"I heard the Bangboo Gang has been very active in the Outer Ring lately. They even got into a conflict with a big gang called the Lion's Tooth Gang. How could a bunch of wandering Bangboos possibly beat the Lion's Tooth Gang... I'm afraid this newly established Bangboo Gang is about to get wiped out. The Outer Ring is just that brutal."
Master Tingman seemed quite interested in Outer Ring affairs. Even today, the store's broadcast was playing news about it.
Sam Li smiled faintly.
"No need to worry about the Bangboo Gang. They've already defeated the Lion's Tooth Gang."
Master Tingman was a bit surprised.
"Really?"
Sam Li replied calmly.
"Of course."
Master Tingman looked astonished.
"A gang of wandering Bangboos defeated the Lion's Tooth Gang? That's big news..."
The two of them chatted about the Outer Ring for a while.
Then Master Tingman seemed to remember the real matter.
"Sorry, got a bit carried away talking about the Outer Ring. Mr. Sam Li, what would you like to drink today?"
Sam Li said slowly,
"I'll have a New Eridu Special Blend."
A moment later, Master Tingman brought over the New Eridu Special Blend.
At the same time, he brought up something else.
"Yesterday, the brother and sister from the video store came by looking for you. They seemed to have something important to discuss. If you have time, you should visit them."
Sam Li nodded.
"I will."
He quickly finished his coffee.
Before he had a chance to head to the video store, Belle and Wise showed up after hearing Sam Li was in the café.
"Mr. Sam Li, we finally found you! Where have you been the past few days? You haven't been to the café, and Hare's House has been locked up too..."
"I went to the Outer Ring. I just got back this morning."
"The Outer Ring? You guys at Hare's House don't actually take jobs out there, do you?"
Belle looked surprised.
Everyone knew the Outer Ring was lawless. No Defense Forces, no Public Security Bureau keeping order.
All resources and wealth were controlled by the gangs.
The place was full of bandits and ruins... people on the forum always said the Outer Ring was as dangerous as the Hollows.
Sam Li replied calmly,
"It wasn't a job—just something else."
Belle sighed.
"Well, in any case, you're back safe—that's what matters. Let's skip the Outer Ring talk and get to business. Mr. Sam Li, have you heard of the Golden Bangboo?"
Sam Li thought for a moment.
"I've heard a bit—saw something on the forum."
Belle said seriously,
"Recently, there's been talk on the forum about the Golden Bangboo—actually, the Golden Bangboo and the Platinum Bangboo. Someone spotted traces of both in the Hollows. A lot of groups are preparing to enter the Hollows to search for them..."
Apparently, several agencies were getting involved...
Victoria Housekeeping...
The Hollow Investigation Association...
Gangs from the city outskirts... and even gangs hiding inside the Hollows—all eyeing these two Bangboos.
There are even rumors that the Defense Forces are preparing to step in.
But for now...
Information is scarce. The Golden Bangboo is still mostly a rumor. Other than the second person to post about it, no one else has encountered them.
So all these groups are still gathering intel and waiting. No one has made a move yet.
After talking at length about the Golden Bangboo, Belle's throat was dry. She called out,
"Master Tingman, three New Eridu Special Blends, please."
Then she looked at Sam Li seriously.
"I want to work with Hare's House. I'll provide intel and lead the way. Let's catch that Golden Bangboo together..."
According to the rumors—
The Golden Bangboo is entirely golden; over 90% of its parts are made of gold.
The Platinum Bangboo shines a snowy white, and like the Golden Bangboo, most of its parts are made of platinum.
In addition—
Some experts say the Golden Bangboo hides a pile of gold, and the Platinum Bangboo hides a pile of platinum.
If caught, the two little Bangboos are said to offer gold and platinum as bribes to persuade humans to let them go.
After hearing Belle and Wise's story, Sam Li said thoughtfully,
"The world is vast—such interesting Bangboos out there."
Belle smiled.
"So, what do you say—shall we work together?"
Belle and Wise were Proxies. In terms of intel gathering and analysis, they were top-notch.
But when it came to combat, they weren't skilled.
So if they wanted in on the hunt for the Golden and Platinum Bangboos, they needed help.
Belle had two plans.
First—team up with Victoria Housekeeping. Their service was the best in all of New Eridu, and their capabilities were beyond question. The only downside—too expensive.
Second—team up with Hare's House. With Sam Li and Nekomata recently joining, Hare's House had grown much stronger in the past two months, landing several big contracts. Their capabilities were equally unquestionable. The only downside—the members of Hare's House liked to mess around...
Of course, Hare's House also had one big advantage—cheap rates. In the entire New Eridu agent scene, Hare's House had the best value for money.
So Belle chose Hare's House and Sam Li. She believed Sam Li could create another miracle.
"So, Mr. Sam Li—are you willing to work with us?"
Seeing Belle's eager expression, Sam Li replied calmly,
"The contract is done. I'll go back and tell the others."
Belle was delighted.
"Deal! Once we've gathered enough intel, we'll move out."
Sam Li nodded.
"Very well."
Wise smiled.
"With Mr. Sam Li's help, this time we're sure to win."
After wrapping up the discussion, Wise was about to leave, but Belle called him back.
"Brother, you haven't paid for Mr. Sam Li's coffee yet. Did you bring the Dennies?"
Wise was momentarily stunned. Realizing what she meant, he quickly pulled out his wallet.
He settled Sam Li's tab at the café.
As usual, Sam Li spent the rest of the day sitting outside Master Tingman's coffee shop.
He drank a lot of coffee but didn't pick up a single commission.
By evening—
He wrapped up for the day and returned to Hare's House with his birdcage.
...
As the sun set, Sam Li arrived back at Hare's House with his birdcage.
At that moment—
On the other side of New Eridu, inside Hare's House—
Anby and Nekomata were sitting on the sofa watching a variety show called 100 Kinds of Thiren Competition...
Billy had lost control of the TV and was alone in his room cleaning his gun...
Soldier 11 was bored, sitting in a chair, spacing out—occasionally glancing at Anby, as if deep in thought...
...