Chapter 115: Victim

"Mr. Abaki. And, Jack. It's a customer."

The clown acting as the host knocked on the door of the hotel room that doubled as a waiting room and sleeping quarters, calling out to the acrobat and the mother-daughter duo holding knives inside.

"A customer? Not just me, but Jack too?"

Abaki did not know if it was only him, but he also did not know any guests of his daughter, so he did not open the door and asked with a ferocious expression.

With that confirmation, Abaki's expression became even more grave; he usually kept himself wrapped in a dripping Aura, and he ordered Jack to step back.

"No, we will protect your mother too."

However, Jack refused Abaki's instruction and hugged her waist tightly.

I love my daughter's bravery, but because I love her, I want her to listen to what I say.

So, Abaki told her not to go out in front of him and carefully opened the door with a jump rope wrapped in Aura.

"Which one?"

"Yes. How about lunch?"

Abaki's voice and face were the exact opposite of his firm tone; the familiar person made Abaki's vigilance ease slightly.

A woman wearing a bodysuit, possessing a mysterious beauty that was both masculine and feminine, with pure white hair tied with a Red Ribbon.

The owner of an unforgettable appearance was one of the two people who protected Jack when Jack was looking for Jack, before Jack disappeared during the daytime rehearsal.

After staring wide-eyed for a moment, Atalante lowered her head and quietly looked around.

It seemed only she had come here; when I confirmed that there were no other beauties with unique hairstyles like cat ears around who were particularly concerned about the other Jack, I asked her about the clown I brought... but he was not a member of the troupe.

"Do you know each other?"

"An acquaintance, or rather, the person who protected Jack during the day."

Hearing Abaki answer this way, the clown boy smiled in a friendly manner and began to introduce himself to the other party: "Is that so?"

About five years ago, he met Abaki while attending a lecture in this small town and took care of him for a while, so he worshipped Abaki like an older sister; perhaps by extension, Jack was also cute, and he also looked for Jack during the day because he helped me protect Jack, and although he was blunt to the person protecting Jack, he still said thanks many times, even if it was funny and exaggerated with his makeup.

Between them, Abaki said to his opponent... to Sora.

"Thinking back, I was too anxious and didn't thank you at all."

"John, it's fine, it's fine."

Abaki carefully invited Sora into his daughter's room, interrupting their conversation so as not to appear unnatural.

The clown named John seemed to be wondering if Abaki's caution had paid off, or perhaps he was thinking nothing at all; he seemed to have no suspicion, smiled happily, and left.

Then, Abaki placed Sora in the room and then carried his back on his back as if protecting his daughter.

"... Besides me, what do you want with Jack?"

"I have no intention of hurting you. On the contrary, I have done my utmost to prevent that from happening."

"You know there is no Malice, so you let me into the room, right? Then why don't you listen to the story first?"

Answering Abaki's question, Sora gently raised his hands with his usual soft tone and demeanor, showing no hostility or Malice.

Even if he hadn't done that, Abaki knew he didn't have that kind of thing. Just as Sora said, that was why he personally invited them into the room where they had nowhere to escape, even if it meant John couldn't hear anything for the time being.

From the first time I met her, and that person who is no longer Together with me, I knew that both of them were Nen users far more skilled than I am.

That person came alone, and the Aura on his body was incomparable to when we met during the day; after entering the room, even that faint Aura deliberately disappeared.

He did not raise his hands, but realizing that he had no hostility and no intention to fight, exposing his own defenselessness was a sign of his sincerity.

However, her sincerity was enough for himself, but Abaki's vigilance did not fade because she said she also had a connection with his daughter.

It would not fade, but... when I think about what happened during the day, I want to believe in the other person.

A shy Jack, lost and relying on me.

I want to believe it was she who stopped me from hitting my daughter with the rope I was holding in my hand, in my inexplicable anger.

"... Don't move from there, speak."

So Abaki held his daughter as if protecting Jack, glared at Sora, and listened to Sora's request.

＊＊＊

After finishing the performance of the troupe to which Abaki and Jack belonged, Sora and Atalante decided to mainly Collect information about Abaki and his son.

"

They had only known each other for three days, but Sora knew that Atalante was less of a child-lover and more of a trauma and OCD sufferer, viewing children as "objects that must be protected."

So, even if the perpetrator had lost their personality and become the system itself, Atalante himself stated that he did not want to kill a child who had once been a victim again. Responding to Sora's reaction, it continued like this.

