Behind you.
I understood the order instantaneously. No delay. No pause to think. Nothing.
I just knew.
I dodged to my left, my feet sliding across the tiled floor, right as Kalvin came flying at me like a cannonball. Body tucked into a destructive fetal position. His body blazing with aura, making him as hard as hell. Something I knew all too well.
Fucking rubber body Hatsu.
Offensive maneuver in point seven seconds. Duck.
I did just as said. Right as Kalvin exited his crunched-up form and twisted toward me in mid-air. Whipping his arm and entire upper body as he sent one of his brother's juggler balls at me, just missing my head. He landed on his back, rolled with the energy, and turned toward me. A grin on his face.
I frowned at him. I turned my head behind me to see Clyde directly behind me, juggling his damn balls. I grimaced as I realized what they were doing.
Follow my exact instructions.
I looked up to see MCP floating directly above, staring down at the entire area like the face of God. Invisible to all due to In…
I jumped to my right the moment MCP told me to and following his words exactly. I cartwheeled, I jumped through the air. I twisted, contorted, and twirled through several more throws between the brothers. I let my thoughts go, syncing to his words exactly… Dancing and spinning my way through the volley of juggler balls as I followed MCP to the letter.
I could see the brothers growing frustrated, muscles tensing, faces snarling, brows sweating, as they threw the balls faster and faster and still unable to hit me. The wind and sound the balls generated reminding me of jet planes flying past. My body and clothing rumbling and shaking with each miss of their throws..
It was the worst game of dodgeball ever with me in the center. If this was how the mercenary lost, I can see why. Without MCP, I couldn't even predict what was going to happen next. His reaction and thought processes were so much faster than I could ever be. Even with that, it was his ability to instantaneously send information directly to my brain kept me safe.
It felt disconcerting to rely on something with ulterior motives…
Yet… I felt completely in control of the situation. We were following the game plan.
I heard a roar of frustration.
There we go.
Jump. Then axe kick ninety degrees to your right.
An image, a daydream, appeared before my closed eyes. A visual prediction sent by MCP. Figures, arcs, and numbers.
I opened my eyes and did as I was told.
My body rising in the air with a quick hop from my feet, my right leg rising with the flexibility I trained for. Right as I did, Kalvin sped up into a cannonball from my right, just as shown in my mind. My foot hit the top of his back as if he just ran right into it on purpose.
My Ryu-infused axe kick sent the teen into the floor like a soccer ball. The tiled floor cracked from the impact and re-vibrated from the redirection of force. I heard him groan as his body hit the ground, watching him literally squish flat, then fly directly vertical to the ceiling. Yelling all the way.
I smirked, that was a long time coming, "Eat it a dick, Kal-"
DODGE!
I didn't know in which direction, so I fell to the floor on all four. Like a cat. Another juggler ball sailed over me, the wind picking up the hood on my hoodie and blasting it onto the side of my face. I twisted around and stood up to face him. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and give me a vicious, annoyed grin. He stared at the floating red head above me while juggling inhumanly fast. His eyes glowing with Gyo...
"That is unfair... I cannot hit you because of that thing!"
'My function is to grant James' desires. At this moment it is to defeat you two. You two have been granted the advantage of using your Hatsus for this exercise. You both are faring rather poorly."
A great giant vein grew on Clyde's head. He pointed a finger at me while juggling three balls in his right hand. An angry grimace on his red, boyish face.
"Ooh, I will enjoy hurting you, James."
I sneered back, pointing my right finger at him, "Fuck off you twin sadists! I didn't fucking invent the word Schadenfreude, you all did! Besides, this is payback for nonstop kicking my ass! Oh, how the tables have turned…"
He circled me, juggling faster and faster with both hands. Wind picking up from his arms moving like speeding airplane propellers. A smile of challenge on his boyish face, eyes filled with fire. I mirrored him, adding a little dance like Ali as I circled. I felt light. I answered with a smile of my own.
"You have become cocky from power, James. Let me assuage you of that weakness…"
"Let's go, big boy! I'm gonna' chop you up and turn you into sauerkraut, kid."
We both exploded into Ren. I roared and sprinted toward the teen. MCP watching over me like a glowing fireball with a face. I pulled back my fist, while Clyde pulled back his arm to throw.
Suddenly, Mayer came from the sky and crashed between us. With his left he caught my right fist in his giant-ass, catcher mitt sized fists. My punch sounded like I hit a mountain with a battering ram.
