After hearing the teacher's explanation, the students looked at each other, gradually becoming interested in the activity.
After all, they'd only ever heard how dangerous the Hollows were—they had never actually seen them.
Now, they finally had the chance. Quite a few of them wanted to see it with their own eyes, to find out what was really inside that massive black sphere and how it differed from the outside world.
Seeing that half the students had volunteered, the teacher was delighted.
"Line up and let the professional security personnel lead us in..."
Then he looked at Ellen again. "Ellen, it's a rare opportunity—aren't you going in to take a look?"
Ellen was clearly annoyed.
A Hollow that had been in decline for over half a year, with barely any Ether concentration left—what was there to see? It wasn't like she hadn't been inside before.
She was just about to refuse, when Sam Li nodded and said, "Count us in as well—me and Ellen. Sorry for the trouble."
The teacher smiled warmly. "Not at all. We're just going in to take a quick look. We'll be out in a few minutes. Stay close, we're about to depart."
Sam Li nodded. "Good."
Since Sam Li had agreed, Ellen, though reluctant, had no choice but to follow him into the Hollow.
...
Moments later, led by several security personnel, a dozen or so students and their parents officially stepped into the Hollow.
The instant they entered, those experiencing it for the first time stumbled, almost falling to the ground. Their breathing grew noticeably more labored.
Everyone looked up.
Before them lay only crumbling buildings and ruins.
Only the edge of the Hollow had been rebuilt, thanks to the workers' efforts.
Several students stared in amazement.
So this was the Hollow.
However... some looked visibly disappointed.
They'd heard countless warnings from their teachers about how dangerous the Hollows were. Their textbooks were filled with tales of danger. But now, seeing it for themselves, it didn't feel dangerous at all.
Aside from a moment of breathing discomfort, there was nothing particularly unusual.
Even the ruins didn't seem special—just like the outer ring, which was also full of debris and decay.
The teacher said seriously, "Everyone, stick together. Don't fall behind. We'll follow the security personnel through the ruins ahead and exit the Hollow about a few dozen meters ahead."
It was an already-declining Hollow, and they had security escorts.
Everyone assumed that walking a few dozen meters couldn't possibly be dangerous.
But then...
Just as they reached the halfway point...
Suddenly—
A voice called out from atop a rusted container: "Hey, hello there, prey."
At that moment, everyone instinctively looked up.
There, standing proudly atop the container, was a thug holding a spiked club, glaring down at them with smug arrogance.
As soon as the realization hit, the security personnel drew their batons while students and parents hurriedly backed away.
Immediately after, a gruff voice echoed from behind them.
"Run? Where do you think you're going? We only want the little ones. The rest of you can go prep the ransom."
Seven or eight armed thugs appeared up front.
Behind them stood a hulking brute wielding an enormous spiked club—it was Razor, the boss of the Mountain Lion Gang.
In an instant, panic swept through the group.
Wasn't this supposed to be safe?
Who were these people?
Ellen, already fed up, sighed. "Sam Li, I'll take care of their boss. Get everyone out of here."
Before Sam Li could respond, she was already charging at Razor. With no weapons on hand, she had to rely on her fists and feet.
Seeing Ellen act on her own, the teacher shouted anxiously, "Ellen, don't go! It's too dangerous..."
Before he could finish, the security personnel had already engaged the bandits.
Chaos erupted instantly.
The students and parents, panicked and desperate, scattered in all directions—no longer concerned whether this was the Hollow or not.
With no weapons, Ellen couldn't fully use her strength.
She was at a disadvantage against Razor, forced to dodge repeatedly just to keep him occupied.
Meanwhile, the security personnel were clearly outmatched.
Sam Li was just about to intervene when suddenly—
A loud, arrogant voice rang out: "Everybody stop! If you don't want to die, freeze right there!"
It was Dog King.
Amid the chaos, he had taken a young girl hostage.
Everything ground to a halt.
More than a dozen bandits appeared from all directions, surrounding Sam Li, Ellen, the remaining students, and the teacher—like lions closing in on their prey.
Dog King was ecstatic. "Now this is what I call a proper hunt."
His lackeys laughed wildly. "One, two, three, four... Two million per head—seven people makes fourteen million. Jackpot!"
Razor turned to scan the captives.
When his gaze landed on Sam Li, he burst into laughter. "He's worth more than two million. At least five."
At that moment, Dog King followed his boss's gaze—and finally spotted Sam Li. His eyes widened in fury. "Birdcage! It's you! Boss, this is the guy! He's Piper's accomplice..."
He handed the hostage to one of his men and stormed toward Sam Li.
But after just a few steps, Jane stepped in to block his path.
Dog King bristled. "What? You don't want me getting my revenge?"
Jane smiled calmly and waved her hand. "Of course not. What I mean is—with all the noise we've caused, the Public Security Bureau will be on their way. If we waste time on personal grudges and get caught, can you take responsibility for putting the Mountain Lion Gang in danger?"
One of the underlings quickly nodded. "Big Sister Jane's right."
But Dog King wasn't about to give up so easily.
"The guy'll be down in thirty seconds. I promise."
He was just about to charge when—
A gang member ran over, flustered. "Boss Razor! Something's wrong!"
Razor frowned. "Speak clearly. No need to panic."
The underling gasped, "The Public Security Bureau has entered the old construction site Hollow—they'll be here any moment!"
The Mountain Lion Gang members all turned pale. Even Razor's expression tightened.
He couldn't finish off Ellen in time and had no choice but to abandon the captives for now.
At the same time, a troubling thought crossed his mind.
Why was the Public Security Bureau so fast this time?
They had barely made their move, and the Bureau was already closing in.
Dog King still refused to give up. "Just give me thirty seconds. I'll finish him."
Razor scowled. "Retreat!"
Dog King tried to argue. "Boss—"
"Retreat," Razor snapped. "Link up with the others and get out of the old site."
Dog King clenched his teeth but had no choice but to let his revenge go.
Razor was just about to retreat with his men and their lone hostage when Jane stepped in to block them.
Razor snorted. "What now?"
Jane gave a faint smile. "That hostage isn't worth much. Before the Bureau arrives, why not trade for a higher-value target—like the shark girl over there?"
Dog King's eyes lit up. "No, we should take the one with the birdcage. He's the most valuable."
...