Illumi stared intently at his opponent.
He had come here tonight on his father's orders.
Originally, he could have come during the day, met Kevin in a calm and civil manner.
That's probably what the elders in his family would've preferred.
However, after witnessing the "intimate" interaction between Kevin and Killua, an unexplainable irritation stirred within him.
And so, he ultimately chose to sneak in under cover of night—a meeting that clearly didn't suggest friendly intentions.
He had observed Kevin before. Though it was mostly while keeping an eye on Killua, he trusted his own observational skills.
In his view, Kevin's physical prowess wasn't weak, but compared to the bodies honed from childhood within the Zoldyck family, there was still a significant gap.
If Kevin hadn't mastered Nen, he probably wouldn't even be a match for Killua.
Since Kevin usually operated below the 200th floor, he generally maintained only the most basic Ten state.
Though he appeared to blend in with ordinary people, a closer look revealed that his aura didn't dissipate.
Unless someone like Kite engaged him in direct combat, most would easily be fooled by this low-level aura concealment.
What Illumi hadn't expected was that the moment his En enveloped Kevin, the latter immediately reacted.
Sensing someone's aura while using En wasn't strange, but Kevin had been asleep at the time.
Normally, only those trained in extreme alertness could maintain such awareness while asleep.
That didn't align with Illumi's earlier observations.
And the ensuing battle? It caught him completely off guard.
Kevin's Nen displayed an explosiveness and aggression that didn't match his usual mild exterior.
While Illumi was still processing this—
Kevin's aura surged again. A vial of some sort appeared in his hand, and he seemed ready to drink it.
Seeing that sudden burst of aura, Illumi made a snap decision.
"I surrender," he said calmly, raising both hands without a hint of emotion.
Kevin paused, startled. But the potion was already down his throat. His aura erupted again, this time even more violently, rushing toward Illumi at breakneck speed.
His right fist, charged with overwhelming Nen, struck with fatal force.
"I'll only accept your surrender when you're down."
So fast.
Even faster than before.
Illumi, who had planned to dodge, realized he was already too late.
What was this technique?
Sudden energy—more than his displayed aura—Nen ability?
Or had it just been well-hidden?
Left with no choice, Illumi focused his Nen into his arms and took the punch head-on.
With a thunderous crash, he flew backward like a severed kite, crashing hard into the support pillar of a nearby shop.
After tumbling a good distance, Illumi didn't stay down. He sprang up from the rubble and leapt onto a utility pole.
Mid-air, he flung out several Nen needles.
These needles disrupted Kevin's next move. He had to stay put and concentrate his aura to deflect them.
This wasn't a game—if those needles hit, he'd likely be controlled, and the advantage he'd worked so hard to build would vanish instantly.
Perched atop the pole, silhouetted against the moon, Illumi glanced down at his left arm—swollen and bent unnaturally.
Broken. But his face showed no pain.
Still, he saw no point in continuing this fruitless battle.
It wasn't worth it.
"I'm Killua's older brother," he said.
Kevin finally halted, standing still, still alert and watching the other man—and the ominous Nen needle in his hand.
The fighting style and techniques felt familiar, kind of like Killua's.
But looks-wise? Not at all. Not even the hair color matched.
"If you're his brother, then why…"
Illumi's flat voice cut him off, "I came to warn you. Do not teach Killua Nen. This is a warning from the Zoldyck family."
With that, he withdrew the threatening needle.
Kevin was half-convinced.
"If it's a family request, I won't go against it," Kevin agreed. In truth, he hadn't intended to teach Killua Nen anyway.
Even if Killua did show signs of trying to learn on the sly.
Still too young. Just six years old.
With the misunderstanding cleared, there was no need to fight. Kevin wasn't one to seek conflict for its own sake.
Still on guard, he widened the distance between them.
Then he said, "In the future, maybe don't lurk outside someone's window in the middle of the night. I'm usually free during the day—feel free to visit properly."
It was a polite way of issuing a warning. He then pulled out another potion from his belt and tossed it over.
Illumi caught it using two Nen needles and stared at Kevin with unreadable eyes.
"Consider it compensation for your injuries."
Illumi's grip on the vial tightened slightly. He rarely let himself feel emotion toward anyone outside a target.
This time, it was clearly negative.
But that didn't stop him from acting. He pulled out a card and flicked it over.
Kevin casually blocked it with a stone and read the number now embedded in it.
Before he could ask, Illumi said, "If you need an assassination, call this number."
To Illumi, preferences were preferences—but work was work.
Kevin looked like a potential client.
"Tch. What the hell is this?" Kevin muttered. Just finished a fight, and now the guy wanted business referrals?
What kind of normal person needs an assassin?
With those parting words, Illumi left—vanishing without a trace.
Too bad he didn't drink the potion on the spot.
Kevin had been curious to see what the side effects might be.
He didn't throw the card away though. You never know when it might come in handy.
The battle had ended quickly.
By the time neighbors—startled by the destruction—rushed out to investigate, all they saw was a large crater in the ground and a dented shop pillar nearby.
——
The next day.
At a rented dojo.
Killua was launching furious attacks at Kevin, who only defended and occasionally dodged.
Whenever Killua left too wide an opening, Kevin would strike back with a palm strike that sent him flying.
"Try another attack style. I've already learned this one," Kevin said.
Killua lay sprawled on the ground, panting heavily, clearly too tired to continue.
"Looks like you're done for now. Take a break."
Kevin had just sat down when Killua quickly scooted over to sit beside him.
He widened his eyes and looked up at Kevin pitifully.
"What are you up to?"
"Hehe, that thing you did before—what was it?" Killua asked with a grin.
Knew it. Kevin sighed internally.
"Didn't you say your brother knows it too? Just ask him."
"Ha!? That guy? No way I'm asking him."
Killua made no effort to hide his disdain, waving his hand dismissively.
"That guy," huh? Seemed like the siblings didn't have the best relationship.
Though Kevin did think Illumi seemed to care about Killua in his own way.
"Well, if your family already knows it and you don't want to ask them, then I definitely can't teach you."
"Lame," Killua grumbled, clearly expecting that answer, and didn't push further.
"I'm tired. I'm done for today." With that, he stomped off in a huff.
Kevin wasn't bothered. He smiled as he watched Killua leave.
He knew the boy would be back tomorrow.
After all, Killua hadn't really hoped to get the answer directly—he was more interested in observing and stealing techniques in battle.
Just like Kevin had done to him.
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