Chapter 97: Communication
Nanika, Silva, and Zeno.
Upon entering, Haze saw Silva seated in a hidden corner and the elder Zeno slouched on a nearby sofa.
This was Haze's first encounter with the two Zoldyck monsters.
Both wore calm expressions.
Now, appearing as ordinary men, there was no trace of terrifying aura or presence around them. They looked just like anyone else though with a far sterner gaze.
"Sit," Silva and the others gestured, noting Haze's anxious demeanor. Silva extended his hand.
Haze nodded respectfully to Zeno and sat down in the hideout.
The room was dim, lit only by a crackling fireplace and a miniature Sanmao floating beside Silva.
Illumi stood silently in the corner.
After all, Silva was a courteous man especially since he had accepted Haze's money. He was, after all, a client.
"Hmm… in the end, you overdid it…" said the old man nearby as Haze lowered himself to the seat, noticing his "injury."
"Yes," Haze replied with a faint smile. "How did you know?"
Suddenly, Silva fixed his gaze on Haze and asked in an indifferent yet cold tone:
He was referring to Nanika.
And what Silva truly wanted to know was how Haze had learned about Nanika's rules.
The first to know this secret had been Killua. Not even the other family members knew of it. Killua and Alluka had kept it hidden from everyone.
Until one day, a maid named Mitsuha accidentally fulfilled a "cute request" and witnessed Alluka's face transform. Terrified, she screamed. Killua rushed over and made Alluka return to normal.
Later, Kikyo Killua's mother used that maid to test Nanika's "rules" and discovered that refusing four consecutive "cute requests" would result in instant death.
What truly alarmed Silva, however, was another maid's selfish wish to become a billionaire. Suddenly, money began raining from the sky like snowflakes…
The incident even caught the media's attention.
From then on, Silva locked Alluka in the basement.
It wasn't just because of V5's scrutiny Nanika was a danger to the entire Zoldyck family.
That power… had turned the Zoldycks into an experiment in human nature.
Later, Illumi and Miki also conducted "human experiments" on Nanika's abilities.
"I once had the pleasure of reading about that in a book," Haze murmured.
That was the real reason the Zoldycks agreed to his deal.
Even now, they still didn't fully understand Nanika's abilities only that they followed a principle of "equivalent exchange."
They needed to fully comprehend that source of danger.
"What book?" Silva asked calmly.
The old man's eyes stayed fixed on Haze's back.
Was it related to the Dark Continent?
Perhaps…
"Haze… you're lying."
Suddenly, Illumi hands on hips leaned forward to meet Haze's gaze.
"You're doing something very dangerous! You should know you could die any moment…"
This matter was of grave importance to the Zoldyck family.
"…," Haze clicked his tongue, lips tightening as he spread his hands.
"Alright, I admit it! I lied!
As for how I knew, sorry, but I'm not telling you. Anyway, you understand the rules, right? That's enough… What else is there to worry about?"
He thought he'd hidden it well but everything had been exposed instantly.
He couldn't deceive Illumi, much less Silva or Zeno.
He had expected this outcome still, he'd hoped for luck.
Of course Illumi caught on… not because of Silva's insight or Zeno's experience, but because
"How much did Hisoka tell you?" Haze asked, glaring at Illumi.
"Well… I've said all I needed to," Illumi replied bluntly.
Then Haze spoke after a pause:
"1. Complete three aegyo (cute) requests and Nanika will appear to grant the wish. Afterward, things return to normal. However, the greater the wish, the heavier the price for the next requester often involving human organs or deadly consequences.
If four aegyo requests are refused consecutively, the person being asked and someone they love will die instantly, their bodies twisted like crushed pretzels or exploding from within. If more than two people die, an additional rule is added: the person who had the longest contact with the requester also dies. The greater the previous wish, the more people will die. However, the difficulty resets after this.When Alluka does aegyo to someone, it cannot transfer to another person. If the aegyo is unfinished, it stays that way indefinitely. Also, the same person cannot request consecutive wishes from Nanika."
"You seem to know Killua quite well…"
After hearing Haze's explanation, Silva and Zeno exchanged a knowing glance.
It matched exactly what they already knew.
"Why Killua?" Silva asked quietly.
That was the key.
As expected from the Zoldycks within moments, they deduced everything, even realizing why they'd tried bribing Killua with sweets.
Was it Ziva Nian?
"You should have realized it too… Killua and Alluka have an exceptionally close bond. Nanika never harms Killua. When Alluka plays with him or asks for something, she calls him 'Brother' instead of his name. Nanika's ability doesn't work on those whose names she doesn't know."
