Belle

Biodata

Background / History

Cretan Hollow Rescue and the Hacker Incident

Belle and Wise were already established as the legendary Proxies Phaethon when Nicole sought their help rescuing Anby, Billy, and a stolen safe from a Hollow. Belle handled the equipment supporting Wise’s sensory connection to Eous, then found the shortest escape route, checked the exit’s stability, and coordinated their pickup with Nicole 2 5.

After the rescue, the siblings examined a damaged pendant-shaped data drive recovered near Dullahan. They repaired it and extracted the safe’s numerical password, enabling the Cunning Hares to attempt another retrieval 6 7.

During that operation, a hacker seized the HDD system, disconnected Wise from Eous, and erased part of the α data station. Belle’s debugging and restart attempts failed. Under threats against the stranded Cunning Hares, she transferred Phaethon’s Inter-Knot account and authentication information to the attacker. Once he activated the Proxy identity, the siblings reported its current holder through Public Security’s hotline; Belle revealed their maneuver as sirens approached him 8 10.

Following the reconnection, Wise used the safe’s data chip in an attempt to find an exit and lost consciousness. Belle later explained that Eous had led the Cunning Hares out despite Wise’s condition, and that Nicole had brought a doctor who helped disconnect him from the HDD. Belle then introduced the recovered Wise to Fairy, the AI activated through the chip 11 12.

Vision Corporation’s Demolition Crisis

When Nekomata arrived seeking Phaethon, Belle initially pretended not to recognize either the Proxy name or Nicole. She accepted Nekomata’s connection to Nicole only after inspecting Amillion and recognizing his distinctive mismatched construction 15.

During the attempt to evacuate Canvas Lane’s residents, Belle developed Wise’s suggestion of shrinking the Dead End Hollow rather than moving everyone through it. She explained that killing the Dead End Butcher could remove an amount of Ether activity comparable to thousands of ordinary Ethereals, and proposed using Vision’s stockpiled Ether explosives against it 19.

Huojin interrupted the operation by immobilizing the group inside the Hollow. Watching through the connection, Belle initially suspected a signal problem before learning that the restraint was real. His subsequent introduction as Nicole’s adoptive father, TOPS’s CEO, and a Void Hunter astonished her—particularly because Nicole still owed the siblings commission fees 19 21.

Helping Huojin Reconnect with Nicole

Fairy’s electricity consumption eventually strained the siblings’ finances, leaving them worried about running a deficit and sharing their last two cups of instant noodles. Their breakfast was interrupted by Huojin and Butler, who offered a heavily paid, lifelong-secret commission concerning Nicole 31 32.

Huojin feared that Nicole’s refusal of family assistance meant she wanted to sever their relationship. Belle and Wise instead suggested that Nicole valued independence. After hearing Huojin’s usual conversation topics—including biological research, estate alterations, and disposing of Nicole’s creditors—Belle identified his communication style as a more immediate problem 33.

Belle proposed a phone call, enlisted Fairy to prepare a script, and coached Huojin through the conversation. Nicole reassured him that she was not rejecting him and asked him to respect her chosen life. In gratitude, Huojin promised to pay the siblings’ electricity bills for life and the prepared commission fee, although they had not formally accepted the assignment. He made continued electricity coverage conditional on keeping his visit and the call secret 33 34.

Trapped During a Hollow Outbreak

While restocking the store, Belle objected to Wise’s preference for slow-paced films. She secretly took his car keys and drove to other suppliers to choose more exciting stock herself 47.

A companion Hollow outbreak overtook her route. Belle escaped pursuing Ethereals in the family car, only for a spatial rift to transport her into an unfinished building. After narrowly avoiding a pillar, she spotted two girls being chased by Ethereals. A later witness reported that Belle had subsequently separated from their group to help another panicked victim 48 50.

Wise mobilized Fairy and Hongke Unlimited Company’s rescue service to search for her. Iron Guard 813 eventually found Belle and another girl sheltering near the rogue mech Guardian, carried them out of its immediate path, and protected them while reinforcements destroyed it. Using an earpiece and Fairy’s communications network, Belle assured Wise that she had escaped without a scratch 47 49 50.

