The glass curtain wall of a distant skyscraper was playing an advertisement. Though he couldn't read the text, judging from the flashing images, it seemed to be promoting some kind of personal terminal device.
Ignis hid in the shadows of the garage, looking up and around.
This place… it was far too much like the world he came from before serving the Emperor. Aside from the different script, it was nearly identical—the internet, mobile payments, all sorts of entertainment and activities.
There was even square dancing. With his Astartes-enhanced hearing, Ignis could pick up rhythmic music not far away, and the cheerful laughter of the elderly.
How wonderful…
Peaceful, quiet days like this.
During his time as a Space Marine, he was either training or fighting. Wherever they were deployed, there was always fire, smoke, and death. Scenes like this… were something you'd never find there. Even victory only meant a short respite before marching into the next battlefield.
Ignis asked himself honestly—he didn't hate fighting for the Imperium. But something had always felt missing. Maybe it was because, as an outsider, he never truly believed in the Emperor.
He knew what sat upon the Golden Throne.
He was the Emperor.
But He was no longer the Emperor.
Still, being thrown out of that Battle Barge and landing in another world—one without the endless war of the 40K universe, one that still held some measure of peace—was nothing short of a miracle.
How beautiful…
Then came the sound of screeching brakes. A motorcycle stopped in front of him. The rider jumped off, grabbed two large bags from the back box, and hurried upstairs.
Food, by the smell of it. Ignis could pick up the scent as it drifted away along with the rider's footsteps.
A knock followed. Billy answered, his voice bursting with excitement as he shouted something about the Starlight Knight Combo Meal being delivered.
Food.
The Salamanders' supplies had always been adequate—sometimes even luxurious, including real, naturally grown fruit.
But he still missed the food from Earth—the street stalls, the tiny corner diners. Maybe they hadn't been clean, or even particularly good, but they tasted like life. It was a flavor he hadn't savored in years.
The rider rushed back down, hopped on his bike, and disappeared into the night.
Inside, Anby and Billy were fighting over the TV remote. Billy was arguing his case with all his might—to no avail.
Both Anby and Nicole had flatly rejected the idea of watching tokusatsu shows during dinner.
It wasn't that the Cunning Hares didn't want to invite Ignis inside—it was just that he was far too large. Their rented apartment was already cramped; with him inside, it would feel like a storage closet.
So, Ignis suggested staying downstairs with the rented truck.
He sat on the ground, gazing upward at the city around him.
This was a city that coexisted with the Hollows. Looking around, several were visible to the naked eye—black hemispheres standing silently against the skyline. New Eridu drew etheric energy from them, converting it into power through a mechanism called the Hollow Tower.
Anby had explained that sometimes, a Hollow Disaster could erupt—a devouring void appearing suddenly somewhere in the city.
But thanks to the efforts of the Defense Force, Public Security, and the Hollow Investigative Association, such losses had been greatly reduced.
Ignis had seen what the inside of a Hollow looked like—distorted spaces, deadly monsters, lethal radiation.
That this city could live side by side with such horrors… spoke volumes of the resilience of intelligent life.
"You know," came a teasing voice from behind, the tone unmistakably Nicole's, "your armor really does make you hard to spot in the dark."
"I'm not particularly skilled at stealth," Ignis replied, trying to stand—only for Nicole to wave a hand, signaling him to stay put. "That citizen was simply in a hurry, and paid little attention to his surroundings."
"Is that so? For someone your size, that's impressive." Nicole held up a large takeout bag that smelled amazing. "So, what does count as good stealth to you?"
"Some of my cousins," Ignis said as he accepted the food from her, "if they truly wished to hide—you wouldn't even sense them standing right before you."
"That's pretty damn impressive." Nicole watched as the giant pulled out a massive burger—made for a Thiren or another large species—yet it still looked small in his hand.
Bread, tomato slices, meat patty, melted cheese—Ignis looked at it, nostalgia washing over him. He removed his helmet and took a huge bite.
Nutrient paste inside the power armor could never compare. It was fuel, not food.