"Of course, if you kill those pure-hearted children, I will chase them to the ends of hell and kill them."

I said a very scary thing lightly, and the person who said it was also very relaxed, smiling happily, and retorted: "You are truly ruthless to anyone other than small children."

In short, I believe Sora would not do such a thing, so even if the other party attacked me, if it were Sora, I believe Atalante would not beg me, and would try to do something without killing me. Because of this, Sora understood that he had left things to him, which is why he was happy about Atalante's threat.

Atalante's trust was overestimated, but Sora still smiled happily.

Even Sora did not want to kill her. So I was glad he believed he would not kill me, so I had no choice but to live up to this expectation.

Even if those expectations were not met, even if her hands were stained with her anger.

Even if Atalante's expectations were nothing more than things that became friends because he did not know Sora's past or circumstances, he did indeed want to meet those expectations, even if he did not expect them.

Thus, Sora completely Recaptured his Aura, lowered his body's defense to below the level of a normal person, and temporarily told Abaki and Jack.

We are Professional Hunters. Why did you come to this small town? What is happening in this small town?

While speaking of the culprit, he shouted.

Why did Sora come to visit them? Knowing he would tell them this, Abaki hugged Jack tightly and shouted.

"Jack is different!"

"Yes, I know."

"Because Jack came here about a month ago... hmm?"

Abaki's denial was immediately affirmed by Sora, and as a result, when Abaki said halfway through that Jack could not be the culprit, he suddenly froze when he realized he had been greatly wary.

Sora watched Abaki's reaction, still holding her daughter, body stiff, continuing to tell the story with a look of satisfaction.

"Yes, your troupe's performances began a month ago, so the previous events do not align with the time Jack came to this small town. You brought Jack into the troupe as your 'daughter' half a year ago; I have already heard from other members that it was in another town, so I already know that Jack could not have participated in the series of events in this town."

"First of all, if Mr. Abaki has no biological or adopted children other than Jack, then even if Jack were an evil spirit that mimics a match-pump and induces abuse, she would have been possessed by a living child. Since one should not become a true victim unless there is a real victim, my point is that regardless of Jack's true identity, this child has nothing to do with this series of events."

Sora said pointedly: "It is possible for an abused child to have become a dead person, who would automatically kill parents under the same conditions as when they were killed." The first possibility mentioned was whether Abaki knew Jack was a dead person, and whether she knew the "possibility that Jack is the culprit"; I just wanted to see how you would react.

Abaki's reaction was the one Sora and Atalante, who were not present, wanted most; Sora laughed happily, only he himself being inappropriate.

Abaki, who knew nothing about this situation, was even more confused by Sora's smile, but she thought Jack's true identity was recognized from her story, yet the other party was naturally more accepting of Jack's true identity than she had imagined. And I, I was relieved because I was judging calmly.

But relieved before that, "Who is this child? Are all Professional Hunters like this?"

Sora continued to explain to the confused and misunderstanding Abaki.

"What you just said was one possibility, and then Atalante and I thought the possibility was low; the other possibility is the reason I came."

"Another possibility?"

There was no suspicion of Jack for the time being; she knew she had no intention of doing anything to her daughter.

However, as the story of the "other possibility" that Sora spoke of progressed, the strength of the embrace of her daughter became stronger.

This was not an embrace to protect her, so she would not be robbed.

"……It's okay, Mom."

In Abaki's arms, Jack looked up and said to her mom.

With the child's attention, Abaki's complexion worsened, and she continued to hug Jack as if holding him tightly.

Sora looked down at this reaction expressionlessly and said.

"You have something on your mind."

Hearing Sora's words, Abaki nodded.

Another possibility.

My abused child was induced by a pleasant criminal, and after upgrading and killing it, I was killed by the same death because of the child's death.

I can deny the possibility that Jack is the culprit without hesitation. I am quite sure.

Even without the objective basis of him coming to this small town, she knew and believed in a child named Jack; I can only think so.

My victim target, if I had an idea, I am about to become the perpetrator of Jack, I would hate it.

For some reason, ever since coming to this small town, I have been irritated by Jack's pettiness, selfishness, and doting, and only now do I care.

Before rehearsals, Jack had never gone out without permission, such as during the day, so at first, I was worried about what had happened, and I reflected on my recent behavior and looked for it. However, the moment I found Jack, I was overwhelmed with relief, and my anger erupted, saying: "I brought trouble upon myself."

