Meanwhile, inside the Dead End Hollow on the other side.
Zhe had already made his plan. Nicole and the others would hold off and lure the Dead End Butcher to the designated location, and then he would start the train to detonate the explosives.
Nicole and the others naturally had no objections. While they certainly couldn't take on the Dead End Butcher head-on, if it was just a matter of holding it off, it was no problem.
The three of them soon arrived at an open field. The dark sky was pouring rain. It looked every bit the part of a final battle location for a blockbuster film.
Sure enough, not long after, the Dead End Butcher appeared before the three of them.
Its massive body and the intense Ether fluctuations were indeed full of pressure. The trio from the Cunning Hares also went through a battle before defeating the Dead End Butcher's first phase.
And not long after its second form appeared, Zhe, riding the train, crashed through the broken tracks and pinned it underneath.
After a tense but successful detonation, the Dead End Butcher finally fell in the explosion.
A short while later, outside the Dead End Hollow, at the Vista Industries demolition command post.
"So that's how it is. Pearlman was just a puppet. You're the one who truly planned this demolition."
Nekomata, having understood the situation, gritted her teeth and looked at the red-clothed woman before her.
"To disregard human life just to win a bid with low costs, is this project really that important to Vista Industries?"
Hearing Nekomata's question, the red-clothed woman opposite her remained unfazed. She simply tossed her pistol aside in front of her and took out a cylindrical button.
"Important? That's not for someone like you to ask. Alright, we've talked enough nonsense. It's time to get down to business."
"! What's that in your hand?!"
Seeing the object in the red-clothed woman's hand, Nekomata had a bad feeling. The latter just chuckled and answered her.
"This little toy? It's the detonation switch for the explosives in the blast zone, of course."
Nekomata's eyes widened when she heard this. She then lunged forward, trying to snatch the button, but it was clearly too late.
"No, wait! Don't!"
Just as she reached the edge of the high platform, the red-clothed woman had already pressed the button in her hand. At that moment, Nekomata felt nothing but despair.
"I deeply regret the 'non-existent' residents in the blast zone, but this is all for our... Vista."
Although the red-clothed woman said this, there was no hint of regret on her face. In fact, her tone had become much lighter.
"Report, Miss Sarah. Detonation confirmed as successful."
"Mm, understood."
The red-clothed woman known as Sarah was not surprised by this, but something that would surprise her was about to happen.
While Nekomata was still blaming herself for not being able to save those residents, a commotion suddenly came from the Hollow tunnel behind her.
"Look! Someone's coming out of the Hollow tunnel!"
In the direction the armed soldier was pointing, the three members of the Cunning Hares and a group of residents led by Zhe were walking out of the tunnel.
The little girl from the beginning was even sitting on Billy's shoulders, holding a large megaphone and shouting about Vista's evil deeds.
As for Zhe, he was being held in Anby's arms on the other side.
But it was clear that Vista Industries was not going to give up just like that. The leader, Sarah, even wanted to order her subordinates to silence them.
Fortunately, Nicole had already anticipated this. The moment she was out of the Hollow, she immediately contacted Belobog Heavy Industries. The latter, as a competitor, was very supportive.
They arrived at the scene quickly, bringing with them several media outlets and people from the Public Security Bureau. This time, Vista's scandal would not be so easy to cover up.
Seeing the matter come to a satisfactory close, Nekomata wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, ready to leave with contentment.
But before she had taken a few steps, she bumped into a soft body. Looking up, she saw it was Anby, holding Zhe.
Well, a cushion this soft could only be Zhe's plushy stomach. Anby doesn't have that kind of capital right now.
"Mmm, I have a feeling you're thinking something very rude."
"Uh, what? Meow... also, what are you guys doing?"
"We should be asking you that. Where are you sneaking off to alone? Didn't you hear the megaphone? We have to go to the Public Security Bureau to give a statement next."
Hearing Anby's words, Nekomata was clearly stunned.
"I... you guys were the ones who solved the problem anyway. It doesn't make a difference whether I'm there or not..."
"That won't do. You're important evidence that can prove Vista's crimes. More importantly, for the Cunning Hares..."
"I'm the culprit who tried to harm you, right?"
As Nekomata said this, she lowered her head in shame, not daring to look at Anby.
"No. We're just missing your share of the money now."
"Eh?"
Anby's words clearly caught Nekomata off guard for a moment. She then asked back with some confusion.
"Eh? Share of the money? What share?"
"The share for the meal, of course. Didn't we say before? After this commission is done, everyone will go out for a big meal. Because you said you didn't want to go to the Star-Twinkling Knight Themed Restaurant, Billy refused to treat us. And Nicole said she wanted to eat something good, so we have to split the bill."
Hearing Anby's matter-of-fact explanation, Nekomata clearly understood.
"Wait a minute! You clearly said you would treat me, your big client, well before. Why did you suddenly change your mind and make me pay? Besides, you didn't even ask for my opinion. Did I ever agree to go with you?"
"Oh, then I'm formally asking you now. Nekomata, do you want to go eat with us?"
Anby said this and was about to extend her hand, but considering she was holding Zhe, she could only poke the latter with her finger, signaling him to extend his hand.
"Uh, alright. We'll go with you."
"And it's a buffet!" "That's right! The kind with unlimited mackerel!"
Hearing everyone's words, Nekomata was clearly deeply moved. She finally spoke, her voice slightly choked with emotion.
"Unlimited mackerel, you say? Then I'll definitely have to consider it carefully!"
Nekomata's favorability increased by 30 points. Current favorability: 80 points. Gained 600 emotion points. Current emotion value: 5500 points.
The matter came to a close here. Although it was a cliché plot, it had to be said that it was still effective.
It's worth mentioning that the next day, Anby quietly came to the video store early in the morning.
A somewhat confused Zhe, after receiving the message, also pushed Ling, who was sleeping on top of him, aside and came to the back door of the video store.
Anby was already waiting in the garage. And seeing Zhe come down in his pajamas, she didn't say another word and immediately hugged him.
Then followed a session of kissing and nuzzling...
-------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (70 Chapter)
Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (90 Chapter)
MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (60 Chapter)
BLEACH: Blade of Purification (31 Chapter)
Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (160 Chapter)
My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (30 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.