The Fox Inventor

New Eridu, the last surviving city after civilization was destroyed by Hollows, a supernatural disaster that grew out of thin air, covering the entire planet by creating distorted dimensions, allowing monsters to attack humanity and corrupt them, turning humans and animals into “Ethereals”.

Faced against the Apocalypse, the people of New Eridu managed to survive by manufacturing technologies to harness the Hollow’s mysterious energy substance called the “Ether”.

However, even with these technologies, people who didn’t have the substance’s aptitude would be corrupted and mutated into Ethereals.

The good came with the bad though since with this revolution, Hollows-corrupted areas or simply called Hollows were industrialized and monetized by the governments which led to the increasing tensions between enterprises, gangs, conspirators and many others.

Nowadays, in New Eridu, there were people called the Hollow Raiders, a faction that dove into the Hollows for treasures and their own gains, Proxies, individuals who guide those who entered the Hollows, organizations formed by the government called the HAND. and H.I.A. (Hollow Investigation Association) to counter and investigate the Hollow disaster, Public Security or PubSec for short and many others.

These–

“Okay, okay! We get it!” A male figure with white hair, red jacket and a full face-mask interrupted, a frown plastered on his face. “Can we just go on with the story!? We don’t need to know what we already know!”

But the readers don’t–

“Have them play Zenless Zone Zero! It’s already out! And you get 180 pulls in total when you play the game!”

...Fine! You heard the man!

“Thank you!” The man cheered, his whole face-mask, the eyes section making a pleased expression.

“Who are you talking to, Billy?” Another voice asked, a man’s.

“Oh, it’s the author, we’re gonna have a fabulous guest if I’m not wrong!”

The other male turned to the pink-haired girl styled into high twintails with yellow heart-shaped earrings. She wore a black and white cropped top with an “XODI” design, a black jacket, black shorts with multiple straps and a thigh-high black stocking.

“Ignore him, Wise.” The girl rubbed her forehead. “Speaking of, can ya open up a new account on Inter-Knot and hook me up with a discount like last time, pretty please?”

“Proxy, please listen to her or Nicole won’t let us eat. Cry as you say this.” Another girl’s voice chimed in. She had short gray hair and wore a black and green jacket over a white crop top, black pleated skirt with belts and thigh-high stockings with belt.

Billy turned to the second girl, dumbfounded.

“You’re supposed to actually ‘cry’ and not say it out loud, Anby!”

The girl called Anby shrugged him off.

“Ugh, don’t listen to them...anyways! We, like, totally need the discount! It’s just a lil’ cash, no biggie for you, right, Phaethon?”

A small recap–

“Again!? I TOLD YOU TO HAVE THE READERS PLAY THE GAME! It’s only 30 minutes to get where we are now! Or go to Youtube!”

...We’re ignoring Billy.

“Hey!”

Anyway, short recap, Nicole Demara, the Boss of Cunning Hares, a group of Hollow Raiders, used Phaethon’s services as a Proxy to extract her comrades, Billy Kid and Anby Demara from the Hollows after they fell into it when the residential building they were in was blown away by the PubSec.

Since the Phaethon was a well-known Proxy among many others, their price was sky-high, not including the previous ones Nicole hadn’t paid, therefore her request for the siblings to give them a discount.

The male Nicole spoke to glanced at the short dark-blue haired girl wearing a black long sleeved top under her orange and cream colored hooded vest beside him before the latter sighed.

“Urgh, fine then.”

“Yay! Thanks Belle, Wise! We’ll catch up with you guys later!” Nicole turned to leave the parking lot behind the video store.

“Bye.”

“See you two siblings soon!” Both Anbi and Billy also said their goodbyes before following their Boss. “Especially you, miss Proxy!”

Seeing the Cunning Hares leaving their parking lot, Wise sighed before turning to his sister.

“Well, what do you want to– Belle?”

He saw her sister going back to the store.

