"Isn't that so? It's just amazing."
Netero rarely saw Maha look so flustered and exasperated; it was indescribably refreshing.
'It might just work out... Your grandson could be mine in the next second. That's not impossible. After all, as long as I sit in the position of Chairman of the Hunter Association, that brat Sean is—nominally, at least—my man.'
So... "Lippo, let them through."
Waving his hand to "wake up" a certain Beans who was addicted to pretending to be a stone statue, Netero made a call.
He instructed Lippo to open the secret door for this stage. As for how to dispose of Saiyu's corpse, Netero didn't mention a word, and Lippo tactfully didn't ask.
After hanging up the phone, Lippo took a deep breath, stood up, and led his two underlings to open the secret door, appearing before Sean.
"Congratulations on passing the first half of this round's test. Please proceed to the waiting room to rest for a moment until this round of testing officially concludes."
"I will arrange for an airship to take you to the next exam venue."
Lippo bowed slightly, making a "please" gesture. Behind him, Trey and Leo lowered their heads, exchanging secretive glances. They looked at each other in dismay. This was the first time they had seen their boss, the biggest BOSS of Trick Tower, treat someone so subserviently.
Yes... subserviently. In past years, no matter how powerful the examinees were, the Warden would ignore them if he pleased, never taking them seriously.
Now, Trey and Leo stole a glance at Saiyu playing dead in the arena. Sure enough, being powerful really lets you do whatever you want...
"Did you bring the Daifuku?" Number Two pulled out the Kusanagi Sword, a jet of fresh blood spurting out.
Number Two looked at Lippo and the others with a smile, not surprised by their appearance at all. After all, no matter what, the monkey was still a Zodiac. The other side had to give a little face. Of course, he didn't know if they were giving face to the "dead" or the living.
'Uh... How does this guy Sean Zoldyck know about the Daifuku?'
Lippo: "..."
Forcing a laugh, he pulled a bag of Daifuku from his pocket and handed it to Sean. Unexpectedly, he met the young man's indifferent gaze, and his heart went cold.
"If you don't want your eyes, I can gouge them out and sell them. Didn't you see there are three people on our side?" Sean glared at Lippo.
'One bag? Who are you trying to insult here?'
"Ah~ Yes... yes... yes. Look at me, my eyesight hasn't been great lately. Sumimasen..."
The corner of Lippo's mouth twitched obscurely. Maintaining his smile, he painfully pulled out another four bags of Daifuku and handed them to Sean.
"One extra bag? You look flashy, but I didn't expect your education level to be so low. You can't even count."
'Who the hell can't count? There are clearly four people behind you, okay?'
'Oh~ Tonpa... He's not a person. At most, he counts as a mascot.'
Number Two shook his hand and tossed three bags of Daifuku to Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio respectively.
"Thanks, Uncle / Teacher Ben An." The battle was over, and Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio were finally able to walk out of the passage.
Number Two gave a noncommittal grunt, ignoring them. He tore open the packaging, threw a piece of Daifuku into his mouth, chewed, and then—"Pui!"—spat it out.
"What kind of garbage is this? It tastes terrible."
"It seems your education level isn't the only thing lacking; your taste is lacking too. It's hard not to suspect you got in through the back door to become an examiner."
'Thanks for the insult. The back door is working quite well for me, no need for your concern.' A cross-popping vein appeared on Lippo's forehead. Suppressing his internal rage, he smiled apologetically, "The waiting room has a dedicated food supply, all made by the Association's Gourmet Hunters. I trust you will find dishes to your liking there."
'Too servile! Boss!' Trey and Leo clenched their fists, almost moved to tears.
It was only because it was Sean Zoldyck. If it were anyone else, they would definitely be lying in the arena playing corpse just like Saiyu.
"Oh~ Gourmet Hunters..." Thinking of Menchi and Buhara... they weren't actually that great either. But for free food, one shouldn't have too high expectations. At least it didn't cost a penny, right?
With a flick of his hand, he shot out an "Armament Nen Thread," tying the unconscious Tonpa up firmly. Sean tossed the remaining bag of Daifuku to Gon and glanced at Lippo, saying, "Lead the way."
Lippo lowered his head and responded, "Yes."
He took the lead, guiding Sean, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio to the waiting room.
"Creak~" The heavy stone door opened. Several gazes immediately shot over.
A familiar, perverted laughter—"Ohohoho"—rang out.
"Ohohoho~ My Ben An, I've finally waited for you."
One day apart feels like three autumns; seventy-two hours was just too long.
"Crash~" Hisoka extended a finger, toppling the pyramid of playing cards in front of him. His gaze fixed on Sean, and he couldn't help but lick his lips.
"It's the smell of blood. Who had the honor of dying under your blade? Ohohoho~ It really makes one envious and jealous."
'Trouble, restrain yourself a bit.' Illumi, leaning against the wall, cast a sidelong glance at Hisoka, his gaze also fixing on Sean.
His younger brother was as calm as ever. With a casual toss, he threw Tonpa onto the floor.
Suddenly remembering something, he called out to Lippo, who had turned to leave, in a dissatisfied tone: "Hey~ Why don't you call Netero and ask?"