However, the anger and frustration she should have been unable to suppress disappeared under the scolding of the Hunter named Atalante who was with Sora.

If she were truly angry, Atalante's words should have been adding fuel to the fire, but Abaki felt as if she had been splashed with water. Connection.

My emotions were controlled by someone other than me.

The original dissatisfaction and frustration with Jack's selfishness and spoiling, such as being troublesome and annoying, should have been trivial, so that the love for Jack would be surpassed and forgotten in an instant, but it was amplified many times by "just in case." It is.

Perhaps it is not very strong for a Nen Ability, but thanks to Atalante's reprimand, I realized that my emotional fluctuations were too unnatural, so I was lucky to be able to resolve it.

"……Just in case, do you know who the culprit is?"

In order not to provoke Abaki in a way different from the beginning, Sora asked the question calmly from the start.

Hearing this question, Abaki shook her head helplessly.

Although I am also a Nen User, I did not expect to be treated with such Malice, and not knowing who the culprit is, I couldn't help but feel a little frustrated.

My experience as a Nen User was too little…… having lost the Chairman who was my teacher, I gave up the dream of becoming a Hunter by following the Chairman, and did not apprentice under anyone. Defense, so it's fine." I was so angry I wanted to punch myself because I didn't do anything half-heartedly.

……Seeing the gap between myself and a true genius, the Wall of talent, I was frustrated, but I didn't admit it, repeatedly making excuses, and doing nothing.

"……Mom"

The innocent children said, holding the person who let them call them Mom, the person who had become their Mom, in Jack's small short arms.

"It's okay. It's okay. So don't cry."

These words made Abaki want to cry even more.

I don't think of myself as a good mom. First of all, Abaki does not know her biological mother.

Unknowingly, I lived alone as a stray child, sipping muddy water in dirty back alleys.

That is how I lived until I was picked up by the Chairman who was my father's mentor, and then one day I suddenly lost that Chairman without any warning, leading to the dissolution of the troupe. I was alone again…… so I just couldn't leave it alone.

I couldn't leave a child alone, so the Chairman used to say to himself and other members, help add nine. Besides that, don't help yourself." As the saying goes, if you have magic, acrobatics, or talent, you can teach them basic "knowledge" to survive…… I can't help but reach that all that was missing was Abaki's self-satisfaction.

I know I want to save my lonely old self.

But…… however, this child trusts Abaki from the bottom of her heart.

Even when scolded unreasonably, she still calls Abaki "Mom" and loves her. Unlike other children who, after receiving money, food, and techniques from Abaki, would only say sorry to their roles and then leave, she only wanted Abaki herself.

Thus, Abaki held back the tears that were about to overflow and smiled.

"……Yeah. It's okay. Jack, Mom is fine."

I said "Don't worry" to my daughter and smiled, then Abaki raised her head and said.

"Please. I don't care, so please help me so that Jack won't become prey to such an interesting criminal or toy!"

Even if they have no blood relationship, even if they are not alive, it is certain that they exist here. I hope.

Sora responded to this wish.

"If it is for your daughter, don't neglect yourself; Jack looks sad right now."

What's more, Abaki mother I replied that I would help you.

＊＊＊

"……The culprit's rotten and immoral behavior may be the limit of my patience."

As soon as Atalante returned to an Inn near the Royal Gram that was almost full as a privilege of being a Hunter, he heard Sora's story in his room, carved a deep wrinkle between his eyebrows, and spat it out.

Sora had not yet received news from Atalante, but such a reaction was enough.

"As expected, Abaki-san does not yet meet the criteria to be a victim."

"Indeed. She has no suspicion of abusing Jack. No, the troupe members are worried now, but it is precisely in this town that she has become unnatural toward Jack. It is hard to believe they have no blood relation."

Atalante clicked her tongue, affirming Sora's answer.

After interviewing the members of the troupe to which Abaki and Jack belonged, Atalante determined that Abaki was completely innocent.

First of all, she is unmarried and cannot leave a stray child alone to be cared for, so there is some connection with the child, and there is no subject that can be suspected of "abuse."

For some reason, Jack has been by her side as "my child" for half a year, but all the members of the troupe stated, "Abaki has been strange lately. I feel sorry for Jack. When I become stronger," and as far as I know, the testimonies of the members and Abaki are consistent.

Unlike Kurapika and Senritsu, Atalante does not have the ability to judge whether the other party's words are true or false, but even without the experience of a Crime Hunter, when he testifies for Abaki herself, he can tell his relatives. I know the chance of you covering up and lying is low.

