Chapter 44: Sora's Magic

After being pierced by the Playing Cards, he took off his blood-stained sweatpants and put on shorts; his chest and lower abdomen were thickly covered, exposing less than a bra would, but looking like he was so cold he only had bandages. Then, Sora looked around uneasily.

"Huh? Seriously, why is the air in the wake like this? What? Did I get the return time wrong?"

After returning to the Venue, no one even gave her a retort.

However, even if Sora asked, no one could say it was nervousness, not timing, that God was wrong, or that he should have put on clothes for the time being.

Illumi moved without hesitation before Leorio and Kurapika could say these words.

"!? "

Illumi suddenly threw a large pile of Needles at Sora silently, not knowing where they were hidden or when they were taken out.

And Sora tore open the door he had entered through, wrapped himself in a kind of Aura, reinforced it, and used it as a shield to block the Needle barrage.

But Illumi must have read that Sora would use this door as a shield.

The moment Sora hid behind the door to block the line of sight, Illumi ran out, pulled a Needle filled with Aura from his body, grabbed it, and stabbed it toward Sora, piercing through the door.

However, it had already been anticipated on the other side.

Before Illumi's Needle could touch the protective door, the Sword door came apart like a puzzle, and Sora leaned forward from behind the door, looked straight at Illumi with blue eyes, and reached out.

Illumi's Needle did not reach Sora.

Before that, the back of the hand Illumi was holding the Needle with was lightly touched by Sora's cotton swab, presumably from the emergency room.

If viewed from the side, it is a terrifying weapon, even if you struggle, but Illumi knew that for this woman, for this woman, the only difference between a weapon being a knife, a branch, or a cotton swab was the length of the range.

She knew that as soon as she moved, she would break through the "thing" that only this woman could see, leading to her death.

That is why I quietly withdrew my Needle and my body.

While revealing the humiliation of an almost doll-like inorganic face, an organic face that seemed human was revealed.

And while the opponent retreated, Sora also jumped away and shouted.

"What the hell!?"

"That's the line!!"

Finally having a chance to retort, Leorio shook as the representative of the choreography! I decided to retort.

By the way, about 20 seconds had passed since Illumi's attack.

Not only the Examinees, but even the Examiner could not keep up with this sudden rapid development, and seemed to have no choice but to open his eyes, stunned by Illumi's Throw.

Among them, Netero was an exception; he kept watching without being able to do anything, amused.

"Player Gitarakuru. Your pass has been decided, but if you kill a player who has not been decided to pass or fail, your pass will be revoked and you will be disqualified.?"

"……My hand slipped."

"I'm like a body!?"

The judging committee already knew the opponent's true identity and real name, but his registered name was "Gitarakuru", so when Netero warned him to continue using the pseudonym, Illumi answered in a straight line.

It was always a monotone, but Sora's monotone excuse made him wonder if there was another monotone that looked more like a monotone.

Then, with great momentum, he spat out an outrageous remark.

"By the way, who are you! Isn't Gitarakuru a mohawk needle-maker!?"

"………………Teeth?"

This time, without a doubt, everyone except Sora was stunned by Sora's remark, which was far from breathless.

Kurapika rushed over to separate Sora and Illumi, Hisoka watched Illumi's murderous intent as usual, Netero watched every match without hesitation, even when he revealed his true face, the "Who?" person in charge also involuntarily made a grimace as if to say "I don't know what you're talking about", and then froze.

"……You……are you serious?"

Killua, who had fallen to the brink of self-destruction because of Illumi, inadvertently started again. In a sense, asking about Illumi's expression and voice was even sadder than when he told Illumi his "dream".

"What? Killua's acquaintance?"

However, at Killua's question, Sora turned his blue eyes and tilted his head. Unfortunately, this woman was serious.

Hisoka's stiffness was thawed by Sora's follow-up blow, and he squatted on the spot, clutching his stomach.

Perhaps they were inspired by Hisoka's reaction, or they knew they were asked "Who?"

Kurapika also asked: "……Don't you know?" I don't know if there is one.

While tilting his head, Kurapika found something strange because he saw Sora's face clearly.

The finally thawed Illumi said softly, and then connected that sense of incongruity to Sora's incomprehensible reaction.

"………………Kill."

