Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street

Astra’s words plunged the siblings into deep thought. After all, the Marionettes she spoke of were currently cleaning their video store.

”That user was eager to try it out, so she signed up for a paranormal investigation at the Ballet Twins. After that, she disappeared without a trace.”

If the twin sisters had already escaped the Hollow by then, it probably wouldn’t have been as simple as someone merely disappearing, would it?

Although that would at least prove the album was truly extraordinary, thankfully, no such tragedy had occurred.

Astra’s subsequent words suggested that the members of that expedition likely hadn’t encountered any serious danger.

According to one of the explorers, ’SofaCushions&PotatoChips’ had been playing Joran’s song at the time, despite having never heard it before.

And during that impromptu performance, Joran jokingly said, ”Sometimes, you may find miracles when digging around between the sofa cushions!”

If their speculation was correct, ’SofaCushions&PotatoChips’ must have been present at the time, meaning the album she played was most likely the legendary one.

”That’s right! This was the base of the supernatural exploration team back then. I knew I’d find something. The diary says three people left the team... The next exploration target is... the collapsed gallery!”

Hearing Astra’s words, Wise immediately perked up. He remembered that place.

He had seen it the last time he came.

”That’s great. Thanks to you two, otherwise I wouldn’t have known where to go.”

”Since Astra said so... then the autograph...”

Belle awkwardly rubbed Eous’ short little hand, but before she could finish speaking, Wise cut her off.

”Astra, please don’t wander too far away from me.”

”Mhm, okay. Wise, you’re quite chivalrous!”

[Ding! Target Astra: has increased her favorability toward the host by 5. Her current favorability is now 85. Additionally, 300 Emotional Value has been obtained.]

[Current Emotional Value: 40.300]

She smiled and nodded at Wise. At the same time, Belle’s dissatisfied voice rang sharply through the siblings’ communication channel.

”...You just won’t let me talk to Astra, will you?”

”Well, who told you to keep asking for this and that all the time?”

After hearing Wise’s reply, Belle didn’t argue any further. She simply crossed her arms with a faint pout, silently adding another grudge to the list she planned to settle someday.

Anyway, there would definitely be more chances to get an autograph and take photos later.

Not long afterward, the two siblings and Astra discovered another Bangboo’s external storage unit tucked away in a corner.

After examining the data inside, they confirmed it belonged to the Bangboo from the exploration team and continued onward, following the route recorded in its logs.

”The Bangboo’s movement speed in these records is really fast... It’s almost like it was running away.”

”Running away...? Could it really have encountered the Marionettes?”

Astra couldn’t help but worry. As the surrounding Ether concentration continued to rise, the monsters became increasingly difficult to deal with.

Even so, she and Wise could still handle them without much trouble. She could only hope the exploration team was safe.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, the data feed from Belle’s exploration suddenly cut off.

”The data... ends here...” Belle murmured.

”What? Now I’m really worried. The exploration team isn’t in trouble, are they?” Astra asked, anxiety creeping into her voice.

As worry filled the air, Wise spotted a file bag lying nearby. The moment Astra noticed it, she hurried over.

”In this file bag... please don’t let it be... I hope everyone on the exploration team is safe!”

She silently prayed that the worst hadn’t happened. When they opened the bag, they found a letter left behind by ’SofaCushions&PotatoChips.’

”If they had time to leave a message, then nothing bad should have happened,” Wise said, trying to reassure Astra.

His words made perfect sense to her. She let out a relieved sigh, nodded, and began reading the letter aloud.

[To the explorer who finds this album: please rest assured, I escaped safely.]

[The flickering lights here are indeed terrifying, but if you follow my instructions, you’ll be able to escape this place as well!]

[Although it’s a shame to leave Joran’s recording behind, there’s no other way to help everyone escape.]

[The Marionettes may seem scary, but anyone who likes Joran’s music can’t be a bad person! As long as this album is playing, the Ethereals will quiet down, as if they’re listening intently.]

Along with the letter, the writer had also left behind a Hollow data storage device. After confirming that the sender had escaped safely, Astra finally relaxed. Then, all at once, something clicked.

”Wait a minute! T-That means...”

As she spoke, her eyes landed on a carefully preserved CD nearby. An eight-pointed star was imprinted on its surface, each point adorned with colorful crystals.

”Found it! This is it! It really exists! Ahhh! I’m so happy! So happy! I’m really, really happy!”

Unable to contain her excitement, Astra jumped with delight and instinctively threw her arms around Wise’s neck.

A moment later, realizing what she’d done, she quickly let go as though nothing had happened.

For some reason, the sight left Belle feeling a little uncomfortable.

Her favorite idol... and her beloved brother...

”Ahem. Since you’re in such a good mood, can I take this opportunity to raise the price?”

”Oh?” Astra laughed. ”Of course you can. What do you want, Wise?”

She looked at him with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

Seeing her agree so readily, Wise answered without a moment’s hesitation.

”Then I’d like to trouble you with signing an autograph for my sister.”

”Eh? Is that all? Well, of course. No problem.”

Astra couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, though she also found the request perfectly reasonable.

”Hmm... I just realized I don’t have a marker with me. Let’s leave first. Once we’re out and buy one, you can have me sign whatever you want.”

Now that she’d finally found the album she’d been searching for, Astra was in such a good mood that she was willing to grant any reasonable request Wise made.

On the way out of the building, she happily hummed one of Joran’s songs, occasionally rubbing the treasured disc against her cheek.

”I finally found it!”

Astra exclaimed as she raised the disc high, hoping to admire its beauty beneath the warm glow of the setting sun.

The very next second, however, she realized the disc was gone.

Startled, she looked around before turning her head, only to receive a light flick on the forehead.

”Ow! Ow! Uh... I’ve been caught. Hehehe...”

The moment she saw who it was, Astra gave a sheepish smile. Like a child caught doing something she shouldn’t, she bashfully tapped her index fingers together.

The only person capable of making Astra Yao act this way was, of course, her manager, Evelyn.

”Miss... impromptu performances like this are best saved for the stage,” Evelyn said with a helpless smile as she returned the disc to Astra. ”Now, please follow me to the car.”

”Mhm, bye-bye~”

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Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street

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