"Boss Nicole, are those our creditors?"

Billy looked toward Nicole and asked.

"I don't think so..." Nicole replied uncertainly. "I don't remember owing money to anyone who looks like that."

A graceful Thiren woman with a cool and elegant demeanor stood there, a clearly extraordinary katana hanging from her waist.

Beside her sat a small blue-skinned girl with white hair and horns. Though she looked weak, her unusual appearance screamed not normal.

If Nicole had creditors like those, surely she wouldn't forget… right?

But then again, she had owed more debts than the number of bread rolls she'd eaten. Forgetting one or two wouldn't be a shock.

"Should we slip out the back like we used to?" Anby asked calmly.

She'd grown used to creditors knocking at the door—and become a master at avoiding them.

"Good idea!" Nicole nodded instinctively. "Billy, turn us around—quick!"

"..."

Sol felt a headache coming on.

That reflex was way too smooth. How many times had she done this to be that quick on the draw!?

He sighed. "Hold on, Nicole. We've got dennies now. There's no need to panic anymore."

Currently, the Cunning Hares' account held nearly twenty million dennies—all from the Ethereal cores Sol had collected.

Even if 70% was his cut, the remaining 30% was no small amount.

"You don't get it," Nicole shook her head. "Even if we've got money now, some debts are better off dodged. Those gang loans? I borrowed them with skill. Why should I pay them back?"

Gang money was dirty anyway—she didn't feel the slightest guilt about not repaying.

The only real pity was that the gangs had wised up and stopped lending to anyone associated with the Cunning Hares.

"You've got a point... But I doubt those two are debt collectors. What if they're here to place a commission?" Sol said casually.

A Void Hunter and a Section Six elite mistaken for loan sharks—this was peak Nicole logic.

He hadn't revealed their true identities—not wanting to scare Nicole into fleeing again.

But deep down, he had a hunch. Hoshimi Miyabi and Soukaku… they were probably here for him.

Still, they hadn't made any moves—just sat waiting quietly. That suggested no hostility. He decided to see what this was about.

"Yeah, they could be clients!" Nicole's eyes lit up. "Billy, turn the car back around!"

Anby, ever the realist, added calmly, "Given Cunning Hares' current credit rating, the odds of a walk-in client are under 1%."

"Don't jinx it, Anby!" Nicole waved off the negativity. "Maybe our promo video from this morning worked. Maybe they're here because of that!"

Soon, the old jalopy pulled into the parking spot in front of the Cunning Hares' HQ. The four climbed out one after another.

As they did, Hoshimi Miyabi straightened with poise, rising from the bench. The previously limp Soukaku also perked up slightly, forcing herself to stand.

"Are you here to place a commission with the Cunning Hares?"

Nicole greeted them with a bright smile, hopeful.

The Cunning Hares were a jack-of-all-trades agency—not just Hollow Raiders. In fact, so long as you paid in dennies, they'd take any job.

Still, it had been a long time since they'd had a walk-in client.

Hoshimi Miyabi shook her head slightly. "We're not clients."

"Oh..."

Nicole visibly deflated.

These two had seemed polite—not the type to come collecting. That had given her some hope.

But if they weren't clients, then what was left to say?

Her shoulders slumped. "So… what do you want, then? We don't serve tea to visitors."

"Section Six of the Hollow Special Operations Department. Section Chief, Hoshimi Miyabi. You've been found out."

Miyabi pulled out a badge, face expressionless.

Nicole jumped, her relaxed demeanor snapping tight. "Y-Y-You're from the Hollow Special Ops?! This has to be a joke!"

She glanced at the badge. The symbol was clear and unmistakable—it looked authentic.

What was worse… this lady was a section chief!?

The Cunning Hares were a four-person back-alley crew. What had they done to deserve a visit from someone this high up?

"Boss Nicole, check her name. She's the one they call the youngest Void Hunter—Hoshimi Miyabi!" Billy whispered.

"Hisss! It really is her!"

Nicole's stomach dropped.

She hadn't recognized her at first—Void Hunters were like dragons: known but rarely seen. Especially among the gray-market circles where people like them operated.

But now that she saw her up close, she recalled that flash of a silhouette she'd once seen on TV.

A scion of a renowned martial clan—New Eridu's youngest Void Hunter.

"Was that really necessary? Sending a Void Hunter just to nab some low-level Hollow Raiders?"

Nicole felt her soul leave her body.

Today had been so good—they'd secured Phaethon as an ally and were about to claim ten times the safe's reward.

