"I encountered a small accident here, but the outcome met my expectations. Everyone connected to the Matar family, along with all the assassins at the meeting, is dead. We can clean house~."
"Oh?" Silva's voice came through the phone, slightly surprised. However, it wasn't the news of the massacre that caught his attention.
"You're injured? And it's not a minor wound? With your personality, you don't normally take things head-on. What happened?"
"Ahem... I was a bit careless. I was exposed to a strange toxin. I've tried several antidotes, but they've been mostly ineffective. Fortunately, I've received some treatment. I should be able to hold out until I return home."
"Is that so…" Silva was silent for a moment before replying, "Be careful."
"I will, Dad."
Just as Silva was about to hang up, Illumi interjected.
"April 20."
"What is it?"
"This collaboration is over, right? Isn't it time to discuss my situation?"
As Illumi spoke, he pulled out a small, square box from his jacket pocket.
"About me and Hisoka~."
He opened the box, revealing two pristine diamond rings that sparkled in the sunlight.
A long silence followed, and the air felt heavy.
"Get back here and get yourself cured first!!"
Click.
Without waiting for a response, Silva hung up.
"Hm~." Illumi looked at the phone in his hand and then up at the sky. In the clouds, he saw an image of Hisoka's face smiling down at him.
"It seems Dad still doesn't approve. I'll have to talk to him directly~."
As he spoke, a faint trickle of blue-tinged blood ran from his nose, giving him an oddly poignant appearance.
Even the most ruthless assassin has personal struggles.
"Let's head back. Although everyone here is dead, I didn't find anything else of use. Except for this—" Illumi held up a black leather briefcase. "I found it while searching for the antidote. Could it be important?"
...
At 4:00 PM, Ronnel and Gel arrived at the gates of the Hunter Association's headquarters.
The journey had taken them about two and a half hours. If not for Gel being poisoned—slowing them down to prevent the toxin's spread—they could have arrived much sooner.
"Well, we're here. I'm heading back to my lab. See you around~."
Without waiting for Ronnel's response, Gel hurried off, her steps unsteady but determined.
"Never see you again~."
Ronnel watched Gel's retreating figure with an amused smile. He then pulled out his Hunter License and entered the building, nodding briefly at the respectful gazes of the guards.
Standing by the elevator, watching the floor numbers descend, Ronnel idly wondered what Netero's first words to him would be.
Probably something boring, he thought.
He had called ahead to the branch office earlier. The old man's tea really was something—it had a way of calming the mind.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Adjusting his jacket slightly, Ronnel stepped forward—only to meet a pair of warm, kind eyes.
The man wore a yellow plaid suit and had neatly combed blond hair. His gentle smile could make anyone feel at ease.
Ronnel's gaze lingered briefly before he looked away. That smile was unmistakable.
He was here to meet Netero, to chat and drink tea. Aside from the chairman, only Beans and Saccho were worth a greeting in Ronnel's eyes.
As for others… like Pariston Hill? Not worth the trouble.
Pariston was a walking enigma—a man both despised and feared by the Zodiacs. While Ging Freaks could be a pain with his unpredictable plans, Pariston's manipulative tendencies made him even worse.
Ronnel preferred to avoid him entirely.
Without acknowledging Pariston, Ronnel entered the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. Closing his eyes, he leaned against the wall, ignoring the other man's presence entirely.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Pariston, still smiling, glanced at the button Ronnel had pressed. His gaze darkened slightly.
The top floor of the Hunter Association's building had only two and a half rooms: Netero's office, the Zodiac meeting room, and a small storage area.
Ronnel clearly wasn't staff. So, he was here to see the chairman?
As Pariston stepped out of the elevator, the doors closed behind him.
Kach.
His smile deepened. He had recognized Ronnel.
'A newcomer from Meteor City. Promoted to a One-Star Hunter within a year due to his achievements at the Cruise Cemetery… So, he's Netero's favorite student, Ronnel?'
Pariston adjusted his tie and began walking away.
'If the opportunity arises, perhaps I should test the waters… I wonder if he has an interest in darkness?'
------------
+410 chapters on patreon.com/FanficsHub