In other words, the underground auction is essentially a special event organized by the Ten Dons to consolidate their authority and status.
All the mafia families are aware of this, but they also know that it's a great place to earn face, showcase financial power, and demonstrate their strength to the Ten Dons.
If they manage to catch the eye of the Ten Dons, their mafia business for the next year might receive significant favor. Even if the Ten Dons casually throw them a bone, it's enough to make these hungry wild dogs scramble for it.
The bigger opportunity is that if they gain the favor of the Ten Dons, they could potentially soar to new heights and become a rising force in the underworld.
Therefore, to show their commitment, the attendees of the underground auction are mostly high-ranking officials, deputy leaders, or even the main family heads themselves. However, these are the families that haven't received the divination poem.
Aside from close partners, Light Nostrade would be happy to see all other mafia families wiped out. The families who received Neon's divination share this sentiment. They wouldn't be foolish enough to spread the warning of the divination poem.
Therefore, besides them, only the Ten Dons knew in advance and had Owl from the Shadow Beasts move the auction items.
So, the three families that received the divination didn't send any important family members. Even Light Nostrade only dispatched three professional bodyguards hired by their family.
"There are quite a few people here. As expected of the underground auction, all are people with significant status in their families. Only the Ten Dons could command such presence, right?" remarked a man with a monkey-like appearance and distinct Mexican features, named Shachmono Tochino.
His appearance vaguely resembled Lupin from "Lupin III". Beside him stood a tall and burly man, Ivalev, whose physique and even name were reminiscent of the battle-hardened people from the polar bear regions.
Like Dazone, Skuwala, Dochino, and Rinsen, he was one of the veteran bodyguards hired by the Nostrade family long before, considered seniors to Kurapika and Melody.
Despite knowing in advance about the dangers of this auction, they couldn't pinpoint where or when the danger would come, so they could only chat to ease the tension.
"Speaking of which, none of the families, including Skosha, are attending this auction," Tochino observed. "They've all arrived in Yorknew City but didn't come to the auction. The common factor among these four families is that they received Miss Neon's divination poem yesterday," Ivalev stated solemnly.
"So, the situation tonight must be very dangerous? Captain Dalzollene mentioned there would be danger tonight, and now it seems quite serious, doesn't it?" Tochino said, a drop of sweat trickling down his face as he forced a smile.
"What does it matter? Don't forget our bodyguard principle: no matter who, when, where, or how, we must complete the task! Whatever happens, just remember this principle," said Baise confidently with a queen-like demeanor, a smile on her lips. But after speaking, she walked towards the exit.
"Where are you going?" Ivalev asked.
"To smoke," Baise replied without looking back.
"Smoking?!" Tochino's forehead was filled with question marks. "I don't recall ever seeing Baise smoke before."
"Besides…" He glanced around at the mafia members puffing on cigars. "Even if she wanted to smoke, it seems like she could do it here, right?" Tochino didn't know.
Baise used to smoke, but because of a certain man, she quit. Just because the man said, "Your mouth tastes sweet after smoking," she completely severed ties with cigarettes. Also, using smoking as an excuse to leave the hall was following that man's advice.
Just as Tochino found Baise's behavior odd, at the entrance of the auction hall...
"Snap."
With two crisp sounds, Shalnark swiftly snapped the necks of the mafia guards. Then, with his signal, the other Spiders began their actions.
Franklin, Feitan, and the others intercepted the auction organizers midway, killed them all, obtained all the procedures, and donned standard suits to head to the underground auction.
Next up was the performance showcase of Feitan and Franklin. Inside, none of the mafia members noticed the commotion at the door. Soon, the auction time arrived, and two people slowly walked from backstage to the only microphone podium on stage.
---
The two stood firm, one being quite short, while behind him was a menacingly fierce giant. The room was filled with key figures from various mafia families, people who had seen all sorts of characters.
They assumed these two were the organizers of the auction and immediately perked up. Even Tochino and his companion didn't suspect anything, though they found it slightly odd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are very pleased to welcome you all here," said the short man, placing his hands on either side of the microphone on the table.
After scanning the room with a mischievous glance, he smirked slightly and continued, "Let's skip the hollow, meaningless introductions and send you all straight to hell!"
Everyone listening was momentarily stunned, and Tochino and his partner's expressions instantly darkened. As professional bodyguards, a deep sense of foreboding arose within them.
In the next moment, the fierce giant behind the short man revealed his true nature as his fingers fell away, exposing dark gun barrels. Powerful Nen bullets, accompanied by the giant's vicious grin, poured out, targeting the mafia members below who were frozen in fear.
Meanwhile, outside the auction building, Kurapika and Melody were sharing a heartfelt conversation. Melody, with her gentle and kind demeanor, akin to a big sister, managed to open up Kurapika's heart just a bit. Inside the auction hall, however...
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Ahhh!"
The high-powered Nen bullets struck indiscriminately, piercing through several people, killing them on the spot. Some were hit in their legs or arms during the first wave, screaming in agony as blood and flesh flew.
But when the second wave of Nen bullets came, the screams abruptly ceased. They fell to the ground, undeniably dead. The auction hall instantly transformed into a scene of carnage!
Feitan covered his ears, watching the mafia members fall one by one into pools of blood, their faces twisted in pain.
His eyes gleamed with the same excitement and thrill of slaughter as Franklin behind him. Franklin's "Double Machine Gun" technique, at the cost of severing his fingers, unleashed Nen bullets of even greater power!
"Such power..."
Outside the auction, Baise was nestled in a man's embrace, her face showing a hint of fear as she glanced toward the room. Despite her recent surge in strength, she couldn't withstand such a level of power and Nen intensity.
"Who exactly are you..." Baise turned her head with difficulty, looking at the face of the man close to her.
"We are members of the Phantom Troupe," Morin said, gently stroking Baise's hair with affection. At this moment, she was like a frightened kitten, trembling in Morin's embrace.
"The Phantom Troupe, the world's top criminal group?" Baise looked at Morin in disbelief.
"Aren't you a member of the Hunter Association? How can you also be..."
"Becoming a Hunter doesn't depend on your previous identity," Morin chuckled, "I believe identity is not important."
"Being able to live freely in this world, I think that's what truly matters."
Baise: "..."
She said nothing, only hugged the man's waist more tightly, resting her face against Morin's chest.
"You talk a lot, huh?" She closed her eyes slightly, "In a world like this, what's the use of thinking so much?"
"Of course, living as comfortably and freely as possible is the way to go..."
Given her naturally bold personality, she had a strong acceptance of such matters. What did it matter if Morin was a member of the world's top criminal group? Baise only knew that he was her man, and that was enough.
Outside, the atmosphere between the two warmed instantly. Inside the room, however, the slaughter continued.
"Quick, get behind me!"
The moment Franklin revealed his gun barrels, Tochino activated his Nen ability, "Under the Eaves of the Eleven." He called for others to take cover behind him. But...
Unfortunately, it was of no use. The disparity in power levels was too great. Franklin's Nen bullets from his Double Machine Gun pierced through effortlessly. Like popping bubbles, they shattered Tochino's ability, the Nen-infused humanoid figures, before they could even form.
Dochino's Nen strength was like paper in front of Franklin. And with their only means of defense shattered...
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