“I’m off to Elfi’s plaaacee~”

“Wait! You’re going to see him, aren’t you!?”

He asked, catching up with his sister.

“Onii-chan, you can’t follow me! Nicole asked you to crack whatever inside that necklace she gave you!”

“Ugh!”

“Hey, boss-girl, can we split up?”

Nicole raised an eyebrow at the white-haired cyborg.

“That’s rare, where’re you going this time, Billy?”

He pointed at his dangling arm which elbow joint broke from breaking open a vault earlier today in the Hollow.

“Oh...” The girl pulled up her phone before nodding to herself. “Well, seeing we have some time, how about we come with you? Besides, I need to make sure that the price isn’t too steep~”

Billy deadpanned at his boss.

Anby tugged at his jacket, causing him to look at the smaller girl.

“We’re going to the music store?”

He gave her a thumbs up.

“Gonna bargain for the HF blade again, ain’t cha?”

“I don’t think he’ll sell it though...”

“Eh, just keep trying, bossman likes you, maybe he’ll give it for free.”

“Ahem!”

Both Billy and Anby turned to Nicole who had her hands on her hips and foot tapping the ground.

“Am I missing something here? How does Anby know where you’ll be going and who is this bossman you’re talking about?”

The two glanced at each other before Billy snickered at the pink-haired girl.

“Well, that’s for you to find out~”

The Cunning Hares walked into the Bardic Needle Music Store, where they were greeted by another AI-controlled cyborg called Elfy sitting on a couch.

“My dear Elfy!” Billy greeted and the female cyborg smiled at her peer.

“Welcome Billy, are you here for the boss?”

“You know me well! Is he downstairs?”

Elfy nodded her head before turning to Anby.

“Hello Anby, it is nice to see you again, would you like some candy? It’s not a hamburger but at least better than nothing, right?”

The girl nodded and took the offered lollipop.

Elfy then turned to the Cunning Hares’ boss.

“And this is?”

“Our boss!” Billy supplied the answer and dramatically introduced her. “Nicole Demara herself!”

The female cyborg nodded her head.

“The close-fisted, penny-pinching woman that wouldn’t feed you if you don’t get a discount from whatever services you took and despite all that efforts to earn discounts, she still has no money because of her debts.”

Billy panicked and tried to run before a hand grabbed his jacket.

Nicole’s eyebrow twitched though the smile remained on her face.

She turned to Billy.

“We’re gonna have a talk after this, you hear me?”

“Aww....” His shoulders slumped.

“Anyways, Naruto is downstairs, you may see him though you need to be careful since he recently created something abysmal with his guest.” Elfy warned before the three went to the back and down the stairs.

“Oi, Naru-bro, is it safe to come in!?” the cyborg asked, three heads peeking from the door.

His answer was a laser-like shot flying through their face.

“EEEEPP!” The three shrieked.

“That voice...that you, Kid?” A male’s voice asked as they heard whirring noises before it died down.

“Is it safe now!? You almost made a donut out of my head!”

“Our heads!” Nicole retorted.

She barged in the room without waiting for the person inside clearing them to come in.

Nicole looked up and poked the masked man’s chest repeatedly in annoyance.

He was tall, she realized, as tall as Billy.

She could see blonde hair peeking out of his cap and he wore thick round eyeglasses.

“Listen up! You, like, almost got us killed there, and if you don’t give us a disc–”

A hand gripped Nicole’s wrist, causing the teen to wince.

She looked up to the side and found mismatching blue and orange eyes narrowing at her. She had white hair and mechanical-like horns on her head and wore a black long-sleeved coat, covering her whole body.

“You’re being rude, little girl. First you came into his workshop without knocking and now you blame him for almost blowing your heads off?”

Billy and Anby swiftly aimed their gun and sword respectively at the figure.

“Okay lady, I don’t know who you are but you’re messing with the wrooong person tod–”

“That’s enough, Sunbringer, let the girl go.” A voice interrupted and the woman turned to the owner.

