Chapter 78: Interlude: Fasan Dhihu

September 2nd.

Fortunately, Gon and the others, following Leorio's idea, raised nearly 3 million Yen through a semi-fraudulent "arm-wrestling" auction, but they were still far from their goal of 8 billion. Or more precisely, it is a good example of hot stones and water.

However, Leorio, a man who became a Hunter because of his greed for money, despite having a kind heart.

From the beginning, this conditional auction money Fugura was nothing more than bait for fishing.

From the form of the conditional auction, one can imagine that they basically just rewrote "betting" as "auction."

That is to say, it was an illegal auction to begin with, and Leorio's prediction was correct; there would still be many people competing in the shadows.

They probably didn't believe the whole rumor about the tail fin, but they likely learned the day before that Gon and the others had made a lot of money.

It clearly wasn't a piece of wood; it was an immature challenger with arms as thick as Gon's. I should have accepted it.

What they didn't expect was that the physical strength of Gon, Killua, and even Leorio, while stronger than the average adult male, was as thin as a matchstick compared to the challenger.

The bait had been distributed. Therefore, Leorio did not show the expectation that he might win at the last minute, but instead won the wrestling match by shattering the challenger's arm and the table, fitting the word "instant kill," and attracted the interest of the man who seemed to be the challenger's big brother. Success.

The big brother wrote an address on the back of a business card, handed it to Leorio, and said, "If you're free, come find me at five o'clock."

At that time, no one knew how big this fish was.

"Oh, right! I'll fax it over right now!!"

"Gather information online! Tell them, if there's a story, there's a reward!!"

The conditional auction held in a hidden room behind the club clearly had no good pattern, and was unique in its peculiar "Hide and Seek."

If the six men and women written on the paper handed to them were captured indefinitely, dead or alive, they would exchange them for a check worth 2 billion Jenny for the target.

However, except for one of the targets listed above, it didn't look particularly suspicious or powerful, and the fact that there were two quite beautiful women might have made the participants feel optimistic.

Those who paid the 5 million entry fee left the secret room and immediately took action. Leorio, perhaps swept away by the surrounding heat, said to Gon and Killua, "Let's hurry too." Hurry.

Killua said coldly to Leorio.

"Even if you don't panic, you won't be caught by those guys.

After all, even Yasan would have a hard time."

"? What do you mean?"

Leorio and Gon were so excited that they didn't realize the minimum goal of 8 billion had finally become a reality, but only Killua noticed the strangeness of the auction.

He insisted on "Hide and Seek" and pointed out that although he tried to cover up the appearance of the auction by charging an entry fee, no matter how you look at it, this was a bounty.

"Hmm, that venue! There's a special Ring, right?

Maybe the original plan was to use the ring to have a casual fight or something."

Saying it this far, Leorio would naturally perceive the abnormality of that auction.

He looked at the paper with the targets written on it, trembling, and said:

"Even if the schedule is changed, is it necessary to find these guys…………?"

"Well, no matter how much time and money you spend.

They took the 5 million Jenny entry fee and arranged for the auction to appear."

If I confirm Leorio's guess and point out the strange "Auction Items," I can guess what is going on with today's strange conditional auction.

The Auction Items were stolen by these targets. So the original planned conditional auction could not proceed, and of course, it could not be truthfully canceled. Because the behind-the-scenes business is more about face than the front-desk business, it's not just business; it's directly related to life.

So, while saving face, we forced ourselves to arrange a conditional auction and then went.

No matter how much time and money it takes, I will do anything, not only to catch the people behind the scenes, but also to grasp at straws to knock down the hammer of the sinner who stole the Auction Items and smeared them with mud. It is a human-wave tactic roller strategy, using people blinded by unknown money.

This is what it means to turn the Mafia into an enemy.

Not only the back, but even the people in the front are deceived, threatened, and used. No matter how much time it takes, they will vengefully hunt down the enemy, devouring more of the opponent's bones than their own injuries.

There is no legitimate reason to turn such a crazy opponent into an enemy in a crazy world.

Regarding such a thief, I only know one thing.

"——Phantom Troupe……!?"

A group of A-Rank bounty thieves naturally came to mind.

And the name of that heinous poisonous Spider and the chains that came to mind were exactly one of the friends he promised to resume work with on September 1st.

