Only accepting commissions to remove Post-Mortem Nen.
This was why Ging was interested in Morrow.
Of course.
The deeper reason was that he truly needed an Exorcist capable of removing Post-Mortem Nen.
Now that he had finally met Morrow, and coincidentally witnessed Morrow's handling of the battle, as well as the public shaming of his peeping behavior by taking out a phone...
This made Ging develop an even greater interest in this excessively young man.
Not to mention the yet unverified Exorcism methods, but with this level of ability at such a young age...
Truly remarkable.
Completely unbothered by being labeled a peeping tom, Ging leaped down from the power line, landing on the sewage-filled ground, and said with a laugh: "Since your companion has already explained the situation for me, I suppose I don't need to introduce myself again, right?"
"..."
Morrow didn't respond immediately, instead deftly flipping his phone closed.
His gaze briefly lingered on the information content before he put the phone away and asked directly: "Commission details?"
"Post-Mortem Nen at a ruin entrance, extremely high risk."
Seeing Morrow get straight to the point, Ging quickly provided an answer.
Although he only briefly mentioned "extremely high risk," any Nen user working in Exorcism would immediately understand what that implied.
But for Morrow, the higher the risk, the more Tree Rings energy it represented.
"I'll take this commission, but let me state upfront..."
Morrow said expressionlessly: "I need to assess the intensity of the Post-Mortem Nen on site. If the removal risk exceeds my capability range, then I have the right to refuse this Exorcism work."
"Of course."
Ging nodded readily, "Removing Post-Mortem Nen is different from other types of work, the initiative is in your hands. Additionally, even if you ultimately cannot complete the work, I will still pay you a cancellation fee so you won't have made the trip for nothing."
"Acceptable."
Hearing this, Morrow revealed a faint smile.
Having already absorbed high-intensity Post-Mortem Nen multiple times, he had absolute confidence in the upper limits of his Tree Rings ability.
The reason he deliberately said these formalities wasn't really to get Ging's promise, but to portray himself as a "normal" Exorcist.
"One more thing."
Morrow suddenly spoke up.
Ging kept his hands in his pockets, his expression normal as he said: "Go ahead."
"We came to Yorknew for an auction tomorrow night."
Morrow looked directly at Ging, his tone calm: "This matter is very important, so I can't leave with you immediately."
"It's for the Scarlet Eyes, right... Understood."
Ging nodded, not rushing things.
Hearing Ging directly mention the Scarlet Eyes, Morrow's eyebrows twitched slightly, surprised that Ging had already investigated to this extent.
However, the fact that Ging had personally come all this way just to remove the ruin's Post-Mortem Nen was enough to show how seriously he took this matter.
Ging glanced at the slight unusual expression on Morrow's face but didn't pay it much mind. Instead, he suddenly pulled his right hand out of his pocket and pointed at the bloody and mangled corpse on the ground that had been affected by the explosion.
"Need to remind you, this person is one of the Ten Dons' subordinates. Although I'm not clear about the grudge between you, but since things have reached this point... you'd better be mentally prepared for tomorrow night's auction."
His words made sense, after all, this was the Ten Dons' territory, and the Yorknew Auction was their important annual revenue source.
Even just to save face, let alone any subsequent retaliation against Morrow, how could they possibly allow Morrow and his group to swagger into the auction venue?
As for why the Ten Dons sent people to attack Morrow...
Ging had no interest in that. His deliberate reminder was merely to create an opportunity to demonstrate some slight value.
If Ging's personal Exorcist Tessa were here, she would certainly find this shrewd approach familiar and would undoubtedly curse him out.
Back then...
That was exactly how Ging had roped her into his schemes.
"Ten Dons' people..."
Morrow calmly looked at the bloodied corpse.
He wasn't particularly worried about antagonizing the Ten Dons, but he was concerned it might affect tomorrow night's bid for the Scarlet Eyes.
Thinking this, Morrow shifted his gaze to Ging.
Noticing Morrow's look, Ging was well-prepared and proactively volunteered: "How about... leave this to me? After all, the sooner you resolve this matter, the earlier I can start my work."
"Then I'll trouble you with it."
