Kortopi was dead.
Killed in a single strike, completely unaware until the very end.
Besides the shattered wall and lingering killing intent, a spider symbol with missing legs was left at the scene. It didn't take much thought to realize the killer was targeting the Phantom Troupe specifically.
Bonolenov brought back Kortopi's mangled corpse and notified the members wandering outside of this sudden news.
The group gathered because of this.
Except for the newly joined Hisoka, everyone's face was clouded with gloom. What was supposed to be a relaxed day had become incredibly heavy due to the murder of their comrade.
Unlike Omokage, Kortopi held a much higher status in the hearts of the Troupe members. Not only were their bonds deeper, but his ability was also of immense significance.
Take the upcoming operation, for example.
According to the Troupe's original plan, by using Kortopi's ability to swap the treasures one by one, they could silently take the items from the museum without being detected.
But now...
The operation was completely disrupted by Kortopi's death.
"Damn it!!"
Uvogin cursed angrily, punching the wall in fury. The huge commotion shook down a lot of dust, but rarely did anyone scold him.
Everyone felt much the same as him. Including the Leader, they had lost interest in stealing treasures and began thinking about how to drag out the killer.
This wasn't a lack of rational judgment.
Chrollo judged that the opponent must be an expert capable of perfectly concealing their aura, striking ruthlessly with astonishing speed and explosive power, possessing good physical fitness and excellent close-combat abilities.
That was the only way to end the battle in an instant.
Such a character clearly possessed the strength to threaten the Troupe members.
Plus, the opponent obviously harbored hostility towards the Troupe, their identity was unknown, and they were in the dark.
Under such circumstances, if he didn't take it seriously, he would be derelict in his duty as the Leader.
So after some thought, Chrollo ordered the remaining members not to act alone.
Secondly, the teams must ensure at least two combatants, strengthen communication with each other, and pay special attention to guys with unfriendly expressions.
...
Meanwhile.
Neon, having shopped all day, was finally willing to return to the hotel.
Behind her, Valtz and the others had both arms laden with shopping bags, while Yuu walked empty-handed beside Neon, hands in his pockets as if it were none of his business.
His excuse was that empty hands made it easier to guard her.
Regarding this, they didn't dare to show dissatisfaction because, as they spent more time together, Valtz and the others not only failed to see through Yuu's strength but felt increasingly that he was unfathomable.
So, afraid to offend either side...
They could only swallow their grievances silently.
At this moment, Yuu walked beside Neon.
After dealing with Kortopi, he hadn't detected any strange auras, so he spent most of the time shopping with Neon.
During this period, Yuu was asked many strange questions by Neon, such as his favorite color, favorite food, or favorite season and scenery...
At first, he would answer casually.
But later, he couldn't be bothered to respond.
Once she continued to pester him, Yuu would make the shushing gesture at her again, and his ears would instantly become quiet.
Even until now, Neon maintained that silent state.
Even if the maids had questions for Neon, she would only respond by nodding or shaking her head. It was obvious she had a lot to say... but as long as Yuu was around, she held it in stubbornly, as if in a sulk.
"Heh, hold it in until you burst."
Yuu could see Neon's thoughts and began to wonder how long she could keep up this state.
Ideally, she would remain silent for the next few days, which would be peaceful for him.
In the interval before the elevator arrived.
Valtz came to Yuu's side, picked out a few distinctive shopping bags, handed them to him, and explained simply:
"These are a few formal suits. Pick the style you like; you'll need them for the exhibition."
"Thanks."
Yuu nodded slightly and took them politely.
"No need to be polite, it was the Miss's idea."
Hearing this, Yuu glanced calmly at Neon beside him, who seemed not to have heard their conversation and showed no reaction.
Then, the elevator arrived.
Although the space inside was spacious and could barely accommodate a few people.
Using the excuse that Valtz and the others were carrying too many shopping bags, they let Yuu, Neon, and the two maids take the elevator first, while they would bring the things up in batches later.
Inside the elevator.
Yuu and Neon stood in the center.
The two maids squeezed into the corner behind Neon, silently observing the young miss's every move.
However, to their disappointment...
Miss Neon's reaction at this moment was a bit abnormal, seemingly completely different from her usual generous and cheerful personality.
She had been normal during the day.
But ever since the elevator doors closed, the Miss seemed to have become a different person. She kept her head down from beginning to end, staying quiet...
Only her two hands behind her back were active, one fingertip drawing circles in the palm of the other hand, wondering what she was thinking.
She looked... a bit shy.
Or rather... uncomfortable?
According to the two maids' understanding of her and past experience.
Miss Neon should have taken advantage of the time before reaching their floor to generously look up and size up Mr. Yuu beside her.
After all, Miss Neon had mentioned more than once—
"She really likes his azure blue eyes. If possible... she wouldn't get bored admiring them all day."
But now that there was a rare opportunity to be together.
Miss Neon acted unusually restrained, only occasionally glancing sideways and quickly withdrawing her gaze.
"Could it be... because we are here?"
The two maids looked at each other. Although they didn't speak, they had the same guess telepathically.
In fact, Yuu also noticed Neon's strangeness and couldn't help but wonder secretly:
"I shouldn't have done anything to gain her favor..."
On the contrary, throughout this journey so far, he was the person in the team who least complied with her ideas, and he had reprimanded her sternly more than once.
But looking at it now... it seemed to have had the opposite effect.
"Hard to understand."
Yuu muttered to himself, then stopped thinking about it.
...
Several days later.
The exhibition officially opened.
The massive National Museum of the Kakin Empire looked like a modern black pyramid. A wide red carpet was laid in front of the entrance, extending to the edge of the road.
Although not many people were invited, the reporters gathered at the entrance, or the visitors' entourage, blocked the road completely.
Although the Nostrade family's pomp was at the bottom.
But Yuu and Neon, who got out of the back seat of the car one after another, attracted a lot of attention.
Yuu wore sunglasses and a fitted suit, his white hair eye-catching.
Neon behind him wore a black evening gown with gold patterns on the hem. Her already delicate and cute features, paired with exquisite makeup, looked much more moving than usual.
Their appearance together attracted a lot of flashes.
However, as if expecting this, Yuu chose to close his eyes before getting out of the car to deal with the astonishing frequency of flashes around him.
Pakunoda, Phinks, and Feitan, who were walking in front wearing suits, noticed the commotion behind them, stopped, and looked back at Yuu and Neon who had just arrived.
However, these two looked only fourteen or fifteen years old. Apart from their appearance, there wasn't much worth noting.
They turned to look at Valtz and the others who got out of the car subsequently.
"Could the guys who killed Kortopi... be among them?" Phinks asked.
Feitan shook his head: "Doesn't look like it, but with Pakunoda here... there's a chance to investigate."
"Let's go in first."
Without saying much, they walked towards the museum.
...