With his other, he grabbed Clyde's howitzer-level of power Juggler ball that would have probably sailed over my head. The sound was so loud I clenched my teeth in pain, my pearly white rattling in my head from the noise and shockwave.
Mayer's entire body covered in Ken so stronger he didn't even move from the hits.
"Enough. We are done for today."
We heard a yell and turned to my right, just as Kalvin landed on the floor. He hit the arena spread eagle, followed by bouncing a few feet away. Then settled in a heap.
Mayer turned to Clyde and grunted a reply
"You would have lost, little bear."
Clyde's face grew red as he looked away in embarrassment.
I laughed. At his name and my victory. This was the first time I sparred both of 'em at the same time. I turned toward my left to Leorio, who was outside the arena. His eyes were wide with surprise.
"Whoa… I knew we've been beating them in spars lately, but I didn't think you'd be able to beat both of them at once."
Clyde frowned and threw his balls into the air, disappearing in an instant. He put both hands on his hips and sighed.
"I admit, I do not think I can beat you now. Your progress so far has been… remarkable."
I sniffed. Followed by chuckling slightly. It turned into a mad laugh as I stared up at the ceiling. All of them looking at me like I was crazy. Only MCP understood since he was, technically, a part of me.
I spread my arms and posed like a DBZ fighter, yelling at the top of my lungs! I flared my Ren, purposely forcing the air to explode away from me. I literally tore my hoodie in half with my strength and flexed my scar covered body as hard as possible. Some of them given by the twins…
"I FUCKING BETTER BE AFTER ALL MY TRAINING! RAAAAAAAAH! REEDEEMPTIOOON!"
'Excuse him. He has temporarily lost his mind from exuberance…'
I heard Leorio laugh his ass off. He's definitely seen this side of me before.
Mayer turned to his son and grunted, "I hope this illustrates to you and Kalvin, Clyde, never to neglect training,"
I pointed to the left. I pointed to the right. Giving my invisible crowd all the adoration they deserve. It never felt so good beating up teenagers.
The two of them had been slacking in training as they tried to recruit people to join a new circus. While they haven't lost their strength, they weren't improving as fast as Leorio and I. It was showing.
Clyde looked down, disappointed.
My master turned to me and nodded. I stopped being an ass immediately, "You have done well. You have improved much. That does not mean you can falter. We still have less than a month until the Auction. We cannot underestimate the Troupe," he said as his face darkened, "second, you do not have access to your Hatsus due to that...'
MCP stared at us with no concern whatsoever. My basic Nen, martial arts, and swordsmanship have gotten way better… because I can't access my Hatsu. This thing is actively blocking my ability, almost like a Nen curse. Not until I-
'Say End Of Line. Only then will you and I be fully integrated. My capabilities unleashed.' Your capabilities unleashed."
"Yeah… Nah. I'll say it, you're useful, I'll give you credit. But you still haven't told me what will happen if I do say those three little words..."
It stayed dead silent. Hateful yellow eyes staring at me as if it could will me to do it.
Never a good sign.
Mayer sighed.
"We may have to hire a Nen Exorcist."
With that, MCP exploded in rage. Its voice booming.
'Do not treat me like simple malware! If a Nen Exorcist is used, James will not regain his former Hatsus! For I contain them within my system… hire a Nen Exorcist as you see fit, but know you will have to start from the very beginning…'
I sneered, "You act like ransomware, so you're not doing yourself any favors. It's been close to a fucking month and all I've done is the basics…" I said, looking away and snarling.
'I do what I must, to grant you power. If you are too foolish and too cowardly to utilize me, then maintain your safety and stay out of conflict.'
I frowned and ignored big, red, and angry. I turned to Mayer, "So, I got that thing today, correct? Sit-in at the meeting with Evira and… what, Pariston Hill?"
Mayer nodded as he looked at Clyde pick up his disoriented brother and lead him out of the arena. They met up with Leorio and left. Leorio still had class today. Mayer turned back to me.
"Yes. I have someone I must meet."
I nodded. He nodded. We just both nodding, stoic fools. He walked out as I looked down at myself. In only brown sweats and white sneakers. Time to get suited up and head to this damn meeting…
Pariston Hill smiled as he stepped out of the passenger seat of the luxury car. Two taps of his shining brown dress shoes as he planted his feet on the sidewalk outside the car. He paused and saw the path to the Dragon's Head clear. Not a single pedestrian on the sidewalk. Not a single soul on the street. Only guards and those 'allowed' in.
