As the sun rose over New Eridu, its neon skyline bathed in golden light, screens across Lumina Square flickered with breaking news.
A reporter from Eridu News Network stood before a sleek studio backdrop, her voice crisp over the broadcast.
"Good morning, New Eridu. In a stunning development, Vortex Dynamics, a rising tech firm, has been shut down following its arrest for colluding with Canice, one of the largest illegal mercenary groups operating underground. Investigations reveal Vortex embezzled funds from over 1,000 victims to finance illicit projects, including unregistered Hollow experiments."
The camera cut to footage of public security officers escorting suited executives in cuffs, their faces blurred.
"This crackdown, confirmed by the New Eridu Defense Force and Public Security, marks a major blow to the city's criminal networks. Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds."
---
At the New Eridu Public Security headquarters in Lumina Square, chaos reigned.
The headquarters buzzed with unprecedented activity-officers darted through halls clutching data pads, voices shouted over ringing comms, and drones whirred as they scanned incoming detainees.
Jail cells clanged shut, filled with Canice mercenaries and Vortex Dynamics personnel, their high-tech gear confiscated.
The sudden crackdown had caught everyone by surprise, from beat cops to the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team.
In a briefing room overlooking the neon-lit square, Zhu Yuan stood at the head of a projector, her uniform crisp, her dark hair tied back.
Her team, flanked by the Hollow Special Operations unit led by Hoshimi Miyabi, filled the space, their presence commanding silence.
Miyabi's katana gleamed faintly at her side, while her deputy chief, Yanagi Tsukishiro, and teammate Asaba Harumasa listened intently.
The projector hummed, displaying grainy images of Canice's headquarters-hidden servers, weapon caches, and encrypted comms.
Zhu Yuan clicked a remote, her voice steady.
"Last night, we dismantled Canice and Vortex Dynamics, thanks to an unexpected lead. Their operation involved embezzlement, fraud, and unauthorized Hollow Tech."
She switched to an image of an oval cage, its interior writhing with caged Ethereals, their claws scraping metal.
"This cage, found in Canice's base, poses a threat. If those Ethereals escape, they could breach the city or our tunnels. Miyabi, can your team neutralize them?"
Miyabi nodded, her expression calm.
"We'll handle it. My unit's prepped for Hollow containment."
Yanagi Tsukishiro, her pink hair catching the light, raised a hand.
"One question. How did we get this information? This level of detail-Canice's servers, Vortex's accounts-isn't easy to come by."
Asaba Harumasa, leaned forward.
"Yeah, cracking their security would've been a nightmare, even for our techs."
Zhu Yuan exchanged a glance with Qingyi, her android partner, then turned to the windows.
With a flick of the remote, she raised the blinds, revealing a projected Inter-Knot account on the glass: Zelrech.
"This account contacted us days ago, claiming they could share intel to take down a syndicate," Zhu Yuan said.
"We thought it was a prank at first."
Qingyi's mechanical eyes whirred, her voice precise.
"Until Zelrech started revealing personal data on Public Security members-details I verified as accurate. Then, they dumped everything: Canice's files, Vortex's connections, evidence of their fraud, even photos. All at once."
Yanagi's eyes widened slightly. "That's incredible. Pulling that off takes serious skill."
Qingyi tilted her head. "We couldn't trace the source. Whoever Zelrech is, they're a hacker, likely the one who hit Canice. Their entire crew reported simultaneous data breaches-personal info exposed in real-time."
Zhu Yuan nodded, her tone measured.
"This hacker bypassed our anti-hacking measures and Canice's systems effortlessly. They're a ghost. One of our agents is investigating Zelrech now. If we find them, we'll judge whether they are dangerous or not."
Miyabi stood, adjusting her katana.
"Time to move. We'll clear those Ethereals."
She extended a hand to Zhu Yuan, who shook it firmly. "Good work, Zhu Yuan."
"Same to you," Zhu Yuan replied. The teams dispersed, Miyabi's unit heading for the containment zone, Zhu Yuan's team diving back into the chaos of processing detainees.
***
On Sixth Street, Random Play's neon sign flickered, its retro VHS aesthetic a beacon amid New Eridu's bustling morning.
Inside the video rental store, shelves brimmed with videotapes, from classic Bangboo flicks to Hollow Raid documentaries.
Wise, one half of the sibling duo running the shop, chatted with a customer about a rare mecha anime import, his calm voice cutting through the hum of a vintage CRT.
Belle, his sister, lounged at the counter, scrolling the Inter-Knot on her phone, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Wise, c'mere!" Belle called, waving him over as the customer left. She shoved her phone at him, the screen open to Zelrech's Inter-Knot profile.
"Check this out. Some proxies are saying this Zelrech guy's the reason a whole crime syndicate got smoked in one night. Even Null_Face is laying low because of them."
Wise raised an eyebrow.
"That's... surprising. Taking down Canice and Vortex Dynamics single-handedly? Who is this Zelrech?"
Sounds like a proxy with serious skills, he thought, his curiosity piqued.
