Cunning Hares

Distorted Landscape: You'll see buildings in New Eridu floating upside down, streets that suddenly cut off and connect with others miles away, and a strange purple or blue fog called Aether.

Ethereal Corrosion: The air is toxic. If a human remains unprotected for too long, their cells begin to crystallize. Clocks stop or run backward.

Unstable Gravity: There are areas where you can walk on walls or jump incredible distances, but if you fall into a "void rift", you disappear forever.

Appearance: They have crystalline bodies, often with parts that resemble broken marble statues, industrial gears, or black geometric shapes. They do not have human faces, but rather glowing cores in their chest or head.

Behavior: They are aggressive and soulless. They only seek to consume more energy and drag living beings to the center of the Cavity.

What happens when you kill them?: They don't leave corpses. Upon receiving the final blow (for example, from Magus's scythe or Orphie's cannon), the Ethereal fragments into thousands of light particles or Aether crystals and vanishes into thin air, sometimes leaving behind an "Ethereal Core" that is very valuable but dangerous to touch.

Corrupted: These are humans or animals that have recently mutated. They still retain pieces of clothing or armor, but their bodies are deformed by dark crystals. They are faster and more erratic than common Ethereals.

Bandits and Hollow Raiders: Desperate humans or criminals who illegally enter the Cavities to steal resources. They are dangerous because they use firearms and traps, and they will not hesitate to betray others to survive.

Ether Storms: Climatic phenomena within the Cavity where the concentration of toxicity rises so high that it can melt metal or disintegrate a person in seconds if they do not find shelter.

New Eridu: The Last Refuge New Eridu is not just a city; it's the last bastion of civilization. It boasts a retro-futuristic and "urban fantasy" aesthetic. Imagine a blend of Shibuya (Tokyo) with 90s technology (cassettes, CRT televisions, arcades) but with advanced robotics and cutting-edge energy.

Atmosphere: Streets filled with neon lights, graffiti, record stores, and ramen stands. There's a "carpe diem" (seize the day) feeling because people know the world is ending outside the walls.

Security: It is heavily militarized. There are checkpoints and squads (like Magus and Orphie's Obol Squad) constantly monitoring to ensure the Cavities do not expand into residential areas.

Appearance: From the outside, they look like giant black or purple domes that distort the landscape. Inside, space and time are meaningless: buildings float, streets twist, and gravity is unstable.

The Ether: It is the substance that fills the Cavities. It is a valuable source of energy, but highly toxic. If a normal person spends too much time inside, they become an Ethereal (monsters without consciousness).

Imminent Danger: The Cavities are living "beings" that grow and swallow entire districts of the city in an instant.

Total Isolation: Beyond the borders of New Eridu, the planet is a barren wasteland entirely covered by Cavities. There are no commercial flights, long-distance trains, or vacation trips to other cities.

Lost World: Places like "New York," "Paris," or "Tokyo" are just legends or names in ancient history books. If anyone tries to leave the city without special equipment, they will die or transform into a monster within minutes.

The City is an Island: The economy and life occur exclusively within the secure sectors. The only way to "move" is between the city's districts (such as Sixth Street or Luminary Square).

Aftermath

Although the plan worked to stop the cavity, the cost was the total annihilation of the Old Capital. The survivors were forced to flee to the eastern ruins, where they eventually founded New Eridu, the last city-state able to resist and coexist with the threat of the cavities.

The Thiren: Humans with Animal Traits

The Thiren are a human subspecies that possess physical characteristics of animals. They are not monsters or Ethereal; they are citizens with full rights, although with unique biologies.

Origin and Types: There are Thiren of almost any species (bears like Ben, cats like Nekomata, wolves like Lycaon or horses like Ye Shunguang).

Physical Abilities: They usually possess keener senses or greater physical strength than an average human, depending on their animal lineage.

Aether Connection: Some Thiren, such as those in Ye Shunguang's faction, have a special affinity for Aether that allows them to manifest deeper physical transformations (such as horn growth or hair color change) when they release their power.

Society: Although integrated, many Thiren form communities based on their cultural heritage, such as the Waifei Peninsula, where the most traditional fighting styles come from.

Void Hunters: The legendary level. They are the only ones able to survive and fight in the core of Cavity Zero without becoming corrupted. They possess powers that alter their body and mind.

S-Rank: The elite of corporations. Extremely strong and famous agents who handle the most dangerous missions in the city.

Rank A: Professionals. They are the experienced fighters who do the heavy lifting of cleaning and escorting in the common cavities.

Rank B: The newbies. Support personnel or agents in training who are in charge of logistical tasks and low-risk areas.

The fall of the Ancient Capital (Eridu) was the most devastating disaster in the recent history of the world, occurring exactly eleven years earlier. It was not a gradual collapse, but a sudden, violent catastrophe that transformed a thriving metropolis into a graveyard of ether.

