Chapter 46
Kuroro was gone for quite a while.
His actions always seemed to involve some unusual planning—nevertheless, I still couldn't figure out why he would leave me alone.
I am confident that my companions have the strength and willpower to keep an eye on me.
Or is it simply that they don't take me seriously?
I don't understand.
Speaking of which...
I suddenly realized that he didn't seem to know that I had Nen abilities, because I hadn't used them before. My Nen abilities were unremarkable, and anyone with a modicum of intelligence could do what my abilities could do.
This was a mediocre ability, at least before it was refined. It was only because her mother honed it to its fullest potential and used it to solidify her position as the "Intelligence Monarch" that this ability appeared unfathomable to outsiders.
It's really just about converting information that can be observed with the naked eye into text...
I sighed.
With this ability, it's no wonder that not many people take me seriously, or even realize that I have Nen abilities.
However, my mother has proven that this ability can be terrifying if used properly.
I try my best to avoid becoming like her, but I always find myself unconsciously imitating her.
The power of heredity and subtle influence is truly terrifying.
While thinking this, I struck up a conversation with the Phantom Troupe members next to me:
"Your name is Phinks... right?"
"Why bring this up all of a sudden?" he asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing," I laughed, "I just felt we should get to know each other...we should still be able to spend a lot more time together, right?"
"That's hard to say," he shrugged.
“Have you ever seen a ring like this?” I asked him, describing my engagement ring. “It’s plain, with no special design, just a small circle.”
“Oh,” he said, his eyes darting around until they landed on my finger, “you’re talking about that thing you had in your hand earlier.”
"You remember?"
"I have a very good memory. Once I remembered who you were, I remembered everything." He was smug and very self-satisfied.
"Have you ever seen it?" I asked again.
“No,” he answered without hesitation, then asked, “Is there anything special about that thing?”
"It's a long story..." I blinked and touched my empty fingers. "Although I don't really like it, I can't help but feel a little uneasy if I suddenly lose it... Speaking of which, keeping me isn't a good choice."
He raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled.
I counted on my fingers as I explained to him, “Although you only want to detain me temporarily to achieve some goal, if you actually succeed, my mother will feel that her authority has been challenged and will be unhappy. She is a ruthless person who will do anything to consolidate her reputation and status.”
"So what?" Finks laughed heartily. "The thing we fear least is trouble—"
Rather, hearing the word "trouble" makes me tremble with excitement.
Based on his words and expressions, this is how I analyze his psychological state.
As expected of Kuroro's partner, he's truly extraordinary.
It seems difficult to persuade him to let me go privately.
I quickly abandoned this unrealistic idea.
"What kind of deal are you going to make?" I changed the subject. "Using me to threaten Killua and the others, bringing over 'Chain Hand,' whom you're hunting, and then releasing me... Is that your plan?"
“You’re asking too many questions—” Finks said, sounding annoyed.
"You didn't know either," I said, puncturing his pretense. "I've been listening the whole time. The only part you agreed on only went up to luring the enemy out. What happened after that was completely undiscussed. How will you treat me after that? Whom do you plan to give the authority to decide my fate?"
"What's so great about that kind of thing..."
“It’s very important,” I said. “Kuroro’s avoidance of the topic may be because he has other plans, but once you’ve captured ‘Chain Hand,’ your focus should be on that. If Kuroro also diverts his attention to me, it will disrupt your team’s collaborative activities.”
"..."
"So let's discuss this clearly," I blinked. "Are you going to keep your promise and let me go, or capture me again, or kill me? I'd also like to know what your final plan for me is... There's still a long time before your enemies appear, enough time for you to discuss this, right?"
After thinking for a moment, I added:
"Capturing me and using me briefly won't have much of an impact, but what to do with me after the deal is over, or even what to do with me if the other party refuses to trade... these are all very important. Come to think of it, you haven't even considered the possibility that the other party might simply abandon me and refuse to trade."
"..."
From this point on, Finks' expression became somewhat indescribable.
“I’m serious,” I said. “Don’t be confused, Finks. This is a crucial decision concerning your entire organization.”
...
Outside the Zoldyck family's house, two adult men with a complicated relationship were squatting on the same tree, having a long talk.
"They've gone again, huh, your dear brother... This time, it's the two of them together." Hisoka smiled as he stared at the path where no one had long since disappeared.
“Archie has changed,” Illumi said with a resentful expression. Instead of answering Hisoka’s question directly, he changed the subject, saying, “Lately, he’s been calling me by my full name.”
“He always liked it that way,” Hisoka said, “he just hadn’t dared to do it in front of you before…heh.”
