The battle had dragged on. Most of the hired agents were down, groaning or unconscious.
Only Lycaon remained standing, his mechanical legs hissing with strain as he dispatched another Ethereal.
"Lycaon, where are the reinforcements?!"
"They're coming. Please remain calm."
Just as he spoke, a massive hammer swung from the side.
Lycaon reacted instantly—legs raised to block.
CRASH.
The impact sent him flying, flipping through the air before skidding across the ground.
He looked up, dazed, as the hammer-wielding skeleton loomed over the suited man.
"Damn… I'm too late—"
BOOM.
A shockwave split the air.
"Right on time."
Smoke and dust swirled. Lycaon squinted, trying to make out the figure.
As the haze cleared, a slender silhouette emerged—
Fu Hua, one arm raised, effortlessly blocking the hammer's descent.
The man in the suit stared, stunned.
Fu Hua twisted her wrist, redirected the force, and followed with a brutal punch—
The hammer shattered, and the Ethereal's core imploded.
Nearby, Harin danced through the battlefield, her blue-gloved fists a blur.
Each strike dropped a Ethereal, her movements precise and fluid.
The mission target was safe.
"Thank you, miss. That was… incredible."
"You're unharmed. That's what matters."
Lycaon dusted off his collar and nodded.
"No big deal."
"Phew… I thought I was done for," the man in the suit muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
Lycaon approached and bowed.
"Apologies, sir. I failed to protect you. Please waive my fee this time."
The man waved him off.
"Nonsense. If it weren't for you, I'd be dead in that building. And I wouldn't have been rescued."
He turned to Fu Hua.
"May I ask your name?"
"Commission agent. Call me Red Kite."
"Understood, Miss Red Kite. Thank you for your help. I'll add an extra 500,000 Denny for your swift response."
"Appreciated."
With Fu Hua and Harin's support, Lycaon's burden lightened.
Together, they escorted the client out of the Hollow.
Outside, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi were conducting inspections.
Fu Hua frowned. She'd entered the Hollow without formal clearance.
"Yo~ Fu Hua? Harin? What are you two doing in the Hollow?"
Qingyi's eyes narrowed.
Fu Hua hesitated, but Lycaon stepped in smoothly.
"Apologies, Sheriff. These two are temporary employees of Victoria Housekeeping."
He handed over a business card.
Qingyi scanned it, checked the backend, and nodded.
"So that's it. Didn't expect you two to be working that kind of gig."
"No choice. Prices are brutal lately. Got to earn somehow," Fu Hua replied calmly.
"Alright. You're clear to exit."
Later, in a secluded alley, Fu Hua turned to Lycaon.
"Thanks for covering for us."
"No, Miss Red Kite. You saved my employer. You protected Victoria Housekeeping's reputation. I'm the one who's grateful."
Harin, curious, asked:
"What exactly does Victoria Housekeeping do?"
Lycaon hearing her question straightened his tie.
"Victoria Housekeeping is known for its wide-ranging services and elite standards.
From personal protection to estate management, we serve high-profile clients with discretion and excellence."
He spoke with the poise of someone who'd memorized the company whole.