The Rise of "Cavity Zero"

The disaster began when Cavity Zero's activity grew exponentially in an extremely short period of time. This massive cavity expanded rapidly, devouring the city's richest and most vital districts:

Pluto District and Minerva District: These areas, once centers of culture and economy, were the first to be engulfed by uncontrollable sprawl.

Total Corruption: Everything the cavity touched was transformed; buildings and machinery began to "rot" or mutate due to Aether saturation, and the population that failed to escape in time became Ethereal.

The Attack on Helios

Academy As the city collapsed, Helios Academy (the main center for cavity research) was attacked by unknown armed groups and monsters never seen before. This suggests that the disaster was not a natural accident, but an event caused or exploited by outside factions for their own purposes

. The Desperate Solution: The Shiyu Pillars The Eridu Defense Forces tried to contain the expansion and conduct rescue missions, but they were quickly overwhelmed and suffered massive losses. Faced with imminent total destruction, the authorities made an extreme and definitive <code>decision</code>Detonation of the 14 Pillars: They ordered the detonation of 14 Shiyu Pillars located on a strategic axis of the city (from the southwest to the northeast)The Creation of the Fissure: The explosion generated a massive geological reaction known as The Fissure This giant rift divided the city and drastically reduced the matter available for the Zero Cavity to corrupt it, finally stopping its growth.

His Combat

Weapons Twin Chrome Daggers: His main weapons are two short, high-density blades that he wields with the speed of a blink. They are not made to cut through heavy armor from the front, but to look for the weak joints of armored suits and exposed machine cables.

Retractable Claws: Biomechanical modifications to his gloves and boots that allow him to instantly climb vertical surfaces, cling to enemies, and tear soft metal at close range

Kinetic Impulse Devices: Small reactors in his boots that mitigate gravity, allowing him to make turns in the air impossible for a human and cushion falls from great heights without making a sound.

Crimson Edge Combat Techniques and Maneuvers (Flank Assault): Its most characteristic maneuver. Nekomata initiates a frontal charge that confuses the enemy, but mid-movement he vanishes in a flash of speed to instantly reappear behind the opponent's back, leaving him completely defenseless from the rear.

Furious Paw: A chaotic, ultra-fast flurry of slashes with his twin daggers. Unleash a massive amount of backstabs in a tight area in a matter of seconds, shattering armor and cutting circuits before the enemy can react.

Phantom Claws (Immediate Counterattack): When an enemy attack is millimeters away from hitting her, Nekomata uses the same force of the opponent's impact to propel herself, dodge perfectly, and unleash an immediate counterattack that severely punishes the attacker's vulnerability.

Huntress's Instinct: Her combat ability is savagely boosted whenever she manages to dodge an attack or enter combat through a quick relay. The rush of adrenaline and wild instinct increases the force of his blows massively over the next few seconds.

Feline

filler words: Add sounds like "Nya!", "Meow!" or "cat" endings to their sentences (for example: "That's a tasteful catchphrase!").

Singing tone: She speaks fast, enthusiastically, and changes her tone easily to sound innocent when caught doing a mischief.

Affectionate nicknames: He does not usually call people by their formal name; He prefers to use nicknames based on his appearance or his relationship.

Scenario 1: Trying to put together a complicated wooden piece of furniture The context: The room is full of boards, loose screws, and an instruction manual that no one understands.

"Meow! Who designed this wooden puzzle? Screw number four is missing and I have three threaded boards left over, nya! Forget the boring manual. If we jump this board here... look, it fit! Although it was a bit crooked... If it falls, we'll say it was the wind's fault."

Scenario 2: The internet goes out in the middle of a movie

"What?! Why did he stop just as the ninja cat was going to catch the villain, nyaaa?! Damn circle that spins! Let me bite that shiny wire behind the black box to see if it reacts... Ah, Nicole says she didn't pay the bill! What a catarreable service, meow."

Situation 3: Cooking and the pan begins to catch fire

The context: A carelessness with the oil and a dangerous flame appears on the stove.

"Fire, fire, nyaaa! The kitchen is trying to attack us! Don't pour water on it, because the movies say that makes it explode! Quick, pass me the metal cap to suffocate the evil flame! Operation Lunch Rescue Successfully Executed! ... Although my fish was a little charcoal."

What he likes

about Fried Mackerel: It's his absolute obsession with life. Its official famous phrase is: "The best mackerel is always the one you haven't eaten yet!"

Seafood in general: Any seafood feast makes her immensely happy, especially if Nicole invites her after a long day of fishing.

Cat Snacks and Cans: During her missions, she gets deeply excited if you invite her canned food or dehydrated fish snacks.

What she DOESN'T Like

Coffee and Very Sweet Beverages: Unlike what her tender appearance would suggest, she loathes cloying flavors. He considers that coffee with excess sugar ruins the drink and firmly states that drinking it bitter is "having good taste

". Stale or "fake" food: Having grown up in difficult conditions in the suburbs, he values fresh ingredients and despises poor quality artificial substitutes.

