Cretan Companion Hollow, Fourteenth Street, Zone T8-AE32.

The four members of the Cunning Hares had returned once again to this prime enemy-luring hotspot.

Nicole nudged Sol's shoulder, her tone full of disdain. "Hurry up and use that punch-magnet ability of yours to lure a wave of Ethereals. The sooner we clear them out, the sooner we can hit that buffet—and get in an extra two hours of eating."

After three days of routine monster-luring, Nicole and the others had come to understand that Sol possessed a strange ability that could attract Ethereals.

They were shocked at first, but Nicole wasn't particularly impressed. After all, most people went out of their way to avoid Ethereals—who in their right mind wanted to attract a horde?

Only in a Companion Hollow like this, where nothing above Level 6 existed, did it have any utility at all.

"What do you mean punch-magnet? That's a god-tier skill, alright?"

Sol retorted with a hint of annoyance.

With [Taunt] combined with dodge-rolling, he could treat the entire world like leashed mutts. Luring every single one of them into the Hollow wouldn't even be hard.

If he had any malicious intent, this entire city would be toast.

"Alright, alright—just hurry up and use that god-tier skill to lure them in," Nicole replied casually.

"..."

Sol rolled his eyes and ignored the narrow-minded woman.

Just as he was about to act, a flicker of movement caught the corner of his eye—two figures darted behind a scrapped forklift.

A loli in a cropped top with twin teal pigtails, and a sharp-eyed Public Security officer with a high ponytail streaked in red.

At the moment, the two officers were hiding behind the forklift, seemingly observing them.

Sol didn't know why they were here—but he did know one thing: this was going to be fun.

With a mischievous grin, he pointed toward the officers' hiding spot and said to Nicole, "Nicole, behind that forklift is a stash of Denny I've hidden. Bring it back, and it's all yours!"

"Eh? Denny?" Nicole's eyes lit up, and she huffed in mock annoyance. "Geez, if you want to give me a gift, just give it! No need for the theatrics~"

She cheerfully dashed toward the scrapped forklift, her movement light and graceful like a bird in flight.

However, just as she lunged toward the non-existent Denny, two Public Security officers stood staring at her, deadpan.

"P-Public Security!"

Nicole shrieked in surprise, stumbling back several steps in panic.

Billy and Anby instinctively dropped into defensive stances, watching Zhu Yuan and Qingyi with tense expressions.

"Senior Qingyi, we've been spotted again."

Zhu Yuan stepped out from behind the forklift, visibly troubled.

She'd seen Sol's little trick just now—clearly, he'd spotted them and deliberately sent that woman over.

"A keen eye sees subtle signs, the footprints in the snow—clearly, someone has bested Public Security at their own game," Qingyi said, leaning against the forklift with an air of indifference.

"Senior Qingyi, this really isn't the time for that. You're making Public Security look completely unprofessional," Zhu Yuan whispered to her.

Then she turned to Nicole, who looked thoroughly startled, and gently reassured her, "Apologies, citizen. We truly mean no harm."

"Haha, oh, o-of course! Why would Public Security be hostile to law-abiding citizens?" Nicole wiped the sweat off her forehead and forced an awkward laugh. "I was just… a little startled, that's all."

After that, she quickly retreated to Sol's side and gave him a vicious pinch on the waist.

This bastard had tricked her again! Did he even still see her as the boss?

Unbelievable!

"Sol, this was your 'huge stash of Denny'?" Nicole hissed, grinding her teeth. "If you don't give me a satisfactory explanation, I'll stomp you into the ground!"

"Apologies, Nicole. I must've misremembered—I hadn't had a chance to stash it yet." Sol flipped his hand, revealing a handful of large-denomination Denny. "This is the real gift I had for you."

"Oh! Now that's an explanation I like!"

Nicole gleefully snatched up the Dennies, immediately forgetting the rest.

With Nicole placated, Sol turned to Qingyi and Zhu Yuan and asked calmly, "You two have been observing us for quite some time. Mind explaining why?"

