C4
Hollows are like mazes. Each time you find an exit, it turns into a trap that kills you instantly. Or turns you into a mindless Ethereal. Or something worse than that.
And no matter what you do, you cannot find anything remotely similar to a landmark. The Hollow changes everytime you enter, different routes, different monsters, different people.
It is virtually impossible to escape such a labyrinth without proper data or computing power.
"Contact!" A soldier shouted, raising his rifle and shooting at the oncoming wave of Ethereal. Bullets like theirs deal some damage, as evidenced by the deaths of some Ethereals, but the horde of them remains fixated on them.
More and more Ethereals turn into pixels, but it doesn't matter against the horde.
"Enemy ethereals closing in!"
"We're running low on ammo!"
"Hold back! Just hold them back!"
"Our equipment is almost at its limits!"
All kinds of shouts and ranting did not deter the rampage. Ethereals, all running on instincts, have no form of cooperation or coordination with each other. All they know is to kill, and kill some more.
The soldiers, were they alone or with each other, would all be brutally killed by the Ethereals, and any survivors would be turned into one. A fate worse than death for these soldiers, who were trained against this but still fall victim.
Fortunately, they were not.
*Bang, Bang, Bang!!!*
Three shots rang out as three bullets came flying in towards the large horde of Ethereals. These bullets, specially made by an unknown benefactor, easily tore through the crystal armor of most Ethereals and continued to sail against the horde.
Most would end up shooting more times because a single bullet cannot do much against a horde of this size. But wasting potential was like being unimaginative.
Suddenly, the bullets came alive. Like it had its thoughts, they swerved with uncanny precision and power towards the rest of the Ethereals.
The Defense Force soldiers watched in awe and horror as silver streaks ran through the horde of Ethereals like they were made of paper. They moved so fast that one of them blinked to see an Ethereal wither away into pixels.
If one of them struck the core of an Ethereal, it would burst into flames like a demon before succumbing to its injuries.
Eventually, it came to a close as the bullets finally fell to the ground. And what came of that was the absolute destruction of Ethereals.
A soldier heard the ringing of boots crushing rubble and glass to see Rex, holding [The Companion] with his right hand. His eyes were forward and focused, unlike the horror-filled faces of the soldiers.
He calmly walked passed the group of fear-stricken soldiers and continued his path. Nearby, a Bangboo given by the White Star Institute enthusiastically showed him the way forward.
The soldiers were still shocked by what had happened before they collected their wits and followed Rex deeper into the Hollow. What happened next was that Rex's fame and strength, and powers would be passed around the Defense Force.
The newest rookie of the HIA was making a name for himself. Both good and bad.
______________________________________________________________
Hollow Zero proved to be as dangerous as well as rewarding. Rex used his abilities to their fullest whilst inside and trained against multiple foes at once. His [Martial Arts Proficiency] was gliding smoothly, as well as [Marksman Proficiency].
In here, despite the danger looming over him, Rex felt quite free in here.
"Here's the report, chief. As well as some extra tidbits of the area." Rex gave the tablet to a senior officer within Hollow Zero. A checkpoint for Hollow Investigators to rest and recover, as well as spend some of their gear coins.
The chief looked over the data and nodded. "Excellent work. Just a couple more fissures then we can push back Nineveh. Your strength against the Ethereals continues to amaze. Are you sure you won't join the Obsidian Division? You can be a Captain with your skills and become a leader of your squad."
Rex merely shook his head. "I'm sorry, Chief. I'm not interested in moving from my current employer. But know that I will assist in Hollow Zero whenever and however possible, if you have the cash."
The chief nodded, his toothy smile never leaving his face, before going to his matters and leaving Rex. Having someone of his strength in any group would instantly make them famous and powerful, but they needed something to tie him down to them instead of others.
'Those two seem like a good pick for him. Next time he enters Hollow Zero, I'll place him near them so that he can see the strength of the Defense Force.' The chief thought to himself, his grin widening.
Meanwhile, Rex was busy eating his food and rations. [Inventory] ensured any item placed inside would not age, so the food he eats is as fresh as it was cooked.
Rex took a look at his points pitifully before resuming. He was only here for 2 weeks, less than a month, so naturally his points for the gacha were low. But that didn't deter him. His strength was good enough of a start, especially his [Nen] and [Hamon].
Training them, according to the system, was derived from the [Solo Leveling] system. Continuous usage allowed him to get used to his limits and feats he can achieve with them.
Such as using bullets as homing projectiles. Controlling them was easy thanks to his [Marksman Proficiency] and causing it to rise. How he uses them was all up to imagination.