When Illumi whispered that kind of swelling murderous intent that was enough to make even a soft-hearted person die from it, Sora's shoulders jumped.

Sure enough, the students and Examiners who didn't know Sora felt the danger from this murderous aura, but if this woman reacted so honestly, the poor Aura she did today would not have been born from this kind of murderous aura. Start..

As if Sora was deceiving something, hoping his words would be denied, Sora asked with an extremely cramped smile.

"……Hmm……Impossible……Could it be……Illumi?"

"What do you think of me?"

＊＊＊

If murderous intent turned into physical attack power, it would definitely be Karna's "Brahma, Cover the Earth", Illumi replied, while seeming to show the same power. Of course, I said it with a sarcastic sneer, but half the time, I asked more straightforwardly.

However, Sora did not answer the question, the complexion improved by the blood transfusion turned pale again, then took a few steps back and shouted.

"!? What are you doing here!? When did you come here!?"

"From the beginning."

"Sora, calm down!"

Realizing that the person in front of him was the person he least wanted to get involved with because he carried an inexplicable murderous intent, Sora panicked and added fuel to the fire. Damn it, where did Illumi get the expressionless face to continue arguing with Killua without emotion, showing his anger?

Kurapika called out to Sora to try to calm him down, but he might have been a little confused because of him.

"I can't see it! My vision is now through frosted glass!!"

"Hmm?"

Just as Illumi responded with a puzzled voice, her killing intent also slightly receded.

Sora may have calmed down a little, but he narrowed his eyes and explained why he hadn't noticed yet, and why his vision had declined so severely.

"If you overuse your 'eyes' or wear them out, your vision will temporarily drop sharply. Right now, no matter how far I walk, I can only see a rough outline, so you can't see my Needle People from that monster." You can tell from the hairstyle that you have become a real face, but you can barely tell where the eyes, nose, and mouth are on the face.

"Oh, don't worry. If it's just this much, I'm used to it, and I know it will return to normal after a full day."

While I tried to stop Kurapika, who realized the fact that he could barely see and then wanted to say something, I explained Direct Death and Aura without saying anything specific, and most people at the Venue were convinced by Sora's remarks about cutting off Aura, "Ah, I see."

Sure enough, Illumi's face was not clean, it was completely forgotten, and it seemed he didn't know, because he really couldn't tell.

When Leorio asked in surprise, "Can't you hear that voice?" "Sorry." He apologized.

When he said "kill," he finally noticed, which was almost the only thing Sora was familiar with, or rather, it was the voice and remarks in his memory that could be linked to Illumi.

"I mean, were you really there from the beginning!? That's why that Needle Person kept trying to kill me! What kind of grudge do you have against me anyway!?"

"Noisy, shut up, die, disappear."

Although Sora was hesitant, he still protested the rotten relationship that would kill him when he met him, but Illumi uncomfortably faced his three simple requests and turned to leave.

Especially as Sora, I didn't want to be Illumi's opponent. Rather, I absolutely didn't want to, so of course I wouldn't accept his request, but I didn't persist any further, and her interest soon shifted.

"Killua, what are you doing? Is the game over? Are you starting now? Come over when you're done."

Even if I can't see most people's faces, I don't even have to think about who that very small figure without Gon is now. Sora looked straight at Killua with blue eyes and shouted as usual.

Called out, Killua took a step back, trembling like a scolded child.

Immediately after, Illumi's killing intent, which had slightly receded, erupted again, and he turned around.

Sora ignored Illumi; Illumi must not have realized her killing intent. He didn't look at Illumi at all, but looked straight at Killua and reached out his hand.

"Killua. Come here."

"Come here, you hypocrite!"

Illumi raised his voice for the first time. Even Killua was surprised that his brother could make such a sound, but Sora didn't seem to care at all; instead, she faced the expressionless Illumi as usual and finally turned to face him.

"Don't get involved with Killua. Don't say too much, you hypocrite."

"... This is an exam, so at least I don't think I'll be killed before the exam ends. If you can't see those eyes now, this is the best chance for me. If I can kill you, I won't regret my qualifications."

The model of rationalism, the principle of action that prioritizes the Zoldyck family and work. This is the Illumi that Killua knows, and perhaps others know as well.

Killua was speechless at this remark that denied Illumi's core, but Sora remained unmoved.

