Inside New Eridu's Dead-End Hollow, Chiya—who'd been "dragged onto the pirate ship halfway through"—was now moving with Nugget and the four kings of Victoria Housekeeping.
Watching Ellen up ahead—clearing a path with her scissors while constantly turning back to look at Chiya—and then glancing at Rina, who was practically pressing her chest onto the back of Chiya's head, Lycaon's mouth twitched in a very unprofessional way.
As for Corin… yes, our dear Miss Corin.
Clutching a chainsaw, she followed behind Chiya with exaggerated caution, like a chick sheltered beneath its mother's wings.
Corin was as timid as ever today.
Rubbing his numb forehead, Lycaon looked to Chiya at his side and gave a slight bow.
"Lord Chiya, thank you for tolerating Ellen and Rina's willfulness."
"It's fine, Lycaon. Honestly, I wanted to come investigate the Dead-End Hollow for a while now."
"Oh? If you'll pardon my bluntness—may I ask why?"
"You know, Lycaon. There's a powerful individual inside this Hollow known as the Dead-End Butcher."
Stepping on Hollow soil and breathing in that long-unfelt Hollow air, Chiya narrowed his eyes and exhaled slowly—while Nugget, perched on his shoulder, elbowed Ellen's hand away the moment she tried to mess with Chiya's ahoge again.
Yes.
This time, Chiya wasn't entering the Hollow by riding Nugget—
He was walking in personally, supported by his own "strong, delicious" body.
Though they were all adopted by the same teacher, compared to Wise and Belle—whose Ether aptitude was frankly pathetic—Chiya's Ether aptitude was actually quite good.
And with years of "self-produced, self-used" pharmaceuticals, his physical constitution had also been strengthened.
Still, Chiya almost never entered a Hollow in person.
The reason was simple:
Outside the Hollow, "strong" means nothing.
Inside the Hollow, his weak combat ability and his "fresh, tender" body created a dangerously enticing contrast.
To put it another way—
In an Ethereal's eyes, Chiya was like an infinite-temptation barrel of fuel in Burnice's eyes.
No matter how thick the barrel is, a normal Ethereal can still cut it open in one strike.
Because Ether aptitude and physical durability are not the same thing, Chiya rarely went down into Hollows unless—
Like now—
He had elite bodyguards like Victoria Housekeeping along for the ride.
After all, no matter how strong Nugget was, a Bangboo's little legs versus a human's stride…
"Mm-neh? (Little master?)"
"Huh—no, I'm fine. Right, Lycaon—what were we saying?"
"You were speaking of the Dead-End Butcher, Lord Chiya."
"Oh, right."
Chiya reorganized his thoughts. From the pouch at his waist, he took out a sealed container, removed a vial, and explained to Lycaon—who'd lifted his ears to listen closely—
"Lycaon, you know the Argos Hollow, right?"
"Argos…"
The smile vanished from Lycaon's face, replaced by solemn gravity. His ears trembled slightly. His tail stiffened for an instant, and his voice dropped.
"If I remember correctly… the Argos Hollow is the reason New Eridu's youngest Void Hunter, the head of Public Security's Anti-Air Sixth Division—Hoshimi Miyabi—earned the title of Void Hunter."
"By destroying the powerful anomalous symbiotic Ethereal, Rena, within three minutes, the Hollow's expansion stalled and even began to shrink. Because of her efforts, Public Security, the HIA, and HAND recovered from prior setbacks and ultimately eliminated the Hollow."
After delivering that concise summary, Lycaon hesitated. As if struck by a frightening possibility, his pupils widened and his tone grew heavier.
"Lord Chiya… are you bringing up Argos because you believe the Dead-End Hollow shows the potential to develop in that direction?"
"Uh… no."
"Then…?"
Chiya shook his head, his swaying ahoge neatly dodging Rina's hand as she tried to misbehave again.
Sunlight caught on the ahoge, and for a fleeting moment Lycaon was… distracted.
So much so that when Chiya waved the vial in front of him and softly called his name, the usually impeccable Lycaon only realized he'd been nodding on reflex after the fact—then hurriedly refocused on the vial.
