Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

He turned again toward the little black cat on the ground, crouching down and looking at it seriously.

"Little one, I know you can find the way out of the Hollows. Stay with the children—lead them out!"

"You like having fun, right? Do this for me, and I'll take you on even more exciting adventures later."

A faint blue light shone in Zane's eyes, bright and dazzling. The space within the Hollows was distorted—without a Proxy, they could only rely on luck or force their way out if they held on long enough.

But neither option was suitable for the children.

The little black cat was, without a doubt, their best chance.

As if understanding him, the little black cat let out a soft meow, its amber eyes gleaming as it accepted Zane's task.

More fun things?

This cat won't refuse!

It immediately began directing the other cats, helping Siena calm the children as they made their way toward the truck.

"Zane, aren't you coming with us?"

Nicole came up to him. She trusted Zane's strength and wasn't worried about his safety—but if he went with them, their chances of making it out would be much higher.

She understood her own limits. Alone, she had no guarantee of success. But with Zane around, the sense of security was incomparable.

"Nicole, the eruption of Lamia Hollow isn't an ordinary disaster. I need to figure out what's going on. If something really happens, no one will be able to leave."

Zane looked calmly at her and explained. Seeing her concern, he thought for a moment, his eyes brightening.

"I'll give you something."

He opened his hand. A small, round black orb hovered quietly in his palm, beautiful and strange.

"Be careful with it. It carries my aura. It'll scare off most ordinary Ethereals and shield the people in the truck from Ether corrosion."

"It can be very useful if things get critical..."

"But make sure to handle it carefully."

Nicole listened closely and carefully took the Cretan Hollow, looking at it with a puzzled expression.

This thing... looks just like one of those toy models of Hollows...

"What... is this?"

To be safe, Nicole asked anyway.

"This is a Cretan Hollow."

"Cretan..."

"Hollow?!"

Nicole's hand jerked instinctively, her heart skipping a beat, but thankfully, she caught herself and steadied it.

She was holding a Hollow?!

This was absurd!

"Don't overreact—just hold it properly."

Zane's words fell, but Nicole looked bewildered.

What do you mean don't overreact? Anyone would freak out! Even Anby wouldn't stay calm!

"No, Zane, I can't take it. I'm afraid something will go wrong."

Nicole shook her head, her heart racing.

"Don't worry. You're too weak to trigger anything."

Zane waved it off. To destabilize the Cretan Hollow now, you'd need someone at least as strong as him.

If Nicole really encountered an enemy of that level, it wouldn't matter whether the Cretan Hollow exploded or not.

Nicole was speechless at his blunt reply, but in the end, it was oddly reassuring.

"Then you be careful too, Zane."

Nicole still reminded him, even though she trusted his strength.

"Don't worry."

Zane smiled slightly and tapped her on the forehead with his finger. Nicole reflexively raised her hand—but paused.

Why was it so light this time?

As he turned to leave, Zane suddenly thought of something and glanced back.

"By the way, Nicole."

"What is it?"

"Drive carefully!"

...

"Damn it, how did it expand so fast? The sensors are down—we're lost in here now!"

"You useless fools! Where's the carrot?!"

Inside Lamia Hollow, a man in a special Research Institute uniform shouted angrily at the people behind him.

"I don't know—he had the carrot!"

"Don't point at me! You took it back just now!"

"When did I take it? Don't make up lies to cover your mistake—that's shameful!"

"Yeah? If you did it, own it. If not, don't twist it! What are you trying to pull?"

They were soon arguing heatedly—some even raising their guns at one another. The lead researcher's face grew darker.

"You—"

His voice faltered as he caught a glimpse of a swift figure out of the corner of his eye. He turned, surprise flashing across his face.

That person clearly had experience navigating Hollows. Maybe they could lead them out!

Seizing the chance, he shouted:

"You there—wait!"

The figure stopped, and the researcher's joy deepened. He hurried over.

The others, confused, followed behind him.

Up ahead, Zane heard the shout and stopped. He turned, his gaze narrowing.

Armed personnel in military uniforms—and a scholar-type among them.

"What do you want?"

Zane didn't act rashly. He had been heading deeper into the Hollow, but with this opportunity, he wasn't about to pass up free intel.

"Sir..."

The researcher was still thinking how to explain—this man clearly wasn't government. Before he could answer, one of the armed men spoke bluntly:

"Kid, we ran into trouble in Lamia Hollow. The expansion trapped us. We need you to get us out."

"Don't worry, we'll pay you once we're out."

Hearing this, Zane raised an eyebrow.

What luck.

If all enemies were like this, life would be a lot easier...

"The expansion of Lamia Hollow—was it because of you?"

Hearing Zane's faintly questioning tone, the researcher realized something was off. He glanced at his companion and barely held back the urge to shoot him.

"Yeah, yeah—that's right. You see how powerful we are? Hurry up and get us out."

One of the armed men held his gun with one hand, waving impatiently at Zane.

"Do you realize how many people will die because of this expansion?"

Zane's voice was calm, but the question hung in the air.

The children at the orphanage had Nicole and the cats to help—but what about everyone else in the area?

He was genuinely curious what these people were thinking.

"What do those people matter to us? Besides, what we're doing is important. The people here are worthless—so what if a few die?"

The armed man said indifferently.