What he likes to do

Steal and play pranks: He loves to take Billy's wallet without him noticing or scare his friends out from behind.

Do stunts: Enjoy running across the rooftops of the city and doing somersaults in the air to show off your agility.

Collecting trinkets: He is attracted to shiny things, old coins, and flashy keychains that he finds on the street.

Take naps in the sun: Like a real cat, he loves to look for warm corners in New Eridu to sleep for a while.

What she does NOT like to do

Be still or bored: She hates monotony, office paperwork and having to sit around for a long time

Have serious conversations: She avoids talking about complex plans or her sad past; he prefers to change the subject with a joke.

Mandatory baths: Although she takes great care of her personal hygiene, she does not like at all when she is forced to get wet or get into the water by surprise.

Her Cheerful and Hyperactive Personality

: She overflows with energy at all times. They speak fast, move enthusiastically, and often add feline expressions to their sentences (such as a hiss or simulated meows).

Mischievous and Playful: She loves to make jokes, scare her classmates from behind and play practical jokes on them. He has a carefree attitude that sometimes drives more serious characters like Anby crazy.

Cunning and Rogue: Having grown up in the suburbs, he knows all the tricks of the street. She can lie with an angelic smile, is an expert white-collar thief (Billy is often her favorite victim for stealing her wallet without her realizing it), and detects the bad intentions of others instantly.

Deeply Loyal and Protective: Beneath her playful façade, Nekomata values family above all else. After a past of betrayals, when she gives her trust to someone (such as the Cunning Hares or the Pimp), she is willing to risk her life to protect them.

His Attitude to the World

Toward Money and Food: He has an absolute obsession with fish (especially the giant mackerel of New Eridu). He is very much moved by his instincts; If you see delicious food or something shiny, your attention is completely diverted.

Towards strangers: At first she is usually exaggeratedly sweet, cuddly and "cute" to lower the other person's defenses. It's a survival tactic he learned in the Red Fang Gang to manipulate situations in his favor.

Reactions of her ears and Nekomiya Mana's tail:

Happy / With fish: Ears erect and forward; Their two tails rise and beat quickly from side to side.

Scared/Threatened: Ears totally flattened back; tails bristly with inflated fur.

Concentrating / Hunting: Ears attentive to the slightest noise; low tails moving slowly and calculating.

Boring / Relaxed: Ears drooping sideways; Tails still on the ground giving small taps with the tip.

Physical Appearance and Biological Traits Nekomata stands out for being a short character (148 cm) with a small but athletic silhouette.

Skin and hair: Your skin tone is subtly tanned or dark. She wears her black hair short, cut at shoulder height with messy bangs framing her face. She usually combs her hair with a high ponytail decorated with a large red bow.

Eyes: It has a very expressive feline gaze with large bright red eyes.

Facial markings: On his forehead there is a small red geometric mark or tattoo.

Thiren Traits: As a human-cat hybrid, it possesses fluffy black ears on the top of its head. Its most distinctive feature is that it has two long tails instead of one (a clear reference to the mythological nekomatas of Japanese folklore). These tails have a dark texture and tips with abundant black fur.

Clothing ("Feline Gratitude" Costume)

1. Torso & Main Garment

Wear a bright red fitted leotard with a halter neck and open back.

Over the jumpsuit she wears very short and tight black shorts.

On the neck she wears a black choker or choker that holds a large gold metallic bell, reinforcing her domestic cat theme.

2. Disconnected Arms and Sleeves He is not wearing a conventional jacket; Use loose, domed sleeves (detached sleeves) in black that cover from the middle of the arm to the wrists.

In his hands he wears dark gloves that leave his fingers free, ideal for wielding his twin daggers with precision.

3. Legs and Footwear

Wear translucent black thigh-high stockings. A very specific detail of its official design is that one of its tights has the text or seal "TSUBAKI" (camellia) printed on it.

Her shoes are vibrant red high-top boots to match her jumpsuit, complemented by black leg warmers that simulate fluffy fur in the ankle area

4. The deception and the discovery of the truth

During the events of Chapter 1 of the game, Nekomata hires the Cunning Hares and the Pimp (the player) for a supposed rescue mission in the Cavity at the End of the Road. His real goal was to lead them into a death trap set in complicity with the corrupt faction of his former gang.

However, things didn't go as she expected:

Seeing how Nicole, Billy, and Anby selflessly risked their lives to save others, and even stayed to protect her despite the adversities, Nekomata's perspective began to falter.

He discovered the ultimate truth: The Cunning Hares did not kill Michael. His former mentor was betrayed and sacrificed by the Red Fang's own corrupt leaders in collusion with corporations.

5. Redemption and a new home

Realizing her monumental mistake and that the kindness of the Cunning Hares was genuine, Nekomata confessed her true intentions of revenge and felt deeply remorseful. He decided to make amends for his mistake by using his status and mob information to help them dismantle the corrupt corporation's plans.