On the contrary, after being stunned by Illumi's words for a moment, she... laughed out loud.

"... Hehe, hahahaha!"

"What's wrong!?"

The people around couldn't understand why Sora was covering his eyes with both hands and laughing at the ceiling.

Until a few minutes ago, his brother had appeared puppet-like and inhuman.

Sora said to such a truly human Illumi.

"This is definitely strange, isn't it? Illumi, isn't your head bleeding?

Opportunity? Opportunity!? Do you really think my blindness is an opportunity?"

Sora did not call it a provocation or mockery, but spoke in a very funny and uncontrollable laughter, and Illumi pulled out the Needle stuck in her again.

Seeing this, Kurapika wanted to rush in front of Sora, but Sora stopped him.

Just as it stopped, its "eyes" were exposed.

"Idiot, you. If these 'eyes' are related to my vision, then I'll dig out these 'eyes' first."

He looked straight at Illumi with the azure sky.

Kurapika finally realized what the discomfort he felt was related to.

Ever since returning here, Sora's eyes had been blue.

Her natural eye color is deep indigo. Compared to the low brightness of midnight blue, which looks like black eyes from a distance, the brightness of the eyes so far has not been that high, but even from a distance, it is enough to tell that it is blue.

Sora's eye color fluctuates depending on whether he is using the ability attached to his eyes, not his emotions.

The more she uses her eyes to capture the "lines" and "points" of death, the brighter her eyes become, eventually turning into a beautiful azure that seems to be detached from this world.

This is why Sora's eyes usually don't change completely from indigo. It's as eerie as the Kurta Tribe, or even more so, and after all, it's easy to be targeted by human collectors. There is no reason to like "death" itself and want to see more, so you must use Direct Death. You are so angry that you don't care about the "death" in your field of vision, and there is no benefit in changing the color of your eyes from its natural indigo color.

However, she has always had a pair of bright blue eyes, which means she is not unable to change, but unable to change.

At the same time, if the brightness of the eye color is higher, the performance of Direct Death is higher, and this eye, even if it has lost most of its vision, is—

"It's annoying to be misunderstood, so I'll tell you.

"That" is not in these "eyes." It's just that the starting point of exposure is here. Well, the eyeball is annoying. It's like a barrier, preventing "that" from overflowing wantonly.

Therefore, if my vision deteriorates, the security will slacken. Conversely, you can't see other things, but you can see them stand out.

... So, Illumi. If you don't want to die, don't treat me as an opportunity right now. As I am now, if my hand slips, even a god can be killed."

As he spoke, the radiance in Sora's eyes gradually faded, but it still did not deepen to indigo.

Perhaps these words were humiliating; Illumi gritted his teeth and heard a click, but she still released the Needle stuck in her body.

Illumi knew better than anyone in the Venue that he was seriously injured and had lost a lot of Aura, but that was not an opponent he could kill without preparation.

That's why I can't do something stupid that would make me lose my qualifications after failing to kill him. The reason Illumi remained so calm in front of Sora, to the point where such thoughts crossed his mind, was probably because he had already achieved the goal of "bringing Killua home."

However, Illumi still looked very sweet.

"—A god can also be killed, huh..."

I misunderstood Killua's view of Sora, and how much it was a "dream" that occupied so much of his heart.

I originally thought the heart that had been completely destroyed was still moving.

Still alive.

"Then kill me."

He said in a very dark, gloomy voice.

Hollow eyes caught Sora.

I did not hear footsteps. It had become a breathing habit, and deeply rooted.

The fingertips it swung had transformed into a form suitable for killing, obtained through Training, one could say it had been tortured and remodeled since birth.

"Kill!!"

"!?"

Illumi's restrained words, and that terrifying voice, now both felt very distant.

Even having betrayed Gon and Sora, and even having chosen to abandon and kill them, I could not hear the heartbeat shouting "I don't want to die."

Killua simply used his lethal claws to pat Sora's neck to end it.

Both are fine.

If I am not allowed to see that "dream," I want to destroy it with my own hands, so that I can give up instead of being destroyed by Illumi.

But more importantly, I want to be killed by Sora's hands, by Sora's eyes.

From now on, I don't want Illumi to continue killing me as a human while I am still alive; I want to be killed by Sora's hands, so much so that I can't help but... I want to live.