She saw him shaking his head.

“...Fine.”

The Lady, Sunbringer, let the girl go as asked.

“Wait...Sunbringer?” Billy spoke in realization. “As in one of the 7 Void Hunters, Lady Sunbringer, that Lady Sunbringer who eradicated the ′Hive Lord′ Hollow in the sky!? Inventor of Bangboo and the former CEO of Marcel Group!?” Billy gasped, as well as Anby and Nicole. The former turned to Naruto. “Bro!? You didn’t tell me you knew someone this famous!?”

His question however was ignored by the man.

“I guess we’ll discuss our project next time, you don’t mind, do you?” Naruto asked, ignoring Billy’s whine.

“Hn. Very well, but don’t keep me waiting...oh and don’t forget to stock some cup noodles, the spiciest that you can find.”

Sunbringer turned to the group of three after getting a nod from Naruto.

Her gaze lingered on the members of the Cunning Hares for a while until the trio swiftly parted to make ways for the Hunter.

She stopped.

“If the three of you ever tell anyone that I’m here, I’ll hunt you down til the end of the planet.”

“Roger, ma’am!” Billy holstered his gun and saluted at the woman. “I won’t tell anyone about you being Naru-bro’s secret lover or something!”

Sunbringer’s glare intensified.

A suitcase flew at Billy’s head.

“Idiot! You got a death wish or something!?”

Nicole turned to the Hunter.

“Please forgive him! We totes won’t tell anyone about this meeting!”

Anby gave her a thumbs up.

“Nothing to see here and nothing happened.”

Sunbringer’s eyes didn’t move from the trio until she scoffed and headed for the door.

They watched as the woman left Naruto’s workshop.

Naruto raised an eyebrow at this, a little bit amused and confused.

“So, whatcha need today?” He asked as if nothing happened.

Billy turned and waved at him frantically.

“Y-Yo! Naru-bro! How did you know that Lady?!”

Naruto raised an eyebrow.

“She took my one of my prototypes years ago and announced it as what you know as Bangboo these days.”

Billy, Anby and Nicole dropped their jaws...if the former could do it.

“Oh, fuck you author!”

Anby stepped up next to the cyborg as she sheathed her sword.

“If it was your prototype that she used to create the Bangboos, why isn’t your name listed as the inventor? Why is she taking all the credits?”

“Don’t need them.” Naruto adjusted his eyeglasses. “So, back to my question, what do you need today?”

Billy and Anby glanced at each other before shrugging.

“I need a fixing today!” Billy pointed at his dangling arm down from the elbow.

“Have you decided to sell the HF sword? After testing it last time, I felt that mine definitely doesn’t suit me any longer.”

The man pulled down his mask, revealing whisker-like birthmarks on his cheeks before grinning at his customers.

“Well you came at the right time then, Anby! Since you’re getting that one for free!”

The girl swiftly moved in front of Naruto.

Her eyes glittered despite her indifferent look.

“Really? You’re giving it to me?”

“Yup! And you get to test my baby in the danger room too! I’ll make some adjustment if there is something that you need.”

The man nodded before ushering the girl to follow him further into the room which she did, like a puppy.

Meanwhile, Billy was about to follow the two before getting slapped in the arm by Nicole.

“What’s the deal about Anby wanting a new sword?!”

Billy blinked.

“Uh...that’s...”

“And you told me you need a fix, so how’re you planning to do that? What’re you gonna pay him—” Green eyes widened in realization. “You two hid your money from me, didn’t you?!”

Not hearing an answer, Nicole threatened to bash his head with her suitcase.

“And what’s up with him saying Lady Sunbringer used his prototype to make the Bangboos!? What else is this guy hiding in his pockets!?”

Billy cleverly ignored Nicole’s yapping before he sneaked out of the workshop.

“Wow...” Nicole gasped at how big the basement was as they entered a hallway. “How in the world did he whip up this place?”

