That was the logic—and because of it, Wise quickly uncovered an absurd truth: the enemy was not targeting the system network at all. They were directly targeting the store's network and the HDD itself.
Simply put, they were playing dirty by pulling the power and network cables.
The next moment, Belle, who had been checking the surveillance and anti-theft footage, made an even more alarming discovery.
"Brother, it's true! There are really people outside the door! These people are...!"
Before Belle could finish speaking, a male voice came from outside the store.
"Hello! We are Public Security officers responsible for security work on Sixth Street during the election period! Please open the door and cooperate with the inspection!"
After hearing the voice, Wise calmed himself and turned to Belle.
"I'll deal with PubSec. Fairy is in your hands. Try not to make any noise," Wise said before quickly heading towards the front door.
His caution was understandable, especially after learning that the enemy likely had influence within Public Security itself.
He immediately contacted Zhu Yuan and asked her not to report his situation for the time being. Although he did not explain the reason in detail, she chose to trust him.
While Wise dealt with the Public Security officers in the store, Belle hurriedly handled Fairy's situation in the staff room.
At the same time, Wise did not forget to message Qingyi and Zhu Yuan, asking them to come provide support.
In the end, they managed to fool the Public Security officers before they could inspect the staff room.
Having someone backing you within Public Security was convenient. Situations like this could be handled far more smoothly.
Although Belle remained shaken afterward, fortunately, nothing serious happened in the end.
"Alright, the application has been approved. The security inspection here has officially been assigned to my team. You can relax for now," Qingyi said calmly.
"Thank you, Senior. Next... it's your turn, Wise. It's about time you explained the situation, isn't it?" Zhu Yuan asked as she looked at him.
Naturally, she was referring to his request for her not to report his identity as a Proxy for the time being.
"Uh... this matter is a little... complicated..."
Wise was just about to explain when a familiar clear and cold voice suddenly came through the studio loudspeaker.
"...Allow me to explain the situation."
"Huh? Wait, that voice is...?"
Zhu Yuan clearly recognized the voice, and the other party soon spoke again.
"Long time no see, Zhu Yuan. It's me, Miyabi."
After revealing her identity, Miyabi, connected remotely, briefly explained the Vision Corporation case and the events that had occurred in the Outer Ring.
"Hm... let me organize this. The Vision Corporation case hides deeper secrets, the real culprit is still in the shadows, there was a desperate battle in the Outer Ring, and Perlman has been kidnapped... Is that correct?"
"Yes, very accurate... and surprisingly concise."
Miyabi gave Qingyi's summary a positive evaluation, but Zhu Yuan remained silent.
The room fell quiet.
Wise glanced at Zhu Yuan with concern. Her lowered gaze and tense expression made it difficult to tell what she was thinking.
"Zhu Yuan..."
"...Don't worry about me. Let's return to the main issue."
Zhu Yuan took a slow breath and continued.
"It's currently election season. You are accusing Bringer, the incoming Commander of Janus Quarter of New Eridu, of serious crimes."
The atmosphere instantly grew heavier.
Even Qingyi, who usually maintained a relaxed attitude, quietly narrowed her eyes.
"However, your key witnesses and evidence are still missing. According to procedure, I should take you into Public Security custody immediately and report this matter to my superiors, but..."
At this point, Zhu Yuan visibly hesitated before her expression gradually turned firm.
"But Miyabi, the leader of HAND's Hollow Special Operations Section 6 and one of the current Void Hunters, is willing to personally vouch for your claims. Perhaps I'm simply someone who is too easily deceived, but I believe you, Wise. And I also trust Miyabi's judgment and experience."
Wise looked slightly stunned. Even Miyabi remained silent for a brief moment on the other end of the communication.
"Therefore, I will not report this matter to my superiors before the end of today. That gives you enough time to secure your evidence. During that time, I will also investigate through my own channels."
Wise was genuinely moved by Zhu Yuan's trust.
"Thank you, Zhu Yuan."
"...It's too early to thank me."
Zhu Yuan lightly shook her head.
"If my investigation proves that you're lying... I already told you, I won't show favoritism, Wise."
At that moment, Zhu Yuan had even prepared herself for the possibility that Wise might eventually be arrested and imprisoned.
And if that happened...
She would probably still visit him regularly and wait for the day he was released.
After instructing Qingyi to remain behind and assist with supervision, Zhu Yuan quickly left the video store.
"Oh my, to make Zhu Yuan go this far for you, Wise, you truly are a remarkable young man. No... perhaps even that evaluation is too modest."
"Qingyi, compared to evaluating me, shouldn't you be preparing an explanation for Zhu Yuan instead...?"
Wise looked helplessly at Qingyi, who remained completely unbothered and even wore a faint smile.
"Alright, alright. Then hurry and get busy. I also don't want you explaining yourself inside a Public Security interrogation room."
A short while later, inside the Hollow region near Ballet Twins...
Wise finally arrived with Eous.
After meeting up with the members of Section 6, Yanagi immediately asked, "Wise, you're finally here. Is everything alright with Officer Zhu Yuan from Public Security?"
"Yes. She returned to Public Security to verify our information. Zhu Yuan is an upright and kind person. I believe she'll make the right choice."
Although Zhu Yuan's reaction earlier had been somewhat intense, it was understandable.
After all, someone had just accused her direct superior, who also happened to be the benefactor who had promoted her and once saved her life.
Though honestly, it was probably more because Wise had not told her about this sooner.
"Hm... is that so? That's good."
After hearing Wise's answer, Yanagi nodded, though her expression remained complicated.
Logically speaking, Wise and Zhu Yuan should have shared nothing more than a normal cooperative relationship.
Yet emotionally, Yanagi could not shake a strange feeling.
It was as though her instincts were quietly warning her about something.
And oddly enough, this was not the first time she had experienced this sensation.
Forcing those distracting thoughts aside, Yanagi refocused herself while Miyabi spoke up.
"I understand Zhu Yuan's personality. She would never act against justice. Also, she's easy to coax. Just look into her eyes, hold her hand, and softly tell her your honest thoughts. The closer you are, the better the effect. You can try it after returning, Wise."
"Chief Miyabi... where did you learn that from?"
Harumasa looked at Miyabi with a strange expression, but she herself remained perfectly calm.
"Zhu Yuan's mother taught me. I tested it myself, and it works very well."
"Really?" Wise blurted out instinctively.
After all, when he had met Zhu Yuan's parents before, her mother really had told him something similar.
He just hadn't actually tried it yet. However, the moment those words left his mouth, he immediately noticed Yanagi staring at him.
"Perhaps it works well for Chief Miyabi because she is also a girl," Yanagi said calmly while adjusting her glasses.
"But if it were you, Wise, attempting that in an unfamiliar situation, it could easily backfire. I suggest offering Miss Zhu Yuan a proper apology instead."
+- - -+
-[ AD ]-
+- - -+
+- - -+
Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
+- - -+
✨ 55+ Advance Chapters • Early Access ✨
📚 Read Ahead Here:
[- p - a - t - r - e - o - n . com / DysFiction -]
💖 Enjoying the Story? Support My Work With a Donation on:
[ ko - fi . com / dysfiction ]
+- - -+
📖 Available Novels
🔹 Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
↳ (Translation)
🔹 Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives!
↳ (Translation)
🔹 Zenless Zone Zero: Death in White
↳ (Original Story — Exclusive Until Chapter 30)
+- - -+