Seeing the two receptionists from the Hollow Investigative Association show up, Sol was actually a bit puzzled.

He had been handling the Hollow-clearing mission just fine—everything was going smoothly. He'd even helped the Public Security officers crack a case. There didn't seem to be any reason for the Association to intervene.

"Mr. Sol, please don't overthink it." Bertha noticed his doubt and quickly explained, "In truth, it's because you cleared the Hollow too quickly that we had no choice but to come."

"In just a few days, the Cretan Companion Hollow on Fourteenth Street has already shrunk to half its original size." Lyla's eyes shimmered as she smiled sweetly. "If we had come a few days later, this Hollow—so valuable for development—might have disappeared completely."

In fact, even the Association staff hadn't expected Sol to finish the mission at such a pace.

He had only taken the commission four days ago, and yet the Cretan Companion Hollow was already reduced by 50%.

Moreover, Sol's actions in the Hollow weren't exactly a secret. Everyone in the Association knew this rookie investigator had a rare ability to attract Ethereals.

And this rookie's strength was so overwhelming that no matter how many Ethereals appeared, he was never afraid.

He was on a completely different level compared to the veteran investigators—almost as if he were cheating.

"But wait, isn't the point of a Hollow-clearing mission to completely eliminate the Hollow?"

Nicole, who had accepted the mission together with Sol, now looked confused.

She had never taken on such a high-level commission before and naturally didn't understand the finer details.

"For Hollows located in downtown areas or blocking important roads, yes, complete elimination is required," Bertha explained immediately. "But the Cretan Companion Hollow on Fourteenth Street doesn't need to be fully removed. Leaving it behind to develop its Ether resources is actually more suitable."

"Then why didn't you tell us this crucial detail beforehand!" Nicole planted her hands on her waist, glaring unhappily. "If you had shown up any later and the Hollow disappeared completely, would you have deducted my employee's commission reward?"

As she spoke, she suspiciously sized up the two receptionists.

Bertha and Lyla both bent at a ninety-degree angle before Sol, their snowy-white cleavages forming a flawless apology according to the highest standards.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Sol. This was my mistake, I sincerely apologize!" Bertha said with some guilt. "It's just that no one had accepted a Hollow-clearing mission for a very long time. And at that time, I didn't believe anyone could actually clear this Hollow, so I…"

"But let me make this clear: the Hollow Investigative Association will never withhold an investigator's commission reward in any way!"

It truly wasn't entirely her fault.

The Association's tablets hadn't been properly marked with updated task information. Since no one had taken these missions in ages, the Association had grown lazy, treating the Hollow-clearing missions merely as a motivational gesture.

All Hollow-clearing commissions were released with the same template, without any special notation about valuable Hollows.

So yes, it was technically the Association's mistake.

Still, better to have the receptionist shoulder the blame than the whole Association.

Handled well, it could even mean a promotion and a raise.

That's why Bertha had specifically brought Lyla along, to make their apology more convincing.

"I see." Sol nodded slightly. "If it's just something this small, I don't really mind."

It wasn't a big deal and hadn't harmed him in the least.

And the two ladies' sincerity in their apology was more than enough—he'd forgive them.

"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Sol!"

Bertha and Lyla both sighed in relief, their smiles blossoming.

"Then, let's move on to the information you left out."

Sol's tone was calm.

"Of course, Mr. Sol."

Bertha quickly added with enthusiasm, "After the Association's correction, the Cretan Companion Hollow on Fourteenth Street only needs to be reduced to 30% of its original size for the area's development to proceed normally."

"As for your mission reward, that remains unchanged—100,000 achievement points, 100,000 merit points, and 10 billion Dennies."

"Furthermore, since you are the one completing this mission, you will receive 70% ownership of the Cretan Companion Hollow, granting you the right to freely extract its Ether resources."

This was already an extremely generous reward.

But the personal ownership of 70% of a Hollow? That was unprecedented in all of New Eridu.

Only a Void Hunter needed no permission from the city government. For anyone below that level, such a privilege was unthinkable.

Only someone like Sol—who clearly possessed the power of a Void Hunter but lacked sufficient achievements—could be granted this special treatment.

"Seventy percent ownership of a stable Hollow!" Nicole's eyes widened as she shook Sol's arm excitedly. "Sol, you're going to be filthy rich!"

The Cretan Companion Hollow was a new one, so it didn't contain any relics of old technology.

But it was absolutely brimming with Ether resources and Ether ores.

Once mined, it would be a business worth hundreds of billions of Denny.

"That really is pretty good."

Sol allowed himself a small smile.

One-third less work, with even more rewards—who wouldn't be pleased?

He also knew how much Hollows meant to New Eridu. They were essentially gold mines.

And once he finished the mission, he'd officially become… a mine owner.

"As long as you're satisfied, Mr. Sol."

Bertha smiled softly. "Once you complete the task, the Hollow ownership will be transferred to your name after inspection, and the other rewards will be issued with your salary on the 15th of next month. Is that acceptable?"

"No problem." Sol rubbed his chin. "Get things ready. I'll probably wrap this up in the next few days."

"Mr. Sol, you really are incredibly confident."

Bertha and Lyla's eyes shimmered like water as they praised him sincerely.

In a month's time, this man would be a billionaire in hard Denny, and also the owner of a Hollow worth hundreds of billions.

With that wealth, he could buy a massive mansion in the city center and live as one of the elite among elites.

But more importantly, in a month, Sol would officially become an ACE investigator—a top-tier candidate for Void Hunter.

Wealth, power, strength, and devastatingly handsome looks—he was practically the template of a domineering CEO.

They couldn't help but imagine waking up in a 700-square-meter bed, only to see this CEO curling his lips into a wicked smile beside them.

The Cunning Hares were unbelievably lucky to have recruited such a man.

"…"

Sol read the expressions on the two ladies' faces, and everything became clear.

Who would've thought that in just ten days in New Eridu, he had gone from being someone chasing after a wealthy loli overlord… to becoming the kind of super tycoon others wanted to cling to.

Well then, thank you, System, for your generous gifts.

"Ahem, since the message has been delivered, you two should head back quickly so as not to delay the Association's work." Nicole, sensing danger, immediately stepped in front of Sol. "We also need to head out and complete our commissions."

Bertha and Lyla gave a reluctant smile. "If that's the case, then we won't disturb Mr. Sol and the Cunning Hares any longer."

Nicole felt relieved to see them being so tactful.

But what's a locked gate when someone has a ladder?

Bertha and Lyla turned back toward Sol, bowing deeply once more. "We sincerely apologize again for the inconvenience we've caused."

Their twin slimes bounced gently, soft and springy.

Heaven, clouds, mountains, waters, white above and below.

That about summed it up.

"You two make a very good point."

Sol had no idea what they were talking about—only that Miss Bertha and Miss Lyla sounded very reasonable.

"Mr. Sol, if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us." Bertha and Lyla handed him their cards with warm smiles. "Whether it's work or personal matters, we'll do our best to assist you."

The business cards bore the official Association contact details… along with a handwritten knock-knock ID.

After giving the cards to Sol, the two of them tactfully took their leave.