Chapter 93: Trap
Franklin struggled to hide his unease as he listened to the man recount how he had killed Phinks.
The murderer was standing right in front of him… but Franklin didn't dare act recklessly.
First, this was Chrollo's plan.
And second Franklin was not the type to act impulsively.
One wrong move could expose the rest of the group.
The three Shadow Beasts mocked Phinks's fate.
Sick Dog even called him trash an arrogant fool.
But just as Porcupine was about to say the word "Brigade," the cautious Owl covered his mouth, saying Haze needed rest, and sent both of them away.
After cleaning up the dishes, only Haze, Owl, and Franklin remained in the room.
Haze, exhausted, lay down and quickly fell asleep.
He looked completely defenseless...
Fearing to disturb him, Franklin and Owl didn't utter a word.
The room fell silent.
Franklin wondered how to contact Chrollo and Feitan. Something must have happened otherwise, even if they couldn't escape yet, Chrollo would've found a way to answer the call.
Time passed slowly.
The next morning, the staff rotation took place.
Franklin and Owl left together.
Franklin had hoped for a moment to report to his comrades, but never got the chance. Owl followed him everywhere even to the bathroom.
Franklin's calm and steady demeanor seemed to have earned Haze's favor. Sometimes, Haze even gave him massages. His big hands, gentle touch, and mild nature… formed a sharp contrast.
Franklin's motivation, of course, was to strengthen their relationship.
"When I was a kid, I had to take care of a lot of younger siblings…"
A few days later, Haze and Franklin were chatting in the hospital lounge.
"Life in Meteor City must've been rough, huh?" Haze said with a faint smile, realizing that the 'younger siblings' Franklin mentioned were probably the church children.
"We're used to it."
Franklin massaged Haze's leg muscles as he replied.
"For us… surviving and growing up is the best outcome."
"Well, the gang's always had business ties with Meteor City. We supply metal, weapons, and ammo you provide us with a steady stream of fresh blood. Thanks to you, the gang's gotten stronger every year."
Haze nodded lightly.
"And more importantly, you people from Meteor City are… remarkably bright. Maybe it's your unique upbringing and environment that shape you. Plus, your Nen users are powerful…"
After saying this, Haze shifted the topic.
"What's your Nen ability?"
"Emission type. Ability: Double Machine Gun."
Franklin raised his modified hands to show him.
Meeting Haze's gaze, he seemed to understand what he was asking and nodded.
"Yeah… my ability doesn't require these. I can still fire Nen bullets normally. But with these… the shots hit harder."
As he finished, the joints of his fingers detached, revealing gun-barrel-like holes.
Haze's smile didn't waver.
If he had been more decisive, he wouldn't have waited until now.
Franklin was too cautious.
Not a lone wolf he cared for his comrades.
Owl, standing beside him, tensed behind his sunglasses.
Franklin also hesitated.
The man before him… was completely defenseless.
At this distance, he could finish him with a single shot.
The opportunity was right there.
One kill and it would all be over.
Franklin's throat tightened. But seeing Haze's faint smile… he couldn't do it.
Killing Haze would also mean his own death.
That wasn't the real issue, though if Feitan and Chrollo were unaware, they'd be in danger.
And if the rest of the troupe died too… it wouldn't be worth it.
"Not bad," Haze said, examining his palm. "After the modification, it even complements your Nen ability formally."
Meanwhile, Owl's hand, hidden in his pocket, slowly relaxed.
If it had been Uvogin or Nobunaga instead, they probably would've attacked the moment they saw Haze.
Each Phantom Troupe member had a different personality.
Franklin was patient sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse.
"Come on," Haze said with a smile. "Take a walk with me."
"Sure," Franklin replied.
He trusted him completely.
Haze's actions had made Franklin now fully recovered believe he was accepted as a trusted member of the gang.
Otherwise, Haze wouldn't have let his guard down like this.
Maybe it was just a test.
But if it was he'd passed it.
The mission Chrollo assigned him… was complete.
Now, all he had to do was wait.