"Nanika treats people differently…"
"Are you saying that thing has feelings?" Illumi asked coldly.
"That's one way to understand it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am."
Silva and the elder exchanged another look.
"As for Killua's safety, rest assured even if he's the one making the wish, if there's a price to pay, neither Alluka nor Nanika will accept it. In other words, the rule of 'equivalent exchange' won't apply and my visit here would be pointless. Of course, I'll take responsibility."
Haze's words were both an attempt to protect Killua and Alluka and to conceal the truth.
If he wanted to recover, he needed Silva's approval before meeting Nanika. Without it, everything was meaningless.
"You're saying… Killua can ignore the rules and make a wish?"
Illumi's voice trembled, pressure flooding the room and making it hard for Haze to breathe.
"Illumi," Silva warned sharply.
Hearing this, Illumi's rage gradually subsided.
"It's not absolute… I told you, it has feelings and thoughts. Right now, at this age, Killua gets special treatment. But in the future, no one can be sure."
If Haze claimed Killua could fully control Nanika's power, the boy's future would be tragic Illumi's obsession would grow even darker.
"Don't get too happy it's temporary. There's a chance the rules won't hold, and my hopes will vanish. Killua's special status exists only because of this relationship. Once it fades, or Nanika grows independent, true control will return to her."
Those ominous words sounded frighteningly convincing.
Thinking back, every "wish crisis" the family had faced was resolved by Killua.
"Father, what do you think?" Silva asked, turning to Zeno.
"Let him try… Killua's the only one in our clan who can emerge unscathed. The fact that he came here alone shows confidence he wouldn't risk his life lightly."
Zeno clasped his hands behind his back and straightened up.
The first part was for Silva.
The second, for Haze.
If things went wrong even if Haze regained his strength he wouldn't survive.
To be respected by Netero, to know so much about Nanika's power Haze was no ordinary man.
To Zeno, this boy was mysterious… incomprehensible.
"Seems you're quite familiar with our Zoldyck family," Zeno said, stepping closer and meeting Haze's gaze.
"Yes. Very familiar," Haze answered calmly.
"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Zeno smiled.
"Knowing your secrets isn't a crime," Haze replied. "There's no conflict of interest between us and I'm still your client. We could even work together again. I value our cooperation. I won't ruin this… friendship. As long as I'm the only one who knows."
"Hmph…" the old man chuckled, turning away.
He knew the Zoldycks and still dared to come. This boy was incredibly bold.
And intelligent.
He didn't need reminders; he already knew what he should and shouldn't do.
No wonder he'd caught Netero's attention.
"If someone hires me to kill you in the future… I won't hold back," Zeno said before leaving.
"I understand. Business is business," Haze smiled. "But could you raise my price a little?"
"Compared to before, after meeting you in person… yes, your price will rise. But there are still those who can afford it."
With that, the elder left.
"Call Killua and bring him here," Silva said to Illumi.
"Understood."
Illumi turned and walked away.
Now, Haze and Silva remained alone in silence.
After a short exchange, Haze had done his best to protect Killua but concealing everything was impossible.
He could only hope Killua's future would be free from his brother's control.
As expected, Illumi's obsession with controlling Killua would now only grow stronger than in the original story…
However, Haze had introduced two new factors: Nanika's uncertainty and Killua's unconditional desire. Together, they created a crack in Illumi's psychological chains allowing him to manipulate Killua and indirectly influence Nanika.
Killua… there's no other way. I have to sacrifice you, Haze thought.
A twelve-year-old Killua would never have agreed to his family's request to help Haze make a wish.
He was still young, easily deceived, unaware of the truth.
But later, he would realize that once their bond was exposed, Nanika would be reduced to nothing more than a tool.
He had been protecting Alluka all along.
If Gon hadn't gotten into trouble…
Killua probably sensed that fulfilling a wish without paying the price would actually harm Nanika.
Because that price was paid by Nanika herself.
After healing Gon in the future, Killua left with Alluka, saying they were going on a journey.
At the time, he implied the journey wouldn't last long and Nanika seemed to have little time left.
Given the situation, Killua clearly wanted to travel with Alluka to fill that void perhaps with no end in sight.
Considering Nanika's rules and conditions, this was her survival mechanism
Like a predator hunting for sustenance.
Nanika amplifies human desire as her way of "hunting," and the nourishment she takes… is life itself.
That is the essence of "equivalent exchange."
Once that survival mechanism is destroyed
(End of Chapter)