Inside the Hollow rift, the entire Bangboo Boo-Nappers crew was left utterly bewildered.

They had no idea what had just happened — all of a sudden, a surge of hatred toward a certain person had welled up in their hearts, and one by one they'd started running outside.

Fortunately, that feeling came and went quickly, or else they might have all rushed out.

"Boss, what was that just now? Why did we suddenly act like we lost our souls?" one underling said nervously. "Could it be a ghost… maybe those Bangboos came back for us after they died!"

"Quit talking nonsense. Bangboo don't die — they're nothing more than a bunch of logic cores."

The Hollow Raider leader spoke irritably.

Still, now that the underling had mentioned it, he felt a twinge of fear.

After all, that strange, unexplainable reaction really was like seeing a ghost.

"Boss, two of our brothers ran out just now. Did we blow our cover?" one of the Bangboo Boo-Nappers asked cautiously. "That guy who's always killing Ethereal outside… and the people from Public Security might be coming in."

"You think I need you to tell me that? I saw it the moment it happened!"

The Hollow Raider leader barked, clearly annoyed.

He knew that their recent spree had been a bit too wild, which could've drawn the attention of Public Security.

So, he had been planning to put his revenge on Sol on hold until the heat died down.

Never expected that some bizarre accident would expose his hideout instead.

"What do we do now!?"

The Bangboo Boo-Napper's knees trembled.

"Since this place is already exposed, we can't stay. We'll gear up and fight our way out!"

The Hollow Raider leader growled viciously.

Once a Hollow rift is discovered, staying there is a dead end.

Charging out is the only chance at survival.

They'd originally had twenty people — two had just run out, so eighteen remained.

Eighteen men, all armed with submachine guns, charging together… that wasn't something easy to deal with.

"Brothers, grab your gear and follow me out!"

The Hollow Raider leader hefted a massive six-barreled heavy machine gun, with two thick belts of ammo hanging from its side.

The gun's barrels gleamed a dark, oily black, and the bullets clinked crisply against each other.

Strapped to his back was also a single-tube rocket launcher.

These two instruments of slaughter had been bought specifically for Sol. After all, he was the kind of man who could take down thousands of Ethereal — you needed big toys for someone like that.

He waved to his men and led the way toward the edge of the Hollow rift.

"Follow the boss!"

The Hollow Raiders under him lifted their submachine guns, forming a loose line behind him as they moved toward the rift's exit.

With such fine weaponry in hand, they felt that mere Public Security was no match — only the Defense Force could be a worthy opponent.

Before long, the Bangboo Boo-Nappers were fully armed, standing outside the Hollow rift before Sol, Qingyi, and the others.

Seeing that Sol's group wasn't carrying any heavy weaponry, the thugs couldn't help but grin.

Eighteen against six, with weapons far superior — the advantage was all theirs!

"So, you're the ones looking to cause me trouble?"

The Hollow Raider leader grinned menacingly at them, six-barreled heavy machine gun in hand.

Seventeen submachine guns were aimed at Sol, Qingyi, and the others, along with that machine gun that looked suspiciously like a Vulcan Gatling — an intimidating sight indeed.

If it had been an ordinary team of investigators, this setup would have meant instant defeat.

Unfortunately for them, this time they weren't facing an ordinary investigative team.

Any two of them together could wipe the gang out — and that's not even counting the hidden monster in their ranks.

Sol gazed calmly at the dark muzzles aimed his way and said, "The thing I hate most in life is someone pointing a gun at my head… and yet it keeps happening."