Zenless Zone Zero: Morax in a New World!

The last time Sam Li visited Calydon Town, it was still in ruins.

According to Piper, they had recently purchased loads of construction materials from the city and even rented a second-hand piece of construction equipment to start renovating the place.

It had been nearly a month since Sam Li's last visit.

He wondered how much the town had changed by now.

Beside him, Master Tingman continued speaking. "Mr. Sam Li, if you're heading to the Outer Ring to watch the Tour de Inferno, please take a few photos for me... Consider this cup of coffee your payment."

Master Tingman was a cycling enthusiast too. But with the café open, he simply couldn't get away.

Sam Li nodded. "If I go to the Outer Ring, I'll make sure to take some photos."

He was indeed planning to head there and watch the Tour de Inferno.

After sitting at the café entrance for a while and finishing his coffee, Sam Li picked up the birdcage and returned to the Hare's House.

...

At the same time, on the other side of New Eridu, inside the Hare's House—

Billy, Nekomata, Anby, and Soldier 11 were discussing where to go for the Golden Week holiday.

Billy wanted to go downtown...

Nekomata suggested the beach for some seafood...

Anby thought they should catch a movie at the theater...

Soldier 11 said they should wait for Sam Li to return and let him decide...

As they all debated, Nicole suddenly pulled up in the Hare's House's off-road vehicle—bringing with her some news.

The moment she stepped inside, she shouted, "Alright, enough arguing. Listen to me!"

Everyone—Billy, Nekomata, and the others—fell silent and turned their attention to her.

Nicole cleared her throat. "If I remember right, we already went to the city center two years ago. Isn't that right, Billy?"

Her message was simple: no trip to downtown New Eridu this year.

Billy tried to push back. "But Nicole, Sam Li and Nekomata haven't been there yet..."

Nicole cut him off. "No buts."

Then she turned to Nekomata. "Sam Li's allergic to seafood, so we're not going to the beach. If you really want some, I'll order it online for you."

Nekomata sighed. "Fine..."

Next, Nicole looked at Anby. "We can watch movies anytime. No need to waste Golden Week on that."

Anby nodded. "I'm fine with Nicole's plan."

After shooting down everyone's suggestions, Billy, Nekomata, Anby, and Soldier 11 looked at her, puzzled.

"Nicole, we're not spending Golden Week cooped up in the Hare's House, are we?"

"Do you have a plan?"

"Even the greediest capitalist in New Eridu can't strip workers of their Golden Week…"

Under all their stares, Nicole remained calm and smiled. "Of course I have a plan."

Billy raised an eyebrow. "What kind of plan?"

Nicole smiled faintly. "I've decided—we're going to take a trip to the Outer Ring for the rest of Golden Week."

Billy: "..."

Anby: "..."

Soldier 11: "..."

Nekomata looked disappointed. "What's there to do in the Outer Ring?"

All she could think of were ruins, maybe a few clueless bandits. He'd rather stay home watching TV than roast under the sun out there.

But Nicole grinned. "You've heard of the Tour de Inferno, right?"

Anby furrowed her brow. "What's that?"

Nekomata's eyes widened. "Tour de Inferno? Nicole, do you mean the one where they compete for the Overlord title?"

Billy was equally shocked. "What? They're hosting the Tour de Inferno again?"

Nekomata had heard about the race before. Billy, once part of the Sons of Calydon, knew it all too well.

Anby and Soldier 11, on the other hand, looked completely lost.

Nicole explained, "There are tons of gangs in the Outer Ring—fighting over turf, resources, money. Some of them banded together into alliances. The Motorcycle Gang Alliance is one of them. The Tour de Inferno is a race held to decide the strongest among them. The winner becomes the Overlord."

"Since the Motorcycle Gang Alliance controls the old oilfield transport routes, they have major sway over New Eridu. That's why this race even gets televised in the city..."

Nicole rattled off all the info she had just dug up.

The moment she finished, Billy, Nekomata, Anby, and even Soldier 11 were immediately intrigued.

Compared to visiting downtown, hitting the beach, or watching a movie, the Tour de Inferno was definitely more exciting.

Billy was already itching to rev up his bike and take off.

Seeing this, Nicole was thrilled.

No need for a trip downtown, and they'd save a huge chunk of Dennies. She really was a genius at budgeting.

After a moment's pause, Nicole smiled again. "So? Any objections?"

Billy shook his head eagerly. "None at all, Nicole. I'm 100% behind you."

Still, he was a bit curious. "According to the Motorcycle Gang Alliance rules, each Tour de Inferno needs at least two gangs. Who's competing for the Overlord title this time? The Green Mountain Gang? Bad Squirrel Corps?"

Nicole shrugged. "No idea. Doesn't matter—we'll find out when we get there."

Just as everyone was caught up in the discussion...

Sam Li walked in, carrying the birdcage.

Seeing him, Nicole suddenly looked guilty. "Uh... Sam Li, sorry. We won't be going downtown after all."

Sam Li blinked. "Oh?"

She had already promised to take him to the city center. Now she was backing out, and it made her feel awkward.

"There's a Tour de Inferno happening in the Outer Ring, and Billy really wants to go see it. Would you mind?"

Billy, now the scapegoat, covered his face in defeat. "..."

But Sam Li didn't seem the least bit disappointed. Calmly, he nodded. "I'm fine with going to the Outer Ring. I wanted to check on Calydon Town anyway."

Hearing that, Nicole threw her arms around him. "I knew it! We're totally on the same page!"

Sam Li: "..."

Billy pretended not to see a thing, hand still over his face. "..."

Off to the side, Nekomata perked up. "Nicole, can we enter the race ourselves?"

Nicole shook her head. "Probably not. We're not part of any Outer Ring gang."