Morrow unceremoniously accepted, showing Ging a grateful expression while thinking to himself: Just when I was worried about the bidding funds, he can advance the payment first. Then I'll easily absorb the Post-Mortem Nen and deduct it from the reward.
"Small matter, small matter."
Ging waved his hand with a smile, while thinking: After winning the bid for the Scarlet Eyes, I can delay collecting payment from him. This way, I can use this small favor to make him more serious and proactive in dealing with the ruin's Post-Mortem Nen.
Both had their own calculations.
Morrow knew absorbing Post-Mortem Nen was actually easy, but he absolutely couldn't show it. Instead, he must demonstrate the danger and difficulty of removing Post-Mortem Nen.
This way, he should be able to get more reward, then easily use it to cover the Scarlet Eyes bidding cost.
Ging knew removing Post-Mortem Nen was high-risk. There were few Nen users with this ability to begin with, and they tended to be extremely cautious in risk assessment, unwilling to take unnecessary dangers.
Now he was just making use of existing conditions and offering a small help. This should make Morrow more committed to the exorcism matter.
While both were lost in their thoughts, they exchanged knowing smiles.
At this very moment.
Far away at some ruin excavation site, Tessa, along with the workhorses responsible for daily maintenance and operation in Greed Island, all shuddered simultaneously for no apparent reason.
—--
About ten minutes later.
Kurapika and Menchi arrived at the alley and reunited with Morrow.
Morrow briefly explained the situation.
"The attackers were Ten Dons' people. Considering this might affect our Scarlet Eyes bid tomorrow night, I've asked Ging to handle this matter."
"..."
Hearing Morrow's words, Kurapika and Menchi instinctively looked at Ging.
Meeting their slightly surprised gazes, Ging said with a serious expression: "I guarantee completion of the task."
"..."
Kurapika and Menchi fell silent for a moment.
Especially Kurapika; even now, he still found it difficult to connect the identity of one of the top five Nen users with this slovenly, casual man before him.
As for Menchi, her sense of disillusionment was even more pronounced.
She had originally thought that one of the world's top five Nen users should at least have an imposing presence or be handsome, if nothing else.
But in Ging, she couldn't detect any traits associated with a "strong individual."
Ging paid no mind to Kurapika and Menchi's reactions. After giving his assurance, he asked with keen interest, "So, what do you plan to do about the one you just 'released'?"
"Track them down and kill them."
Morrow replied without a second thought.
A faint glimmer flashed in Ging's eyes as he recalled the ability Morrow had just used.
Even with limited information, he could discern clues from Morrow's operational logic.
So when he saw Morrow gather aura at his fingertips and then abruptly disperse it, he guessed that Morrow must have implanted something like a coordinate on the Manipulator controlling the human bomb.
Or rather, it was a guidance mark under the mechanism of his ability.
This would explain why Morrow was so confident gathering aura in the alley, preparing to launch an Emission attack through buildings at the Manipulator whose location was unknown.
But beyond these analytical conclusions...
Ging was more interested in watching the spectacle unfold and learning more about Morrow.
—--
The annual Yorknew auction would last a full ten days.
During this period, auctions large and small would take place continuously.
Apart from the Southernpiece Auction, the largest public auction house, there were also underground auctions hidden from view with massive capital flows.
These transactions lurking in the shadows often brought the Ten Dons even more substantial profits.
Because of this, the Ten Dons placed extreme importance on the security of underground auctions, dispatching Shadow Beasts members every year to maintain order covertly and ensure these illicit transactions could proceed smoothly.
"Still no contact with Pavel and the others?"
At a crucial passage in one underground auction venue, Rabid Dog, a Shadow Beast with a wolf-like face, swept his icy gaze over several subordinates in black suits and dark sunglasses.
One of the subordinates nervously broke out in a cold sweat, replying tensely, "Not yet. Their phones are unreachable, and we're currently investigating their whereabouts with full effort."
"Tch, I don't know what's gotten into them. They must have a death wish..."
Rabid Dog shoved his hands into the pockets of his faded jeans, his cold eyes scanning deep into the passage where the lively sounds of the auction could faintly be heard.