If, in Sora's memories, as Sora's guilt, he could remain in the hollow Abyss, even reaching where not even Kurapika could...

It's okay, I think.

But... but—

"Really, although you aren't very obedient, you are also truly spoiled."

The arm I swung, the fingertips were caught by Sora.

Killua's claws sliced through Sora's soft palm, and fresh blood gushed out.

Even so, she still did not loosen her hand.

He is younger than me, smaller than me, but he has already grasped the hand of a child bigger than me, pulling it toward me.

Then, he used his free hand to wrap around Killua's back, embracing him.

A gentle voice sounded at Killua's earlobe.

"It's okay. Big sister will help you."

The wish of Imaginary Uro melting in water was scooped up.

"—Let go of Killua."

The words were quieter than just now, but Illumi commanded Sora with killing intent, seemingly visualizing the black anger that made him feel lukewarm.

However, Sora immediately replied with a teary-eyed face, as if he did not know Illumi's true identity.

"No."

After the refusal, Sora hugged Killua as if to show off.

As for Killua, he did not show his usual embarrassment and irritability, simply being held by Sora.

Was Illumi's face twisted because of Sora's attitude, or because Killua was taken away by such a disgusting woman that he wanted to kill her?

"... Kill. Stay away from him. Come here."

When Illumi changed the target of the command from Sora to Killua, the effect was immense; Killua shook his body, moving very slowly, but trying to stay away from Sora.

"You said no, didn't you?"

However, such weak resistance was easily suppressed and held by Sora.

Illumi's voice gradually became hoarse, as if she did not like that Killua had not let go of Sora's hand even though he was covered in blood.

"Killua, I told you. You have no qualification to be friends, nor the qualification to be Together with him.

What have you just done? After trying to kill the person you wanted to be Together with, you still want to be stubborn?

When I tried to kill him, what did you do? You did nothing!

Killua, you gave up that qualification yourself! You are a traitor who thinks yourself pretty and wants others to die!!"

Kurapika and Leorio shouted "Illumi!!" under Illumi's reproachful words, preparing their weapons and glaring at them.

Apparently, years of brainwashing-style education had twisted Killua's values, ruling him with fear, making him betray him as if blackmailing him. Somehow, he widened his eyes in surprise and said to Illumi.

"Illumi. You are actually a romanticist?"

"Hm?"

I had intended to ignore Sora's words and actions, but I came up with a very absurd expression, the one least suited to express myself and others for Illumi.

Fortunately or unfortunately, this sentence was immediately denied by Sora in his own way: "Ah, isn't it?"

Refusal and correction.

"Isn't this different from a romanticist or a kind person? You are just a coward afraid of being 'betrayed'."

"... Hm?"

This time it wasn't that I didn't understand the meaning, but because I understood the meaning, this was completely a statement picking a fight with Illumi.

However, no matter how much killing intent was thrown at him, Sora's face remained calm, and he patted and stroked Killua's back, as if to soothe the frightened Killua.

While soothing, she said naturally.

"You are so cute, yet you abandoned me and betrayed me? What is that?

If we cut off connections with others one by one, let alone humans, intelligent life forms would only repeat the short cycle of birth and death without any evolution.

Betrayal is just an original sin that everyone has as long as they are human. Whether it is allowed is decided by the individual, but to choose not to have any relationship with anyone for fear of being betrayed, to avoid being betrayed from the start... well, I won't deny it. Do whatever you like. But personally, I think this is just a form of cowardice for a coward, and I think forcing others to do so is not okay."

He completely denied Illumi's accusation against Killua.

No, Illumi's argument was that he respected and acknowledged the individual, but this kind of concern was just annoying and meaningless to Illumi.

"... You really are a hypocrite that makes one vomit!!"

Illumi spat it out with an annoyed face, but even the insult was parried, admitting: "Hypocrisy is also fine. It is the easiest thing to do."

A woman who listens to and accepts Illumi's accusations, yet is meaningless, unwavering, and unscathed—all of Illumi's nerves.

"Illumi, you are a coward.

Even if I think it is natural to be betrayed, it is normal to be angry when you are actually betrayed. Well, if you can get away with it, I don't want you to do that.

That is why I want to figure out who I want to have by my side, and who I like."

