ZZZ: The Proxy

Agent [2]

[Ring...]

[Ring...]

[Boop.]

[Hello? Who's this?]

"It's me."

Inside a cafe, a man with disheveled dark hair and sharp golden eyes sat down with a cup of coffee. On his hand, however, was his phone.

It was none other than Galahad, who had now successfully retreated from Canvas Street.

[Galahad?]

The person he was speaking to on the other side of the phone asked with disbelief.

[I saw it in the news- a Hollow appeared near Canvas Street... You survived it?]

"I won't die that easily," Galahad smirked lightly as he spoke. He then took a sip of coffee before continuing. "Moreover, we still have our contract. I value agreements, you know?"

[Hah... I know, I know.]

"So... What does the Association say on the new Hollow?" Galahad asked as he looked out the window to see the city of New Eridu.

Seeing the unaffected areas of the city and the bustling people present in the streets, Galahad's sharp golden eyes squinted.

[About that... They say that it's just a Companion Hollow, and not that large. So for now... It should be relatively safe.]

[Still, it did take up a large quarter of a couple of areas, so for the time being, Canvas Street and the areas around it would be blocked off.]

"...That's fortunate, I guess?" Galahad said with a faint relieved smile. However, his tone then suddenly changed. "As for... my home..."

"Hmm... Am I not eligible for compensation?" He asked the person on the phone with a stern voice. "I still need a place to work, you know?"

[That... You would have to go through a process first...]

Upon hearing this, Galahad's face twitched. He then responded with a deep voice and a wry smile. "Oh my, then I suppose you would also need to go through a process for my help."

[Haha, you overestimate yourself, Galahad. You think you're the only Proxy the Association has?]

"Oh, I know I'm not special compared to the giants and crouching tigers here in New Eridu." Despite the man's response, Galahad remained calm during their talk. "So then I suppose the Association doesn't need my help anymore? What a shame."

"I heard that Vision Corporation is in need of more Proxies..."

Hearing Galahad's nonchalant answer, the man on the phone suddenly changed his tone.

[Now hold on... You can't possibly be thinking of terminating our contract? Not only is that against the law-]

"So what?" Galahad then cut him off mid-sentence. He then sighed softly before continuing. "Hah... We had an agreement, dear sir. You fulfill your side of your contract, and I'll fulfill mine."

"I told you- I value agreements."

[...]

"Think your words carefully, dear sir. I'll give you time to ponder your decision." He said as he gazed at the still surface of his cup of coffee. "Thank you."

[Beep.]

After saying this, Galahad cut the contact off and closed his phone. He then placed it down on the table.

"Hah..." Sighing to himself, Galahad continued to stare at the surface of the dark coffee in front of him. He then fell into contemplation. 'This won't do... I don't have enough money on me right now except a few thousand Dennies...'