigator. Unless they could prove wrongdoing, she was legally untouchable.
Zhong Yan and the others, however, weren't so protected.
They had no IDs. If the officers pressed further, things could get messy.
Nicole could only stall for time—and hope her connections in the Association would come through.
"What's going on here?" Qing Yi's voice cut through the tension as she approached.
"Captain," one officer reported, "they don't have IDs. Except the pink-haired one."
Qing Yi raised an eyebrow. "This Hollow only formed last night. You really think they predicted that?"
She jabbed a thumb at them. "These people saved nearly everyone in that Hollow. Call them heroes. You wanna interrogate heroes?"
The officers fell silent, properly chastised. Without evidence and under direct orders, they could only apologize—and escort Zhong Yan's group safely off the premises.
———
Once out of sight, they all let out a collective sigh of relief.
Nicole rubbed her shoulders with a groan. "No sleep, barely any food... I'm beat."
Zhong Yan and Anby were in the same state. Nekomata's wounded arm throbbed painfully. Belle, still piloting Eous, had nearly dozed off in the Records Room.
Only Billy remained full of energy.
"You guys really pulled through," Zhong Yan said, hugging the precious case tightly. "Things didn't go according to plan, but... we're alive. That's a win."
The Red Fang Gang was in shambles. Miguel Silver was dead. With a little time, they'd be wiped from New Eridu entirely.
But one question remained—what to do with Nekomata?
According to the game's original storyline, she would join the Cunning Hares crew after a specific event. But Zhong Yan's choices had already diverged from that path.
Would she still stay?
"Zhong Yan..." Anby tugged at his sleeve, snapping him back to the moment.
She pointed.
Nekomata was quietly slipping away, trying not to draw attention.
"She's leaving," she said softly.
Zhong Yan nodded, thoughtful. Nekomata had risked herself to save Zhu Yuan. Her injured arm proved it.
"Anby," he said, "if you believe she's not a bad person... do me a favor."
Anby nodded silently, then strode over and gently grabbed Nekomata's uninjured hand.
Startled, the girl turned to find Anby's unreadable expression staring back.
"I'm hungry."
"...Huh?"
"I mean... let's eat together."
Nekomata blinked. "I—I don't think that's—"
Zhong Yan joined them. "She means we'd like to be friends. After everything we've been through... it's only fair."
"I-I was just passing by! This isn't really—"
"Then as the one who caused all this trouble," Zhong Yan interrupted, "the least I can do is buy you a meal."
"You're not even listening to me!"
She shouted—but her voice cracked.
A tear slipped down her cheek. Then another.
"I don't want food... I want to go to the hospital... My arm hurts..."
She'd turned down the offer before. Tried to tough it out. But now, surrounded by warmth and compassion, she let her guard down.
The first light of dawn spilled across the pavement.
Zhu Yuan, too tired to drive, had fallen asleep on the metro and missed her stop.
Qing Yi continued barking proverbs and instructions at the investigation site, commanding the scene with poetic precision.
Belle finally disconnected from Eous and collapsed onto a couch, a faint smile playing at her lips as she drifted into a peaceful dream.
Back with Zhong Yan's group, Nekomata sobbed into Anby's shoulder.
Anby gently wiped her tears.
Zhong Yan canceled his dinner plans—opting to use the money for Nekomata's hospital care.
Nicole grumbled about missing out on a free meal, vowing he'd owe her one.
Wise arrived to pick them up, lifting Eous and taking in the scene with a half-laugh, half-sigh.
Because in New Eridu... some things shine even brighter than the morning sun.
And Billy?
Billy was still going strong.