The first time I stepped into the chaotic, vibrant streets of New Eridu, I was just a conduit for the story, a voice guiding Anby, Billy, and Nicole through the Hollows. My perspective, my very being, was channeled through either Wise or Belle. It was 2025 then. Now, a year later, in 2026, the city feels less like a game and more like a second home, a digital landscape where my growth is measured not just in power, but in understanding. The journey from a bewildered Proxy to a seasoned agent of the Cunning Hares is one painted in the neon glow of combat and the quiet hum of the video store’s CRT screens.
I learned quickly that the old rules didn’t apply here. My companions, the valiant Anby, the explosive Billy, and the shrewd Nicole, never gained a single ounce of strength from the countless Ethereal they felled. Their growth came from the aftermath, from the shimmering materials left behind—Trainee Investigator Logs, Basic Offense Certification Seals—items that held the essence of experience. I remember the first time I applied a Log, watching Anby’s stats flicker and climb, a silent testament to our shared efforts. We started small, capped at a humble level ten, but each Seal we found was a key to a new door, unlocking tiers of power that stretched towards twenty and beyond. In those early days, I poured everything into my core trio, learning their rhythms, their strengths, making them an extension of my will.
Yet, my own growth was a different story. It was measured by the Inter-Knot Level, the pulse of my connection to this world. Every story mission I completed for the HIA, every side job for a quirky Sixth Street resident, every shift I managed at the video rental store, fed into this level. It was the master key that unlocked the city itself. New mechanics, new shops, new possibilities blossomed as my Inter-Knot rank climbed. The story wasn’t just a narrative to follow; it was the very fuel for my progression. Slogging through the prologue and Chapter One wasn’t just about understanding the plot; it was about understanding the rules of existence in New Eridu. The presentation, so slick and stylized, drew me in, but it was the underlying systems that truly captivated me.
The true depth of character building, however, unfolded in the menus, in the quiet moments between missions. Raising a level was just the foundation. I discovered I could hone their very essence. On the hero tab, I spent materials to sharpen Anby’s basic attack, to make Billy’s dodge a fraction quicker, to amplify Nicole’s assist. It felt like a sculptor refining a masterpiece. Then came the gear. The W-Engines—these enigmatic devices became the core of their loadouts. Slotted into these engines were the Drive Discs, each one a puzzle piece that could complete a build. Finding a disc that boosted Critical Rate for Anby or one that granted a bonus for perfect dodges with Billy… these were moments of pure, strategic joy. The hunt for the perfect set, through rewards, shops, or the ever-present gacha pulls, became a compelling meta-game.
My daily routine in New Eridu became a ritual of nourishment and energy. The food shop on Sixth Street was a regular stop. A steaming bowl of Vegetable Noodles before a tough Hollow run wasn’t just flavor; it was a tangible attack boost warming my belly. As my Inter-Knot Level grew, so did the menu, offering more potent culinary buffs. It reminded me of preparing for a hunt in other worlds, a moment of calm before the storm. And the coffee… oh, the coffee. That battery icon representing my energy was a constant companion. A quick espresso at the shop to recharge before diving into VR training at the HIA headquarters became a familiar cycle. Managing this energy, this fundamental resource, was the rhythm of my days here.
Consistency, I found, was the silent, most powerful upgrade of all. The daily login, the small tasks, they compounded. The materials accumulated, the pulls on the Signal Search added up, and one day, a new face would join my roster. A new Agent could completely reshape my strategies, offering synergies I’d never imagined. I didn’t need to grind for hours; just showing up, being present in New Eridu, was enough for the city to reward me. Time, managed well, became my greatest ally. A reminder by my desk in the real world ensured I never missed a day in my digital one.
Now, looking back from 2026, the progression in Zenless Zone Zero feels less like a checklist and more like a personal chronicle. The journey from level one to where I am now is written in the seals I’ve applied, the Drive Disc sets I’ve perfected, the meals I’ve shared with my team (virtually, of course), and the steady climb of that Inter-Knot Level. It’s a system that asks for engagement, for strategy, and for a little bit of daily love. The city of New Eridu doesn’t just give you power; it allows you to build it, piece by deliberate piece, until you, your Proxy, and your Agents move as one perfectly synchronized entity against the chaos of the Hollows. My profile is upgraded, yes, but more importantly, my connection to this electric, dangerous, and beautiful world is forever deepened.