"Our sincerest apologies for the disturbance. We truly have no ill intent."

"We're currently pursuing the culprits behind a series of Bangboo disappearances and have traced the leads to this area."

"Seeing that you arrived first, we thought it best to observe the situation before acting."

Zhu Yuan wore an apologetic smile as she explained everything.

"Bangboo disappearances? That kind of case doesn't usually warrant elite agents from the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team," Nicole said, puzzled. "Ordinarily, it would be assigned to the Civil Affairs Department, right?"

"You're absolutely right. Under normal circumstances, even I wouldn't be deployed. Funny enough, I was actually planning to take time off for it," Qingyi nodded.

As a fellow mechanical construct, she was more concerned about the Bangboos than most.

"So why are both of you here now?" Sol asked with curiosity.

Qingyi replied offhandedly, "Well, those people kidnapped a Bangboo belonging to a senior city official. Officer Bringer took the matter very seriously and handed the case to our team."

"A leader loses a Bangboo, and the elites are dispatched. Rats in a Hollow, Bangboos must be redeemed," she concluded, rhythmically nodding her head.

"Eh? That… actually rhymed!"

"But Senior Qingyi, should you really be saying this out loud?" Zhu Yuan looked helpless.

Saying things like that could easily create public backlash.

"Relax. I trust our law-abiding citizens will understand," Qingyi said with a smile, glancing at Sol and Nicole.

"It does make sense. Now that you've explained it, I totally get it," Nicole nodded knowingly.

Business is business. Of course the higher-ups get priority.

Sol also understood—Zenless Zone Zero had its own brand of social logic. Easy enough to follow.

"So, you followed the trail here and suspected this place to be a criminal hideout," Billy let out a breath. "I thought we were the ones getting busted!"

"Billy!" Nicole quickly cut him off and explained to Qingyi and Zhu Yuan, "His AI module's been glitchy lately. Says all sorts of nonsense."

Zhu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "If any of you have broken the law, Public Security will take action."

"No way, no way! We're all upstanding, law-abiding citizens here!" Nicole said with feigned ease.

"You'd better be," Qingyi said flatly.

Nicole cleared her throat. "Let's get back to your investigation, Officers."

Zhu Yuan looked at them and asked, "Mr. Sol, Miss Nicole, now that you know what we're here for, have either of you noticed anything… unusual?"

"There's one thing, I suppose," Sol said, thinking. "While clearing out Ethereals these past few days, I've occasionally felt like someone was watching me."

"The criminals you're after are likely hiding in a Hollow fissure nearby."

With [Taunt], Sol could lure thousands of Ethereals at once.

If someone could stay hidden and keep watching through all of that, they had to be somewhere the Ethereals wouldn't reach.

Given how Hollows worked, only a fissure would fit that condition.

"Thank you for the tip. That helps a lot!" Zhu Yuan said gratefully.

"No need to thank me. I'm just telling it like it is," Sol replied casually.

Zhu Yuan looked around at the ruined battlefield. Days of fighting had reduced everything to rubble.

Any traces left by the criminals would be difficult to distinguish.

She hesitated, then asked, "Um… Miss Nicole, Mr. Sol, would you be willing to assist with the investigation? This area is just too big and chaotic."

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to decline." Nicole didn't even hesitate.

What a joke. Since when did Hollow Raiders work with Public Security?

And with Billy nearly spilling the beans earlier, she wanted nothing more than to stay far away from Zhu Yuan and Qingyi.

"I see…"

Zhu Yuan looked a little disappointed but didn't press the issue.

"..."

Qingyi, however, stared at Nicole thoughtfully.

If she remembered correctly, this girl had come running toward them earlier shouting something about Denny.

"You really can't help us?" Qingyi asked Nicole.

"I'm not—"

Nicole shook her head, about to refuse again.

"We can pay you," Qingyi said coolly, rubbing her fingers together.

"Say no more! Just tell us what you need!" Nicole's expression flipped instantly into a beaming smile.