Dullahan, Knock It Once.
What’s This?
Dullahan…
16: Chapter 16: What’s This?
Dullahan, Knock It Once.
What’s This?
Dullahan…
“Buyuan’s here too.
Are you planning to remind us to have a welcome-back feast after the commission?” The moment Belle saw Buyuan, her mind immediately jumped to Baal’s cooking.
“Does your brain think in tandem with your stomach?
Not today.
Baal went to Uncle Enzo’s for an update.
Won’t be back home till tonight.” Buyuan spread his hands helplessly.
“No problem.
We’ll just gather tonight, then.” To Belle, this was merely a matter of timing.
After that, under Wise’s efforts, the conversation finally returned to the main topic.
“According to a lead our informant provided, they found a strongbox inside the Crete Hollow.
It was spotted at the old metro transfer station.” Nicole was rather proud of her connections.
“So, how did that thing I asked you to handle turn out?” Nicole turned to look at Wise.
“Just as you thought.
What’s stored inside is the strongbox’s passcode.” Wise shared the data he’d obtained after decryption.
“Understood.
Anby, go over the operation plan.” Nicole turned towards Anby.
“Alright.
Everyone, please take a look at this map.” Anby spread a map open.
“Our objective is to enter the Crete Hollow, locate the high-ranking Ethereal Dullahan, take it down, and retrieve the strongbox.” Anby’s face was calm, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
After waiting a long while and seeing that Anby still wasn’t speaking, Belle voiced her confusion.
“That’s it?” “That’s it.” Anby answered crisply.
“Then what’s the map for?” Buyuan couldn’t help interjecting.
“It makes things look professional.
Nicole told me to prepare something professional.
Makes it easier to…
mmph mmph mmph.” Mid-sentence, Anby found her mouth covered by Nicole.
“Anby, don’t just blurt out everything!” Nicole let go of Anby, utterly exasperated.
“No wonder Anby was watching all those criminal investigation movies last night.” Billy smacked the back of his hand in sudden realization.
“Anyway, let’s head out quickly.” Nicole urged Belle to hurry up and get ready.
“Alright.
You three take Eous for now.
I’ll go debug the HDD with my brother.” Belle handed Eous over to the Cunning Hares trio.
“I’ll head off too.
Staying here’s even more boring.” Buyuan also prepared to leave and enter the Hollow.
“Okay.
Remember to have Baal make a few extra dishes tonight.” Belle reminded him before entering the archive room.
“Yeah, yeah, I got it.” Buyuan sighed helplessly.
Buyuan made his familiar way to the parking lot beside Turbo and pulled off the car cover.
Get in, ignition, set off.
Buyuan didn’t speed like a maniac the way Nicole did.
Their Hollow run this time wasn’t going to go smoothly, so there was no need for him to rush.
After arriving at the Crete Hollow, Buyuan completed his transformation directly.
“Cast Off!
Change Beetle!” The heavy armor exploded outward with considerable noise.
The crimson carapace gleamed brilliantly under the light.
Buyuan charged straight ahead, barreling through everything in his path with no intention of taking detours.
Following the Carrot data, he took the most direct point-A-to-point-B route.
“This is the place.
Where’s Dullahan?” Buyuan arrived at the destination.
Aside from the chaotic wreckage of collapsed trains and the metro platform, there was nothing else in sight.
“Ambush?” Just as Buyuan was scanning his surroundings, a sharp killing intent came slashing from behind.
He spun and kicked.
Brilliant sparks flew from the point where his foot met Dullahan’s blade.
“That all you got?” Buyuan crooked his finger dismissively at the towering Ethereal.
Accompanied by a roar that seemed to come from some unidentifiable part of its body, Dullahan raised its massive blade high and brought it cleaving down.
Buyuan merely shifted his body slightly to dodge.
The Kunai Blade appeared in his hand as he slashed fiercely at his opponent.
Dullahan hastily retreated, raising its shield to block.
“Tch.
Annoying.” Buyuan decided not to drag this out.
After all, he had no idea how long it would take Belle and the others to reach this spot.
As Buyuan stopped holding back, his ferocious assault left Dullahan’s Ethereal form battered and broken.
Dullahan warily circled Buyuan, looking for an opening to strike — only to see that its opponent wasn’t turning to follow its movements.
Without hesitation, Dullahan charged at Buyuan’s exposed back.
Buyuan pressed the three buttons on his belt in sequence.
“1!” “2!” “3!” “Rider Kick!” Buyuan spun and delivered a kick.
Lightning and Ether crystal fragments scattered and dispersed into the air.
Buyuan glanced at Dullahan, collapsed on the ground and gradually dissolving, then began searching the area for the strongbox.
Several minutes earlier, inside the video store.
“Then there’s only one option left!” Belle slammed the shutdown button.
“Isn’t there a superstition like that?
Just reboot, and all problems and troubles will resolve themselves.” Seeing her brother’s helpless expression, Belle hurriedly explained.
“Wait.
Didn’t you already shut down the HDD system?
Why is it still lit up?” Wise had been about to tease his little sister when he noticed the HDD system was still glowing.
“Could it be that it can’t connect?” Wise’s expression turned grave.
“It’s not a problem on ‘this side.'” Belle had also realized where the issue lay.
“I was starting to think you’d never notice.” The electronically processed voice carried a hint of distortion and sharpness.
“The great and famous Phaethon.
Not so impressive after all, are you?
As you can see, this system now belongs to me.” The mysterious hacker’s tone was arrogant and contemptuous.