"……Think about it, what happened to Kurapika?"

"I should have come, but I haven't heard from you at all."

Originally, the reason he agreed to meet again in Yorkshin was because of his "transaction" with Hisoka during the Hunter final exam, but Gon was worried that he hadn't seen him or even reached him. The non-existent Mobile Phone.

……However, although he insisted on calling eight times, there was no sign of anyone answering, so Gon gave up and hung up.

"I won't go out."

"Are you working? What on earth is he doing?"

"You said you were a Bodyguard, but that's all……"

Answering Leorio's question, Gon's face became increasingly depressed, and Leorio's face became even more solemn.

If you know Kurapika, his deep hatred, and his resentment toward the Phantom Troupe, it is natural.

Usually he is angry, calm, and rational, but when it comes to the Brigade, his hot-blooded nature probably reveals itself. Everyone knows that every word is dangerous, I know it very well.

"It should be VIP protection, since you are hunting the Scarlet Eyes, then you are clearly a key figure in the shadows……"

"Maybe I went to the Underground Auction with that person and got involved in this……"

"It's not right to say he was involved.

I might have already caught 2-3 members!"

The current situation where the phone cannot be reached and no one answers the phone makes people even more anxious, and Gon, who is like a positive example, may have already imagined the worst possibility, with an anxious face.

Seemingly to encourage Gon, Leorio joked about the optimistic possibility, but as expected, even the simple Gon could not blindly believe in this possibility, and said with a gloomy face: "I hope……" he muttered.

Killua looked at such a friend with a look of being unable to help but propose.

"Please contact Sora."

"... If it's him, Kurapika might find the time to contact him; at the very least, I can confirm he's alive. Also, Sora has fought the Phantom Troupe before, right? Then you might be able to get some useful information."

Killua probably knew from the start that it would be better to ask Sora than to ask about Kurapika, but he didn't bring it up because there was no point.

Killua puffed out his cheeks as if pouting, and Gon was convinced by the usual "Ah, I see," immediately calling Sora.

Gon looked at the two of them with a wry smile, and the call connected after about three rings.

"Yes, hello. What's wrong, Gon?"

"Ah, Sora!"

Unlike with Kurapika, Gon felt relieved to see Sora answer the phone as usual and began to talk about their current situation.

After listening to Gon's story, the first thing Sora said was about Kurapika's current situation.

"If it's Kurapika, she called me yesterday, or rather, it was after the date changed, so she is living a normal life. It looks like I'm spiraling into negativity due to self-loathing as usual, but it's not enough to make me worry."

"That's right. That's great then."

It was enough for Sora to say she was worried, but as Sora said, Kurapika falling into a negative spiral due to self-loathing was a relatively normal state. The person who could pull her up from the bottom of the water said, "Don't worry."

"... Even so, you are still working hard on something more important than anything else, even if it's not money that can be earned through a reasonable financial plan."

In contrast to Gon's relief, Sora on the other end of the phone spoke in a bewildered, awkward voice, and not only Gon, but even Killua and Leorio looked awkward.

"... The Phantom Troupe is a very dangerous opponent, isn't it?"

"Rather, I want to ask why you don't think it's dangerous."

I had Gon put it on speakerphone so everyone could speak, and Leorio spoke first, to which Sora immediately replied.

There is no reason for an A-rank Bounty thief not to be dangerous, so Sora's answer to this question was a natural reaction.

However, when Killua asked, "Are you an opponent who is obsessed with running away and has absolutely no chance of winning?", the three of them were confused.

As usual, Sora ignored the confusion on the other end of the line and began to talk about the "Phantom Troupe" she knew at her own pace.

"I haven't met all the members of the Phantom Troupe yet, so I can't be sure, but I think everyone in the Phantom Troupe is a group of Nen users."

That's why I don't want to say it, but you really have no chance of winning. I don't know how much Nen Leorio has mastered; Gon and Killua are geniuses in terms of age and Cultivation time, but they are following the rules of Heaven's Arena when facing opponents who have at least a few years of professional career. If it's a match format, it's fine, but there's no way to win by killing each other.

I mean, if you win there, I'll feel a little sympathy for this Phantom Troupe."

This was another reasonable argument, so the three of them didn't even make a sound.

