Sam Li strolled through Lumina Square with a birdcage in hand, heading to a restaurant for lunch.
On the way, he happened to run into Zhu Yuan and Qingyi, who were investigating a case. He learned they were following up on a theft at the W-Engine Research Institute.
After a brief exchange, Zhu Yuan started up the patrol car.
"Mr. Sam Li, if you spot any suspicious individuals, please inform me right away. My number is 1578888xxxx..."
Before Sam Li could reply, Zhu Yuan, eager to pursue clues at the research institute, left in a hurry with Qingyi.
Sam Li quietly took note of her request, finished lunch at the restaurant in Lumina Square, and—as usual—put it on the Hare's House tab.
After that, he continued his stroll and arrived at Master Tingman's café.
He sipped his coffee, waiting for a client to approach him.
At the same time, he used the moment to search for information about the Old Capital Metro Hollow on his phone, trying to verify Qingyi's claims.
He remained at the café for the entire afternoon.
By dusk, Sam Li reminded Master Tingman to put the bill on Hare's House's tab, then left Sixth Street with his birdcage, wrapping up his day's work.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of New Eridu, not far from Sixth Street, in a different neighborhood...
In a small, shabby rental room tucked away from the main streets, a disheveled middle-aged man in tattered clothes sat in front of an old television, watching a replay of the Public Security Bureau's press conference.
The floor around him was a mess of garbage, as if it hadn't been cleaned in years—food wrappers scattered everywhere, and cockroaches crawling through the filth.
Clearly, the man had grown used to it. He paid no attention to the cockroaches.
After a while, he reached behind him, pulled out a filthy rag, and began carefully wiping down the table in front of him. He didn't stop until it looked clean—at least in his eyes.
By then, the interview with Nicole had started playing on the TV.
"If you're looking for an agent, choose Hare's House... And if you choose Hare's House, then look for Sam Li. He's an agent recognized by the Public Security Bureau—safe and reliable. The address of Hare's House is…"
Hearing Nicole's voice, the man set the rag down and muttered, "Hare's House, an agency? After all these years, agencies have gotten this bold?"
He silently committed the name and the address to memory.
Then, he picked up a small plastic bag from the floor and dumped the contents onto the table—a heap of bizarre mechanical parts.
Had Zhu Yuan and Qingyi been present, they'd immediately recognize them as components stolen from the W-Engine Research Institute.
But the man didn't touch the parts right away.
Instead, he pulled out a battered razor, shaved off his long beard, then took a pair of scissors from the drawer and cut his own hair short.
After that, he showered in the shared bathroom of the cheap rental building.
Finally, he walked to a cabinet, pulled out an old-fashioned suit, and changed into it.
Once everything was done, the man sat back at the table, took a deep breath, and began assembling the parts.
Though his hands were a bit clumsy, it was obvious he was familiar with the components. In just over half an hour, he had reassembled them into a brand-new W-Engine.
From the appearance, specs, and engine skills, it was clearly a high-quality A-grade W-Engine.
He put the completed engine back into the plastic bag.
Then, without a care for the filth, he collapsed onto the messy sofa, picked up an ancient phone that had been used for over a decade, opened the forum, and once again saw posts about the revival of the Old Capital Metro Hollow.
"Ten years. I've waited ten years, and you've finally returned."
As he stared at the words "Old Capital Metro Hollow" on his screen, his tired eyes flickered with a complicated mix of emotions—anger, anticipation, and unshakable resolve...
Tomorrow, he would throw his life away.
He would stake this dying shell of a body in a battle against the Notoriety Ethereal.
He knew full well—he had no chance of winning.
The man turned off the TV, switched off the lights, and the room was swallowed by darkness.
Only the faint glow of the A-grade W-Engine in the plastic bag remained.
...
The next morning.
As the sun slowly rose behind Hollow Zero, casting its light over the city of New Eridu, Nicole was already up and about.
She hummed cheerfully as she brushed her teeth and got ready.
Today was the day—the Vision Company case was finally going to court.
If she could help the residents of Canvas Lane win the lawsuit, she'd earn at least several hundred thousand Dennies—maybe even a million.
And with the evidence so solid, Nicole was 100% confident they'd win.
After washing up, she shouted toward Annby's room, "Annby, are you up yet? Go grab some breakfast. Once we eat, we're heading out right away!"
While Annby was out, Nicole rummaged through her wardrobe and pulled out the perfect professional outfit for court. She eagerly tried it on.
It fit just right—though the chest area felt a bit tight. Had she grown again this year?
"Ann, Billy, Sam Li, Nekomata—hurry and eat! After breakfast, organize the indictment materials. Don't miss a thing."
"Don't worry, Nicole Boss, we already checked them last night."
"Last night was last night. I want another check today…"
"Yes, Nicole Boss! You're always so thorough!"
"..."
After breakfast, everyone jumped back into sorting through the case documents, making sure everything was in order.
Once all was ready, they were finally set to leave.
Nicole had just locked the door to Hare's House and was about to lead the group out when suddenly—
A middle-aged man with a sickly complexion and dressed in an old-fashioned suit appeared behind them.
"Excuse me, is this the Hare's House General Services Agency?"
The man looked worn down. His expression was stiff, with heavy bags under his eyes. In one hand, he held an ordinary plastic bag.
Seeing him, Billy twisted his waist and struck a signature Star Knight pose.
"That's right! This is Hare's House. What's troubling you?"
The man forced a stiff smile.
"I saw you on the news yesterday. I admire your courage. I want to hire you to take me to the black market or a hidden W-Engine shop. I'm looking for a special W-Engine."
Then, he opened the plastic bag.
"I don't have any Dennies. Can I pay with this A-grade W-Engine?"
...