Zenless Zone Zero: Morax in a New World!

According to posts on the forum and official statements from New Eridu, C41 Hollow should have entered a decline three days ago.

Explorers had already entered two days prior in search of loot.

And yet, during those two days, there hadn't been a single report of anyone encountering a Notoriety Ethereal.

But...

The moment Nicole and the others stepped inside, they ran into them.

Not just one—but three at once.

In the past, escaping from even one might've been questionable. Now, they'd taken all three down with ease.

Whether that was good luck or bad... was hard to say.

Just then, Anby pulled out her portable Hollow observation device again.

Compared to earlier, both Ether concentration and activity had risen sharply.

No doubt—the spike was caused by the appearance of those Notoriety Ethereals.

...

Nearby, Billy and Arataki Itto strolled over.

Arataki Itto spoke confidently, "I smashed that monster flat with one swing. Pretty cool, right? Tell me it wasn't awesome."

Billy immediately gave him a thumbs-up.

"That was epic. On par with the Starlight Knight!"

Nicole: "…"

Anby: "…"

These two had just met, yet they were already arm-in-arm, calling each other "brother" like they'd known each other for years.

A real comic duo.

Then, Arataki Itto seemed to remember something.

"Didn't you say some of your teammates are dealing with two more monsters somewhere else? Need my help? You helped me—it's only fair I return the favor. That's the Arataki Gang spirit!"

Billy shook his head.

"No need. You've never seen Sam Li in action, so I get why you're worried. But if you'd seen him take down Geo Bangboo, trust me—you wouldn't be."

"Geo Bangboo?" Arataki Itto looked confused.

What the heck was that?

Before he could figure it out, Nicole stood up from the rock.

"Let's go. We're heading to check on Sam Li."

Billy scratched his head awkwardly.

"Uh... I mean, I'm sure Sam Li can handle those Notoriety Ethereals..."

He had just said they didn't need to help Sam Li—now Nicole was calling that into question.

Nicole smirked.

"Of course he can handle it. But the warehouse is that way. The resource crates are there too. Let's go take a look."

With that, she started walking, with Anby and Soldier 11 close behind.

Billy glanced at Arataki Itto.

"You coming, Brother Arataki?"

Arataki Itto nodded.

"Didn't I just say? You helped me out, so I'll return the favor. That's the Arataki way."

Then he paused, suddenly remembering something.

"Billy, can I ask you about someone?"

Billy straightened with pride.

"Go ahead. Finding people is what Hare's House does best. Just give me a name—we'll track them down."

Hearing that, Arataki Itto beamed.

"I came here looking for the Traveler and Paimon. Have you seen them?"

Billy blinked.

"The Traveler? Paimon? Are you sure those are the names?"

He'd met a lot of people in New Eridu.

But those two names? Never heard of them.

Arataki Itto explained, "The Traveler's name is Lumine, but we all call her Traveler. Paimon is just Paimon—though you could also call her Dwarf Melon. They're super famous! The whole continent knows their adventures! You really haven't heard of them?"

Lumine? Dwarf Melon?

Billy had definitely never heard of them.

"Can you describe them?"

"Let me think... Paimon floats in the air—like a kite tied to Lumine. She's small and round, kinda looks like a Dwarf Melon…"

"Wait... floats in the air? Like Miss Rina from Victoria Housekeeping? Is she a Ghost Thiren?"

"A what?"

"Ghost Thiren. Some call her a Phantom Thiren."

"A Ghost? You mean she's from the ghost clan?"

"Close enough. That's what folks on the forum say. But don't go calling her that—if Miss Rina hears you, you're done for... Anyway, hang on. I'll ask Nicole."

Billy sighed.

Everything Arataki Itto said was throwing him off. He had no clue who these people were.

Best to ask Nicole.

He jogged up to her and Anby and relayed the info.

"Nicole, Anby—Arataki's looking for a traveler named Lumine and someone called Paimon... or Dwarf Melon? Do you know them?"

Nicole frowned.

"Lumine? Dwarf Melon? Never heard of them…"

"He's from the outer ring," Billy added. "When all this is over, maybe we can help him."

Though they'd only just met, Billy really liked Arataki Itto's vibe.

It felt like seeing another version of himself—lost, confused, just arrived from the outer ring.

Back then, it was Nicole who had helped Billy find his place.

Now it was his turn—to help Arataki Itto adjust to New Eridu.

Seeing how serious he was, Nicole sighed.

"Alright. Tell that guy—when we get back to the city, I'll help him find Lumine and Dwarf Melon… Though seriously, what's with outer ring folks and these bizarre names? Is Dwarf Melon a fruit?"

No time for that now.

They had to get to Sam Li and help him secure the supply crates.

...

Soon after, Nicole led the group across an intersection and back to the street with the warehouse.

From a distance, Nicole and Anby could already see the ground covered in black fragments—remains of the two high-tier Ethereals that had just been slain.

A supply truck was parked nearby.

Sam Li and Nekomata were standing beside the shattered crystal remains.

Seeing this, Nicole wasn't surprised at all.

"Knew it. Sam Li and Nekomata can handle two high-tier Ethereals with ease."

Anby corrected her seriously.

"Correction. Sam Li probably handled both on his own."

Soldier 11 hadn't seen Sam Li's battle against Azhdaha.

But she had witnessed Sam Li defeat several high-tier Ethereals solo back in the Federer District Hollow—some even stronger than Notoriety class.

...

"Brother Arataki, we're here!" Billy shouted back.

"Come meet Sam Li—the ace of Hare's House. Our most capable agent!"

Arataki Itto called back in agreement and ran over eagerly.

Billy pointed him forward...

And Arataki Itto finally laid eyes on Sam Li in the distance.

"????"