The bread was soft and warm, the tomato slightly sour, the juicy meat bursting with flavor, the melted cheese rich and sticky.
And then—a surprise. A bottle of black liquid with a red label.
Could it be… cola?
He carefully twisted off the cap—psst!—the hiss of carbonation, the sweet, familiar scent rushing up his nose.
Bubbles exploded on his tongue. Sweetness rolled across his palate. Yes.
This was cola.
Space Marines sometimes drank with mortal soldiers between battles—alcohol, synthetic spirits, even toxins.
None of it ever brought him joy.
But this—this was true joy in a bottle.
He had once tried to recreate it with servitors. The best they ever managed was fizzy water.
"Hmph…" Nicole watched the giant down the burger in a few bites and chug three liters of cola in one go before letting out a satisfied burp.
"Looks like the super-soldier hasn't had a proper meal in a while."
"Often, eating time must be minimized," Ignis said, pouring fried chicken straight into his mouth.
"You just swallowed the bones?" Nicole blinked. She remembered those had bones in them.
"No problem."
Joking aside, a Space Marine's enhanced saliva glands could secrete acid, and their stomachs could digest toxins. Bones were nothing.
"I should thank you," Nicole said sincerely. "For helping Anby and Billy in the Hollow."
"If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have struggled so much," Ignis replied wryly. "A moving target my size draws plenty of Ethereals."
"You've got a point," Nicole sighed. "But still, you helped. Billy needs repairs, and Anby needs a full check-up."
"You know, Billy was built using Lost Tech. Repairs are expensive—and the parts are hard to find."
Nicole's eyes gleamed with mischief as she sized him up.
"You want me to pay for that?" Ignis raised a brow.
"Hmm…" she narrowed her eyes slyly. "I doubt you can afford it. From what I can tell, you don't even have a legal identity."
"Which means your only income options involve… well, violence."
"That's true," Ignis nodded. "But—"
"But you won't," Nicole cut him off. "If you were the type to break laws, you'd be doing it inside a Hollow, not out here."
"So, what do you want me to do, then?" Ignis looked at her. "Boss of the Cunning Hares."
"I heard from Anby that you're quite capable," she finally got to the point. "How about joining us?"
"So that's what this is about." Ignis sighed.
He didn't have an identity here. Having a group to take him in wasn't bad. They called themselves jack-of-all-trades, but they weren't evil.
And if they ever did try to force him into something vile—well, he could always say no.
"Good pay, solid insurance, commission bonuses, Hollow rescues if you get lost," Nicole listed casually. "And two gorgeous coworkers."
"If you can get me legal status, I'm in," Ignis said after a pause.
"Do you know Anby's full name?" Nicole asked, smiling mysteriously.
Ignis shook his head.
"Anby Demara." She placed a hand on her chest. "And I'm Nicole Demara."
"Anby's my adopted daughter."
"You have a daughter that old? How old are you, exactly?" Ignis blinked. She didn't look much older than Anby.
"I said adopted!" Nicole's smile froze for a second. "I found her in a Hollow. Her records list me as her guardian. If you want a legal identity, that's no problem for me."
"Hah, looks like I underestimated you," Ignis chuckled.
"No backing out now! You're officially a member of the Cunning Hares." Nicole turned toward the upper floor and waved. "Anby! Billy! He's in! Come down and welcome our fourth member!"
"You don't mind my past?" Ignis asked.
He could hear the two upstairs rushing down. Billy was already babbling excitedly about showing off his Starlight Knight collection.
"Everyone in the Cunning Hares has their own secrets," Nicole said firmly. "But that doesn't stop us from being good partners."
"So, what about my identity? Am I your adopted son too?" Ignis asked with mock seriousness.
That question caught Nicole off guard—but she recovered quickly, putting her boss face back on.
"If you don't mind, sure. Becoming a Demara has its perks."
Ignis brought his fists together and bowed slightly. "If my lady does not reject me, I would gladly call you—"
"Wait, I only understood the last two words," Nicole interrupted, one hand over her forehead.
"Mother!" Ignis said plainly.
And with that one word, the great boss of the Cunning Hares froze like a crashed cogitator.