As the powerful explosion finally subsided, Ollie, Nekomata, and the Proxy's Bangboo slowly approached.
"You're telling me you made this explosive yourself?" Ollie looked astonished as he examined the steel balls embedded deep in the floor.
"Yes. Handmade. A bit rough, so I had to compensate with more charge," Ignis said with clear pride. "It got rough on a previous job—figured I'd better pack a heavier punch this time."
"Please, don't ever sell that kind of thing to anyone," Ollie said anxiously, staring at the grenades hanging from Ignis's chest. "It's far too dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands."
"Oh, I barely have enough for myself," Ignis replied, puzzled why Ollie suddenly brought that up. Then it struck him—Ollie's exploration task.
"Compared to my little toys, did you finish your path survey?" He showed the Iron Halo in his hand. "Found this earlier—by the rules, that should be mine."
Hearing the giant mention the exploration task, Ollie quickly lowered his head to check his tablet. The data exchange with the observation post inside the Hollow was complete, and the surrounding Hollow data had been updated.
"No problem. The route's been re-confirmed," Ollie said with satisfaction, then turned to the other three. "That's everything done! Today's operation went so smoothly thanks to you three."
"As for the payment, once we leave the Hollow, I'll—" He suddenly realized his slip of the tongue and coughed to cover it. "—My company will transfer it to Miss Nekomata's Inter-Knot account. I'll also recommend all three of you for the recovery phase. Please rest assured."
Though his face looked serious, his twitching fingers and darting eyes betrayed his nervous bluffing.
"Sure, sure, I'll leave it to you, nyaa~." Nekomata purred, then abruptly changed tone. "Anyway, give us a moment to discuss the quickest extraction path. That's top-secret Proxy stuff, so no eavesdropping—sorry."
It was true—every Proxy kept their Hollow routes a closely guarded secret.
"I understand!" Ollie backed up several meters to show his sincerity. "I'll turn around and stand back. Trust me!"
Ignis watched the man obediently turn his back. He really couldn't figure this guy out—so honest, yet so fake at the same time. What a contradiction.
"Damn it..." As soon as Ollie was out of earshot, Nekomata's smile vanished. "All that running around, and I still didn't manage to find out his real identity or purpose."
"This is driving me crazy!" she groaned, tugging her hair. "Once we leave the Hollow, we'll probably never see him again!"
Seeing her frustration, Ignis decided to remind her. "Don't use violence. That guy's not simple—trying to beat answers out of him will only get you lies."
Phaethon agreed, trying to calm the agitated cat. "Nekomata, relax. Think of another way. Didn't you have similar problems back when you were in the street gangs?"
The Proxy's words seemed to spark something. Nekomata's twin tails swished thoughtfully—then suddenly straightened.
"Speaking of gangs…" Her eyes narrowed. "It's time to use my sealed technique. Watch closely."
Ignis had no idea what that meant, but judging by her sneaky movements toward Ollie's back, it probably wasn't good.
With a deft motion, Nekomata reached into Ollie's bag. Swoosh—her hand flashed like a thief's art—and came out holding a wallet.
That's her big idea...?
Ignis remembered Anby complaining once that Nekomata had pickpocketed her during a mission. Seeing it in person, the Fire-Sight finally understood why—that Thiren's silent movements were almost impossible to detect.
Proudly, Nekomata dashed back and waved the wallet at Ignis and Phaethon. "Easy catch! Haven't done anything this thrilling since joining the Cunning Hares!"
"Let's see what treasures our so-called 'corporate guide' Ollie's been carrying…" she muttered, opening it.
Inside gleamed a pair of handcuffs. For a moment, Nekomata's brain froze.
"What's this? Looks like… handcuffs?"
No need to guess—they were handcuffs. Ignis bit back a sigh.
"Didn't expect Ollie to have that kind of hobby," Phaethon teased.
"Wait." Another Phaethon's voice came from within Eous. "Fairy just detected a serial number on the cuffs—matches the New Eridu Public Security registry."
Ignis squinted—sure enough, there was an official code engraved there.
"Eh? That's Public Security issue?" Nekomata's eyes widened—even a thief fears the law.
Before they could decide what to do, Ollie turned around, apparently unable to wait any longer.
"Uh, Miss Nekomata? Mister Ignis? Proxy?" His tone was polite, but his trembling legs betrayed alarm. "Are you done? I think I heard Ethereal noises…"
Before finishing, his eyes caught the wallet and handcuffs in Nekomata's hands. He instinctively patted his pocket—empty.