He stood up, closed the door, and turned to the tinted windows of the car. He stared at himself.
His hands went to his head as he patted down his blonde hair, smoothing it down until it looked just right. Once finished, he moved and adjusted his luxurious checkered lime green suit and with matching checkered orange tie until it looked just right. With a satisfied smile, he turned toward the condo and walked forward with ease in his steps. His stride filled with confidence and complete control.
A brilliant, magnetic smile planted on his face that never went away.
His eyes without sheen. Dead, cold eyes that somehow glittered with feigned life.
The Three-Star Hunter paused for a moment a few meters away from the entrance. He stared up at the enormous condominium that had a line of delivery people and residents waiting outside the ornate, garden filled exterior. Sighing, shuffling, and tapping their feet in frustration as they waited.
A corridor of several dragon statues, hanging plants, and bushes cut immaculately to perfection was his 'red carpet' into the building. Black, one-way glass covered the exterior of the entrance that was cleaned to the point of shining. The doors covered tastefully in silver and white equally as polished. Dragon designs dancing across anything metal.
It impressed him.
Several men that looked like body guards with earpieces were their with their hands up like bouncers at the end of a line of frustrated civilians trying to enter the condo. Several pallets stacked high with boxes of all shapes and sizes held by delivery men paid too little to wait. But they were forced to wait until Pariston entered. Several guards standing around the busy street to make sure no one could get to the Vice Chairman, or even see him. Not a single person near him.
Countless people inconvenienced because of a single visit from Pariston Hil.
Pariston smiled. He deciding he would walk slower.
With that satisfied smile firmly on his face, he continued his slow walk with confidence toward the entrance. Stepping past a homeless man in ragged clothing and a thick cloak that draped him from head to toe. Not an inch of skin on him showed.
Pariston stopped.
He smirked, something flashing across his eyes. Imperceptible to everyone around him.
He turned to the man and stared at him. He was certain that man was not there a moment ago. He sensed no aura or presence from him at all…
The Vice Chairman turned to his surroundings.
Pariston's eyes narrowed slightly, his strangely empty eyes analyzing his surroundings.
He looked up and stared around the entrance to the Dragon Head. A skyscraper-like any other, but he could see the tell-tale signs of fortification. Reinforced doors entryway with double set glass doors made of bulletproof plastics. Several security cameras that he could see and several he knew were hidden but would be a pain to find.
Countless 'civilians' beyond the cordoned-off section of the busy street that just so happen to have concealed weapons on them. The slight bulging of jackets and shirts as obvious to him a sign of guns as one could get. Some of them even had the basics of Nen but were of no note.
He turned up toward the other skyscrapers, finding the vantage points where snipers would be and finding the telltale signs of 'darkened' windows that were cracked open. They had set up a perimeter around the street and were keeping overwatch.
Not a person who wasn't 'supposed' to be there…
He turned his head down to the 'homeless' man again. The homeless man turned up to him, black shadows of his brown cloak hiding his features. A large hump on his back gave him a hunched form. At pitiable creature.
He froze, as if not knowing what to do. He raised a cup to him, hands pale.
They locked eyes. Something passed between them. The 'homeless' man froze again. Something shuffled underneath his clothes. As though reaching for a weapon…
Pariston smiled softly.
A coin dropped into the beggar's cup before he even said a word.
"Why, aren't you dire straights? Here you go, something to tide you over before things get 'busy'. Hope things turn out 'well' for you," Pariston Hill said with a smile, his high, haughty voice mocking. Yet, that was how he always sounded.
The homeless' man's body language was frozen in hesitation.
He patted the man in reassurance. To everyone else, it looked as if Pariston was being nice. Only the two of them knew what it meant.
Nice try.
The homeless' man's body language shook with anger.
A loud noise as several guards scrambled, finally realizing a homeless man got past them. Two guards stepped around the car and stepped between the Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association and the destitute man. He turned to Pariston.
"Is this man bothering you? I'm sorry, I don't know how he got past us…"
"No, no! No trouble at all! It always fills my heart to help those in need. I gave this man some money, but please take care of him. It wouldn't do to dismiss the needy," he said, again, with a smile and charm that felt genuine.
The homeless man reached deep within the recesses of his clothing and handed him a small picture made of cloth. Pariston touched his chest in surprise, touched. He took the picture. He smiled gratefully at the man, turned, and walked into the headquarters of the Tao Long.
