Even back on Earth, Conrad had always enjoyed reading theories about the Hunter x Hunter world and its future developments.
Because of that, he was also familiar with the ideas and assumptions of other readers, even the ones that had never been confirmed within the series itself.
If he evaluated the current situation properly, then the concept the old man had mentioned, referred to as a "guardian," could also mean a "guide."
As far as Conrad remembered, Guides in the Hunter x Hunter world were the individuals necessary for traveling to the Dark Continent.
Even crossing the oceanic boundary of the known world was nearly impossible without them.
If the old man's words were true, then the Kurta Clan had once been one of the groups carrying out that duty. That would indirectly connect them to the Dark Continent itself.
"This situation has evolved into something far more important than the conflict between the Phantom Troupe and the Kurta Clan," Conrad thought.
The old man continued speaking.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"Are you going to do what I said?"
Conrad smiled faintly and asked,
"As far as I understand, the reason you are able to give such a task is because you believe there is still a surviving member of the Kurta Clan, correct?"
The old man grinned.
"I do not believe it. I know it."
"Before I died, I was the chief of the Kurta Clan. If no member of the Kurta Clan was alive, there would be no reason for me to assign such a task."
Conrad nodded.
"There's something else I want to ask."
"Can you explain the destruction of the Kurta Clan to me?"
"Beyond the stories told outside…"
The old man stared into Conrad's eyes for a while. He remained silent for several minutes before finally speaking again.
"The Kurta Clan fell victim to a conspiracy created by its enemies. The Phantom Troupe were merely tools used by those conspirators."
Conrad took a deep breath and nodded slowly.
"The Phantom Troupe received news that one of their friends had been killed. The real killers were the people behind the conspiracy, but we were blamed for it."
"In their rage, they massacred us. They were powerful, and they attacked us in a place where we were completely unprepared."
The old man lightly shook his head.
"If I remember correctly, and it has been a very long time, they should have eventually realized they were manipulated."
"However, the young man leading them convinced another member of the group, a Nen user, to tamper with their memories so that the incident would not burden their minds and spirits."
"Right now, the Phantom Troupe probably truly believes their actions were driven by their own hatred and desire for revenge."
"In their eyes, a clan had murdered their friend, a child, and had committed similar acts before. So they took their revenge and claimed our eyes as rewards."
"There are even more details behind the situation."
"But if you want that information, you must complete the task I gave you."
At that moment, Conrad clearly understood that refusing the old man's request was not an option. He needed to complete the task.
He was genuinely starting to feel excited. The old man's knowledge sounded extremely realistic and serious.
Especially because he possessed detailed information about the Phantom Troupe as well.
"Alright."
"I'll find the surviving member of the Kurta Clan and deliver the Kurta Staff."
The old man smiled. For a few seconds, his eyes turned scarlet, and with a simple motion of his finger, a plain-looking staff with a faint reddish color materialized in the air before falling into Conrad's hands.
"Do not misunderstand me, but you need to repeat exactly what I say."
"We must form a kind of Nen agreement so I can hand the staff over to you without concern."
Conrad nodded.
The old man smiled again. Even Conrad's willingness to agree had already reassured him.
"I want you to repeat my words in a single breath."
Conrad nodded, and the old man began speaking.
"I, state your full name, swear to take the Kurta Staff from the Kurta Clan Monument and deliver it to the member of the Kurta Clan who possesses Scarlet Eyes."
Conrad repeated the words. The moment he did, he noticed that the Enemy Herald Ancient Script paper inside his pocket had sent him a signal.
Conrad ignored it and waited.
The old man continued.
"If I fail to deliver it within one month, I swear that I will lose the staff and never again enter the Kurta Clan Monument or its territory."
Conrad repeated the sentence once more.
The old man's eyes turned scarlet again as he extended his hand toward Conrad.
Conrad shook his hand.
"I accept with my soul," the old man said.
Conrad repeated the phrase as well.
The moment he did, the symbol of Lake Mobius appeared inside the palm of his right hand.
Conrad immediately understood that he had willingly accepted a Nen ability and was now under its effect.
While waiting outside, Nelera suddenly sensed something and turned directly toward the source of the feeling. She saw Conrad approaching.
"What happened?" she asked.
Conrad shook his head.
"Nothing especially important, but I achieved my goal."
"There's no reason for us to remain here anymore. We can return."
Nelera could tell Conrad was hiding something, but she also felt there was no point in asking. If he wanted to explain it, he would have done so the moment she questioned him.
After Conrad and Nelera returned, Conrad turned toward her and spoke.
"Can you tell me about your Nen ability? Of course, it's your personal choice whether you answer or not."
Nelera smiled and began explaining.
"I'm a manipulator. Since I do not enjoy physical combat very much, my ability requires four conditions to be successfully completed within a certain period of time."
"If all four conditions are fulfilled, I can take control of the target, and that control remains with me for as long as the person stays alive and their basic human needs are maintained."
Conrad nodded.
"The conditions?"
Nelera smiled.
For some reason, explaining things like this to someone like Conrad did not feel uncomfortable at all. He was so strong and existed on such a different level that she felt she would lose nothing by revealing it.