Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

Qingyi spoke softly, and Zane gave a small nod.

He understood what she meant—like the organization that researcher belonged to, and those restless figures Trigger once mentioned.

"By the way, senior, what level is a red notice?"

Zane looked at Qingyi curiously. After all, he'd been put on one before, though at the time, he didn't fully understand what it meant.

"A red notice is the highest level of wanted alert the authorities can issue to the public."

Seeing his interest, Qingyi didn't hold back and explained it directly.

"The highest level?"

Zane raised an eyebrow. Just the term 'Sacrificial Ghost' was enough to trigger that? Even without further exposure?

"That's right. That's why Zhu Yuan and I thought your red notice was kind of ridiculous."

Qingyi nodded.

"So what happened after that, senior?"

Zane had met with them on the rooftop back then, so he knew the notice was eventually canceled.

And from what he recalled, that seemed to be Chief Bringer's doing.

"Afterwards... Chief Bringer didn't say much, but I remember there was a big personnel shake-up during those two days. He did mention something in private."

"He said some impatient players had already been forced out."

Recalling that, Qingyi's gaze flickered. At the time, she hadn't thought much of it due to lack of information—but in hindsight, it clearly wasn't simple.

Zane gave a faint smile.

"I see. Got it."

This whole Masked Fool identity...

Maybe it was time to make a bigger scene.

After the conversation about the wanted notice ended, the two fell silent. Each was lost in thought, and the special task force office grew a bit quieter.

Meanwhile, Seth was happily playing with the little black cat. The two got along surprisingly well.

He noticed Qingyi and Zane were having a serious discussion, but didn't bother listening in.

Everyone had their own responsibilities.

His was taking care of the cat.

A few moments later, the door to the task force office opened. Zane looked up—it was Zhu Yuan.

She was drying her damp hair with a white towel, dressed in casual officer's wear, free of gear and gadgets.

"Senior, have you seen my hair dryer?"

She looked to Qingyi and asked.

"Hmm... I think you left it in that personal storage box over there. Check and see if it's still there."

Zhu Yuan nodded and headed over. Her loose, slightly messy hair swayed behind her, with a few vivid red strands standing out.

"Senior, the Public Security Bureau's amenities are seriously top-notch."

"Training ground, showers, break rooms..."

Zane chuckled as he looked at Zhu Yuan.

"Of course! The Criminal Investigation Special Task Force covers not only Janus District but sometimes even assists other regions. With so much on our plate, we need decent perks."

"As the saying goes, to do a good job, you first need the right tools."

Qingyi said it as if it were just common sense.

While they chatted, Zhu Yuan's voice called out again. She was holding her hair dryer with a frown.

"Senior, do we have rats in the bureau?"

"This dryer looks like it got chewed up."

It was broken, and standing around with wet hair was just uncomfortable.

Sure, there were public dryers, and Seth had his own setup too—but she just wasn't used to them.

"Who knows... bring it here, I'll take a look. Maybe I can fix it."

Qingyi looked over and offered.

Zhu Yuan nodded and walked over.

"Too bad. A crucial part's fried—you'll need to replace it. I can't fix this one. Why not ask Zane to give it a try?"

"His Ether energy's pretty handy."

Zane, who'd been lounging lazily nearby, blinked.

"Would that work?"

Zhu Yuan looked at him and asked softly.

"It might, but if I mess up, your hair might catch fire..."

Zhu Yuan hesitated.

Wet and heavy hair was annoying, but not as bad as being bald.

Just imagining herself bald made her want to crawl into a hole.

But then she paused, frowning slightly.

"Zane, are you messing with me on purpose?"

"You were so slick with that magic trick earlier, but now you can't even dry hair?"

Her expression gradually shifted—ready to settle the score.

She had been so amazed before, maybe even a little impressed...

But that wasn't magic—it was straight-up sorcery!

"It'll work! I promise it'll work!"

Seeing the shift in her mood, Zane quickly straightened up.

Once someone started trying to settle accounts, that's when things got really tricky...

...

Evening, Sixth Street.

"Well, you look nice and relaxed. What, Seth pampering you now?"

Zane gave the smug-looking little black cat beside him a sour glance.

He should've told Seth to toughen this guy up a little—not be so gentle.

Now look—his nose was practically pointed at the sky.

"Meow—"

The little black cat meowed nonchalantly.

It had already figured out how to play the fuzzy officer like a fiddle.

Child's play.

Zane, seeing the attitude, just shook his head with a helpless sigh.

"Let's go pick up Panta first. That guy's been playing at the video store so long he's almost forgotten he has a home…"

Just as he was about to head there, a white-haired figure blocked his path.

Soldier 11, fully equipped.

"You're already healed?"

Zane raised an eyebrow.

Before Nekomata had taken the cats from Tanuki House to the orphanage, he'd given Soldier 11 a proper "lesson" to earn a few peaceful days.

She should've needed time to recover, physically and mentally.

After all, if you get your butt kicked, some recovery time is only fair.

But here she was, showing up on the first day he was back.

Had she awakened some hidden trait? This eager? No fear of beatdowns? Healed up and came right back?

Zane had a sneaking suspicion—maybe she hadn't skipped battle at the orphanage because she needed rest, but because she couldn't find him.

But before he could finish the thought, Soldier 11 shook her head gravely and said,

"Night's End, this time it's something more important."

Zane's mouth twitched.

"Can you please stop making up random nicknames for me…"