Invisible Hollow Incident | A Zenless Zone Zero Fan Story

Prologue

"Reports are coming in about a new Hollow that's just opened up in a small town, Public security is on scene right now attempting to evacuate people as we speak but from what we've heard there has been a development severely hindering progress, could you talk more about that?"

The ground shakes as a guttural roar rips through the area, though loud, it isn't enough to drown out the screams that can be heard in the distance, the reporter is barely able to contain the urge to flinch though a flicker still shows through. Praying that it wasn't too noticeable,  he aims the mic over to the PubSec officer he had managed to convince to come out to provide everyone with an update to the situation. Though it was tough to do so.

"We haven't managed to confirm anything yet, but we have reason to believe there is a new Ethereal monster present in this Hollow that we haven't seen before and it seems to be particularly strong. Even those with high resistance are having trouble staying around it for any long periods of time."

"A new type of Ethereal?"

"Yes, we can't be certain, but it doesn't seem to match any current records we have. We'll know for sure soon once back up arrives."

"Certainly sounds like the situation is indeed very dire."

"Well, it's under control for now but at the end of the day, we are just the first respondents, as Public Security we can keep people safe, but to actually remedy this situation it will require more... specialized help."

"I see, well that's all we have time for right now, but we'll be staying here to keep everyone updated on the situation as it unfolds. For now, we can only pray for the safety of those still yet to be evacuated from the Hollow. Back over to you Jack."

Upon these words the Bangboo that had been keeping the camera propped up sets it down and jumps off the table, heading over to the reporter.

"Did I do a good job?"

The reporter smiles in response and gives the little robot a pat on the head.

"Yes, you did very well, now go get yourself some charge."

The PubSec officer that had been taken out to be interviewed looks at the Bangboo as it hobbles away, heading to the charge station that had been set up for it.

"It can talk?"

"Hm? Oh, the Bangboo. It was fitted with a translation model for this report. In situations like the less that has to be worried about the better, including having to remember how an entire language works."

"So, why are you in a situation like this? Oh, I'm Mia by the way, probably should have said that while you were reporting huh..."

"I'm Archer. It'll be okay, the main thing everyone wants to know is out there, I can't imagine how many are tuned in because they know people in the area and what to see if they make it out safe... As for why I'm here, well it was an opportunity for me and I knew I had to take it. I've been struggling a lot with trying to make ends meet for my own family, so when this came out as a case I could report on I took it. More serious ones like this give higher pay so I'm hoping if I can show I can handle this, I'll be able to pick up more high paying cases in the future."

"I see, well I wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you, and I also really appreciate you taking out some time to speak to the camera, I know there's a lot going on."

Mia simply nods in recognition as she heads back into the tent, snatches of conversation can be heard from inside and none of it sounds good. Archer decides to get some dinner, thinking everything through. The recent hollow situation had come out from no where, hitting a relatively small town, but what had made it such a phenomenon was that there had been no warning signs, no increased Ethereal activity, nothing went off, so no one had the chance to be evacuated before it made itself known in the form of monsters appearing. There were even rumours that some top notch Proxies had been hired to assist in finding safe passageways and exits.

"Oh man, I should have asked about that. Well, maybe not, I probably wouldn't have gotten an answer anyway. Besides, they are just rumours, they also say Phaethon has gone silent recently but there's no way that can be true."

Yawning, Archer finishes their food and goes to bed for the night, running over in their mind who they should try to pull aside for an update tomorrow.
The next day comes but viewers are left disappointed as no new information comes out, they hound the station for any kind of report until, finally, they come out with what had happened, there was to be no update for that day as during the night the tent got attacked by some rouge Ethereals.

There was no report because no one was left alive.