[Ding! New favorability target detected.]
[Name: Anby]
[Gender: Female]
[Charm Value: 94]
[Unique Traits: She doesn't show much emotion on her face, likes to analyze things seriously, and has a surprisingly sense of humor.]
[Hobbies: Eating hamburgers, the more the better, and watching movies.]
[Current Status: Tired.]
[Current Favorability toward Host: 62]
[Evaluation: Diligent and dependable, she is the backbone of the team. Her hobbies are simple, but she has a big appetite, and her expression is almost always calm. Perhaps you should test something...]
[Inner Thoughts: Nicole asking Phaethon for help this time will probably push Cunning Hare's budget into the red again this month.]
After checking the panel with Anby's information, Wise nodded, though a trace of confusion his face.
'System, why isn't Billy's panel appearing?'
[Ding! Although this is the Almighty Incubus System, it only shows the favorability of those of the opposite sex toward the Host. However, if the Host wishes, the system can upgrade and display it now.]
'Uh, no need, thanks.'
The three of them chatted during their break until a beast-like roar echoed from nearby.
"That's the sound of an Ethereal."
"No way! They found us already? I was just about to lie down!"
Billy rubbed his head in frustration, while Anby sat beside him, delivering a dark joke with complete seriousness.
"You can choose to lie here and stay forever. Next year, I'll put the new Starlight Knight belt on your grave."
"Please don't say things like that with a straight face. I can't even tell if you're serious or joking," Billy said, his tone tinged with annoyance, while Wise couldn't help but find Anby's way of speaking quite amusing.
"I think it's really interesting. Every time we work together, it feels like I'm watching a stand-up comedy show. I like it."
[Ding! Target: Anby has increased her favorability toward the host by 5. Her current favorability is now 67.]
"Could this be why you let Nicole keep running up the tabs?" Anby asked.
"Hmm, that's part of it," Wise answered plainly.
"Uh… hearing that, Proxy, I somehow don't feel very happy."
Billy looked a bit dumbfounded.
'How can a robot show so much expression? He truly lives up to being a creation of lost technology from an unknown origin,' Wise thought, observing him closely.
"Anyway, we need to move before the Ethereal catches up. Let's run for it!" Billy shouted, and he and Anby took off in perfect sync.
As for Wise, who was still possessing Eous, he was scooped up and carried in Anby's arms for convenience.
'Mmm, her soft little belly feels even better than I imagined...'
Wise, comfortably held in Anby's arms, couldn't resist poking it with his tiny hands, but the gesture quickly made her react.
"Hmm… Proxy, could you try not to move much? It tickles."
"Uh, sorry, I just wanted to get a better grip."
"Then hold on to my clothes instead."
"Uh, alright, no problem." Wise clung to Anby's clothes as they made their way toward the exit.
Along the path, they encountered several Ethereals, but Anby and Billy dispatched them without any trouble.
After leaving the Hollow, the two of them ran into Nicole, who had come to pick them up. She looked a little surprised at just how accurate the exit location she had received was.
Once the Cunning Hares were back together, they carried Eous back to the Video Store, driving at full speed.
According to Nicole, they had passed through a normal green light with an R-value of 255, which in reality meant they had run a red light.
"Nicole, we rescued your people. Are you going to pay your debts now?" Belle asked, her voice teasing slightly.
"Wait, this isn't over yet! My commission was to both save my people and retrieve my client's item, and only the first half is done," Nicole replied, giving them a sharp look.
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten."
Wise had no intention of going back on his word. On one hand, it would hurt his credibility, and on the other, that safe contained the super AI, Fairy.
"Based on the evacuation reports, the client's safe is currently within the range of a dangerous Ethereal. The Ethereal guide classifies it as a Dullahan, a High-level threat."
Anby provided the intelligence and analysis.
Next to her, Billy said, "That's right, that's the one! The Red Fang Gang boss was unlucky and got corrupted by highly potent Ether, turning him into this monster."
That Ethereal was incredibly strong. Even Billy and Anby together couldn't defeat it, and whatever was hidden inside the safe only made their curiosity grow.
After Billy asked about it, Nicole pulled out a special beast tooth necklace and handed it to Wise and Belle.
The moment Belle saw it, her eyes lit up.
"A tooth ornament necklace? Is it really for me? I'm so happy!"
"What are you talking about? I found this in the Red Fang Gang's building back then. It belonged to Miguel Silver, the gang's boss. There's a USB drive inside, and I'm pretty sure it contains a lot of important information, including details about that safe," Nicole explained.
"Ah? So it wasn't for me? That's so disappointing," Belle said, pouting.
"Come on, Belle, don't be upset. If you really want one, I'll get you one later," Wise said, trying to cheer up the slightly dejected girl.
"Really? Thank you, brother, you're the best!" Belle said, happily hugging Wise.
Seeing this, Nicole couldn't hold back any longer and made her request.
In short, she asked them to use the HDD system at the store to analyze the data on the USB drive, while the three members of Cunning Hares continued collecting information about the Hollow.
However, before parting, Nicole approached Wise, clearly intending to ask for a discount. But Anby didn't follow the plan and instead read aloud the content in the parentheses on the script.
It was shocking because the Cunning Hares boss, Nicole, had wanted her female subordinate to fake cry over something like this.
In the end, Wise still gave them a discount on the commission fee. After all, he wasn't short on that small amount of money. He even ended up gaining some Emotional Value and favorability.
[Ding! Target: Nicole has increased her favorability toward the Host by 2. Her current favorability is now 70.]
As expected, giving this discount was definitely the easiest way to raise Nicole's favorability.
'Now let me check what new products have been added to the Emotional Value Store after meeting Anby.'
[Current Emotional Value: 648 points]
[Updated Products:]
[Anby's Favorite Hamburger (includes recipe): 500 Emotional Value]
[Lightning-Element Short Sword: 640 Emotional Value]