In the C97 Hollow, the team advanced swiftly.
"Soldier 11, keep moving forward—"
"Be careful, the space has shifted. At the next intersection, turn left... then right... then left again..."
The Hollow's spatial anomalies were highly erratic, changing multiple times within just an hour.
Without Belle's continuous guidance, reaching the Abandoned Skyscraper would have been impossible, even with a full day's effort.
Before long, after following Soldier 11 and Eous through several turns, the group finally glimpsed the silhouette of the Abandoned Skyscraper in the distance.
A towering structure over a hundred meters tall, spanning dozens of floors.
Billy leaped over the ruins. "Yo-ho! We're almost there. Anby, Nekomata, Sam Li, let's race to see who reaches the Abandoned Skyscraper first."
Nekomata panted, "No way. You guys are like monsters, each faster than the other."
Nicole, equally out of breath, added, "Save your energy."
As they drew closer to the Abandoned Skyscraper, suddenly—
Anby drew her sword from her waist. "Nekomata, watch out—"
Startled, Nekomata asked, "What's wrong, Anby?"
Anby said gravely, "Ethereals."
Before Nekomata could react, Anby had already swung her sword.
The blade narrowly missed Nekomata, striking an ordinary Ethereal with a thud, killing it instantly.
Still catching her breath, Nekomata asked, "Soldier 11, didn't you say there were hardly any Ethereals in the C97 Hollow?"
Soldier 11 replied seriously, "I said 'hardly any,' not 'none.'"
Nekomata was speechless. "..."
At that moment, Belle's voice emanated from Eous. "Ether anomalies are intensifying; there may be more Ethereals ahead. Stay alert."
Nicole urged, "Our hour is almost up. Let's hurry."
Traversing a field of ruins, they finally arrived in front of the Abandoned Skyscraper at 59 minutes and 45 seconds, cautiously observing the surrounding skyscrapers.
Soldier 11 set Eous down. "Stay close and follow me."
With that, Soldier 11 took the lead.
Nicole, Sam Li, Anby, Billy, Nekomata, and Eous followed closely, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
As they approached the building, their communication devices buzzed.
Soldier 11 answered. "Mr. Mole, we've arrived."
Mr. Mole's voice crackled through. "I'm waiting inside the Abandoned Skyscraper. Come in, soldiers. We'll meet soon."
His tone had changed compared to previous communications, immediately putting Soldier 11 and Nicole on alert.
After ending the call, Nicole turned to Soldier 11. "What now? Who knows what tricks that mole is up to. Could this be a trap?"
Stretching, Nekomata added, "Meow, feels like a trap."
Soldier 11 had noticed the anomalies but, having reached the Abandoned Skyscraper's entrance and being so close to capturing the spy, there was no turning back.
"Even if it's a trap, we have to walk into it."
She sensed that the devious Mr. Mole was orchestrating a significant plot, potentially threatening the Defense Force.
For the Defense Force's safety, she needed to apprehend the spy and thwart his scheme before it unfolded.
Gripping her sword hilt, Soldier 11 stepped into the Abandoned Skyscraper first.
Nicole, Sam Li, Anby, Billy, Nekomata, and Eous followed, cautiously observing their surroundings.
Curiously, the entire building was eerily silent, showing no signs of rebel presence.
Tap, tap—
Footsteps echoed from the second floor.
Soldier 11 exchanged glances with Nicole, Sam Li, and the others, signaling to advance.
However, before they could ascend, suddenly—
A heavy iron plate crashed down from above, blocking the staircase to the second floor.
In an instant, everyone's heart sank.
Soldier 11 reacted first, turning to exit the building, but it was too late.
Bang! Bang! Bang—
Massive iron plates fell one after another, sealing all doors and windows of the first-floor lobby.
Simultaneously, crates in the lobby's corners burst open.
Heavily armed rebels emerged, wielding heavy submachine guns.
Over a dozen gun barrels aimed at the group.
Clutching her sword hilt, Soldier 11 prepared to draw. "Mr. Mole, we've arrived. Is this your way of welcoming us?"
Immediately, Mr. Mole's angry voice came through the rebels' communicator:
"Hahaha, does my laughter sound angry, Miss Soldier?"
Frowning, Soldier 11 asked, "What do you mean?"
Mr. Mole's voice returned. "You dare ask? Exploiting my admiration for Phaethon by sending an imposter to deceive my sincere feelings—unforgivable!"
Mr. Mole's furious roar made it clear he was enraged.
The group realized they'd been deceived.
That wretched mole had discovered that Phaethon was merely Belle "posing."
Soldier 11 attempted to reason. "Please calm down, Mr. Mole. I assure you, Phaethon is genuine."
Mr. Mole's fury intensified. "Don't take me for a fool. I had someone hack the Shepherd's website long ago. She's not Phaethon; she's just a nobody called Crimson Eyes, the Hermit. How dare she impersonate my idol? Damn it!"
Belle pleaded, "Mr. Mole, listen to me. I really am Phaethon..."
Soldier 11 sighed. "Forget it, Hermit of the Scarlet Eyes. No need to explain. Your task is complete. Step back; we'll handle this."
She then smashed the communicator to the ground, severing the connection.
Belle was at a loss. "..."
There was no way to clarify.
Even Soldier 11 didn't believe her to be Phaethon, let alone the spy, Mr. Mole.
At that moment, the rebels activated advanced video communicators, allowing Mr. Mole to see the group's faces directly.
Reconnecting, Mr. Mole's voice sneered:
"You dared to cut off communication? Didn't expect this—we have our own video transmitters. I'll savor your expressions of despair."
But the next moment, upon seeing Sam Li, Nicole, Billy, and the others, Mr. Mole's rage escalated.
"Why do you look familiar? Wait, you're from Hare's House, the ones from the news! Unforgivable! No wonder your voices sounded familiar. The nefarious Hare's House agency, who recently ruined Vision Company, now seeks to harm us. I trusted you so much yesterday, and you betrayed my feelings. Damn it! Attack! Shoot them..."
Recognizing the Hare's House members, Mr. Mole, furious, immediately ordered the assault.