Pariston 'knew' the mans' objectives was to plant the piece of cloth on the Vice Chairman. Foiled by the Rat's perception and experience…
Pariston knew the 'homeless man' was an assassin. And his target was inside the condo. The cloth contained Nen or some Hatsu that would be difficult to sense beneath his aura.
And yet, regardless of risk, Pariston gladly took the piece of cloth.
Because it would be more interesting that way.
The guard reached into his black suit and pulled out his wallet. Two guards stepped beside the homeless man and waited to escort him off the premises. The guard with the wallet grabbed a handful of bills and turned down to the hunched over man's cup. He looked inside and frowned.
There was a single coin from the Kukan'yu Kingdom, where the Hunter Association headquarters resided. The currency was useless here in the U.S.S. Worse, it was equivalent to a penny.
I sat around this strange, dark conference room that was blacker than midnight. The walls, the ceiling, the furniture. It was like I was standing in the center of a black hole.
The carpet was green at least.
Light shined down above us with light bulbs embedded into little holes in the ceiling. It gave me a very war room feeling. Even though I've never been in here, I could tell this room was used to discuss high-level crap. It had that, 'discuss high-level crap' feel to it. All it needed was cigar smoke…
I sighed…
I tapped Stick as I waited for the Vice Chairman to get here. Evira, Acardi, and Briannaisa were in the room as well. Bri in a maid outfit. The art of deception, yeah, yeah… I still found it stupid…
The rest of Red Squad was busy investigating any holdouts that remained from the old crime bosses. That and Evira was furious at losing our security system. We were blind come September, and she wanted mastermind's head on a plate. So here I was, playing bodyguard…
Briannaisa spoke, cutting through the silence and wait, "How're the frogs?"
I nodded, "The Amori bros? They're ok. I tried teaching them the basics of Nen but they weren't getting it. York took over," I turned to Evira," Stocks apparently got a huge payout and left the city. The brothers aren't feeling comfortable in their position in Red Squad. They're planning to take the Hunter Exam next year..."
Evira turned to me, completely not caring about them. Her usual steel glare something different this time.
"Flole and Zelle tell me whoever tampered your memories most likely was the Phantom Troupe."
I saw Acardi and Brainnaisa stir. I turned to my 'aunt' and frowned.
"How do you know?"
She chuckled, "Why do you think I have Zelle for? Regardless, I don't have perfect intelligence. I've never met them personally," I knew what that meant, "All we know is that they have a memory manipulator. This, among many reasons, is why I have Zelle, and why I have her reinforce the minds higher-level members of my organization. You should be fine.."
I nodded, narrowing my eyes on her.
"And the rest of the troupe..."
"Incomplete information, unreliable descriptions, imperfect intelligence. They have no history and they erase any traces of themselves."
I sneered, "Sounds like a bunch of people I know… and you'v never met them in your other life?"
"Like I said, I never met them. Even if I did, they can look different. Act different. Be different."
I glared at her from the corner of my left eye; her form blurry even with my squinting eyes. Tension cutting through the room. I felt like she was lying…
The other two stirred, Evira's eyes narrowing.
Just as Evira opened her mouth, the double doors to the conference room opened. One of our mafia security guards escorting in a man with the look of a perfect politician… and someone who looked awfully familiar.
He had handsome; model looks with perfectly manicured, feathered hair a professional definitely cut. A striped, luxurious green suit and orange tie that were both checkered. It looked so damn new and freshly pressed it practically sparkled. Brown dress shoes finished his outfit.
He had the nicest smile I've ever seen in my entire life. His face and body language disarming and put you at ease. He oozed charisma, holding himself with perfect posture and form. Amicable, friendly, and open.
Staring at him was like staring at a comforting friend who you would trust implicitly. His face reminded me of Charlie, except supercharged.
Yet… those eyes. I've seen that type before. As if no reflection. No care. No soul. He looked over everyone like tools, toys, or as if they barely existed.
You can only hide so much lack of empathy…
Something bristled inside me.
The moment he spoke, I almost forgot all about my building discomfort. He sounded so genuine I felt guilty.
"Pardon for the delay! There as quite the traffic because of constructions. It'll bever happen again, promise!"
His eyes glanced over all of us. We locked eyes.
Something changed. I just knew…
He smiled.
