Nekomata was speechless.
Just like the rumors said—Hare's House really had no credibility.
They had clearly reached an agreement, and after all the trouble of bringing them to the entrance of the Dead End Hollows, they suddenly wanted to back out.
The whole plan ground to a halt.
Gritting her teeth, Nekomatadecided to raise the stakes.
"Strength in numbers. To recover the family heirloom, I'm willing to offer an additional 300,000 Dennies to hire Sam Li for the job."
That was already a generous offer.
If Nicole still refused, Nekomata would have no more cards to play.
Nicole kept shaking her head.
"It's not about how much Dennies you're offering. It's about my employees' safety. No matter how much you pay, I won't gamble with their lives."
Ahead of them lay the Dead End Hollows.
And within them, the notorious Ethereal—the Butcher of the Dead End.
In this district, who didn't know of that name?
Even Nicole, Anby, and Billy knew that if they encountered the Butcher, their only option would be to run.
And Sam Li? He wasn't even trained for combat.
Seeing Nicole reject the offer so firmly, both Anby and Billy gave her looks of approval. Only Nekomatalooked frustrated.
They were just one step away—
and now they wouldn't go in?
What now? Should she forget about Sam Li and trick just Nicole and the others into entering?
While Nekomatawas racking her brain...
Sam Li looked at her, then at Nicole and the others, and calmly spoke.
"Nicole, Anby, Billy—don't worry about me. Let me come with you. I promise, nothing will happen."
From Nekomata's behavior and words, Sam Li had already sensed something was off.
He didn't know exactly what she was planning, but to ensure Nicole and the others' safety, he had to go with them.
he was also curious to see just how tough this Butcher of the Dead End everyone kept talking about really was.
As soon as Sam Li finished speaking, Nekomata grinned.
"See? Even Sam Li agrees, meow."
Billy covered his face.
"Sam Li, what are we gonna do with you? I don't want to underestimate you, but the Butcher is seriously powerful. That little frame of yours... he could flatten you with a single punch."
Nekomataquickly countered,
"Who says we'll even run into the Butcher? His territory isn't that large, and the Red Fang Gang's base isn't within it. Don't worry, meow—he won't show up."
Seeing that Sam Li and Nekomatawere set on going,
Nicole hesitated for a moment... then finally gave in.
"Alright. We'll do as Sam Li said. Let's move!"
Inside the Dead End Hollows.
As they ventured deeper, the Ether density increased noticeably.
In such a high-Ether environment,
even Billy—a robot—felt a weird stuffiness around his facial intake ports.
But to everyone's surprise,
Sam Li didn't show the slightest discomfort the entire time.
Was that A-Class W-Engine really that good?
Nicole, Anby, and Billy didn't think too much of it.
Only Nekomata knew the truth: Sam Li was strong—much stronger than he looked.
She kept sneaking glances at him, quietly raising her assessment of his abilities.
"Looks like I really underestimated him..."
Billy caught her muttering.
"What did you just say?"
Nekomataquickly covered.
"I said, just a bit further ahead and we'll reach the Red Fang Gang's last base..."
This time, she wasn't lying—the path they were on really did lead to the outpost.
What Nekomataactually wanted was to guide them into the Butcher's territory.
After thinking for a moment, her eyes lit up.
Then she suddenly yelped,
"What are you yelling about? Don't go startling us like that. You'll draw the Butcher's attention."
Nekomataquickly explained,
"I saw a little girl run past—really! She had a ponytail and was wearing blue... We can't just leave her to die."
At first, no one believed her.
But her description was so detailed, it didn't seem like a lie.
Billy thought it over.
"So you want us to go save her?"
Anby added, serious as ever.
"Just to clarify—that's not part of the commission."
"What's that supposed to mean? You're just going to stand by and let a little girl die? Guess the rumors are true—Hare's House really is cold-blooded, meow."
Anby seemed lost in thought. She didn't argue—just went quiet.
Seeing their hesitation,
"Don't worry, I won't make you save her for nothing. I'll pay you extra Dennies as a reward, meow."
But before she could even finish—
"No need for a reward. No commission either. We're getting that girl out."
"Exactly. Anby was just testing you with a little movie-script moment. Didn't expect you to be so kindhearted—putting a girl's life above your family heirloom. You're a good cat, Nekomata. As your agents, we're genuinely proud."
"I swear, I can't deal with you guys. Alright, let's go."
Nekomata's face lit up with shock.
That worked... so easily?
She had come prepared with all kinds of tactics—guilt-tripping, tempting with Dennies, threatening with commission fees—yet in the end, she didn't use a single one.
Watching the backs of Nicole, Anby, Billy, and Sam Li as they walked ahead,
Nekomata froze in place, momentarily at a loss.
Maybe... they weren't as cold-blooded as she'd imagined.
At the very least, they weren't the heartless villains the forums made them out to be. Judging from their actions just now, they didn't seem like bad people at all—more like genuinely good ones.
a pang of guilt suddenly hit her.
She'd spun so many lies, laid so many traps—just to lure these agents she barely knew into the Dead End to get revenge for White Boss, to rid New Eridu of a so-called threat.
But... was that really the right thing to do?
Nicole's voice called from up ahead.
"Nekomata! What are you doing spacing out? Hurry up—we have to save the girl!"
Snapping out of it, Nekomata hurried after them.
"Coming! You guys are too fast, meow!"
"You're just too slow."
"Slow? Says who! Nekomians are speed specialists! Want to race, meow?"
Anby and Nekomataburst into a sprint, fast as lightning.
"Wait for me! You can't have a speed contest without me!"
Nicole was exasperated.
"This is a commissioned mission—quit fooling around!"
They ran a long way, trying to find the girl Nekomatahad mentioned. But instead of finding her, they ended up attracting a few ordinary Ethereals.
Suddenly, Nekomatacried out,
"Look! The girl's over there!"
After chasing for a while,
everyone began to suspect Nekomatahad been lying again. There was no little girl—there wasn't even a shadow.
Nicole sat down on a rock, panting.
"Nekomata, are you sure you're not lying to us?"
"O-of course not! I'd never lie! Cats are way too cute to lie, meow!"
"Correction: cute things can still be deceptive."
Just as everyone began to question her...
Billy looked up—and there she was. A little girl with a braid, just like Nekomatahad described, standing in the ruins ahead.
"Look! She's right there! Hey, don't run—we're here to help!"
"Billy, don't scare her."
"Meow! There really is a little girl!"
As professional agents, Anby, Billy, and the others easily caught up and pulled the girl out of the Ethereal swarm.
Billy, doing his best Star Emblem Knight impression, gently patted the girl on the shoulder.
"There, there—it's okay now. You must've been terrified, lost here all alone. But fear not—the Star Emblem Knight is here to rescue you..."
Before he could finish,
BAM—a punch landed squarely on his face.
The little girl drew back her fist, glaring.
"Who's rescuing who?! If I hadn't lured you here, you'd have been monster chow by now!"
Nicole raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Hey now, little one—no hitting people."
"There's only one 'big monster' that fits the bill around here."
"You mean... the Butcher of the Dead End?"
Sam Li suddenly turned toward the massive door behind them.
A thunderous impact shook the ground beneath their feet.
"Was that an earthquake?!"
"No—look behind you! That thing's massive—it's an Ethereal—"
"It's the big monster! I told you not to make noise! Of course it heard! Now we're all gonna die—"
"It's the Butcher of the Dead End! It's huge! Anby, Billy, Sam Li, Nekomata—run!"
The moment Nicole laid eyes on the Butcher,
any thought of resistance vanished. Only one instinct remained: grab her team and the girl—and get the hell out.