Miyabi, however, didn't understand Wise's predicament.
At most, she simply believed she was looking out for a friend, and besides, the favors between them had already been repaid long ago.
"New Eridu is currently in a critical period. The heads of every functional department are gathered here. Any oversight could shake the city's operational foundation."
"I know that, which is exactly why I asked you to investigate the truth, right? But why drag innocent people into this?"
Nicole argued reasonably, trying to help Wise escape his current situation, but Miyabi clearly didn't understand human relationships very well.
"You only showed us a fragment of the conspiracy. The complete story could take many forms. The truth you advocate is merely one possibility. Any potential threat to the city must be thoroughly eliminated. That is HAND's creed."
Miyabi spoke in her usual cool tone.
"Oh, come on, Wise really isn't a threat—he's not a bad person!"
At that moment, Nicole sounded both anxious and helpless, but Yanagi, standing nearby, unexpectedly supported her.
"I agree with you, Miss Nicole. Even though I personally trust Wise greatly, this course of action is still necessary. Please rest assured, I will guarantee his safety."
After speaking, Yanagi glanced at Wise beside her.
At that moment, she couldn't help wanting to ask, 'This girl named Nicole cares about you so much. What exactly is your relationship?'
However, it was still work hours, so Yanagi ultimately held back the question.
Then Miyabi spoke again.
"We must eradicate evil completely. As for what qualifies as evil... we have our own judgment. I also believe he is not an evil person."
After all, he had treated her to honeydew melon and even helped her hide from Yanagi's pursuit.
"But even so, he may possess important information regarding the truth. So if you want the Sixth Division's support, cooperate with us, Nicole of the Cunning Hares."
The Void Hunter's gaze carried almost tangible pressure. Even Nicole, who was usually fearless, showed a rare trace of panic.
After a brief flicker in her eyes, she gritted her teeth and stepped in front of Miyabi.
Honestly, Wise was genuinely surprised that Nicole dared to stand up at a moment like this, especially considering his relationship with the three members of the Sixth Division was clearly unusual.
Combined with Yanagi's assurance, under normal circumstances, letting them take him away wouldn't have been unreasonable.
But Nicole was truly loyal. She knew she couldn't stop them, yet she still wanted to protect him, even though he didn't need protecting.
Wise had just thought that to himself when a sharp gunshot suddenly rang out nearby.
Like a spark igniting dry grass on a summer night, gunfire erupted in rapid succession.
Dust burst from the open ground around them.
A flash of blade light instantly shattered a bullet flying toward Perlman, scattering strange sparks as though the blade were coated in some kind of liquid.
"Get down!"
Several voices shouted at once.
Perlman, the least combat-capable person present, immediately curled into a ball obediently.
Although lying down barely made a difference for someone of his build, covering his head with both hands at least gave him a sense of security.
"Gunfire? This rhythm... suppressive advancing fire. Someone's surrounding us from three sides."
Harumasa quickly analyzed the situation, and Miyabi's tone shifted slightly after hearing him.
"Nicole of the Cunning Hares! You actually prepared an ambush? Are you truly colluding with criminals?"
"I should be asking you that, Thiren Fox! Isn't this your armed ambush?! Wait... could someone else be targeting this place too?!"
Nicole reacted quickly and immediately considered the possibility.
Just then, the loud horn of a truck echoed nearby.
It was Piper, driving a cargo truck straight toward them and using it as cover just in time.
"Wise! Go now! Piper, drive!"
Seeing the opportunity, Nicole immediately gave the order.
Anby didn't hesitate. She shoved Wise into the truck without a word.
Piper cooperatively swung the door open.
"Wait! Don't run! Uh...!"
Miyabi shouted from behind, but the enemy assault prevented her from pursuing them immediately. By the time Wise regained his bearings, Steeltusk had already sped away.
Seeing this, Wise instantly felt doomed.
Without even looking, he could already imagine Yanagi's expression right now. He immediately pulled out his phone and sent her a message.
While apologizing and explaining the situation, he also revealed his true identity as Phaethon.
Anby noticed this and couldn't help pouting slightly. Wise could only quietly take her hand in response.
As for Piper in the driver's seat, she didn't seem to have noticed anything yet, but to be safe, he would have to deal with that later. For now, she was still focused on driving.
Soon after, during the chase with the enemy vehicles, Piper demonstrated her exceptional driving skills.
After a series of absurdly difficult sharp turns and U-turns, Piper disdainfully wagged her index finger before effortlessly shaking off the enemy's three pursuing vehicles.
Then the enemy completely broke the rules and fired a tracking missile, blasting the truck straight into the Hollow.
During the explosion, Wise did his best to shield Anby and Piper. Even so, the spatial distortion separated them during the fall.
After landing safely, Wise looked up and saw a pair of black silk-clad legs in high heels approaching him.
It was Miyabi, wearing her usual cold and arrogant expression.
Meeting again under circumstances like this was unbelievably awkward.
Some time after the truck lost control and crashed, at an unknown coordinate within the Outer Ring Hollow region...
"...How is it? Has it been repaired yet?" Miyabi asked as Wise crouched in front of her, repeatedly trying to contact his teammates through his intelligent eye implant, only for it to fail every time.
"Still nothing. Looks like the implant's malfunctioning. I'll need to improve this part of the design once we get out."
It was only the aftermath of a missile strike and a vehicle explosion, yet the communication system had completely failed.
Thankfully, he still had his ability.
All he needed to do was contact Belle outside the Hollow, explain the situation, and have her bring people to find him.
"I see..."
Miyabi's response remained calm, seemingly unconcerned about losing contact with the outside world.
Was this the confidence that came with overwhelming strength?
Wise understood that, but he couldn't simply sit still. Although his physique had been enhanced through the system, allowing him to remain unaffected inside the Hollow, Miyabi wasn't the same.
"Um... Miyabi, how are things on your side? Have you contacted your teammates yet?"
"No response yet. After you all escaped, I pursued alone. My companions are likely still fighting the unidentified attackers and haven't entered the Hollow yet."
"I see. Then... Miyabi, I know the situation is unusual right now, but could you maybe stop holding me so tightly?"
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Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
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