Chapter 14: Saint Ruby

“Ellen just moved a little—her eyebrows twitched.”

“Oh.”

“Come on, check on her, Phaga!”

“Oh, I got it.”

So noisy!

Ellen furrowed her brows and slowly opened her eyes.

Ruby’s blurry figure came into view. Beside her sat Phaga, playing a game on his phone.

The moment Ruby saw Ellen awake, she cried out with joy, “Ellen, you’re finally awake!”

“Mm-hmm, I’m up. Stop leaning on me—it’s too hot!”

Ruby immediately lunged toward her. Caught off guard, Ellen hurriedly pushed her away.

“Hmph! Really, Ellen? After barely escaping death, that’s how you treat me!”

Ruby crossed her arms and sat back, her face full of hurt.

“...Heh.”

Ellen gave a strained laugh and shifted her gaze around.

This was clearly the inside of a vehicle—white body, blue stretcher, a surprisingly spacious cabin filled with the sharp smell of disinfectant.

“An ambulance?”

She tilted her head, trying to piece together what had happened after she passed out.

But if she was in an ambulance, that meant Phaga must have defeated the Dead End Butcher in the end.

How did he beat him again?

Her head was still foggy from sleep, her memories sluggish to return. Slowly, she tried to turn the pages of her recollections...

I remember... Phaga grabbed my shoulders, pulled me onto him—then bit me.

He bit me!!!

Ellen’s pupils shrank. She whipped her head around, almost springing up like a coiled spring.

But a parasol pressed down on her thigh, forcing her back.

Phaga didn’t even look up from his game. “Don’t move. You’ve still got an IV in your arm. If the needle shifts out of place, that’s going to be trouble.”

“I’m warning you, a lot of people got hurt in this Hollow incident. Medical staff are in short supply. If things get bad, Ruby or I might have to stick you with the needle ourselves.”

“If you don’t want to end up looking like a pincushion, stay still.”

“Oh.”

Ellen answered obediently, her face tinged with red.

She hadn’t meant to think about it, but she kept recalling the sensation of Phaga leaning close, his teeth sinking into her neck, his warm breath brushing across her collarbone...

SMACK!

She slapped her own cheek hard with her free hand. The sharp sound startled the other two.

Phaga even paused his game to glance at her.

His eyes seemed to say: What’s wrong with this girl?

“Ellen?”

Ruby tilted her head in confusion.

“Uh... it’s nothing. Just... Ruby, you know how this kind of thing helps me wake up.”

Ellen scrambled for an excuse, eyes darting away.

She glanced at the IV needle in her hand, followed the tube upward to the bottle of clear fluid hanging above.

That gave her a way out. She quickly asked, “By the way, what are you giving me through this IV?”

“Glucose,” Phaga replied curtly.

“Huh?”

Ellen blinked, then sighed. “I thought it was something serious.”

She immediately pinched the IV line and pulled the needle out herself in one swift motion.

“Ellen, you really shouldn’t do that.” Ruby stared at her, torn between stopping her and letting it slide.

“It’s fine. Just an energy boost—I’m feeling much better now.”

Ellen reassured her, then added, “Alright, I’m fine. Thanks for staying with me. Time to head home.”

“Oh, right, Phaga. If you’re looking for a job, I can help introduce you to one.”

“We can talk about work later. Right now, we might not even be able to leave.” Phaga kept tapping at his game without looking up.

“Not leave? What do you mean?” Ellen frowned.

“Well, it’s just...” Ruby began, but the sudden sound of a door opening cut her off. She instinctively turned her head.

Click!

The driver’s door of the ambulance swung open. Instead of a doctor in a white coat, it was someone from the Public Security Bureau.

A man with white hair and twitching cat ears leaned over the seat, grinning broadly. “Hey there! Name’s Seth, your newly appointed Officer. I’m here to take you to the Public Security Bureau for questioning!”

With that, Seth turned the key. The engine roared, and the ambulance sped off.

Phaga slipped his phone away and looked out the window. The ambulance was the only one moving down the wide street—every other police car and ambulance stayed behind.

He frowned. “Only the three of us need to give statements?”

“Haha, you three are a special case!”

Seth laughed heartily. Through the rearview mirror, they could see how genuinely delighted he was.

“Two students with exceptional combat power, and an Apprentice Proxy who just started and already managed to pull someone out of a Hollow? Of course you’ll get special treatment.”

“No, no, no!”

Ruby snapped out of her daze and quickly protested, “Um... Officer, I’m not an Apprentice Proxy.”

“I’ve always admired Officers! Ever since I was little, I dreamed of becoming an investigator. That’s why I studied rope—oh, no, I mean, investigator techniques!”

Seth roared with laughter. “Good! I’ll cover the fee and submit your investigator exam application myself. In a while, I want to see your certificate hanging in the Bureau!”

Oh no, I’m being forced to land!

Ruby looked ready to cry. “Fine!”

Ellen patted her back gently. “It’s okay. Think about it—you haven’t even graduated yet, and you already have a job lined up.”

“That’s something even Phaga couldn’t get. In a way, you’re better than him.”

“Huh?”

Phaga turned his head, puzzled. Could you really compare it like that?

“Haha, don’t worry. Phaga, we’ll take you at the Bureau too!”

Seth’s grin was wider than ever. “And of course, Ellen, we’d be happy to have you join as well!”

Phaga turned again, eyes narrowing at Seth.

Was this guy really escorting them for questioning, or was he just recruiting them on the spot?

Ellen’s expression mirrored his—equally incredulous. She quickly declined, “Um... I’d have to discuss that with my guardian.”

“No, Ellen!”

Ruby suddenly grabbed Ellen’s hand. Phaga blinked as she caught his wrist too, pressing their hands together.

Both of them stared at Ruby in bewilderment. With the lamp overhead casting its glow, she seemed bathed in holy light, radiating an almost sacred aura.

Clutching their hands, Ruby closed her eyes, palms pressed together in prayer. “Serving the people—what a noble faith. I didn’t understand before, but now I do!”

“Ellen, Phaga. The three of us should join the Public Security Bureau together and devote ourselves to this great cause!”

Her eyes blazed with chaotic brilliance as she spoke.

Tsk, a Saint Ruby!

Ellen and Phaga both clicked their tongues, exchanging helpless glances before sighing.

“Haha, you three are hilarious! If you all join the Bureau, things are going to get lively!”

Seth chuckled as he pulled the vehicle to the curb.

“Alright, step out, you three. From here on, I’ll need your full cooperation.”