Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

"Please don't come any closer! This is a private space for me and my lover!"

Ben lowered the heavy weapon from his shoulder, scratched his head in confusion, and said,

"How is there a girl's voice...?"

The others glanced around as well, while Zane looked up. When a flash of yellow caught his eye, he raised an eyebrow.

Was that the so-called "legendary" love-struck mechanical girl?

Just then, Ben spotted Greta.

"Oh, over there!"

Everyone turned in the direction he pointed, and atop the white, half-finished building, a massive excavator came into view.

It had also noticed the group from Belobog Heavy Industries below.

"So it's you! The villains who tried to break up me and Mr. White!"

As her voice echoed, Eous froze, Nicole instinctively stepped back in confusion, and Anby recalled a similar scene from a movie.

As for Grace...

"Oh! It's only been a few days, and I didn't expect the tunnel borer to grow into such a fine young lady..."

"Hmm-hmm-hmm..."

Grace beamed with satisfaction, hands on either side of her head, shaking it while giggling.

"Uh... Grace, um... calm down..."

Ben tried to intervene, but Koleda was already holding her forehead, speechless.

"But who's Mr. White? Is he white or something?"

Ben dropped his hands and looked around, puzzled.

"It can't be... that half-finished building below her, right?"

"Hmm—! Don't insult Mr. White!!"

Before Ben could finish, the excavator leapt off the high-rise and landed with a crash right in front of them.

"I've made up my mind. I'm going to be with Mr. White forever!"

Its massive demolition saw spun once, then revved up violently, pointing straight at the Belobog Heavy Industries group.

"Take back your rude remarks!"

The battle was about to explode!

...

"Boo hoo hoo... what a beautiful and unwavering love. It's giving major Rem of Re:Zero vibes, folks..."

Zane casually took the tissue Anby handed him, dabbing at the "tears" condensed from water-element energy as he spoke.

"Yeah, boo hoo hoo... I'm about to leak some oil myself..."

Billy wiped his face with a dramatic sob and gestured to Anby for a tissue—only to realize she wasn't moving at all.

"You two are unbelievable drama queens!"

Nicole crossed her arms and frowned, glancing toward the battle still raging among the Belobog crew. She hesitated, torn about whether to step in. Sure, you get what you pay for—but maintaining good relations also counts...

As she turned back, she froze.

Anby had somehow pulled out snacks, burgers, juice, soda, cookies—an entire chaotic spread.

Nicole's eyes widened.

Wait—why the hell was Anby carrying all this stuff around?

And where did she even pull it from?!

A four-dimensional pocket or something?!

If Anby knew what Nicole was thinking, she'd probably just respond calmly:

"Mountain folks have their ways..."

"Zane, everything's here!"

Anby placed all the food neatly on an Ether crystal table she'd conjured, then looked up and blinked softly.

"Nice work!"

Zane smiled, reaching out to pat her head. Yes, Anby had brought all this at his request.

"Yo! There's even canned motor oil?!"

Billy spotted something and lit up with joy. Looking at Anby, he couldn't help but exclaim,

"Anby, you're a total angel!"

Zane waved his hand, conjuring four large loungers and two small ones. With a snap of his fingers, a wide sunshade appeared.

"Alright, one for each of you..."

Like pulling off a magic trick, Zane brought out several pairs of orange goggles, handed them out, and put on his own.

"Alright, Hollow Ether Bath—time to enjoy!"

He lay back and closed his eyes to rest. Anby grabbed a snack, looked at Zane and the food table between them, then lay down next to him.

Billy picked up a can of motor oil, slipped on his goggles, and happily entered chill mode. A Hollow vacation—something he'd never experienced before.

"Hey! When did you guys plan this without me?!"

Still standing, Nicole looked at Anby and Billy, then at the goggles in her own hands, feeling completely out of the loop.

Hearing rustling beside her, she turned and saw Eous and Panta eagerly climbing onto her lounger.

"Nicole, just lie down..."

Zane's voice floated to her, followed by Billy's.

"Yeah, boss, this feels amazing..."

Nicole frowned and refused sternly.

"I'm not doing it!"

Who even was the boss of Hare's House anymore?

She was starting to feel like Zane had hijacked the whole operation.

"Nicole, you trying to rebel too?"

"Zane, what kind of analogy is that? How is saying no to you rebellion... Let me tell you—"

"Nicole, I commissioned all of Hare's House to protect Bangboo. So where's Nekomata, huh? That's a breach of contract."

"I could deduct a big chunk of the payment—or withhold it altogether! But here I am, choosing to look the other way..."

Faced with Zane's veiled threat, Nicole faltered. She opened her mouth but had nothing to say. After a pause, she tried weakly to argue,

"Zane, Nekomata had something to deal with, she's over there—"

"Lie down!"

"...Okay..."

In the end, Nicole gave in to Zane's pressure.

And so, at the edge of the battlefield, four people and two Bangboos basking in an Ether bath created a truly surreal sight...

Time passed, and the fight between Belobog Heavy Industries and Greta reached a fever pitch.

To protect her "love," Greta fought with unexpected resolve, getting knocked down again and again, only to rise each time, leaving Billy speechless.

Koleda finally noticed the scene on the sidelines.

"Hey! What are you guys doing over there?!"

The others turned to see the row of Ether bathers. Zane opened his eyes, glanced over, and lazily replied,

"Feel the surreal space of the Hollows, enjoy the slow corrosion of the Ether—Ether Bath: you deserve it."

Koleda was left with a head full of question marks.

Phaethon was so skilled—how did he end up with this kind of assistant?!

Wait... why was Phaethon lying there too?!

"Uh-oh, the fighting's drawn in the Ethereals!"

Ben's warning rang out suddenly, and Greta noticed it too—looking up to see Ethereals swarming the half-finished building.

"How dare you jump on Mr. White! Get down! Don't you dare touch him with your filthy hands!"

Greta was furious. Seeing the Ethereals unmoved, she raised her demolition saw.

"Get lost! You nasty jerks! If you try anything again, I'll..."