Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

"Ah, here we are."

Led by Eous, the group arrived at a pile of building ruins. Grace checked the tablet in her hand, her expression turning serious.

"That child... the Type III Hollow Excavator, Greta—her signal is coming from somewhere nearby."

Koleda scanned the surroundings and said, "We'll need Proxy to take the lead in the search. Grace, go ahead and describe the excavator to our new friends."

Nearby, Panta and Billy were huddled together, deep in discussion about the "Grace Survival Plan." Both had come to a grim realization: in the Hollows, Ethereals weren't the real threat—Grace was.

Nicole leaned in close to Zane, one hand cupping the side of her mouth as she whispered with a sideways glance,

"Hey, Zane, we really came all this way just to find an excavator? Hiring Phaethon must cost a fortune—it doesn't feel worth it..."

"Huh? You didn't look into Belobog Heavy Industries before coming?"

"Aren't you the one who leaked the intel in the first place?"

Zane raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

"Hey! What do you mean, leaked!"

Nicole frowned, arms crossed in protest, and responded seriously,

"I was just adding value to otherwise useless information. That's called business strategy—get it? And besides, they paid Hare's House for that info. We're not in the business of snooping around beyond what we're paid for!"

"That kind of thing goes against Hare's House's upright and transparent business principles!"

"Besides, our only job here is to protect Bangboo. We're not responsible for anything else—so why bother learning more than necessary?"

Nicole had always stuck to the principle of doing exactly what she was paid for, no more, no less. Outside of their regular "protect Bangboo" commissions, she had no intention of getting involved.

Zane looked at her, deadpan, the corners of his mouth twitching.

"Yeah, right. Business strategy... More like, after finishing one deal, you spotted a market opportunity and decided to dabble in intel trading."

"And let's be real—when you said 'upright and transparent,' weren't you trying not to laugh?"

Nicole instantly protested.

"I was not holding back a laugh! We really are upright and transparent!"

"Don't tarnish Hare's House's reputation!"

"Reputation?"

Zane raised a hand.

"You mean Hare's House's 'reverse reputation'—the one that's famous all across New Eridu's networks?"

"You really mastered the art of black-and-red publicity, Nicole…"

"Zane!!!"

...

A little behind them, Anby walked quietly, watching the two argue with a serious expression. She was studying carefully—hoping to one day speak to Nicole as smoothly as Zane did.

Mmm… and make her blush from time to time.

She remembered a line from a movie: if you can make a girl blush, you can solve just about anything.

Once she could make Nicole blush, she'd have a better shot at requesting hamburger funds...

While Zane and Nicole kept bickering, Grace had already begun explaining the tunneling machine.

"Hmm... She's such a diligent, capable child! Just as cute as Little One used to be!"

"…Okay, but who even understands what that means?"

As Grace spoke, her gaze drifted toward Koleda. Billy noticed and immediately caught on.

"Ohhh—so the 'Little One' you're talking about... is actually the boss of Belobog Heavy Industries!"

Koleda had been trying to figure out the right way to introduce herself. But hearing that, her face darkened. She was starting to regret stopping Grace earlier with Anton.

Grace, however, paid no mind and continued,

"Alright, in terms regular humans can understand—she's a machine designed to drill tunnels. And to increase her work capacity, she's now equipped with demolition saws for tearing down structures!"

Her expression dimmed as she turned slightly to the side, looking visibly hurt.

"I thought updating her logic core would make her more capable... I didn't expect she'd run away from home instead..."

She now looked exactly like a guilty mother.

"Oh please. Who asked you to make unnecessary updates on your own? You're more annoying than my OS constantly nagging me to install updates."

Koleda waved her hand, exasperated.

"You wouldn't have said that when you were little. Seriously, you were so cute back then..."

Hands on her hips, Grace had already begun reminiscing.

Just then, Ben spoke up.

"Hm, but rebellion is a natural part of growing up, isn't it?"

"Maybe this excavator just hit a rebellious phase—kind of like a teenager."

His expression remained completely neutral as he made yet another ominous prediction.

"Ugh... I've got a bad feeling about this…"

In a corner, Eous raised one hand slightly. Belle had mentally prepared herself after Hans, but still... facing what seemed like a rebellious machine?

"No! I won't allow it!"

Grace's expression changed instantly.

"Huh?"

Ben blinked, thrown off by the sudden outburst.

"I absolutely refuse to let my sweet child turn into some out-of-control rebel!"

Grace raised her hands to her face, eyes darting as her expression twisted into a mix of fear and anger.

"One day it's midnight street racing... then it's carving up their own chassis on purpose... plastering themselves with giant stickers you can't wash off... mixing illegal Ether fuel... even trying to fuse with other machines like in those old cartoons...!"

Seeing this, Belle quickly guided Eous forward.

"Grace, calm down! It's still just a child!"

Nicole and Zane had also gone quiet, while Billy and Panta stepped closer. Anton and Anby joined in from the sidelines.

Nicole: "Wait, did I just hear that right?"

Zane: "You did. Exactly what you think it is."

Anby: "Fusion mecha anime? I wanna watch..."

Zane: "Same."

Nicole: "Same."

Billy: "No thanks."

Anton: "Count me in."

Panta: "Mm-hmm. (Same.)"

"Proxy! Hurry and take us to it—we still might be in time!"

Grace scooped Eous into her arms, already imagining the worst, and bolted forward in a panic.

"Wait, Grace! Slow down!"

"You're going the wrong way! Over here!!!"

...

Before long, after a series of explosive demolitions courtesy of Grace, the group reached the target location via the shortest route possible.

Nicole and the others were looking around curiously. Zane's gaze settled on the half-finished white building ahead—his expression sharp.

It was coming.