Chapter 141: Swamp Man Thought Experiment

"Finally here~!"

Having just arrived at Shanha Shi, they walked through the airport inattentively.

Gon was a bit annoyed by Killua's words, pouted, "I understand!!", and tilted his head.

"But what exactly happened?"

"I don't know. That idiot just said, 'If you're free, help me.' That was Leorio's 'Kurapika is rotten!'"

Facing Killua's answer, Gon smiled again.

When Killua reported to Sora that he had passed the Hunter Exam, he learned that Sora and the others had fallen into trouble again.

However, it wasn't just that Sora and the others didn't talk much. At the very least, Sora and Kurapika did not want Killua and Gon to be in danger because of their involvement, so they basically would not ask for help, but Leorio was different.

It was the same for him; he didn't want anyone to get hurt because of his own mistakes, but perhaps because he lost a friend in the past when he had a way to save him, he would spare no means to achieve his goal.

So, if I could contact Leorio directly, I should be able to get more information, but neither Killua nor Gon did so.

That was because Sora, who shouldn't ask for help because he didn't want to be in a dangerous situation due to his own involvement, asked for help very easily, but unusually, he said: "If you are free."

If the reason was that you wanted to ask Killua or Gon to do something you knew wasn't dangerous, Killua was a little dissatisfied, but that was fine.

It was much better than an adult stubbornly saying "I don't want you to get into danger."

If you heard this story, you would immediately know which one it was.

But if it were the latter, after hearing the details, Killua and Gon seemed unable to stand at all and completely lost their cool; I didn't ask because I felt it would be better to feel uneasy about what happened.

... The reason Sora said "If you are free" so lightly was because he wanted you to think, "What did that idiot do?" to know.

So I became more and more anxious, but for the two of them, I had to stick to the possibility that "it's no big deal."

So, Gon shook his head as if to dispel the uneasiness in his chest and casually changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, hurry up to the real world here because I'm back, I could hardly tell Biscuit what happened. Now that I think about it, I should talk to Biscuit and have him come with me."

Hearing Gon's words, Killua also agreed, "Ah, it should be like that." You just sent him away without saying a word, right?

Killua tilted his neck deeper because of Gon's unusual reaction, and Gon still didn't answer.

Biscuit did not question Killua when trying to take Gon out, and the reason he didn't use an uppercut to knock him down was "Calm down!!" and the same as Gon.

Killua forced me to say, "Tell me more." Because he couldn't even say that, Gon decided that if he didn't know, it was better not to talk to Killua, whom he knew best. Good friend.

If I pointed this out, he would definitely be useless for a while because of his shame.

So Gon changed the subject again.

"Well, there's no point in talking about things that don't exist now. Instead of saying that, let's go to the hospital Leorio mentioned."

Killua glared at Gon, clearly lying about something. Mobile Phone Beetle was called out when I tried to use the map function.

"Hey! Gon! Killua!"

Wearing a familiar tall black suit and sunglasses, the usual Leorio shouted "Yo!" in his usual tone.

Seeing this, the uneasiness of Killua and Gon eased a little.

For better or worse, he was not the type of person to lie to his comrades.

So, the two finally boarded the taxi Leorio sent to pick them up and decided to listen to the detailed story along the way.

"Doctor, Leorio, I'm trying to persuade you to rest!

A seriously injured man who almost lost his life a month ago, instead of going for a walk, he goes to pay respects!!"

"You are that kind of person, you should be quiet, you big idiot!! Leave there first! Leave there immediately! The whole story starts from there!!"

"If there is a real chance, don't flirt!! Explosion!!"

"Oh!"

I knew they would make a fuss before entering the ward, but as soon as they entered the ward, Killua was angered by what he saw and threw the luggage he was carrying onto Sora's head with a relatively unreserved fastball.

It was a hospital in the town, but the town itself was rural and not very developed, so the hospital was one story, small, and the facilities were not complete.

There were small cracks everywhere on the wall, and if you looked closely, bugs were going in and out without thinking. It was not a hospital worth bragging about, but that was also why Kurapika was the only inpatient; although the room was large, it was completely rented out.

No, on the contrary, if there were other unrelated inpatients, Sora would not do such a thing.

Kurapika still wanted to force his way out before he was fully recovered, and a horse riding on the bed stopped him.

When he realized he was in the same state of panic as Illumi, he was unknowingly hit by Killua's Goo and fell off the bed.

"K-Killua... I'm saved..."

"It's not like I helped you!

I mean, Sora! You really have nothing to worry about, but you are a genius at wasting all your worries!

Put it back! Seriously collect interest for my worries and pay it off immediately!!"

Kurapika, who was ridden by Sora, thanked him sincerely while tidying up his hospital gown that was messy when he resisted. Killua probably didn't realize that he, an disobedient person, was trying his best to expose his worry for Sora.

Gon gave Killua a wry smile, and Leorio looked at him in surprise, but he didn't stop.

Killua heard Leorio say that Sora's eyes were stolen, and his face turned pale instantly.

And no matter how much Leorio said "I'm surprisingly good," he didn't turn pale and fell silent.

"Sorry... sorry Killua, sorry for making you worry."

"Teeth?"

When Sora, who fell from the bed, picked up the bumped Goo and said this, Killua looked puzzled.

It didn't matter to Sora if he didn't notice he was making such a face.

Even if this woman didn't wrap thick bandages around her eyes like in Yorknew, as long as she wasn't blind, everyone here could anticipate what Sora would do. I knew it without it.

