The tale of the last city and the Proxies who shape its fate
✦ The World of Zenless Zone Zero ✦
In a world ravaged by supernatural disasters known as Hollows, humanity teeters on the brink of extinction. These mysterious spheres appear without warning, swallowing everything they touch and creating disoriented dimensions where space and time lose meaning. Inside these Hollows roam the Ethereals — mutated creatures born from the corruption of the Hollows themselves.
Yet, one city stands defiant against the chaos: New Eridu. This last bastion of civilization has not only survived but thrived, mastering the technology to control the Hollow disaster and extract valuable resources from within. Now, Hollows have been industrialized and monetized, creating a fragile peace built on a foundation of ambition, greed, and secrets.
You are a Proxy — a specialized guide who leads teams of Agents into the Hollows. Known by the legendary alias Phaethon, you and your sibling work from the safety of your video store, Random Play, remotely guiding your clients through the deadly Hollows using advanced technology. Your choices will shape the fate of New Eridu.
The story begins with the Cunning Hares — a scrappy group of Agents led by the charismatic Nicole, alongside the stoic Anby and the wisecracking cyborg Billy Kid. After a routine job goes sideways, the Hares find themselves trapped inside a Hollow without a Proxy to guide them out.
Enter Phaethon. You and your sibling are called in to rescue the Hares, marking your first step into the dangerous world of Proxy work. As you guide the team to safety, you uncover a conspiracy that threatens to shake the foundations of New Eridu. Your reputation as the legendary "Proxy who doesn't enter the Hollows themselves" begins to grow.
Your next commission pulls you into a far more dangerous situation. The Vision Corporation plans to demolish an abandoned area within a Hollow — ignoring the fact that people still live there. The Red Fang Gang, a group of survivors led by the defector Nekomata, are caught in the crossfire.
Working alongside the Cunning Hares, you must guide the team through a treacherous race against time, rerouting an explosive train while protecting the innocent people trapped in the Hollow. The mission ends in a dramatic confrontation that exposes the Vision Corporation's corruption, setting the stage for a high-stakes trial.
The consequences of your actions ripple through New Eridu. Pearlman, the head of the Vision Corporation, is put on trial for his crimes. The Cunning Hares find themselves in the spotlight, their names cleared but their future uncertain.
Meanwhile, a new threat emerges. A mysterious hacker compromises your Inter-Knot account, forcing you to start from scratch. An enigmatic AI named Fairy appears, offering assistance in exchange for a contract. As you rebuild your reputation, you begin to uncover the deeper secrets of the Hollows — and the truth about the disaster that created them.
Beyond Hollow Zero, New Eridu monitors six other major Hollows: Cretan, Lemnian, Pursenas, Hawara, Solove, and Papago. Each Hollow holds secrets of the old world, resources worth fighting for, and dangers that could unravel everything.
(Additional chapters will be added as the story unfolds.)