"..."
Nicole was torn.
The Dead End Butcher was powerful, far beyond what they could handle.
But the commission was already two-thirds complete—giving up at the final stage felt far too wasteful.
Seeing Nicole's hesitation, Nekomiya Mana grew anxious. "Please, that family heirloom is extremely valuable! If you help me retrieve it, I'll give you seventy percent of its value!"
Please… just say yes. Once we reach that place, you'll be finished.
"Aha! Seventy percent of a priceless heirloom—imagine how many Dennies that must be!"
Nicole's eyes sparkled, seeing nothing but money.
Still, not wanting to look too greedy, she straightened her face and said seriously, "Now don't think I'm forcing you to raise the price. It's just that Dead End Hollow is high-risk. We'll need new equipment, emergency supplies, everything upgraded. You understand, right?"
"I understand, of course I do. Since Dead End Hollow is so dangerous, raising the commission fee is only natural." Nekomiya Mana echoed Nicole's words, though inside she sneered.
All talk, but no sign of you buying new equipment. As expected of the money-grubbing Cunning Hares. You greedy villains will find your graves in Dead End Hollow.
"Wait, Nicole."
Anby frowned, looking at Nekomiya Mana suspiciously. "Going into Dead End Hollow like this is too dangerous. And besides… I can't shake the feeling that this client has ill intent."
Baal nodded firmly, her tone serious. "With my years of governance experience, I also find this person suspicious."
Anby looked at Baal, as if she'd found a kindred spirit. "Truly a clever Bangboo. In films, they'd call this great minds thinking alike."
"Really? Everything seems normal to me."
Billy was still grinning ear to ear, fiddling with his newly found Starlight Knight badge, completely oblivious to Nekomiya Mana's scheme.
Ah, what a perfect badge this badge is!
Baal cast him a look of pity and gave the faintest shake of her head.
Billy caught the gesture and couldn't help blurting, "What the hell? Why do I feel like even a Bangboo is being treated as smarter than me?"
Even though Baal was merely agreeing with Anby, the way she carried herself—it was as though a ruler had acknowledged a clever minister.
Except… only slightly clever, because Baal clearly thought Billy and Nicole weren't that bright at all.
Hey hey hey, what's with that pitiful look? Acting like you're some genius. You're just a tiny, maybe-a-little-cute Bangboo!
Billy stared at Baal's occasional scrutinizing glances and tiny headshakes. It was like being an old machine that a repair master had written off as useless.
Suddenly, even his prized badge felt a little less shiny.
Anby stated plainly, "That's because it's the truth. Baal really is smarter than you, Billy."
"Eh?"
Billy crumpled in despair, crushed by the dual blow from Baal and Anby.
He knew Anby was blunt, always speaking directly.
But precisely because of that, he realized she truly meant it—that she thought he was less clever than a Bangboo. It was devastating.
Nicole ignored Billy's antics, mulling over Anby and Baal's words. They did make some sense.
She turned a skeptical gaze on Nekomiya Mana. "Nekomiya, do you really have some ulterior motive?"
"Meow! Don't say nonsense—you're the one with ill intent!" Nekomiya Mana snapped. "All I want is to recover my family heirloom. If the Red Fang Gang moves it, I'll never find it again. This might be my one and only chance!"
"And you Cunning Hares are ridiculous. Especially that ice-faced poker girl—thinking the same way as a Bangboo? Your IQ must be rock bottom!"
She spoke with righteous indignation, as if she had suffered the greatest injustice.
"…"
Baal's brow creased into a thunderous symbol.
Even her patience had limits—mocking the Raiden Shogun was a grave offense. This little cat needed to feel the weight of thunder's judgment.
Nicole, however, didn't immediately believe it. She asked Anby, "Do you have any proof Nekomiya means harm?"
Anby shook her head. "Just my intuition. But my intuition is rarely wrong."
"Hah! Basing your doubts on nothing but some vague intuition? What kind of Proxy are you supposed to be?" Nekomiya Mana sneered on the outside, though inside her heart raced.
Just intuition—and she already senses my malice? This poker-faced girl is dangerous. My act is flawless, but she still picked up on something.
She couldn't let their suspicions fester. She needed to push them.
Nekomiya Mana scoffed. "If the Cunning Hares aren't willing, then I'll find other Proxies. Don't come regretting it later! And I should thank you—thanks to your help scouting the first two depots, I've confirmed the heirloom's true location."
"Farewell, oh-so-helpful Cunning Hares~"
She turned, making as if to leave.
"Wait! Nekomiya, we'll take this commission."
Nicole stopped her, speaking firmly. "We've already done half the work—I'm not letting some other Proxy reap the rewards!"
"Well then, seeing how sincere you are, I'll let the Cunning Hares finish this commission."
Nekomiya Mana's heart leapt with triumph, though her face remained strained in reluctant agreement.
"Cough cough. But since we're entering Dead End Hollow, seventy percent is still fine, right?" Nicole asked nervously.
"…"
Nekomiya Mana forced a nod. "Of course. That's your rightful payment."
This Nicole is hopeless. Her greed runs to the bone. But that's fine—without it, my plan wouldn't be so smooth.
"Good. With the reward settled, let's head into Dead End Hollow. And I expect both the poker face and the smart little Bangboo to join in finding my heirloom!"
She cast a smug glance at Anby and Baal.
"…"
Baal's anger ticked higher.
She didn't argue further—Nicole was too blinded by money to listen.
From the start, Baal had sensed Nekomiya Mana was off. Along the way, her suspicions had only deepened.
When they scouted the earlier depots, the Red Fang Gang seemed to recognize her.
And more than once, she'd deliberately led them into packs of Ethereals. Weaklings, sure—easily handled even by Nicole's group—but still, it was obvious she was testing their strength.
How laughable. To think you've understood everything just by skimming the surface. If you were one of my Inazuma officials, you'd be dead within three years.
No, actually—surviving three years of scheming under my rule would mean you're competent. This Nekomiya has some skill, but she's far too impatient this time.
And she seemed to have something against Baal in particular.
Well then, Baal decided—she would increase the current on this little cat later.
She had no intention of stopping Nicole from entering Dead End Hollow. The Ethereals they'd faced so far had been far from dangerous, and Nicole was already too blinded by profit.
In her full might as a god, those monsters were less than insects.
Even confined to a Bangboo body, she felt no pressure at all.
So, she would follow, let Nekomiya Mana play out her scheme—then deliver her a lesson she would never forget.