"That monkey's corpse should be worth some money, right? Is he really not considering collecting the body?"
Lippo and the "Trey & Leo" duo almost stumbled and fell. 'Damn it, the man is dead, the money was paid, and you're still thinking about selling his corpse?'
Truly worthy of someone from the world's number one family of assassins. Just... f*cking cold-blooded.
Lippo turned back, pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, and took a deep breath. "Sean Zoldyck, let me correct you. The one you killed was not some monkey magical beast... but a Zodiac!"
"Lord Saiyu should have told you that when he was alive!"
"As for whether to collect his body, I will give you a reply after I ask the Chairman."
Number Two waved his hand: "Forget it... Netero probably can't make the call on this either. You have to find that bastard son of his."
"If I run into him someday, I'll just ask him for this 'corpse redemption fee'. Prevents the monkey from dying in vain, right?"
'Damn, those who don't know better would think you've suddenly become benevolent.' If Saiyu knew this in the afterlife, he'd probably turn into a vengeful spirit and bite you to death in the middle of the night!
Lippo really couldn't take it anymore. He tossed his head: "Farewell~"
Without looking back, he took Trey and Leo and left the waiting room.
The large waiting room. Besides Hisoka and Illumi... several well-known examinees had already arrived.
For example, Hanzo, Cherry, Gage, Bourbon, Ponzu, Geretta, and others. Witnessing Lippo's departure and hearing the conversation between Sean and Lippo, they couldn't help but dig their ears, as if they had heard something incredible.
What monkey? What Zodiac?
'Holy sh*t~ No way... Teacher Ben An, did he kill a high-ranking member of the Hunter Association, one of those legendary "Zodiacs"?'
'Yes, it's exactly what you're imagining.' Leorio tugged at his tie, then was pulled aside by Hanzo to whisper inquiries.
After learning what had just happened in the arena... the waiting room turned into a noisy chamber. Exclamations and sounds of sharp intakes of breath erupted together. Everyone peeked cautiously at Sean, secretly telling themselves they should have gotten used to this by now.
"Ohohoho~ I see... So it was Saiyu of the Zodiacs."
"That guy sure was lucky."
'If death is called lucky... actually, you could be lucky right now too.' Illumi, disguised as "Gittarackur", glanced at the self-excited Hisoka and pointed at Sean for him.
Hisoka stretched his waist, understanding Illumi's meaning. The corners of his mouth hooked up, grinning into a deep V shape: "It will happen. Don't rush. At least not now..."
'So... you are a hypocrite.' Illumi leaned back against the wall, simply ignoring Hisoka. His gaze shifted to Sean.
His younger brother who killed a Zodiac looked as light as the clouds and gentle as the breeze. He didn't seem to realize... he had gotten into big trouble.
"Dudu~"
"Hello~ Pariston. I heard Saiyu is dead?"
Vice Chairman's Office. The phone on Pariston's desk rang.
The Rat was not surprised to receive a call at this time. Twirling the wine glass in his hand, he laughed: "Ma~ Ma~ As expected of Lord Beyond, your information is quick."
"That's right, Saiyu is dead. The person who killed him is Sean Zoldyck."
'Zoldyck? Good name!'
Kakin Empire, inside a luxurious palace.
A burly man wearing a long robe, a wooden hairpin in his hair, and a beautiful long beard stood quietly by the window. He gazed at the "Black Whale" which was nearing completion in the distance. He grinned, revealing a set of neat teeth under his black beard.
"Zoldyck is good... Maha Zoldyck... Zigg Zoldyck... They have all been to the Dark Continent."
"Needless to say about the old man."
"Now another Sean Zoldyck pops up... To be able to kill Saiyu... he must be at least Triple Limit Break, right?"
'Yes~ The Zoldyck family produces talented people... As for whether it's Triple Limit Break...' Pariston took a sip of red wine and smiled meaningfully: "Who knows? That guy used a clone, and what he displayed was Triple Limit Break strength."
"So, even if I see him kill a Triple Limit Break expert someday... I wouldn't be surprised."
Pariston paused, then said with a faint smile: "After all, he is the man who could fight your father without falling to a disadvantage, and even defeated him."
The other end of the phone suddenly fell into a brief silence.
After a long while, Beyond's surprised voice came through.
"He fought my father? When did that happen?"
"A few days ago, I suppose..." Pariston crossed his legs: "I have a copy of the recording here... Do you want to watch it?"
"Send it over," Beyond said without hesitation.
"Seventy billion." Pariston leaned forward and set the wine glass down on the desk.
Beyond: "..."
'Are you the f*cking Pariston I know?'
'Seventy billion, why don't you go rob someone?'
Hearing the silence on the other end again... Pariston spread his hands helplessly: "Can't be helped, Lord Beyond. I~ also spent a huge price to get my hands on it."
"Trust me, seventy billion. I haven't asked you for a penny more."
'Mm. Fine. I got it.' Beyond hung up the phone with a "Pa".
Shaking his head, he sighed. 'The mole... he has turned traitor.'