Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

At the moment, the little black cat was lazily perched atop his head.

Of course, a responsibility like this could only fall to him.

Thinking about it now, maybe Zane's Tanuki House really was his true home.

...

Off to the side, Zhu Yuan was dressed in tight-fitting training gear, boxing gloves on her hands as she practiced strikes against a padded dummy.

In the center of the arena, Qingyi stood facing off against Zane.

One wielded a three-section staff. The other, a long, unsharpened sword.

"Hmm... Your stance is flawless—no openings at all. Not bad."

Qingyi nodded slightly as she evaluated Zane's posture, clearly pleased with his progress.

But before she could even finish her sentence, she suddenly flickered forward—lowering her body and dashing ahead at breakneck speed.

Her staff spun smoothly in her hands, sweeping upward. It blocked Zane's sword while threatening his upper body, drawing his attention upward.

Zane's eyes narrowed. He immediately caught her intention. Rather than block, he stepped back twice, evading both the leg sweep and upward strike.

In doing so, he caused her attack to miss entirely—both the lower and upper threats nullified.

"Master, that was totally unfair!"

"Ambushing your student? That's not very masterly of you!"

Qingyi only smiled and continued to press the attack, speaking calmly as she advanced.

"Little disciple, in a real fight, who has time for 'honor'? Don't tell me you still don't get that?"

"There's a lot I could do to you—better stay sharp."

There was a dangerous glint in her eyes that made Zane's stomach drop. That look always meant trouble was coming.

He quickly ran through what just happened—he'd already pulled away, her attacks missed—what else could she possibly—

Weapons—wait!

The moment realization struck, Qingyi moved. With a twist of her wrist, her three-section staff snapped into a solid long staff.

Though only a training weapon, it had been specially modified to suit her fighting style.

Because of how she'd been gripping it, she now held the staff by its end. She raised it, pointing the tip at Zane with a faint smile.

"Disciple, haven't I taught you? Reach equals power."

The extended staff in Qingyi's hands resembled a spear, lunging forward like a striking dragon—straight for Zane's chest.

He had put some distance between them, but not enough. Wanting to keep the fight active, he'd stayed too close—and that was just what Qingyi had planned.

In an instant, the staff slammed into his chest.

Zane felt the blow lift him off the ground. He quickly reacted, bringing his sword down onto the staff to redirect its force downward.

Midair, he twisted his body, letting the momentum flow past him. He landed firmly, regaining his stance.

His face was tense. He should've anticipated Qingyi's change-up—but a moment's impatience had cost him.

If he had stepped just a little farther back, it could've changed everything.

One misstep, and everything flipped.

"Quick reaction, and solid control—definitely my disciple. But…"

Qingyi spun her staff with a flourish, then lowered it with a smile.

"If I had been holding a real spear, you'd be dead."

Zane nodded silently. He knew it was his fault this time and signaled that he'd be more careful going forward.

"Alright then. Let's continue."

Qingyi nodded again—and once more, before finishing her words, she rushed at Zane.

But Zane wasn't falling for the same move twice. Ready and waiting, he blocked her strike and launched a counter.

Once in the zone, Zane didn't treat battle as training—it was pure joy.

He was, after all, someone who relished a good fight.

Qingyi felt similarly—though her enjoyment came from something else.

It was because she was fighting Zane—and because she was teaching her disciple.

The two of them went blow for blow, weapons clashing in midair, figures weaving together and pulling apart. At high speed, they left only streaks behind them.

...

At the edge of the training ground, Seth watched with rapt attention, trying to absorb whatever he could—though clearly, he was struggling to keep up.

Above his head, the little black cat let out a lazy meow.

This guy's head was soft… not bad. Way gentler than Zane, too…

Watching how eager he was, maybe it was worth teaching him a beginner-level Cat Fist Technique. He could be a decent entry-level disciple.

Below, Seth remained laser-focused on Qingyi and Zane's sparring—totally unaware that the cat on his head was thinking about recruiting him...

...

Time ticked by, and the duel neared its conclusion.

"Nice strike!"

As Zane's blade came down in a heavy arc, Qingyi didn't flinch. She transformed her staff back into a three-section form and blocked the attack with the middle segment.

His blade smashed down hard, forcing the segments into a deep curve. Compared to the solid long staff, the flexible three-section form had far weaker defense.

Sensing he was about to win, Zane pressed the advantage—only to see that mischievous smile appear on Qingyi's face again.

His heart dropped.

In a blur, Qingyi twisted both hands, causing the staff to wrap around his sword like a snake. Then—with a sudden yank—she wrenched it away.

The iron chains connecting the segments amplified her force, and before he could react, Zane's sword flew from his hands.

Clang!

It hit the ground just a few steps away.

He moved quickly, trying to retrieve it—but Qingyi wasn't about to let him.

She charged again, pressing the opening.

Without a weapon, Zane was at a clear disadvantage.

Still, thanks to his high "Evasion" and "Health" stats, he weathered the pressure and edged closer to his blade.

Just as he was about to kick the sword up and grab it, Qingyi abandoned her weapon entirely and came in close behind him.

A flash of green.

Qingyi flipped off the ground, both hands planted, and landed cleanly on Zane's shoulders—her legs locking around his neck.

Then, in a tone that was both cheerful and terrifying, she spoke:

"Zane, ready?"

With a strong flex of her core, Qingyi leaned back—and together, they flipped into the air.