"I killed that mummy-looking freak. Does that mean I can take his place as the newest member of the Phantom Troupe?"
The man in the trench coat spoke in an offhand tone, breaking the oppressive silence, as if the person he had just killed had been nothing more than some stray animal by the roadside.
The big man fell silent for a moment before answering in a low voice, "According to the rules the Boss laid down, yes. That is how it works."
"Bingo." The trench-coated man snapped his fingers. "Can I ask what number the guy I killed was? If I remember right, every member of the Phantom Troupe has a spider tattoo and a number on them."
"The one you killed was Bonolenov Ndongo, member number 12."
"Number 12, huh? Well, that's still luckier than 4 or 13."
The big man stayed quiet for a long while before finally asking, "Then what is your name?"
"Ilo."
The trench-coated man turned to look at the cute young girl standing off to the side, holding a strange vacuum cleaner and showing no reaction at all. A wickedly arrogant smile spread across his face.
…
Far away, on the Azian Continent, inside a solemn church—
"Is that so? Bonolenov Ndongo was killed? He took a Nen bullet without a scratch, overpowered Jupiter head-on, and has speed no less than Feitan's…"
In the center of the church, a young man held a cell phone in one hand and spoke in a gentle voice. He had a purple cross tattoo in the middle of his forehead, blue earrings hanging from both ears, slicked-back hair, a black coat with an inverted cross on the back, and dark eyes that seemed faintly shadowed.
"So his name is Ilo? He can fire enormous blue spheres with tremendous destructive power? Then he really is an Emission-Type, just like you. A knockoff Krillin, huh?"
This man was none other than the leader and founder of the Phantom Troupe—
Chrollo Lucilfer.
"Yeah. That's what it looks like." The heavy voice on the other end of the line belonged to the hulking, Frankenstein-like Franklin.
Franklin, member number 7 of the Phantom Troupe, was an Emission-Type Nen user.
He looked fierce, but in truth he was honest by nature and considerate toward his comrades.
When Kurapika imprisoned Chrollo Lucilfer in the original story, the Troupe members had once clashed over whether to rescue him. Yet Franklin managed to calm the dispute through persuasion alone, which showed just how much quiet authority he held within the group.
He had also been one of the Troupe's earliest members. His main role was combat, but his personality was steady and loyal. Within the group, he gave off the air of an elder. His influence was no less than Shalnark's, and when it came to mediating internal conflicts, he was even better. He could even talk impulsive people like Feitan and Phinks down.
"We ran into him in Meteor City, and from the start, he really was aiming to join the Troupe. I also contacted Shalnark. He used his Hunter License to search online. Based on the man's build, outfit, and name, he couldn't find a single trace of him. No background records. Not even any sign of transportation use."
Of course there was no information.
Ilo had not even existed in this world for a full month yet.
As for transportation…
Did Ilo, who could fly, need any transportation at all?
"No background at all, huh? No followers on Echo Road, and he wasn't born in Meteor City either?"
Chrollo fell into thought.
"Then let him join the Troupe. He'll replace Bonolenov Ndongo as number 12. I don't have the time right now to look for a new member, and the Troupe's rules are the Troupe's rules. Later, I'll have Machi sew the spider tattoo onto him. For now, let's just watch and see what his real motive is."
"And the full gathering on August 31?"
"Bring him along. On August 31, we gather in Yorknew City."
After hanging up, Chrollo's eyes revealed no emotion at all. A short while later, he dialed another number.
Far away, on the 200th floor of Heavens Arena, a petite, beautiful girl with long purple hair tied into a small braid, wearing a white shirt and black tight-fitting boots, was watching the match in the ring.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Floor Master Qualification Match! The winner will earn the right to challenge a Floor Master!
"As everyone knows, anyone who reaches the 200th floor is already a powerful fighter. Advancing any further only gets harder and harder.
"But if a fighter fails to compete within the required ninety days, they lose their qualification. On this floor, ten wins will clear the requirement, but if you suffer four losses before reaching ten wins, you're eliminated.
"If you can win the challenge for one of these upper floors, you can seize the title of Floor Master, monopolize that floor, and enjoy both fame and a life free of worry. Every floor from the 220th to the 250th belongs to a Floor Master.
"In addition, there is also the once-every-two-years fighting tournament. Win that, and you can move into the very top floor—the 251st floor!
"But today's Floor Master Qualification Match is anything but ordinary! Both fighters have already won nine matches each. Whoever wins one more bout will earn the right to challenge a Floor Master!
"And now, let me introduce the two competitors in this match!
"From the left side, we have one of Heavens Arena's most popular fighters! He is known for ending his opponents with savage, brutal killings. What he loves most is the wailing of his enemies as they die! Since reaching the 200th floor, he has never once been defeated! Please welcome our Floor Master candidate—Blood Shark, Sabitovich!"
"ROOOAR!!!"
The spectator stands erupted into thunderous screams.
In the midst of that feverish atmosphere, Blood Shark Sabitovich strode onto the stage bare-chested, a blood-red shark tattoo emblazoned across his chest. His body was packed with thick muscle. He had tiny eyes and heavy lips, and he kept waving both hands at the audience while striking pose after pose.
The moment Blood Shark Sabitovich entered the arena, the crowd exploded like boiling oil set on fire.
"This guy's really popular, huh?"
Up in the stands, Gon Freecss, Killua Zoldyck, and Wing sat together, visibly uncomfortable as they looked at the roaring crowd. None of them could understand what exactly these people found so exciting.
"Human beings are like that." Wing adjusted his glasses. "No matter how timid or cowardly they may seem in ordinary life, deep down they still carry a cruel, bloodthirsty side. They've always liked scenes like this."
"Mr. Wing, the way you talk sounds just like one of our companions."
"Does it?"
"Yeah. He's also Android 18's husband."
"Android 18's husband? You mean Android 18 is the one who's about to enter the ring now?"
"Yep!"
(End of Chapter)
[200 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
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