[Martial Arts] is his biggest usage. Without this them Rex may have to resort to constantly using his gun to deal with Ethereals, and it still requires time and practice to ensure he defends himself well. His progress has been steady and slow, hopefully, it can be upgraded to make himself stronger and more proficient with the weapons he uses.
Rex finished up his food, his appetite and thirst quenched. The human body works oddly inside of Hollows, requiring experienced Hollow Investigators an abundance of food because of the energy being siphoned inside.
Just in time, as the expedition squad of soldiers he partnered up with are also ready. Ammo and guns equipped and ready to handle the boss.
Nineveh requires constant suppression to ensure Hollow stability while gaining valuable materials. Of course, the more you press Nineveh, the higher your reward. The Scott Outposts give out tasks to any available agent willing to brave Nineveh for greater rewards.
Rex applied because, in his vision, not only does he get the rewards, but also GP. By the end of this mission, he'll have completed half of his [Weekly Mission] while also gaining some points from the bounties.
He gripped the [Blades of Chaos], the swords brimmed with energy as he spearheaded the platoon. His coat fluttering with the wind as a fissure opened in front of him. The soldiers didn't break formation, and Rex calmly strode into the fissure.
A fissure was like a portal. Each one is connected to another, and depending on the fissure can take you anywhere or nowhere. Thanks to the efforts of the data gathered on the way to Hollow Zero, this specific fissure can lead the team to Nineveh.
Ethereals get stronger the closer one is to the center. Rex's team was located around the outer edge of Hollow Zero, the standard location for suppression of Hollow Zero. So this Nineveh was nothing compared to the ones deeper inside Hollow Zero.
There were even rumors of another strong Ethereal within called Gepetto, but no one can confirm nor deny its existence.
And so, Rex entered the fissure and came out the other side.
From there, a large arena took place. More than enough room for the fight to ensue. Rex calmly continued walking, his hands gripping the blades, and [The Companion] settled on his hip.
Soldiers rushed in behind him, taking positions nearby with their guns trained at the center. The commander walked last, and his stare was directed to the place where Nineveh would spawn.
Seconds later, it did.
______________________________________________________________
Outside Hollow Zero, Ray worked diligently to produce continuous reports on any activity for Hollow Zero. The White Star Institute prides itself on having more knowledge on Hollows than any other, which is why it is at the forefront of Hollow Zero.
A combined effort with the Defense Force and H.A.N.D., Scott Outpost remains as one of the best outposts for monitoring and dispatching soldiers in Hollow Zero.
The data given to Ray wasn't anything special. Just a collage of information she can deduce, but they were given to her rather quickly compared to the normal agents they employ.
Ray pushed away some papers until she landed on one of them. It was a resume detailing her newest agent that is within Hollow Zero.
Rex Harlow, 21 years old and orphaned by Hollow Zero. He had a normal life leading up to his agent status, living well below the radar and earning a small fortune from his deceased parents.
His affiliation with the HIA aside, his abilities in wielding twin short swords that can combust into flames and a powerful revolver, as well as manipulating weapons beyond what a human body can achieve.
His combat records show that he regularly visits nearby Companion Hollows and thins the Ethereals nearby almost everyday. His kill count is racking in the hundreds by now.
Ray creased her eyebrows. Agents normally take a few days of rest after repeated exposure to Ether, often decontaminating clothes and body in case of leftover residue. While small amounts of Ether barely do anything, an increase in visits multiplies the amounts until it starts to corrupt the user.
The Weapon Engine, or W-Engine, helps in cleaning up any large amounts of Ether and converts them into power for the user. But it's not perfect, so it shouldn't be used constantly.
If an Agent does a similar routine to Rex's, after a few days, he'd have to rest for weeks on end and be monitored to ensure peak health and cognitive function.
"You are quite interesting, Mr. Harlow. Will you be the one to uncover the secrets of Hollow Zero?" Ray amused herself. "How much further will you go to reach your goal? What is your goal, I wonder?"
A beep from one of her machines went off. A familiar tone to those who stayed in the Scott Outpost for a while. A small sigh of relief went over everyone as that sound can only go off when one situation has happened within Hollow Zero.
The successful suppression of Nineveh.
Hollow Raiding is dangerous work, one moment you'll be fine and healthy, the next is the excruciating transformation of turning into a Hollow.
So the Scott Outposts will always reward the survivors plenty of their hard work in dealing with the Ethereals.
Ray paid no attention to that, merely focusing on the damage control each expedition to Hollow Zero carries. She read the report, double checking their database and assigning monetary funds to those deceased.
But to her shock, not many have died.
A normal suppression squad to defeat Nineveh required around 200 soldiers. At the end, only 90 would be alive. And this is a heavily weakened Nineveh from the outer edges of Hollow Zero. Beyond that required only experienced Agents and personnel.