After handing over the bag thrown to Killua, it must be Junzi, just as Sora said himself, pulling him up and hugging him.

In Sora's arms, Killua raised his voice again, "Hmm?" Sora stroked his silver hair and said.

"Killua, congratulations again on passing the Hunter Exam. Also, I'm sorry. Although you spent a lot of effort to pass, this is not a celebration; you were involved in this trouble."

These words reminded me of the phone call I received three days ago.

Before I felt frustrated by the call that came without any preamble, I was happy that I didn't want to give him a surprise.

I couldn't say the truth, couldn't say the honest words, but my heart was still warm, feeling very full.

And even if he understood so much, Killua himself would never have thought of it.

It is so trivial and idle, which is why it is a treasure of an era.

This is why the anger heated up again.

I cannot say it. I cannot tell you that I made friends. Before that, Leorio interrupted the call and said, "Please help me."

Although I knew I didn't have the luxury of speaking like that.

Even if I am in the middle of that reality now...

Child "una" trust state; however, I was angered by Sora, who tried to give me the happiness of that time.

Sora, child "una" trust state; I cannot forgive the person who did this.

... I found the reason why I cannot quit.

"~~~~Ah, at least don't get yourself involved in trouble again!!"

Saying this, Killua pulled Sora away from himself, but today Killua did not shyly reject Sora's physical contact; instead, he was rather quiet.

Gon felt uncomfortable about this, and Leorio noticed that Kurapika did not react to the interaction between Sora and Killua, turning his gaze toward him on the bed.

He is usually not as obedient as Killua, but if Sora were immature and only cared about Killua, it would be easy to understand, but today Kurapika was just looking at Sora on the bed.

He was not glaring at her jealously, but looking at her painfully, his eye sockets redder than usual, his hands clenched tightly as if to endure something.

Gon and Leorio did not have time to point out the abnormalities they each noticed before they asked.

"Gon, Killua. I am grateful that you could come, and I am sorry for the trouble of bringing Leorio, but I will let you get involved..."

Although Kurapika was on the bed, he still said it smelled like water, so everyone tried to persuade them first; their hesitation was annoying.

"You are carrying too much on your own. That guy... if you are going to look for that 'Flame Soldier' guy, you shouldn't have too many allies. And..."

"We are Kurapika's partners."

"Right, the injured should sleep quietly; we will make something happen."

"I mean, even if you stop it, I think everyone including me will act on their own, but is that okay?"

"... Sora."

Kurapika, after being told by everyone that he had no intention of backing down, disapproved of Sora's statement but remained silent for the time being.

Taking this opportunity, Killua, who pulled Sora away, sat on the empty bed and asked Kurapika: "What?" As soon as I asked, Gon and Leorio completely forgot their own discomfort.

"... Sorry, I don't know. Judging by the fact that he was fascinated by my and Sora's eyes, he is very likely a Human Collector, but still... I don't think there is anyone who can investigate the Flame Soldier. No."

To Killua's question, Kurapika shook his head helplessly.

Killua didn't seem to have high expectations either, so he continued the conversation without being particularly disappointed.

"Hmm. Then what about that 'Flame Soldier' who stole Sora's eyes? Does he look like a real friend of Kurapika?"

Kurapika did not answer Killua's question, but lowered his head and grabbed the hospital gown he was wearing.

Looking at the thick bandages under the hospital gown, Gon, who was sitting on the empty bed like Killua, narrowed his eyes in pain.

Kurapika's injury was caused by what happened last month; it had been three days, and it was still bleeding.

Even Gon was unwilling to believe that his best friend had caused such an injury.

Even an outsider like Gon thought so. Kurapika realized more painfully that he wanted to deny what happened three days ago, which was a nightmare for him and Sora.

However, perhaps because he knew that avoiding reality would not even buy him time and he would lose everything, Kurapika lowered his head and began to speak.

"... What he said, what he looked like... his personality was the same as the Flame Soldier I knew. He also knew the promise that only I and the Flame Soldier should know, so... it's hard to believe he is a fake."

... But, if you think that the person who attacked us was manipulated by a "mastermind," a capable Manipulator, that could explain it, but... the Flame Soldier is lame.

Is it possible to move a disabled leg more than a healthy person while maintaining self-awareness? If you just ignore your own physical defects and manipulate it, I don't think you even have the will to be a Flame Soldier..."

After saying so much, Kurapika held his head in his hands and fell silent.

Sure enough, it was too harsh to ask Kurapika again, and Killua said with an apologetic face: "Don't force yourself."

"Not good. Your question is too insensitive."

Killua apologized honestly, which is rare, but Kurapika probably didn't hear Killua's apology.

However, he tried to face the fact that he wanted to look away as much as possible, even though his heart was tormented by more pain than the wounds on his body.

Just as Kurapika said, that Flame Soldier was the Flame Soldier who escaped and survived the attack of the Brigade. Not Stick.

What hadn't changed in five years was the emotional shock of the Brigade's massacre of the Kurta clan, which could be explained by constitution.

But considering the harsh environment that could explain the stunted growth, it was unlikely his leg would fully heal. It should have deteriorated more naturally, to the point where you couldn't even walk.

If the Flame Soldier was forced to move by a Manipulator regardless of physical defects, the Flame Soldier's expressions and words would be unnatural.

