Chapter 280

September 9, 1999.

I do not know the meeting location.

He is somewhere in Yorkshin, so I must find him before 9:00 PM and then come myself. Well, that makes me a fucking idiot.

If they told us in advance, there would be a risk of the gathering place being leaked, and if you are a Professional Hunter, you can find it yourself, right? The point is, it is being tested. I am silly, I wonder if I should go back... Why did I get involved in such trouble... I mutter to myself.

Transfer to a multi-tenant building in the suburbs of Yorkshin, November is the entrance, and move away from November. Basically, I will tell Kezhi-kun before I call for help. This is just a way to escape.... Worst case scenario, I will wipe my ass without making a call.

Two hours until nine o'clock. I should have come earlier, but honestly, I don't like it, and it's been a long time. For now, aim for the location of the collapsed building where the Underground Auction was held. Perhaps that building or the vicinity of the building is the venue. To concentrate security, the Ten-rou head might be in the vicinity. If I am in a completely different place—I don't know anymore.

Not wanting to miss it, I circled around a bit and approached the first cemetery building that seemed to have collapsed, but—

"Haha.

... Well, if it's a bluff, then it's no big deal."

No way. In a building near the cemetery building, there is a sign of a stupid person. A large number of people are gathered in the surrounding buildings.

Hmm... I wonder if a Mafia community has gathered in Yorkshin.

I don't think that many people would come to participate in the Underground Auction. Presumably, after the Phantom Troupe's turmoil ended, they still gathered from all over the world. How many people? I feel there are no ordinary people near the collapsed site, but the number of people is unbelievably large.

30 more minutes.... No, let's go.

From here, we will approach on foot. There are police checks everywhere. It is best to close the distance using "absolute". There seem to be people on the roof, so I cannot cross the roof.

The high-rise building where the population is most concentrated. I look up at it as I walk.

I thought about sneaking into this building, but it would be troublesome if it were treated as a hostile act. I feel I cannot safely escape from so many Mafia opponents. I want to avoid setting it up as much as possible. Depending on the situation.

If I fully exert my Nen Ability, Escape is possible, but the price is that my ability becomes known. I've had enough.

I arrived at the main entrance of the building where the Hard-headed elders gathered.

To me, who is not paying attention to walking, a group of strict squid-faced men suddenly started to Shoot at me.

"World.

I accepted the invitation from the Ten-rou leader.

I will arrive at the agreed nine o'clock on time."

I gently raised my hand and asked a friendly question.... I feel like I am completely unlucky, but I can tell that the other party is evaluating this.

A man with his hair tied back stood in front of me,

"Damn, how did you come?

What is your name?"

"I was just walking. No one stopped me.

My name is Uranus Cherry.

This is my Hunter License."

He took out his license from his pocket and took it out to show it. Dozens of Mafia members were roaring.

Hmm, this reaction is... Is this kid a Professional Hunter? How could such a child be a teenager? What are you doing? ──Is that so?

"Good, contact me.

Or are you not here?"

With an easy-to-understand slow movement, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at me. 6 people followed in the same way.

"Shut up.

If you make even the slightest strange move, you will die.... Follow me."

It seems you can guide me. I hope this is not hell.

In a Hotel-like building, take the elevator to the 30th floor while being pointed at by multiple guns.

After getting off the elevator, walk along the corridor covered with a red carpet. While looking at the back of the leader's head,

"Can I ask you one thing?"

"Didn't you hear me tell you to shut up?"

"This point is important.

Can I meet the elder directly?

Don't you know what to do?"

"..."

I didn't get an answer, but I think this is the instruction. I don't quite understand.

Even if you have a request for me. I think there is no reason why you shouldn't meet face to face. The Ten-rou head is the lifeblood of the Mafia community. If you don't get along, why would you meet people in person?

This might be more than I imagined, my background.... I have to be careful about that line too.

Standing in front of a big door. Wow, there are many people with Nen Ability. Well, you can't be lower than 30.