…I hate him…
He is not one to be trusted…
Pariston went for a chair, not even waiting for anyone to say anything. His movement, his swagger, his presence. He commanded a room the moment he walked in. Somehow, in a few seconds, he was taking control over the meeting. You just felt it.
Acardi stepped forward, quickly pulling a chair for him and presenting it to him with the other hand. Something passed between them in their eyes. So fast I barely saw it. Pariston Hill smiled and sat graciously.
Somehow it felt like a battle…
It is. He is acting as if he is in charge. Pariston is trying to establish a position of strength and dominance in the negotiations. Acardi denied him by forcing him into a seat of Evira's choosing.
Seems… outlandish.
As are many things in life, at first glance, but that does not change the situation at hand. This is combat through guile and diplomacy. There are only so many tools at one's disposal.
I held in my sigh. I've done this before, but in actual fights. Mind games. This felt… a lot… for negotiating.
Pariston sat to my right, which was directly opposite of Evira. Acardi took his spot opposite of me. Briannaisa bowed her head and left the room, probably to get food.
The lights blazed down on us in this black room. It felt like we're on a dark stage. I held my sword between my legs, tapping it with my fingers. Watching things unfold like a man who was trying to figure out the rules of golfing for the first time.
Evira's face was statue-like, a small smile on her face. Pariston's soft smile never changing.
He turned to Acardi, "Quite the surprise seeing you again, Acardi! How long has it been? Seven, eight years?"
The atmosphere shifted. I squinted my eyes on Acardi. I could see his face strain slightly, bristling.
"Seven, yes."
Pariston looked genuinely shocked, "Seven! We were just fresh-faced Hunters back then! If you ever feel the need to come back to the Association, just give me a call! I can smooth things over! No issue at all for an old friend!"
I saw Acardi's jaw muscles tighten, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses. He grabbed his long, blonde pharaoh beard as if casually thinking, but he held it a bit too tightly.
"I know of your help, Pariston. We received it when our residences were leaked on to the darknet, a few days before they attacked the Pure Paladin Squad."
Pariston feigned confusion and shock, "I do recall all of the Association Hunter's addresses were leaked. You and your squad weren't the only ones attacked. I, myself, was accosted by several thugs-"
Acardi placed his right fist against his mouth, muscles tight, his entire being holding in anger. He pointed his right index finger and at Pariston His voice was a terrifying whisper.
"You do not get to compare what you suffered compared to us… All because of your stupid game with Netero!" he roared.
Pariston sighed, showing his hands and closing his eyes, "Your free to believe what you want, but if I was responsible for any wrongdoing... don't you think Netero would have arrested me? At the very least removed from my position as Vice Chairman. I believe the grief is getting to your head old friend. Its not my fault the Squad wasn't as strong as-"
Acardi went to stand, "PARISTON-"
Acardi stopped when he felt my right hand over his left shoulder. He turned to me, puckered his lips in a frown full of so much rage and hate that I was surprised. He stared at me with surprise. I don't think he was prepared for how strong I've gotten.
I thought he was unflappable. I turned to Pariston, his fingers intertwined against his mouth, eyes narrowed on me. Analyzing.
Smiling.
I turned to Evira. She stared at us, fingers also intertwined in front of her face. Like she was watching a game board. Planning her next move...
Both of them were.
She turned to Pariston, presenting a hand to his consigliere, "Apologies for Acardi. The death of several of the Pure Paladin Squad members and its subsequent disbandment still something he carries with him."
Pariston frowned, somehow looking genuinely sad. He touched his chest, "I understand, and I accept your apology on his behalf. We all suffered so much from the Squad's loss… to this day it's a grievous wound that haunts the Association, "he held a finger up, voice filled with resolve, "one I hope to fix in the future, to repay for my failure at the time. But enough of that. Let's move on to the topic of our meeting."
Evira nodded, "Yes. Lets," she turned to me and I sat back in my seat.
This man. I stared at him, holding back how disturbed I felt. I can't tell if he was lying or not…
"Now then," he said, adjusting himself in his seat, "the fact of the matter is, a large scale catastrophe involving Nen happened in York New City. I know how things are with 'unsavory' individuals, but the Hunter Association cannot allow such conduct. Especially involving the public and civilians…"
He positioned a finger in the area and continued, "We're talking about billions of dollars of jenny in damages, dozens of lives lost, countless injured. This isn't even touching on the potential exposure of Nen to the general population. Who knows how many people have been accidentally baptized due to this event."