Therefore, Atalante decided that Abaki does not meet the criteria for a victim so far, "regardless of whether the abuse is certain or strongly suspected."

After listening to Atalante's story, Sora sat on the bed organizing the data, his fingers tapping his temple.

"... So far, the common point is 'abuse is certain or strongly suspected.' If the culprit is a Dog-God Type Psychic, I chose them because I thought it would be 'easy for them to go astray because of their own Suggestion,' and 'killing a child is not unnatural.' I guess."

The culprit is likely to choose his prey by prioritizing self-protection over his own enjoyment, but there are no rumors about the abuse of Mr. Abaki.

Or rather, as far as Atalante's rebuke brought him back to his senses, implying that "hating children and hurting children" should be difficult. Started hitting Jack hard..."

"... The culprit must be patient enough to want to destroy the harmonious bond between parent and child, even if he risks being considered an obvious 'incident' rather than 'just a strange Coincidence'."

The data Sora organized was organized by Atalante, who sat on the chair opposite Sora and threw it out.

However, in the end, Sora sat cross-legged on the bed, groaning.

"Hmm... that's not good at all... but this is the worst, and it's the worst because the scope of the victims has expanded and become unnecessarily untouchable..."

"But what? Is there anything worse than this?"

Atalante sat down on the chair, facing Sora, who was groaning and saying something vague, asking Sora with a confused face as if a small bone was stuck in his throat, and explained the part he was not completely satisfied with.

"Even so, I wonder if you want to put Abaki and Jack first.

The culprit is a guy with good fuel consumption, I can rarely endure it, 2 to 3 times a year, but Mr. Abaki is a Psychic, and Jack is a mortal Psychic I have never seen., is it too much to be a parent and child you suddenly target?"

Hearing Sora's words, Atalante's eyes widened and she agreed: "So that's it. It is indeed so."

For Atalante, Jack is an object that needs protection, regardless of his true identity. And as for Abaki, as a Nen Ability user, he is still very incomplete, so until he pointed it out, I thought he was a normal person, but now that I say it, it is true, and there is no more skilled opponent than Abaki, I will not aim at people with the same Nen Ability at once.

Crimes aimed at hurting the other party are all aimed at those weaker than themselves, unless the perpetrator is a battle maniac like the crazy clown. No, a more accurate statement is that it can only be aimed at those weaker than oneself.

No matter where it upgrades, if it starts to upgrade, you have skipped too many steps.

Abandoning 100 steps, if it is about Abaki, her "knowledge" is only the skill and knowledge of a layman, so it can only be understood as underestimation, but Jack does not think so.

Looking at it normally, even Atalante... or rather, Jack has completely incarnated to the extent that no one except Sora can see him, but there is no "curl" in his eyes, but a few more Aura. Just by magnifying the state, you can see that Jack's Aura is not dripping, but has always been in a "Goo" state, and the Aura is much larger than his mother Abaki's.

Even if Jack didn't notice the existence of the breath itself, that is the Dead Spirit, but although he is a child, it is a rather troublesome ability, and of course it is unnatural.

"... Are there any other common points we haven't noticed?"

"Or is there a reason for the culprit to target Abaki-san and the others?"

When Atalante mentioned the possibility of explaining the unnatural, Sora raised his index finger and mentioned another possibility.

"By the way, I don't think there is any reason to target Jack.

As an introduction, Sora also told Atalante how Jack and Abaki met and how they became parent and child.

Even so, Abaki herself said, "It's almost like there's no background or reason," and nothing particularly dramatic happened.

Half a year ago, the night-walking Abaki found Jack, who was wandering around like herself. Because of this, I hurriedly protected it.

At that time, Jack did not manifest himself in a way that ordinary people could see.

The Dead Spirit Nen was too powerful, so it might be easier to see than ordinary ghosts, but even Nen Ability users couldn't see it unless they were "Goo".

However, Abaki was able to see Jack, and Jack wore a "Goo" for self-defense.

Probably, Abaki, who didn't know the appearance and name of his biological parents, lost the father in his mind, lost the troupe in his mind, moved from one place to another, I think I can match the lonely wavelength and the Mizuko who didn't know his family.

Shortly after, Jack's self-disclosure revealed his true identity, but Abaki, who had Nen Ability but knew nothing about "Dead Spirit Nen," had no preconceived notions about Jack, for better or worse, and Jack was far beyond her. Looks like. I'm just an innocent, naive, cute child.

