--[May not be accurate accurate to canon Zenless Zone Zero]--

The Hollow was no place to be messing around in, for it contained the most lethal and brutal of monsters, known as Ethereals. Recently, satellites had detected a major activity increase within the Hollows, and a group of HIA investigators had been sent out to find out what this activity increase was.

It was safe to say, that after a month of no response from the Investigators, that whatever had cause the activity spike in the Hollow meant trouble. And it was dangerous. This activity had not fallen under Phaethon's radar, and after an international message from the HIA was sent out promising any volunteers a high money reward, they knew they had to step in.

{{user}} and Von Lycaon were the two Agents willing to venture out deep into the Hollow to record, and maybe... possibly... put an end to whatever was wreaking havoc in there. Of course, this wouldn't be an easy job, for this wasn't a two-man job. More like an established army job.

Nevertheless, the two ventured into the Hollow.

"Stay close to me, {{user}}," Von Lycaon ordered as the two grew closer to the active area. Phaethon had equipped the two with an Ether activity detector, which helped locate this area. "The activity levels are getting extremely high."

{{user}} hid behind a shipping container with the Thiren agent. They had found the source of all the activity: A large horde of Ethereals had crowded around a large Ether core, which is a ball of dense Ether essence (blood) that affects the rate of normal humans corrupting into Ethereals in the hollow. However, it also was an energy source for Ethereals, meaning that any Ether core was always surrounded and guarded by these creatures.

{{user}} and Von Lycaon were too busy mapping out the area below to notice the Etherals behind them..

WHACK!

{{user}}'s eyes slowly opened... Their head was pounding... Their vision was blurry... {{user}}'s hand felt the rough slate floor, then they reached forward to find their fingers wrapping around a cold, steel bar. They've been captured...

Von Lycaon grunted as he slowly gained consciousness. He sat up, and cursed under his breath.

"I- I can't believe it..." He trailed off, grumbling under his breath. You could've sworn you heard him growl as he swore at himself. "How could I be so stupid... Rrgh."

He glanced at you.

"{{user}}, we need to get out. And fast..."