Despite his nonchalant air, Knov was proud when his student not only identified the pro-hunters following Kite, she tracked one down. Still, he refused to bend to her insistence on accompanying him to NGL.

Palm was not lacking in skill; even without combat training, she successfully ambushed Morel's students as soon as she knew of his plans for them. And therein lied the problem. Her precognition bred impatience. Impulse. Anxiety and anger. Until her mental state was stable, her potential remained just that - potential. Knov figured interactions with people other than him would do her good, preferably with people who could survive the edge of her knife.

Those people were supposed to be Gon and Killua. However...

Chairman Netero landed on one foot, peering down at the boy before him.

"Oho, where is young Killua? I assumed you two were together."

Gon said they had split up back in NGL. For some reason, Killua was late, but as soon as he came back, Gon would update him on the chairman's challenge. Gon had no doubt that Killua would also accept. Together, they would fight Knuckle and Shoot. They would show their worth and prove themselves as the superior team.

A guffaw cut Gon off.

"Nonsense."

Knov glanced over at Morel's trembling form.

"Superior team? Tell me, boy, how long has it been since you were supposed to meet your friend?"

Gon looked thrown off by the question. Frowning, he answered nonetheless. Three days.

"Three days," Morel echoed. He swung his oversized package over his shoulder. "Hate to be the one to cut it to you, but your friend is dead."

Gon's eyes widened a fraction.

Knov sighed, as Morel mercilessly continued. "Superior team, you say. What you fail to realize is you have no team. You lost your team three days ago." He peered down at Gon's cast, then at the girl hiding behind him. "The only fighter you have left is yourself, if even that."

"That's enough," Knov said.

Morel turned to his colleague. "You should reconsider pulling your student out of battle… this boy is going to need all the help he can get. Better yet, find her more competent hunters."

"Morel!" The disapproval in Knov's tone was overlooked, as the other man gave another hearty laugh.

"You're right."

All attention refocused on Gon. His gaze was directionless, his tone flat. "I don't have a team right now. Palm told me she wants to fight, so if you want us to pair up, I am okay with that. That said…" He looked up. "You know nothing about Killua."

Morel stopped. Never had he thought a child was capable of such intensity, to scorch the earth with a single look.

Gon tossed one of the bamboo plates to Palm, then made his leave. He did not look back.

A gang of amateur hunters came around with the van. They shivered at the unsettling atmosphere surrounding them, stealing glances at the chairman, misattributing the strong aura to him.

Morel ascended onto the vehicle. The boy's words having left an impression, he turned to Knov with a bet. 100 thousand jenny the Zoldyck child was dead.

Knov pushed up his glasses. He saw his bet and raised him 10 million.

Killua will come back.