"I contacted Nicole and had her switch out the truck," said the Bangboo lying on the ground as it stood back up. "You've got a big friend here—no way a small sedan could haul him."
"No wonder you're the shop manager, always so considerate," Billy said with delight. "You're as reliable as those genius doctors who provide gear for heroes."
"Heh, keep flattering me like that. If I'm in a good mood, I might even give you a discount," the Bangboo rolled once across the floor, then lay down on its stomach.
"Really?" Anby perked up immediately, recalling the films she'd seen.
"Anby, I think the Proxy is just being polite with us," Billy interrupted before her imagination could run wild.
"But speaking of commission fees," Anby shifted the topic toward Phaethon, "considering how expensive Phaethon's services are, I honestly thought Nicole would save money by leaving us to fend for ourselves. Didn't expect her to actually hire you."
"If you hadn't come, we might not have escaped that pursuit," she added, sincerely. "Thanks for the rescue."
"Speaking of that," Billy cut in, "I've been meaning to ask since we first started working with your shop—that device of yours doesn't just let you sync senses with the Bangboo, it even allows real-time communication inside the Hollow."
"That kind of tech," he continued, "not even the Public Security Bureau or the Hollow Investigative Association can manage that. With such a trump card, why not join the Association, live comfortably, and stop risking your circuits running jobs with Hollow Raiders like us?"
Before the robot could reply, Ignis caught the sound of Ethereal cries echoing through the tunnels.
"Eyes up. We've got company," the Salamander Space Marine warned sharply.
"So soon?" Billy grabbed his head in disbelief. "I just laid down!"
"We have to withdraw," Anby said firmly after a glance outside. "Unless, Billy, you'd prefer to lie here forever. I'll make sure next year to put a Starlight Knight belt on your grave."
"Don't say that with your poker face! I can't tell if you're serious or joking!" Billy protested loudly.
Ignis found himself agreeing—Billy had a point. Anby's calm, emotionless expression often made her seem more like a machine than him.
"Every time I work with you guys, it's like watching a stand-up comedy," Phaethon's Bangboo quipped, brushing the dust off its shell.
"Is that why you've been letting Nicole run a tab all this time, Proxy?" Anby asked, watching the Bangboo stretch its tiny limbs.
"Somehow, that doesn't make me feel any better," Billy sighed, checking his ammo. "Anyway, before they catch up, we'd better move."
Ignis watched the tiny unit bounce proudly ahead. Though it had no face, it somehow radiated smugness.
"Shop manager, we'll count on you to lead the way," Billy said, reloading the few remaining bullets into his revolver.
"Then stay close," the Bangboo waved its little hand and dashed out of the platform first.
They followed along the rails, weaving between derelict train cars, quickly losing the pursuing Ethereal somewhere behind. Every so often, the Bangboo stopped to gather Hollow observation data—as Phaethon explained, this helped improve its real-time route calculations.
To her credit, Phaethon's navigation was impressive. After several twists and turns, they emerged from the tail of a train.
"We'll have to pass through the transfer station ahead. The exit's on the other side." The Bangboo pointed with its stubby arm. "Before that, though, let's clear out the blockers."
"Give me ten seconds," Ignis said—already charging forward before his words finished echoing.
The heavy warrior tore through the battlefield like a tank, pulverizing the few Ethereal in his path to dust.
"Where did this big guy come from?" Phaethon's voice held fascination as she watched the giant crush monsters like empty cans.
"Met him in the Hollow. He was lost inside, too," Anby replied, holding the Bangboo in her arms. "He's a super-soldier built with lost-age technology."
"Wasn't that from one of your movies?" Billy interjected, exasperated. "He's just rolling with your story, don't take it so literally!"
"An ancient super-soldier, huh…" Phaethon's tone was amused. "He's certainly not like any ordinary man. Even among the Proxies I've worked with, few are this powerful."
"Billy, every member of the Cunning Hares has their own secrets," Anby said while running with Phaethon in her arms. "But instead of digging into them, we should focus on getting out. Even with ether aptitude, we've been inside too long."
"Got it!" Billy followed immediately.
"Which way now?" Ignis asked, smashing the last Ethereal in his path into fragments.
"To the right, into the transfer station," Phaethon gestured.
They jumped off the tracks and entered the station through the corridor.
"This place must've been lively once," Ignis murmured.
He looked around the wrecked concourse—chairs scattered, vending machines overturned by creeping ether crystals—and couldn't help but sigh.
"The Cretan Hollow covers mainly the subway's transfer and shunting yards," Phaethon explained, pointing toward the second floor. "It used to handle tons of passenger and cargo flow. Come on, our goal's close."
The stairs built for humans were clearly not ideal for a three-meter-tall giant. Fortunately, the upper floor was supported by columns; Ignis simply climbed one, punched a hole through the ceiling, and emerged onto the second floor.
"That wasn't easy," the armored giant muttered, brushing debris from his ceramite plating.
