After creating the alt-account, Belle immediately saw that there was an intriguing commission available which she immediately took.
"Alright. Our secondary account is set up. You're pretty quick." Praised Wise.
"There's a new commission on the Inter-Knot. The content is quite intriguing..." Belle told Wise, to which he also took an intrigue to.
"An intriguing new commission? Let me take a look." Wise examined the commission, revealing the requester to be General Chop from Waterfall Soup. "General Chop seems to be quite anxious. If that's the case, let's take on his commission. Consider it helping out a neighbour."
When Belle revealed that she had already accepted the commission, Wise sighed and put his hand on his head. "...You're too quick, you forgot to switch the account back to Phaethon..." Belle only looked sheepish at her mistake.
"He might find it a bit suspicious that a new account just accepted his commission. In that case, why don't you go see General Chop and explain the situation to him? You can even ask for more details about the commission."
"Good idea Wise. I'll go right away."
Before she could leave the room, Wise stopped her to tell something else. "Oh, by the way, Susie from the Box Galaxy gadget store just contacted us. She said she had something to ask of us. I wonder whether it's Susie or the gadget store owner who needs our help... Belle, could you also check on them?"
"Will do. Well, off I go."
.....
"Well... First thing first, let's do my daily ritual. Scratch card at the newsstand." Going to the nearby newsstand, she greeted Howl with a headpat. "Hey there Howl. Can you give me a scratch card like usual?"
Howl nodded in understanding and gave her the scratch card. Scratching it up, it revealed she had won 12888 dennies.
When Howl handed her prize, Belle couldn't but exclaim in joy. "Nice. Can't wait to show off to Wise later. But let's get down to business first.
A short walk to the Waterfall Soup and Belle can already see General Chop's rather agitated face.
"Argh. How annoying." Said General Chop to no one in particular.
"What's the matter, General Chop? Are you closed today?" Belle asked when she saw no customer in the noodle shop.
"Oh, it's you. Sorry, but I can't take your order right now, and all because of Pegasos Logistics!" General Chop then explained further and told her how the ingredients he ordered hadn't arrived after which he traced and tracked the order. "Apparently, they somehow sent everything into a Hollow!"
"Is it because of a Hollow disaster?" Belle guessed.
"It must be. The ingredients are no big deal, and I've just bought a replacement elsewhere... It's just..." He admitted that he was worried for the courier who was his regular and hoped nothing bad happened to him. "I've already posted a request on Inter-Knot to find the truck. A proxy named Heliades accepted the job earlier. The account is new though so I'm not sure if it's reliable or not."
Belle points at herself. "Actually, I'm the one who accepted the job..."
"Huh, you're the one who accepted the job? Heliades is you? Ohhh, I see. You've created a new account to make certain things easier." He thought to which Belle nodded in confirmation.
"I got so flustered earlier. I should've come directly to your store for help. I shouldn't wasted time on Inter-Knot. But, since it's you who have taken the job, I'm somewhat relieved!" Well then, I'll leave the whereabouts of the truck to you. However, until I'm sure the driver is safe, the noodle shop won't be opening... I can't cook whole while I'm worried like this."
Belle gave a nod of understanding. "I'll be off then. See you later General Chop."
With a wave of his mechanical arms, General Chop sends his good luck. "Make sure to stay safe."
.....
Walking to the next location, she spotted Anby at the 141 Convenience Store. She asked her what she was buying.
"I'm buying supplies for the next commission." Anby then listed off a lot of junk food which, when asked if she had the right list, revealed to be for a celebration after they finished their commission.
Belle could only shake her head in disbelief at Nicole's spending habit.
Leaving Anby, Belle arrived at Box Galaxy with Susie already waiting for her at the front door.
"Ah Belle you're here! Perfect timing! My boss says I'll need your help with something!"
"What is it?" Asked Belle.
"He wanted the message to be delivered verbatim, so here it is." Susie clears her throat. "I've found a new way to source awesome new gadgets. I'm sure you'll like them, If you're willing to help, they should be available in the store soon."
"You sound just like your boss." Joked Belle.
"Wait I'm not finished yet!" She resumes imitating her boss. "This new path is blocked, and I've lost communication with the assistant I sent there. Could you help me sort it all out? I'll send more details soon." With that, she finishes relaying her boss' message to Belle.
'As expected. It's about W-Engines...' Belle thought to herself. 'Something must've gone wrong with the underground W-engines business. Some of them probably fell in a Hollow and now I need to clean this mess up.'
"I'm not sure exactly what happened, but it sounds like there was a problem with the gadgets they called W-Engines. Aren't they the ones you and your friends are collecting? Since it's such an urgent request, the boss said that apart from the regular payment, I can also give you a sample as a thank-you gift. Hope you like it." Susie then handed a W-Engines to Belle.
Belle went to examine the good, before realising what she had gotten. 'Wait. This texture... This batch of goods must be'
"... The latest W-Engine equipped with the fourth-generation synchronous conduction device. It can release ultrasonic waves that effectively resonate with the active wavelength of various Ether weapons." The voice of Anby interrupted her train of thought.
"According to official data, the average initial weapon performance can be improved by up to 44.21% and the combat survival rate of personnel equipped with such gear can be increased by at least 30%"
"Anby? What are you doing here." Belle grabbed Anby by the arm and dragged her a bit further from Susie. "Shhh- Susie may be working here but she has no idea W-Engines are weapons! Don't say stuff like that in front of her!"