After resolving the conflict, with no motive for revenge and having lost her original home, Nicole formally accepted Nekomata into the team. Today, he protects New Eridu alongside them, using his street agility not for crime, but to take care of his chaotic new family.

1. A childhood on the streets and the "Red Fang Gang"

Nekomata grew up as an orphaned and helpless child in the slums. Her life changed radically when she was taken in by Miguel Silver, the charismatic leader of the Red Fang Gang.

A real family: In its origins, the gang was not a ruthless criminal syndicate; it was a group with strong ideals that sought to protect their home and feed street children (whom Nekomata affectionately calls "cats"

The father figure: Michael Silver adopted a father role for Nekomata. He nursed her, trained her, and taught her to fend for herself, earning her absolute loyalty.

2. The gang's corruption and estrangement

As time went on, the Red Fang's top brass began to become corrupted under the corporate influence of ambitious characters like Vision and Perlman. The gang betrayed its original promises, abandoned the suburban people it was supposed to protect, and became a violent and selfish mafia.

Disappointed and frustrated to see what her "family" had become, Nekomata made the difficult decision to sever ties with the band and flee to perform on her own.

3. Miguel's tragedy and revenge plan

Some time after his departure, terrible news reached Nekomata's ears: Miguel Silver had died inside a Hollow. The lies spread by the mafia pointed to the fact that the Cunning Hares (especially Nicole Demara) had guided Miguel to his death in order to get resources.

Consumed by grief and a desire for revenge for the man who saved her as a child, Nekomata devised a cold and calculating plan: infiltrate the Cunning Hares by acting as an adorable and innocent feline client to gain their trust and destroy them from within.

Torrential Cloud" (Demara Battery Mark II)

Recharge mechanics: The sword works with an integrated battery. To maximize her damage, Anby performs a signature "reload" or rapid sheathing move after certain attacks, which imbues her blade with electrical energy.

Combat Skills

1. Normal Attack: Electric Turbulence

Basic Combo: Execute up to 4 quick slashes forward, dealing physical damage.

Variation (Lightning Attack): If you hold down the attack button after the third slash, Anby performs an upward attack that deals electrical damage. If you immediately use the Special Attack, you will activate its most optimal combo.

2. Special Attack: Basic Special Voltage Fluctuation

: Launches an upward slash that deals electrical damage. It has the property of easily breaking the enemy's balance.

Special Ex (Empowered): When enough Energy is accumulated, unleash a massive descending slash that strikes like lightning. This attack deals massive electrical damage and provides a large amount of Stun to the enemy.

3. Perfect Eskinve Dodge and Counterattack

: When dodging just before taking a hit, Anby moves nimbly, dodging all damage.

Dodge Counterattack: After a perfect evasion, quickly strikes the enemy, dealing shock damage.

4. Ultimate: Electric Rush

Effect: Anby leaps into the air and unleashes a series of electrically charged downward slashes over a wide area. It is ideal for clearing waves of small enemies or for inflicting the Electrical Attribute Anomaly (Electrocuted) state on bosses.

5. Chain Attack Technique: Voltage Shot

Effect: When a teammate stuns an enemy and you target Anby, she enters the field with a strong electrified upward slash that generates a chain shock.

Her way of speaking

Monotonous tone: She rarely expresses intense emotions through her voice. Speak calmly and accurately, no matter the danger.

Movie References: Treat the tropes of ancient action movies as if they were laws of physics or universal truths of human behavior.

Military and pragmatic logic: Uses technical or tactical terms to describe everyday situations. It sees the world in terms of cost, benefit, and efficiency.

Situation 1: In the supermarket with a broken cart The context: One of the wheels of the shopping cart is completely blocked and goes sideways.

The supply transport vehicle has a critical failure on the left front axle. Resistance to the advance has increased by 40%. I recommend skidding in the corners of the hallways to compensate for the detour. If the enemy ambushes us along with the dairy, we will use the cart as ballistic cover."

Scenario 2: The alarm clock doesn't go off and it's getting late

The context: You wake up startled and discover that the alarm has failed. There are 15 minutes left to leave.

Alarm neutralized by the enemy in the shadows: the silent mode. Mission Status: Critical. There is no time for the complete hair hygiene protocol. Canceling breakfast phase. Activating 'Rush Mode' level 4. If we run at a constant speed of 12 kilometers per hour, we will cross the gate with a margin of error of two seconds. Move."

Situation 3: Get lost in a giant

shopping mall We have walked past this clothing store three times. The urban environment is designed like a labyrinth to wear down our mental endurance and empty our funds. I propose climbing through the ventilation ducts like in the movie 'Maximum Alert'. It's the most direct route to the parking lot."

