Due to special circumstances, Wise didn't need to shout a slogan and could follow them directly inside. However, the scene within was noticeably different from when the test had first begun.
"Eh? Why did we change locations?"
Soukaku looked at the Ethereals surrounding them in surprise while quickly drawing her weapon.
"It seems the enemy used its authority to alter the level's environment. Mr. Phaethon, can you pinpoint the main enemy's location?"
In fact, Yanagi didn't even need to ask. Wise was already working on it.
With his assistance, the group quickly cleared the enemies in their path.
They then pursued the monster that had escaped during the test. Its evasive behavior only further confirmed its identity.
As Yanagi's blade struck down the monster controlled by Nul_Face, the surrounding scenery rapidly shifted, and the group found themselves back in the HIA lobby.
However, it was immediately obvious that this wasn't the real world either.
"Yanagi, you succeeded!"
Soukaku looked around excitedly and raised her weapon in celebration. Harumasa and Miyabi also gave Yanagi a thumbs-up.
"Thank you all for your trust, and thank you as well, Mr. Phaethon, for your help. With this, there are only two enemies left to eliminate."
Yanagi nodded toward Wise beside her before checking everyone's condition.
"Everyone is still holding up well. I suggest we press on while we have the advantage and quickly pursue the next one that slipped away."
"Mm, let's do that. Dragging this out will only create more complications."
Miyabi immediately nodded. They had always trusted Yanagi's decisions. Though, in truth, the main reason was that two of them weren't inclined to think things through, while the only one who could be bothered rarely felt like doing so.
"Then, please prepare yourselves to enter the test once more..."
After speaking, Yanagi moved to check the data status of the other three, just as she had done before.
Soukaku's and Miyabi's statuses were still red. But Harumasa's data status had turned green.
The moment she saw it, Yanagi realized something was wrong and quickly called Wise over to take a look.
"How is it? Is there a problem with Harumasa's data status?" Yanagi asked with concern.
The other two also gathered around.
Wise sighed and shook his head. His expression resembled that of a doctor reviewing a troubling case, his brows furrowed as he let out a long breath.
Just as everyone thought he was about to deliver some difficult news they would have to accept...
"His data status is fine. It's just that his data has been fully analyzed by the enemy."
"Data analyzed? Will that cause any harm?"
Harumasa genuinely didn't feel anything wrong with his body, aside from wanting to take a leave of absence, of course. Personally, he didn't think that counted as a problem.
"There's no harm. It's just that..."
Before Wise could finish speaking, a peculiar data-loading sound slowly began to echo through the area, and an unnatural halo gradually enveloped Harumasa's body.
Immediately, the appearance of his virtual body began to change. Its detailed form broke apart into mosaic-like color blocks, which gradually merged into the pure white halo.
A moment later, a gray-white Bangboo wearing Harumasa's headscarf appeared before them.
"Hmm? What just happened? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
He clearly hadn't realized he had transformed. Aside from feeling that his perspective had lowered, everyone else seemed taller, and even his voice sounded different.
"No, why is this happening, huh? Why did I turn into a Bangboo, huh?"
After noticing the change, Harumasa was clearly unwilling to accept it.
Although his original body could sometimes be troublesome and inconvenient, turning into this, with such short arms and such a clumsy body, would make him completely useless.
As Harumasa spoke, his mood visibly sank.
Seeing this, Soukaku paused for a moment before trying to comfort him.
"Wuwu... Harumasa, cheer up! Don't call yourself useless. I believe you're the best!"
"Don't say things like that right now, huh! Mr. Phaethon, can you help me turn back to normal?"
Harumasa looked at Wise with hopeful eyes, but Wise indicated that he was powerless to help.
"I'm sorry. It's come to this, and I can't reverse it. But don't worry. Once you return to reality, everything will be fine."
All Wise could do was offer reassurance.
Just then, the enemy who had spoken earlier jumped back into the conversation.
"Hahaha! Phaethon, I thought you were so powerful, but you're nothing special. You know what? Those battles gave me plenty of opportunities to collect data."
"They allowed me to gradually seize control of this system, gradually seize control of... all of you. Your teammate's data model is complete, so I made a small optimization to it in the backend... Uh... Eh?!"
Before the enemy could finish speaking, he witnessed a shocking scene.
Wise paused for a moment, then reached out and patted Harumasa on the head.
Immediately, an intrusion alert appeared in the enemy's system backend. A short while later, Harumasa transformed back from a Bangboo into his human form.
"No, impossible! How is this possible?!"
"Yeah, Phaethon, didn't you just say you couldn't do it?"
Not only Null_Face, but even Harumasa himself was bewildered.
Wise then explained, "Originally, it really wasn't possible. But who knew this guy's appearance would help me find a loophole?"
Upon hearing that, the enemy's face instantly drained of color. Without even having time to utter a threat, he immediately disconnected the communication.
In truth, Wise hadn't found any loophole at all. It was just that after being mocked earlier, he felt a little annoyed, and the system had thoughtfully presented him with an ability.
It was A-Rank Code Programming. Since he already possessed the B-Rank version of the skill, upgrading it only cost 3,000 Emotional Value.
After the upgrade, this kind of data modification naturally became effortless.
Seeing her companion return to normal, Yanagi finally breathed a sigh of relief. A weight she hadn't realized she was carrying eased from her shoulders.
"Mr. Phaethon, since you found a loophole through his appearance, do you have any other useful information?" she asked.
"Yes. For example, I now have enough time to search for the opponent's real-world location. If we drag this out a little longer, I can report them to Public Security and have them arrested immediately."
In response to Yanagi's question, Wise directly revealed his next plan.
"Is that so? That's great. But if you say it so openly, won't the enemy realize it and withdraw?"
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Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
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