Zenless Zone Zero: Gacha Master

"Sol Mercer really does have some ability."

The cat licked her little paws, murmuring with some gravity, "That look in his eyes just now… even I got scared, meow!"

She had roamed the streets for years, seeing all kinds of gangs.

But someone as terrifying as Sol Mercer—this was her first time.

Just from that look in his eyes earlier, she couldn't even move, meow!

"Just his presence alone is so fierce… as expected of the evil freak from the Cunning Hares!"

Ever since hearing the news of Miguel Silver's death, she had wanted to avenge him. After all, Miguel had once taken her in, treated her as a disciple. Back then, Miguel was still a kind man.

Unfortunately, later Miguel was corrupted by profit, and she left the Red Fang Gang rather than follow along.

But even after leaving, she still remembered the kindness Miguel had shown.

When she learned of his death, she instinctively wanted revenge.

Still, since Miguel wasn't exactly a good man, she planned to investigate first.

If the killer was a good person, then Miguel had simply been punished by heaven's justice—she wouldn't interfere.

If the killer was a bad person, then she would stage a black-on-black strike to avenge Miguel.

After scouring the Inter-Knot forums and doing her own scouting, she confirmed it—Miguel's death had to be avenged.

She found that the Cunning Hares often engaged in black-on-black schemes, swallowed clients' goods, and frequently abandoned commissions for no reason.

Ninety percent of the reviews on the forums were negative. The rare five percent positive were clearly from the green-headphones shill accounts.

She quickly concluded this was a rotten, festering force of evil.

A cunning, sly pink-haired demon.

A cold, heartless girl wearing green-headphones.

A violent red machine of overwhelming firepower.

And worst of all, Sol Mercer—the most terrifying, the most wicked, the one whose very presence screamed he had killed countless people.

Rumor said he relied on his strength to force countless innocent girls.

Killing such an evil power to avenge Miguel would be no burden to her conscience.

"But Sol Mercer is so strong… maybe not even the Dead End Butcher could deal with him."

The cat leaned against the wall, deeply troubled. 'What should I do, meow!'

She had seen the footage of Sol—slaughtering hundreds of Ethereals alone. It was shocking.

Normally, that was nothing more than the level of a Defense Force's Autonomous Assault Unit - Guardian MK III. She believed Dead End Butcher could crush that.

But after seeing Sol's presence just now, her fantasy was shattered again.

With that kind of aura, his strength had to be far greater than she imagined.

Even if Sol couldn't outright defeat the Dead End Butcher, he could certainly stall him long enough for the rest of the Cunning Hares to escape.

She estimated—it would take at least two Dead End Butchers to bring down Sol.

But where could she find two Dead End Butchers to besiege him?

'Forget it. If I can't deal with him, then I'll just skip him.'

After thinking hard and failing to find a way to kill Sol, the cat gave up on taking down the entire Cunning Hares in one strike.

"As long as Sol isn't there, the rest of them are no match for Dead End Butcher."

"Wiping out those other three pests is still a huge service. Miguel's vengeance would be settled."

The cat quickly settled on her plan.

Find a moment when Sol wasn't around, lure the Cunning Hares into the Dead End Hollow, and destroy them.

The only pity was that the worst villain, Sol Mercer, she couldn't touch.

Damn it… was it really true that good people die young, and villains live a thousand years?

As she lamented the injustice of heaven, the cat continued lurking around the Cunning Hares' hideout, waiting for her chance.

…

Meanwhile, inside the Cunning Hares—

"Anby, go buy some good lunch from 141 Grocery. Don't spend too much denny."

"Billy, head to the toy shop and get some maintenance materials for the W-Engine. My case needs upkeep. And remember—don't buy expensive ones!"

Nicole gave her orders.

"Got it, Nicole."

"No problem, Boss Nicole!"

Anby Demara and Billy Kid left the Cunning Hares, splitting up.

Now only Nicole, Sol, and Baal were left inside.

Nicole looked at Sol, sparks in her eyes.

Baal, on the other hand, sat back to enjoy the show—today was really entertaining.

"Sol~ oniisan~"

"Sol~ oniisan~"

Nicole deliberately pitched her voice, mimicking Koleda Belobog's tone.

Then, with a serious face, imitating Sol, she said solemnly, "I've decided to work with Belobog Heavy Industries. I trust their credibility."

Though it had been her idea to begin with, now she felt a little sour.

"What's wrong, my little sister?"

Sol chuckled, unable to help himself.

"Nothing. Just… do you really like that way of talking?"

Nicole's jealousy was practically steaming.

"I do. Koleda's coy resistance was very cute."

Sol admitted openly. "Besides, wasn't it you who gave her that idea? Why are you jealous now?"

"How did you know?"

Nicole stared wide-eyed at Sol.

She remembered clearly—when she messaged Koleda, she'd been alone.

"It's written all over your face, how could I not know? Well done, Nicole. But teaching an outsider to milk me for benefits—tell me, what punishment do you deserve?"

He didn't believe for a second that Koleda would casually call someone "oniisan". That proud little loli found it hard enough to call someone "oneesan".

Only Nicole, who knew his preferences and wanted to push the cooperation through, could have set that up.

"T-this, I…"

Nicole stammered helplessly.

Sol held out his hand. "Hand it over."

"What?" Nicole blinked in confusion.

"The red envelope Koleda promised you. Split it with me half and half, that's fair, right?"

"Ah! That's not true!"

"It's late already—I'm going for a nap!"

Nicole fled in a panic back to her room.

"Hmph. Trying to play me?"

Sol smirked with disdain.

A little jealousy like that—he could crush it effortlessly.

At that moment, after enjoying the whole show, Baal mimicked Koleda's tone as well. "Sol~ oniisan~"

"Oh-ho, daring to tease your master? Unlike Nicole, you can't run away."

Sol arched a brow, scooped up the Raiden Shogun Bangboo, and mercilessly rubbed her.

Little Baal, completely in the palm of his hand!