That's why I didn't have any sense of urgency and continued to hang out with the street children I met and took care of.

As we became companions of the night walk and taught him how to throw knives, our feelings gradually changed. I just answered.

Abaki had no reason to nod to Jack's words: "Become a mother."

It's just that I loved Jack so much that I couldn't let go of the warmth of holding her small hand, so I couldn't believe it wasn't alive yet, so I still held that hand.

First of all, I walked at night because I couldn't erase the expectation of being able to reunite with the chairman who suddenly disappeared about 10 years ago, maybe it was inevitable that we would meet.

And each other wanted "by my side" and "I want you by my side."

"The reason Jack appeared is because otherwise he could only talk to Abaki-san outside of public. Well, I asked you to perform some tricks so you wouldn't be suspicious.

Jack is of course a very special dead brain, but that has nothing to do with those two. Mr. Abaki, he seems to forget that Jack is a dead person usually, although it sounds bad, but those two basically won't think about anything. Everything just happened, and we established the current relationship."

"I see.

And it is said that he didn't meet Jack in this town, and nothing happened in the case of this meeting, so I can't see any reason for Jack to be a target now.

If the culprit knew that Jack was a very special dead spirit, there might be some intention, but it is also possible that the other party who perceived it did not understand the danger of the dead spirit, after all, it is very likely to be a target. First of all, how to make Abaki kill the dead spirit? It can also be said.

Atalante agreed with Sora's idea that "Jack did not become a target."

After Sora nodded in agreement, he continued.

"Yeah. So, the reason Mr. Abaki was targeted is... at this stage, this is at the level of accusation, but for the time being, it's not just the reason, I have a specific idea about the culprit."

"!?"

Even at the level of accusation, Atalante delved into the specific idea.

Atalante stood up from the chair, grabbed Sora's shoulder, and while questioning him, shook him violently, Sora calmed him down and said, "Calm down."

However, she was not really calm, she was just suppressing her excitement.

"I think I've seen it, or at least I know, Atalante might have talked about this in the interview, right?

He is the clown who works as a maid in this Hotel, and also the master of ceremonies for today's performance."

Hearing this, Atalante rolled her eyes.

Of course, one remembers the people one has been told about. Because he was dressed as a clown and performing as an MC, I thought he was a member of the Abaki Troupe, but he was a Hotel staff member; he had a friendly personality, a smile that people liked, and was very skilled at telling stories. I heard at the time that during the event, he served as the host, handling the makeup and appearance to match the event.

And I remember that assessment was definitely correct; even Atalante, who hates people and men, spoke with a sense of distance that made him feel most uncomfortable.

The reason it wasn't so unbearable was that the other party was still in his teens, and for Atalante, it was likely because he was a boy within the scope of protection—something that should have been unpleasant to Atalante, but now that he realized he didn't care, Atalante was somewhat surprised by his own mindset.

At the same time, I thought, "Impossible."

Of course, Atalante's disgust for humans and men was not enough to trust someone he only spoke to after asking a small question. On the contrary, my teacher warned me that I was too cautious, creating unnecessary conflicts with those around me.

Atalante had objective reasons to believe that the boy dressed as a clown, named John, was not the culprit.

However, Sora also said "I am accusing you" so naturally that I wanted to listen to her first, urging her by saying, "Why?"

And Sora, as expected, spoke without hesitation.

"Frankly speaking, it's just prejudice."

"Are you stupid?!"

Naturally, Atalante threw Sora onto his head without hesitation.

"Isn't it really an accusation! What are you thinking!!"

"No, it's definitely prejudice that makes me suspicious, but if he is the culprit, Jack's behavior would be explained."

"Jack? Did Jack say something to you?"

Perhaps knowing that there was no point in being hit, Sora covered his head with teary eyes, but without complaining, he began to explain the reason.

Sure enough, the real prejudice seemed to be just the reason for the suspicion, and the reason he thought he was the culprit seemed to be different.

Atalante was relieved by this; since she unconditionally trusts children regardless of whether they are adults or kids, she calmed down a little when Jack's name was mentioned and listened to Sora's story again.

"Jack himself didn't say anything, or more accurately, I don't think he could.

If Atalante also spoke to that clown, you know, right? He is a homeless child that Abaki-san took care of five years ago when the troupe Abaki-san belonged to came to Grangaslan."

