Chapter 68: The Worth of Number One in the World x Another Clash of Two Stubborn Bulls
Battered, panicked, limbs weak, vision blurring...
Blood loss was eating away at Kastro's vitality, bit by bit. The boy was fleeing for his life, his once-fair face now grimy and etched with exhaustion.
The madman behind him was in relentless pursuit. Every thrust of his hand-blade left another wound.
He didn't understand, nor did he have time to think about why the man was so fixated on him. He just fled, filled with despair, through streets and alleys, his escape setting off a trail of screams.
Closer... he could faintly hear the roar of engines.
Kastro wiped the blood from his face, burst through the security checkpoint, and tore himself free from the grasp of three or four security guards. He struggled to lift his head and could finally see him: the boy, standing by the gate with his loyal butler, cane sword in hand, waiting.
At that moment, Kastro wanted to cry. He didn't know if it was blood or tears blurring his vision. He staggered forward a few more steps, his vision went black, and he collapsed. Thump.
"I... I made it..." A powerful will drove him to crawl to Roy's feet. Then, his head lolled to the side, and he lost consciousness.
Whoosh— A gust of wind blew past as Illumi leaped over the barrier, using 'Shadow Step' to arrive right after him. He prepared to strike with 'Snake Awakens' again but was stopped by a calm voice.
"Have you had enough?"
Their eyes met. Kastro was dragged away by Gotoh.
Roy looked at Illumi calmly. Illumi looked back, unyielding. They faced off in silence for a moment.
Illumi finally retracted his hand-blade, shoved his hands in his pockets, and brushed past Roy's shoulder into the terminal. "You'd better protect him forever!"
Airport security, armed with riot shields and batons, rushed over, but the boy had already vanished into the crowd.
Roy glanced at Kastro. "Get him treated." He turned and followed Illumi inside.
At 10:00 AM, the airship departed. At 4:00 PM, it landed.
A black car was waiting at the exit. Gotoh opened the door for Roy. The Young Master got in, followed by a now-conscious Kastro. Thanks to the diligent care of the airship's medical staff, his bleeding had stopped. Wrapped in bandages, he followed Gotoh into the car, his life no longer in danger.
Vroom...
The driver hit the gas, and the car shot forward.
Kastro's body lurched with the inertia. He looked past the front seat at Roy's back. He had already learned from Gotoh that this boy was the eldest son of the "world's number one family of assassins."
"World's Number One" and "Assassin"—the combination inspired a sense of awe. In his short life, the boy had never heard such a title. He turned his head, staring out the window, his mind replaying the image of that flying slash. He watched the scenery blur past, a sense of confusion dawning. He had no idea what kind of behemoth he was about to face.
"Remember, the Young Master finds the back seat stuffy. He only rides in the front," Gotoh, sitting next to him, had already begun his "lessons." Kastro listened distractedly. Soon, the car screeched to a halt. He followed Gotoh out and looked up. Before him was an imposing, magnificent gate.
It was composed of seven massive leaves, exuding an ancient, weathered aura.
A security guard stood by the side, waiting. Seeing Roy get out, he removed his hat and bowed. "Young Master, I'll open the gate for you."
"Allow me." As a new apprentice butler, Kastro felt he needed to make a good first impression. He stepped past Zebro, rolled up his sleeves, and planted himself in front of the "Gates of Hades."
Who's this guy? Zebro thought, glancing at Roy.
Roy and Gotoh stood by silently, making no move to stop him. Seeing this, Zebro tactfully shut his mouth and stepped aside.
It was now 4:20 PM. The sun was scorching, making one irritable. Kastro had intended to push the gate open with one hand, then turn and gesture for Roy to enter, welcoming his master home.
But the Gates of Hades didn't budge. The situation immediately became awkward.
The boy, too embarrassed to look back, quickly used both hands. He pushed again. Still, no movement.
He strained, his face turning beet-red. A third push. Nothing.
Instead, his wounds burst open from the effort, staining his bandages red. He swayed and fell backward onto the ground.
If you don't have the strength, don't try to do the job, Zebro thought, shaking his head.
Kastro struggled to get up, but he heard footsteps. He looked up. Roy extended a single finger, touched the Gates of Hades, and the first massive gate swung open. He walked right through without stopping.
"You will stay here," Gotoh said, "When you can open the first gate, you will report to the butlers' quarters." He followed Roy inside.
BOOM! The Gates of Hades slammed shut, leaving Kastro collapsed on the ground, staring blankly.
"See? I told you we should have killed him."
"The Zoldycks have no use for waste."
Inside the gate, Illumi was leaning against a wall, hands in his pockets, as if waiting.
He glanced at Roy. Roy didn't break stride, not even bothering to look at him, and headed straight up the mountain. He left only one sentence behind: "It's not your place to comment on my affairs. Do it again, and I'll slap you."
Illumi's fists clenched. He stared at Roy's back for a moment before following him up the mountain.
"Young Master." At the main entrance of the castle, Luke, having been notified, was waiting with a bow.
He held an electric baton. It looked ordinary, but the "Divine Script" branded on it pulsed with waves of energy that were impossible to ignore.
[Divine Script: A writing system in the Hunter world that combines Nen with special technology, primarily used for "weapon modification" and "ability enhancement."]
[Large-scale example of use: The card binders in Greed Island.]
Come to think of it, Roy mused, this is probably when Ging started to get the idea for the game. I wonder if he's started "gathering" his partners yet, like Razor.
Roy glanced at the "Divine Script" and then ignored Luke, his gaze rising to the second floor of the castle. In front of the massive floor-to-ceiling window, the man stood with his arms crossed, looking down, his face revealing no trace of emotion.
He just watched. Silently.
Luke, receiving no response, bowed even lower. "If you please, Young Master, proceed to the training room."
Roy acted as if he hadn't heard, meeting the gaze from above without fear. Electricity seemed to crackle in the air between them.
"Silva, it's time. Let's continue," a woman's voice said from behind the man, her arms wrapping around his waist.
The man's body tensed. He turned, swept the woman into his arms, and walked away from the window, her squeals echoing behind him.
A single sentence floated down from the second floor. "Electrocute him thoroughly."
Luke looked up nervously at Roy.
The boy's face was blank. He strode past him.
"Are you going to make me ask you?"
"Oh... oh!" Luke quickly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, gripped the electric baton, and hurried after him.
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