"I should have been there, too."
"I should have been the main character…"
In the abandoned warehouse, Feitan, filled with resentment, followed Phinks while muttering nonstop.
Phinks could only sweat nervously and pretend not to hear him.
Well, as the popularity of the Hundred Beasts Squad grew, Feitan's resentment also grew.
If he started learning Nen now, he might have directly awakened On instead…
"We're really becoming increasingly popular now!"
Uvogin waved his arms, full of fighting spirit.
Although he wore different monster suits each time to play the monster-man, he thoroughly enjoyed performing as a villain.
And many kids liked the costumes of the monsters, too.
Uvogin was also immersed in it.
Of course, the smaller, more feminine monster roles, like the thorn monster or the Cat monster, were played by Machi, who was eager to perform as well.
"And Luke also said, if it's always just the Shocker Factory sending out monster-man to get beaten by the Hundred Beasts Squad, the audience will get bored quickly. So we need different types of villains to make the story more dramatic and engaging."
As Chrollo spoke, his pen rustled against the paper.
"For example, Feitan and Phinks can play evil villains from different high-ranking officers. The high-ranking officers could be divided into three: start, middle, and final."
"The first higher-level official is reckless and impulsive, the second is cunning and sly, and the third is a schemer…"
"Based on their different personalities, we can send out different types of monsters. For the reckless and impulsive, we'd send hyenas; for the cunning and sly, we'd send vultures; for the schemer, we'd send foxes."
"That way, we can design different traps to target the Hundred Beasts Squad, and then the Hundred Beasts Squad will overcome them and grow as they defeat their enemies…"
"Finally, at the grand finale, the Shocker Factory would appear, revealing overwhelming strength… Yes, that's perfect!!"
Chrollo was very satisfied with the outline he had come up with.
It also set the tone for the entire work.
With the Hundred Beasts Squad so well received, of course, Chrollo and the others wanted to make it the best it could be!!
"The plot is getting more and more exciting…"
After reviewing the story, everyone agreed.
Uvogin rubbed his chin.
"It's just that the content and intensity of the filming will probably increase significantly."
Nobunaga glanced at him: "What? Are you scared? Feeling like you can't keep up?"
"Idiot, what nonsense are you talking about? Filming is fine, but as for the other aspects…"
The voiceovers were still manageable, the narration was handled by Sheila, but there was still other work…
They couldn't let Luke keep serving as their logistics support, doing these kinds of menial tasks forever, right?
After confirming Luke's leadership and core position, everyone subconsciously felt that Luke shouldn't keep handling the small chores.
Machi pondered: "If that's the case, we might be short on manpower."
Franklin rubbed his head: "So, should our team recruit new members?"
Shalnark snapped his fingers: "When the team recruits new members, they should be members of the troupe, right?"
Phinks leaned over with interest: "Oh? That's fine, but what kind of troupe are we?!"
Feitan said quietly: "Of course, a theater troupe."
Pakunoda chuckled: "I think we're more like a performance group than a theater troupe."
Sheila nodded, her face filled with anticipation: "Luke also said he wants to take us to the outside world…"
"Then let's call it the brigade!"
Sarasa concluded excitedly.
"Brigade?"
At this point, Chrollo put down his pen and looked up curiously.
"But doesn't a Brigade usually mean over a thousand members? The word Brigade means…"
"Don't worry about the details!"
Uvogin waved his hand casually: "Each of us is worth a hundred people."
"Anyway, let's call it the brigade."
Luke stepped in at the right moment while smiling: "I think the brigade is a pretty good name, too."
Giving the group a name would greatly enhance their sense of belonging and honor.
Sure enough, everyone's excitement clearly surged again.
"But I think we could add something at the beginning."
Machi thought for a moment: "Like calling ourselves some kind of brigade."
"Now, let us welcome Star Travelers' Brigade, their performance is about to begin, doesn't that sound great!!"
"Star Travelers' Brigade, assemble your members, that really sounds wonderful!!"
"It really sounds nice, it immediately gives me motivation!!"
Everyone started excitedly chiming in one after another: "The audience is gradually shifting their attention from the screen to us."
"Is this what Luke meant by… star-chasing?"
"Ha, who would have thought there'd be a time when we would be this popular…"
"Yeah, yeah, right now they are happy just watching us, but once we formally establish this troupe and announce performances under its name…"
"Then we will definitely be even more popular!!"
"How about we just call ourselves the Beast Troupe, using the name of our work? What do you guys think?!"
"Uh, Luke said it'd be best to keep reality and movie separate…"
Well, everyone collectively ignored Uvogin's suggestion of the name Beast Troupe.
Uvogin's enthusiasm was good, but some of his ideas always seemed a little off-putting.
"I think this name is pretty good. It's our first work, so it's so memorable…"
Uvogin muttered.
"Uvogin looks really excited."
Sarasa smiled and praised: "Completely different from before."
