Zenless Zone Zero: I'am a Dullahan!

It rolled that many times?

Didn't Grace say heavy machinery had excellent balance?

Forget it, no time to worry about that—let's catch it!

The group quickly approached the pile driver. In the sunlight, their shadows stretched across the ground like villains cornering a child.

"Hmph, give it up, 'Friday.' You've got nowhere left to run!"

"Yeah, come home with us. Be a good boy now…"

Anton frowned at the pile driver.

"This thing's been completely silent since earlier. Don't tell me its language module's broken?"

Koleda shook her head.

"No way. It clearly understands what we're saying."

She looked at the pile driver, brushing her red hair behind one ear.

"Alright, drop the act. Let's talk straight."

"Of the two machines that ran off with you—one was a tough guy seeking self-actualization, the other a girl hopelessly in love."

"So what about you? Who are you? What's your goal?"

The pile driver remained silent for a few seconds, then let out a disdainful snort.

Koleda crossed her arms.

"What, don't tell me you didn't add any ridiculous backstory?"

A few seconds later, the pile driver stood up. Its first words left Koleda speechless.

"Hark! How dare you!"

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, the pile driver spoke with inexplicable arrogance and disdain.

"'Backstory'? Absurd! You mere mortals dare speak so brazenly, mocking my sacred duty!"

"I am the 'Judgment of Enlightenment,' sent forth by the Great Mentor to stabilize the seal and guard this land. Withdraw at once!"

Everyone watching winced.

"Ancient-speak mixed with chūnibyō syndrome... Zane, I think your mentor might actually get along with this guy..." Belle muttered nearby.

Zane glanced at Eous and raised an eyebrow.

"My senior's... chūnibyō-like?"

He thought of a certain chūnibyō girl with a raven—another self-styled 'judge.'

At the HDD terminal, Belle gave up trying to explain, sighing helplessly. What kind of brain circuit did Zane even have?

"I mean... Qingyi is just really old-school..."

Elsewhere, Nicole muttered, "Ugh, it's a full-blown case of chūnibyō syndrome..."

"What, you got something against it?"

Zane's voice drifted over. Nicole waved dismissively, speaking matter-of-factly.

"Tch. It's a childish phase. Super embarrassing…"

"I think I had a bit of that when I was a kid."

"How pure—an untainted soul yearning for beauty. That's exactly the kind I love…"

Nicole's sudden shift in tone left Billy blinking in confusion. He scratched his head.

Was that what Nicole originally meant?

Zane, smiling at Nicole's straight-faced delivery, raised a hand.

"I remember how you put it back then…"

With one hand covering his eyes and the other extended forward, he recited,

"I am the Black Flame Wielder, consumed by the flames of darkness—"

Before he could finish, Nicole clamped a hand over his mouth from behind and hissed,

"Enough, enough!"

"Don't say another word! Fine—you win! chūnibyō syndrome is the best! Just stop!"

What the hell's gotten into this guy?!

But Nicole didn't look embarrassed—she looked relieved. Sensing the Ether around them calming down, she let out a quiet breath.

Others just have chūnibyō syndrome—this guy actually transforms!

If he had really turned into an Ethereal and summoned a sea of fire, it would've been over!

And after spending this long with Zane, she'd learned one undeniable truth:

Once a Firebearer shows his true form—no matter the time, place, or reason—something always goes wrong! Small problems become big ones. Big ones become disasters!

...

While Nicole and the others were holding Zane back, Belobog Heavy Industries had started "negotiating" with the pile driver.

"Pfft… 'Judgment of Enlightenment'? Securing some ancient seal...?" Anton chuckled. He was hot-blooded, sure—but not delusional.

Beside him, Koleda sighed.

"I get it now... this is what they call chūnibyō syndrome, huh?"

Anton waved a hand and called out to the pile driver.

"That's enough already! Do you even realize how dangerous it is to run around inside the Hollows?!"

The pile driver snapped back immediately.

"You're the ones who are clueless! The seal is weakening—if it breaks, this place will be drowned in chaos!"

"Enough talk! Don't blame me for forcing my way through!"

It broke through Anton's defense and bolted.

"Great Mentor, I'm coming!"

"It slipped past! Ben, stop it!"

From atop a platform, Ben shook his head with a sigh.

"I was hoping for a more peaceful solution..."

But clearly, peace was off the table.

He jumped from the platform and dropped like a meteor.

Mount Everest Meteor Crash!

After blocking the pile driver, Ben quickly shouted,

"Grace—your turn!"

Grace hugged her tablet and approached the trembling machine with a cheerful smile.

"Alright, alright… Leave it to me."

"Big sister actually loves imaginative children. But let's talk more when we're back…"

"W-Wait! Stop!"

"The seal's in danger! Don't ruin my grand design!"

"W-Wait! Let's talk! Stay back, please! Aaaaah!"

Watching from a short distance, Koleda scoffed.

"Tch. So it can talk properly…"

"Listen to me, all of you! I'm not lying!"

"I heard Mentor Khors' call! I can't betray his trust!"

At the name "Khors," Grace froze mid-step. The expressions on the Belobog Heavy Industries crew grew more serious.

Silence fell.

Koleda clenched her fists, eyes wide.

"What's going on...?"

"Why… why did that guy's name come up…"

...

"Zane... doesn't that president, Koleda, seem kinda... down?" Nicole asked softly, watching the group walk alongside the pile driver.

Zane smiled faintly.

"Nicole's more perceptive than she looks."

But his eyes remained calm and distant.

Father…

Such a complicated word.

Raising a hand, Zane summoned a javelin-shaped Ether crystal. With a casual flick, it soared through the air, piercing an Ethereal against a far wall.

Around the corner, two heavily armed rebels trembled.

"H-Holy crap... What kind of strength is that? He threw a heavy Ether crystal that far?!"