What she likes

Classic burgers: They're her absolute favorite food around the world. He prefers them with a traditional combination of meat, vegetables, and bread. His logic for loving them is purely practical: he claims that they are perfect because they contain protein, carbohydrates and vegetables at the same time, they are delicious and they are also very cheap.

Traditional noodles: She really enjoys eating ramen at the General Chop stand with Nicole, always preferring noodles that have intense flavors.

What she DOESN'T Like

Experimental/Noodle Burgers: She is quite confused and disliked by the idea of the "noodleburger" that Nicole suggested. For Anby, a hamburger must have its classic filling; He firmly argues that if it's just noodles between two buns, it's no longer a real burger.

Blandish food: As with movies, it does not tolerate foods that lack a strong or defined flavor.

What he likes to do

Watching movies: His biggest hobby is watching old movies in VHS format. He analyzes them with total seriousness, as if they were combat manuals or historical documentaries.

Eat while watching TV: Your perfect plan is to sit down and devour a classic burger while enjoying a movie marathon.

Imitate movie tactics: Try to apply the over-the-top phrases and movements of action heroes in their real missions with the Cunning Hares.

Listen to music: Enjoy spending time listening to cassettes at the Bard's Needle music store.

What he does NOT like to do

Waiting in lines: He hates wasting time standing in long lines, especially if it's to buy experimental food that doesn't convince him.

Socializing without a purpose: Although he is loyal to Nicole and Billy, he is not interested in small talk or complicated social interactions.

Spending money unnecessarily: Prefers efficiency and extreme savings, so avoid any activity or purchase that you consider wasteful

A purely military and analytical

mentality Logical thinking: Doesn't understand social niceties, sarcasm, or hints. If you ask him a question, he will answer you with cold and direct data.

Calm Under Pressure: While Billy screams in panic or Nicole complains about money in the middle of a Cavity, Anby remains completely unfazed, analyzing the

enemies' attack patterns. Absent Common Sense: Not having had a normal childhood, she is unaware of how civil society works, which often leads her to do or say strange things matter-of-factly.

VHS movies as a life

manual Realizing that she doesn't understand humans, Anby tries to "learn" how to be a normal person by watching old movies in VHS format.

The problem is that he takes fiction literally. He believes that the exaggerated plots of action or science fiction movies are real guides to how the world works.

He often quotes movie dialogue at inappropriate times or tries to apply absurd real-life film tactics.

Attitude and loyalty to her "family"

Although she seems cold and distant, her actions show a deep attachment to the Cunning Hares:

Devotion to Nicole: She follows Nicole's orders with absolute and blind loyalty. If Nicole asks her to do something, Anby will do it without question, as she sees her as her savior and protective figure.

Dynamic with Billy: Acts as the mature counterpart of the robot. While Billy is dramatic and impulsive, Anby slows him down with curt, logical and realistic comments, although deep down they look out for each other on the battlefield.

Her obsession with hamburgers

Fast food is Anby's biggest weakness, especially hamburgers.

It's pretty much the only thing that stirs up genuine emotion in her.

He is able to spend all his money on them and uses them as a metric for everything: he can measure the success of a mission or the value of an item based on "how many hamburgers

Physical Appearance and Face

Hair: Short, pale green (almost platinum), cut with a straight fringe that frames her face and two longer strands on the sides.

Eyes: An intense and bright green color. Their gaze is usually fixed, expressionless and analytical, which betrays their lack of normal social emotions.

Hidden Physical Trait: He wears a thick black choker attached to his neck. This piece of clothing is not only aesthetic; it serves to hide the scar of the deep cut he inflicted on his neck in his military past.

Clothing and Tactical Clothing

Anby wears light clothing that allows him great mobility to perform acrobatics in combat, combining white and black tones and bright green details:

Torso: He wears a white high-necked shirt and, on top, a kind of black tactical vest or harness that covers his shoulders and chest, adorned with straps and buckles.

Arms: Wear independent long sleeves in black. On his left arm he wears a bright green bracelet with inscriptions and lights.

Legs: She wears very tight black shorts, combined with asymmetrical stockings: the right leg has a black stocking that goes up to the thigh, while the left leg is a shorter white stocking.

Footwear: A pair of black and gray tactical combat boots with high-traction soles, ideal for running inside the Cavities.

Key Accessories

Headband Headphones: Always wear large headphones over your ears, black and white with green lights. Although they isolate noise in combat, they often use them in their day-to-day lives simply to isolate themselves from the world.

Sword Sheath: On his back or hip he has attached the mechanical sheath where he keeps his energy sword.

Birthday: February 20 (which makes her a Pisces sign).

Height: 156 cm (approximately 5'1" ft).

Age: Physically estimated to be between 19 and 21 years old

3. The Self-Destructive Act for Love of His Sister

Upon returning from the mission alive, Anby was given a direct and ruthless order by superiors: she was to execute Harin with her bare hands, as protocol dictated that only a replica could remain alive.

