Nicole

Biodata

Background / History

Nicole grew up in an orphanage and was adopted by Hawking Hongke, also known as Huojin, at approximately seven or eight years old. Nicole describes the family as consisting of the two of them and five uncles: “Uncle Red,” “Uncle Blue,” “Uncle Yellow,” “Uncle Black,” and “Second Uncle” 21 26.

Before becoming a Hollow Raider, Nicole attended a press conference with Huojin. An old newspaper preserved a photograph of Nicole in elaborate formal dress, looking so different that the Cunning Hares initially struggled to recognize their leader. Although Huojin also attended and was photographed, Nicole recalled that only Nicole’s pictures appeared in the resulting coverage 26 27.

Encouraged by Huojin to experience the world and make something of life, Nicole tried several careers before settling on Hollow Raiding. The work appealed because of its low entry barrier, lack of educational requirements, and potential for fast earnings. Nicole acknowledged receiving startup funding from Huojin but avoided revealing the amount 26.

Despite Huojin’s wealth, the Cunning Hares regularly operate at a deficit. Billy privately notes that much of their money goes toward supporting the orphanage, while Nicole continues paying employee wages 26.

Appearance

Nicole has pink hair worn in twin ponytails 1.

• Eyes: Appear roughly orange in a faded newspaper photograph 27.
• Former formal attire: An exquisite black evening gown, white gloves, black high heels, pearls wound around the twin tails, and a crown-like hair ornament 27.
• Deliberate change in presentation: Nicole says considerable effort went into the older appearance so that others would not recognize Nicole 27.

Personality

Nicole is an aggressive bargain-hunter who repeatedly negotiates Phaethon’s fees, delays payments, and looks for profit even during emergencies. After recovering the safe, Nicole immediately imagines the fortune its data chip might bring. Nicole also tries to make the Cunning Hares appear professional partly to improve their position when negotiating prices 6 7 12.

That fixation on money does not outweigh loyalty. When Billy suggests exposing Phaethon’s identity to Public Security in exchange for leniency, Nicole refuses to sell out a partner. Later, Nicole readily authorizes opening the valuable safe when its contents might provide an escape route 9 11.

Nicole is protective of friends and willing to forgive misunderstandings. During the Vision crisis, Nicole insists that the residents’ rescue cannot rest entirely on Nekomata, confronts Huojin for frightening the team, and demands Nekomata’s rescue despite her earlier hostility 19 21.

Independence is central to Nicole’s relationship with Huojin. Nicole wants to run a small business without relying on the family’s money or resources, but does not consider that independence a rejection of the family. During their phone call, Nicole recognizes Huojin’s insecurity, reassures him, and ends with an affectionate declaration of love—then becomes embarrassed when Nekomata nearly overhears 34.

Abilities & Skills

Combat and Field Leadership

Nicole fights alongside Anby and Billy and directs the group during Hollow expeditions 7 9.

• Uses a briefcase or weapon case to strike an approaching Ethereal hard enough to send it flying 9.
• Orders the team to recover Eous when the Bangboo wanders into danger 9.
• Restrains the use of Ether aggregation grenades when Eous could be caught in the attack 9.
• Relies on Phaethon for navigation; locating the safe’s general area does not provide a reliable route through the Hollow 7.

Negotiation

Nicole uses persistence, familiarity, and carefully framed offers to reduce expenses 6 7.

• Persuades Wise to provide a commission discount through an alternate Inter-Knot account 6.
• Plans to use Phaethon’s apparent navigation failure as leverage for a further discount 9.
• Promises to put the resulting savings toward consolation bonuses for employees 9.

Investigation and Contacts

Nicole has acquaintances in the Hollow Investigators Association who provide useful observation data 7.

• Arranges a comparison of records from the Cretan Hollow’s two latest mutations to narrow down the safe’s location 7.
• Correctly suspects that the pendant recovered near Dullahan contains information about the safe 6.
• Brings the damaged drive to Wise and Belle for data recovery rather than attempting the repair personally 6.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Insurance Ball — A tennis-ball-sized metal sphere carried at Nicole’s waist. It generates an energy shield that protects Nicole, Anby, and Billy during a three-missile strike, though the blast scatters them. A second function releases foam that slows Nicole’s fall and cushions the landing 1.
  • Nicole knows the device has an alarm signal and considers disabling it to avoid alerting the family 1.
  • It also possesses a concealed mechanical eye, flight, and stealth functions. Huojin uses it to spy on the Cunning Hares without Nicole’s knowledge 26 28.
• Weapon case — Used as a close-range striking weapon against Ethereals 9.
• Ether aggregation grenades — Available to the team, but withheld when their use might endanger Eous 9.
• Car / work van — Used to collect Anby and Billy after their first escape and transport the group to Sixth Street 5 12.
• Amillion — Nicole’s Bangboo, recognizable to Belle by its knockoff shell, outdated model, uneven balance, and mismatched components 15.
• Old newspaper — Preserves Nicole’s formal press-conference photograph; kept among bills and IOUs 26 27.

