The woman's strength far exceeded that of the other attackers.
Suddenly, Killua was put on the defensive. Surrounded on all sides, he struggled to keep up. These three were far more formidable than the Moi brothers from the Hunter Exam.
The two male attackers, sensing an opportunity, intensified their assault.
"This kid's finished."
"Push harder—kill him!"
But their aggression didn't trouble Killua nearly as much as the woman did.
It was her that made things difficult.
Slap!
Without warning, the lights went out.
For the first time, all three enemies showed signs of unease.
Killua didn't flinch.
As a member of the Zoldyck family, he'd trained extensively in total darkness. This kind of environment was second nature to him.
"Now's my chance."
Killua noticed the hesitation in their movements. His eyes flashed.
Pfft!
With a sudden dash, he appeared behind one of the attackers—his hand pierced cleanly through the man's neck.
A strangled cry echoed through the room.
"Brother!"
The last remaining attacker turned in panic. That moment of distraction was all Killua needed.
In a blur, he moved beside the man and struck with a swift knife-hand to the neck.
Boom! Boom!
Both attackers dropped, one after the other. Only the woman remained.
Killua turned to face her.
"Who are you? Why are you trying to kill me? Do we know each other? Are those guys working for you?"
The woman glared at him, eyes burning with hatred.
"Demon."
"Murderer."
"You killed my father. Isn't it obvious I'd come for revenge?"
"I'll never forget that day."
"You looked like a child… but you were a killer—cold, ruthless."
"I'll kill you and avenge him!"
Killua frowned. "So your father… was a target from one of my assignments?"
...
Watching from the shadows, Kaizen narrowed his eyes slightly.
Looks like Killua slipped up during a mission—he got seen by the daughter of his target.
Now she's back for revenge.
It's not uncommon. In the world of assassins, this kind of thing happens.
People always say a killer is just the knife. If you're seeking revenge, what's the point of attacking the blade instead of the one holding it?
But when the knife is a person, it gets more complicated.
Many lash out at the blade itself… because the one holding it is too far out of reach.
Like back when Silva took on the eighth member of the Phantom Troupe. Chrollo, their leader, swore vengeance. But when he realized he couldn't beat Silva, he backed off.
If Chrollo could have killed Silva, he definitely would have.
Kaizen understood the woman's logic.
But understanding didn't mean agreeing. He'd always side with Killua.
...
"I see now," Killua muttered. "No wonder you hired those guys. You hate me. I get it."
His expression shifted, strangely calm.
Seeing the change in him, the woman's face contorted with fury.
"You admit to killing my father, and you don't feel guilty?"
"Of course… you're just a born killer."
"At your age, killing people like it's nothing… What kind of monster will you grow into?"
"How many more will you kill?"
"You… do you enjoy it?!"
Killua shook his head.
"I don't like killing," he said softly. "In fact, I hate it."
"Bullshit!"
She cut him off, furious.
"It's true," Killua said, unshaken. "I kill for two reasons. One, if someone tries to kill me first—like those guys you hired. And two, if it's a job."
"I'm an assassin. That's my work. Outside of that, I don't kill."
He paused.
"Unfortunately… I slipped up on that job. I let you see my face when I killed your father. That's why you're here."
"But you're not a target. If you leave now, I won't kill you."
She glared at him.
"You won't kill me? What kind of nonsense is that?"
"Are you pitying me?! I don't need your pity!"
"And what makes you so sure you'd even win?!"
Killua nodded.
"I know my strength. If we fight, I'll win. You'll die."
"Even if something unexpected happens, I still won't die."
Killua's confidence came from Kaizen.
He knew the feeling—having someone watching his back.
When he was out on missions with Silva, his father rarely interfered… but if Killua's life was in real danger, Silva would step in.
Kaizen was the same.
...
"Fine then! Come on, murderer!"
With a scream, the woman—Gucci—lunged at him again.
But now that her backup was gone, Killua moved with ease, calmly dodging and countering her attacks. Her advantage vanished. She was forced back with every blow.
The tide had turned.
With each second, she was pushed further into a corner.
She clenched her teeth, trembling with frustration.
"Why…?"
"Why is this monster so strong?!"
"Can I really… not get revenge?"
"Father… I'm sorry. I'm so weak…"
"How can I possibly avenge you?"
Killua slipped past her defense and reappeared at her side in a flash.
She hadn't recovered from her last strike.
With a swift, clean motion, his hand chopped lightly onto the back of her neck.
Thud!
She froze.
A moment later, her body dropped to the ground—unconscious.
Killua didn't go for a kill. He had no reason to.
He turned to leave.
...
Suddenly—
A palpitating wave of aura washed over him.
A suffocating pressure that made his instincts scream.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (1047 chapters in total)