Sora smiled slightly and continued, as if she could convey their situation through the phone.

"However, this is a story of killing each other with no rules and no chance of winning."

Not everyone has extremely high combat ability. Of course, even non-combatants have their own means of fighting and abilities, but if you can keep your eyes on those with low combat ability as much as possible and cleverly trap them, it is possible to catch them. Sometimes Gon and Killua are 'children' because they have the greatest advantage of catching their opponents off guard.

... However, this story also has the prerequisites of 'low combat power' and 'one opponent'."

From my experience and a little study of their behavioral patterns, it can be seen that they basically do not act alone. Even if a combat idiot can rampage behind his comrades, he basically won't act alone, and it seems he won't let him go. If so, isn't this an individual action, but an order from the Phantom Troupe?"

"'Nen' looks like invincible Magic at first glance, but there are also systems that are incompatible with it, such as Stone, Scissors, Paper, so I guess they avoid acting alone to make up for this."

"... It's dangerous, is that what you mean?"

Sora's explanation finally made sense of her initial reaction, and Killua muttered with a slightly cramped face.

Killua remembered. The greatest tribute to Jeet was that his father killed a Phantom Troupe member on the job about three years ago, at which time he complained, "It wasn't worth the job."

And the advice I gave to all my brothers.

"Keep your hands off the Phantom Troupe."

I think it's not just because the opponent is strong.

If a member of the Brigade receives an assassination request, even if the target is one person, the others who team up with that target are the minimum number, and if not done well, the entire Brigade can become enemies at the same time; in a sense, Killua understood that his father had warned them.

When Killua told Sora about this, she said, "Wow... so Silva would say that too..." with a very disgusted voice; it seems his thoughts were not wrong.

"... So, the conclusion of that story is that we can't do it, so we should give up?"

"That is my hope."

Realizing once again how troublesome the organization called the Phantom Troupe is, Leorio, who had been silent, unconsciously cheered up and asked, and Sora simply affirmed this.

However, if he gave up, he wouldn't have become a Hunter this term, and there are children who still can't learn "Nen".

"Even if we can't do it alone, why don't you help Sora? Or is there no chance?"

"I thought you would definitely say that, but you still said something refreshingly straightforward and selfish."

Gon's words of openly seeking help from those who were worried about them and telling them to "stop" were immediately refuted, as Sora had already anticipated what he would say.

Gon apologized, "... Sorry."

However, he regretted and apologized from the bottom of his heart, but that didn't mean he would back down. On the contrary, they rarely quit.

Whether it's better to apologize or because of his bad temper, this is a subtle place, but in any case, Gon won't back down, so the other party had to give up.

Always the boy closest to the "truth," because he is infinitely straightforward, simple, and pure, even if someone points out that he is selfish, he will stick to it.

"But I can't give up, not just because I want money. If the Brigade loses one person, the number of opponents Kurapika has to face will decrease. If I can focus on getting the eyes of my comrades, rather than taking revenge on them, it's better to capture as many of the Phantom Troupe as possible before Kurapika does."

So please, Sora. Lend me your strength."

Hearing Gon's words, Sora on the other end of the phone was silent for a while.

Realizing that not only Sora, but even Leorio and Killua were speechless, Gon tilted his head.

Just after learning that the target was the Brigade, he didn't understand why Sora, Killua, and the others were speechless.

So I was about to ask, "What's wrong?", but before I could ask, Sora broke the silence.

"... Gon. Ask one thing."

"Ah, what?"

Gon couldn't help but realize that this was impossible because it was a phone call, but he seemed to remember the time when Sora was scolded severely until now, and he buried his head. I advise you to go.

"Are you denying Kurapika's revenge?"

"Hmm?"

The question I posed was not particularly unexpected.

What I didn't expect was Sora's voice.

"Even if you don't kill Kurapika with your own hands, you can't move forward if you don't wipe out the entire Phantom Troupe. Even if revenge on the Phantom Troupe isn't your life goal, but a means to achieve happiness, you still want it. Are you denying that and participating in the form of theft?"

Sora's words sounded like a scolding, "Are you trying to trample on Kurapika's determination with your own selfish values?"

But Sora's voice didn't sound like he was reproaching Gon.