But from Ray's report, only 20 died in this expedition. And all survivors claim to know who the person was that saved them.
Rex Harlow.
"Ah. Right on time." Ray glanced to see him, the newest rookie from the HIA and supposedly, the strongest one to boot. "Tell me, how were the rewards?"
"They are plenty, thank you. I'll come back every week to gain more experience and more rewards, if that's alright with you." Ray rolled her eyes, as if she would deny it like a lunatic.
"By all means, do so. We're always hiring more agents to do the work." Ray just finished the report, only to see a statement that made her eyes widen. "Oh, this is interesting. It says here you defeated Nineveh all by yourself?"
Rex nodded at her. "It was a hard fight. That was my first time dealing with a strong Ethereal, while also managing the soldiers behind me. I'm just glad we got out of there with a few scrapes and bruises."
Indeed. Ray inwardly thanked Rex for helping the soldiers during the fight. Although weakened, Nineveh is a hard boss to handle if they aren't prepared.
"Well, I guess we got lucky on meeting an agent like you, huh?"
Rex's eyes flickered with a subtle smirk, as if the praise didn't faze him. "I wouldn't say 'lucky,' but I do my best. We all have our roles to play in Hollow Zero, after all."
Ray leaned back in her chair, her gaze sharpening as she studied Rex for a moment longer. The young agent's nonchalance about the situation intrigued her, but it wasn't the first time she'd encountered a soldier with a calm demeanor in the face of death. What unsettled her, though, was the sheer ease with which Rex handled himself.
"Tell me," Ray continued, tapping the edge of her desk thoughtfully, "how do you feel about your role? You've already gained quite a reputation among the other agents and soldiers. Yet, you're still just getting started. Some might say you're running headfirst into danger, trying to make a name for yourself."
Rex's gaze remained steady, his expression inscrutable. "I'm just trying to survive, and maybe make sure the people who can't protect themselves get a chance to. Reputation doesn't matter much to me. If I can handle it, I will. If I can't… well, I'll learn."
Ray chuckled softly, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk. "Hmm. Survival and learning. I suppose that's the essence of being an agent. Still, you do seem to thrive in situations others might falter in. Nineveh… that's no small feat. The fact that you did it alone, even with the soldiers backing you, speaks volumes about your abilities. Not many could do what you did."
Rex gave a half-shrug. "I just did what was necessary. I didn't think about it much."
Ray raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his casual approach. "And yet you're still here. Many don't get the luxury of walking away after such close calls. Tell me, Rex, what's your real goal here? What do you hope to accomplish in Hollow Zero?"
For the first time, Rex's expression seemed to flicker with something deeper—something almost like a shadow of pain, quickly masked. But it didn't go unnoticed by Ray.
"Goal?" he repeated softly, his voice barely audible. "I don't know. Maybe just… to understand what happened. To figure out what makes all this work. Maybe to stop more people from losing everything to Hollow Zero, like I did."
Ray watched him carefully. "Ah. So it's revenge, then. Or closure?"
Rex's eyes darkened for just a second before he looked away, his jaw tightening. "Closure, I guess. Or something like it."
Ray leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "I see. You've lost something to Hollow Zero. Something that drives you. That explains the fire in your eyes. But be careful, Rex. Hollow Zero doesn't give back what it takes. It'll chew you up and spit you out, if you're not careful. No one here is truly safe."
Rex's gaze returned to hers, and though his expression was stoic, Ray could sense the weight of the words. "I'm aware of that," he replied simply. "But I can handle it."
Ray didn't respond immediately, her mind racing as she considered the potential of Rex Harlow. There was more to this young man than met the eye, and she couldn't help but wonder how far he'd go before Hollow Zero, or perhaps something else, broke him.
"You may be right," Ray said, her voice steady. "But remember, no one does this alone. Not even you. So be careful where you tread. There's more at play in Hollow Zero than just fighting Ethereals."
Rex didn't say anything, but the look he gave her—brief yet knowing—spoke volumes. "I'll keep that in mind."
Ray watched him leave her office, her thoughts swirling. Rex Harlow was a puzzle, one she wasn't sure she could solve yet, but she had a feeling he'd be instrumental in whatever happened next within Hollow Zero. And whatever that was, it was sure to be just as dangerous as it was unpredictable.
As the door clicked shut, she turned back to the reports on her desk, but her mind remained on Rex. The rookie with a mysterious past and a future that seemed to be carved out of the very dangers they all faced.
She'd have to keep an eye on him.
But then again, it seemed Hollow Zero had already marked him as its own.