"... I brought a guest... Yes."

A man with his hair tied up hung up,

"Come in."

It seems to explain here. Hmm, a mochi shop is a mochi shop. Is it safer to decide to put it in the same industry as the Nen Ability opponent?

Making up my mind, I pushed open the double doors. ──Pitch Darkness. There is also a door on the far Wall.

When a person walked to the back, the door behind closed, and it became pitch black.

The person named Bean, who is the Chief Auctioneer, felt relieved when he saw the child sent here from the big door.

──Can such a little girl really end the fortune-telling──

If that child fails, he might be held accountable. It is doubtful whether I will be able to end my life. This seems really stupid, but now I have to grasp at straws.

"..."

In the darkness, keep moving forward to the back door. On the other side of the door, there are ten non-Nen ability users. Light leaked from the other side of the door.

Knock, knock, knock, knock.

"Excuse me."

"... Come in."

After I dutifully confirmed, the other party dutifully returned the call. Truly a voice with a good face.

Gently open the door.

A luxurious, spacious, and bright room.

Ten people are sitting around a round table in the center, with food lined up.

This room seems to have many doors. You can see high energy from the other side. Several people are preparing for battle.

If I try to do anything, it will jump in within a second.

Walk toward the round table. The 10 people at the table are all looking at me. The barbarians of the Mafia judge me in an intimidating way.

Stopped 5 meters in front. If you get any closer than this, it might stop you.

"It's great that you could come.

Thank you for taking my sudden call."

A middle-aged man with a scar on his mouth shouted at me. Since he is sitting at the round table, he is probably pretending there is no superiority among the Ten-rou, but perhaps this guy is actually the leader.

... Hmm, I'm not worried. It's like it's going to be.

"I'll take a look occasionally, are you two the Elders?"

"Oh, yes."

Take a breath. Somehow, there is almost no competition.

"I am surprised at what happened.

Through the Zoldyck and the Hunter Association, Ten-rou nominated me.

What kind of request is this for a mere Hunter like me?"

"Sorry to surprise you... We were also surprised when a child came.

Good luck finding your way here."

Uh. Are you serious? A compliment, right? This is at a level where I suspect a bluff...

"No, not just that, what is your request?

I don't mind the separate nonsense, but if you don't make it clear, I will be very uncomfortable."

"Honest person."

Hahaha, several people laughed. Let's go. You guys will be fine, but I'm risking my life.

"Alright. Let's start talking about the request.

──Suddenly, do you believe in fortune-telling?"

"Don't believe in it."

"Answer immediately. Why?"

"If you say something meaningful but inoffensive, you can expand the interpretation and make it correct.

It's basically a way of storytelling."

When I said that, several people looked at me with amused eyes. You're having fun, man... I'm not here to entertain you.

"Really.

Since that's the case, I'm going to have you, who doesn't believe in fortune-telling, meet this guy."

A man reached out and took out a piece of paper. Huh... so close?

I cautiously approached the man, less than a meter away, and took the paper. The signs around me are really dense. You don't want to commit suicide. I know.

While being nervous, read the sentences written on the paper.

Basement, everything is rising in price.

This will be your bed.

Do not take stairs you haven't climbed.

Do not compete with others for quantity.

…………

What is the content of the fortune-telling? In terms of Ryu.

It's just... specific. It's mostly readable.

"This is?"

"This is a type of fortune-telling. It is famous for reaching 100%.

I am a fan of this fortune-teller.

Even if I say so, this is not the result of my fortune-telling."

Saying this, he looked at me, testing my eyes at close range.

100% fortune-telling...

──Is that so? I'm pretty sure there were rumors that someone in the Mafia could predict the future. Who is it?

Look down at the paper again.

A basement where prices are rising... it's just an Underground Auction.

Your bed... I don't know. Don't sleep in a place like this.

Stairs you haven't climbed, don't walk... it's hard to understand, but it's like going down stairs to the basement. That is to say, don't go to the Underground Auction.... Just don't go underground, maybe, but there's usually an elevator.

