The airship's altitude kept shifting. Sometimes it rose, and sometimes it sank low enough that the ground looked about forty meters away.
Conrad noted that, then turned to speed. If he jumped while the ship was moving too fast, the horizontal force could break his bones, or worse.
He needed a moment when it slowed, during a course correction, a turbulence adjustment, or a descent. Then he thought about where he would land.
I need open ground.
He drifted toward an emergency exit and pretended to read the safety instructions on the wall, memorizing the layout while he did.
The doors were sealed, but they could be forced. Breaking one would set off alarms immediately, though, so he would need a quieter way.
He went back to his seat, slipped into Zetsu so no one would notice him, and ran through what would happen next.
Security would secure the crime scene first, then isolate the area, then take control of the passengers. That gave him a window. It wouldn't be long, but it would be enough.
I'll wait until they start descending. Altitude drops then, and everyone's attention shifts.
He checked the bag under his seat. The Red Diamond was wrapped in layers of fabric. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and kept a low layer of Ten running to strengthen his body quietly.
Outside, the land slowly grew larger as the airship adjusted its course.
A sharp tone echoed through the airship, followed by a calm voice from the speakers.
"Attention all passengers. Due to an unexpected situation, the airship will make an emergency landing at the nearest city. Please return to your seats immediately and remain seated until further notice."
The message repeated once.
"Landing location: Blueberry City."
Conrad opened his eyes.
So they noticed, and they understood how serious it was.
He searched his memory for Blueberry City and found nothing. It had never appeared in the original series, but that didn't mean much.
The world of Hunter × Hunter was huge, and most of its places were never shown or named. What mattered was the intent. They're not going on to Yorknew. They're stopping as fast as they can.
That confirmed everything. Once the ship landed, it would be locked down, security would surround it, and passengers would be questioned one by one.
Around him people began to murmur. Some looked confused, and others nervous. A few glanced around, clearly remembering the earlier gunshots.
Conrad kept his face neutral and stayed seated. Standing up right now would draw attention, so he waited for the first wave of movement to settle.
Flight attendants were already walking the aisles, guiding people back to their seats.
This was the last calm moment he would get.
I can't wait for the landing. I leave now.
He activated Zetsu again, suppressing his presence completely, and stood as naturally as someone heading to the restroom before being forced to stay seated.
No one stopped him. He walked toward the rear section, blending in with a few stragglers being ushered back by the crew, followed their instructions just long enough to avoid suspicion, and slipped into a quieter corridor when no one was looking.
His heart rate stayed steady.
I only need one chance.
The ship tilted slightly. He felt it in his balance as the engines adjusted and their tone dropped. Through the windows, the ground slowly grew closer.
He paused near a side section and rested a hand lightly against the wall. He reinforced his body with Ten again, only as much as he needed.
Now I wait.
The chance came sooner than he expected.
The airship tilted again as it descended toward a small, modern-looking city.
Through the side windows he could see orderly buildings, clean roads, and wide open ground around the airport. Security vehicles were already visible near the landing area.
Conrad stood at the emergency exit. No one was nearby.
He activated Gyo and gathered his Nen into his right leg and foot.
Thirty meters. I can do that.
He kicked without hesitation.
The emergency door burst outward with a sharp metallic crack, torn open by the Nen-enhanced force. Cold air rushed in and whipped against his clothes. Alarms began to sound, but by then it was too late.
Conrad jumped.
The ground rushed up faster than he expected. For a brief moment gravity took over completely, and his body dropped freely through the air with his coat flaring behind him and the wind roaring past his ears.
He didn't panic.
Mid-fall he redirected his Nen, pouring most of it into his legs, calves, knees, and thighs and spreading a thinner layer over the rest of his body.
His muscles tightened, reinforced by Ten, ready to absorb the force before it could build. He angled his body slightly forward.
Seconds later, he hit the ground.
His feet landed first and his knees bent deeply, letting the impact flow through him instead of resisting it.
He rolled, shoulder to back to side, spreading what remained of the force across the grass.
He came to a stop on one knee, one hand pressed to the ground, and stayed still for a moment, waiting for a pain that never came.
He blinked.
…I didn't feel anything.