"Ling, regarding the news about my upper circle, the Hoshimi Family said we don't need to worry about it."
"They said they would handle it."
Hoshimi Aya explained to Ling, who was beside her.
"Is that so? Then the organization that's looking for you will probably be dealt with as well."
Ling put down her phone and pondered.
After all, they currently had no leads on the organization Nicole mentioned earlier that was investigating Aya.
If the Hoshimi Family handled it, then they wouldn't have to worry.
"Probably, I'm not entirely sure."
"But that's what he said."
After speaking, Hoshimi Aya directly showed Ling the message exchange between her and Soichiro.
"Hmm?"
"Aya, do you want to go to the Hoshimi Family?"
"I heard that the mansions of big families are huge, and there must be many things you haven't seen before."
"It would be nice to go and see."
Ling smiled as she looked at the last few lines of information on her phone.
She was quite relieved that Hoshimi Aya dared to take this step.
After all, for someone with low self-esteem and a lack of security, taking this step was quite difficult.
She had noticed this since the few days she met Aya; because of her lack of security, she hugged a knife to find a sliver of comfort before she could fall asleep.
"Mm, Ling, you can come with me then."
"I'm afraid I won't be used to it alone."
Hoshimi Aya invited her, as it was always better to have a familiar person accompany you to an unfamiliar environment.
Moreover, if she encountered something she couldn't solve or face, she could ask Ling for help, which was killing three birds with one stone.
"...Alright."
"Aya, I'll go with you then."
"I also want to see what the famous Hoshimi Family is really like."
Ling thought for a moment and said with a smile. She had largely guessed Hoshimi Aya's thoughts.
It was probably because going to an unfamiliar environment made her nervous, and she might have to face some relatives or similar things then.
Aya probably wanted to invite her along for these reasons.
And it was not hard to see that she only had this one option; even if she said no, Aya would probably carry her along.
...
Meanwhile.
In a high-end office.
Lykann came here with a tablet.
"Mayor, this is the combat information of Hoshimi Aya that you requested."
Saying that, Lykann began to play the screen's content to the man sitting in the chair in front of him.
"This is... a Demonic Blade?"
"It seems the Hoshimi Family has quite a few secrets."
"Lykann, secretly send this combat footage to some factions and see how they react."
The Mayor pondered as he watched the screen.
He needed to test her specific strength, but it was not appropriate for him to act personally.
So, at this time, he needed some eager individuals to test the waters for him.
Lykann nodded in response and left.
...
The next day.
In Ling's room at the Sixth Street Video Store.
Hoshimi Aya snuggled into Ling's embrace, lounging in bed, while Ling caressed Hoshimi Aya's ear with one hand and played with her phone with the other, doing who knows what.
"Aya, it's time to get up."
"Victoria Housekeeping should have almost finished their investigation."
"I'll make a call to ask them later."
With that, Ling released her hand, broke free from Hoshimi Aya's grasp, and got out of bed.
Hoshimi Aya's small face was slightly flushed as she looked up at Ling, unsure if it was from having her ear touched or something else.
Finally, Hoshimi Aya also got dressed, washed up, and came downstairs.
As soon as she entered the secret room, Hoshimi Aya saw Ling on the phone with someone, but based on Ling's earlier words, it was most likely Lykann.
Zhe was sitting on the sofa, maintaining and cleaning the Demonic Blade.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya sat on an empty chair nearby and began her cultivation with her eyes closed.
After a while, Ling finished her call.
"Lykann has found the cause of the power outage."
"Aya, you can leave now."
Ling said to Hoshimi Aya, who appeared to be asleep beside her.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya opened her eyes.
"Okay, good."
"The same place as before, or directly at the main entrance?"
Hoshimi inquired.
"Let's meet at the same place as yesterday."
"Once Victoria's matter is resolved, it will be our turn."
Ling pondered.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya nodded, took her waist knife, and set off, carrying Eous in one arm.
...
Soon, Hoshimi Aya, with Eous, met up with the Victoria Housekeeping team.
The group entered the Balai Tower within The Hollow.
"Rope Master, according to previous investigations, to restore power to the building quickly, you need to follow these steps."
"First, go to the control room to troubleshoot the cause of the power outage. If the fault cannot be easily resolved, switch the building's power supply system to standby mode."
"So, we need to split into two teams. One team will stay in the control room to operate, and the other team will go to the power room to start the backup Aether Generator."
Lykann explained.
Ultimately, Lina, Lykann, and Eous went to the control room.
While Hoshimi Aya, Ellen, and Corin went to the power room.
Soon, Hoshimi Aya's group arrived at the power room. As for the Etheralss along the way, they were all cleared out like speed bumps.
After all, they were all relatively low-level Etheralss and were dealt with without much effort.
"Aya, you move that side, Corin, you move that side, leave this side to me."
Ellen commanded.
"Okay, Miss Ellen."
With that, Corin put down her chainsaw and began to move things.
The other two did the same, and soon the items were moved. The group returned to their previous separated location and found a place to rest.
"Ellen, let me touch your tail."
"You're playing a game anyway."
Saying that, Hoshimi Aya directly popped a candy into Ellen's mouth as a bribe.
Ellen, seeing this, immediately spat out the candy and took a new one from her pocket, putting it in her mouth.
"You can forget about it."
"Last time, we agreed I'd only let you touch it, but you squeezed it."
"This time, there's no way I'm letting you touch it."
Saying that, Ellen moved away from Hoshimi Aya with her handheld game console.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya had no choice but to go talk to Corin.
...
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