Chapter 35: Does Phaga Have a Secret Side Hustle?

“Fairy, check this person.”

Belle and Nekomata were completely absorbed, watching the winged stranger embrace the little girl who had crawled out of the train car.

Only Wise frowned. Something about this man felt oddly familiar—like he’d seen him before.

So he ordered Fairy to run a search on Phaga’s identity.

【Fairy: Searching...】
【Fairy: Search complete. Target lifeform is classified as a “vampire.” A rare species, naturally powerful but light-sensitive.】
【Fairy: This individual appeared in New Eridu’s Evening News, identified as “Phaga.” He and another student once led their entire class to safety during the “Doppelgänger Hollow” incident.】

“Doppelgänger Hollow? The one that destroyed a school two days ago?”

Belle leaned closer, and through their link, Eous mirrored her action—covering its ears and turning its head aside in an almost cute gesture.

“Mm.” Wise nodded, confirming her guess. Then he added a warning:

“In that case, he’s strong—very strong. Best we avoid conflict. Belle, Nekomata, don’t pick a fight with him.”

“But it looks like he’s the one picking a fight with us, meow!”

Nekomata shrank back, shivering. The instant Phaga’s gaze swept past them, the killing intent she felt made her heart seize painfully, skipping several beats.

But instead of attacking, the man who had just ripped a train car apart with his bare hands suddenly crouched down and slipped inside.

Nekomata blinked in disbelief. “Eh?”

I thought he was going to charge us and beat us senseless. Why crawl into the carriage?

Belle frowned slightly. “Fairy, explain.”

【Fairy: Vampires are afraid of sunlight.】

“Ohhh~”

Nekomata flexed her claws, a sly grin spreading across her face. “So that means it’s safe to get some payback now, meow.”

Wise let out a helpless chuckle. “Don’t. Nekomata, Belle and I are operating through links, so it’s safer for us. But you? If he decides to hit back—even under the sun—you’ll regret it.”

“Then… fine, I’ll let him go this time!”

Nekomata’s tail stiffened in fright, her legs trembling despite her brave words.

Maybe we should just leave…

She kept her eyes on Phaga inside the carriage, then muttered without turning back, “Proxy, let’s just take a detour.”

Silence.

“Proxy? Proxy!”

She called twice, but still no response.

A chill crept up her spine. She slowly turned her head—and found herself staring into an almost flawless face. Beneath the corners of those sharp eyes were two tiny beauty marks, the gaze dripping with disdain.

Nekomata shrank back, her eyes darting nervously to the muscular tail thumping the ground behind Ellen. She whimpered, “S-sharks don’t eat little kitties, right...? Meow!”

Ellen had Eous tucked under her arm, her left hand juggling the giant scissors, parasol, and Phaga’s coat. With her right, she casually lifted Nekomata by the scruff like a kitten.

Nekomata flailed helplessly in the air, claws swiping at nothing, but she couldn’t break free from Ellen’s iron grip. She was dragged along toward Phaga.

Soon, Ellen dropped her to the ground with a flick of her wrist, then turned to the vampire hiding in the carriage. She tossed his coat and parasol inside with a sneer.

“What a coward.”

“Even the strongest species have limits,” Phaga replied with a shrug, catching the coat and pulling it on. “Don’t forget how many times you collapsed during training. I was the one carrying you back to your room.”

He snapped the parasol open and stepped out of the carriage, guiding Corin into the light.

“Tsk.” Ellen turning her head aside. She lifted Eous by the ear, holding the Bangboo up to her face. Her voice was cold.

“Phaga, what do you make of this talking Bangboo? Its intelligence seems way beyond normal AI.”

“Didn’t that Qingyi officer we met seem clever too?” Phaga teased before adding, “But no, this Bangboo isn’t artificial intelligence.”

He walked over, gently took Eous from Ellen’s hands, and placed it carefully on the ground, giving its head an absentminded pat.

Eous froze, staring up at him blankly.

Phaga said, “In a Hollow, you either bring a Proxy or a [Carrot]. But that little kitty came in naked—doesn’t look like she’s carrying a [Carrot].”

“So you’re the [Carrot]? No, not quite—the [Carrot]’s maker. Miss Proxy... or rather, Phaethon.”

Nekomata yowled indignantly, “Hey! Who are you calling naked, meow! Are you looking down on me?!”

But no one paid her any mind. Even Corin was busy checking over her green chainsaw, worried it might cause trouble if a fight broke out.

Eous instinctively took a step back. A soft, girlish voice slipped from the Bangboo. “Y-you figured it out.”

“Mhm.” Phaga nodded. “I’ve never heard of anyone else who can mentally link to a Bangboo. Only the famous Phaethon.”

“Hehe... it’s kind of embarrassing to hear it said out loud.”

Eous’s green eyes curved into crescents as she sheepishly scratched the back of her head with her stubby hands.

“It’s fine. I’m Phaga. Ellen and Corin are with me—we’re from Victoria Housekeeping. You may not have heard of us, but that’s okay. I just want to ask one thing.”

He crouched down, one knee to the ground, lowering his gaze to meet Eous’s at eye level.

Victoria Housekeeping Rule: Respect every guest, even strangers.

“The great Phaethon intercepted Vision Industry’s demolition train, forcing it to loop endlessly around the tracks. Why?”

Whoosh!

Clang-clang!

Another train thundered past, wind whipping violently around them.

Eous’s ears flapped wildly, but Phaga’s steady hands held the Bangboo firm. Amid the chaos—flyers and leaves torn loose, street signs rattling—Eous remained shielded, unmoving.

“You’re safe now. The wind’s passed.”

Phaga released him with a faint smile.

Eous blinked blankly, then his round green eyes flickered. “Oh.”

【Fairy: Notice. Master, I just discovered Phaga lived on Sixth Street a week ago. Logically, you may have crossed paths.】

“Oh? Really? So Phaga has a secret side hustle?”

Belle turned to Fairy in surprise.

【Fairy: Master, please remember—Eous mirrors your expressions and actions inside the Hollow.】

Mirroring...?

Belle’s brow twitched. A bad feeling settled in.

She looked up. From Eous’s perspective, Phaga’s expression had gone dark as thunder.

Beside him, Ellen’s eyes glinted with menace—only Corin’s grip on her arm kept her from snapping.

“Mr. Phaga, Miss Proxy must have misspoken. She didn’t mean any harm.”

After calming Ellen, Corin turned to soothe Phaga as well.

“Mhm. I understand, Corin.”

Phaga shook his head, letting the tension go.

Eous exhaled in relief, casting Corin a grateful look.

Amazing, Miss Maid! Next Hollow run’s on me!

“I should explain the situation.”

Belle straightened up, remembering Phaga’s earlier question.

“Vision Industry is disregarding human lives! They deceived the public—no evacuation ever took place. People are still living in Canvas Street.”

“Yet Vision Industry plans to blow it up today!”