Meanwhile, inside Dead End Hollow, Wise's plan was already in motion.
Nicole and the others would stall the Dead End Butcher, drawing him to the spot Wise had chosen, while he drove the train to set off the explosives.
Nicole and her companions didn't hesitate. They couldn't face the Dead End Butcher head-on, but keeping him occupied was well within their abilities.
The three arrived at an open field. Under the dark, rain-heavy sky, the downpour turned the ground into a muddy canvas, as if the world itself was preparing for a final showdown.
Not long after, the Dead End Butcher appeared. His enormous frame and the raw Ether radiating off him pressed down on them like a storm. The Cunning Hares fought fiercely, and after a relentless struggle, they managed to bring down the Dead End Butcher's first phase.
When his second form rose, Wise, riding the train, tore through the shattered tracks and slammed him beneath the wheels without a moment of hesitation.
The explosion that followed was powerful yet oddly hollow. By the time the dust settled, the Dead End Butcher had fallen.
Moments later, outside Dead End Hollow at Vision Corporation's demolition command center, tension hung thick in the air.
"So Perlman was just a pawn. You were the one pulling the strings all along!"
Nekomata's teeth clenched as she stared at the red-clad woman.
"To win the bid cheaply, even if it costs lives… is this project really that important to Vision Corporation?"
Hearing Nekomata's question, the red-clad woman remained completely unfazed. She let her pistol drop to the floor and calmly pulled out a small cylindrical device.
"Whether it matters or not isn't your concern. We've talked long enough, now it's time to act." She spoke calmly, her gaze sharp.
"What's in your hand?!"
Nekomata felt her chest tighten as her eyes locked on the object in the red-clad woman's grasp. A soft, knowing chuckle slipped from the woman's lips.
"You mean this little toy? It's the detonator for the explosives in the demolition zone, of course."
Nekomata's eyes went wide in shock as she lunged forward, desperate to stop it, but it was already too late.
"No, wait! Don't!" she shouted desperately.
She reached the edge of the high platform, her fingers grasping at air, while the red-clad woman calmly pressed the button.
A wave of helpless despair gripped her chest.
"To the non-existent residents in the demolition zone, I offer my deepest regrets, but all of this is for our Vision..."
The words floated over her, yet the woman's face showed no hint of sorrow. Her tone was almost unnervingly light.
"Report, Miss Sarah. Detonation confirmed successful," a soldier announced, saluting crisply.
"Understood."
Sarah, the red-clad woman, remained calm, expecting nothing less. Yet something unexpected was about to unfold.
As Nekomata cursed herself for failing to save the residents, a sudden stir came from the Hollow behind them.
"Look! Someone's coming out of the Hollow!"
Following the direction the soldier pointed, three figures from the Cunning Hares appeared, with Wise leading a group of residents behind them, emerging steadily from the Hollow.
The little girl from earlier clung to Billy's shoulder, her megaphone amplifying every word as she exposed Vision's evil deeds for everyone to hear.
Meanwhile, Wise was safely cradled in Anby's arms.
Vision Corporation clearly had no intention of letting the matter go. Sarah, their leader, instructed her team to silence them at any cost.
Fortunately, Nicole had foreseen this. The instant she left the Hollow, she contacted Belobog Heavy Industries. The rival company had eagerly stepped in to help.
They arrived quickly, bringing media crews and Public Security. This time, Vision's scandal would not be hidden.
Feeling that everything had finally settled, Nekomata wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath, a quiet sense of contentment washing over her.
But before she could take a step forward, she bumped into something soft. Looking up, she saw Anby, cradling Wise carefully in her arms.
Indeed, the soft barrier she had bumped into could only be Wise's plump little belly; Anby didn't have that kind of 'cushion' herself.
"Hmm, I feel like you're thinking something very rude," Anby said, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Uh, no, I'm not? Nya… But what are you all doing?"
"We should be asking you that. Where were you sneaking off to alone? Didn't you hear the loudspeaker? We're going to Public Security to give our statements."
Nekomata blinked, clearly taken aback by Anby's words.
"I… anyway, you've already taken care of everything. My presence wouldn't make much difference, right?"
"That's not true. You're key evidence to prove Vision's crimes. And for the Cunning Hares, you're even more important…"
"I'm the one who tried to hurt you, right?" Nekomata said, bowing her head in shame, avoiding Anby's gaze.
"No, we're just missing your share of the money."
"Huh?" Nekomata blinked, her face a mix of shock and confusion at Anby's words.
"Share of the money? What share of the money?" she repeated, incredulous.
"Obviously, it's for the meal. Didn't we agree earlier? After this commission, everyone goes out for a proper meal. Since you didn't want the Starlight Knight Theme Restaurant, Billy refused to treat, and Nicole insisted on something good, splitting the bill was the only option."
Hearing Anby's calm, matter-of-fact explanation, Nekomata's confusion only deepened.
"Wait a minute! It was clearly agreed that you'd treat me, a big client, properly! Why are you suddenly changing your mind and making me pay? And you didn't even ask me! Did I ever agree to go along with this?" Nekomata protested.
"Then consider this a formal invitation, Nekomata. Do you want to eat with us?" Anby asked, reaching out.
With Wise in her arms, she could only poke him lightly with her finger, signaling him to reach out too.
"Uh, alright, Belle and I will go together too," Wise said softly.
"And it's a buffet!" Billy added enthusiastically.
"That's right, the kind with unlimited mackerel!" Nicole chimed in.
Hearing everyone speak like that, Nekomata felt a warmth well up in her chest. A small sniffle escaped before she finally managed to speak.
"Unlimited mackerel, huh? Then I'll definitely give it some serious thought!"
[Ding! Target: Nekomata has increased her favorability toward the host by 30. Her current favorability is now 80. Additionally, 600 Emotional Value has been obtained.]
[Current Emotional Value: 5500]
And so the matter was settled. Though the plot felt cliché, there was no denying its effectiveness.
The following morning, Anby arrived quietly at the video store, arriving earlier than anyone else.
Wise, slightly puzzled after receiving her message, gently moved Belle off him and made his way to the back door.
Anby was already there in the garage. Seeing him in his pajamas, she immediately wrapped him in a silent, tight hug.
Then came the soft kisses and cuddles, a private moment full of warmth and intimacy.
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