Even just removing the body's limiter would destroy the target's brain and turn it into a crippled person, unless it was a forced type like Illumi or Shalnark of the Brigade, so if even physical defects were covered by Aura, it would be impossible. Moving, it would be even more powerful, requiring Aura.

It is hard to imagine anyone maintaining a self while being injected with this kind of Aura, and it is hard to believe that someone who allows such a thing would deliberately leave their self behind.

Kurapika knew from the beginning.

Even if I really didn't think about so much, even if I endured the pain and didn't face it, I knew this was something I shouldn't think about at all.

I know who that Flame Soldier is, and what he is.

This is why I chose Kurapika in that rain and threw it away.

If you ask Sora about that imagination, you will definitely get confirmation.

She knew from the beginning.

From the moment I first met him, I knew he was the Flame Soldier who was Kurapika's best friend, which Kurapika had said many times, so I knew he grabbed Kurapika's arm and stopped him.

But don't ask.

Once asked, that means leaving Kurapika's answer to Sora.

I cannot do that kind of power. It shouldn't be done this way. One shouldn't hope.

I cannot let her give me such miserable guidance.

This is why Kurapika voiced his "answer," not even noticing that the hand gripping his head was digging its nails into his skin.

"………………'That,' that 'Flame Soldier' is probably————"

"Hey Kurapika."

However, the "answer" was drowned out before it could be spoken.

Sora, who should have been standing beside Killua, suddenly moved and sat on the same bed as Kurapika.

However, the place he sat was not beside Kurapika, but directly behind him. She went through the trouble of circling around the bed, moved to the back, then sat down back-to-back with Kurapika and said.

"Kurapika, you Swampman Swampman, do you know about thought experiments?"

＊＊＊

It is normal for a story to start suddenly, so no one interrupted again.?"

However, Sora was already used to receiving such reactions, so he did not seem to mind, continuing the conversation alone.

"This is one of the philosophical thought experiments, don't you know? First of all, do you understand what a thought experiment itself is?

A famous philosophical work is 'Brain in a Vat'."

"……No, it's true 'Swampman Swampman', but I know about thought experiments and 'Brain in a Vat'."

"……Sorry, Sora. I don't know what this is about."

Kurapika turned his head back to answer Sora's question for confirmation, but unfortunately Gon raised his hand apologetically and said, delaying the main topic.

"Ah…… Gon doesn't matter in many ways.

That is what a thought experiment is. You just imagine an experiment on a specific subject in your mind. There are various types, such as mathematics and physics, but I am talking about philosophy.

The most famous of these philosophical topics is called 'Brain in a Vat'. Topic topic."

"Isn't this assuming 'Isn't the world I am experiencing a virtual reality seen by my brain in a tank?'"

It seems Killua knew about the "Brain in a Vat" thing; as Gon continued Sora's explanation, he tilted his head.

"Huh? What does that mean? What are you doing with this hypothesis?"

"Think about whether this hypothesis is correct. If you do it with many people, divide into positive and negative groups, put forward reasons for and against, and then discuss.

Thought experiments in mathematics and physics sometimes arrive at true answers that everyone agrees on, but philosophical topics are actually just imagination if you just unfold the story."

If I explain too detailedly, it would first be a very deep discussion on 'philosophy'. Swampman Swampman let's continue the story.

"And," Swampman Swampman, this is of course a thought experiment about identity.

The hypothesis is, 'A man unfortunately dies after being struck by lightning near a swamp. After the man dies, lightning strikes the swamp again, chemically reacting with the sludge of the swamp to produce a product identical to the deceased.'"

Kurapika listened to Sora leaning on his back, his face stiffening.

I still don't know what she wants to say.

However, I only know that I am referring to what I have been looking at, and what I have been trying not to think about by covering my ears.

Sora continued his hypothetical "Swampman" in a matter-of-fact tone, not knowing if Kurapika was leaning on him, or if he cared in the first place.

"'The new existence born from this lightning strike is' Swampman Swampman'."

At the atomic level, the Swampman has the exact same structure as the person before they died, and of course, even the brain state is a complete copy of the brain state of the person who died by lightning. It looks exactly the same.

To prove this is true, the Swampman leaves the swamp, returns home in the form of the man before he died, and acts as he did when he was alive.

……This is the hypothesis of 'Swampman'. And from this process, we have to think, 'Should this "Swampman" be defined as a fake dead person?'"

Although Gon said so much, he still couldn't say he understood "thought experiment" itself, but he tilted his head again; however, besides him, Leorio and Killua could also understand what Sora was asking Kurapika.

Gon, who didn't understand, noticed Kurapika and himself back-to-back, and except for the invisible Sora, everyone else's faces were tense. I still answered.

"……Kurapika's best friend 'Flame Soldier' stole Sora's eyes, and it is very likely similar to the 'Swampman' Sora just mentioned.

It's probably like a doll made just in case, but the memory and personality are completely reproduced. ……Are you asking if it can be called a 'fake'?"

Hearing Killua's answer, Sora's eyes widened.

Sora's question, compared to the "Swampman" Kurapika faced, was an answer Kurapika had to face and accept. However, it was still a very cruel question.

If Kurapika determined that everything about that Flame Soldier was a "fake made with Hatsu," his heart would be easier.

Since it is fake, if it is an existence created to hunt down and hurt himself, his resentment for being stolen by Sora's eyes would be stronger, but the hesitation of "Why?" disappears.