"Ah, you said that yourself."

Atalante affirmed Sora's words.

When I asked him about Abaki, he told me happily about five years ago.

Abaki was good to me; although I was taught art as a way of life, I was born with a mild heart condition, so I wasn't good at stretching my body. But I had other talents, so because I was taught, my heart condition improved, and I could work and live normally like this—I muttered many things to myself.

So, I actually know why Sora thinks that person is the culprit.

"Sora. The reason you suspect that man, John, is because he is also a Nen user, isn't it?"

"Yeah. It seems Abaki-san told you."

When I turned this guess into words, Sora readily affirmed it.

"My body is weak, so I'm not suited for performing arts, but I have talent, so I hoped my heart would get better; I was bullied because I was sick, so the purpose of him teaching me seemed to be for self-defense in the world.

Abaki-san himself left before his teacher could teach him everything, so he was still halfway through, so he only taught the Four Major Principles and the basics of Nen, but in the three months he stayed, it seems we had already mastered 'Ten'."

"Yeah. After that, he probably cultivated in his own way. From what I've seen, as a Nen Ability user, he is stronger than Abaki."

Atalante nodded at Sora's words, affirming them, and thought of the other party.

Abaki had too little experience as a Nen Ability user; unless you carefully observe the amount of Aura and the flow of the leaked Aura compared to ordinary people around, you wouldn't know, but this boy named John was far beyond that. Compared to Abaki, who could be seen at a glance, the amount of Aura was much greater, and the Aura was not wasted; it was at a level that easily reached the passing line for a Hunter examinee.

There is no doubt that he is a suitable suspect because he not only acquired the basics of "Ten" and "Ren" but also acquired a unique personal ability, "Departure".

If he didn't let anyone other than Abaki learn "Nen", it has been two years since he met Abaki five years ago and taught him "Nen", which is three years ago when the incident happened. I can fully explain the time.

Even if you have talent, it takes a long time to reach the point where you can "Depart" on your own. I only did this because I wanted to.

Although the conditions were different from other victims, Abaki became a target. I began to suspect and thought I intended to shut him up.

Or perhaps Jack was jealous that the person he worshipped like an older sister didn't take him in and leave him alone, but treated her like a daughter.

"If he is the culprit, then there is an explanation for Jack's behavior.

The reason she got lost at noon and met us might be intentional. I love that child's mother very much, I wouldn't run away before rehearsal to disturb her mother, even if I did. 【Note: The source text here appears garbled/corrupted, translating as literally as possible to maintain the structure.】

Mistaking you for your mother is an appropriate excuse. That girl must have felt that we could help her mother, so she made a contact point first and used her Nen Ability to make her mother's emotions lose control.

Even so, that child didn't say anything because of his mother. Because Abaki-san didn't notice anything, he treated the other party as his own younger brother and trusted him, so I think that's why he hoped we would do something before Abaki-san noticed, so he contacted us."

Atalante was also a bit suspicious, but it was too convenient for them, "Jack went out before rehearsal, got lost, and met us." She agreed.

Whether Jack used some kind of ability, or because they themselves are Aura, they are sensitive to the existence of other Nen; in either case, it seems more natural to think that Jack noticed their existence and relied on them.

First of all, it is very unnatural that Jack, who is a Nen Ability user himself, did not notice the existence of the "Nen" his mother put on him; Abaki didn't know until Sora told him, and Jack didn't know either. Saying anything, so Sora's guess is the most logical reason.

The more I think about it, the more explanations I can come up with; John is indeed the culprit, but Atalante's answer remained the same.

"Sora.

Before Sora was too sure, he said it as a matter of course, so I think I have reason to deny that I am not the culprit, without even explaining it, but apparently she made this assumption purely because she lacked information about John.

He didn't know that news was natural, so Atalante, as expected, apologized to herself because her expectations for Sora were too high, and then said "Basics".

"His system is an Enhancement system.

He knows he can use the water method to check the system, and each system is adjacent, so he probably wouldn't go out of his way to create an ability that doesn't suit him, even if he self-taught; even if he made an ability closer to the Manipulation system, his parents would put it aside, although he is an ordinary person, isn't it difficult to make an ability that a falling child can also manipulate? Into the mind of the dead?"

Seeing the evidence that Atalante's John was the culprit, Sora opened his eyes wide and then asked, "Why do you know his lineage, Atalante?"

Recalling how she learned about the lineage through this question, Atalante answered with an angry face.