Although invisible, it was strangely annoying to talk directly to Illumi, and Illumi ordered him to "shut up."

Such an order, Sora would of course not listen to.

The blue eyes were indeed looking at Illumi, but just as Illumi thought, Sora was not looking at Illumi. I am not talking to Illumi.

Sora said to Killua in his arms.

Sora told his younger brother that he was terrified by the sin of abandoning Sora and letting him die, and although he was so weak that he thought he could easily let go, he would never let go of Sora's hand.

"——I only like people who can be betrayed.

Even if he deceived me from the beginning, even if the meeting was meant to deceive me, even if everything was a lie, the days I spent with that person, what I felt, what was born, the emotions I felt... even if I am betrayed, those feelings, like happiness and joy, will not be fake, nor will they be lies.

I cannot become a true saint or a good person like Karna, but if I am betrayed, I will be angry and hurt, but still... I love you, Killua.

Even if I am a hypocrite, I can at least continue to love you for the sake of someone I want to continue loving."

Hearing these words from Sora, not only Illumi, but even the examinees and Examiners who were about to blurt something out were speechless.

His claim that he is neither a saint nor a good person already sounds ironic. This is exactly the same as her servant, the Lancer.

Sora said this without any hesitation, without any pride, as if it were a matter of course.

Admitting it hurts. I don't want to be betrayed.

Even so, even if everything was a lie from the beginning and covered by lies, I acknowledge the value there and express that I forgive.

"I don't care what you did," he said to the younger brother in his arms, who seemed to be suffocating from guilt.

Telling Killua.

"............ so... la... I... I am............"

I heard a faint voice.

Burying his face in Sora's chest, holding back the tears that were about to overflow, his weak and powerless voice seemed to disappear, but... Killua was indeed calling out.

I squeezed out the voice that should have melted into nothingness, stolen by Illumi, and let out an appeal.

"I... want... to be Together with Sora... I want... to be friends with Gon... I want to play normally.

But... but... I am... I am!!"

"You betrayed me."

Illumi coldly took over Killua's words.

Illumi used the form of a Doll to tell Killua about his sins, even though he pursued him so much that he had no choice but to make that choice, despite how much he had lost.

"You betrayed me, Killua. I am weighing it with my life and their lives. Even if it is true that I was happy and joyful, the fact that you betrayed me is also true.

I told you, Killua. You are no longer qualified. Your life is the most important thing to you, and everything else will be discarded. This is your nature."

Illumi's words turned into a Curse again, eroding Killua's thoughts, staining them with his helplessness and despair.

Illumi is right, even if Sora said he was happy about the days spent with him, it must have been Killua himself who ruined it. Killua chose his own life instead of Sora and Gon. Unless you are a Wizard, you cannot change things anymore.

If you still want to be Together with them and want to be friends with them, at least you will continue to betray Sora's kindness, which Sora calls "hypocrisy."

At that time, when Killua was choosing his own life, Illumi said he was not qualified.

Even if Sora forgave everything, Killua himself could not forgive himself, his "nature."

But even so, Sora remained unmoved.

"... I think Illumi is actually a romantic, or rather, he has too high expectations for humans, right?"

The surprised Sora flatly denied Illumi's condemnation and Killua's atonement.

Even so, Sora said calmly amidst the bloodlust expanding without an upper limit.

"I'm sorry to ruin your dream, but such people are in the minority, Illumi.

'I don't want to die' is the original thought and instinct of all living things from the moment they leave the birth of all things and return to the ''. There are not many people who can overcome this deterrence-level desire.

Killua. You didn't want to die, but you chose your own life instead of mine and Gon's... Do you regret it? Sorry, can you not justify this choice?

What you really wanted to do was not to let me, Gon, or anyone else die to survive, but you certainly hoped that I and Gon would live. You wanted to protect me, right? Is that why you regret it?

In that case, making that choice was due to 'instinct', not 'nature'.

-Are you okay. You are a very kind child. It is not as serious as you think, and it is not irreversible. Both I and Gon are still alive."

"Then I will make it irreversible!"

Stroking Killua's head, Illumi raised his voice as if to drown out Sora's gentle words.