“Dunno. His parents were the ones who created it long before this city got named the New Eridu.” Billy shrugged.

The two exchanged a small banter before a voice interrupted them, the owner coming out from the room just in front of them.

“So, only the arm today, Kid?”

“It’s Billy!” He turned to the owner of the voice. “C’mon Naru-bro! How many times do I have to tell you to call me Billy! Not Kid!”

Naruto shrugged him off.

Nicole paid rapt attention to the man in front of her.

She noticed he had golden colored fox ears on top of his head and a golden thick bushy tail after he took off his lab coat, in his mechanical left hand, there was a suitcase around the same size as hers.

“Fine, fine, only the arm this time, Billy the Kid?”

“It’s BILLY KID!!” He groaned in exasperation.

“Tomayto, tomahto.”

The cyborg growled at the whiskered blonde.

He ignored Billy for Nicole.

“And you are, miss?”

The girl squeaked for being addressed suddenly.

“N-Nicole Demara...”

“Anby’s adoptive mother...or sister, she told me about you sometimes, I’m Uzumaki Naruto, nice to meet ’cha.”

“R-right...I hope she doesn’t say anything weird...” The girl fidgeted, hoping Anby didn’t say randos about her. “And it’s nice to meet you too...”

“Nope, but Billy here does~”

Billy gasped, hands on his mouth.

“Oi! What about the bro-code, Naru-bro!?”

He waved his hands, not caring that Nicole was glaring at the cyborg.

“Anyway, if you want some fixing, how about an upgrade as well?” Naruto offered, earning him Billy and Nicole’s attention. “You told me you have problems with running out of bullets, right?”

Billy nodded his head eagerly seeing Naruto’s grin.

“Well, with this new exoskeleton upgrade, your entire body will become a factory for bullets for whatever materials you ate.”

They leaned forward as Naruto continued to explain.

“And of course I need to take your head off and modify it to have teeths to chew the material and the inside of your body will turn them into Ether-infused bullets that will be able to pierce any kind of Ethereals.”

“...and how much will this cost?” Nicole asked apprehensively.

There was no way this thing was going to be cheap.

“35 million Dennies.” (The currency in ZZZ.)

“What–!?”

“Deal!”

Nicole turned to Billy.

“You have that much!?”

“Anby and I’ve been saving 50 million Dennies for this moment, boss!” Billy puffed out his chest proudly before he tried to give Naruto his card only to be swept by Nicole.

“Hey! C’mon boss! You know how many times I almost ran out of bullets in our jobs!”

Nicole ignored him and moved closer to Naruto.

“Give us a discount, 50%!”

“...”

“...”

Sparks clashed between the two.

Billy watched from the side.

He should have come here alone when Nicole wasn’t there.

“...40%?” Nicole asked again, Naruto didn’t relent.

Though she couldn’t see them, she knew his piercing eyes were still locked against hers as she tried to force down a blush.

“3-35%!?”

Another offer.

Naruto stood still.

Still no response from the inventor.

“30%!” Nicole shouted out.

Billy hummed before waving his hand in front of Naruto’s face.

Seeing no reaction, Nicole and Billy got curious and leaned forward until they heard him snoring.

“...”

“...”

Billy stifled a laugh before turning to the red-faced Nicole.

“Y-you–”

“Not. A. Word.”

Billy squeaked.

Nicole kicked the Inventor’s shin only to cry in pain when hers hit his.

“H-Huh?” Naruto snapped out of his daze before noticing Nicole was on her knee rubbing her poor shin. “You okay there?” He asked while fixing his round eyeglasses.

“W-what are you hiding under your pants...”

Naruto deadpanned and turned to Billy.

“Is your boss always this vulgar? She wants to know what I have under my pants...”

Nicole’s cheeks flamed once more.

She got on her feet and quickly tried to explain.

“T-That’s now what I meant!”

