It was hard to imagine how much Law's strength had increased again.
'In such a short time...'
Illumi's mind was unsettled for a long time.
Although he had been caught off guard just now, that couldn't serve as an excuse.
Law had indeed severed his arm before he could even react.
The 'line of death' had been crossed by Law so simply, leaving Illumi feeling as if several thorns were stuck in his heart.
"Returning it to you."
At this moment, Law had already pressed the heart back into Illumi's body, returning it.
Illumi slowly regained his composure, looking at Law with a somewhat complicated gaze. Then, without saying a word, he turned and walked towards the main door.
With the heart retrieved, there was naturally no reason to stay any longer.
"Maybe stay for a meal before leaving?" Looking at Illumi's back, Law said as a polite gesture.
"No."
Illumi replied and, for some reason, quickened his pace.
Law was only being polite. He watched as Illumi left the reception room.
From the moment Illumi took the heart and stepped out of this door, their transactional relationship was over.
However, even after calling in many powerful allies through his own connections, a small number of Squadron Leader-level Chimera Ants had still broken through the encirclement and escaped to the Yorbian Continent.
This also showed just how weak the Association-hired members sent by the Hunter Association were.
If not for the people Law had called, those Chimera Ants would likely have already caused the worst kind of impact on the Yorbian Continent.
"It will take about two more days to finish the remaining games."
Currently, only Law and Komugi were the humans in the palace. After dealing with Meruem's lingering attachment, Law would also leave.
As for what would happen to East Gorteau, it had nothing to do with him.
After that, a whole pile of matters still awaited his handling.
Law glanced at Kuro, who was engrossed in a pile of snacks. Ever since waking up, Kuro had become a glutton. Law didn't pay it any mind for now and directly took out his phone from his pocket.
Because Kuro had been frequently outside during this period, Law hadn't kept the phone in Kuro's space.
He unlocked the screen, pulled up the contacts, and tapped Biscuit's number.
After a few rings, the call connected quickly.
"How are things on your end?" Law asked directly.
"All fine. Just Gon's injuries are relatively serious. I've already had him take a leaf of Grass Jelly. He'll probably be bouncing around by tomorrow," Biscuit replied.
"Thanks for the trouble," Law said.
The amount of Grass Jelly brought back from the Dark Continent was very limited. Law had given Biscuit one leaf for protection. As a fellow traveler, Tonpa naturally also had a share.
However, the remaining amount now was probably less than three small leaves. Moreover, the Dark Continent specialties stored in the space had been completely eaten by Kuro.
On the other end of the phone, Biscuit looked through the doorway.
In the room, Gon was lying on the bed, chatting with Killua, who seemed somewhat absent-minded, responding perfunctorily.
Biscuit withdrew her gaze, the phone pressed to her cheek. "It's nothing. By the way, haven't you finished things on your end yet?"
"Hmm? You don't know yet, about Netero."
"What about the Chairman?"
"He was exhausted fighting the Ant King, his vital energy almost completely depleted, leaving severe aftereffects. He should have been transferred to the Botda Hospital under the Association's name by now," Law said.
"How serious exactly?" Biscuit's brow furrowed.
"One step away from death," Law's description was pointed.
"..." Biscuit was silent for a moment, then said gravely, "Was it that troublesome? More formidable than the Magical Beasts of the Dark Continent?"
"Yeah. Anyway, it's resolved now. What's left is treating Netero and the cleanup work. Oh, if Machi's side needs support, I'll have to trouble you to make another trip."
"Alright. You're quite comfortable ordering this laborer around, aren't you?"
Biscuit snorted coldly upon hearing this, but worry flickered in her eyes. From Law's words, she could tell Netero's condition was indeed serious. However, Law didn't seem anxious, suggesting there was room for a turnaround.
In that case, there wasn't too much need for worry.
"I'll give you ten sets of top-tier Gold Sand cosmetics afterward!" Law quickly offered the reward.
"You know what's good."
Biscuit said.
Although she wasn't short on money now, there was a fundamental difference between buying something yourself and receiving it as a gift.
"Let's leave it at that then. I'll be tied up for about two more days." At this point, Law intended to hang up.
"Alright, hanging up then."
Biscuit didn't press further and hung up decisively.
She put away her phone and walked into the room.
Biscuit looked at the two kids and said, "I'm leaving. Take care of yourselves."
Hearing Biscuit's words, Gon and Killua both looked at her simultaneously.
Gon seemed to want to say something but stopped. Killua remained quiet and somber.
Biscuit took in both of their reactions.
"Biscuit, do you know where Law is now?" Gon asked.
Biscuit had adjusted the call volume earlier so Gon and Killua couldn't hear, so Gon's question wasn't based on overhearing the conversation.
"I probably do, but I won't tell you," Biscuit said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Gon immediately put on a pitiful expression. However, Biscuit preferred handsome men and wasn't moved by this act.
"Don't you have Law's number? Just contact him directly?"
Biscuit turned and walked towards the door, waving at the two without looking back.
"It doesn't go through, and he hasn't replied to my messages either."
Seeing Biscuit already at the doorway, Gon said urgently.
"Then there's nothing to be done."
Biscuit didn't give Gon a chance to continue. With a flash, she was gone.
Law wasn't answering Gon's calls or replying to his messages. He had his own reasons for doing so, and Biscuit wasn't going to overstep.
Gon looked at the open door, visibly disappointed.
He wanted to get Ging's phone number from Law.
By the bed, Killua suddenly said, "Gon, sorry. I can't wait here with you for your dad."
"Ah?" Gon couldn't help but turn to look at Killua.
A gleam flashed in Killua's eyes as he said, "I have something to attend to. I need to go home."
Gon looked at Killua quietly for a moment, then nodded heavily.
"Okay."
Their conversation on the dragon's back not long ago was still vivid in his mind, yet Killua was suddenly saying he needed to go home, without stating the reason.
Gon knew that even if he pressed, Killua likely wouldn't say.
This was a farewell, a temporary pause in their journey together.
Whether they could continue traveling together after resolving their respective matters remained an unknown.
…
Time passed. Two days later.
In the game room, Law sat upright before the board. His gaze wasn't fixed on the defeat on the board, but on Komugi, who seemed to be glowing.
Another loss. The self-determined number of games remaining was ten, yet there was no progress at all in digesting Meruem's lingering attachment.
Law glanced at the phantom of Meruem beside him. In truth, he had already completely given up.
The remaining ten games could be finished today, but there was absolutely no possibility of Meruem's attachment being resolved.
Because what Meruem wanted was an eternal game of Gungi…
This was something Law simply could not provide.
"After these ten more games, you should go home," Law said to Komugi.
Upon hearing Law's words, Komugi's hands, which were arranging the pieces, suddenly froze.
Before she could even sort through the emotions stirred by these words, her eyes reacted first, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Beside the board, Meruem's phantom turned into bubbles, then scattered.
Simultaneously, Law received a plea from Meruem.
Law frowned. For a pure lingering attachment to achieve this level of influence was not a good omen for him.