On the surface, New Eridu gleams with prosperity—towering skyscrapers in the city center, cutting-edge technology, and a vibrance that rivals the great capitals of the old world.
If you had an endless supply of Dennies, you could move downtown and bask in that luxury.
However...
That prosperity exists only in the heart of the city.
Other districts, including the Janus District where Hare's House is located, live under the constant threat of the Hollows.
At any moment, disaster could strike, and entire neighborhoods might be swallowed whole by the Old Capital Metro Hollow.
For the average citizen of New Eridu, this is the harsh reality—the dark underbelly of the city's glittering surface.
And it is within this reality that the black market, agents, Proxies, and smugglers emerged.
Sam Li led his client, Cass, through the black market.
Along the way, they passed contraband of every sort—fake IDs for the Public Security Bureau, the Defense Force, and the Special Anti-Air Division; restricted weapons and military gear; firearms, explosives, drugs; even animals mutated by Ether corrosion...
They even saw several grotesque individuals whose bodies had been twisted by Ether, their faces blotched with black spots, hiding in the underground alleys to evade the Public Security Bureau's reach.
Sam Li had seen this many times.
But for Mr. Cass, it seemed to trigger something—his face twisted with suppressed anguish.
He clenched his fists tight.
Then he staggered to a trash bin and dry-heaved.
Sam Li spoke calmly. "There's a W-Engine shop ahead. Let's take a break there and have a look."
Mr. Cass finally composed himself. "No need to rest. Let's go now. I don't have much time..."
It wouldn't be long before the Public Security Bureau followed the trail to him. Once they issued a warrant, it would be nearly impossible to recover the W-Engine he sought.
He had to find it before they found him—retrieve the engine, and then head to the Hollow, where he would face the Notoriety Ethereal and end everything.
...
Soon, Sam Li and Mr. Cass entered a W-Engine shop.
Despite the sign, there weren't many engines on display—only a few low-grade or damaged models.
They searched the entire place but found nothing useful.
A look of disappointment surfaced in Mr. Cass's eyes. "Mr. Sam Li, can you take me to the next black market or engine shop?"
Sam Li gave a slow nod. "Follow me."
The entire morning, they combed through the Janus District. One black market. Two W-Engine shops. Even the one back on Sixth Street.
Still, no sign of the target.
At noon, at Cass's request, they ventured into other districts and visited several more shops.
All came up empty.
Finally, Sam Li asked, "What exactly is the W-Engine you're searching for?"
Mr. Cass slumped against a wall. "It's a protective W-Engine I spent three years building—hundreds of tests. To others, it's worthless. Once its ability triggers, it turns into scrap metal. But they don't know... that engine is more than defense. It's a weapon."
Hearing that, Sam Li furrowed his brow.
A W-Engine that self-destructs upon activation... yet doubles as a weapon?
It sounded familiar...
Beside him, Mr. Cass muttered, "If I can find that engine... I'll have a chance to kill that damned locomotive."
But...
Seven years had passed since he created it.
For all he knew, it had long since fallen into someone else's hands. Maybe a Hollower had used it and left it as junk... or some collector had stashed it away...
Cass had already made peace with it.
Even if he couldn't find that engine, he had no intention of running anymore. It was time to finish things.
Just as he was lost in thought, Sam Li suddenly asked, "Is it called Guardian Angel?"
Mr. Cass froze. He turned to Sam Li, hope flaring in his eyes. "You know that engine? Mr. Sam Li—how did you hear that name?"
Sam Li gave a faint smile, as if it all made sense now.
He reached behind him and pulled out the engine Nicole had given him for emergencies—a compact, armor-like model unmistakably built for defense.
It was the A-grade W-Engine—Guardian Angel.
The moment he saw it, Mr. Cass's eyes lit up. He sprang to his feet and took it from Sam Li's hands.
"I finally found it... Hare's House—you didn't let me down."
A faint smile appeared on Cass's gaunt face.
But it didn't last. The joy faded quickly, replaced by a solemn resolve.
Cass spoke earnestly. "Thank you, Mr. Sam Li. Your job is done."
Sam Li studied the look on his face—there was a story behind those eyes. "You're heading into a fight. Need a hand?"
Cass shook his head. "I'll go alone. That Ethereal is strong. Even you wouldn't stand a chance."
He wasn't underestimating Sam Li.
It was just that... the memory from ten years ago was still burned into his mind.
He'd watched as a massive Ethereal—like a living locomotive—rampaged through the scene and crushed his lover without mercy.
He had tried to protect her.
But there was nothing he could do—only stand frozen as the beast vanished into the ruins.
That fear. That helplessness. That fury... He still hadn't forgotten.
That was the reason he clung to life for so long. Waiting. Planning.
Remembering that day once more, Cass turned away and clutched his head in both hands.
Sam Li said gently, "Tell me your story. Maybe I can help."
Cass took a long breath, then began.
"Ten years ago, I was a genius W-Engine researcher. A rising star. The kind of talent that people said would make a fortune and buy a place in the city center someday...
"But then it happened. A Notoriety Ethereal—one of the locomotive-class—attacked the train. Everyone on board died. The driver. The passengers. The crew... and my lover."
"I had so many W-Engines on me... and not one of them could stop it. All I could do was watch the nightmare unfold."
"From that day forward, my research changed. I only used defensive materials. Poured everything into protection. I built an Ether barrier inside the engine—strong enough to block even a Notoriety Ethereal's blow..."
"And finally, I put it all together into what everyone else called worthless... the Guardian Angel."