Susie meanwhile is scratching her head, confused by what she had just heard coming from Anby's mouth. "Huh? Ultrasonic waves. Weapon performance?"
Panicking a little bit, Belle quickly made up an explanation. She told Susie that W-Engines can be used to play board games with each W-Engines having different stats assigned.
"Ohhh... Is it similar to playing pool? W-Engines are round after all." Before she could speak further, she felt her phone vibrating. "Guys, hang on a sec. The boss just texted me, and he has a message he wants me to share with you."
Once again imitating her boss' voice, she tells the message to Belle and Anby. "Looks like I've found a connoisseur. Good gadgets truly shine in the hands of someone like you. If you purchase one when the shipment arrives, I'll give you an exclusive customization. Whoa, who would've thought the boss would get involved himself." Safe to say Susie was shocked at how involved her boss is in this.
Anby declines the offer, however. "Thanks, but no need. I do want to buy a new W-Engine, but, even with the account balances of the three of Cunning Hares combined, we wouldn't be able to afford the latest model." While she may not sound like it, Belle could feel the disappointment in her voice.
"In that case, I'll do you a favour. The boss is about to give me one as a thank-you gift. It won't be of much use to me, so I'll pass it on to you." She said Anby.
"...Really? This will make dealing with that superior Ethe... I mean, player, a lot easier." Even with the same tone, Belle could sense the gratitude radiation off Anby, making her smirk.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. The gifted sample has been modified." Susie showed off the modified W-Engine before handing it off to Anby who slowly took it.
"Yeah, I like this design."
"The designs and colours are perfect for you. It will surely work wonders in your hand." Belle complimented.
"Thank you. And the boss too. I'll treasure it."
After making sure everything is all right, Belle and Anby depart from the store.
"Wait, Proxy." Anby stopped Belle just outside of Random Play.
"What is it Anby?"
"You're heading out to do some commission correct?" Belle nodded at her. "Then, let me help you, free of charge."
"Are you sure? Won't Nicole be worried?"
"No. I'll explain everything to her. I'm sure she'll understand."
"Alright then. I'll contact you when we're ready to head out."
.....
"Is everything sorted out, Belle?"
"Yeah, Anby even agreed to help. Free of charge even."
"Really. Nicole must've had not been around then or else she would have charged us." Wise mused to himself. "Well then, everything is set up, Let's do General Chop's commission first."
With that, the two got to work.
.....
After contacting Anby and leading her to the right location, Anby entered the Hollow with Eous. "Anby do you hear me?"
"Loud and clear."
Confirming that nothing is wrong, Belle continues with the commission. "We'll then. Let's get down to business. Anby, make your way forward. Be careful."
"Roger."
As they made their way to search for the driver, they suddenly began to feel weird for some reason.
Belle looked around the area, searching for anything suspicious. When she found nothing, her suspicion only intensified. "Hmmm... That's strange... Ever since we came here, we have not encountered a single Ethereal. Anby, what do you think."
Anbt, analysed her surroundings, also finding it strange that they had not encountered even a single Ethereal. Usually, whenever a Hollow Disaster happens, the place would be swarming with them. "I am not sure. Let's keep moving."
Yet as they go deeper and deeper into the Hollow, it is made apparent that the place has seen some intense fighting judging by how destroyed it was.
When they finally arrived at the designated location, all they found was an investigator for Pegasos Logistics.
After asking the investigation on the whereabouts of the driver, he revealed that the driver along with the other evacuees had already made it out safely. "Although now that I think about it, I wonder how those people made it out of here."
"What do you mean?" Anby asked.
"Well for starters, a lot of the evacuees said the same thing. This place was crawling with Ethereals ready to attack them. Yet, while they didn't see it clearly, something grabbed the Ethereals' attention." The investigator explained, making Anby and Phaethon look at each other.
The investigator continues his talking. "By the time the rescue arrives, the area had almost been devoid of Ethereals. The weirdest thing however is how everyone made it out without any Ether Corruption even though some of them had almost no Ether Aptitude whatsoever."
Anby decides to ask the man a question. "Sir, do you think that has anything to do with Fallen Angel? The exact same thing also happened to those supposedly rescued by Fallen Angel."
The investigator ponders for a moment. "Honestly, I'm not sure, it could be something else entirely. It will probably be in the news soon. Anyways, any more questions you want to ask?"
Anby shook her head after which the investigator resumed his work.
After that weird encounter, Phaethon and Anby make their way out of the Hollow and into another one where the missing W-Engines are. Yet again, the place was empty even with clear signs of a battle having taken place.
Without long, they found the lost batch of goods and unceremoniously left the Hollow.
.....
After leaving the Hollow and bidding farewell to Anby, Belle desync out of Eous to inform General Chop and Susie that their commissions have been completed.
"Belle, What do you think of all of this?" Wise asked.
"I don't know. Let's just watch the news when I get back okay?" Belle replied which Wise agreed.
Belle then went out to inform General Chop first about the driver.
While General Chop was disappointed at the fact that he had been worried for nothing, he nevertheless treated Belle with a free meal as a thanks.
She then went to Susie to give back the missing W-Engines. After confirming that nothing was missing, Belle bid farewell to Susie and made her way back to Random Play.
As she was walking, she received a message from Wise informing her that Nicole would be coming soon, probably with lead on the missing strongbox.
"Well, guess it's time to get to work."