Zenless Zone Zero: Gacha Master

"Damnation, Biboo, Noo-Noo?"

Sol looked at the tiny Bangboo and uttered the names he had racked his brains to come up with.

These names sounded like fun, though he wasn't sure if this little one could ever learn the Teletubbies Song.

"These sound very amusing, but they don't seem to suit me." True Beelzebul looked troubled. "Why not call me Baal? Would that be alright?"

When it came to Sol's naming sense, there were truly no words.

Although she didn't have high demands for a new name, something like Damnation was simply too out there.

"Baal, that one isn't bad."

Sol was a little disappointed, though—he had really wanted to raise a little garden baby that went around saying Biboo all day.

But out of respect for his little pet, he accepted Baal as the name.

"Huu~" Baal let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Master, for your understanding."

"Well then, now that the naming is done, let your master check your body!" Sol scooped up the small Bangboo and began kneading its chubby little face with both hands.

"Gentler, Master!"

Baal felt the tugging on her face with a hint of helplessness.

After quite some time, Sol reluctantly released his grip. "Baal, what exactly is your body like? Is it flesh, or is it mechanical?"

To his perception, Baal's body was soft and fleshy.

It felt like what he imagined Paimon's texture to be, not the hardness of machinery.

"I suppose I count as a bionic machine for now. I can't do anything strange."

Baal said this with a smile.

"I wasn't planning to do anything strange anyway."

Sol spoke with a matter-of-fact look.

Baal couldn't help but smile.

Sol also smiled. "It's not strange if I hug my Bangboo to sleep at night, right?"

"…"

Baal's smile disappeared.

The request was perfectly reasonable, but sleeping next to a man was truly a trial for her.

Even if she was just a little Bangboo now, even if Sol was her master.

"Today's mood is really great."

Having gained a new pillow, Sol happily brought Baal over to the Cunning Hares' hideout next door.

And the moment Nicole and the others laid eyes on the little Baal, their eyes widened in shock.

"Baal, this is Nicole, Anby, and Billy. They're all my friends." Sol introduced them one by one. "This is Baal, my new Bangboo."

"I am Baal. Please take care of me from now on."

Baal gave the three a cute little bow.

Billy curiously studied the humanoid Bangboo, rubbing his chin. "This Bangboo's intelligence module seems very advanced."

Anby too stared at Baal with great interest. "Bangboos of this humanoid type are rare indeed. She looks a lot like that officer Qingyi from Public Security."

"Is this Bangboo a new model from the Marcel Group? She's so cute!"

Nicole pressed her hands to her cheeks, her eyes turning into hearts.

She swore she had never seen such an adorable Bangboo before.

That soft, tender little face, that silky smooth lavender hair—she just wanted to pet her endlessly.

"Little Bangboo, let big sis give you a proper checkup!"

Nicole, lovestruck, stretched out her wicked hand toward Baal.

Bzzzt!

Sparks burst from Baal's body, discharging midair onto Nicole's hand.

This woman wanted to touch her? Impossible!

No matter how gentle she could be, she would never allow mortals to infringe on the dignity of the Raiden Shogun.

Of course, Master Sol was an exception—she couldn't do anything about him.

"Ow!" Nicole yanked back her hand instantly, staring blankly at the little Baal. "Sol, is she leaking electricity?"

"Not at all. She's just a bit shy and doesn't like being touched by outsiders."

Sol rubbed Baal's small head and said with a smile to Nicole.

Even he had been a little surprised by Nicole's behavior just now. You're supposed to be money-loving Nicole, not Grace the machine pervert!

"Then why can you touch her?"

Nicole protested angrily.

Sol could touch her, but she couldn't? What kind of nonsense rule was that?

"Because I am kind."

Sol said offhandedly.

"You're kind my ass!" Nicole shot him a glare. "Out with it—where did you get such a treasure?"

"Don't underestimate Baal just because she's small. Her strength is quite formidable." Sol told the three, "If danger arises, she might even save your lives."

Although Baal wasn't a battle-maniac god like her sister, her power was not to be ignored.

Even as a Bangboo, she was far stronger than the Cunning Hares trio.

After all, she had granted Sol the ability Electromagnetic Control LV5. Naturally, she possessed that herself.

"Leave the fighting to us." Nicole pouted, refusing to believe a Bangboo could be all that powerful. "Does she have any other functions?"

Though Bangboos had some combat ability, compared to humans they were still too far behind.

"She does have other functions."

"Baal, give Billy a charge!"

Sol issued the command.

"Alright, no problem."

Baal nodded, and from her Bangboo hands a stream of bluish-white electricity arced into Billy.

"Eh! This Bangboo can actually discharge electricity!" Billy's body jolted, every nerve tingling with pleasure. "This current—why does it taste so delicious?"

Compared to hydroelectric or thermal power, the electricity from this Bangboo was unbelievably delightful. He felt overflowing with energy.

What's more, her control over electricity was highly advanced—perfectly tuned to the frequency of his own. It was astonishing!

"Billy, how does it feel?"

Nicole and Anby both looked on curiously.

"Fantastic." Billy rubbed his body all over. "I'm fully charged now!"

"That's quite useful. Saves us from buying Billy batteries in the future."

Nicole nodded, deeply satisfied with Baal's skill.

"Baal's use goes far beyond this. You'll understand in time." Sol patted Baal's head, smiling. "If danger comes when I'm not around, you can ask her for help."

"That's right. If anyone's in danger, you may call on me." Baal said calmly. "I may not be skilled in combat, but striking down some petty villains is no problem."

"She really does seem like a Bangboo who's both adorable and capable."

Anby, Nicole, and Billy all mused in thought.

If Sol had said it once, they'd take it as a joke.

But he emphasized Baal's strength repeatedly, and with the way she discharged electricity…

Maybe this Bangboo was truly formidable.

Still, they couldn't quite understand it. Even with illegal modifications, how could a Bangboo be that powerful?

Just as the Cunning Hares were getting familiar with Baal, the doorbell rang.

Billy opened the door as usual. Outside stood over a dozen elites in suits, briefcases in hand.

Among them, one pair stood out in particular: a red-haired little loli and a burly bear wearing a giant gold chain.

"Good morning, everyone." A bespectacled man with gold-rimmed glasses greeted them warmly. "Newly appointed ACE Investigator of the Hollow Investigative Association, Sol Mercer. It is an honor to meet you for the first time!"