"When I went to listen to Abaki's story, I showed myself in the Mizumi style.

I really respect his self-taught nature, but he might not understand the threat and danger of Nen. There was no one around, but he didn't seem to know the theory that information about a person's ability should be kept secret; because the other party was Nen, so when he suddenly got the Mizumi ritual, I didn't know what to do. It disappeared."

Another reason Atalante thought he was not the culprit was that he exposed his information without being protected.

Abaki himself only had basic knowledge of "Nen", and John didn't do anything to show it to the public, but if it was someone with the same ability as himself, he would happily reveal his lineage and then have an innocent face. I also asked about Atalante's lineage.

To him, just a few hours later, Atalante couldn't help but hold his head, warning him not to reveal these things because he was unarmed and could only think that he only knew constellations and blood types.

Such a stupid exchange, and it wasn't a zero possibility, but a fairly low possibility, and there was no specific suspect, so Atalante lowered his head again and let out a weary and regretful sigh. He spat it out.

After sighing, Sora asked.

"Atalante. What is your impression of that clown named 'John'?"

Atalante blankly raised her face at this question that seemed to lack context.

"Why are you asking such a question?" She had intended to answer, but upon looking up and finding Sora watching her with a serious expression, though bewildered, Atalante decided to answer. She had done it.

"? No matter what kind of impression you give me, it won't leave much of an impression. Hmm, at first glance, he seems like the annoying type who numbly closes the distance, but he is good at maintaining a sense of distance. It's suitable for the customer service industry. I thought—"

"... For Atalante, is this a 'child that needs to be protected'?"

"Hm? No, he is indeed still a minor, so he is an object that should be protected, but compared to a child of Jack's age, I don't want to actively protect him."

"... I should tell you, this isn't discrimination based on my tastes. If you are a teenager, there is no need to help from 1 to 10. On the contrary, it is a judgment that if you don't push it to a certain extent, it is useless."

"I know, that's how it is."

If she answered Sora's question honestly, Sora would ask more questions.

After answering with a puzzled look, Sora lowered his head to think, then asked another question.

"Atalante. Don't you think John looks like Pariston?"

"Hm? Ah, the way he closes the distance and the way he always flirts are indeed quite similar."

"Don't you feel uncomfortable because he looks like him?"

From the beginning, the more questions Sora asked, the less she understood what Sora's intentions were, and she hesitated to interject: "What kind of question is that?"

So Atalante answered without raising her head.

"... Hmm, I don't think so, but I didn't say anything hurtful, so it's not painful to talk about. Or rather, you suspect him. Is that it? The bias that led to your death?"

"Not at all."

After answering, she suddenly guessed the reason for Sora's "bias" and asked about it, but Sora denied it immediately.

In that case, Atalante was bewildered, because she truly could not understand what kind of bias Sora's suspicion of John was. Sora looked at her with his blue eyes and said:

"... You, who hate people and hate men, speak quite well of someone who is like Pariston, even though you should be protected to some extent."

"Hm?"

For a moment she didn't understand what Sora was saying, but after a beat, she was convinced.

Needless to say, she had realized long ago that this boy named John had done nothing wrong to her, but he was a person who should not be praised by Atalante.

For Atalante, John was still an object that needed protection because he was still a minor, but he was old enough to live on his own. On the contrary, it was closer to something she hated.

She was good at keeping distance, she didn't say anything that would hurt her nerves, but first of all, Atalante didn't like humans, especially men, so even if you didn't enter this private space, to be honest, as soon as one appeared, Atalante felt uncomfortable with the other party, even though she knew it was irrational.

This was why she knew most of the reasons she hated him were irrational, so when she combined the self-loathing of hating an innocent person, she usually looked uncomfortable at Sora's questions. Although annoyed, while answering Sora's questions, what Atalante felt was nostalgia for the confusion and frustration of this difficult-to-understand problem.

Noticing this, Atalante said with a look of surprise.

"Yeah. Strangely enough, I seem to like him."

Sora listened to the answer silently.

He didn't say anything. It was meaningless to say so. Instead, he just pointed out that if he were to provoke Atalante, he might become a target for others, so Sora stared at Atalante with his blue eyes and only replied: "Yes."

Just like Abaki during the day, a large black spot that could not be seen without "healing" appeared on Atalante's beautiful face, rising from her temple to her entire face, as if slowly corroding it.

"Atalante. Let's go find Mr. Abaki and Jack."

