The Joys Of New Eridu!

Within the Hollow, Anby peeked her head around a corner. After making sure no Ethereals were in sight she turned to the other three. "None in sight. And I can't hear that superior Ethereal anymore."

"Uh, great..." With all the grace of a dead fish Billy flopped to the ground, spread out on his back. "It feels like my leg pistons are about to break!"

Anby nodded her head at Billy's words. While she may not have leg pistons, she certainly had grown fatigued having to sprint through the Hollow for the last thirty minutes.

"We should take a break. What do you think, Proxy." The girl looked down at the Bangboo who was quick to respond.

"You two get some rest. I'll take watch." At the confirmation, Anby let out another nod before leaning against a nearby crate.

"There's no need." The three turned to look at the man who had just been standing there in silence. "I don't sense any Ethereals nearby."

"You can... Sense Ethereals? No, wait, before that, who is he supposed to be, manager?"

"Him? Well, he's a uh-"

"I'm a friend of Phaethon." Arthur interrupted Belle before she could speak, giving the two a friendly smile. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Billy Kid and Anby Demara."

"Wait, since when were we friends?!"

"Well I knew your secret identity. If that doesn't make us friends, I don't know what does."

"That's not the point-" Belle let out a sigh of annoyance. "Anyways, onto more important matters, let's focus on getting out first.

""Right/Roger""

With enough stamina restored the two stood up just as an Ethereal's scream cut through the silence.

"I thought you said none were nearby!" Billy turned to Arthur who simple shrugged his shoulders.

"They formed just now."

"It doesn't matter." Anby quickly unsheathed her sword as Billy also took out his revolvers. "Get ready, they're coming-"

"Allow me to handle this." A blur rushed past them, followed by a trail of white flames before the incoming Ethereals were suddenly cleaved cleanly in two. Arthur stood ahead, the katana resting firmly in his grip.

***

Mh, now that I actually pay attention to it. I glance down at my empty palm, curling my fingers into a fist. It was faint, but killing those Ethereals made me stronger. Though, with how weak the amount was I'd probably have to kill thousands before there would be a difference in my strength.

Which, going by RPG logic, the stronger the enemies I kill are, the stronger I get. It also seemed like my sudden ability to sense Ethereals was also a part of it. The radius was about 50 meters, but even that seemed incredibly useful. It also makes me hopeful for any other potential abilities I might get.

I turn my attention towards the trio, holding back the sigh at their rather neutral faces. Seriously, what would it take to be impressed around here. Was everyone's senses just dulled to oblivion! Haa... who cares anymore.

"Would you mind leading the way, Phaethon. I'll be sure to dispose of any Ethereals along the way."

"Right." The Bangboo quickly took lead as the three of us began to follow. "I didn't take you for a fighter."

I shrug in response. "Considering the situation of the world I wouldn't want to be anything else." We'll just ignore my previous plans of dying in an alley.

"I guess that makes sense. Sooo, what's with the white flames." Billy leaned down as we walked, his face getting dangerously close to my katana. With a single thought, the blade burst into said white flames, causing him to shriek and jump away.

"To answer your question, I'm not sure. It's always been like this and I found no reason to complain. Besides, I'll figure it out eventually."

"It has a highly refined craftsmanship," Anby commented off-handedly. "Whoever made it is incredibly talented."

"So they are." I glance down at the blade. To me, it just looked like a regular katana. I guess since It's my first time ever holding or even looking at one I wouldn't be able to tell.

"We're here!" Hearing Belle's voice the three of us looked ahead. In front of us... Was, well, a wall.

"Uh, manager. That's a wall."

"Full speed ahead!"

"W-Wait a minute. Do you want us to smash it down? I don't think I have the firepower for that, are you sure this is the exit." As Billy nervously looked down at the Bangboo as if it had a few screws in it's head loose a second voice came from Eous.

"Don't worry. Just listen to what my sister says."

"That voice... It's the other Phaethon." Billy perked up before growing nervous once more. "Wait, are you sure this is the exit?"

"You know space inside the Hollows is totally distorted. That means..." Wise explained to Billy who nodded along at the words.

"A way out may look like a dead end. But a dead end may also just be a dead end." It was then that Anby spoke up, finishing Wise's explanation with... Whatever the heck that words.

"Uh. Thanks for the explanation, Anby." Billy deadpanned.

Ignoring the antics I walked up to the wall, pressing my hand against the wall. Instead of feeling a sold object my hand phased through it. There was a faint tugging sensation from my arm as if beckoning me forward.

