Office of Hollow Special Operations Section 6.

Hoshimi Miyabi sat cross-legged in meditation. Her delicate face was calm and serene, with two long fox ears perked up high.

Like an elegant blue fox, her aura was cold yet graceful.

Though meditating during work hours might seem like slacking off, high-risk departments like this always enjoyed a few privileges—especially their section chief.

Just as Hoshimi Miyabi was deep in meditation, a knock sounded on the door.

Knock knock.

The sound was soft, not at all intrusive.

Her fox ears twitched slightly. She opened her crimson eyes. "Come in, Yanagi."

"Your ears are as sharp as ever, Miyabi. You can even tell who it is just from outside."

Tsukishiro Yanagi stepped in with a gentle smile.

"Just a matter of practice." Hoshimi Miyabi responded nonchalantly, her crimson gaze settling on Yanagi.

"Yanagi, what brings you here so suddenly?"

Her tone was a bit stiff, but Yanagi didn't mind in the slightest.

As the heir to a traditional martial family in New Eridu, her formal and archaic manner of speaking was only natural.

Pushing up her glasses, Yanagi bent down and held her phone out to Miyabi. "Miyabi, take a look at this video. A remarkable individual has appeared in New Eridu."

Hoshimi Miyabi's expression grew serious as she took the phone and began watching with full attention.

Time passed slowly, her expression growing more and more grave.

After fifteen minutes, she'd seen all the key parts—the rest was just repetitive Ethereal slaughter.

His gunplay was godlike, but what really drew her attention was the razor-sharp sword technique.

His slashes were broad and sweeping, ancient and majestic.

Though they appeared simple, they were clearly the mark of a master returning to simplicity.

Setting the phone down, Hoshimi Miyabi spoke seriously. "His swordsmanship is on par with mine. He truly is a formidable individual."

"Miyabi, are you saying his strength rivals yours?"

Yanagi was taken aback.

After all, Hoshimi Miyabi was the youngest Void Hunter in New Eridu, and her strength was among the very best.

If Sol Mercer was comparable to her, didn't that mean he was Void Hunter-level?

"There's not enough data. I can't say for sure. But even if he's not quite on my level, he's not far off." Hoshimi Miyabi said earnestly. "Yanagi, keep a close eye on him for now—just in case he does something dangerous."

For Miyabi to give such high praise, this Sol Mercer was clearly no ordinary man.

Yanagi, still surprised, mentally upgraded Sol Mercer's importance several levels. Then she addressed Miyabi seriously. "Miyabi, this is the very genius with a 90-points Ether Aptitude we were planning to recruit. His identity only appeared in New Eridu's records as of yesterday."

She had been the one to post on the Inter-Knot and initiate the recruitment of Sol Mercer.

And now, upon discovering this anomaly, she naturally had to report it to Hoshimi Miyabi.

"Someone forged his identity for him. And with his level of strength, there's no way he'd have gone unnoticed until now." Miyabi frowned. "Which means... he came from another city!"

Yanagi nodded in agreement. "Exactly what I was thinking."

"We can't ignore a person with unknown origins and this level of power. We should meet him." Hoshimi Miyabi looked up firmly. "Yanagi, do you have his whereabouts?"

"He seems to have joined the Cunning Hares. Probably living with them now," Yanagi explained. "Earlier today, he joined the Hollow Investigative Association and accepted a mission to clear the Cretan Hollow offshoot in Fourteenth Street, Janus Quarter. Seems like he's aiming to become the next Void Hunter."

"Judging from the video and his actions today, the sudden drop in Ether activity in that Hollow yesterday—it was his doing."

That was what convinced Yanagi that Sol Mercer probably wasn't a bad person—at least, he didn't seem like one.

"I see."

The furrow in Hoshimi Miyabi's brow eased a little.

If that was the case, Sol Mercer's danger level could be lowered for now.

Still, meeting him face-to-face was necessary.

"He's staying at the Cunning Hares' base? Then I'll pay them a visit."

Miyabi rose and picked up her katana with her left hand, ready to depart.

"Miyabi, wait. You shouldn't meet him alone." Yanagi stepped in to stop her. "At least take Soukaku with you."

She knew all too well how Miyabi could sometimes say alarming things—like turning "please join us" into "you will not escape". A misunderstanding like that wouldn't do.

In cases like this, a translator was absolutely necessary.

And since she and Harumasa were caught up in official duties, Soukaku would have to serve as the interpreter for now.

"Is this a mission? Will there be food?"

The small blue-haired Soukaku popped out of nowhere, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

"Of course there'll be food."

Yanagi gently patted Soukaku's head with a smile.

Hoshimi Miyabi gave a slight nod and left the office with Soukaku in tow.

Thirty minutes later.

Hoshimi Miyabi and Soukaku arrived at the Cunning Hares' base—only to find it seemingly empty.

Soukaku meticulously gnawed the last shred of meat off a chicken drumstick and asked, "Chief, are we going somewhere else to look for them?"

"No need. We'll wait here for them to return." Hoshimi Miyabi shook her head and calmly took a seat on a bench by the roadside, resuming her meditation.

No need to wander aimlessly—people always come home eventually.

Soukaku reluctantly tossed the chicken bone into a trash bin and obediently sat beside her.

...

Elsewhere, Sol Mercer and his team were already deep inside the Hollow, beginning their search for the safe's location.