I stared. His words were so compelling. It was… disturbing how much I wanted to agree with him just because of how he spoke his words. The cadence. The tone.
This guy was the ultimate politician.
But Evira, well, I don't think she gave a fuck. She stared back at her opponent, eyes steel. She nodded.
"I have already begun a fund to pay for the damages. There is a cover story in place that is perfectly adequate: MG-2 gas. Lastly, we are currently checking the populace for any signs of Nen activation…"
I sighed and settled in. This was going to take a while…
Hisoka stared at the city high above on the top of the Hotel Beitacle. He touched his lips as he thought of several people he would like to fight here…
He turned slightly and looked over his shoulder. Mayer landed a moment later with a resounding stomp.
Something trembled inside Hisoka. A sensation. A feeling similar to a long-held crush. Or a lover's madness.
He felt butterflies.
"Ah, so you received my message. I was surprised… to think you still check your old Hunter email account, considering you are a fugitive and all," Hisoka said, eyes half-lidded.
"I am still a Hunter. My criminality does not change that," he grunted before walking close enough to speak, yet far enough that Hisoka could not strike easily without overreaching. Hisoka smirked.
A warm breeze blew.
"You seem fine after taking that Hatsu punch from Gon…" Mayor grunted, referring to the fight Hisoka won a few weeks ago.
Hisoka rubbed his stomach, "Quite the hit, but nothing I've never experienced before. Nothing compared to yours… I still remember that punch," he said, rubbing his chin. Seductively.
An image flashed in his mind. A long crystallized memory.
Mayer held a young Hisoka by the throat. A youth who had come to Glam Gas Land and challenged the 'strongest' man in the world. To see if the rumors were true.
A single Aura infused punch.
Mayor peeled back his lips in disgust, "Yes. I remember you threatening my family. I intended to kill you with that punch. It was folly to put so little aura into it. Next time it will be at full power."
Hisoka smiled. Inside he filled with ecstasy. Writhed with warmth and pleasure. He could barely control himself. It was as if were foreplay.
He was almost tempted to fight the man in front of him, instead of waiting for Chrollo.
No... I can't wait a little bit more for my first love…
Hisoka closed his eyes and lifted his head back. He smirked.
"As much as it pains me to say it, I'm not here to fight you," he tilted his head down and open his eyes, "I was wondering if you were interested in joining forces."
Mayer narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Hisoka took that as a sign to continue.
"You may be interested to know that the Spider is coming to York New City."
Mayer did not move. He did not stir. He did not say a word. He gave Hisoka nothing.
"I believe 'your' Mafia runs the Underground Auction, and the city..."
"What do you want?"
Hisoka smirked, "I want to fight the leader of the Phantom Troupe. You can have the rest."
Mayer gave a single, stoic nod. His cold eyes never blinking.
Hisoka burned fiercely inside.
That changed to a look of curiosity. He stared past Mayer. Past the surrounding skyscrapers, a few kilometers away, to the Dragon's Head…
A massive cloud of white smoke enveloped the entire structure. It looked like steam that one would occasionally see on a cold day, bubbling up from vents and pipes on the street. Except much, much more…
Hisoka lifted a finger toward the building.
"It seems something interesting is happening in your headquarters…"
Mayer turned around. He frowned…
Harold stared over his receptionist desk in the lobby of the Dragon Head's condo. He stared in confusion at the sheer amount of packages he had around him. Long, rectangular cardboard boxes that were as wide as a bed. Some were small squares about as wide as a small CRT screen he had on his desk.
There was even a storage box that was made to hold files and folders. All of it addressed to Evira.
He frowned as he checked the boxes. He'd need to get Lokil, chief security officer for the building, to check the packages over. Then Briannaisa to check for any Nen on them. Then checked for booby-traps. Nothing got to Evira without being quadruple checked…
The easy going Harold, dark-skinned with a soft smile, grabbed his radio receiver on his chest and pulled it to his mouth. He pressed the button. A quick beep signaled that he could talk. As he spoke, his voice gentle, curiosity got the better of him. He opened the file storage box and looked.
"Yeah, Lo', I got here some strange… god damn… paintings here. A lot of 'em. Talkin' about a few hundred. Just from the pallets, we got. Not even talking about the smaller ones…"
His fingers flicked through the horrifying paintings. The canvas yellow and old, feeling like worn leather. The paint-like dried blood. The figures of contorted monstrosities out of a deranged person's wildest nightmares. Still lifes of dismembered and disfigured people. Misshapen humans and creatures with far too many heads, countless bones, countless holes. Too much flesh. Too little flesh...
