Seeing Nicole react so strongly, Zhe, who was engrossed in the news, gave an awkward laugh: "Hello, Nicole. It would be better if you could just knock normally next time."
Ling also chimed in with a chuckle: "I feel like I hear it at least three times a month... Nicole, your lifelong plea."
However, the tension on Nicole's face didn't lessen at all: "First, help me get out of this crisis, then you can mock me all you want. Please, legendary Ropemaker — Phaethon!"
Hearing Nicole's words, Ling and Zhe's expressions also became serious: "What trouble have you gotten into this time?"
Afterward, Zhe walked out of the shop, observed carefully, then came back in: "I've checked, there are no suspicious people outside the shop."
Nicole said confidently: "Don't worry! I wasn't followed or watched! I struggled to get out of the Fourteenth Street scene, and I'm alone."
At this point, the three also noticed multiple wounds on Nicole's body, confirming her words.
Nicole then briefly recounted the previous conflict: a gang called the Red Fang Gang stole a small safe, supposedly containing important secrets, from a research institute.
Then, the three from Cunning Rabbit House were commissioned to steal that safe from the Red Fang Gang's stronghold—a high-rise residential building. They were discovered by the Red Fang Gang and chased, finally encountering a Public Security Bureau helicopter in a room near the edge of the building with giant floor-to-ceiling windows.
However, the Public Security Bureau helicopter, without warning, fired a missile directly into the building. Fortunately, there was bulletproof glass, so Nicole wasn't injured by the explosion.
But Billy, Amber, and the Red Fang Gang's boss, White Guy, were too close to the edge and were blown into the Hollow below along with the safe.
And because they were doing the work of Tunnel Robbers, Nicole didn't want to be targeted by the Hollow Investigation Association for now, so she could only come to the Phaethon siblings for help.
Finally, Nicole concluded: "My request is simple: bring my people and my client's item out of the Hollow safely!"
Afterward, as if having made some kind of decision, she added: "Once this job is done, I'll pay off all my previous debts at once!"
After some simple haggling, Ling and Zhe agreed to Nicole's request.
Nicole, clutching her wound, said: "Good! No time to lose, let's go! I'll wait in the Hollow first! Hiss—"
Then, she swayed and almost fell.
Hu Tao quickly steadied Nicole: "You're injured, you should rest. How about I go instead?"
Nicole looked at Hu Tao trustingly: "Then I'll leave it to you, good sister."
While the two Ropemakers debugged their unique tool, the HDD (Hollow Deep Diving System), Hu Tao returned to the shop to retrieve her staff of homa and called for a business vehicle for pickup.
Then, she took IES in the business vehicle to the periphery of the Crete Hollow, the site of the disaster. After Ling established synchronization with IES, the two entered the Hollow... Some time later, somewhere in the old subway hub station within the Crete Hollow:
Billy and Amber evaded the pursuing Remnants and ran into an open area, but then Billy desperately cried out: "Huh! Why is it still this place!"
At this moment, the Remnants surrounded them again. Billy checked his magazine and shouted even more desperately: "It's over, I'm almost out of bullets! If this continues—"
Amber, however, remained calm and collected: "Billy, focus on what's in front of you! Prepare to fight."
Suddenly, with a shout, two fireballs struck several Remnants gradually closing in on both sides of them, instantly immobilizing them.
The two naturally didn't miss this good opportunity and, along with the figure behind them, quickly dealt with the group of Remnants.
Afterward, the two turned around to see Hu Tao standing behind them, holding the staff of homa: "Ta-da, reinforcements are here!"
During this time, Hu Tao had not stopped researching her new abilities, diligently studying how to use them. This was her first time applying them in actual combat.
Billy exclaimed in surprise: "Hu Tao, how are you here?"
Amber's expression was grave: "Hu Tao, how did you also fall into this Hollow?"
At this moment, "IES" walked out from behind a nearby container: "Of course, we're here to save you."
Seeing Phaethon appear, Billy immediately relaxed: "Th-that's great, I feel like my hydraulic legs are about to give out!"
Amber, after scanning the surroundings and confirming it was safe, then asked: "I suggest we take a proper break now. Is that alright, Ropemaker?"
Hu Tao patted her chest: "You two rest assured, I'll be on guard."
Hearing this, the two slowly sat on the ground to recover their energy.
After a brief recovery, Billy happily said: "Oh my, that was really thrilling. I didn't expect that uncle from the Red Fang Gang to mutate into such a powerful monster. Thanks to you, shop owner, and Hu Tao for saving us in time and helping us escape. You truly are Phaethon! As reliable as ever!"
At this moment, Hu Tao keenly caught the key point: "Billy, what did you say? White Guy turned into a High-level Remnant?"
Amber nodded: "Yes, and after he was corrupted, he kept protecting that safe, so we haven't been able to get it out yet."
"IES" scratched its head: "Oh dear, this is troublesome..."