After two days of preparation, the members of the Cunning Hares had gathered all the necessary information on the target Hollow. With everything ready, it was naturally time to continue the commission.
Early this morning, Nicole brought Anby and Billy to the parking lot behind the video store. Seeing Wise and Belle arrive, Nicole was the first to greet them. "You're here. I've already found the whereabouts of the safe. How is that matter I entrusted to you coming along?"
"You mean the data disk? It's already been repaired. And just as you guessed, the password for the safe was indeed inside."
Hearing Wise say this, a happy smile spread across Nicole's face. "That's great. I was worried you and Anby were off doing other commissions and wouldn't have time for this."
At Nicole's words, Anby, who was standing behind her, blushed for some unknown reason. Billy, who was next to her, was completely baffled. "What's wrong, Anby? Your face is so red. Do you have a fever?"
"No. And a red face doesn't necessarily mean a fever, it could be for other reasons... Anyway, it's none of your business."
Hearing Anby say this, Billy could only give up. He scratched his head in confusion, thinking that since Anby wouldn't say, he would just ask Boss Nicole later.
Meanwhile, Wise felt a bit guilty hearing Nicole's words and said, "Please don't question our professionalism."
The reason he felt guilty was that he had already made a move on her subordinate. Mmm, in the literal sense of the phrase. Fortunately, Nicole didn't know and was instead completely focused on the upcoming commission.
"Alright, alright, I didn't mean to question you. We've cooperated so many times, after all. This time, it's all thanks to your help that the preparations are complete. It's time for the next step." As she spoke, Nicole beckoned for Anby to come forward. "Anby, come over and explain the plan."
"Oh, okay. Everyone, please look at this map of New Eridu." Anby took out a brand-new, complete map from her bag, then pointed to the location of the target Hollow on it and continued, "The plan of action is: enter the Cleft of Creation Hollow, defeat the high-level Ethereal Dullahan, and retrieve the safe."
After saying this, Anby paused and said no more. Belle, who was at the side, was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "And then?"
"There is no 'and then'." Anby blinked and replied faintly. Seeing this, Wise was also a bit helpless.
"So... was there a special reason for unfolding this map of New Eridu?"
"Mmm. Nicole said we have to look professional so our collaborators don't look down on us, otherwise it'll be hard to haggle over the price after... mmph!" Anby answered honestly after hearing Wise's question, her hands clasped lightly in front of her chest. However, she was cut off mid-sentence as her mouth was covered.
"Hey, why are you saying unnecessary things again? Billy, why weren't you watching her?" Nicole looked at Billy with a reproachful expression, but he just looked back innocently.
"It's not my fault, Boss Nicole! I didn't know the 'professional meeting' Anby prepared was like this... Ah! No wonder she was specifically watching clips of meeting scenes from crime investigation movies before we gathered!" Billy, suddenly realizing this, slapped his hands to his head. But it was clear they had overlooked one thing.
"Um... we can hear you, you know?" Belle said, tilting her head with a speechless expression. Nicole coughed awkwardly a few times.
"Ahem, in... in any case, the plan is as simple and clear as Anby said. Find the safe, then bring it back. We'll leave the support and routing inside the Hollow to you." After saying this, Nicole immediately set off. Wise and Belle had long been prepared and were ready to start at any time.
On the other side, Nicole and her team found an opportunity to bypass the blockade and successfully entered the Hollow.
"Alright, we're in the Hollow. Let's hurry up and find my safe."
"Okay. But speaking of which, how did you find the safe's location, Boss Nicole?"
"Hmph, that's a trade secret. But since everyone here is one of us, I suppose it's fine to reveal a little." Nicole looked very smug as she said this. It seemed Billy's question was exactly what she wanted to hear.
"Nicole, you weren't just planning to tell us anyway to show off, were you?" Wise's question, coming through the comms, made Nicole freeze just as she was about to speak. Anby then chimed in helpfully, "Please don't expose her so quickly. Nicole is surprisingly thin-skinned at times like these."
"Hey, I told you not to say unnecessary things, Anby!" Nicole's flustered appearance was a clear sign she had been found out. One could only say that Anby was truly her "leaky padded jacket."
Nevertheless, Nicole still revealed how she obtained the information. Simply put, she had an acquaintance in the Hollow Investigation Association, and she gave them an offer they couldn't refuse. Then, through comparing some details and using certain methods, she found out the specific location of the safe.
But just then, a sudden signal stutter made Wise feel that something was wrong. Logically, the HDD shouldn't have this kind of problem unless they were in a place with overly dense Aether energy, but the Cleft of Creation Hollow clearly didn't fit that condition.
"Belle, I think there might be a problem with the HDD. Can you check it? I'll continue to guide Nicole and her team."
"Mmm, okay. Don't worry, leave it to me, brother."
After assigning the tasks, Wise continued to focus his attention on Nicole's side, while Belle began to check the HDD's data. "Mmm, strange. Why is there an error message in the HDD's backend?"
Belle was puzzled but began debugging it anyway. On the other side, Wise also felt that something was wrong. Because the signal was unstable, he could barely even hear what Nicole and her team were saying. Just in case, he quickly told them the entire route ahead and the possible dangers they might encounter all at once.
"Stop, stop, stop! Rope-master, you're saying so much at once, how are we supposed to remember it all? Can't you go a little slower?"
"Um, Nicole, I can remember it," Anby said weakly. Seeing this, Nicole once again covered her face in exasperation.
"Anby, can you please stop undermining me all the time?"
Hearing this, Anby obediently closed her mouth. At this point, Wise explained, "For some reason, my signal is a bit unstable. So, just in case, I'm giving you the information in advance. I also suggest you speed up."
Wise finished and directed Nicole's group to continue forward. However, after walking for just a little while longer, the signal was completely disconnected.
Seeing this, the siblings immediately began to debug the system, attempting to reconnect.