Naturally, Atalante stopped at Sora's sudden proposal.

It was already past ten o'clock at night. Unless it was an emergency, it was a rude time for any kind of business, so it was common sense to stop Atalante, but if Sora suddenly explained the reason for his suggestion, she immediately withdrew the statement that "it is annoying at this time of night."

"Jack is very likely to know clues about the culprit, so if you are worried about Abaki-san and staying quiet, I'm sorry, but I think you should also hear the details from that girl."

If the culprit finds out that we are working in the form of an interview, they should also take action. Whether it is taking the initiative to attack or abandoning Abaki-san and running away, it is inconvenient for us, so we should take action on all the possibilities we can think of and what we can do now."

Just as Sora said, if Abaki had already been identified as a target, and the culprit knew they were looking for the culprit, they would definitely take some action.

Realizing the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action, even if it was rude or annoying, Atalante overturned her initial view and said: "Hurry up!" She left Sora behind and left the room.

Watching the back of Atalante running so recklessly, Sora was finally convinced that his guess was correct for the time being, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Atalante had already been affected by the criminal's fangs unknowingly, but clearly, this ability was not the type of compulsion that could completely control actions like Illumi and Shalnark as initially assumed.

Or rather, it might be neither semi-compulsory nor harsh. To be precise, he couldn't even control the opponent's movements, let alone emotions. It is better to treat it as an ability that can be easily guided in the direction you want.

However, at this stage, I have to say that whether this is lucky or unfortunate is still unknown.

After listening to Atalante's story, Sora's hypothesis about the other party's ability... if John's ability was the same as what Sora imagined, then Sora was afraid he couldn't get rid of it either.

It could be killed, but if you kill "that," it is the victim, not the culprit, and that is fatal.

However, it is possible to remove it without an exorcist.

This is why Sora did not point out to Atalante that he was doing it "just in case" like he did with Abaki, but suggested they go see Jack.

There were no lies in the reason he told Atalante.

Especially in Sora's view, the culprit had already been identified by John, so his actions and intelligence had been surpassed by Atalante to a certain extent. I regret that it is too late to take action now.

However, the main reason is that the "Ken" hanging on Atalante is very likely to be solved by the target Atalante wants to protect most, Jack.

During the day, after Atalante's reprimand made Abaki realize the unnaturalness and irrationality of his behavior, Abaki regained his sanity and removed the "Ken" he was wearing.

By the same token, Sora pointed out that Atalante could have removed it herself, but even when he pointed out earlier that she was "friendly to John," Atalante, who did not notice this unnaturalness, was stronger than Abaki... it was very likely to be hung.

Pointing out that she had Nen ability might be a chance to remove it, but it could also be a landmine that drives Atalante into madness.

This is why I didn't point it out for the time being and decided to leave it to Jack, although I am sorry to rely on others.

If Sora saw Abaki during the day and thought that if he exaggerated a certain emotion, he should evoke an emotion stronger than this one, this is why he relied on Jack.

It is certain that Atalante's feelings for Jack are greater than her trust and unquestionable feelings for John, and John's feelings have been inflated by "just in case." At the very least, Jack pointed this out, and Sora was convinced that he could not be wrong.

This belief was correct.

Atalante's top priority is always a pure and innocent child. If she were not a Manipulation type, not a request type, not a semi-compulsory type, and not a compulsory type that manipulates the opponent by tampering with and destroying the brain itself, it would be impossible to make her kill an innocent child.

The tragedy happened because of Atalante's unwavering beliefs, dreams, and reasons for existence.

No one, not even Atalante herself, Sora, or even the culprit, could have anticipated such a rapid and wonderful timing.

This was an accident at the start of a meeting, miraculously overlapping with the worst possible time.

"I'm gooooooooood aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"

The scream echoed through the Hotel corridor.

The Hotel where Abaki and Jack perform and stay. A woman's scream echoed in the corridor on their floor, and Atalante and Sora jumped out of the elevator.

That voice was Abaki's.

"Jack!!"

"Abaki-san!!"

Following Abaki's miserable scream, the guests on that floor, mainly people from the Abaki Troupe, came out of their rooms and went into the room.

Then I saw it.

Were you staring with wide, astonished eyes, or did you have no intention of resisting from the start? Atalante was the first to see Atalante strangling her own daughter, shouting "I'm sorry" over and over again, while her face was tattered and ruined.

In an instant, half of her face was covered by the same black stain.