Belle grinned, scrolling through comments.
"Nobody knows. Total ghost. Bet they're some badass hacker."
---
Two weeks later, Michael Varen sprawled on his Seventh Street apartment's couch, the neon glow from his window casting stripes across his face.
His alarm blared, and he swiped his phone to silence it, groaning softly. Another day at the Institute, he thought, rising slowly.
He slipped into his usual outfit-white shirt, black tie, and slacks-his trimmed beard neat, his movements deliberate.
The apartment's mess, ramen wrappers, and a busted Bangboo were a familiar backdrop.
On his way out, he grabbed a coffee and a slice of toasted bread from a Sixth Street vendor, the bitter brew waking him up. White Star Institute's not bad, he thought, sipping as he walked.
His job analyzing Hollow data was stable, even rewarding.
Tomorrow's when Zenless Zone Zero's plot kicks off, he mused, recalling the game's timeline.
Can't wait to see Phaethon in action. But his own role as Zelrech weighed on him. Exposing Canice and Vortex Dynamics had made his makeshift Inter-Knot account famous, his follower count skyrocketing.
Too much attention, he thought, deciding to stay low. No more stunts.
At the White Star Institute, a sleek glass building humming with tech, a voice greeted him from behind.
"Morning, Michael!" It was his coworker, Kaori-a girl his height with cat ears and twin tails, her name fitting ZZZ's quirky vibe.
Her green eyes sparkled, but her smile was shy.
After weeks of working together, they'd bonded as the office's resident loners.
Kaori was a math prodigy but fumbled everything else, earning her coworkers' scorn.
Michael, with his technical skills, had clicked with her, their partnership smoothing their workload.
She's reliable when it counts, he thought, nodding back.
As they walked, Kaori fretted about her day.
"I-I think I submitted the wrong signal reading yesterday. If it's off, Dr. Lin'll kill me!"
Michael sighed, his tone calm.
"Relax, Kaori. I caught it and submitted the right one."
Just another day fixing her slips, he thought, unfazed.
Kaori's eyes watered, her tail flicking.
"You saved my life, Michael! You can pat me as a reward!" She leaned forward, ears twitching.
Michael raised a hand, declining.
"Nah, it's just what coworkers do."
Not falling for that trap, he thought, keeping it professional. A knock interrupted them as they reached their office door.
An assistant peeked in.
"The director wants you both in her office."
In the director's office, a minimalist space with a panoramic view of New Eridu's skyline, Dr. Lin sat behind a glass desk, her expression unreadable.
Holographic screens floated around her, displaying Hollow data.
Michael and Kaori stood before her, the air heavy with expectation.
What's this about? Michael thought, his calm holding steady.
Dr. Lin steepled her fingers.
"You two have been solid performers. I have a new assignment for you. We need you to join an investigation at Scott Outpost, near Papago Hollow. It's sensitive, and your skills-Michael's analysis, Kaori's calculations-are perfect for it."
Michael nodded, processing the task. Scott Outpost, Papago Hollow.
Kaori's tail twitched nervously, but she stayed quiet.
The director dismissed them, and as they departed, Michael's thoughts turned to the mission he had just received; of all times, he had to be sent there...
***
Michael walked along a crowd of researchers, he and Kaori headed toward the White Star Institute's transport hub.
His tie was straight, his white shirt crisp.
Papago Hollow, of all places, he thought, his mind turning to the director's assignment.
Why now, right when Zenless Zone Zero's story kicks off tomorrow?
The timing felt too perfect, like a script he hadn't read.
If I'd known, I might've used my mystic ability to nudge things, he thought, regretting his vow to avoid it.
Could've stayed in the city, watched Phaethon's plot unfold.
He sighed, the sound lost in the street's buzz.
Kaori, walking beside him, her cat ears twitching and twin tails swaying, broke the silence.
"This is such an amazing opportunity!" she chirped, her green eyes bright.
"The institute's covering all our expenses-food, lodging, even transport! We're practically VIPs at Scott Outpost!"
Michael glanced at her, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to his measured calm.
She's sure is pumped, he thought.
"Kaori," he said, his tone even, "do you drive?"
Kaori's step faltered, her tail flicking nervously. "Uh, I-I have a car," she stammered, her ears flattening slightly. "But, um..."
Michael raised an eyebrow, catching her hesitation. License suspended, I bet, he thought.
"Spill it. Is your license good?"
Kaori's cheeks flushed, and she nodded reluctantly.
"Y-yeah, it's... suspended. Just a little."
Michael let out another sigh, then delivered a clean, slow chop to the top of her head, his hand precise but gentle.
Kaori yelped, her hands flying to her head, her ears drooping.
"Ow! What was that for?" she mumbled, burying her face slightly.
"Bring the car," Michael said, his voice calm but firm.
"I'll drive."
No way I'm letting her crash us, he thought, already picturing the route to Scott Outpost.
Kaori pouted but nodded, her tails perking up.
"Fine, but you better not scratch it!" she muttered, scurrying ahead to fetch her vehicle.