"My apologies, Lord Chiya. I drifted for a moment. This vial is…?"
"It's an experimental prototype, Lycaon."
Chiya gently rocked the vial.
As he did, the liquid inside shifted—its original green slowly transforming.
The deep, rotten, sludge-like green faded away, and a pale gold emerged, as if someone had poured in liquid sunlight.
Tiny bubbles formed on the surface, swelling until they burst.
The liquid began to boil, hissing uneasily like a startled small animal.
"Naive idiot—when did you learn to make explosives… ow!"
"Mm-neh-da! (Don't call my master's reagent 'explosives,' you dog-donkey!)"
"Dusura. Clown…"
"Wah! What did you say, Anastasia?!"
"Clown."
"Damn it! I can't beat him, but I can beat you!"
"Um… Dusura, Anastasia, please don't—"
"It's all right, Corin. A little relaxed interaction is sometimes necessary, you know?"
"W—okay…"
"Oh, you child…"
A child who only ever shrinks back can't grow.
Corin, your ability to listen is admirable—but…
If you can't stand firm, can't speak your true thoughts…
Then don't join the struggle ahead, Corin.
You'll only get hurt…
Rina affectionately patted Corin's head.
Her flawless smile covered the pity and sympathy in her heart.
She knew Corin's feelings for Chiya were real, but—
"Compared to 'liking'… Corin, is what you feel more like admiration? Or can you even tell the difference between the two?"
"After all…"
"Admiration is the feeling farthest from understanding…"
"Um, Miss Rina? What did you just say?"
"Oh, nothing. Just something that's a little embarrassing to say out loud."
"Eep?! D-don't tell me… like in romance novels?"
"Hehe. Corin can guess as hard as she wants. If you guess right, I'll tell you~"
"U-um… Corin, Corin…"
Seeing Corin's face go crimson as if she'd imagined something, Rina smiled—but her gaze had already drifted elsewhere.
Even though Chiya keeps it tightly restrained, presenting a near-perfect image of optimistic composure…
…I can still feel it.
That fragile part he's forcing down.
And if the worst outcome truly arrives…
Even if it means abandoning everything I have, I will follow him.
Corin—what will you choose?
Stay in the sunlight?
Or step with him into the darkness?
Hehe…
Though honestly, if it really came to that…
It wouldn't be so bad.
A Chiya who's fragile like a baby, with only me by his side…
Hehe… for some reason, I'm looking forward to it…
"This isn't explosives, Dusura. And Lycaon—relax. I calculated it. This level won't shatter the glass."
"Even so, Lord Chiya, please allow me to remain vigilant at all times. Your hands are priceless—capable of saving countless lives."
"Lord Chiya… your body trembled just now. Is it the reagent's influence?"
"Uh, no. I don't know why, but I suddenly felt like I was being watched by an Ethereal."
Just as Chiya frowned—
A roar exploded through the Hollow like a boulder rolling off a mountain and crashing into a pond, sending ring after ring of ripples outward.
The ruins all around began answering with other Ethereals' roars.
The ground trembled.
You could feel it—
Something enormous was moving this way.
"Damn it… now of all times?"
"Or… even sealed, the reagent can still release Ether fluctuations through some mechanism?"
Chiya didn't hesitate. He slid the vial back into its container.
"Lycaon, we need to leave immediately. That roar was clearly the Dead-End Butcher's call. Ethereals in this entire area are going to riot."
"…Understood. Ellen, you clear the path. Rina, reconnaissance is yours."
"Roger, boss."
"Leave it to me, Lord Lycaon."
"I'll lay down bait that can draw the Dead-End Butcher, just in case. And Corin—"
"Eep?! U-um, Lord Lycaon, what do you need?"
After assigning Ellen and Rina, Lycaon looked at Corin and patted her shoulder.
"Protect Lord Chiya. Corin—this task is yours."
"Wha—?! I… I really can do it…?"
Even though Corin had already guessed what her job would be once Ellen and Rina got assignments—
When Lycaon truly placed that weight on her shoulders…
Her heart stalled for a beat.
Then it began to hammer wildly—fast, hard, frantic—until she felt she could barely hold her chainsaw.