Gritting his teeth, a line of blood dripping from the corner of his lips, pulling the Needle out of his body, not only was there no longer the qualification of a Hunter in his mind, he didn't even see a bit of it. Sora held his younger brother, ready to throw. Paddy field.

Kurapika, Leorio, and of course the Examiners, Hisoka's face froze, and he took out a card.

Sora also increased the brightness of his eyes, looking at Illumi.

Killua was the first to react.

Almost as if he had been grabbed, but he did indeed loosen the hand that was holding it.

I shook off the arm Sora was holding me with and left her.

And shouted.

"Stop it, Illumi!! If you kill Sora, I will gouge out my eyes!!"

"!?"

His legs were shaking, cold sweat like Fire on his feet, facing forward, two Fingers inserted into his eyes, a roar as if they could be pierced at any time.

In front of Sora, he did not flee from Illumi, but instead used himself as a hostage, protecting him.

The reason that threat, "dig out my eyes," suddenly popped up was probably because Sora had just said something similar.

In fact, this kind of threat is the most effective.

Amidst "I'm going to die!", Illumi assumed she lacked the courage to do so and ignored it, and any other part of Illumi's body would have been captured before she could fatally harm herself.

Using the shortest movements, Illumi and the Zoldyck family aimed for the ideal "heir" doll, only this part was given a fatal flaw.

Illumi, about to throw a Needle, looked like a human Killua had never seen before, his face twisted with surprise, anger, and confusion.

Illumi might not have taken Killua's lines seriously. However, as Killua's emotions rose, it was possible the momentum would be enough. In fact, he had already committed the "attack on Sora" that shouldn't have happened in the first place.

Now that he had lost his cool in front of Sora, his attention was severely lacking, which made Illumi realize that the Illumi that Killua didn't know, who used Needles to brainwash, could not successfully guide his thoughts.

The doll had almost no ability for quick decision-making or application, so the Needle embedded in Killua maintained Killua's personality, keeping his thinking normal in the direction Illumi and the Zoldyck family wanted. If Illumi lost even a little bit of focus, even at close range, he couldn't operate it well. Continuing to carry out the "rebellion."

"……Illumi, if you promise not to interfere with Sora and Gon, I'll go home right now!

But, if you say you're going to kill these guys, I'll kill you as the 'heir' you want!!"

While startled, his brilliant mind turned rapidly, negotiating with the most effective threat.

Illumi sneered at his excellent younger brother for showing off the results of his education in such a place.

The people around were speechless at the sudden threat, but when Leorio saw Illumi unable to refute, he shouted: "Alright, Killua! Say more!" I hit Leorio for a moment, who was fanning the air with his aura, to make him be quiet.

The Examiners slowly formed a circle around Illumi, ready to pin her down at any moment.

As for Sora, Killua, who had used himself as a hostage, widened eyes that were supposed to be invisible and smiled.

It instead touched a nerve in Illumi; seeing that smile she hated more than anything, my thought of "staying calm" flew away, and my blood surged in my head again.

Regardless of whether she realized Illumi's frustration, she would stand in front of her and try to protect her. Stroking and whispering in your ear.

"Killua, I'm happy, but the negotiation won't have a result. After I let you go, Illumi cannot easily keep in touch with you, immediately breaks the promise, and kills Gon anyway.

...... So keep in touch with Kalluto. Kalluto knows my phone number and email. Receive my survival report from Kalluto."

Pointing out the insufficiency of Killua's negotiation and offering a suggestion to make up for the deficiency, Illumi gritted his teeth, his back teeth even cracked a bit, and let out a roar.

"Are you saying that if you say things like that, it's fine for Killua's eyes to fall out!?"

"I'll tell you. You know I don't want to die."

Although Illumi became an enemy to protect Killua, Sora did not stop Killua's sacrifice and answered calmly.

"However, if possible, I hope Killua can be completely satisfied, so I give the suggestion after receiving the survival report from Kalluto."

Except for Illumi and Sora, everyone including Killua looked at Sora with some surprise; Sora had said something quite rude without any sense of guilt, perhaps remembering Gon who competed with Hanzo.

The only exception was Illumi, who glared at Sora with eyes full of anger and hatred, so much so that he wanted to kill anything that could be killed by his gaze, but he couldn't think of a word to object.

It was clear it wouldn't float. Sora basically didn't refute Illumi's statement. Accepting it.

