“Boss Nicole, I’m fine too!” Billy sidled over but was pushed away by the two of them.
“It’s good that you’re fine.
You have no idea how worried I was outside.” A small Bangboo was standing at the alley entrance, its dazed eyes suddenly turning lively.
It also saw the warm scene of the people in the alley, and Firefly standing aside was particularly conspicuous.
The Bangboo’s eyes lit up the moment it saw Firefly, and it beeped-beeped as it walked over to her.
“Miss… You’re so pretty!” Faced with this little fellow who suddenly walked up to her and started showering her with compliments, Firefly took a surprised step back.
On the other side of the Bangboo, Belle suddenly realized that she was currently acting as a Bangboo.
“En-ne en-ne en-ne.” Firefly’s expression remained surprised.
“Little sis, no need to pretend.
She must already know you can speak human words.” A male voice came from this little thing, as if reminding the person who had just spoken.
Belle also reacted and began to introduce herself.
“H-Hello, I am the legendary Proxy Phaethon, very nice to meet you.” Wise on the other side speechlessly covered his forehead.
Not needing to pretend didn’t mean exposing their identity to someone they were meeting for the first time!
“HQ, what is this?” Firefly asked inwardly.
“This is a Bangboo.” HQ added under Firefly’s puzzled expression.
“Bangboos are small smart devices initially used for residents’ Hollow evacuation.
Due to their excellent capabilities in all aspects, they have become indispensable partners for the city, Hollow Raiders, and investigators.” “Hello… I am Firefly.” Having learned what the other party was, Firefly also politely replied.
Hearing the response, the Bangboo visibly became happy.
Hearing the commotion over here, Nicole brought the two people over.
“This… um, sister, you’re the one who brought Anby out, right?
Feel free to look for us at the Cunning Hares for anything in the future.
The Cunning Hares can undertake all kinds of commissions.” Nicole looked very happy, but at first glance, she still couldn’t determine Firefly’s age.
Firefly was tall, taller by a head; her skin was tender and fair.
Calling her lady wasn’t appropriate, big sister felt wrong, and little sister definitely wouldn’t work, so sister was suitable and affectionate.
“Ah, is that okay?
That’s great.
Actually…” Talk about having vinegar ready just in time for the dumplings.
Firefly briefly explained that her luggage was left behind in the Hollow and it would be very hard for her to retrieve it on her own.
“So that’s how it is.
Don’t worry, sister, with our Cunning Hares on the job, there’s nothing that can’t be done.
Rest assured, I’ll give you a 20% discount on this commission… No, I’ll make it completely free as a token of friendship and also as thanks for bringing Anby out.” Nicole almost exposed her true nature.
Faced with Nicole’s enthusiasm, Firefly readily accepted.
“Nicole, let’s go back to the store first.
This place isn’t suitable for conversation.” The Bangboo walked over to remind Nicole.
“That’s right.
Although the request didn’t come into play, I’m still very grateful to you, Manager.” Afterwards, Nicole drove quickly to the Sixth Street Video Store.
Firefly got out of the car holding the Bangboo.
The driving speed made one shiver; although it couldn’t compare to Sam, Firefly didn’t have any experience speeding in a city.
Footsteps rapidly approached, and Belle took the Bangboo from Firefly’s hands, casually brushing against Firefly’s hand.
“Thank you for bringing Eous back, Firefly.” It was a blue-haired girl.
She smiled as she spoke to Firefly, holding the Bangboo in her arms.
Her smile was bright and infectious, leaving one with pleasant thoughts.
“It… It’s nothing.” Firefly couldn’t take her eyes off for a moment.
How long had it been since she last saw such a smile?
Perhaps happiness could really be found in this place?
“Aigoo, the manager isn’t that enthusiastic towards me.” Nicole parked the car and walked over to interrupt the two’s gaze.
“So hungry, I want to eat burgers.” Although Anby’s posture was still upright, her fatigue was indeed visible.
“It’s just lunchtime, let’s all go together.” The man behind Belle spoke up.
He also looked at Firefly, but his gaze carried scrutiny.
Taking advantage of Firefly’s gaze shifting toward Wise, Belle grabbed Firefly’s hand after having put down Eous.
“I’ll treat Firefly to her share!
The ramen on Sixth Street is super delicious.” The siblings already knew that Firefly’s luggage was lost in the Hollow, meaning she could be said to be penniless.
