In the cluttered corner of the ruined building, the young man who had just cried for help leaned weakly against the rubble.
He hadn't eaten for two days.
His face was pale and haggard, as if he had aged ten years. Deep lines carved across his features.
Beside him lay a little girl, unconscious. With her low Ether resistance, signs of Ether corrosion had already begun to appear on her body.
When Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and the others arrived, the young man finally saw hope.
"Officers, are you here to rescue us? Please, save my sister—she's barely hanging on... I'm begging you..."
Zhu Yuan immediately knelt down to examine the girl. Fortunately, her symptoms weren't too severe. If she could be sent to a hospital in New Eridu quickly, there was a good chance she could be saved.
But if they delayed any longer, they might miss the window for treatment.
As a member of the Public Security Bureau, Zhu Yuan couldn't stand by and do nothing.
He turned to the young man. "Can you still walk?"
The man nodded quickly. "Yes, but there are still Ethereals outside—and I have to carry my sister…"
While trapped in the Hollow, he'd tried several times to escape with her.
But the space within the Hollow was chaotic, and Ethereals could appear at any moment. He had witnessed people being slaughtered by them with his own eyes.
Seeing the fear on the man's face, Zhu Yuan said calmly, "We're currently on a mission. Only one of us can escort you and your sister out of the Hollow…"
They couldn't leave them behind—but abandoning their mission wasn't an option either.
So Zhu Yuan turned to Seth. "This is urgent. I'm entrusting you with getting them out."
Seth responded immediately, "Yes, Captain! I'll see it done."
Qingyi added, "Once you're out of the Hollow, you can have the other officers help get them to a hospital."
Seth nodded. "Don't worry, Senior Qingyi. I'll make sure they're safe."
With tasks assigned, Zhu Yuan said seriously, "Senior, there are still people waiting ahead. North Street's in a critical situation—I heard only part of the Obolus Squad is holding out. We need to get there fast."
Qingyi nodded. "Let's move."
After a few final instructions for Seth, the two of them headed toward North Street in the Federer District.
Once they were gone, Seth hoisted the unconscious girl onto his back and helped the young man to his feet, preparing to lead them out.
Though he couldn't assist Zhu Yuan and the others directly, Seth saw rescuing these two as just as vital.
Once they were safe, he'd rush to the frontlines to support Captain Zhu Yuan and Senior Qingyi.
"The layout shifted again—this way…"
Relying on the carrot in his hand, Seth guided them through the ever-shifting Hollow.
Along the way, he remained alert, scanning the surroundings to avoid being ambushed by Ethereals.
If he were alone, he wouldn't be afraid—but with two injured survivors in tow, he had to avoid high-risk areas at all costs.
Still, to get the girl to safety and rejoin Zhu Yuan and Qingyi as quickly as possible, Seth had to pick up the pace.
What seemed like a simple escort mission, he treated with utmost care.
Suddenly, just as they exited a building while taking a shortcut, an Ethereal appeared ahead.
The young man beside him panicked. "Officer Seth, it's an Ethereal!"
Seth instinctively drew his baton. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, nothing will harm you."
At the same time, the Ethereal charged toward them.
"I've got this."
Seth gently set the unconscious girl beside the young man, then stepped forward—shield in one hand, baton in the other—toward the oncoming Ethereal.
It was a regular one, nothing that could threaten him.
He blocked its attack with his shield and then struck it hard with the baton, sending it stumbling back a meter. A quick swing at its waist made it stagger again, nearly collapsing.
Then Seth leapt high and brought the baton crashing down on its head.
A clean headshot.
The fight was over.
He exhaled. "You'll never lay a hand on those under my protection."
But before he could relax, the young man's alarmed voice rang out again.
"Officer Seth, look over there... Ethereals—more of them!"
Seth turned calmly. "Don't worry, I'll handle—"
But when he saw what the man was pointing at, he froze. His raised foot stepped back instinctively.
Dozens of Ethereals, large and small, filled half the street.
Seth reacted quickly. He hoisted the girl onto his back once more and turned to the man. "Run!"
The young man trembled, speechless.
He'd never seen anything like this. His legs were frozen with fear.
Seth had no choice—he grabbed the man and tossed him over his shoulder too, then bolted down the street.
His speed could have been faster—but now, with the girl, his baton, shield, and the man on his shoulders, he was carrying far too much.
He couldn't outrun the Ethereals.
As they started closing in, Seth made a sharp turn into a building, then exited onto another street through a side passage.
Just as he emerged, he was met with an enormous Ethereal ahead—dozens of meters tall, with thick vine-like tentacles that towered above the buildings.
Fear gripped his heart.
He was about to retreat when he noticed something strange.
The massive Ethereal didn't move—it stood completely still, like a giant statue of stone.
Seth glanced behind. The Ethereals were closing in again.
No time to think. He charged straight toward the massive figure.
Up close, he confirmed—it really was a statue. But he'd never seen it on this street before.
Was it newly placed?
Just as he passed the towering statue, another figure caught his eye ahead—a divine statue etched with glowing golden patterns, emanating a soft golden light.
The moment he saw it, a wave of warmth washed over him. A sense of peace settled in his chest. Even his fear of the colossal Ethereal vanished completely.
What a mysterious statue.
Seeing the end of the street in sight, Seth felt a surge of relief.
But then—
An Ethereal wielding a hammer dropped from above, blocking the path.
Then another. And another...
In a flash, over a dozen Ethereals appeared in front of him.