The Dead End Butcher's body dissolved into light and shadow.
After absorbing its energy, Zane felt a noticeable sense of relief throughout his body—almost comfortable.
His instincts rejoiced.
He remained calm. Even though he had hoped the Dead End Butcher would be a worthy opponent and had felt a spark of interest in the fight, it was clear it hadn't lived up to that expectation.
From start to finish, he'd only used two moves.
A disarm, and a kick.
Oh—if you counted the final blow, crushing the "core," then that made three.
Just as a slight disappointment crept in, he sensed something and looked up toward a tall building in the distance. His eyes emitted a faint blue glow.
After staring for a few seconds, Zane placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly, as if taking a final curtain call.
Far away, at the top of the building, Lycaon was at first surprised to realize he'd been seen. Then he too returned the bow.
He rose, turned away from Zane, and left without another glance.
"Let's go. He's already shown Victoria Housekeeping the respect we're due. Any longer, and we'd be the ones being rude."
That bow—more than just tolerance for their "peeking"—reframed them as "spectators" and served as a silent warning.
Leaning against a pillar, Ellen sucked on a lollipop beside her shark scissors. Arms crossed, she glanced at Zane in the distance.
"Huh? Just like that?"
She'd been ready for a fight and had even topped up her energy—now if she didn't burn it off, she'd gain weight.
"She's such a well-behaved high schooler, but all he thinks about is fighting..."
Rina floated over to her, the two little ones trailing behind. She smiled softly.
"Things are complicated in the Dead End Hollows right now. Better not stir the pot. Besides..."
"You saw how the Fire Picker dealt with the Dead End Butcher. If Victoria Housekeeping picked a fight, the risk would've been huge."
As she explained, Rina drifted off in the direction they were leaving.
After all, an elegant head maid didn't need to walk.
Ellen wasn't actually trying to go against orders—she was just venting. She picked up her weapon and followed along.
"It's just a Dead End Butcher. We could've taken it down together. It's not like we couldn't handle it."
"But you saw how easy it was for the Fire Picker."
"Then what about our mission? It's rare to run into him—who knows when we'll get another chance..."
Up ahead, Lycaon heard her and responded, one hand behind his back, voice calm.
"No need to worry. The mission to investigate the Fire Picker doesn't have a deadline. We just happened to cross paths this time."
"Given his usual activity pattern, our areas overlap. We'll run into him again soon."
"...Alright then."
Ellen casually slung the shark scissors over her shoulder, yawned with one hand in front of her face.
After everything, she was starting to feel a bit sleepy...
She wondered—did the Fire Picker ever get tired, like humans did?
...
The Dead End Butcher had perished, but Zane remained.
He stood quietly, waiting for something.
But a few moments passed in silence—nothing changed. The Hollows were still the Hollows. The battlefield was still the battlefield. Zane was still Zane.
"The Dead End Hollows didn't change?"
"Is it because it's a companion Hollow?"
He raised a hand. A smooth, black sphere slowly appeared in the air. The situation puzzled him.
The Dead End Hollow... the Dead End Butcher was supposed to be its core Ethereal.
But the Butcher was gone, and the Hollow remained.
Zane shook his head, dismissing the idea that it had something to do with being a "companion."
Technically, every Hollow in New Eridu was a companion of the Zero Hollow.
So that couldn't be it...
Then something occurred to him. He looked deeper into the Hollow.
Right—there was still a special presence further in.
Could that be the true core Ethereal of the Dead End Hollow?
Tch... who would've thought a companion Hollow would be this much trouble...
Even though Hollows were basically his home, without Phaethon's help, a home too big could still leave you lost.
Such was the nature of Hollows. Unless he one day mastered spatial energy, there wasn't much he could do.
Since he couldn't absorb this Hollow, Zane didn't linger.
He turned to leave.
He hadn't forgotten—what mattered most right now was Vision Industry.
...
"So that's it... Perlman was just a puppet. You're the one who really orchestrated the explosion!"
"Then let me ask—was it really worth risking lives and cutting costs just to win the election? Is this project that important to Vision Industry?"
Outside the Hollow, at the Vision Industry demolition command post, Nekomata stood her ground despite being surrounded, questioning Sarah.
"Whether it's important or not—that's not for someone like you to decide."
"Enough talk. It's time to get things done."
Sarah smiled as she picked up a special device.
Nekomata's eyes narrowed when she noticed it.
"What's that in your hand?!"
Sarah's smile grew, dazzling and dangerous.
"This little toy?"
"Why, it's the detonator for the explosives in the demolition zone."
At those words, Nekomata's face changed. The residents of Hare's House and Canvas Lane were still inside!
"No—wait! Don't!"
She lunged toward Sarah—but it was already too late.
Sarah pressed the button and said with a soft laugh,
"My deepest regrets... to all the 'non-existent residents' of the demolition zone—"
"Goodbye. Everything, for the sake of 'our' future."
As she said those last words, her eyes gleamed and her smile deepened.
"Miss Sarah, report—detonation successful."
A sheriff-geared operative stepped forward.
"Mm. Got it."
Sarah replied offhandedly, as if hundreds of lives in Canvas Lane were no different to her than weeds by the roadside.
...
Inside the Hollows.
"Ah? Looks like they've triggered the explosives."
"Nicole should be there by now."
Eous stood on a crate, watching the detonation device nearby as he spoke.
But there was nothing to worry about—all the Ether explosive triggers had been disarmed under his guidance.
"Whew... I'm beat. My poor mechanical back..."
Billy stumbled over, panting, then plopped down on the ground, leaning his upper body against the crate where Eous stood—completely drained.