However, even if he is not the Flame Soldier himself, if his heart is absolutely a replica of the Flame Soldier Kurapika knew before he died…… then all the words he said to Kurapika are the "Flame Soldier before death" of the person who created him. If it is not "playing words and deeds like this," but "talking to himself"……

Should that "pyro" be called a "fake"?

If it is an existence created by intuition, unlike the Swampman, the body might not be able to say it is the same as the original Flame Soldier, but if the mind is still the same…… then can it be said to be a "fake"?

Because Sora's question deepened Kurapika's hesitation, Gon and Leorio looked sad, while Killua said: "He made things more troublesome……" and said nothing else.

I waited for Kurapika's answer, who opened his eyes wide and looked down at his knees, thinking with a nervous expression.

However, there is one person who will not shut up.

It doesn't matter who it is.

"Hmm? That's not true. No, comparing the Swampman to that Flame Soldier is correct, but I didn't ask Kurapika any special questions.

I don't even ask. Unlike the Swampman, the Flame Soldier is 'fake'. Even if that child's heart is the heart of the real Flame Soldier in his life."

After all, they were reminded that none of them caught up with Sora diagonally above.

Kurapika gave the answer she should have given, leaving everyone speechless.

Then, just like that, he continued speaking, as if saying it would be easier if they didn't interfere with their speechlessness.

"The definition of 'fake' is not created to deceive someone. It is.

So, I can't judge whether 'imitation' is fake or not. It is not based on a dead person, nor is anyone intending to copy that person, it is entirely a Coincidence.

That is why that child…… Flame Soldier is 'fake'. That child, absolutely was created by someone according to the will of your best friend 'Flame Soldier'…… so his body is the same as imitation at the atomic level, and even passed a DNA test…… even if her heart can be called undoubtedly 'Flame Soldier'…… that child is still a 'fake'.

That girl was born with the 'real' Flame Soldier, so I cannot change the fact that she is 'fake'."

I know, but Kurapika's words directly pointed to the fact that Kurapika wanted to turn away from the story of "imitation," and Leorio, who had stopped thinking due to the influence of the first sentence, started again, saying: "Hey, Sora!!"

However, before Kurapika could criticize Sora's remarks, he used his hand to stop Leorio.

"Stop, Leorio... Sora is also right. Although I know it's bad, I should have cut it off without thinking, but I am still lost—"

"No, you don't know anything."

However, the one who quickly sank it was the person who sent the lifeboat.

"Who said it was broken?

Kurapika. Why deny that the child's 'feelings' are fake just because that child is fake?"

Kurapika's subsequent remarks were denied by the person being followed, but Sora leaned on Kurapika's back.

Then she leaned on Kurapika's back and spoke.

"Why don't you understand?"

"It is wrong to think that what a fake does is worthless just because it is fake.

People who are moved by a fake should not be dismissed as idiots who have no eyes to see, but as idiots who have not looked at the work correctly, blinded by unnecessary things like the author.

A Fake is not an inferior or low-quality product. A fake is not necessarily inferior to the real thing. Whether it is a fake or a fake, no one can bind the feelings of those who see the work and think it is wonderful. The fact that it leaves a deep impression on someone is the reality of the fake.

Even if the existence of the 'real' disappears from this world, if it was born because of the existence of the 'real', then the rest of its life will be a 'fake'. However, things born and built as a 'fake' are 'realities' established by the 'fake', which only the 'fake' possesses.

Kurapika, even if that child is a fake, based on the fact that your best friend is called 'Flame Soldier', that child's origin is fake, but that child's 'heart' belongs to him.

It is just based on Flame Soldier; his heart was not borrowed from Flame Soldier, nor was it stolen from him.

Her past may belong to Flame Soldier, but she lives in the present. All of the child's thoughts and wishes, all the thoughts he has had since birth, are not the 'real Flame Soldier'.

Even if it is 'fake'... because she lives in the present, all her feelings and thoughts are her own 'real feelings'.

Hey, Kurapika. Even so, are you going to cut off that child... Flame Soldier?"

This made me realize that I knew nothing.

I knew from the beginning that Flame Soldier should be called a 'fake', even if he had the same thoughts as the real Flame Soldier.

Because it was fake, Kurapika's hesitation was spoiled, which was an insult to the real Flame Soldier, and I thought I had no choice but to cut him off.

However, even if Flame Soldier is a fake, Sora still affirms Kurapika's persistence, the things he doesn't want to let go of, and the things he wants to take back.

Sora's eyes reminded me of Flame Soldier, who raised his Wooden Sword and told Kurapika while crying in the heavy rain.

"I'm relaxing now."

He said with a face that could be seen crying even in the rain.

"... But believe me.

————Kurapika is my best friend."

While crying, he tried hard to comfort Kurapika... That day, the day of the exam, when he went out, he said it with the same gentle smile he had when he was Together with that thug.

Kurapika thought he was "not Flame Soldier", he said he was his friend, his best friend.

So the answer was already decided.

Although there was only this from the beginning, I was afraid of the despair of having my expectations betrayed again. Kurapika raised his face, which had been lowered all this time.

This time I looked up at the ceiling, leaned on Sora, and replied.

"... That's right. I really don't understand anything."

Kurapika had to smile self-deprecatingly, not even knowing there was no need to set a protection line, while laughing and saying.

Laughing too softly while being self-deprecating.

"... I want to save that Flame Soldier.

Unless that Flame Soldier miraculously exists for real... I don't care if he is a fake, or if someone created a fake to hurt me or you... He still thinks I am his best friend. If he did that, if his feelings are real, if those feelings are real... I cannot cut him off.

