Chapter 1: Opening
New Eridu—the last "oasis."
After the fall of the Old Capital, people built a new city from the ruins. And to distinguish it from the one that came before, they added a "New" to its name.
New Eridu is mainly divided into two major parts: the Inner Ring and the Outer Ring.
The Inner Ring is the most urbanized area, and where most residents live. People from the Outer Ring simply call it "the city."
The Outer Ring, by contrast, is a desolate expanse. Its technology and living standards lag far behind the Inner Ring's, and it has little to show in terms of Ether industry—but it does have abundant oil reserves. Local road gangs operate in organized factions, controlling their respective territories.
And because of that, compared to the Outer Ring's chaos—where the wilderness is so wild it almost feels like the land itself is alive, everything surging and thriving—the Inner Ring is laid out with strict administrative order:
City → District → Street.
Minerva District. Vulcan District. Thorne District. Pluto District. Farnus District… and—
Janus District.
Compared to the other major districts, Janus isn't particularly special.
And yet, on every "Most Livable Streets in New Eridu" ranking, there's one street in Janus that consistently rockets near the top by overwhelming votes—
Sixth Street.
If you're a typical overworked office drone, then the Tin Master Special—personally ground by the Tin Master himself, winner of third place in the 3rd [Tin Master Championship]—is absolutely your best pick for banishing drowsiness and powering through a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed workday.
If you're a gaming enthusiast, then the Goldfinger Arcade on Sixth Street is the kind of place you simply can't skip. Whether you're a lone wolf or rolling in with friends, classic timeless games like Snake vs. Snake and Soul-Eater Hound will help you forget reality for a while and sink into the thrill of competition.
Or if you're a foodie, then the Koi Noodle House is your must-visit—especially their "traditional recipe cuisine": ramen. Whether it's the cheapest White Bowl Herbal Broth Noodles, the slightly pricier White Bowl Pumpkin Sweet Soup Noodles or Green Pepper Pork Noodles, or the most expensive Black Bowl Wild Mushroom Noodles and Big Bone Noodles…
…you'll leave in a haze of happiness.
(And yes—the noodles come with unlimited refills.)
Of course, Sixth Street's Random Play video store, Uncle Enzo's customization shop next door, and Miss Elpha's audio shop across the way are all well-known, highly praised businesses too, but…
If you're a patient—and for certain unspeakable reasons you'd rather not go to the hospital, or buy medicine from the Jo Family Pharmacy—then whether your illness is serious or trivial, you should try your luck at a place called:
Heal.
Heal is tucked behind the Tin Master's coffee shop. Follow the path between the Koi Noodle House and the café until you reach a wire fence marked with a sign that reads "Hollow Warning." Look left. You'll see a short set of steps leading up to a vermilion-red door.
Press the doorbell and wait.
If there's no response within one minute, you'll have to leave—because the shop's owner isn't inside.
But if you're lucky enough to catch the owner when they're available, you'll see the door swing open, and then—
A Bangboo, pure white from head to toe, a black cross symbol etched into its forehead, will stand behind the door and stare at you before gesturing for you to come in.
That Bangboo will look at you the way a butcher looks at fish on a cutting board.
Then it will hop onto a rolling stool, pull out several unlabeled bottles packed with pills of every kind from the medicine cabinet, and once you take them—
It will hand you a bill with a price so outrageous it borders on criminal.
And if your condition is more severe—so severe that surgery is required—then what awaits you won't be just an invoice.
The moment you step inside, your body will go limp. Your vision will double. A cold, tranquil numbness will creep into your heart—
—and then darkness will fall from the sky.
When you wake, you'll find your body fully healed.
And in your arms—
another bill.
If you repay your debt obediently, fine.
But if you get any funny ideas…
Before long, PubSec will come knocking.
Even if you miraculously escape, you'll be facing a joint beatdown from both a wanted notice and the criminal underworld.
That's why Heal's rating on the Inter-Knot has stayed at one hundred percent.
And that's also why the shop is wrapped in mystery.
Countless people have tried to uncover the identity of Heal's owner—who he is, what faction stands behind him, what kind of power he's connected to. They exhaust every method, pay any price, and even commission the Inter-Knot's legendary Proxy—
Phaethon.
But no matter what conditions they offer, the answer they receive is always the same…
"Sorry! We only take Hollow-related work. This isn't within our scope—please seek someone else!"
And the one who says it—in that deliberately cold, businesslike tone—is usually Belle, smugly puffing herself up afterward.
"Heh heh heh, Chiya—every time those guys try to trick us into leaking your identity by commissioning us, my brother and I always reply in the most heartless voice possible!"
"Mm… o(￣▽￣)o Thanks… so… could you let me go now…?"
Inside a video shop on Sixth Street, Belle was reenacting the scene with her whole body—bobbing her head like she was starring in it—while holding Chiya down in her arms with alarming strength, grinning like she'd won the lottery.