Personality

Belle is playful and openly teasing with Wise and their regular clients. She mocks Nicole’s supposedly “once-in-a-lifetime” emergencies, complains when Wise grants another discount, and uses exaggerated affection toward her brother when seeking sympathy or a change in plans 2 6 31 47.

She keeps a close eye on money: she requests overdue payment, challenges Fairy’s electricity usage, and immediately connects Nicole’s wealthy family background to the commission fees Nicole owes. Nevertheless, she and Wise initially decline a reward for helping Huojin, treating the successful call as only a small favor 6 21 31 34.

Her concern for others appears both at home and in danger. She reassures Wise after his collapse, defends Nicole against Huojin’s assumptions, and interrupts her own efforts to escape a Hollow to help another stranded person 12 33 50.

Abilities & Skills

Hollow Navigation and Operational Support

Belle supports Phaethon’s field operations from the video store while Wise connects to Eous 2 5.

• Route planning: Finds a short evacuation route and verifies that an apparent dead end is a usable Hollow exit 5.
• Extraction coordination: Contacts Nicole and arranges the group’s onward escape after leaving the Hollow 5.
• Mission preparation: Compiles commission information on a workbench tablet for Wise’s reference 7.
• Ether knowledge: Explains prolonged exposure risks and the relationship between powerful Ethereals and Hollow expansion 8 19.

Technical Work

Belle operates the HDD equipment and assists with data recovery and troubleshooting 2 7 8.

• Sensory-link operation: Initiates Wise’s synchronization with Eous and disconnects it during an extraction 2 5.
• Data recovery: Helps repair the damaged drive containing the strongbox password 6 7.
• Live diagnostics: Attempts to debug the HDD during an active operation and adjusts equipment when its signals fail 8.
• Limits: Cannot restore the connection while the hacker controls the system; restarting it also fails to remove his access 8.

Deduction and Deception

Belle protects Phaethon’s identity and uses inconsistencies in others’ behavior to challenge them 10 15.

• Counter-deception: Questions why the supposed expert hacker relies on threats rather than stealing the password directly or hacking the Inter-Knot 10.
• Identity protection: Feigns ignorance of Phaethon until Nekomata supplies evidence of her connection to Nicole 15.
• Mechanical inspection: Recognizes Amillion through his abnormal weight, uneven balance, knockoff shell, and mismatched parts 15.

Interpersonal Mediation

Belle recognizes that Huojin’s intimidating behavior and unsuitable conversation topics are damaging his attempts to reconnect with Nicole 33.

• Recommends direct conversation rather than covertly investigating Nicole’s feelings 33.
• Arranges a script with Fairy and silently guides Huojin during the call 33 34.

Equipment / Items

• HDD system — Shared operational equipment used for Wise’s sensory synchronization with Eous and communication with people inside Hollows 2 5 8.
• Workbench tablet — Holds information Belle prepares for commissions 7.
• Family car — Used for her independent videotape-buying trip and to escape Ethereals during the outbreak 47 48.
• Rescue earpiece — Supplied by an Iron Guard, allowing her to speak with Wise over Fairy’s network 50.

Relationships

• Wise — Older brother and fellow Phaethon operator. They share store duties and Proxy work, regularly tease one another, and show strong concern for each other’s safety 2 12 47 50.
• Nicole Demara — Longstanding friend and client. Belle complains about her debts and discounts but defends her reliability and desire for independence 6 21 33.
• Anby Demara and Billy Kid — Cunning Hares members whom Belle helps guide out of the Hollow; both rely on the siblings’ navigation during Nicole’s commissions 5 7.
• Fairy — AI collaborator and frequent argumentative foil. Fairy calls Belle “Assistant Two,” assists with Huojin’s call, and helps locate her during the outbreak 31 33 49.
• Huojin / Hawking Hongke — Nicole’s adoptive father and a client. Belle helps resolve his misunderstanding with Nicole; he rewards the siblings with payment and lifelong electricity coverage 32 33 34.
• Iron Guard 813 — Rescuer who locates Belle near Guardian and carries her and another civilian away from the mech’s attack 50.