... So,... I know this is selfish, but... please.

Please help me take back Sora's eyes and rescue Flame Soldier from the mastermind."

Kurapika's true voice. After speaking his true feelings that could not be discarded, he turned to Sora and the "friends" who came to find him and asked.

He didn't want to lose anyone anymore, but he carried everything on his own, to the point where he continued to get hurt.

The answer to this appeal was immediate.

"That's normal!!"

First, Gon leaned forward and announced.

"I mean, if you still want to cut it off with electricity, I'll be angry with you."

"... I want to say everyone is sweet, but I don't know... I'm talking about my friends."

Leorio, who followed Gon, saw Kurapika's frustrated look and answered with a smile as if he were relieved, while Killua showed his usual rudeness, finally revealing a bit of his true feelings.

Responding to their answer, Kurapika smiled a little awkwardly, probably because the taste of the water had not completely disappeared, and replied: "Thank you."

After speaking, I turned my head, turned around, and met the eyes of Sora, who was also looking back.

No, the eyes that should have been suitable were taken by Flame Soldier, he said he would save them, and there was a white bandage.

This fact, even though I should have gotten an answer, made me wonder "Is this really okay?", but this doubt was immediately dispelled.

Although most of her face was covered by thick bandages, as if to Seal something, she smiled like a sunny day.

Because I know you are smiling brightly.

Because Sora smiled like this at Kurapika's answer.

This is the reason why Kurapika dispelled his hesitation and made his choice.

I held Sora's hand back-to-back and made a decision.

I have two hands, so I decided to protect her and save Flame Soldier, instead of cutting off one hand.

No matter how hard it was, Kurapika chose.

"... Kurapika, instead of not relying on us, you'd be better off not flirting at every opportunity."

"! No, I am not flirting!!"

Watching the silent exchange with Sora, Leorio, harboring the dark thought of "I'd better not cooperate," spoke with a dead-eyed, serious expression; Kurapika blushed, lacking any persuasiveness. Leorio and Killua were as irritable as when they first entered the hospital room, and even Gon looked at him with a certain expression, "What is he saying?"

Perhaps he also knew he lacked persuasiveness, for he had not yet let go of Sora's hand, deliberately coughed, and forcibly changed the subject.

"... I'm sorry, my body has not yet reached its optimal state, so I need your help.

But please do not push yourself. If one of you ends up in a situation similar to mine or Sora's, I cannot bear it."

"Hehe.

... But we don't even know where the Flame Soldier went, let alone the identity of the 'planner'."

Kurapika's forced change of subject was answered by Leorio; who knew that if he dragged it out too long, he would only feel empty, but then again, we have no information about the other party right now. I noticed it too much and bit my Tongue.

"Yes.

"If Sora destroyed the building and caused a commotion, wouldn't someone have witnessed the Flame Soldier?

"No, if that Flame Soldier was created 'just in case,' then ordinary people might not have been able to see it from the start; you cannot count on there being witnesses.

Prepare a map. My 'leading Ring Finger Chain' can be used for precise location."

Listening to Leorio's words, Killua also crossed his arms, lamenting the current immobility, while Gon actively made a suggestion.

However, unfortunately, Gon's suggestion was rejected by Kurapika, who had already regained his usual composure; instead, Kurapika himself proposed a method to, if possible, determine the location of the Flame Soldier and the 'planner' who created him.

"No, your wounds have not fully healed, and I don't have many healing gems; you still need to focus on healing your Qi."

However, Kurapika's proposal was stopped by Sora; Sora stopped leaning back, climbed onto the bed, and stared at his face.

Leorio agreed with Sora's opinion, but once he gave up, Kurapika said: "I cannot rely on people and just sleep." He did not back down.

Sora said to him: "Kurapika, if you are going to force yourself, try again...", then Kurapika and Killua would become serious again, not to mention Leorio, even Gon would say, "Explosion." Sora did it, but he didn't say it until the end.

But I don't know if I should call it good luck.

"... Hm?"

I raised a confused voice.

Touching with thick bandages.

Sora touched the eye socket that should have been empty and suddenly stopped there.

Kurapika, who was preparing to say "Stop it, idiot," noticed Sora's movements were strange and looked bewildered, but when he shouted "Sora?", a sound rang out.

"... I can see eyes."

Through the thick bandages, even without touching, knowing there was nothing there, Sora's vision suddenly recovered images other than "death."

The door is right in front of you.

First, Sora was certain that this vision was not his own.

Although it was dark and hard to see clearly, no matter how one looked at it, what Sora saw in a room that looked like an abandoned house rather than a hospital had no "lines" or "points."

But that did not mean I thought it was too realistic an illusion.

Sora was certain that he could even kill an illusion, especially since he had already lost the shackles of his eyeballs.

That is why, through the process of elimination, I almost understood whose vision this belonged to.

"... Wait... maybe I am seeing what the Flame Soldier is seeing!"

Hearing Sora's words, everyone was speechless; Kurapika grabbed his shoulder and asked back: "What is going on!?" Hearing me ask this, Leorio inexplicably calmed the three of them down, but Sora sat on the bed looking straight ahead, as if she hadn't noticed what the men were doing at all.

I don't know why the Flame Soldier's vision is the same as mine now, but that doesn't matter.

If this is truly the Flame Soldier's vision, then there is a stronger expectation; perhaps he could see a trace of his whereabouts, and if lucky, perhaps he could even see the "mastermind." Deep within the bandages, I burned the scene into my brain with hollow eyes.