This highly important auction was nearing its end. Although no incidents had occurred, Pavel and the others' unauthorized absence was a serious breach of rules.
As for how to deal with them, there was no need to even consult the Ten Dons...
Tap, tap.
Suddenly, light footsteps approached.
Rabid Dog turned toward the sound.
The newcomer was a short man with thinning hair.
It was none other than Porcupine, another member of the Shadow Beasts.
"No need to waste effort investigating. Bat has already found them."
Porcupine walked over, glancing at the sweating, trembling subordinates in black suits. "The east gate passage is short-handed. Go assist there."
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing Porcupine's words, the gang members felt as if pardoned from execution, hastily returning to their posts.
They had heard that Rabid Dog loved tearing flesh from those who made mistakes, so regarding Pavel and the others leaving their posts without authorization, they had been constantly worried about being implicated.
Rabid Dog looked down at Porcupine and asked, "Where are they?"
"Three died at the Skyline Botanical Garden, one died in an alley on Boyi Street. Only Pavel survived. Bat intercepted him; they're at the armory on Second Street right now."
Porcupine said this in his usual airy tone.
"Huh?"
Rabid Dog looked astonished.
Porcupine spread his hands. "Don't ask me. I just got the message from Bat. You'd better head over there. Even though Pavel and the others acted without orders, they still slipped out right under your nose."
"Fine. I'll leave this place to you then."
Rabid Dog frowned, then walked straight toward the passageway without another word.
Porcupine watched Rabid Dog's retreating back and couldn't help curling his lip.
Though he didn't know what Pavel and the others had done, their deaths would inevitably cause trouble.
At least it had nothing to do with him.
Let Rabid Dog deal with the headache himself.
Porcupine thought to himself.
—--
On Second Street, inside a metal warehouse located in the industrial district.
This was where the mafia stored their firearms, usually guarded by numerous personnel.
Currently, during the peak of the auction period, most of the warehouse's firearms had been distributed, and naturally, very few guards remained.
Pavel, the Meteor City Nen user who controlled human bombs to attack Morrow.
After his attack failed and he received news that his other companions had been killed, he decisively retreated temporarily and returned to the warehouse to regroup with his remaining allies.
But as soon as he met up with them, Bat, one of the Shadow Beasts, cornered them in the warehouse.
"Care to explain yourselves?"
Bat, wearing a black eyepatch and only black briefs, descended from midair, folding his pair of black Flesh Wings as he emotionlessly watched Pavel and the others emerge from the warehouse.
Pavel took a deep breath. "There's nothing to explain. If you pretend this never happened, we'll continue serving the Ten Dons..."
"What an interesting answer."
Bat's body immediately surged with a torrential aura as he coldly stated, "Setting aside accountability for now... whoever killed Jonah and the others so cleanly must be quite powerful. So... what exactly did you do?"
"Revenge."
Pavel replied.
"Revenge?"
Bat's eyes turned icy. "How amusing. Do you really think... now is the right 'time' for this?"
"..."
Pavel remained silent.
During the crucial Yorknew Auction period, not only had they failed to guard their posts, but they had also actively stirred up trouble...
They had mentally prepared for the consequences before taking action.
"Hmm?!"
Suddenly, Bat's expression changed sharply as he snapped his gaze upward toward the warehouse roof. A Nen bullet shot toward them like a meteor.
Pavel and his companions also immediately noticed the Nen bullet.
Though they could tell its power wasn't particularly strong, they all instantly entered a guarded stance.
But in the next moment,
a figure materialized out of thin air in the area, wielding a crimson blade that plunged directly into Pavel's forehead.
The sound of the blade piercing through skull and flesh immediately drew Bat's attention.
As they turned their gazes toward the suddenly appearing figure and the stunned Pavel, their expressions drastically changed.
When did...!?
In that single glance, Bat and the others felt an overwhelming aura surge toward them, their heartbeats instantly accelerating beyond control.
For in that moment, they realized a terrifying truth.
This abruptly materialized figure before them could effortlessly kill any one of them.
It was merely Pavel's misfortune to have become the first target of this presence.
And this figure was naturally Morrow, who had arrived treading upon a Shooting Star.