"I… um, I…"
"Don't worry, Corin. I'll open the route up ahead."
"Little Corin, don't worry. Dusura and Anastasia will help clear out the Ethereals around you."
With Ellen and Rina comforting her one after another, Corin started trembling even more.
Being trusted by her companions made her eyes sting—
But at the same time, her lack of confidence made her helpless under the sheer weight of that trust.
Just then, a small hand rested on her head.
"Doctor Chiya…"
"Corin, don't be afraid—because I am with you."
"Don't panic—because I walk with you."
"I trust you."
"I place myself in your hands completely, because you are someone who can carry all of this, Corin."
"...Corin won't let you be harmed even a little!"
Watching Corin get won over in just a few sentences, Lycaon—who'd been about to offer more comfort—quietly turned and left, smiling as he went.
"Ellen, leave markers. I'll catch up."
"Yes, boss."
Corin…
Do your best. Grow stronger.
Lycaon silently blessed the child in his heart.
Later
"Ellen—are you sure you left the marks?"
"I'm sure, boss. You know I don't drop the ball in a place like this, and I'm not going to joke about Chiya's safety."
While downing one of Chiya's "free" reagents to clear Ether corrosion, Ellen sighed in frustration.
Rina still wore her smile, but the worry in her eyes betrayed her.
Lycaon fell silent after getting the answer.
"Rina. Any results?"
"Dusura and Anastasia are working on it. But we still haven't found Corin and Lord Chiya."
"…Corin…"
"Oh, it's fine. Chiya messaged me."
"What?!"
"He said Corin and he got separated, but it's okay—both are in good condition, and…"
"Boss. He says he found a Rope Weaver to guide him out."
"Who?"
"Wait… okay. Chiya says the Rope Weaver's name is…"
"Phaethon…"
"…I see. Rina, call Dusura and Anastasia back. We still have other tasks to complete."
"Corin will protect Lord Chiya."
"And Ellen—don't fall asleep looking all relieved. Rest after we exit the Hollow."
"But I'm tired, boss…"
"…Sigh. I have a set of Lord Chiya's photos. Take them."
"I already have that ki— Boss—"
"Hmm?"
"How did you even collect photos of Chiya wearing women's clothes?"
"Cough! That's a secret. Return them after we get out."
"..."
"Ellen?"
"Uh—there's Ethereal movement nearby. I'll go clean up."
"…Sigh…"
"Lycaon."
"…Yes?"
"I want some too."
"…Sigh…"
Elsewhere
"Huh?! Doctor Chiya knows the legendary Rope Weaver Phaethon?!"
"Uh, Corin… that's not really a secret. You should know my other identity."
"Asclepius… sorry, Doctor Chiya. I forgot again…"
Chiya rubbed the top of Corin's head—like patting a little cake—and smiled.
"It's fine. That's exactly what makes you cute, Corin."
"Huh?"
"Even though Corin isn't the strongest maid—"
"Ugh…"
"And not the smartest maid—"
"...(wipes tears)"
"But Corin is the most hardworking maid."
"And just now, all the way here, Corin was the one opening the path—Nugget barely had to do anything."
"Corin is reliable."
"Doctor Chiya…"
"And don't worry, Corin. Next, you'll meet New Eridu's most legendary Rope Weaver."
"He won't disappoint you!"
"Mm! Corin trusts you, Doctor Chiya."
Back at Random Play
"Nekomata! Can you go faster?!"
"Myaow! Nekomata's already going so fast my paws are about to grind smooth!"
"Drink this!"
"W-what is it, meow… hey! Don't kick my calf, meow! Fine, I'll drink it, meow!"
After gulping down the reagent Eous produced, fresh vitality surged through her dried-out body.
"This—what is this stuff?! Nekomata's whole body is overflowing with power now, meow!"
"Then move!"
"MEOW!!!"
Seriously… she was so easy to talk to a second ago. Why is she so impatient now, meow?
With no time to savor the strength, Nekomata scooped up Eous and sprinted toward the coordinates Chiya had sent.
And inside Random Play, Belle and Wise silently prayed.
Chiya…
Please, please don't let anything happen to you…
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 60)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 80)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 60)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 64)
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