He grimaced in disgust.
Harold got to the last picture in the box. It looked like a black portal on white. A swirling black dot that grew bigger. It twisted and enticed. It made Harold's eyes heavy. Tired. A touch of sleep graced his exhausted eyes…
It was hypnotizing… it drew him in…
Something tiny and white in the center… It was growing bigger… sleep nodding his head…
Harold leaned closer, trying to get a better look at what was inside the painting…
Pale white. A three-clawed hand. It extended through the painting. Gently caressing his face.
It wrapped around his head. He didn't resist…
I leaned my head back against the chair. It's been over an hour and they still were at it. It was like verbal chess, except more boring. It impressed me at first, but now I'm losing my mind from boredom. All I had to do was stay quiet and look intimidating. Acardi stayed quiet and took down notes, occasionally clarifying or generally chiming in with information.
Where was Briannaisa? I thought she was getting food? Jeez…
My eyes bounced from Pariston to Evira. I followed their conversation the best I could. I didn't need to actively pay attention since MCP could do it for me. I lost track of what concessions, promises, and deals they were trying to make within the first fifteen minutes.
I sighed. Can something take me out of this misery?
The door slammed open. It was Briannaisa, her white and black maid outfit drenched in blood. She panted heavily from apparent combat.
She grimaced, "We have to go, now!"
I stood up, my right hand gripping Stick tightly. I examined her quickly to see she wasn't hurt. I squinted past her, into the hallway, to see the floor covered in her bloody footprints. The guards were missing?
This place must have been soundproof because I didn't hear a thing. I checked my phone to see there was no signal…
I nodded. I turned to Evira, Pariston, and Acardi. They were all strong enough to handle their own, but there was a safe room on every floor. This conference room could protect against Nen, but not against people with guns. We were all in forced into Zetsu because of this room.
Briannaisa turned around and checked the hall, before waving us through.
I jogged to the hall and saw countless dead guards down the hall. All ripped apart by something.
I frowned. I turned back to the blood-splattered Briannaisa and exhaled, black humor getting the better of me.
"No wonder you took so long to get refreshments."
She glared at me, "Now's not the time for jokes. Some group got into the Dragon Head. From the… things around here, they're Nen users…"
I sighed, but that wasn't a surprise. No normal human could get into this condo…
Once I cleared the hallway, everyone moved out into it. The moment everyone stepped out of the room, something started moving and making a noise in Pariston's suit. We all turned to him.
Our eyes were drawn to Pariston's jacket, something moving underneath it. He pulled out a piece of cloth out of his breast pocket, the piece of cloth thrashing as if it were alive and angry. He let go of it and threw it away from him.
Horror hit me. I went to stop him, my eyes widening in understanding and helplessness. But it was too late.
Before we could even react, the paper burned with aura and violently straightened on its own. I saw a black, inky, swirling portal on the yellow cloth. In mid-air, a gnarled hand stretched out of the painting of a black portal. It was so fast. Far too fast…
A knife flew out. Right down the hall and toward Evira.
Her eyes widened. She grit her teeth, flared her Ren, and she pulled her head away at the last second. Her reflexes beyond anything I ever saw before. Her head becoming a blur, as if teleporting from one place to another. The speeding knife flying past the right side of her head.
The weapon continued sailing. Thrown with so much power and speed that it embedded itself into the wall, hilt deep, a dozen meters down the hall.
I sent Stick slicing down onto the paper, imbued with Shu and as sharp as any metal sword. My trusty weapon cut through the paper easily, slicing it in half. Followed by several more slices that turned the cloth into nothing more than confetti in an instant.
The pieces fell to the ground, but there was no sign of the hand. Not even a drop of blood.
I heard the sound of a person falling to the ground. I turned to see Evira, paralyzed completely. Her eyes heavy with sleepiness. A small, almost invisible sliver of red on her cheek.
A tiny cut.
Briannaisa and Acardi rushed to her aid while I stared at the knife down the hall.
It was a simple palette knife. Thick purple liquid dribbling off of it.
I could sense it was imbued with so much aura it could have bypassed anyone's Ten…
I stared at the aura burning away from the Shu infused weapon. I couldn't help but tremble a bit from what I felt from it.
Pure malice.