Meanwhile, elsewhere
Feitan, along with a Nen user from the Firth family, had tracked down the leader of the small crime group they were ordered to eliminate the same one David had mentioned.
Their target was enjoying himself in a casino.
After entering the building, they headed straight to the top floor into the restricted area.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, they saw armed guards lining the hallway.
Feitan's eyes turned icy. Without saying a word, he flexed his fingers and moved like lightning through the corridor, snapping necks with his bare hands without firing a single bullet.
In terms of sheer speed, Feitan was the fastest man in the Troupe.
Ignoring the stunned Firth Family members, he walked alone toward the room radiating a powerful aura.
He was furious furious for not being chosen to approach Haze.
He needed to vent.
And the Firth assassins seemed used to it watching silently, understanding his temper.
No one dared make a sound.
Feitan's gaze alone was enough to freeze them with fear.
They could feel it death could come at any moment.
The casino's VIP lounge was actually a sealed chamber.
Feitan kicked the door open.
Laughter echoed from inside there were many people.
He intended to kill them all.
With a crash, the door slammed open.
Feitan stepped in and saw several gang bosses sitting around a gambling table.
But to his surprise, they were calm too calm, as if they'd been expecting him.
Whoosh!
Feitan's eyes narrowed sharply.
His body blurred and darted aside just in time to avoid a volley of throwing knives that buried themselves in the floor where he had stood.
A man landed from above, slammed the door shut, and placed a hand on it.
With a pulse of Nen, every crack connecting the walls, doors, and windows fused into one seamless barrier.
The room was sealed solid as steel.
Like a cage.
Several men at the table stood up.
"You shouldn't be here," one said to the middle-aged man at the head of the table the real gang leader.
The leader glanced at Feitan, turned, and exited through a small door in the wall his escape route.
The door vanished behind him, merging back into the wall.
At the same time, the Nen user by the entrance rose slowly.
Feitan counted under his breath.
"One… two…"
There were six of them. All Nen users. All strong.
A trap.
They had lured him here.
"Don't get the wrong idea," one of the men said coldly. "We're not gangsters. We're from the Hunter Association. Remember Aldama?"
Hunter Association…
At those words, Feitan instantly understood.
He'd been deceived by both the Firth family and the Hunters.
"Is this one of the Spiders? Hah… a kid?"
A lithe girl perched on a ceiling lamp threw a knife. With each flick of her wrist, one blade became two, then three like magic.
She eyed Feitan in disbelief and warned her companions:
"Be careful. Even if he's just a kid, he took down Aldama and the others. That alone proves how dangerous this group is."
"A kid, huh?" another man sneered.
That word made Feitan's veins bulge.
He snapped his fingers, and his aura erupted.
"Only six…" he said coldly.
His tone was full of contempt his killing intent, overwhelming.
"Cocky, aren't you? We don't need six. Three of us are enough!" the girl hissed, dropping to the floor.
"Don't kill him!" their captain warned. "We capture him alive. The Association will handle the rest."
"Tch…" Feitan muttered.
His body vanished.
The battle began.
Half an hour later, chaos erupted outside the casino.
A deafening explosion ripped through the rooftop, shattering countless windows.
Panic spread. People screamed and fled.
Cars collided as shockwaves rolled through the street.
A column of black smoke billowed into the sky.
Gunfire echoed from inside the building.
After a long while, a battered figure emerged from the entrance Feitan.
His clothes were in tatters, his body covered in blood though most of it wasn't his.
His wounds looked severe, but not fatal.
Standing in the middle of the street, he looked up at the flames consuming the casino and exhaled softly in the Meteor City dialect.
"Trash."
Then, ignoring the crowd, he disappeared around the corner.
On the top floor, where smoke and fire still swirled
all six Xiezhuan members lay dead in pools of blood.
Some were crushed under rubble.
Others burned beyond recognition.
All with eyes wide open in terror.
Bodies twisted, limbs bent at impossible angles.
The girl was in the worst state of all.
Her eyes had been gouged out.
Her mouth, torn open in a grotesque smile.
(End of Chapter)