Once Zane fully stabilized his human identity and was no longer confined to the Hollows, everything would fall into place.
With two roles to play, the human Zane would embody the calm surface of the sea—an observer, watching the game unfold, remaining indifferent to the ever-changing tides.
Meanwhile, his Ethereal form would stir the stormy depths—diving into the chaos, drawing attention, and tearing through the layers of mist.
Gazing out the window at the bustling city, Zane's eyes shone brightly.
New Eridu.
He had arrived.
...
"You don't have a citizen number?"
In the Public Security Bureau office, Zhu Yuan had already removed her jacket. Her white shirt was crisp and clean as she sat in a chair, pen in hand, frowning.
No citizen number... as much as she didn't want to jump to conclusions, it was definitely suspicious.
After all, every citizen of New Eridu was issued a citizen number at birth—proof of identity.
"Officer Zhu Yuan, I never said I was a citizen of New Eridu,"
Zane said, shrugging helplessly.
"Then—"
The door suddenly opened. Qingyi entered, carrying an elegant tea set.
Sensing the tension in the room, she sat down on a small sofa in the corner and asked,
"What's going on?"
"Senior, Zane doesn't have a citizen number,"
Zhu Yuan explained.
Cough cough—
Qingyi, sipping her tea, choked and coughed a few times before looking at Zane in surprise.
"You don't have a citizen number?"
"Zane, you realize that without one, anything you do in New Eridu is illegal, right?"
"I could arrest you right now."
Qingyi's expression was serious as she waited for an explanation.
"Officer Qingyi, I'm actually from outside New Eridu.
Where I come from, this city is the dream of everyone."
"So I went through a lot to get here. I haven't been here long, so I haven't applied for citizenship yet."
"But I remember New Eridu has a policy allowing outsiders to apply for citizenship and live here."
Zane calmly delivered the explanation he had prepared.
He didn't really know what was outside New Eridu—
but neither did Zhu Yuan or Qingyi.
As long as it wasn't too far-fetched, it should sound believable enough.
Besides, there had to be other human settlements somewhere.
The abandoned theaters filled with movies about the outside world and the old regulations he found in abandoned security offices proved that.
He hadn't just spent his time fighting in the Hollows—he had explored and learned.
"Eh? Senior, is there really such a rule?"
Zhu Yuan, seeing Zane's calm demeanor, relaxed a little and asked Qingyi.
"Yeah, there is."
Zane's explanation made sense, and Qingyi visibly relaxed too.
She didn't want Zane to turn out to be a criminal.
"I remember we have records of it in the Bureau's archives.
No one's used it in ages, but the rule's still valid."
"I see."
Zhu Yuan nodded in understanding.
Qingyi, holding her teacup, glanced at Zane and asked lightly,
"Zane, who can vouch for you?"
"Even if you don't know anyone, there should be someone who remembers you."
Zane nodded.
"There is."
He gave them the address of the video store run by the Phaethon siblings, saying they had helped him after he arrived.
It was simple.
He knew Zhu Yuan and Qingyi had followed him before.
If they encountered Nicole and the others, they might recognize them from the battle.
The Criminal Investigation Task Force wasn't just a name.
Besides, he knew where the video store was—he didn't know where Proxy House was.
Given Belle and Wise's intelligence, he wasn't worried about being exposed.
And honestly, he didn't have a better choice.
Zhu Yuan quickly pulled up Belle and Wise's information based on the address and started filling out a simple registration.
Zane sat quietly to the side. Suddenly, a teacup was pushed toward him.
He glanced down at the delicate hand, then up—Qingyi.
"On a cold night, a guest arrives. Tea is offered like wine, and the bamboo stove boils as the fire glows red."
"After drinking this cup of tea, shall we be friends?"
Qingyi's soft smile didn't look fake—she really did seem to want to be friends.
"You're too kind, but I'd still like to know the reason."
Zane was a little surprised but didn't hide it, asking directly.
"Well... investigation runs in my family. In this line of work, I have a good intuition.
Call it a sixth sense."
Qingyi raised a finger, waved it lightly, and tilted her head.
"And I think you'd make a good friend."
In truth, her instincts told her Zane wasn't ordinary—but she had no solid proof.
If it weren't for the Ether Crystal incident, maybe she could have confirmed it.
But even if Zane was just an ordinary person, it wasn't bad to have a friend who was easy to talk to—and easy on the eyes.
"Sixth sense, huh? Officer Qingyi makes it sound pretty mysterious."
"But... I'll take it that you simply want to be friends."
Zane lifted the small teacup, gave a slight toast, and downed it like he would a shot of liquor.
"Hey, Senior, you two..."
Zhu Yuan finished the registration and looked at them, feeling a little odd.
They had just brought in a victim—how had he already made friends with them?
"Zhu Yuan, want to join too?
You're welcome~"
"Don't worry~ I don't mind."
Qingyi winked at her with a smile.
Zane raised an eyebrow.
Was Qingyi flirting?
Or was it just his imagination?
Maybe spending time around Qingyi made even him relax too much...
...
As night fell, Zane's situation was properly handled, and everything started moving forward.
Just as Zhu Yuan yawned, ready to call it a day, she spotted Zane standing by the Bureau's entrance.
Curious, she walked over.
"Zane, what's wrong?"
"Officer Zhu Yuan,"
Zane turned around, his bright eyes gleaming.
"Ahem, um... Officer Zhu Yuan, do you have any Dennies?"