And now a Void Hunter showed up?

Was this where her denny empire ended?

"Ahem. The Chief means she saw your promotional video this morning," Soukaku said weakly. "We're with the Hollow Special Operations Section, not the ones who deal with Hollow Raiders."

Nicole turned to Miyabi, who gave a small nod—and Nicole finally relaxed.

She gritted her teeth. This woman! Saying something so misleading on purpose!

But considering Miyabi's strength, she swallowed her anger.

Still, it was clear—they were here for Sol.

Who would've thought? She picked up Sol not even a week ago, and he already drew the attention of a Void Hunter.

She just hoped it wasn't anything too troublesome.

Sol looked at Miyabi with mild interest. "You're here to see me? What's the reason?"

"New Eridu's suddenly got a high-risk individual claiming he'll cleanse all Hollows. As the chief of Section Six, of course I had to meet you." Miyabi rested her hand on her katana, her face perfectly calm. "And if I can, I don't want to let you go."

"Miss Miyabi… is that a challenge?"

A question mark formed over Sol's head as he instinctively reached for Raiga.

What kind of situation is this? First meeting, and she's already ready to cut him down?

His harem hadn't even formed yet—and he was already about to get chopped?

Is every protagonist named Chen doomed to be chased by a cleaver!?

Soukaku hurried to clarify, "She means you're skilled with a blade, and she'd like to spar."

She silently thanked Director Yanagi for her foresight. If she hadn't come with the chief, there might've been an international incident.

"That's exactly what I meant," Miyabi nodded.

"Oh, thank god, you scared me half to death!"

Nicole clutched her chest—for the second time, finally breathing easy.

She thought Sol had committed a crime and was about to be hauled off.

Turns out he was just too strong, and drew the attention of a Void Hunter.

Still, the fact that a Void Hunter wanted to spar… didn't that basically confirm Sol was Void Hunter-tier himself?

Nicole looked at Sol, eyes sparkling.

Sol was a real treasure—she needed to cling to that thigh with both arms.

"…"

Sol slowly released his grip on Raiga.

He'd forgotten how Miyabi's terrifying strength was often paired with… extremely misleading statements.

Even Belle had been scared stiff by this before.

"A spar sounds fine—I'd love to experience a Void Hunter's skill firsthand." He paused, glancing at the darkening sky. "But it's getting late. Another day, perhaps?"

Miyabi stared at him, face blank. "That's fine. You pick the time."

"Next Sunday, then? I should be free."

Miyabi nodded. "Agreed. Don't try to run away."

"?"

Sol looked to Soukaku.

He could tell—this was probably another weird Miyabi-ism.

Soukaku rubbed her empty stomach. "The Chief means someone will come pick you up. You don't need to make the trip yourself."

Seeing Miyabi give a small nod, Sol sighed inwardly.

Stockings, high heels, black hair, fox ears, and a katana… She looks like a cool, dependable beauty—but she seriously needs to work on communication.

"Sol, I'll see you next Sunday."

Miyabi's expression was dead serious.

Then she turned, ready to leave with Soukaku.

"Hey, it's dinner time. Why not stay and eat first? There are some things I'd like to ask you."

Sol had both personal and practical reasons to want to become a Void Hunter.

His plan had been to brute-force his way to the title by grinding Hollows.

But with a real Void Hunter standing right in front of him, he might as well fish for some intel.

"If you have questions, feel free to ask. But dinner's not necessary."

Miyabi declined without hesitation.

"Chief…"

Soukaku looked at her pitifully.

She'd been waiting since morning. She was starving.

By the time they got back to HQ, the canteen would be closed.

She was hungry. So hungry. SO. HUNGRY.

"Let's head inside to talk."

Sol smiled and gestured toward the door.

"Fine."

Miyabi looked at Soukaku's pleading face and gave in.

"They said yes! We're eating dinner with a Void Hunter!"

Billy watched Miyabi and Soukaku step inside, utterly stunned.

A Void Hunter. A Section Chief.

"What are you standing around for? Go help out!"

Nicole kicked Billy toward the kitchen, eyes gleaming. "I need to take pictures—this is a historic moment!"

Never in her dreams did she think the Cunning Hares would dine with a Void Hunter.

Once word got out, what debt collector would dare chase her down again? Who would ever underestimate the Hares?

"O-Okay! I'm on it!"

Billy scrambled inside.

"Haha! Sol's been here less than a week, and I'm already eating with a Void Hunter. Give it a month, and I'll be dining with the Mayor!"