Beside him, Nicole bit her lip as she stared at the business cards in Sol's hand.

Again. Again!

Why did it feel like every single day, someone showed up trying to steal him away?

Yesterday it had been Qingyi. Today, it was those two receptionists from the Hollow Investigative Association. It was infuriating!

The more she looked at those delicate little cards, the more unpleasant they seemed.

But she didn't have the nerve to ask Sol to throw them out—so all she could do was stew silently.

Rip!

Sol glanced at the cards, then at Nicole.

And just like that, he cleanly tore both business cards to shreds and tossed the scraps into the trash can.

Nicole's eyes lit up in surprise.

That was clearly a gesture just for her—he'd noticed her unhappiness and ripped the cards because of it.

So, it seemed that even if Bertha and Lyla combined their charms, they still couldn't compare to her.

Still, wanting to hear Sol say it out loud, Nicole feigned curiosity. "Sol, why did you tear up their cards? What if you need to ask them something later?"

Sol smiled. "I saw you weren't happy, so I tore them up."

"I wasn't unhappy at all!" Nicole's lips curled upward as she spoke words that betrayed her heart. "By doing that, you're just reducing the Cunning Hares' connections!"

"…"

Sol shook his head. He knew better than anyone how contradictory women's words could be.

If he hadn't torn up the cards, Nicole would probably have sulked all day.

But Nicole, you're still too young.

Did she really think tearing up the cards meant he couldn't contact them anymore?

With a single glance, the two strings of numbers were already engraved in his memory.

"Billy, we're heading out."

Ignoring Nicole's secretly pleased expression, Sol beckoned Billy.

By his reckoning, today was another day for them to team up.

"Coming, Boss Sol!"

Billy strutted over, Ebony & Ivory at his sides.

But Sol shook his head. "Not today. Let's make things exciting—bring the six-barreled heavy machine gun."

"Oh! Now that's exciting!"

Billy rushed off eagerly to grab the heavy machine gun, along with the 5,000 rounds of ammo they'd stockpiled.

The two of them piled into the Cunning Hares' beat-up old car and set off—ready to crank up the pressure on the Ethereals lurking in the Cretan Hollow.

Meanwhile, Anby and Nicole were heading out to partner with Belle for a commission.

Ever since the Cunning Hares had formed an alliance with Phaethon thanks to Fairy, the two groups were only one step away from becoming true family.

—Fourteenth Street, Cretan Companion Hollow.

Hundreds of Ethereals swarmed toward Sol, drawn by his [Taunt] skill.

Thanks to the last few days of purging, the overall numbers inside the Hollow had dropped drastically.

At the very beginning, whenever Sol activated [Taunt], over a thousand Ethereals would rush him at once.

But today, after a full minute, only about eight hundred showed up.

Billy hefted the heavy machine gun with some disappointment. "Man, I brought this big boy expecting some real fun."

"No rush. I've spotted a big one."

Sol narrowed his eyes, catching sight of something unlike the others.

This Ethereal was nearly three meters tall, its slender frame crowned with a black core. Its black-green body was partially clad in gleaming white armor formed from condensed Ether energy.

In its hands was a massive crescent-shaped blade, the glowing green edge razor-sharp.

And behind it—floating dramatically—was a white cape.

At a glance, it was clearly at least an elite-class Ethereal, with the potential to grow into a boss-tier threat.

"Judging by its appearance, according to the White Star Institute's bestiary, that's a higher-class Ethereal—Thanatos!" Billy exclaimed. "This one's no joke. It can teleport, slash, and fire Ether projectiles."

"But in front of me, a Starlight Knight, it's nothing but small fry!"

Thanatos. Teleportation, Ether blasts, devastating blade strikes.

For most Hollow Raiders or investigators, it was an absolute nightmare opponent.

But Billy wasn't worried today—not with a six-barreled heavy machine gun and 5,000 rounds backing him up.

With that firepower plus his own skills, Thanatos was nothing but target practice.

"Billy, let me handle this one."

Sol reached for the gun.

"…Alright then."

Billy reluctantly handed over the heavy machine gun, switching to his trusty twin revolvers instead.

Sol gripped the weapon, eyes locked on Thanatos, a feral grin spreading across his face.

So—you're a teleport spammer, huh?

Think you're slick with those flashy slashes, huh?

Today, I'll show you the true power… of a big gun!

And this time, there were no armored Hati or Dullahan around to back Thanatos up.

"——"

Without a sound, Thanatos vanished.

It reappeared not far from Sol.

Another flicker—and suddenly it was right in front of him, that crescent blade slicing downward.

Dodge!

Sol slipped into invincibility frames, machine gun in hand.

Thanatos swung again.

Another dodge!

Sol blinked out of reach, pulling back slightly.

Two missed slashes in a row left Thanatos momentarily staggered.

"Surprised? My mechanics are above yours!"

Exhilaration surged through Sol as the barrels spun up, the heavy machine gun roaring to life in a storm of orange-red flames.

DA-DA-DA-DA-DA!

The enormous recoil was effortlessly suppressed by his body, strengthened to ten times human limits.

A metallic torrent spewed from the six barrels, hammering into Thanatos with relentless fury.

One hundred 12.7mm rounds per second tore into its upper body, chewing through armor and flesh alike.

Thirty seconds later, with 3,000 bullets spent, Sol finally eased off the trigger.

Thanatos's upper half had been reduced to dust, its jet-black core clattering to the ground.

"A complete Ethereal Core from Thanatos. Now this is a treasure."

Sol picked it up, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.

This one wasn't for sale.

He was going to keep it as a collectible.

Get two more someday, and he could spend his free time rolling them around in his hands like worry beads.