The arrow vanished into nothingness, leaving behind only a scattering of glittering ice crystals.
It was as if the whole thing had been a bluff—like the arrow hadn't held any real power at all.
For a moment, Nineveh's movement in midair faltered.
But then, a shattering sound rang out.
Behind her, the newly formed "core" had silently fractured. That crimson-gold arrow had pierced straight through it and was still climbing, streaking into the sky.
It was space energy!
Its speed never slowed. It continued soaring upward, toward the distant source of light, gradually fading from sight.
No one knew just how far it would go—perhaps until it was intercepted, or until its power finally ran out...
The glowing lines across Nineveh's body dimmed rapidly. The blade she had used to intercept hung uselessly at her side, and her strength seemed to vanish all at once as she plummeted downward.
With a dull crash, Nineveh hit the ground.
"Tsk tsk... That guy's insanely strong. Did you see what just happened?"
"I didn't. I blinked, and that high-risk Ethereal had already fallen."
The four pilots chatted over comms. One of them suggested they check on Zane's identity—after all, he clearly wasn't with the Staff Army.
They agreed. Three of the Jian 20 pulled back silently. Two hovered in the air, closely watching their squadmate approach for the ID check. The last one climbed higher, engines gathering power, ready to act if needed.
...
Soon, one of the Jian 20 drew close to Zane. Its engines flared downward, keeping it suspended in place.
The jet came alongside him. Through its external broadcast unit, the pilot spoke:
"Please don't take offense. Since we're both within Hollow Zero, we're required to ask—just routine protocol. May I ask your identity and organizational affiliation?"
"Hollow Special Operations Unit 6. Identity classified."
Zane pulled out the same foolproof ID from Hoshimi Miyabi. The pilot immediately landed and stepped out of the cockpit.
He approached, verified the ID's authenticity, and handed it back without delay.
They all knew Hoshimi Miyabi by name. A masked operative showing her ID made perfect sense—and raised no suspicion.
Besides, Nineveh was technically under Unit 6's jurisdiction. That this masked man had fought her only further confirmed his credentials.
"Wishing you a smooth mission. In that case, we'll take our leave."
The pilot saluted and climbed back into his jet. The engines roared to life, and he lifted off. After reporting in, the fighters regrouped and flew off into the distance.
Their mission was complete. The rebels were gone—they had a report to file.
The trails left behind by the Jian 20 streaked across the sky, a mark of victory.
...
On the ground, Nineveh lay weak and unmoving.
Zane stepped down from the ice crystal, landing lightly on the ground. He approached her.
A faint hum buzzed in his ear.
He raised an eyebrow, surprised.
This time, unlike before, he could actually understand what Nineveh was expressing—accusation, anger. Zane could even feel resentment in that hum.
"What now, huh?"
He couldn't make sense of her current emotions. His gaze drifted to the shattered core behind her, eyes narrowing.
Colorful strands of energy leaked from the broken core and gathered slowly in the air above her, forming a vague human-like shape.
The figure was so faint that Zane could only make out its silhouette—no details.
"A failure...?"
"If this is what I'm left with... I would've preferred to disappear outright."
The voice that came from the shadow was soft—barely audible—but unmistakably familiar. Zane's expression shifted. He recognized it instantly.
The researcher.
"It's too hard... They're still debating how to ensure that humans gaining Ethereal power won't go wrong. But even just fusing stably... that's already a nightmare."
The shadow shook its head slowly. It didn't acknowledge Zane's presence—just spoke to itself in a tired, weathered voice, like an old man who had long since lost his convictions.
"You're not dead yet. In that case, answer me one thing."
"These Sacrificial Ghosts—left over from the old era—what use do they even have to you now? Normally, relics like that would be obsolete... right?"
Once this was over, Zane still had to head for the Dead End Hollow.
With the warning from Trigger, he needed to find out what was really going on there—and what these mad scientists were planning.
As he finished speaking, the phantom finally seemed to notice him. It was silent for a moment before softly replying:
"The old era... Who says old things are always worse than the new?"
As each word fell, the figure faded, dispersing completely.
Soon, nothing remained above Nineveh.
"Sheesh. Died too fast. I wasn't done asking."
Zane frowned, clearly annoyed.
If he'd had a way to keep that guy around longer, he definitely would've used it.
That researcher clearly knew more—what he'd shared was only a fraction...
Shaking his head, Zane turned his gaze back to Nineveh. He was still in human form. Even collapsed like this, she was the size of a small hill compared to him.
"You..."
He didn't know what to say.
He wasn't even sure if communication was possible anymore.
Then the strange humming returned.
Two tentacles slowly extended from her body. The cores at their tips shimmered faintly, transmitting a message.
"You're saying... the last time you attacked me, it wasn't your intention? Something deeper inside Hollow Zero influenced you?"
Zane's brow furrowed. That would mean... something even more terrifying lurks deeper in Hollow Zero?
Something capable of influencing Nineveh from afar?
No wonder they called it the place where all secrets lie...
The tentacles trembled again, cores still glowing.
"You didn't want to attack me this time either? You mean... none of this was your will?"
The tentacles thrashed wildly—like a girl frantically nodding in protest, desperate to clear her name.