"Aya, if I remember correctly... you usually use a knife, right?"
Mao You looked at the weapon in Hoshimi Aya's hand with confusion.
She had been thinking that once Hoshimi Aya took care of all the Etheralss, she could slack off a little.
"I've been practicing with a longbow recently. I want to test it out."
As she spoke, Hoshimi Aya pressed a button on the quiver behind her. A slit opened in the quiver, and she drew out an arrow.
"Is that so? Alright then."
"Leave these Etheralss to me. As for the client, I'll be responsible for protecting him."
After speaking, Mao You charged toward the Etheralss that had already rushed over.
Although Mao You's strength wasn't as exaggerated as Hoshimi Aya's, dealing with ordinary Etheralss was still like a fish in water for her.
"Mr. Ollie, just stay behind me."
"Don't move around casually. With us here, you'll be fine."
Hoshimi Aya then shot an arrow straight through a Etherals preparing to approach.
Before long, Mao You had dealt with the Etheralss that came at them, while Eous, standing nearby, was picking up the arrows Hoshimi Aya had shot.
However, Hoshimi Aya wasn't very good at conversation, so Mao You was the one talking to Ollie, revealing their goal.
The follow-up commission for this field survey, and securing the pre-approved qualification for the future Aether resource recovery commission.
Suddenly, Hoshimi Aya felt like something was missing. After so long, why hadn't Ling returned yet?
Thinking this, Hoshimi Aya looked around. Not far away, she saw Eous standing by a wall, and not far above it, an arrow was stuck.
But it was a bit awkward, because Eous had jumped up and missed hitting it by just a tiny bit.
Finally, Hoshimi Aya couldn't watch anymore. She walked over to Eous, pulled out that arrow, and put the other arrows Eous had collected back into the quiver.
"Aya, this position is really awkward."
"It's always just a little short every time."
"I should have just called you over sooner."
Eous sat on the ground, wiping away non-existent sweat from its forehead.
"Maybe a gun would be more suitable..."
Hoshimi Aya pondered. That way, she wouldn't have to worry about running out and having to retrieve arrows.
Meanwhile, Mao You had been trying to pump Ollie for information, but Ollie couldn't answer several rather sensitive questions.
Afterward, the group followed Ollie forward. Mao You relayed the information she had managed to extract to the other two.
"Perhaps his identity isn't as simple as he claims."
Hoshimi Aya guessed. She remembered from Mao You's intelligence that Ollie wasn't actually affiliated with any company.
She couldn't recall the specifics.
If it were recent plot points, she would definitely remember.
She needed to observe more; maybe she could figure something out.
Mao You looked at Hoshimi Aya with slight surprise. "Aya, why is your brain suddenly working so fast? I thought I'd need to explain things in much more detail for you to understand."
"Yes, it is a bit suspicious."
"But let's keep watching for now. We have too little information right now."
Ling looked at Ollie not far away.
Mao You nodded, and the group continued to follow Ollie.
Before long, some strange noises came from ahead, startling Ollie.
Mao You covered her forehead and went ahead to investigate, but found nothing.
This happened several more times, with Ollie getting startled and running around in a panic each time.
This commotion made Hoshimi Aya, who originally didn't want to use her knife, draw the demon blade hanging at her waist.
Finally, the group reached the endpoint of the data survey. However, many Etheralss were gathered around. To finish quickly, Hoshimi Aya spent ten seconds clearing them all out.
"My heavens, thank goodness you are here. Today's task could only be completed successfully because of you."
"The reward for the commission is out of The Hollow. I will... cough cough, my company will transfer it to your account."
"Of course, I will also recommend you two to the company for the subsequent recovery mission. Please rest assured."
Ollie wiped away non-existent sweat from his forehead.
"Alright, alright. We'll leave this matter to you, meow."
Mao You replied with a smile.
"Since the main business is done, shall we prepare to leave The Hollow now?"
Ollie inquired.
"No problem. I'll select the fastest and safest withdrawal route with the Proxy."
"This is the Proxy's specialty, so you can't observe. Sorry about that."
Mao You said with an apologetic smile, and Ollie expressed understanding, immediately running to a spot further away.
Once she confirmed Ollie was far enough away not to hear them, Mao You's expression immediately changed to one of extreme frustration.
"Darn it, darn it!"
"I can't believe that despite all the scrambling along the way, I didn't manage to find out this guy's real identity and purpose!!"
"Meow! This is infuriating!"
"We're leaving The Hollow soon, and then we'll really go our separate ways—to be continued!"
Mao You looked at Ollie's location, extremely angry.
"Mao You, a prior declaration: no coercion through threats or actions."
Ling looked at Mao You's demeanor and reminded her.
"Of course I know that. Even if he's hiding something, he's still the client."
"Don't assume I'll do anything out of line just because I was adopted by a street gang before."
Mao You frowned.
"However, speaking of street gangs, that actually reminds me of something."
Mao You smiled, stealthily crept up to Ollie, snatched something from his pocket, and immediately returned to her spot.
"Huh! What is this?! Handcuffs?!"
Mao You stared at the item in her hand, shocked, her eyes wide.
"Uh... re-respecting personal hobbies."
"Mao You, you should hurry up and put this private item back."
As Ling spoke, she seemed to recall something unpleasant.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya finally remembered.
Because Ollie was quite timid, he was afraid his colleagues would find out, which is why he posted the commission on the Inter-Knot.
Furthermore, Ollie was a Public Security Officer.
Zhe received a message from Fairy, relaying the special serial number detected on the handcuffs, and guessed they belonged to a Public Security Officer.
At this moment, the timid Ollie approached because he heard the roar of a Etherals.
"Um, Miss Mao You, how did your discussion go? I think I heard a Etherals nearby."
Ollie sounded somewhat frightened.
But then he suddenly noticed his handcuffs were in Mao You's hand.
"Ollie, explain clearly."
"Why do you have a Public Security Officer's handcuffs on you?!"
Mao You questioned him.
"Uh..."
Hoshimi Aya looked at the atmosphere, unsure how to speak for a moment.
...
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