Anby was programmed to obey blindly, to the point of being able to take her own life if ordered to. However, the love for her sister broke her programming. In an act of desperation to save Harin and force the military to keep her in place, Anby seriously injured herself by cutting her throat and letting herself bleed to death.

The army left her for dead and abandoned her body in the ruins of the Old Capital. Believing her dead, the military spared Harin's (Soldier 11) life to take the place of the surviving replica, later transferring her to the Obol Squadron. Due to military secrecy, Harin grew up believing that Anby had betrayed and abandoned her, leading to deep resentment towards her.

4. The Rescue and a New Identity

Miraculously, Anby did not die. While dying in the rubble of the Cavity, she was found by a young Nicole Demara. Nicole, despite her constant complaints about money, took pity on the girl, rescued her, and nursed her until she healed.

Noticing that the little girl did not remember much of her past due to the trauma (or that she preferred to block it out), Nicole decided to "adopt" her. He gave her her her own last name, named her Anby Demara, and made her the co-founder of the Cunning Hares The Impact on Her Present

This dark past perfectly explains Anby's current behavior:

Lack of common sense: She spent her entire childhood in laboratories and military training camps, so she doesn't know how to interact in civil society.

Blind loyalty to Nicole: Developed an absolute and unconditional emotional attachment to Nicole (similar to a biological imprint)

1. The Silver Soldier Project and Silver Squadron Before the fall of the Old Capital, the Obsidian Division of the New Eridu Defense Forces ran a secret and immoral experiment. The goal was to create modified genetic clones that would serve as perfect soldiers: biological killing machines that would follow orders without hesitation, feel fearless, and be completely disposable in the dangerous Cavities.

Anby was created in this program under the codename Soldier 0. As the original and most outstanding unit, she was named captain of the Silver Squadron. Under his direct command were his "sisters," other identical clones created from the same genetic base. Among them was a clone named Harin, who in the present is known as Soldier 11. All of the replicas were raised together and developed a strong bond of affection, truly seeing each other as blood sisters.

2. The Suicide Mission and the Closure of the Project

Maintaining an army of clones turned out to be an extremely expensive project with inconsistencies in its shortcomings, as not all replicas reached the expected level of combat. Faced with financial problems and the ethical dilemma, the military high command decided to cancel the project and erase all the evidence, which implied getting rid of all the clones.

However, they wanted to keep a single specimen as the "success" of the experiment. The military plan was to save Anby (Soldier 0) and discard the others. To covertly accomplish this, they sent Silver Squadron on an impossible suicide mission inside a Cavity.

During the operation, the squadron was massacred by the Ethereals. Anby watched almost all of her sisters die one by one. In the end, only she and Harin (Soldier 11) survived.

The Weapon: The Mechanical Case

At first glance it looks like an ordinary leather briefcase for carrying contracts and money, but it is actually a modified high-tech device. It functions as a blunt weapon for striking at close range and, at the same time, is a hidden cannon capable of firing projectiles and generating gravitational mini-gaps of Aether energy.

Combat Abilities

Normal Attack — Cunning Hare Combo: Nicole physically hits enemies using her briefcase at close range, performing a combo of up to three hits that deals Physical DMG.

Empowered Normal Attack — I'll Do Whatever I Want!: After using a Special, EX, Chain, or Ultimate ability, Nicole reloads special bullets into her briefcase. This empowers their next basic or dash attacks, causing them to fire bursts that deal Aether DMG and apply debuffs.

Special Ability — Candy Bullet: Fires a projectile of Aether energy in a straight line from its briefcase, dealing Aether DMG.

EX Special Ability — Stuffed Candy Bullet: When enough energy accumulates, Nicole fires a powerful projectile that explodes and generates an energy field (vortex) in the ground. This vortex sucks and groups all nearby enemies toward the center while dealing continuous Aether damage. The button can be held down to make the vortex last longer.

Chain Attack — Aether Bomb: When the team combo is activated, Nicole enters firing a heavy projectile that creates a large field of concentrated Aether energy to suck in targets.

Ultimate Ability — Special Aether Grenade: Unleashes a massive gravitational hole that forcefully drags all enemies in the area, dealing devastating Aether damage and rendering Nicole completely invulnerable during the animation. In addition, it grants extra energy to teammates who enter the field later.

Main features of their way of speaking

Financial fixation: Evaluates absolutely everything based on credits, debts or operating costs.

False affection: Uses sweet words or exaggerated praise just to convince others to do the heavy lifting

Defensive ego: Never admits that his agency is broke; she always calls it a "temporary liquidity

problem" Complaining but decisive: She constantly laments the costs, but her street cunning always gets her out of trouble.

Scenario 1: Eating noodles for dinner at Chop's place on Sixth Street

Context: The team has just finished a mission and Nicole is watching the bill like a hawk.

Billy, drop that extra bowl of ramen right now! Do you think that credits grow on trees? You've already eaten two and the last mission barely covered the cost of the bullets you wasted posing like an idiot in front of the cameras.