“What do you want?” Belle asked warily.
“What do I want?
Simple.
I want the strongbox’s passcode…
Don’t think I can’t notice just because you’re being subtle.
Hand over the passcode, now.
My patience is limited.” The hacker detected Belle’s little movements.
“Even if you say that, we can’t tell you something we don’t know ourselves.” Wise’s expression was grim.
“This piece of equipment is very important to you, isn’t it?” The hacker’s voice dripped with amusement.
“What are you trying to do!” Belle grew anxious.
“Just some punishment for lying.
Kekekeke.” The hacker’s sinister laugh accompanied the message flashing on the screen: Database formatting complete.
“Damn it.” Belle clenched her fists.
“This is bad.
The alpha data has been wiped.” Wise’s face had turned exceptionally serious.
“Understand now?
With a flick of my finger, the data you’re so proud of turns into meaningless zeros.
I’ll just process a portion for now.
Remember this well — your fate is in my hands.” The hacker’s tone was domineering.
“Your client messed with trouble they shouldn’t have.
Namely, that strongbox.
I’m well aware you obtained the strongbox’s passcode from Silver’s necklace.
Now, tell me what the passcode is.” The hacker’s voice became one that brooked no defiance.
“Tch.
Let me help you make up your minds.
I recorded some…
interesting footage inside the Hollow.
I’ve left you the permissions to access the video.
Find a medium and take a good look.” The hacker’s tone was laced with mockery.
Wise transferred the video onto a tape and inserted it into the TV’s video player.
At that moment, inside the Hollow.
“Out of the way!” Nicole’s voice carried a hint of exhaustion.
The briefcase-shaped portable Ether cannon blasted apart the several Ethereals in front of them.
“Whoa!
More enemies from behind too!” Billy hurriedly dodged.
“Flank.” Anby lunged forward and cleaved down with a single slash.
“Hey!
Are you sure this is the right way?!” Nicole turned and called out to Eous, who was walking straight towards the rear.
“What’s going on with the Manager?!
She’s just walking on her own, completely ignoring combat!” Billy hurriedly fired, repelling the Ethereals closing in on Eous.
“She’s mad because Nicole haggled when paying the deposit.” Anby thought for a moment and spoke.
“Ohh, so that’s it!” Billy had an epiphany.
“That’s not it at all!” Nicole smacked Billy with her briefcase.
Nicole hurriedly blocked Eous’s path.
“Hey, are you in some kind of trouble?” Nicole looked at Eous’s red data eyes with suspicion.
“Don’t go that way!
Damn it!
Protect the Proxy!” Watching Eous continue moving, Nicole had no choice but to rush forward.
At last, Nicole managed to grab Eous and hide.
“If you don’t snap out of it soon, you can forget about ever collecting what you’re owed.” Nicole held Eous up and spoke.
“Hide!” Anby suddenly said in a low voice.
“You’re kidding.
Those Ethereals are back again?” Billy was somewhat deflated.
“It’s the Hollow Investigation Association.” Anby looked at the fully armed squad.
“Oooh!
We’re saved, Boss Nicole!
It’s the Investigation Association!
We can ask them for help!” Billy came over to Nicole excitedly.
“What nonsense are you spouting?
You see the PubSec personnel accompanying them in the back?
We’re Hollow Raiders, hello.” Nicole hugged Eous, speechless.
“But…
if we report the Proxy, we could earn leniency for our crimes.” Billy’s tone was hesitant.
“As things currently stand, Billy’s suggestion is the most appropriate.” Anby coolly analyzed the viability of Billy’s proposal.
“Boss Nicole, I won’t force you to choose.
Whatever we do, it’s up to you.” Billy didn’t try to sway Nicole’s decision.
He didn’t much like his own suggestion either.
Nicole was silent for a long moment, then gently released Eous.
“Boss Nicole?” Billy voiced his confusion.
“Don’t shout.
This isn’t a good place to stick around.
Let’s get out of here, fast.” Nicole took the lead and quietly slipped away from the area.
After finding a new safe spot, the three rested and regrouped on the spot.
“Awoo~ I’ve been corrupted by the Hollow and turned into a monster~ Awoo~” Having finished speaking, Anby bit down on Billy’s arm.
“Hey, Anby.
Doesn’t that hurt your teeth?” Billy’s voice was low and listless.
“Sorry.
I was trying to make a joke to cheer Nicole up.
Confirming once again — I’m not good at this.” Anby let go of Billy and explained.
Had Buyuan been here, he definitely would have shouted, “You’re amazing at it!” “Haah.
This really isn’t like me.
The money-crazed Cunning Hares, ignoring everyone else and only looking out for ourselves — that’s supposed to be my creed.” Nicole’s voice was somewhat desolate.
“It just means you’re not the selfish person you think you are.” Belle’s voice carried a hint of gentleness.
“No need to comfort me.
Someone who’s grown up on the streets — I know exactly what kind of person I…
Gyaaaaaaaaaah!
Proxy!
You’re back?!” Nicole’s low-spirited explanation suddenly erupted into pure shock.
“Yeah.
We got hacked just now.
The hacker wanted the strongbox’s passcode.” Belle’s voice carried apology.
“It’s resolved?” Seeing the Proxy back to normal, Billy’s whole being regained its vitality.
“Yeah.
But we paid a heavy price.” Belle’s voice was low.
“Regardless, at least the problem’s solved.” Belle’s tone returned to normal.
“In that case!
Operation Retrieve the Strongbox resumes!” Nicole announced joyfully.
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