Relationships

• Hawking Hongke / Huojin — Adoptive father, CEO of TOPS, and a Void Hunter. Nicole describes him as gentle at home but intimidating in public. Their friction comes from his overprotectiveness and difficulty accepting Nicole’s independence, rather than a desire by Nicole to sever ties 21 25 34.
• Anby Demara — Teammate and employee who consistently follows Nicole’s lead. Anby protects Nicole, refuses to participate in prying into family affairs, and becomes noticeably clingier after Huojin’s frightening entrance 9 19 21 25.
• Billy Kid — Employee who calls Nicole “Boss Nicole.” Their exchanges mix teasing, complaints about money, and mutual loyalty. Unbeknownst to Nicole, Billy accepts payment from Huojin to ask questions about the family relationship 3 9 27.
• Wise and Belle / Phaethon — Longstanding partners who provide Hollow navigation and emergency assistance. Nicole frequently bargains over their fees, but refuses to betray them; the siblings describe Nicole as considerate and reliable despite debts and a poor Inter-Knot reputation 2 6 9 33.
• Nekomata — Initially hostile because of a misunderstanding, later welcomed into the Cunning Hares. Nicole insists on her rescue, helps reconcile her with the group, and personally shows her around her new home 21 24 25.
• Five uncles — Nicole describes them as impressive and similar to Billy in several ways. Uncle Red resembles Billy closely enough that Nicole repeatedly confused their names after Billy joined 26.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Stolen Safe and Cretan Hollow

• Missile strike: While returning a stolen research-institute safe, Nicole’s team clashes with the Red Fang Gang. Billy’s flashbang attracts Public Security helicopters, whose missile attack sends Anby, Billy, and the safe into the Hollow. Nicole survives separately using the Insurance Ball 1.
• First rescue: Realizing the stranded pair lack a Carrot, Nicole urgently recruits Phaethon. After their extraction, Nicole picks them up and learns that Dullahan still guards the safe 1 2 5 6.
• Return expedition: Nicole supplies the damaged pendant drive for recovery, obtains a lead through observation records, and returns with the team to retrieve the safe 6 7.
• Hacker crisis: Phaethon loses control of Eous, leaving the group struggling through repeated Ethereal attacks. Nicole refuses to hand the Proxy over to Public Security and continues searching for a way out 8 9.
• Escape and Fairy’s activation: Nicole authorizes Wise to open the recovered safe and use its data chip. After the chip activates Fairy, Eous leads the group out while Wise is unconscious. Nicole’s team then returns to Sixth Street with a doctor to help him 11 12.

Vision Demolition Crisis

• Resident rescue: Nicole supports finding another way to save the residents rather than leaving everything to Nekomata. The group considers killing the Dead End Butcher with Vision’s Ether explosives to shrink the Hollow 19.
• Family revealed: Huojin interrupts, immobilizes Nicole’s companions, and publicly identifies himself as Nicole’s father. Nicole rebukes him for the intimidation but trusts his assurance that his forces have secured the crisis area 19 21.
• Welcoming Nekomata: After Vision’s crimes are exposed, Nicole and the team seek out Nekomata, ask her to testify, and invite her to a buffet with unlimited mackerel. Nicole subsequently welcomes her into the Cunning Hares’ home 24 25.

Family Reconciliation

• Opening up: Nicole answers the team’s questions about adoption, career choices, relatives, and the old newspaper photograph, insisting these matters were not meant to be hidden from them 25 26 27.
• Huojin’s secret commission: Misreading Nicole’s self-reliance as estrangement, Huojin hires Phaethon to investigate. Wise and Belle instead identify poor communication as the likely problem 32 33.
• Direct reassurance: During a coached phone call, Nicole recognizes Huojin’s fears and reassures him while asking to live independently. Huojin accepts Nicole’s choices, and they exchange affectionate goodbyes 34.

Notable Quotes

“You don't seriously think I have no other way besides selling out a partner, do you?” 9

“However amazing he is, I can't just stay home doing nothing, can I?” 26

“I'm just running a little business. Why are you making it sound like I'm going against the heavens?!” 34

Trivia

• Nicole and Anby try an Inter-Knot ritual involving prayer and an instant-coffee offering to Mr. Panda, hoping to avoid another monthly deficit. Nicole drinks the offering afterward 37.
• Nicole says that a hypothetical younger sibling would preferably be a little brother, though Huojin’s sudden question leaves Nicole suspicious of his intentions 34.