Since the Flame Soldier would not look around, the field of vision would not change from the beginning. Only the door is visible.

The door opened, and someone entered the room with the light.

A man wearing a strange Mantle, thin and sickly pale, but with long hair, and few lines and dots. Without a doubt, I could assert that I had never seen him before, and he was someone I did not know.

A man said something before his eyes.

No sound, no voice. It seemed the only thing they shared was their vision.

That is why I focused my attention on what should not be Sora's eyes, staring at every word of the man.

From the movement of his lips that I read, the man probably said this.

"You are awake. My Angel."

"!!? What is this guy, disgusting!!!!!!"

"What did you see!?"

It was not bad for Sora to suddenly shout frankly with all his might.

The tense atmosphere in the ward suddenly relaxed because Sora desperately shouted out his frank impression.

"What are you suddenly saying!?"

"No way, this guy called me 'my Angel'!"

Kurapika would naturally be irritated by Sora, who broke the atmosphere as usual, but this time it was Sora's fault, yet there was really nothing wrong with Sora.

With teary eyes, he pointed to the empty space in front of him and explained the reason for his shouting: "Disgusting!!!!!!"

"S-sorry... it is indeed like that, even if I scream it is of no use."

"I mean, if Sora's vision is the Flame Soldier's vision..."

"Hm?... Flame Soldier... are you okay?"

"Killua! Gon! Most importantly, don't make me worry in the direction I least want to worry about!!"

Meanwhile, Kurapika apologized for shouting at Sora, but when he realized there was no need for Killua and Gon, he harmlessly exacerbated Kurapika's worries, which he did not want to do.

Leorio said to Sora, "Calm down," letting her calm down, "I know it's disgusting, but just look for any information."

Sora rubbed the goosebumps on his arms to soothe himself, but he did not want to miss this opportunity.

Although she hated it because she thought it was disgusting, she widened her eyes behind the bandages and read the lips of the man in front of her.

Once again, this person spun some words.

Sora managed to decipher what the man was saying as he moved his silver-pierced lips.

"I am struck by your beauty. I want to vomit."

"That's the line!!"

"What are you saying this time, hey!!"

As a result, it was broken again.

It was Sora who ruined the atmosphere, but there was really nothing wrong with Sora.

I really don't know why I had to listen to such a disgusting monologue, because I was reading lips so hard, I felt sympathy for the Flame Soldier who was being spoken to directly by a man.

Fortunately, however, the man's disgusting monologue ended there for the time being.

The man disappeared from sight, replaced by a sudden rise in the field of view. Then he left the room through the door the man had entered.

Considering that the field of view when the Flame Soldier was standing was significantly higher than the Flame Soldier's height, and the view swayed up and down while walking, it seemed that the Flame Soldier was currently being held by a man.

After telling her this, she asked her friends to keep quiet, while Sora put into words what the Flame Soldier had seen with his own eyes, lest she forget.

"Just now... I left the room and walked to a place like a balcony.

What I saw was... a sunset. A strange rocky mountain... there was a mountain with a round hole that looked like it had been cut through the middle of the rock, and... on the right was a river...! A man came out!!"

While I was talking about a scene that looked as faithful as possible, that man appeared in front of me again.

Because it was in a dark room before, and because she was concentrating on lip-reading what he said, Sora hoped to finally be able to see the face she had been unable to see properly, but he disappeared quickly. Helpless, he clicked his tongue.

It was better than the room, but because of the backlight of the sunset, the man's face was plunged into deep shadows, and sure enough, his face could not be seen clearly.

However, I knew it was a stranger after all.

"... Sorry, I really can't see his face clearly because of the sunset's backlight. But he is not someone I know.

Does anyone know him? He is tall but thin, and he is a man in his twenties or thirties with a piercing on his lips... and the design of the Mantle on his body is also quite unusual. It is so unique that I don't even know how to explain it."

Sora tried to name the characteristics of the man who was presumably the "mastermind," but everyone shook their heads helplessly.

However, Sora could not see their reactions now.

Not only that, I also saw something that should not be ignored.

"The Sun is bad for your eyes.... Go, sleep."

I hadn't looked at it properly before, so I couldn't be sure, but the man must have said this to Sora... He reached out to the Flame Soldier who possessed Sora's eyes and covered his eyes with his palm.

I saw it very clearly at that time.

Something was engraved on the man's palm. It was—

"... Twelve legs... a Spider's... Tattoo!?... The number is... four?"

On his palm was a giant spider with the number "4" engraved on its body.

There, Sora's vision returned to normal.

A scene filled with "Death."

The "vision" was stretched like capillaries not only for living things but also for objects, and "blind spots" glowed with a pale light everywhere.

Although he had lost his sight, by looking at "Death" in this way, he was still able to grasp the surrounding situation to a certain extent, and Sora listened to the reactions of the people around him.

"Eh!? That's proof of the Phantom Troupe, right?"

"Are you saying the Brigade came for revenge!?"

If Gon was surprised by the information Sora brought him, and Leorio leaned back slightly, stealing Sora's eyes, then the culprit was the Phantom Troupe, which presented the highest possibility.

However, Kurapika denied this possibility.

"No, it's not. At least it's low.

I have insurance on the 'just in case' I put on Chrollo, so if it were removed, I would know. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been resolved yet, so... it's hard to imagine that I gave up a hundred steps and got Sora."

