Kurapika had finished his training and was making his final preparations and practicing. Before long, he would begin looking for work.
While sitting alone with his thoughts in a room in an ordinary town, his phone rang.
Kurapika looked at the caller ID and raised an eyebrow.
"Leorio?"
"Why is he calling me this early? We aren't supposed to meet for another two or three months," he thought.
Still, since he was in a relatively calm and relaxed state of mind, he answered.
"Leorio?"
"Why are you calling early?"
"Is something wrong?"
Leorio took a breath.
"Kurapika, there's someone I know who wants to meet you."
Kurapika sighed.
"What could I possibly have in common with someone you know?" he asked as he stood up inside his modest room.
Leorio held his breath before speaking.
"The person who wants to meet you is my Nen teacher. He said the matter concerns the Kurta Clan and the Phantom Troupe..."
"He could have found you himself, but he wanted to contact you through someone you trust."
Kurapika's eyes turned scarlet and remained that way for three or four seconds. He was trying to fully process what he had just heard.
"Alright..." he said.
Normally, Kurapika had no interest in discussing himself or his mission with anyone. But because the subject involved the Kurta Clan and the Phantom Troupe, he knew he had to think differently. If there was even a chance of gaining information that could help him hunt his targets, he was willing to listen, even if it meant involving himself in matters he would usually avoid.
"Where are we meeting?"
Leorio sat back down and answered.
"I'll send you his number in a message."
"Okay..." said Kurapika.
Just as he was about to hang up, Leorio continued.
"Kurapika, the person's name is Conrad. And I want you to be careful with your words and behavior when you're talking to him."
"I don't know how much you trust my judgment," he said.
"But this guy has the strongest aura I've ever encountered. He's mysterious, powerful, and has connections. If you disrespect him, things could go in a very different direction."
Kurapika listened and smiled.
"Alright."
"Thanks. We'll talk later."
He ended the call.
While waiting for the message, Kurapika thought carefully about Leorio's warning. His first instinct was that Leorio might not be the best judge of someone's true capabilities, since combat and power assessment were not exactly his specialty.
Still, Leorio was not the type of person to warn others for no reason.
Especially not about someone's Nen and aura.
The fact that Leorio spoke this seriously suggested that he had passed the hidden phase of his training and that his teacher was truly powerful.
"Hopefully... I can learn something useful," Kurapika thought.
A few seconds later, his phone chimed.
Leorio had sent the number.
Kurapika poured himself a glass of water from the pitcher on his table and drank it. Taking a slow breath, he dialed the number.
After two or three rings, someone answered.
"I am Kura..." he began introducing himself.
The person on the other end spoke first.
"Kurapika Kurta. You should be the last surviving member of the Kurta Clan..."
Kurapika felt his heartbeat accelerate.
Knowing about the Kurta Clan was one thing.
Knowing that he was the sole survivor was something else entirely.
"Yes," he replied.
Conrad continued.
"The information I need to tell you is sensitive and potentially dangerous, especially for you. It's not something we should discuss over the phone."
"We need to meet. What town or city are you in?" he asked.
Kurapika answered.
"Linnetown. Do you know it?"
Conrad smiled.
"Yes, I do."
"I'll be at the Linni-Nali, the five-star hotel in Linnetown, within half a day."
"Let's meet in front of the entrance."
Kurapika nodded.
"Alright. I'll be waiting."
The call ended.
Afterward, Kurapika had a clear impression of Conrad.
The man did not waste words and seemed completely focused on his objective.
People like that were often useful to work with.
Half a Day Later
Kurapika sat alone in the lobby of the Linni-Nali.
Several minutes later, Conrad entered through the front doors, wearing a simple black jacket and comfortable pants.
He walked directly toward Kurapika.
"Good. You've used In and prepared yourself. But when two experienced Nen users who don't know each other are about to meet, the one arriving at the location should always come prepared."
Kurapika looked up and examined him.
Conrad was younger than he had expected.
At the same time, he could feel the strange and oppressive aura surrounding him.
Conrad was actively suppressing his aura and concealing his strength, so the pressure was not overwhelming.
Even so, the amount of Nen he could still sense was immense.
"What are we here to discuss?" Kurapika asked as he stood.
Conrad gestured with his hand.
"Come with me to the bar."
Kurapika followed him.
The two entered the five-star hotel's bar.
Conrad sat down at a table in the corner and ordered himself a drink.
Kurapika shook his head, indicating that he didn't want anything.
Conrad took a slow breath and began speaking.
"A while ago, I visited your homeland."
"I found the Kurta Clan Monument. While I was there, I came across something."
"An item. Something created through Nen and connected to the Kurta Clan."
Kurapika swallowed.
Then he stared deeply into Conrad's eyes.