"AAAH!" He yelled, lunging to grab his belongings. But Nekomata was far too nimble—with a twist, she dodged, and Ollie tumbled to the ground.
Ignis reached down and helped him up. Ollie nodded gratefully before turning to Nekomata again.
"My hand…" he began, then hastily corrected himself. "Uh, I mean—"
"Ollie!" Nekomata barked, making him jolt upright. "Explain yourself! Why do you have Public Security handcuffs?"
"Uh… I found them!" Ollie stammered. Ignis could only shake his head. That's your excuse? Official cuffs aren't something you just 'find.'
Now the irony was complete—the thief interrogating her victim, who could only squirm under the guilt.
"'Found them,' huh…" Nekomata crouched, tilting her head to meet his eyes. "Then I guess I can relax, nyaa…"
Ollie opened his mouth to reply, but Nekomata abruptly kicked his knee out from under him.
"OW!" Ollie yelped, collapsing as Nekomata planted a foot on his chest.
"Well, well, Ollie!" she snarled, hands on hips and eyes blazing. "You looked so timid in the Hollow, I thought you were just a petty crook. Didn't think you'd have the guts to steal from Public Security!"
Ignis was about to warn her that maybe the man couldn't have stolen such gear—which meant…
"I thought your commission would be a big score," Nekomata continued, glaring down. "But at this rate, we're lucky if you don't drag us into a mess!"
"'Found' handcuffs, huh. What kind of fool of an officer loses their own cuffs?" she scoffed. "Then again, if you did steal them, that officer must've been useless."
The moment she insulted the law, Ollie's expression changed completely. Gone was the timid, apologetic man—in his place, a serious and determined one.
"Please— don't insult the officers!" he shouted, startling her. "They endure brutal training, sleepless nights, and endless exams—only the best can serve!"
Nekomata froze, stunned by his sudden passion.
"What's with you?" she pressed harder with her foot. "Stop dodging! Who are you really? Why fake a corporate commission?"
Her weight wasn't much, but it still made breathing hard. Yet even then, Ollie's voice held firm. "I… I can't say!"
"Well, aren't you the tough one," she sneered. "Fine, let's see how tough you are when the Ethereals get you."
She scratched her ear lazily. "We killed a lot of their kind on the way in. They'll be thrilled to meet you."
Ollie turned pale, trembling with genuine fear—yet even then, he didn't yield. "I still can't tell you! Even if you feed me to the Ethereal, I won't!"
"What's wrong with this guy?" Nekomata asked, bewildered. "He's terrified, but still refuses to talk?"
"Enough, Nekomata," Ignis said. "He's a Public Security officer."
"What?" She froze, pressing down twice more in disbelief as Ollie coughed painfully. "Him? He's Public Security? They're supposed to be tough!"
Ignis had met only a few—Leonard, Zhu Yuan, Qingyi—all confident and capable. Ollie didn't look the part, but by process of elimination, it fit.
"Nekomata, Ignis is right." Phaethon's voice came from within Eous. "I found the registry entry. The serial number matches."
"Ollie, male, Janus Quarter Public Security, Twelfth Street, Criminal Investigation Special Response Team, Section 4… That's the man you're standing on."
"Wha— what!?" Nekomata jumped back several meters, her voice shooting up an octave. "He's a cop!?"
"Ah, I guess the secret's out," Ollie said, grabbing Ignis's hand to stand up. "Miss Nekomata, please return my things."
Flustered, Nekomata tossed the wallet and cuffs back to him, bowing rapidly. "Sorry, sorry, total misunderstanding! My bad!"
As Ollie tucked his things away, Ignis decided to cut this farce short.
"All right, Ollie, stop teasing her. That's enough," he said firmly. "Nekomata just didn't want us walking into a trap. And you, Ollie—you hid your identity terribly."
"Fine, fine. Miss Nekomata, I won't arrest you," Ollie sighed. "Was my acting really that bad? I thought it was convincing."
"If your goal was to play a coward terrified of Ethereals," said Phaethon's Bangboo, circling him, "then yes—perfectly believable."
Her remark deflated Ollie instantly. "The fear part… wasn't acting," he admitted quietly.
"Then why even be an officer…" Nekomata muttered, keeping her distance as if he might cuff her any second.
"Hahaha…" Ollie gave an awkward laugh. "Well…"
Before the conversation could spiral again, Ignis cut in sharply. "This isn't the place to chat. Proxy, where's the nearest safe exit?"
Called by the giant, Phaethon immediately sent the coordinates to Eous. "Follow me. It's close."