Troubling to stifle his laugh any longer, Billy snapped and laughed at his boss.

“He has a Willy under his pants, boss!!”

“S-S-Shut up, Billy!”

By this time, Nicole’s face was as red as Billy’s jacket as she tried to bash the cyborg.

After a few seconds of chasing, the boss and her subordinate finally stopped and turned to Naruto.

“L-Listen! I want a 50% discount!” “Fine.” “If you don’t give–” She swung the card in her hand before stopping abruptly, not sure of what she heard. “Wait, what?”

“I said fine.” Naruto took the card. “I’ll give you a 50% discount but in exchange, I’d like to see how it performs in the Hollows.”

Nicole and Billy beamed at that.

“That means...Anby and I still have more than 30 million to spend!” Billy cheered while rubbing his hands. “What should we spend it on–”

“We’re going to pay our debts, of course.” Nicole interrupted with a smug look, ignoring Billy’s surprised gasp. “Besides, if it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have got that discount, Billy.”

“B-but...that’s...my...our...” He dropped his head and shoulders. “Aww...shucks...”

Naruto snorted at that.

“You should have asked Anby to make the deal, I would have given it for free.”

Nicole froze on her spot before snapping out of her daze.

“Wait! Did you really mean that!?”

“Too late! We agreed on 50%!” Naruto cackled at the girl’s flabbergasted look. “Let’s go Kid, time to give you an upgrade you deserve!”

“Roger, Naru-bro! By the way, can you give me a Willy too?”

“S-Stop talking about Willy!” Nicole snapped with her cheeks turning red once more.

Naruto deadpanned at the cyborg.

“...I don’t even want to know what you’re gonna do with that...” He finished before walking away with Billy. “Besides, dildos are much better they won’t make comments like you...”

“That’s rude! I know when to keep my mouth zipped and enjoy the two mounds boun--”

“W-w-will you two shut it already!?” Nicole retorted with reddened cheeks.

Meanwhile with Anby in the danger room.

The girl was having fun slashing the Ethereals coming at her like butter.

They didn’t have any resistance against the HF sword Naruto gifted to her and she couldn’t wait to try it in the Hollows.

And speaking of a gift, since now she didn’t need to spend a denny for her new sword, she could allocate some of her savings to help pay Gentle House/Cunning Hares’ debts.

She just hoped whatever Billy’s fixing didn’t cost too much and Nicole didn’t lay a hand on their savings when she found out about it.

Oh no, it wasn’t that she didn’t trust Nicole or anything with their money, it’s just their boss just couldn’t allocate their finance properly thus she was the one handling it ever since she joined the Cunning Hares.

Anby slashed the biggest Ethereal coming at her in two with a content look.

Usually, she would defeat a titan class...no, all Ethereals by destroying their cores, but this time she cut them like butter.

“Training Complete.”A feminine voice rang.“Would you like to continue with the simulation, miss Anby?”

“I’m fine, Liv,” The girl sheathed her HF sword. “Where are Naruto and the others?”

“Master is preparing for Billy’s exoskeleton upgrade and Miss Nicole is with them. Should I guide you to where they are?”

“Yes, please.”

“Understood.”A platform rose beside Anby and the lid opened up, revealing a hamburger as the danger room’s simulation ended, transforming her surroundings back to a training area with the walls and floors made of sleek, reflective metal panels, interlaced with glowing lines as they dimmed.“Your reward from the Master. He is extremely satisfied with your performance, as usual.”

Anby gleefully took the burger and quickly grabbed a bite.

She hummed before heading to the door to the hallway.

“Oh, do you know how much is the price for this exoskeleton upgrade Billy took, Liv?”

“Based on my recordings, Miss Nicole asked for a discount of 50% from 35 million dennies and Master agreed to it.”

Anby sweatdropped despite her indifferent look.

“Well, I guess that’s how they are...Naruto never care about his financial situation... and Nicole with her discounts...”