Although Caesar was a hot-blooded idiot, she wasn't a brainless fool.
Based on the resistance I'd shown during past treasure hunts in the Hollows, not to mention my exploration experience, it'd be no problem for me to just wait in the Hollow until Lighter and Burnice managed to get a Proxy to come rescue me.
For the Outer Ring, where Proxies were a rarity, if they waited for one to arrive before starting a full-scale rescue, the golden window of opportunity for a nascent Hollow would have long since slammed shut.
By then, the Hollow would be fully formed. Getting rid of it wouldn't be as simple as just taking down the boss once and calling it a day.
For anyone trapped inside, a new Hollow wasn't just about the chaotic, distorted space and the pervasive, corrupting erosion.
Another of its most dangerous threats was the endless, tide-like swarm of common Ethereals.
Under the threat of this Ethereal tide, many ordinary people couldn't even dream of attempting an escape.
Among them, humans without any Ether adaptability would, after failing to evacuate in time, quickly transform into the Corroded—beings stronger, far more aggressive, and infinitely more dangerous than your average Ethereal.
That was the main reason Hollow disasters could snowball out of control so quickly.
So, as long as the rescue was fast enough, the Ethereals were wiped out with enough speed, and most importantly, the boss Ethereal serving as the Hollow's core was eliminated, a nascent Hollow could be completely eradicated.
This was precisely why New Eridu managed to completely resolve every Hollow disaster that cropped up.
But for Caesar, a child of the Outer Ring, her goal from the very beginning was simply to save people. To protect as many as she could from the Ethereal threat before a Proxy could arrive, before the erosion could claim them.
And with her strength, she could actually pull it off.
After saying her piece, Caesar tried to move past Andrew and rush to her motorcycle, but he stopped her again.
"No, what I'm saying is, instead of charging in headfirst by yourself, what you need right now is a partner. And a Proxy."
With that, Andrew jabbed a thumb at his own chest and said:
"I think I'm pretty decent, strength-wise. Should be more than enough to be your partner. Plus, I can call in the strongest Proxy in all of New Eridu."
Caesar's eyes widened slightly at Andrew's offer of help.
Hollows, big or small, were always synonymous with danger.
Nobody in their right mind would choose to dive into a Hollow just for kicks. Flinching at the mere mention of one was the normal reaction.
After all, no one wanted to gamble with their own life, and certainly no one wanted to walk into danger for no good reason.
But Andrew's expression was as casual as if he were just going across the street to buy some groceries.
"What are you spacing out for? Let's roll."
Before Caesar could even process what was happening, Andrew was already pushing her toward the door.
The one thing Andrew was grateful for was that he had subconsciously grabbed his tachi on the way out.
Otherwise, by the time he ran back to get it, the trail would have gone completely cold.
Never letting your blade out of arm's reach. Truly a great habit to have.
Moving with surprising speed, Andrew had her motorcycle out of the garage before Caesar even had a chance to react.
But the moment he pushed the door open, he saw Big Boss standing there, arms crossed over his chest, blocking their path with a grim expression aimed squarely at Caesar.
His massive frame was like a fortress wall standing in her way.
"Where do you think you're going, Caesar?"
Big Boss's usually gentle voice was now incredibly stern, carrying an almost imperceptible pressure. His sharp gaze pierced right through his sunglasses, radiating an intimidating aura.
Caesar's bravado faltered for an instant under his gaze, but a glance at Andrew behind her seemed to reignite her courage. She immediately straightened her back, puffing her chest out once more.
Her slightly diminished aura flared back to life, burning even brighter than before. Caesar's voice was filled with unshakable resolve.
"I'm going into the Hollow to save people, Big Boss."
As her words hung in the air, Big Boss remained silent, just staring at her. It was as if he saw a glimpse of her father in her—the original leader of the Sons of Calydon, the former ruler of the Outer Ring.
For a few seconds, their wills seemed to clash in the tense silence. Andrew was half-expecting them to start shouting.
But, to his surprise, as the atmosphere grew thick enough to cut with a knife, the first one to yield was the imposing Big Boss.
He let out a heavy sigh, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his boar-like face. Finally, he took a step back, clearing the path for Caesar.
"Looks like your mind is made up... In that case, go do what you have to do."
His voice had returned to the same calm tone he'd used while chatting with Andrew.
"As for Blazewood, leave it to me. With a Hollow disaster on our hands, someone has to stay behind to maintain order and organize the evacuation, right?"
Seeing Big Boss give his blessing, a goofy, beaming smile erupted on Caesar's face. She nodded vigorously, pushed her bike forward a few steps, and walked past him.
The little family spat was over. Andrew, who had felt it was completely out of his place to interfere, finally followed after Caesar.
Just as Andrew was about to pass Big Boss, the old man's wistful voice sounded from behind.
"Kids always grow up faster than their parents expect, don't they?"
Hearing that, Andrew couldn't help but pause. He wasn't quite sure how to comfort the old man's sentimentality.
Seeing Andrew's conflicted expression, Big Boss let out a hearty laugh. He quickly suppressed it and looked at Andrew with a grin, saying:
"Just an old man getting sentimental. Pay me no mind."
He paused for a moment, then his gaze locked onto Andrew's, his tone becoming incredibly earnest as he said:
"So, I'm entrusting Caesar to you."
"Don't worry, I promise to bring her back safely."
Andrew had no reason to refuse Big Boss's request.
After all, no matter the circumstances, Andrew never wanted to see anyone he knew come to harm.
Call him selfish, call him a hypocrite, but whenever Andrew went to save people, he always made sure his friends and family were safe first before doing what he could to save others.
He strived to become stronger for one reason: to ensure that when danger finally came knocking, he could protect his friends and family.
It was true on the New World, true in the Forbidden Lands, and it was truer than ever here in New Eridu.
Reality wasn't a video game. You couldn't just 'meow' your way out of trouble. In a real hunt, people died. Not even a Sapphire Star was exempt from that rule.
Hearing Andrew's firm reply, Big Boss gave a relaxed nod and stopped blocking the way, striding quickly towards Kasa, the mayor of Blazewood.
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