Zenless Zone Zero: Gacha Master

"Senior, your analysis makes a lot of sense." Zhu Yuan nodded gravely. "I'll report this to Central right away, and launch an immediate investigation into Vision Corporation."

This concerned hundreds of lives. She absolutely could not just stand by.

"Zhu Yuan, wait." Qingyi stopped her, speaking in a low voice. "What I said just now was only a hypothesis. If Vision Corporation suddenly achieved some major technological breakthrough, then saving ten billion in costs wouldn't be impossible."

"And if Sol is telling the truth, then the Municipal Authority itself is deeply suspicious. After all, it was them who verified Vision's demolition plan."

"If we report directly to Central, it will most likely sink without a trace. Even if they open an investigation, they might just issue a fake safety report."

New Eridu had its own national conditions. In a post-apocalyptic era, conglomerates were not something the Security Bureau could investigate at will.

Even if Vision Corporation wasn't part of the TOPS Alliance, it was not the kind of company that could be toppled by vague intelligence.

Who knew? The moment the Bureau filed a case, Vision might trigger the demolition—leaving no witnesses, no evidence.

Zhu Yuan stopped in her tracks, frowning. "Then what should we do, Senior?"

"My view is we investigate first. If it turns out to be nothing, all the better." Qingyi's expression hardened. "But if it's true, then we gather decisive evidence—evidence Vision cannot deny."

"Alright, let's do it that way!" Zhu Yuan nodded firmly. "Procedures aside, there's no time to care about that now."

"Seems I'll be writing another self-critique… I'd better download the latest format in advance." Qingyi began loading data into her storage unit.

"But Canvas Street is cut off by a Hollow. If we investigate privately, we won't be able to access the Bureau's Radish data. That's another problem."

Reality blocked Zhu Yuan just as she was about to act.

"What's so difficult? To untie the bell, you need the one who tied it." Qingyi shook her head with a hint of amusement. "The lead came from Sol. We can just ask him for help. He's got his own Proxy resources."

"That's true. Still, we should ask his opinion first." Zhu Yuan nodded, sending Sol a message.

[Zhu Yuan: Sol, due to some special reasons, we can't report this to Central immediately. We need to privately obtain evidence first, then bring Vision down. So please help us. I promise you'll be well rewarded—the Bureau's entire bonus will go to you.]

[Sol Mercer: Huh?]

He had intended to toss this problem to the Security Bureau, but somehow it had come back to him again.

[Zhu Yuan: If you don't have time right now, I'll think of another way.]

[Sol Mercer: No, I've got time. Let's investigate together.]

If he had to go alone, he'd be like a kitten trying to bite a turtle—nowhere to start.

But with friends alongside him, guest-starring as Detective Holmes didn't sound so bad. He could treat it as a side hustle.

[Zhu Yuan: Where are you? I'll drive over. Also, do you have a reliable Proxy? Since this is off the record, we can't access the Bureau's Carrot data.]

[Sol Mercer: Hmm… just pick me up at the Cunning Hares' Universal Agency.]

He only knew two Proxies: the cute but eccentric Belle, and his frail but stubborn brother-in-law Wise.

Belle would probably agree to help.

But to avoid exposing her identity, he'd first have to bring in Eous.

Zhu Yuan calculated the distance, then typed back: Twenty minutes.

At the Cunning Hares' office—

"Who were you chatting with just now?" Nicole asked.

"Officer Zhu Yuan. She needs my help on a case." Sol replied casually. "Want to come? I feel like a Cunning Hares–Security Bureau joint op would be pretty big."

"No, no, no! If you can handle it, then go by yourself."

Nicole's head shook like a rattle drum.

Even after a few interactions with Zhu Yuan, she had no interest in mixing with the Security Bureau. If her little black-on-black secrets ever leaked, she'd be finished.

"Alright then. Wait for my good news. I might bring back a big job later."

"Good luck—I'll be waiting!"

Sol nodded, preparing to head out and find Belle.

The "big job" he referred to was, of course, representing the people of Canvas Street in court.

Waste not, want not. Since he was personally intervening to save them, he might as well pocket the benefits too.

Baal also wanted to follow, but Sol firmly left her behind. Later, he'd need to carry Eous. Adding Baal on top would be too cumbersome.

Besides, he had all the time in the world to hug Baal. Opportunities to hug Eous were rarer.

Before long, Sol arrived at the video store and explained the situation. Belle and Wise agreed immediately.

The siblings were kind-hearted, and naturally couldn't stomach Vision's cruelty.

Though working with the Security Bureau carried risk, with Sol around, it was acceptable.

Soon enough, Sol was standing outside the Cunning Hares' office with Eous in his arms, waiting for Zhu Yuan and Qingyi to arrive.

Belle had already taken over Eous's body.

"Didn't expect this from you. Who knew you had such a kind heart?" she teased.

"Heh. Isn't it only natural?" Sol smirked. "I'm the greatest philanthropist of the century."

"Tch." Eous scoffed, then asked, "Why'd you come alone? Didn't bring Nicole and the others to help?"

"I can handle this myself. Besides, Nicole doesn't feel comfortable working with the Bureau." Sol explained.

"Well, I don't feel comfortable working with them either. What then?"

Belle admitted uneasily.

After all, the Bureau still had a sign in its lobby: Rewards for reporting Proxies.

"Bear with it."

Sol's tone was flat.

Truthfully, he didn't see why Belle had any issue with Bureau agents. In the main story, this little rascal blew her cover constantly, playing the self-destruct card without hesitation.

"Unbelievable, Sol! Playing favorites!" Belle grumbled. "You accommodate Nicole's discomfort, but mine you just tell me to 'bear with it'? Have you forgotten who used to game with you all night?"

"Of course I remember. You played Snake vs. Snake for a whole day, and still didn't score as high as I did in a single run." Sol recalled.

He had once played for ten minutes straight, racking up a hundred million points—stopping only because he didn't feel like continuing.

Belle had played the entire day, and barely reached a hundred million combined.

"Damn it! Once this job's done, I'll bite you to death!"

Belle fumed, teeth grinding.

"Bite away. Just make sure to do it separately."

Sol teased with a grin.

"Why you! Sol, are you trying to flirt?!"

Belle used Ies's tiny fists to pummel Sol's chest.

Meanwhile, inside the video store, Wise watched his little sister in confusion.

Flirting? Was Sol actually flirting?

He hadn't noticed anything.

Without realizing it, his sister had already turned filthy-minded beyond recognition.

Just as Eous flailed in Sol's arms, a Security Bureau car drifted around the corner, screeching to a stop beside them.

Qingyi leaned out of the window with a chuckle.

"Sol, we haven't even started on Vision's major case, and already we have to deal with your little Bangboo kidnapping case."