"Me? At first, I just wanted to accept anything and everything…"
Uvogin chuckled: "But now, with a clear vision of what I want and what I want to do, things are definitely different!!"
"Then what is it that you want to do?"
Luke asked with a smile.
"Of course…"
Uvogin spread his arms and looked at Luke with a blazing gaze.
"I want to travel the world with you and become… The world's number one villain!"
At this point, he grinned: "Don't forget, I'm still waiting for you to teach me about Nen!"
He had always been fussing over what Luke said about his physical strength being insufficient.
Luckily, with filming to focus on, Uvogin hadn't pestered Luke too much.
And as soon as he said this…
"Nen?!"
The other members, who hadn't yet learned the term, immediately noticed it.
"What's that? Some kind of magical ability?!"
Shalnark and Franklin both looked up, curious.
"Is that the ability Luke uses?!"
"So…"
Sarasa and Pakunoda also looked at him with a startled look.
"Are all these inventions Luke brought out for filming, and the food we eat, all powered by this Nen?"
Uvogin shrank his neck after realizing he might've said too much.
Luke had only told them the information, but now, without realizing it, he accidentally spread it.
Without even turning, Uvogin could feel the deadly glare coming from behind; Machi's death stare…
"Yes, you guessed right."
Luke didn't mind and nodded openly in acknowledgment.
It hadn't been convenient to reveal the existence of Nen before; now that everyone had already become a team and was even being called a Star Travelers' Brigade, there was no longer any need to hide it from his companions.
"This is the secret behind everything I've been able to do…"
Luke smiled while looking at Chrollo, who was watching him quietly.
The latter returned the same smile as Luke.
The tacit understanding between the two spoke volumes.
"And this power, under normal circumstances, is hidden from others."
Luke explained: "Unless…"
He turned to look at Sheila, who was quietly sitting there.
"Unless you become a hunter, there will naturally be professional hunters who will teach you how to master this power."
Become a hunter?!!
Sheila's eyes suddenly lit up.
No wonder she would always feel like being a hunter had something special about it when she read the book.
Now it seems… It's this Nen!
Without keeping them in suspense, Luke explained the basics of Nen to everyone.
All of them, even Uvogin and Phinks, who had already heard it before, remained silent, listening carefully along with Franklin, Shalnark, and Sheila as Luke spoke again about Nen.
And just as the members of the team listened to Luke's explanation of Nen…
On the other side… In the heart of Meteor City.
Inside a classically styled western-style room.
"That child named Luke is very talented and intelligent. He clearly knows what he is doing, what he can do, and what he needs to do…"
Father Lisores stood in front of the church, addressing a wrinkled old man seated in a chair.
He praised Luke highly, sparing no words of admiration while the wrinkled old man listened to him very quietly.
After Father Lisores finished his recommendation, he slowly spoke: "Haven't you always been admiring that child named Chrollo?"
The old man's voice was deep: "You said he was curious, loved to explore, eager to learn, sure to achieve great things in the future. You said you were often surprised and delighted by his creativity…"
"I still believe that."
Father Lisores said with absolute certainty: "That's why there's a kind of mutual recognition between him and Luke. But the way they interact…"
Father Lisores paused: "Luke seems to be the leader."
"…"
The elder understood Father Lisores's meaning.
"You were originally very optimistic about that child named Chrollo, and now someone has emerged who is just as capable as him, or even more capable…"
"So what are your thoughts?"
"I think we could call them to the council and hear their opinions and ideas."
"I see…"
Hearing this, the elder fell into a long moment of contemplation.
"Meteor City is currently facing many unsolvable problems."
"If this could become an opportunity to find solutions, then…"
The elder of Meteor City fell silent for a moment, then said: "When the time is right, summon that child Luke first."
"Lately, I too have heard rumors about him."
A faint, awkward smile appeared across his wrinkled face.
"Their films seem quite good."
Over the next few weeks, screenings of Battle of the Beasts continued as scheduled.
As word spread, every showing was packed.
Many children flocked to see the film, offering their full support.
During the screening, Luke also uses the power booster to strengthen himself.
He also felt the prayers from the children outside for the Great inventor, Dr. Heimerdinger.
Those various prayers became the best nourishment for his continued inventions.
He believes his work will be even more popular once it reaches the outside world.
Just as the screening concluded, Luke stretched his legs and feet, stretching his muscles as he prepared to leave.
But at this time, Father Lisores suddenly called him: "Come on, Elder Veyron wants to see you."
Elder… Veyron?
In Meteor City, only its supreme rulers could be given the title of elder."
"Okay."
Luke nodded gently.
Ever since he'd promised Father Lisores, he had anticipated this day would come.
He quickly straightened his clothes and followed Father Lisores into a western-style building.
Luke finally understood why a church existed in Meteor City.
Looking at the building's decor, it was clear that Elder Veyron was a devoted believer in the so-called Christian church.