"It seems Phaethon #2 was right." I tug my arm out, turning to face the three.

"It's become a regular Bangboo now." Anby poked Eous, who was not actually Eous and not Belle.

"So it would seem." I walk up and scoop up the Bangboo. Y'know, these guys felt like gelatin in a way. So squishy and round. I can see why these little guys are so popular. I can't help but want to carry it around. "Come along, you two. Your boss awaits you."

The four of us passed through the exit, and unsurprisingly.

"The oppressive weight of Ether is gone."

"We're out... We're finally out! Aha!" Billy spun around, hands spread out in the air.

*Beep, Beep!*

A white car pulled up with a honk, the front seat window rolling down revealing Nicole. "Phaethon got the time and location spot on... Hey, you three! Get in the car!"

"Boss!" As if his day couldn't get any better, the sight of Nicole made him squeal in joy.

***

I feel sick.

As it turns out, despite being able to run faster faster than a car, I'm still subject to getting sick by... Maniac driving. Lesson learned, don't step into a car with Nicole driving ever again.

As the car parked in the parking lot behind the building of Random Play I quickly step out of the car. "Such exceptional driving skills. I felt my heart stop three times."

"Oh hush. We don't have time to be slow." With a huff, she turned to look at the back door just as Belle stepped out. "You're here. Perfect timing."

"That was fast, Nicole. Did you run a red light again?"

Nicole scoffed in response, crossing her arms. "As if. We just passed a normal green light, R255 in the RGB scale."

"Er, Anby, what does an R255 green light look like?" Billy leaned down to whisper to Anby who replied in a blank voice.

"The same color as your jacket." I almost felt bad for the two, only for when it came to her driving of course.

"Ahem, enough about that!" Nicole cleared her throat, quickly changing topics. "In case you might forget, the commission is unfinished. While Billy and Anby may be back, we still need to recover the strongbox."

"Don't worry, we didn't forget." Belle turned her gaze towards the "Can you tell us any information about the Ethereal you encountered."

"I did some research along the way." Anby held up her phone, a picture of the Ethereal they fought on the screen. "The White Star Institute has it registered as Dullahan, a superior Ethereal."

"That's the one!" Billy quickly backed up her claim. "Man, that guy was no joke. That Red Fang dude was unlucky. His Ether corruption must've been pretty intense to turn into such a powerful Ethereal. We didn't get the chance to recover the strongbox before we got extracted... What is exactly is in that box? Is it even worth the effort."

"Mh-hm." Nicole hummed before chuckling lightly, reaching into her cleavage and pulling out a necklace. "We'll find out soon enough. Take a look at this."

Okay, let's add inanimate object towards a list of things I want to be.

"A tooth necklace? For me? I love it." Belle swiped the necklace from Nicole, inspecting it from all angles.

Nicole huffed. "What're you talking about? It's a mini storage device. It's Silver's. I 'borrowed' it from the building before I got out of Fourteenth Street. I noticed it before, he always had it on his person, so it must contain something important!"

I start to drone out the conversation, focusing on other things. Let's see, Once the Cunning Hares enter the Hollow, Phaethon get's hack by whatever there name was. Can't do anything about that, unfortunately... Unless my weird powers want to give me some advanced intelligence?

...

Nothing? Yeah, I thought so. Well, that leaves me to either go into the Hollow with the three and help defeat the Dullahan. It's not like I need to, I mean, I could just go to the HIA to train. Buuuut, if I go with I get to ogle Nicole and Anby. Welp, I don't need more convincing.

"And what about you, Mr. Prophet." Conveniently, I tuned back in just as Nicole started speaking to me. "You've already helped enough as is. I'll be sure to repay my debt."

"No need." I shake my head at her words. "Besides, I'll be coming along with you three."

"...What's your goal?" The girl scrutinized me, trying to figure out my intentions.

"Oh, nothing. I just want to admire the view some more." Using the same words as last time, I watch her process them.

"H-Hmph!" She suddenly crossed her arms, turning away from me. "If you want to do such a thing then a decent payment is required." She strutted to the car. "Billy! Anby! Let's go."

I watch the three get back in the white car before it took off out the parking lot... Did I just successfully flirt?

"Suppose I'll have to go meet them at the Hollow." I turn to Belle, clearing away my current thoughts. "By the way, don't fall for their bluffs,"

"Hm? Whose bluffs?"

"Nothing, nothing." Not bothering to elaborate my words, I simply start walking off. Truly, nothing can ruin this day.