While Nicole, Billy, Nekomata, and the others were discussing what to do during Sharo Golden Week, Soldier 11 took out her phone and searched the forum for keywords related to the holiday. Instantly, a flood of results popped up.
[Sharo Golden Week, a scam by New Eridu's capitalists…]
[Don't fall for Sharo Golden Week—the discount strategies are longer than a thesis…]
[Guys, who can relate? All the tourist spots are packed. I bought tickets and still couldn't get in…]
[The ultimate Sharo Golden Week strategy: stay home for seven days.]
Reading these, even Soldier 11 was speechless.
It seemed public opinion about Sharo Golden Week was mixed. Plenty of people had complaints, but others were full of praise—saying they saved tons of money shopping or that it was the perfect time for a vacation.
Overall, Sharo Golden Week was a hot topic.
Soldier 11 glanced at the group deep in discussion and, with a rare smile tugging at her lips, decided to join in. She walked over to Nicole and the others and joined the "where to go" conversation.
Just then, a Public Security Bureau patrol car pulled up at the entrance.
Nicole immediately felt uneasy and stepped forward toward the car.
Could it be that the situation with the Golden Bangboo had been exposed? Had the Bureau found out?
Sure enough, a moment later, Captain Zhu Yuan from the Public Security Bureau stepped out of the vehicle, accompanied by Qingyi and Seth.
As soon as they met, Nicole greeted them directly.
"Officer Zhu Yuan, is something wrong? If there's a commission, just say the word. We at Hare's House never turn down a job."
Zhu Yuan replied seriously, "It's not a commission. We just need a small favor while we're passing through."
Nicole looked puzzled. "What kind of favor?"
Zhu Yuan said, "The Public Security Bureau has issued a new bounty. We'd like you to pass the word to others in the proxy business."
As he spoke, he pulled out a reward notice stamped with the Bureau's official seal.
The content was simple:
Anyone who could provide information on the whereabouts of Golden Bangboo and Platinum Bangboo would receive a reward of one million Dennies.
Seeing the "one million Dennies" figure, Nicole's eyes went wide like a rabbit spotting a carrot.
"One million Dennies? I-I-I know where the Golden—"
But she cut herself off mid-sentence, realizing what she was about to reveal. If the Bureau found out that Hare's House had captured Golden Bangboo and sent it to the Outer Ring, they could be in serious trouble.
Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Seth were already staring at her, waiting for her to finish.
This was all Qingyi's plan. They knew Nicole would dodge if asked directly about Golden Bangboo, so they baited her with a bounty. And it worked perfectly.
Nicole looked flustered. "Um… we don't know anything. We didn't capture Golden Bangboo."
Nekomata chimed in quickly, "Yeah, that's right! We didn't catch Golden Bangboo."
Anby looked like she wanted to say something, but Nekomata hurriedly covered her mouth. "Shh! Don't say anything."
Seth sighed in frustration. "Miss Nicole, if Hare's House knows anything, just say it. The million Dennies bounty is real. And I promise—no one will cause you trouble for any information you provide."
Zhu Yuan nodded. "Please trust the Public Security Bureau, Miss Nicole. Trust me."
Qingyi gave a small smile and pulled out a check for one million Dennies. "Go on. Say what you know, and this is yours."
At this point, Nicole knew she couldn't keep the Golden Bangboo matter under wraps any longer. Trying to hide it might bring trouble—not just to her, but to all of Hare's House.
So she grabbed the check from Qingyi and stuffed it into her pocket.
"Ahem. Well then, I'll tell you… Golden Bangboo and Platinum Bangboo escaped to Bangboo Town in the Outer Ring."
She didn't say she had helped them escape—just that they had escaped.
After hearing her out, Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Seth all frowned.
Just as they had suspected—whether sent or escaped, the Bangboos had ended up in the Outer Ring.
Nicole gave a light cough. "I've told you what I know. If you want to find Golden Bangboo, head to Bangboo Town."
Zhu Yuan took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you for the information, Miss Nicole."
They seemed pressed for time. No sooner had they gotten the intel than Zhu Yuan and his team rushed off.
Watching the patrol car drive away, Nekomata frowned. "The Public Security Bureau is really greedy. Golden Bangboo already escaped, and they're still after the money on those Bangboos?"
Anby looked thoughtful. "No… I don't think it's about the Gear Coins or Dennies on the Bangboos."
Nekomata raised an eyebrow. "Then what is it?"
Anby shook her head. "I'm not sure…"
But clearly, the Bureau was putting way too much focus on those two Bangboos. They'd even teamed up with the Joint Defense Army and the Hollow Investigation Association to catch them, and now that they'd escaped, the chase continued.
As everyone mulled this over...
Nekomata pointed to the end of the street. "Nicole, look—it's Sam Li. He's back!"
Billy twirled his waist dramatically and laughed. "Ahahaha, Sam Li must be experiencing Sharo Golden Week for the first time too! Let's get him on the planning!"
Nicole kicked Billy in the butt. "Cut it out. Go get Sam Li a glass of water."
Billy instantly obeyed. "Leave it to me!"
He quickly brought over a full glass. As soon as Sam Li walked through the door, Billy greeted him.
"Here's some water, Sam Li. Any new commissions today?"
They had made good money lately, but Hare's House still needed to take on jobs.
Sam Li took the glass and shook his head. "No commissions."
After stepping inside, he continued, "But—I heard some news."
He then shared what he had learned about the decline in activity at the C41 Hollows and the discovery of a supply box.
Nicole's eyes lit up. "A supply box? From the old era?"
She'd heard of C41 Hollows—once home to a massive corporate tycoon from the old era, before it was swallowed by disaster.
If it really was a supply box from back then, it could contain not just W-Engines and gear, but even lost technology from the old world.
That kind of stuff was incredibly valuable.