Ronnel had fought alongside Illumi before, but even now, Illumi's wary gaze didn't waver. The assassin's vigilance remained sharp, a testament to his upbringing in the Zoldyck family.
Ronnel, however, simply observed him in silence.
To be honest, keeping Illumi here wasn't out of the question. Yet, tangling with the Zoldyck family was far from appealing. Killing Illumi would surely bring relentless trouble.
Ronnel weighed his options. Illumi's Nen abilities—primarily tied to his manipulative needles—weren't especially enticing. His abilities spanned manipulation, disguise, and combat, but none held significant appeal to Ronnel.
The potential gains didn't outweigh the inevitable risks of crossing the Zoldyck family. Deciding against it, Ronnel shrugged and stepped back. His casual wave signaled his disinterest. To emphasize his point, he dismissed his bone spear and nonchalantly pulled up a chair.
Illumi's tense expression eased slightly. His instincts as an assassin told him Ronnel truly had no interest in pursuing a fight.
Even so, Illumi didn't leave immediately. Instead, he stood in thought, his gaze shifting toward Gel, who had remained silent nearby.
"Do you want to kill me to silence me?" Gel asked flatly, her tone unwavering even under Illumi's scrutiny.
Illumi tilted his head and shook it. "No. We have no intention of opposing the Hunter Association—for now."
Killing a Zodiac member, handpicked by Chairman Netero himself, was a line the Zoldyck family wouldn't cross. Doing so would damage their standing with Netero.
"Besides…" Illumi's eyes flicked over Gel. "If I tried to kill you, I doubt I'd make it out of here alive."
Gel's lips curled into a small, knowing smile but she said nothing. Her silence spoke volumes.
As a Poison Hunter, her body was a walking arsenal of toxins, carefully balanced through her Nen. Should she die, the poisons within her would erupt uncontrollably, turning her death into a final, devastating attack.
Illumi, recognizing the danger, abandoned any plans of silencing her. He had no antidote strong enough to counter her unique Nen abilities.
Ronnel, observing the exchange, stretched his arms casually.
"Well, it seems everything here is settled. So, where are you two headed now?"
"Home," Illumi replied curtly. "To treat the poison."
"I'll return to the Hunter Association," Gel said, choosing her words carefully. She didn't mention her plans to study the toxin further or create an antidote. Her laboratory, after all, was housed within the association's headquarters.
Ronnel smirked. "Need a ride? I was planning to visit the association myself. We can head there together."
Gel hesitated, about to decline, but Illumi interrupted with a fit of coughing. His body blurred as he vanished, leaving behind a green-streaked bloodstain on the floor.
Ronnel stood, watching the trail Illumi left behind before glancing at Gel.
"Still want to refuse?"
She sighed, clutching her side as blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. Her injuries made traveling alone far too risky.
"I appreciate the offer," she said weakly.
"Don't mention it." Ronnel's tone was light, but his eyes gleamed as he surveyed the aftermath of the battle. Corpses were scattered across the room, remnants of what had once been a proud assembly.
This had been a productive day for him.
Together, Ronnel and Gel crossed the Bridge, leaving Mont Saint-Pierre behind.
...
Meanwhile, Illumi had retreated to a safe distance, swallowing an antidote he'd procured from the Matar family's laboratory. With the last vial drained, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, Dad," Illumi greeted Silva. "It's me."
"What's your status?" Silva's voice was calm, but with an edge of urgency.
"We've located the remaining two members of the Matar family. Preliminary assessments suggest they won't last long against Grandpa and Great-Grandfather. They'll be dealt with before nightfall."
The Matar family's alliance meeting, set to begin at one in the afternoon, had ended in disaster before it even started. Within half an hour, their entire leadership had been annihilated.
It was, without a doubt, the most tragic meeting in history.
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