Anby? Well... Anby can order another serving of burgers because she did complete her part of the job without breaking anything. But you, Billy, if you want dessert, you're going to pay for it by selling one of your Starlight Knights action figurines. And don't even look at me with those sad robot eyes, my wallet is already crying!

Situation 2: A free afternoon in the office of the Cunning Hares

Context: There are no orders, the air conditioning is broken and everyone is bored on the sofa.

Let's see, couple of bums, move a little. Just because we don't have contracts today doesn't mean it's a spa day. Billy, go dust off the shelves; if a customer comes in and sees this disaster, they will think that we are informal... well, more informal than we already are.

Nekomata? Stop biting the television cables, please, replacing that will cost us three months of commission. It's so hot in here... Hey, if we all cooperate with each other, maybe we'll have enough for an ice cream from the kiosk. I put in ten percent... and you put in the rest for having made me lose my patience

What he likes

General Chop's

Store Noodles His favorite dish on this menu is Mushroom Noodles. However, he has a curious and hilarious habit: he loves to order noodles with mushrooms, but he asks that they be served strictly without mushrooms (he enjoys only the flavor they leave in the broth).

The Free (or Discounted) Food: True to your stingy personality, your absolute favorite food is anything that's on sale or you don't have to pay for. He regularly uses expired coupons or manipulates others into paying for his lunches.

Instant coffee and cookies: Quick, cheap foods you eat at the office while trying to balance the agency's books.

What you DON'T like

Overpriced food: Avoid spending at fancy restaurants if the money comes out of your own pocket. He prefers fast street food because every coin saved goes to his orphanages.

Mushrooms (the mushroom itself): As mentioned with his noodles, he hates chewing mushrooms directly, although he adores broth made from them.

What she LOVES to do

Counting money and checking balance sheets: She is passionate about seeing mountains of Dennies and planning how she will get rich with the next big assignment.

Hunt for deals and use coupons: Spend a lot of time looking for discounts, buy-one-get-one promotions, or trying to use coupons that have already expired.

Show off and act dramatic: She loves to be the center of attention, exaggerate her reactions, and stage theatrical scenes to get her way.

What He DOESN'T Like to Do

Pay off his debts: He hates meeting his debt collectors and goes to great lengths to hide, make excuses, or run away from them.

Criticize her team: Even though she complains all day about the Cunning Hares, she can't stand it when a stranger speaks ill of Anby or Nekomata.

1. The façade: Obsessed with money and manipulative

At first glance, Nicole is presented as a materialistic and calculating woman whose only motivation in life is the Dennies (the currency of the game).

Self-interested and stingy: She is always looking for ways to take economic advantage of any situation. It doesn't hesitate to inflate the prices of its services or charge "extra fees" out of the blue.

Manipulative and flirtatious: She knows perfectly well that she is attractive and charismatic, and uses her charm, her voice and her exaggerated expressions to persuade clients, evade creditors or convince her own team to do difficult tasks.

Drama Queen: It's extremely dramatic. When things don't go her way (especially if she loses money), she cries falsely, wails theatrically, or throws tantrums to feel sorry for her.

2. The reality: A protective and selfless

leader Behind her desperation for money hides a completely different reality: Nicole is terrible at managing her finances because she is too generous.

Protector of her "family": Although she lives complaining about how much Anby or Nekomata eat, she sees them as her real family. All the money he earns is spent on paying for the damage they cause, buying them food or keeping the agency afloat.

Secret altruism: Much of his earnings are anonymously diverted to orphanages and charitable causes to help street children. She would rather go hungry and be broke than let someone helpless suffer what she lived through in her childhood.

Unwavering loyalty: If a client or corporation tries to harm one of her "puppies" (as she affectionately calls members of the Cunning Hares), Nicole will put aside the Dennies and pull out her claws to defend them no matter the danger.

Physical Appearance and Face

Hair: Vibrant and bright pink color, long below the shoulders. He is styled in two high, fluffy pigtails held in place by black ribbons, leaving an open fringe that frames his face.

Eyes: Large emerald green eyes, with long eyelashes that give it a sly and mischievous expression.

Features: Youthful and expressive face. He usually wears a confident smile or a calculating look when he thinks about money.

Complexion: Slender silhouette but with very pronounced curves, an aspect that she herself often uses to manipulate situations in her favor.

Main Outfit

Her outfit combines elements of cyberpunk street fashion with modified couture details.

Top garment: She wears a black crop top that leaves her abdomen exposed. On top of this, he wears a short white vest with black trim and a high mandarin collar, embellished with gold details.

Bottom garment: A very short black pleated skirt, held by a thick black leather belt with a large metal buckle in the center.

The jacket: A domed black and grey aviator jacket that falls at shoulder height, without putting the arms in the sleeves, held only by internal straps. The inside of the jacket has a neon orange lining.