"Looks like we'll need a different route," Phaethon mused, resting her tiny hand under her chin. "I've never guided a giant like you before."
"There are other routes?" Billy asked, staring at the crater Ignis had just made. "This place isn't gonna collapse, is it?"
"Relax. The other columns can handle my weight," Ignis replied evenly. "I'm heavy, sure—but not that heavy. You could stack ten of me, and it'd still stand."
"I sure hope you're right…" the robot muttered nervously, glancing at the hole in the floor.
Phaethon led Anby along the upper floor until they were stopped by a sealed security door.
"An old-world electronic lock," Phaethon examined it. "Unlocking it requires a deposit of 1,500 gear coins."
"We've been running non-stop—there's no way we've got that kind of change!" Billy groaned. "Why the hell does a security door take money to open?!"
"What now? Want to search the area?" Anby suggested. "Those machines downstairs might still have gear coins. Borrowing a few shouldn't hurt anyone."
"Ahem!" Billy cleared his throat and struck a dramatic pose. "You're telling me we have to pay to advance inside a Hollow?"
"Even if I agreed, the Starlight Knights wouldn't! And even if they agreed, Boss Nicole definitely wouldn't!" he declared righteously—though his logic was questionable at best.
Ignis watched silently, unimpressed by the theatrics.
"Take this! Starlight Glory Mirage!" Billy shouted, swinging his revolver's butt down on the valve lock.
A sharp crack rang out—and then he froze.
"Damn it! My waist!" the robot groaned, clutching his back and spinning in place.
"Maybe try opening a few loot boxes downstairs instead?" Phaethon suggested dryly.
"If it's just breaking through a wall, I can handle it." Ignis stepped forward, his Flamestorm Gauntlets glowing with blue lightning as the disintegration field activated.
"You're not really going to smash it open, are you?" Phaethon asked, staring up at the massive fist larger than a human torso.
"If wit won't work, then strength will," Ignis said simply, stepping up to the door. "I've torn down fortifications stronger than this."
Boom!
With a single earth-shaking punch, the aggressor shattered the valve and door alike, reducing the whole barrier to scrap through sheer kinetic force.
"All right, ladies and gentlemen—after you," the giant said, stepping through first.
"What a… unique way to clear a path," Phaethon mused, staring at the new passage. She was already taking mental notes.
Beyond the broken doorway, the path led directly to another rail line. Ignis jumped down, extending his massive hand to catch Anby and Billy as they followed.
"Where to next, Proxy?" Anby asked.
"Follow the tracks forward. The exit's just ahead," Phaethon instructed.
Ignis nodded and took the lead. Minutes later, they reached a railway bridge—only to find it blocked by enemies once more.
At the front stood an Ethereal as tall as Ignis, with crystals forming a jagged collar around its head and shoulders. Its arms were bludgeons made of crystallized ether and building debris.
"I'll take him," Ignis said, charging ahead. The monster noticed the oncoming giant and roared.
The two collided with a thunderous crash. Ignis's mass gave him the edge; the Ethereal staggered, and the Salamander seized the moment—his power fist driving straight into its chest.
The disintegration field roared, nearly vaporizing the creature's torso.
But it was a monster, after all. Absorbing nearby ether crystals, it rapidly began to regenerate.
"Where do we go?" Anby called, cutting down a nearby Tyrfing with a clean strike. Billy was temporarily out of the fight, and Phaethon's Bangboo wasn't a combat model.
"Right side—over the cars," Phaethon directed.
"Got it!"
Anby sprinted toward the train cars, using a jutting ether crystal as a foothold to leap atop the roof. She turned and pulled Billy—still holding Phaethon—up after her.
"Ignis! Over here!" she shouted toward the giant locked in combat.
"I see it!" the armored warrior replied, smashing the Ethereal's arm to pieces before driving a final punch into the core on its head.
With a crack and a burst of light, the creature screamed and shattered into fragments.
Ignis scanned the surroundings—his commotion had drawn even more Ethereal. Without hesitation, he turned and ran toward Anby's position.
The giant crashed through a train car, following closely behind Anby and Billy—only to find a solid wall blocking their path.
"There's a wall ahead! If we're breaking through, the big guy has to do it—I don't have that kind of firepower!" Billy said, glancing at the Bangboo in Anby's arms.
"Don't worry," came another voice—male this time—from within the Bangboo. "Just follow my sister's instructions."
"That voice…" Billy blinked. "Oh! It's the other Phaethon!'"
"Brother! Don't just hijack my channel like that—you scared me!" the girl's voice protested.
"Billy, Anby—can you hear me?" the brother continued. "My sister's route is correct. I'm cutting off sensory sync now."
Suddenly, the Bangboo in Anby's arms lost all its usual life, looking around in confusion.
"You're disabling possession now?!" Billy shouted. "We're about to crash!"
Then, with a strange wave of release, the three—along with the Bangboo—phased straight through the wall.
A car horn blared.
For the first time, Ignis laid eyes upon New Eridu.