Ti flew by, and before he knew it, the next day had arrived.
Early in the morning, Billy was humming the Star Knight the while cleaning his beloved guns with oil.
Once both of his favorite firearms were polished to perfection, he pushed open his door with satisfaction, ready to embrace a brand-new day.
Just like always, the sun was rising, and its golden rays poured through the windows, casting light across the sofa in Hare's House.
By now, the others should've been up too.
But as Billy stood in the center of the living room and glanced around, he didn't see a single soul. It was eerily quiet.
"Nicole, Anby, Nekomata, Sam Li—co on, the sun's already up! You still in bed?"
He called out a few more tis, but no one answered.
Then he walked to Anby's door. "Anby, ti to get up and grab so burgers."
No reply.
Next, Nekomata's room. "Hey, lazy cat, wake up!"
Still nothing.
Billy went to Sam Li's door—no one there either. Finally, puzzled, he approached Nicole's room.
"Nicole? Hey, Nicole—"
He pushed open the door... but she wasn't there.
Everyone was gone.
Billy was the only one left in Hare's House.
In that mont, his mind flashed back to a sci-fi movie he'd watched a few days ago—Hollow Terror. The plot was almost identical: the protagonist's team mysteriously vanished, leaving him alone to face the terrifying Hollows and powerful Ethereals.
"Nicole? Sam Li? Nekomata? Anby? Where did you all go?"
Sam Li being gone made sense—he was always the first one up, usually already out walking his bird by the ti the rest woke up.
But the others too?
Did they all go out for a feast... and forget about him?
Slumping onto the sofa, Billy let out a sigh.
Without Nicole's voice, the silence was unnerving.
He hesitated a mont, then turned on the TV. Maybe they'd be back soon.
The broadcast was filled with reports about the golden god statue and the Ethereal monunt... along with interviews from the Public Security Bureau, Defense Force, and other departnts.
When the golden statue appeared on screen, Billy squinted.
"That's weird… why does that pattern look exactly like the one on Sam Li's birdcage?"
Before he could think any further—
A car engine revved outside, followed by an urgent knock on the door.
Could it be Nicole and the others?
Billy rushed over, but when he opened the door, he didn't see Nicole.
Instead, a Public Security Bureau patrol car was parked outside.
Imdiately alert, Billy watched as a tall figure stepped out—it was Officer Zhu Yuan.
She glanced inside the house. Not seeing Sam Li, she looked away.
Of course—Sam Li must have headed to Sixth Street again.
Zhu Yuan said seriously, "This is a comndation from the Public Security Bureau for Mr. Sam Li. Please pass it on to him."
Billy blinked. "Another award for Sam Li?"
Before he could ask more, Zhu Yuan handed over a package and hurried back to her vehicle.
Billy tore it open curiously—and imdiately froze.
500,000 Dennies.
An exquisitely crafted comndation certificate.
And a sleek ID card labeled "Honorary Public Security Officer," complete with Sam Li's na and photo.
"When did Sam Li join the Bureau?"
Still reeling, Billy returned inside, deciding to wait until Sam Li or Nicole ca back to hand everything over.
He sat down again and resud watching the news.
When the golden statue appeared on screen, his curiosity was piqued.
"It can grant any wish? I wonder if it works for a robot's wish too…"
He'd barely settled in when—
Another car pulled up outside.
Surely that was Nicole and the others this ti.
Billy ran to the door—and froze again.
It was a Defense Force vehicle. A military car.
Before he could process it, a familiar face stepped out.
It was Soldier 11 from the Defense Force's Obolus Squad.
She was here too?
Billy cleared his throat. "Nicole's not ho right now. If you have a mission, just let know."
But Soldier 11 shook her head solemnly. "White-haired tal Knight, I'm not here for a mission. I'm here to present an award to the Captain of the Golden Geo."
She had clearly anticipated Sam Li wouldn't be ho.
Without wasting ti, she handed over a package bearing the Defense Force emblem.
"This is a comndation from the Defense Force for the Captain of the Golden Geo. Please give it to him."
Billy accepted the package, baffled. "Captain of the Golden Geo?"
Don't tell ... Sam Li again?
As soon as she left, Billy opened the package.
Just like the last one—500,000 Dennies, a certificate, and this ti, an "Honorary Defense Force Captain" ID, once again with Sam Li's photo and na.
Billy was speechless.
What the hell was going on?
In just one day, Sam Li had gained multiple new identities?
Still clutching the growing pile of comndations, Billy headed back inside—when he heard another car roll up.
Turning around, he saw it was a vehicle from the Hollow Investigation Association.
It pulled up right in front of Hare's House.
A sharply dressed investigator stepped out.
"Excuse , sir. You're part of Hare's House, correct? Is Mr. Sam Li ho?"
Billy noticed the package in the man's hand and sighed.
"Let guess… another award for Sam Li?"
"Whoa, how'd you know?"
"Just a hunch…"
"This is a comndation from the Hollow Investigation Association in recognition of Mr. Sam Li's contribution during the recent Hollow disaster. Please pass it to him."
...
After the investigator left, Billy opened the package.
Sure enough: 500,000 Dennies, a comndation certificate, and an "Honorary Investigator" ID.
He figured that would be the last of them.
But not long after, soone from the Hollow Special Operations Division showed up too.
First, they tried inviting Sam Li to join their team. After learning he wasn't ho, they handed over yet another package—also stamped with the Hollow Investigation Association's emblem.
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