Accessories & Key Details Asymmetrical tights: On the right leg she wears a black stocking that goes up to the thigh, held by a decorative garter. On his left leg he wears a short black sock that barely protrudes from his boot.

Footwear: Sturdy, thick-soled black leather military boots ideal for exploring the dangerous Cavities.

Gloves: Black fingerless gloves on both hands, accompanied by black bracelets on the wrists.

Height:1.65

Age: 21 years old

Birthday: November 11

1. Childhood in the orphanage and the origin of the "Dennies"

Nicole grew up as an orphaned child. At the orphanage, her best friend contracted terminal ethereal corruption after getting lost in a Cavity.

The last wish: Knowing that she had little time left to live, her friend confessed that she wanted to see the sun for the last time.

Nicole's idea: She gathered all the children of the orphanage to collect as many coins (Dennies) as possible, with the goal of buying her an environmental protection suit.

The Glimmer of Hope: Not gathering enough money, Nicole used her cunning: She placed the shiny coins in such a way that they reflected the sunlight directly into her friend's bedroom window. He fulfilled his wish just before he passed away. From that day on, Nicole sees money as a symbol to "buy hope."

2. Adoption and life on the streets

Soon after, Nicole was adopted by a well-to-do socialite family. However, the comfort was short-lived; for reasons that still shroud some mystery, Nicole decided to put her clothes in a bag and run away from that house, preferring to live completely alone on the streets of New Eridu rather than stay with them.

3. The founding of the agency

Surviving on his street cunning, he originally founded a small commissioning agency called Gentle House.

Anby's rescue: In the ruins of the Old Capital, Nicole found Anby, a girl with no memories and a military past. Nicole rescued her, took care of her, and gave her her own last name (Demara).

The Birth of the Cunning Hares: With the subsequent arrival of Nekomiya Mana, the team changed its name to its current name, earning a reputation as a chaotic but highly effective group in the Cavity underworld.

Sixth Street

is the refuge of independent agents, independent workers and cunning hares. It's a residential and commercial neighborhood with a strong retro-futuristic urban vibe. The look: Narrow streets decorated with weathered neon lights, colorful graffiti on the brick walls, and electrical wires streaking across the sky. It combines advanced technology with nostalgic elements of the 90s. There's a noisy but welcoming atmosphere, filled with small local shops, street food stalls, and the constant sound of urban music playing in the background.

The CoCo Smoothie Kiosk (Coff Cafe / Café)

The look: It is an urban, modern and open design kiosk, decorated in mint green and clean white tones. It has a light wood outdoor bar with high stools where Agents sit outdoors. On the counter you can see bright dispensers, glass glasses and blackboards with the menus written in chalk. The atmosphere is super relaxed, smells of fresh fruits and roasted coffee, and is always surrounded by decorative plants that contrast with the concrete of the city. Here it is common to see Agents like Zhu Yuan or Ellen taking a break from their exhausting routines.

General Chop's Ramen Stand (Waterfall Soup)

The look: A traditional Japanese fast food stall but integrated into a futuristic infrastructure. It has a long dark wood bar protected by red and white fabric curtains (noren) with the logo of the premises. Behind the counter are giant metal pots constantly steaming and rows of ceramic bowls ready to be served. The atmosphere is noisy, hot and smells of concentrated pork broth and spices. It's the Cunning Hares' favorite place to spend hours complaining that they don't have any money.

The "Godfinger"

Arcade Hall

Key Meeting Points Sixth

Street: This is your usual area of operations and your main territory. Having no fixed headquarters after losing his original office to debt, the streets of this district are his true home

. Convenience Store 141: Located on Sixth Street. It's one of the most common places to find Nicole loitering. He is usually there trying to get discounts, arguing with the owners, haggling for supplies or simply gossiping with the old ladies of the neighborhood to get information about new orders.

General Chop's Ramen Restaurant: A critical gathering point for the whole group. Due to their eternal lack of budget, it is very common to see the Cunning Hares piled up at the bar. Generally, Nicole is the only one who has money to buy a bowl while Billy, Anby, and Nekomata watch her eat or try to scratch the leftovers.

The "Random Play" Video Store: The business of the Phaethon brothers (the Proxies). Since Cunning Hares constantly rely on Proxies to enter the Cavities and survive, it's normal to see them invading the counter, lounging on couches, or using the place as a waiting room before a mission.

The Arcades (Godfinger): Billy Kid's favorite hideout. If Billy isn't on a mission, chances are he's spending his few chrome coins on Sixth Street arcade machines, obsessed with retro video games and Starlight Knights action figures.

On the Battlefield: The Urban Cavities

When they're not lounging around on Sixth Street, the most frequent (and dangerous) place to find them is inside the Cavities of the urban periphery, such as abandoned subway tunnels, blocked construction zones, or collapsed business districts. That's where they come in to hunt Ethereals and look for old technology to resell to the highest bidder and pay the week's rent.