"Hmm? I'm the one who sealed Chrollo's Nen Ability. Have you been warned about those guys in the Phantom Troupe?"

Faced with Kurapika's rebuttal, Sora, who was the basis of the argument, said something surprising, and the atmosphere relaxed again.

But this was not bad for Sora. In the second half of the Brigade turmoil, "Sora" appeared and moved instead of Sora, so the person the Brigade would be wary of was "her," and this person herself knew nothing. I might not know for the rest of my life.

And because of this situation, the unexplainable Kurapika deceived him by saying: "Yes, it's like you are diagonally upward," and in a sense, Killua intervened to correct the course of the story.

"So, number 4 is Hisoka's number, right?"

"Yes."

Based on the information Killua recalled, "Hisoka who joined the Phantom Troupe under cover," Sora made the most logical guess.

Moreover, if this guess is true, the possibility of the Brigade becoming an enemy again is small, so I hope that is the case.

The camaraderie of the Brigade is much stronger than I imagined, but I firmly believe that precisely because they are strong, they will not stand on the side of that "Number Four."

Kurapika holds Chrollo's life in his hands; whether "she" wakes up or not, the Phantom Troupe Spider can be said to be Sora, Chrollo's natural enemy. Before Chrollo's renunciation is completed, she arbitrarily decides for her own selfish desires, not for the Brigade; she should be an unforgivable partner. Not accepted as a companion, on the same level as Hisoka who joined the team under the guise of a disguise, or even worse.

So, I didn't expect to become an ally on this side, and no one asked for it, but 'Kurapika might become a dead person, and there is no hope for Chrollo's annihilation.' The Goddess of Heaven will return. I thought that unless the problem of "awakening" is solved, the Brigade will not use the "Fourth."

Everyone agreed with this point of view, which is why I am saying now, "Is that '4' really the Phantom Troupe Spider?", but rather exploring the scenery Sora saw.

"There is a river nearby, and a stone mountain with a round hole in the middle, right?"

Repeating the characteristics of the scenery Sora saw, Kurapika wanted to stand up, but two arms reached out from behind and hugged him tightly.

Kurapika not only hugged his neck, but even her long legs hugged his torso tightly, and Kurapika fell backward onto the bed.

"! What are you doing again!?"

"That's my line!! How many times do I have to tell you to rest!?"

Gon! Killua! Leorio!! While I am suppressing you, please collect information at the necafe!! The other party is a pervert with an eyeball fetish. Unless there are eyes like mine or Kurapika's, I don't think he will be interested, but I really don't want to go too far!! Honestly, the scene I saw was intentional, it might be a trap!!"

Once again, Sora ignored everyone's order to "calm down" and hugged Kurapika's back tightly, as Kurapika was about to take the initiative to collect intelligence.

Seeing this, for the first time in a while, Leorio muttered "Explosion," and Gon gave a bitter smile, worried that Killua was in a bad mood again, and tilted his head to look at his best friend.

However, contrary to Gon's expectations, Killua did not swell up.

He said with a pained look in his eyes.

"That's just what I'm saying... don't go too far. So, don't make me go too far."

Saying this, Killua got off the bed he was sitting on and left the hospital room.

After seeing him off, Pokkle, Gon, and Leorio rushed over.

"What's wrong, Killua? This is very unusual. Are you already jealous of me?" If I hadn't mastered the "Catalog," that is a power that would surely collapse.

However, the situation was still the Killua that Gon was familiar with, and feeling sorry for Leorio, Gon asked with a slight sense of relief.

"... Hey, Killua. What's wrong?

It was only a little bit, but Killua's appearance was different from usual, wasn't it?"

I wasn't sure. It was a faint sense of incongruity, easy to forget.

But when Gon definitely felt that sense of incongruity and asked him worriedly, Killua stopped in his tracks and stared at the hospital corridor while answering.

"... I'm trembling. His hands."

Gon and Leorio didn't understand what he was talking about, nor did they understand what he meant.

However, I understood the following words.

Precisely because they understood, they felt deeply self-reproachful for what they hadn't realized and didn't understand, and bit their lips.

"... That guy... Sora, although he really wanted to hug me, he was trembling as if he were afraid to hold... to touch me."

"... He stroked me and hugged me with hands that were trembling like something fragile."

This made me realize how self-righteous my worries were.

He knew Sora's eyes had been stolen, and that she had lost her sight to everything except "Death," but even though he knew, Killua didn't know until that moment when Sora hugged him that there was no such thing.

With normal vision, if a healthy person only has about 10 "lines" and a few "points" on their whole body, touching is no problem unless there is great carelessness or an unfortunate accident.

However, although nothing can be seen except "Death," if it is a field of vision that can grasp movements to a certain extent... in the darkness, the "Death Lines" like capillaries emit a pale light, forming a shape; this is precisely where you need to be very careful when touching someone or something.

I cannot imagine how terrifying that must be.

With just a touch, my fingertips would pierce too many fine lines, pierce countless points, and the terrifying power tells me so.

Despite this, she still touched me.

He hugged me.

So Killua wouldn't draw.

"—I will take back those eyes as soon as possible."

I didn't seek help, and I decided not to quit, because she smiles for someone even while in hell.

＊＊＊

In the hospital room that Killua and the others had left, Kurapika lay on the bed, still holding Sora.

It was quite embarrassing, but since Sora was snuggling against him and wouldn't let go, Kurapika spoke to Sora on the bed, praying that the patrolling nurse wouldn't come over.