I can't even compare the numbers... could it be that I'm also involved in the auction?

Then, the bed... a bit of a roundabout way, but you can tell from the sentences before and after what...

"If you participate in the Underground Auction, you will die—right?

I think a Nen User who can foresee the future expresses it in the form of fortune-telling."

"Oh..."

Eight out of ten people clapped and slapped their faces, sighing in admiration. No, no... is that the kind of thing you want to raise?

"Now look at this person.

This is the result of my fortune-telling."

He picked up the piece of paper placed on the table and handed it to me. What kind of quiz game is this...

What?

A feast of black songs, pleasant others as stains

Do not settle for lofty goals

If you hide yourself in the waves of Pitch Darkness

Go to bed without a sound

"..."

It's harder to understand than before. Hmm...

Black feast... hmm, that's the Underground Auction. I want to take a look.

Between the waves of Pitch Darkness... I wonder what it is. There must be some remote islands near the Yorkshin coast, but from the text, I can guess where they are; which one is closest to here? I feel like I am Hidden.

Lying in bed without a sound... hmm, that's it.

"Can I ask you one?"

"What?"

"Don't you participate in the Auction?"

"... No.

We are the ones in charge of the Auction. If you participate in the Auction, it would be unfair."

That is not strange. You are free to raise the bid price. Such an Auction cannot be trusted by common sense.

"Then, is it like this?

If you are a senior, don't look at the Underground Auction that you don't even participate in.

While hiding on a remote island in Yorkshin, he was assassinated.

... I think"

This time, all 10 people clapped. Wow.

"It is fast and helpful.

This is this month's fortune-telling, the first week. I mean last week.

I had a bad premonition, that was the result of my fortune-telling. Then the Phantom Troupe's attack. Honestly, I calmed down.

The first fortune-telling I gave you was for the first week, and when I received the report, I still had a bad premonition. The Shadow Beasts hurried to rush, I had Kuxin stand guard.

Most importantly, I ordered the children's Shadow Beasts to move the Auction Items that were scheduled to be exhibited."

Somehow, things have become complicated... I still don't quite understand what you want me to do.

"This is the main problem.

That Shadow Beast was killed by a Phantom Troupe."

Hmm. If it was wiped out, then so be it.

"──While holding the Auction Items."

Yes?

"I don't know where the Auction Items went."

Everyone stared at me with terrifying faces.

... Oh. Oh, is that so?

"I see, if the Shadow Beast was killed, then the Auction Items must have been stolen by the Brigade.

If the Brigade was captured by Hunters, then did we mess up the Auction Items?"

Silence returned.... As expected, don't hold your breath. I think things are just things...

"I don't know what to say, but what should I do with such a conspicuous monster? Even if it's an underground item, it's very obvious, and it's an Underground Auction item, I also don't know what is important."

"Even if you don't handle it, it is possible to confiscate it.

Because things are just things.

I know what you mean.

"Even if I don't know, I don't know...

It is not impossible for the Phantom Troupe to possess it, but Aizura might not.

Anyway, I will do a thorough body check, and if I have Hidden it, I will find out first. If I find it, I will return it later.

However, if the Brigade doesn't have it..."

"... Your fear is more serious.

That is to say, the Shadow Beast was killed in the process of being Hidden, and it disappeared without anyone knowing.

The scene where the Shadow Beast was killed has been searched, but it has not been found yet. The destruction is so great that even a thorough search will become clumsy."

"I know it will be troublesome, but...

How do I connect with it? As I said before, we don't care."

"Look at this guy.

This is the result of fortune-telling by an Elder other than me, the result of the second week."

Received the paper. Another test...

Blooming at an inopportune time

The cherry blossom spirit sinks into the past's hot water to bid farewell to the moon

The spiritual tone of Hila surrenders herself

The ground cousin lies in debt because the black goods will eventually awaken

Sigh. Who is the spirit?