"Nope! You've been gone for ages! I'm fine either way, sure—but my brother? He's been so worried he can't eat or sleep every day—ow!"
Wise withdrew the finger he'd just flicked against Belle's forehead, ignoring her protests as he pulled Chiya out of her grip.
He asked curiously, "Chiya, why are you free today? Running low on ingredients again?"
Chiya's face tightened a little as he answered, "N-no… I just… wanted to go eat hotpot with you two. There's a discount for three people today."
Watching Chiya's tense little expression, Wise couldn't help laughing.
"Alright, alright—then later we'll—"
A tense announcement suddenly cut through the air from the TV:
"Breaking news: an associated Hollow disaster has erupted on Fourteenth Street. It has breached Level-3 containment…"
The relaxed atmosphere shattered instantly.
Listening to the broadcast, Chiya let out a small sigh, bitterness written across his face.
"An associated Hollow again…"
"Wait—Fourteenth Street?" Wise's expression sharpened.
He turned, sat down, and immediately started typing on the computer.
"Yeah. PubSec had a manhunt operation in that neighborhood today. Evacuation might not go smoothly."
"So that means…?" Belle asked.
"Get ready," Wise said flatly. "There's a good chance business will come knocking soon."
After giving Belle a quick reminder, Wise looked back at Chiya.
"Sorry, Chiya. Looks like hotpot might not happen today."
Chiya nodded. "Mm. I understand."
Then he hesitated, as if remembering something.
"Oh—Wise. Later, can you help me take a look at Xugeya? She's been acting kind of weird lately. You know I'm not good at checking a Bangboo's condition."
"Sure, I can take a look," Wise said. "But if it's something more serious, you'll still need to go to Uncle Enzo."
Chiya glanced over.
Xugeya sat there quietly with 06 beside her, not making a sound.
Wise made an OK gesture, then walked over.
"Eous, come here too. I'll need you to translate some things."
Belle immediately chimed in, dragging out her words in a teasing sing-song:
"Oooh~ Brooother~ You can't even understand all of what Xugeya says?"
Wise shot her a look. "Like you can."
Belle puffed up proudly. "Heh heh. I can't either!"
"Don't say that like it's something to brag about…"
After that exasperated reply, Wise focused on examining Xugeya.
Meanwhile, Chiya and Belle collapsed onto the couch and went back to watching TV.
Chiya had a miraculous constitution: sit in front of a TV for a while, and he'd fall asleep.
Every time, Belle volunteered to "treat" his so-called "TV narcolepsy," so he wouldn't miss the exciting parts.
So…
"Chiya! Look—Officer Bringer from PubSec is on screen!"
"Mm…"
"Chiya, Chiya! Look, look—this reporter is stealing the spotlight! He's stealing Bringer's camera time!"
"…Mm…"
"Chiya, Chiya, Chiya! Look, look, look—this reporter's words are getting bleeped into oblivion!"
"...hnh…"
...
Time passed.
Even Belle was starting to nod off, when—
A booming shout burst from the TV:
"JUS—TICE—EN—FORCED!"
An enormous explosion followed.
Underneath it, faint but unmistakable, came a desperate wail.
It jolted both Chiya and Belle awake.
"Wah! What happened?!"
Wise didn't even look up from where he was standing.
"Belle, this is you trying to cure Chiya's 'TV narcolepsy'? Your snoring was about to rival Uncle Enzo's engine."
"You're lying!" Belle snapped with righteous fury. "Pretty girls don't snore!"
After firmly denying her brother's "slander," she glanced at the TV's explanation and scratched her head.
"Still… how do I put it… that 'righteous citizen' is the kind of person you want to roast, but somehow you can't bring yourself to."
Chiya, on the other hand, tilted his head and touched his little cowlick in confusion.
"I think I heard a familiar scream…?"
The next second, a small hand clamped down on his well-maintained cowlick.
"Oho~~ This texture… ah, finally, I got to touch it again."
"B-Belle! Let go!"
"Hehehe. You little rice cake—born to be eaten by big sis! If you don't want to get eaten, offer your cowlick up as tribute!"
While Belle and Chiya wrestled over his cowlick, Wise stood up.
"Mm. Nothing major. Just some aging wiring. Chiya, later I'll go with you to Uncle Enzo's and pick up—"
"Stop watching the news!" a voice snapped from the doorway. "The explosion they're talking about—I'm the one involved!"
Nicole burst in—then froze.
"Huh? Chiya…?"
The room fell into a strange silence.
After a moment, Chiya calmly extended a hand.
"Nicole. Pay me back."
"Aha… haha… about that…" Nicole laughed awkwardly. "I've been a little tight lately—wait! Forget the money for now! Wise! Belle! I need your help!"
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 26)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 26) Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 26)
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