"... Sora.

"I'm sorry, Kurapika."

Kurapika should have been in a terrible situation, but for some reason, Sora was still holding Kurapika and apologizing to him.

"... Weak, I'm sorry."

Hearing this, Kurapika sighed deeply and moved Sora's hands and feet away as she lay there.

In fact, the strength to remove it immediately was just right. Even now, when Killua and the others entered the hospital room.

Since that day, ever since the Flame Soldier looked away, Sora knew he was afraid of touching anyone.

I knew this ever since you stroked my head with trembling hands in the car.

I know what you are afraid of.

This is why Kurapika himself hugged Sora, who seemed relieved because her limbs had been amputated and injured.

While lying down, I turned my body over and hugged Sora face-to-face.

"... If you are afraid of touching me, you don't have to touch me; just feel my body temperature and heartbeat like this."

Forgive what Sora is afraid of, and give her what she wants.

Even in a world where only "Death" can be seen, he proved to her that he was still alive.

"... Sora, don't apologize. It's okay to be weak. It is because you are afraid of 'Death' and hate 'killing'... that you have this 'weakness,' and I have been saved, I have been saved many times, continue—"

"It's okay to be weak... just as you always forgive my weaknesses... I am much weaker than you... but if your weakness misses something, I will make up for it and pick it up. I will tell you."

Just like three days ago, Kurapika trembled, as if he were comforting her... just as Sora was stroking Kurapika's head, as if to hold her tightly, he caressed and hugged Sora's small, thin frame, who could only be seen as a wounded person.

In those arms, Sora said.

"... Thank you."

Kurapika made up his mind and hugged Sora even tighter.

Restore her eyes as soon as possible.

I have already decided what to pay for this.

Kurapika looked over Sora's back at the materialized Holy Chain.

Once my physical strength recovers for another day or so, I will be able to use it fully and check my Aura levels.

(... Fortunately, my eyes were not stolen.)

I think I added redness to my field of vision.

If it wasn't Sora but these eyes that were stolen, it is because of this that "Absolute Time" cannot be used, and because that healing ability "Holy Chain" cannot be used, I judge that I am still in the lucky category now.

... If Kurapika can shorten Sora's pain even by shortening his own lifespan, that is a lucky category for Kurapika.

"Bad temper"

As I placed the Flame Soldier back onto the chair, I heard a harsh sound from behind me.

"What are you saying?"

"Don't be angry. The story won't progress."

The man who turned around... Omokage answered with a faint smile, while the "young girl" who was criticizing him shook him off with a look of displeasure.

"Are you trying to lure 'those children' by showing unique mountains and sunsets during the easy-to-understand time?"

Standing before the door, the young girl with beautiful green and black hair said, and Omokage deepened his smile and walked toward the young girl.

He knelt beside the young girl, winding her black hair around his fingertips while speaking.

"Why are you angry? You want to see 'her' as soon as possible, right?"

Hearing this, the Flame Soldier sat down on the chair and lowered his eyes.

However, the next moment, I unconsciously opened my dejected eyes and cast my gaze toward Omokage and the young girl.

"That is the reason I am angry.

You, pedophile pedophile? If I said such creepy words, that child would say: 'You are too creepy!!', instead of avoiding this completely."

The heartless words made Omokage freeze, and the Flame Soldier stared awkwardly at Omokage's frozen back.

Ignoring the reactions of the two men, the young girl pulled her hair out from Omokage's Finger, raked it up, and became even more Heavy.

"Do not let yourself decide my thoughts.

Even if I was created by you, I cannot resist you, even if I was born from the heart of 'that child'... thing.

I am your property, but I am not you. Will you remember that? 'Puppet Master of God'"

The Flame Soldier widened his eyes, looking at the girl who sarcastically called herself Omokage.

The Flame Soldier was dazzled by the girl who, like herself, could not disobey Omokage's orders, but had not lost her firm "self" for even a moment.

For some reason, Omokage also instructed her: "Stop flapping your mouth!"

His mouth twisted in frustration, and he only spoke as much sarcasm as possible.

"............ Ah, so that's how it is.

I have not forgotten that you are my Puppet, but your knowledge is important. In order to make my Puppet more perfect and complete, I need your understanding of this world..."

Omokage said implicitly: "Therefore, I now allow you to use impudent words and deeds until you have used them all up." But the girl ignored Omokage's words with a cold face.

Regardless of whether she realized it, Omokage grabbed the girl's chin, forcing her to lift her head and make her spit it out.

Once these words were out, the Flame Soldier's expression shifted from respect and hope for the young girl to despair, realizing it was nothing but an illusion, and he quietly lowered his eyes again.

"Before that, I beg you. '――――――――'"

The "name" of this girl was so desperate.

After watching this movie, I told the friend who went with me, "I'm glad I didn't shout 'kimok!!', when Omokage said 'Wake up, my Angel' a beautiful memory, my friend told me the truth, saying: 'Everyone in the movie theater was great.'"

At that time, even if there were customers in the movie theater shouting "kimotto!", I probably wouldn't have been angry. On the contrary, he might have clapped his hands and thought from the bottom of his heart: "Well said!".

With Sora's frank impression of remarks like "my Angel", I had wanted to delete it, but the plan for the next story was shorter than I imagined, so I put it down.

I think it is obvious who the last "girl" is, but I will find the answer in the next episode soon, so please do not make Predictions like spoilers in the comments section.