“Ah, th… thank you.” Firefly replied weakly.
The three found seats in the ramen shop, while Nicole took Anby to buy burgers.
The two groups temporarily separated.
It wasn’t that Nicole ran too fast; rather, since that request hadn’t been fulfilled yet, Nicole felt a bit embarrassed and took Anby away.
After all, if the two managers asked to pay for the meal, Nicole wouldn’t be able to refuse.
Looking at the large bowl of ramen in front of her, Firefly picked up her chopsticks.
The moment the noodles entered her mouth, the flavor of the broth along with the chewiness of the noodles burst across her taste buds.
Firefly, who had always been somewhat sorrowful, finally revealed a good mood, like sunlight parting the clouds to shine upon a clear sky.
Belle stared dazedly at this scene, while Wise didn’t care about this and ate his ramen on his own.
Watching the way Firefly ate her ramen, Belle almost couldn’t resist reaching out to touch that pouting little face.
However, she never extended her hand.
At this moment, she thought of a question.
“Firefly doesn’t look like a local.
Did Firefly come from the Outer Ring?” Firefly’s hand holding the ramen froze, and Wise also stopped.
Who asks like that?
A place like the Outer Ring couldn’t possibly cultivate a young lady like this.
At this moment, Firefly’s heart was churning.
How should she answer this?
She couldn’t possibly say she was an alien, right?
“HQ has modified reality and added it to some people’s memories.
You can answer that you come from Star Capital.” At this time, HQ’s voice sounded like music to her ears.
But the ability to modify reality—was that Ether editing?
Regardless of all that, Firefly said to Belle, “I… come from Star Capital.” “Star Capital?!” Both Wise and Belle let out a sound; Belle was puzzled, while Wise was surprised.
Seeing his sister looking very puzzled, Wise spoke up: “Star Capital, if I remember correctly, is a metropolis on the same level as Eridu, very far away from New Eridu.
When the Old Capital fell, it was also very peaceful, and quite a few people fled over there…” “You came here, could it be that something happened to Star Capital?” Wise didn’t ask this question aloud, but his curiosity about Firefly increased significantly.
After all, someone from a distant region coming to New Eridu didn’t look like migration, but rather fleeing from disaster, much like when the Old Capital fell back then.
At this time, Firefly revealed a sad and grieving expression, which also confirmed Wise’s guess.
But Firefly was only thinking of Glamoth and everyone from the Stellaron Hunters.
However, she quickly let it go.
She was a duplicate, and her original body would be together with them, while she herself would also find happiness here.
Hearing these words from Wise, Belle came to a sudden realization and offhandedly said, “That must be a very wonderful place, right?” “Ahem ahem ahem…” Wise suddenly coughed, and Belle looked over in puzzlement.
Wise picked up a tissue to wipe his mouth and said, “Little sis, your noodles are going to get soggy.” “Ah!
My ramen!” Belle didn’t care about this or that and directly started eating.
The two of them ate their fill, while Belle was only half-full.
Inside the Video Store, Firefly looked at the videotapes on the shelves.
Such ancient technology, but it’s also very interesting.
“Firefly doesn’t have a place to stay yet, right?
How about staying at my place today?
Don’t worry about the room, my room is quite big.” Seeing that Firefly looked a bit tired, Belle immediately suggested.
“Eh?” Facing this proposal, Firefly looked at Wise, as if asking: “Is this sister of yours proper?” Faced with Firefly’s gaze, Wise coughed twice and said, “Little sis hasn’t been this happy in a long time.
She must have met a true friend she can open up to.” Why does he give off the vibe of an old butler?
Whatever, Firefly agreed.
After all, she really didn’t have a place to stay, and sleeping together with another girl was no big deal—she had slept with Silver Wolf before too.
Late at night, in the inner room of the Video Store, the computer flickered with various information, and the more Wise looked, the more he frowned.
Star Capital has fallen?
Sudden outbreak of anomalous disasters?
A disaster even more terrifying than Hollows?
“Stellaron?
What is that?” Wise looked at this image hidden deep within the Inter-Knot: a glowing golden star hung high in the sky, surrounded by several stellar rings, while below it, the ground was shattering, with fragments being drawn into that star.
On the ground, a lonely city was enveloped by a mysterious light curtain, appearing unsteady and on the verge of total collapse soon.