Hollow Investigative Association, internal chat group.

Elite Investigator 007:

"Someone actually took the Hollow Elimination mission today. And it's a total newbie."

Official Investigator 4396:

"I saw it too. Heard he's a genius with a 90-points Ether Aptitude."

Trainee Investigator 886:

"So what if he's a genius? Hollow Elimination missions aren't that easy to complete! Even the elite veterans couldn't handle it—he's just dreaming if he thinks a rookie like him can."

Elite Investigator 007:

"Nothing's absolute. Maybe this guy has something special that gives him the confidence? Anyone here heard of the name Sol Mercer?"

All Grades of Investigators:

"Nope. Aside from the 90-points Ether Aptitude score, we've heard nothing at all."

The responses were unanimous: not a single person knew more.

All they knew was Sol Mercer's Ether Aptitude score from various sources. Not a word about any other abilities.

Elite Investigator 007:

"Looks like he really is a pure rookie. Today's newbies are getting bolder by the day—jumping straight into the hardest mission? That's basically suicide!"

This group was full of hidden elites—Hollow Raiders, Defense Force members, even underworld figures all had alts here.

But none of them had heard of Sol Mercer, which only confirmed he was a true blank-slate newcomer.

Official Investigator 4396:

"I don't think he'll die, though. He's probably not stupid—likely to drop the mission like a few of our seniors did and just accept the Association's penalty."

Elite Investigator 007:

"Fair point. But with his current rank, backing out might mean he has to sign a slave contract with the Association."

Trainee Investigator 886:

"Sign with me! I'll sign a slave contract too!"

Official Investigator 4396:

"Dream on! The guy's got 90-points Ether Aptitude—the Association benefits from signing him. Sign with you? They'd be lucky to get some insurance money out of it."

Elite Investigator 007:

"A slave contract might not be the worst outcome. The Association wouldn't let someone that talented slip through the cracks—they'll raise him as a core asset. Just a tiny bit of restriction before he becomes truly powerful."

Trainee Investigator 886:

"Damn it, I'm jealous! Is this the treatment geniuses get?! I'd sign a slave contract too! Even a full-on slave pact!"

Trainee Investigator 887:

"Same here!"

Trainee Investigator 888:

"Count me in!"

Trainee Investigator 889:

"Add me too!"

Within seconds, hundreds of messages exploded in the group.

They were genuinely envious of Sol Mercer. Everyone knew how well the Association treated its core members, but that wasn't something they could even dream of.

Some even suspected Sol Mercer intentionally took the mission just to sign a slave contract—and earn the Association's complete trust.

ACE Investigator 001:

"He will complete the Hollow Elimination mission. And it won't take long."

ACE Investigator 001:

[Uploaded a video.]

Instantly, the entire group fell silent.

ACE Investigator 001—none other than the founder of the Hollow Investigative Association and one of New Eridu's Seven Great Void Hunters: Joyous.

This was the legend who single-handedly crossed [Divine Maze], and created the standard route for Hollow exploration. Calling him the forefather of all Investigators and Hollow Raiders was no exaggeration.

Now this living legend had personally spoken up for the rookie who took the Hollow Elimination mission?

The lively group chat froze, everyone respectfully sending their greetings to Joyous.

Regardless of their identity, everyone in the group owed this man their respect—for founding the Hollow Investigative Association.

A few minutes passed. Seeing Joyous had no further intention of speaking, the group resumed its activity.

Everyone eagerly clicked on the video Joyous shared, curious to know what could earn such high praise from their founder.

The video was an hour long—a promotional clip Nicole had uploaded to the Inter-Knot.

Investigators quickly switched to double speed and jumped through the timeline here and there.

In no time, the one-hour video was over.

Shock. And more shock. Nothing but shock.

This rookie was absolutely insane. A reborn Gun God and Blade Master.

A thousand Ethereals. Eliminated in just one hour—and most of that time was spent collecting loot.

They knew, instantly, that they were looking at a figure to worship.

Sol Mercer, cutting through Ethereals like chickens, was a spectacle they could never hope to replicate.

No wonder President Joyous would back this rookie so confidently—this guy really had the chops.

Elite Investigator 007:

"There's always someone better out there... I've really been living under a rock."

He had lived for decades, survived the fall of the Old Capital, and met plenty of big names.

But Sol Mercer gave him the same sense of presence as those top-tier legends. It was overwhelming.

Official Investigator 4396:

"Don't blame yourself, 007. We'd never heard of this guy before either. He probably came from another city—a real dragon crossing the river."

That kind of ruthless precision with guns and blades couldn't be self-taught in hiding. If he'd been in New Eridu from the start, he'd be a known figure already.

It made sense. There were other cities outside New Eridu—just not as developed.

After all, not every city could produce seven elite figures who perfectly aligned with Hollow research.

If a big name came from another city, it wasn't surprising.

Elite Investigator 007:

"Which makes it even scarier! If someone this strong had to flee here, how much longer can New Eridu hold on?"

Official Investigator 4396:

"Or maybe look at it another way—we've gained another powerhouse. Isn't that hope?"

Elite Investigator 007:

"You're right. Maybe I'm just getting old and cynical, and young people still have that fire."

Trainee Investigator 886:

"So you're telling me... he's a max-level main account slaying the tutorial village, and I'm the actual newbie?" (shivers.gif)

Trainee Investigator 887:

"So we're getting another ace investigator in the Association?"

Trainee Investigator 888:

"So New Eridu's getting another Void Hunter?"

Trainee Investigator 889:

"And the Cunning Hares just snatched a supreme powerhouse for free?"

In an instant, the group was abuzz again, furiously discussing Sol Mercer's video.

They thought he was just a genius. Turns out, he was a fully evolved genius.

Now, they—the little fish—could only look up in awe.

And the Cunning Hares had somehow gotten this giant to join them... What kind of ridiculous luck was that?

At the Hollow Investigative Association headquarters, Joyous sat at his desk, replaying Sol Mercer's video.

Watching the figure charge freely through a sea of Ethereals, and subtly shield Anby along the way, Joyous felt a twinge of emotion.

"Back when I was young... it was the exact opposite."

Back then, he was just a timid assistant hiding behind his professor.

Now, he had inherited the professor's name, and his will.

If only... I had stood in front of the professor back then like Sol Mercer does now...