Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

"Before asking someone else's identity, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"

Zane gave a faint smile and spoke gently.

"Ask? Heh..."

Xin raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze settling on Zane beside her, meeting his eyes—icy and sharp as frost.

"Very well. Since you're here, you should know this is currently the Obsidian Squad's operation zone under the Staff Army."

She pulled back her gaze, her eyes turning calm and deep.

"My name is Xin, a Major of the Staff Army."

"At present, both the Obsidian Squad and Heaven's Judgment fall under my command. In other words, I am the highest-ranking officer here."

The highest operational commander...

Zane was slightly surprised. He hadn't seen Xin before and had no impression of the pink-haired girl standing before him.

He had assumed she was another special operative here to stir up the waters, like himself. He hadn't expected her to be the one running the entire show.

Noticing the pair of pristine white wings at Xin's waist, Zane asked with curiosity,

"Miss Xin, you're a Thiren, aren't you?"

"Would you mind telling me what kind?"

Zane had always been naturally curious about things like this. He resisted the urge to reach out and touch them, keeping his tone casual, like chatting with a friend.

"Since I've already introduced myself, shouldn't it be your turn? Why are you so caught up on the Thiren thing?"

Xin found herself reassessing the masked man. Despite knowing who she was, he stayed perfectly composed—clearly not someone easily rattled.

"Just curious," Zane replied with a playful smile. "Miss Xin, the phrase 'beautiful and kind-hearted' suits you well. I've seen the beauty—now I wonder about the kindness. Care to show me?"

Under normal circumstances, that would've sounded like a smooth-talking line. But at this moment, Xin's demeanor only grew more serious, her eyes sharpening slightly.

"Please stay on topic."

Zane knew then—if he didn't say something meaningful, this situation might not end so smoothly.

Fortunately, he had come prepared.

"A confidential member of the Hollow Special Operations Unit 6. This is our section chief's ID. For... special reasons, I'm afraid I can't take off this mask."

He raised his hand and flashed Hoshimi Miyabi's credentials in front of Xin. Once she had seen them clearly, he tucked them away again without pause.

Xin's expression shifted ever so slightly. There was surprise—and also confusion.

The ID was genuine. She could tell that much.

Was Hoshimi Miyabi personally getting involved in Staff Army affairs?

She wouldn't have cared much if it were just H.A.N.D or even Unit 6 acting alone. But Miyabi was different.

She was the youngest Hollow Hunter, a combatant with both unmatched potential and strength, and she had H.A.N.D—and that family—behind her.

Why would she want to get involved with rebel activity against the Staff Army? It had no connection to the Hollow Special Operations Unit.

Xin's doubt deepened, but her face remained composed. She didn't let any of it show.

"So you're one of Miss Miyabi's people... As for the mask, it's no big deal."

She gave a small shake of her head. The Hollow Special Operations Unit 6 had a unique status. They were free to observe—or even intervene—if they wished. It was complicated.

By all rights, the two sides should've had no reason to cross paths.

But here they were.

Xin set aside her thoughts. A new idea came to mind.

"Tell me—have you ever considered joining the Staff Army?"

She looked at Zane, her lips curling into a faint smile for the first time.

"Unit 6 is always shorthanded, overloaded with missions—constantly on edge. But if you joined the Staff Army, things would be different."

"You'd be under my command. I can promise you treatment far better than what you're getting now. Authority here is as easy to obtain as reaching out your hand."

Her smile was soft and graceful, her pink hair adding to her gentle appearance. But her words carried a tempting pull—like a demon's whispered charm.

"Ahem... Miss Xin, poaching people like this—is that really appropriate?"

"I'm eternally loyal to Miss Miyabi, you know."

Zane smiled lightly, calm and unbothered.

Xin sighed, as if lamenting a missed opportunity.

Her gaze softened, and she slowly stepped closer. Her wings spread gently behind her like open arms, as if inviting him into her embrace—

Into warmth and light.

To be devoured, piece by piece.

She raised a hand and moved it toward Zane's face. Her delicate fingers brushed his mask, sliding downward as though trying to feel the shape of his face through the surface.

As her hand moved, she murmured softly,

"My offer still stands. The Staff Army is always open to you."

She smiled faintly as she finished, about to lower her hand—

But her fingers accidentally brushed against the edge of the mask.

At that moment, Zane raised his hand and gently gripped Xin's wrist.

His touch was light—like holding something precious—

Yet unyielding, like iron, locking her wrist in place.

"Thank you for the offer, Miss Xin. But I'm afraid I must decline. My heart and soul belong to Miss Miyabi."

His face was hidden, but Xin could almost see his calm, composed expression behind the mask—just from his voice.

She slowly withdrew her hand as he released her. Her eyes were unreadable.

"Who knows what the future holds?"

"But as for now, I don't have much time to spend here. As long as you don't interfere with Staff Army operations, do as you please."

She seemed to lose interest and spoke flatly before stepping off the edge of the rooftop.

But even as she left the roof, she didn't fall.

Her white wings flapped gently, carrying her downward in a slow, graceful descent.

"So those wings really do work, huh..."

Zane raised an eyebrow. He had to admit—he was a little jealous.

As Xin's figure shrank in the distance, he slowly relaxed, exhaling softly.

"A white dove? A white crane? Nah... more like a fox. A cunning little fox..."

From beginning to end, if he'd said the wrong word or made the wrong move, he had no doubt Xin would've turned on him in an instant.

Every word, every gesture—either laying a trap or testing him. Her guard was impossibly high.

Maybe she'd even noticed something... hard to say.

But thankfully, this confrontation—though blade-less—ended with her backing off, thanks to his calm front and the caution she still held.

...