Even if it was a correct theory, no part of it had any unreasonableness or contradiction, so there was a chance to use it. That is why if there are diametrically opposed opinions, the loudest side wins, not the correct side.

However, if I accepted the diametrically opposed opinion and then stuffed my own opinion into the "empty space" of this side, denying it meant I had to withdraw the opinion I wanted to push.

Looking at the speechless Illumi, Kurapika intervened to end the meaningless exchange that had already decided the winner.

"……Not talking to Sora is counterproductive.

Illumi clicked his tongue in disgust at Kurapika's words, but he still didn't look at Kurapika. I couldn't even see him.

However, his legs were still trembling, feeling like he was about to collapse, and the cold sweat hadn't stopped; he continued to stare only at Sora, who was staring at him.

Sora looked straight at Illumi when speaking, blue eyes as if swallowing Illumi's hatred and killing intent, melting them away.

"——Illumi. I don't want to die, I don't want Killua to get hurt. I don't want you to die, nor do I want to take your brother away from you. If possible, I hope everyone is happy. I hope you

Illumi. This is my 'nature'."

Quietly, she announced a "dream" that was too sweet and impractical, even more childish than Killua's.

There was only one answer to this question.

"Hypocrite."

After Illumi answered, he lowered the hand holding the Needle.

Then he pulled away the gap for a long time and said to Killua.

"…………………………Fine.

Killua. I don't have to go to another match. Go back now………… Then I will make a 'Contract' between the two of you, if you don't kill those who were involved with you in the Hunter Exam."

Killua widened the eyes he was pointing at.

For the Zoldyck family, the word "Contract" is absolute. There are no ambiguous parts like affection or kinship, because they are relatives or brothers; it is a Contract that will continue to be fulfilled as long as the other party does not betray.

Killua threatened and confronted Illumi; Illumi was very annoyed and dissatisfied with her proposal, shocked to the point of disbelief.

"What's wrong? Do you think you'll be killed if you don't look at me? Even if you are looking at me, it's easy to overpower you and kill you. Sometimes it's easy to dig out your own eyes, if you really have the courage to do it.

Believe it or not, but I won't give up this condition again, so if you don't leave within a minute, I will kill you because the Contract failed."

"！I understand! I'm fine too!! I'm going home right now!!

……But, Illumi. Because I'm serious

Killua left Sora. Sora obediently let go of Killua's shoulder, sent him off, and walked toward the exit.

The Examiners persuaded Killua and Illumi, a bit embarrassed, that they could quit immediately, at least participate in the match, but the brothers ignored his opinion.

Kurapika and Leorio saw Killua walking away alone, opened their mouths to say something, but in the end couldn't think of anything to say, and fell silent.

As a result, it was definitely moving in the best direction.

No one died, and Killua's crumbling self was saved by Illumi.

……But, in the end, I still wanted to say something to Killua, who had to go home alone.

However, there is a difference between "going to pick you up" and "going to help." At least, I knew Kurapika and Leorio didn't want to hear that from Killua, so I couldn't say it.

Killua would want words from Gon or someone else.

The other party didn't say that.

Instead, she said

"Killua... I am casting a spell on you."

Killua stopped at the entrance of the Venue, where the door had been broken by Sora.

For some reason, Illumi said nothing. Sora did not even look at the two of them, continuing to ignore them as if they were someone else's business; Sora used a fingernail stained with fresh blood to point at Killua's Finger, twisting it around.

As she spoke, she acted as if she were casting a spell on her.

"You are fine."

He pointed at Killua and said.

"You have become stronger. You can go anywhere. You can become anyone."

These were just words.

"So it doesn't matter."

They were just speaking without any basis.

"You are fine."

However, she

Sora—

"... What is going on?"

Killua said in a trembling voice without looking back.

Sora answered with her usual smile, not cute in the slightest.

"Are you sure you're okay?

I am the second Wizard, a Wizard full of possibilities, he admitted a lot. I have given you an infinite future; make your own choice, go."

Hearing this answer, Killua smiled and turned back.

The tears he had been holding back overflowed, and he laughed until the tears fell.

He looked very happy, laughing joyfully as he spoke.

"You are still a disciple, idiot!"

As always, Killua chose to keep this "forever."

Always running away from family matters and having to face them.