An Unexpected Encounter

"Tch... I totally forgot about that. Since I'm wearing the mask, whoever's been tailing me probably didn't realize who I am."

Now back in human form, Zane caught the mask as it slipped from his face, one brow arching slightly.

That settled it. Even if the "little tail" survived his trap, there was nothing else to worry about.

"Hmmneh neh! (Boss, I can't drag it anymore!)"

Not far behind, Panta was struggling to haul a large sack of Ether, looking every bit like a barge hauler pulling a boat.

"Sigh... with that little frame, you've still got a lot of training to do."

"If you can't even carry Ether, how are you going to fight Ethereals?"

Zane chuckled and took the bag from Panta's paws. It was heavy, no doubt—he had collected a substantial amount of Ether.

"But just walking out of the Hollow like this... kinda stands out, doesn't it?"

He eyed the large sack in his hands. Marching around at night, just outside the Dead End Hollow, carrying a huge bag while masked?

Yeah... sketchy.

Shaking his head, Zane started pondering how to move the Ether out discreetly. He hadn't really thought it through on the way in.

"If only I were more skilled with spatial manipulation... what a waste."

With no better idea, he frowned, shook his head again, grabbed the sack with one hand, and slipped his mask back on with the other.

"Forget it—I'll just barge out."

"In the name of the Masked Fool."

He glanced down at Panta. Its coloring made it easily recognizable, and Zhu Yuan had already given it proper legal ID. If Panta got exposed, it wouldn't be as easy to hide as Zane himself.

"You're coming too."

Zane opened the sack and tossed Panta in.

Panta, clueless but obedient, stayed inside quietly.

Surrounded by glittering "stones," Panta looked around curiously but didn't move. Thanks to its adaptive physiology, the Ether had minimal effect on him.

With the bag secured over his shoulder and his mask properly adjusted, Zane didn't waste another second—he headed for the Hollow's exit.

...

Moments later, outside the Dead End Hollow.

"Citizen, you just exited the Hollow, didn't you?"

"Please remove your mask and place the bag down. Cooperate with our investigation."

A security officer presented his ID as several others raised their weapons at Zane in silent warning.

Zane sighed inwardly at the sight.

He'd specifically chosen a less-patrolled exit. Of course, luck had him run right into a security squad.

No way around it now.

"All right, officer. I'm happy to cooperate..."

Zane set the bag down and raised both hands in surrender. His voice was relaxed, with a faint smile hidden beneath the mask.

As the officers let down their guard and stepped closer, Zane tilted his head and said softly,

"Later."

Boom—

A burst of Ether crystal dust exploded into the air, obscuring their view. The officers instinctively tried to open fire, only to realize their weapons wouldn't respond.

"What the—? Why isn't it firing?!"

"Same here! It's like it's broken!"

While they were still in shock, Zane was already gone—vanishing into the distance, away from the Hollow.

"Requesting backup! Unidentified individual just exited from the southwest sector of the Dead End Hollow!"

"Suspect may possess tech capable of disabling Security Bureau weapons. Due to limited personnel on-site, requesting support from nearest bureau!"

The leading officer radioed in immediately—only to discover, midway through his call, that his communicator had also gone dead.

"Damn... this guy's not normal. I remember there's a public phone booth nearby—I'll alert HQ. You two notify the others outside the Hollow!"

He dashed off down the street, leaving the rest exchanging uncertain glances.

A security officer using a payphone to call the bureau?

Ridiculous—but they had no better option. The others hurried off to inform the nearby officers.

To their credit, thanks to the team leader's quick reaction, they didn't waste much time. Soon, the bureau was treating Zane with the level of urgency he apparently deserved.

Extreme urgency.

...

"This is insane—why are there armed helicopters?!"

Zane weaved through the streets, glanced skyward, and frowned at the whir of rotor blades thundering overhead.

Come on. He'd just taken a stroll through the Hollow—not like he killed anyone or blew something up.

Was this seriously necessary?

Was this even legal?!

"There's another one—wait, two more!"

Pale searchlights cut across the night, sweeping toward him.

Behind him, more beams kept pace.

Zane turned back and forced himself to stay calm. This wasn't how he thought things would go. He'd expected maybe a few officers, a quick breakout, then lying low.

Now it was a full-blown city-wide chase.

Ether surged in his palm. He hadn't planned on using it, which was why he'd just sabotaged their gear quietly and kicked up some confusing crystal dust.

There was a big difference between special personnel knowing the Masked Fool was unique and the general public knowing it.

The first could be managed. The second? Not so much.

But yeah... no doubt about it—he was going to be tomorrow's headline.

...

"More patrol cars..."

The sound of distant sirens was getting louder by the second. Zane's expression twisted in mild exasperation.

He still didn't fully understand what was going on, but surrender wasn't an option. Without hesitation, he ducked into a maze of twisting alleyways.

He wasn't panicking. If he wanted to escape, there were countless ways.

These guys? Not catching him.

What he really wanted to know was—why all this?

All this firepower... for what?

This was only the Masked Fool's second appearance, wasn't it?

...

"So this is the surprise you mentioned?"

Sarah lounged on a sofa, watching the real-time footage unfold on the screen in front of her, a little taken aback.

"What? Not satisfied?"

The man beside her gave a faint smile. His grey-and-white uniform was clean and neatly pressed, but his face looked pale—like he was still recovering from an injury.

"Of course I'm satisfied."

Sarah smiled and nodded, picking up a wine glass and pouring herself a drink.

Watching that insufferable man get hunted like a stray dog?

She was loving it.

"I don't know what side he's on—whether he's from the outside or within. But if he knows about the 'Sacrificial Ghost' and he's not with us..."

"Then we can't let him go."

"That's why we're giving him exactly what he deserves."