Sodom was missing, like a drop of water falling into the ocean, drawing no attention.
Only those from the Heil-Ly Family would notice.
Dead or alive?
At what specific time did he go missing?
Did he indicate his intentions before disappearing?
Many questions that should have been clarified after Sodom's disappearance didn't lead the Heil-Ly Family to investigate further.
Mainly because there were no clues, plus the landing ceremony was starting in a few days.
The woman who came from the night merely left a few sentences and departed. Daemon stared at the bonfire silently… the firelight danced in his eyes, like flickering emotions.
Before landing, ten companions died.
After landing, Sodom disappeared.
It could be confirmed they weren't killed by the military, so it was likely they encountered a tough opponent.
Thus, Sodom probably also tried to quickly level up to harvest a large wave of experience during the landing ceremony, then unfortunately kicked a steel plate.
"A Nen User's experience is certainly rich, but the risk is too high. The safest method is still hunting ordinary people."
Daemon murmured, slowly raising his right hand. Three black snake Nen Beasts emerged from the shadows, winding around his arm.
"As for me, I won't miss any opportunity."
He suddenly gave a low, cold laugh.
The Nen Beast black snakes could only kill ninety-nine people a day, so each day was precious.
Daemon sat on the tree stump, patiently waiting for time to pass.
"Go, my darlings."
As the bonfire was about to extinguish, a sharp killing intent appeared in Daemon's eyes. His right hand slightly shook, the three black snakes detached from his arm, like divers, smoothly entering the shadow, then vanishing.
A few minutes later, from shadows cast by a bonfire somewhere, three black snakes silently emerged, crawling onto nearby people.
Soon, twelve nearby people died silently.
After assassinating these people, the black snakes went elsewhere through shadows, continuously killing those who had fallen asleep.
In such a super-crowded environment, it wasn't difficult for the black snakes to kill ninety-nine people… it was even quite simple.
In just ten minutes, the three black snakes completed their task, then returned to Daemon's side, transforming into Nen and returning to his body.
Daemon exhaled contentedly, then, as if nothing happened, lay sideways against the tree stump, slowly falling asleep.
Simultaneously, Kuro wandered aimlessly.
Last time, seeing the black snakes was pure luck. Now, searching with a target made encountering them harder.
However, he at least knew the black snakes emerged from bonfire shadows, meaning they could use 'shadows' as pathways.
Even with bright moonlight, Kuro limited his search range to areas near bonfires.
Yet, a night passed with no results.
Finding the master controlling the black snakes among over a hundred thousand people was harder than finding Sheila.
Law wasn't surprised by Kuro's results.
Early the next morning, news of another ninety-nine deaths was learned.
The second day after, same result.
Thus, several days passed in a blink. Tomorrow was the landing ceremony.
A large stage was already built on the open ground near the shore. In the distance, the rudiments of building clusters were visible… progress was remarkably fast.
Law's group of three always moved together, their assigned work being logging.
In nearly a week, the forest nearest the shore was completely cleared. So the team responsible for timber had to go to farther forests.
But building a city couldn't rely solely on timber. Thus, the mountain nearest the camp became the construction manager's target. Soon, a team responsible for quarrying stone would be formed.
Time passed, night fell.
Law and the others sat around a fire, remnants of light meal packaging at their feet.
"Continuing like this isn't the way," Law said, staring at the fire.
"The most direct method is a forceful assault, but that's unwise," Ging looked towards the tented camp in the distance, where the Heil-Ly Family had a place, and the perpetrators were Heil-Ly Family's members.
If the Heil-Ly Family were completely taken down, no experience pack that could reduce Law's time would be missed.
Such a 'better safe than sorry' approach, if applied to the Heil-Ly Family, wouldn't burden Law and Ging psychologically.
Law shook his head. "Can't force an assault."
Currently, he wasn't unsealed. With his strength was mostly restricted, he's unwilling to take high-risk actions.
Though Ging suggested a forceful assault, he didn't agree with that choice either, saying, "Then we continue waiting."
Law glanced at him. "Anyway, whether we can wait or not, we leave this place in a week."
Ging nodded upon hearing this.
Nearby, Sheila silently listened… she couldn't help with this matter.
Midnight, Kuro silently returned to the back of Law's hand, whispering, "Same as before."
"Is that so…"
Law opened his eyes, looking towards the dimly lit sky.
'Indeed, not so easy…'
'Only one perpetrator acted. If the others never showed, trying to find them among so many people within a week was undoubtedly impossibly difficult.'
'Well, just let it be.'
Law thought to himself.
Having them is good.
Not having them doesn't matter.
It's just staying at the Dark Continent coastline for a while… reaching the World Tree is just a matter of time.
The next morning at ten, the flat open ground was filled with people, arranged in orderly queues. Viewed from above, it was a vast sea of black heads.
Law, Sheila, and Ging were in the same place, calmly observing surrounding queues. At a glance, among those seen, there were no Nen Users.
Two helicopters circled above the crowd, the deafening sound of propellers everywhere.
Directly in front of the queues was a stage. Compared to the grand spectacle of the departure ceremony, this stage seemed quite shabby, though the queue arrangement was similar.
If there were differences, it was that business and political elites, even underworld leaders, were assigned seats under sunshades.
At that moment, ten minutes remained before the landing ceremony began…
Backstage, Nasubi, wearing dazzling formal attire, had already mentally prepared an inspiring speech draft.
Nugui circled around Nasubi, meticulously checking his attire for any oversights.
Suddenly, waves of shrill screams came from the queues directly in front of the stage.
Hearing the commotion, Nugui's expression immediately changed. Looking at Nasubi, he said gravely, "Your Majesty, please allow me to check the situation outside."
In contrast, Nasubi calmly nodded. "Go."
Hearing this, Nugui quickly headed outside.
Nasubi watched Nugui's hurried departing back, stroked his beard, his eyes showing no ripple.
This moment was crucial for Kakin and him, but it seemed some reckless clowns had jumped out.
However, Nasubi wasn't angry.