“Ray too,” Illumi said wistfully, “is it because of her belated rebellious phase… I thought her rebellious phase was over.”
Hisoka raised an eyebrow.
"Want to catch up?" he asked. "Even though you've been gone for a while, it's not too late to catch up now."
“No,” Illumi said firmly, “they will come back on their own.”
"Hmph~ So sure?"
“Archie may have other ideas, but Ray, she understands the weight of my expectations.”
Illumi said this.
...
Language is something that can invade the human brain, pulling at thoughts and exerting influence like a rope.
Even though you know it's unnecessary, those terrible words will keep repeating in your mind like a curse.
For example, what Illumi said to me was, "You've disappointed me, Rai."
Because I've been told that before, I can't help but try to figure out his expression, body language, words, and subtle pauses in his sentences, wondering if I've satisfied him.
If the answer is no, then work even harder, offer more sacrifices, and beg for the "gods'" approval.
He never needed to force me to do anything; he simply created a sense of "it has to be this way" through a terrifying atmosphere.
Atmosphere, instructions, hints, speculation.
He used everything with unparalleled skill, something my mother, who was only good at intelligence gathering, couldn't compare to at all.
But I was fortunate enough to learn a thing or two.
“Go and ask,” I repeated to Finks, “for a more detailed plan.”
"Even if Kuroro is your head, brain, or eyes... if your limbs are going to move forward, at least they need a direction. Aren't you annoyed to be excluded and walk in the dark, completely ignorant?"
"I don't mean to sow discord. I just want to find out what my final fate will be. Of course, it doesn't matter if you don't tell me after you ask. I'm just expressing my opinion."
“…Go ask him, Phinks. It would be great if he could share it with me, but if not, never mind… I should at least give it a try.”
After much encouragement, when Kuroro returned that evening, Phinks indeed brought up the question.
He pointed at me and asked Kuroro what he wanted to do with me.
"A deal with 'Chainhand'," Kuroro said calmly. "Didn't you already know that?"
"What if they refuse or try to cheat us? Should we teach them a lesson?"
"Won't this involve troublesome families? Wouldn't it make us look weak to just let her go?"
“Our focus right now isn’t on discussing those kinds of issues,” Kuroro said.
“I agree,” Feitan suddenly interjected. “Finks is right, we should have a proper discussion about how to treat this woman.”
“Two days have passed,” he said. “Those brats know we have hostages, but they haven’t said anything yet. If we keep stalling like this—when will we ever catch ‘Chain Hand’?”
“They will keep their promise,” Kuroro said.
“Cutting off one of her fingers would be even more effective,” Feitan said in a sinister tone.
"There's no need."
"If they don't even reach this level, what can we use to force them to make a deal?"
The discussion gradually shifted from how to arrange my fate after the transaction to what treatment I should receive now, and whether or not to cut off a part of my body to show Killua and the others their determination to obtain "Chain Hand".
The three disagreed—mainly Kuroro and Feitan were at odds, while Phinks protested that they had excluded him from their discussion.
As Kuroro reiterated his identity, arguing that Feitan should trust him... just as the battle was about to be extinguished, I raised my hand.
“I think you all make a lot of sense,” I said. Chrollo believed that Killua and Gon would never abandon me, so there was no need to escalate the intimidation. Feitan felt that the Chain Hands technique didn't need to help Killua and Gon. My suggestion was, “Why don't you change your approach and capture Killua and Gon to keep me company?”
The three people on the other side fell silent.
It seems they were shocked by my malicious intent.
Actually, I didn't want to make this suggestion. I was just trying to create some chaos within them... but unfortunately, this organization, like the Zoldyck family, has its own strange set of rules, making it difficult to incite chaos.
If internal chaos can't be created, then external forces will have to be applied.
"That's a good suggestion, isn't it?" I asked. "Want to give it a try?"
...
“I know her best, so she will definitely come back,” Illumi said. “She understands.”
"I don't understand what you're saying at all~" Hisoka puffed out his cheeks.
“Is it hard to understand… I mean, in this world, only I understand what Rae is thinking, and only I can bear it, so she will definitely come back,” Illumi said. “Everyone else except me will be eaten.”
"No, it's not an exaggeration. It's true. She really does have that ability."
“I’m angry and dissatisfied… She ran off to play behind my back for so long, and I do have some feelings for her, but she’ll come back, so I don’t need to worry about it. I just need to wait.”
“I love Ray. And Ray can only love me. That’s the kind of relationship we have.”
"Yes, we are in love, that's for sure."
Illumi finally concluded:
"It's true love."
--------------------
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