Her voice was too childish, too innocent.

It sounded as if he had a mysterious question deep in his heart and was earnestly searching for an answer.

"Hey, Gon. Is that child's revenge meaningless to you?"

And so, Gon replied.

It was a direct answer. I turned the answer that surfaced in my mind into words.

"I don't think killing someone will make me happy."

I knew my words were too cruel to Sora on the other end of the phone and to Killua across from me.

However, he still couldn't think of anything else to say; he felt that if he understated it any further, he wouldn't be able to convey what Gon wanted to say, so he spoke too bluntly.

"I don't think it's meaningless. I think what I'm trying to do is just as Sora said—I am selfishly denying and stealing what Kurapika wants to do.

But I don't think killing a person will make them happy. Especially Kurapika; I don't feel like he's the type of person who would be satisfied just by killing them. But I can't even make excuses for myself that the other party is a criminal or an enemy; I think I'm blaming myself.

... No. After all, this isn't about Kurapika; it's because I'm not convinced, I don't want to, and I don't want him to do it.

Even if revenge is necessary to make Kurapika happy, if Kurapika does that, I won't be happy either, so I want Kurapika to be happy without killing anyone."

When I spoke my mind without deep deliberation, it ended up being a very selfish remark.

Gon recalled what he had just said and realized he had said something even crueler and worse than the selfishness he showed to Hanzo during the final exam.

"... Ahahahahahaha! Gon, you're the best! I should have asked Kurapika!!"

"!?"

Sora laughed loudly, praising Gon's words: "Because I don't like it, Kurapika is looking for happiness other than revenge."

Although he thought being scolded was a matter of course, he didn't expect to be laughed at and acknowledged. Not just Gon, but even Killua and Leorio were dumbfounded, not knowing how to react, but Sora didn't pay attention to that. He laughed on the other end of the phone, and the pressure of his own speech was immense.

"Ah, you really are the son of the Jin family. Crossing me is the best thing in the world.

But it's good. I feel much better. I feel enlightened now. Farting, Daigo, Shanzhi—I think this is what it feels like.

Ah, come to think of it, Zen questions are hard to answer, right? Then you are naturally Ikkyu Shanzhi. Yeah, wit is the same, right?"

"... Sorry, Sora. I don't know what you're talking about..."

When Gon forcibly interrupted the overly excited Sora to say what he wanted to say, the tense atmosphere finally eased a little, and Sora apologized: "Oh, sorry."

It was just that his voice still carried joy, as if he were in high spirits.

Then Sora said in that energetic voice.

"Right, okay. I can't go today, but I'll make time to go there tomorrow. Or rather, I'll bring Kurapika along."

"Eh!?"

The reason Sora was cooperating was because of Gon's previous reply, so they didn't understand, but they could have expected it; yet for some reason, Sora decided to involve Kurapika, and the three of them were confused again.

"Hmm?... Are you going to tell Kurapika what you just said?"

When Killua timidly asked Sora again, he answered in a high voice: "Of course!"

For Gon, he wanted to say what he wanted to say, but because this sentence had already become a dark history in his haste, he hurriedly begged him: "Stop it, Sora! I beg you, stop it!!" With nervousness, he was told, "When you offer me cooperation, give it up!"

Leorio was even more surprised by Sora's answer and asked.

"... Which part of Gon's shameless remarks do you like so much?"

Facing this question, Sora smiled and answered.

"Hmm, rather than the content of Gon's remarks, isn't it just that he said he was selfish?"

"Hmm?"

Leorio, of course, didn't understand what this meant and tilted his head further, but Sora seemed to have reached the point where no answer could be found, so he didn't explain specifically and continued speaking with a strange tension.

"Yes, it's a pity, I can't explain it so that you can understand. Ah, I feel like I've really answered a Zen question. When you turn it into words, the truth disappears.

............ Hehehehehe, but it doesn't matter. If you don't understand, this is my answer. I used to make fun of the Magician, but in the end, I am also a Magician. If you want to get closer to the truth, it should be simple, but I think too much.

Ah, how stupid! In the end, we can only view the world and others from our own subjective perspectives, so no matter how much we love each other, we cannot cross a hollow boundary, nor can we truly understand each other's happiness! Making others happy is making yourself happy, so not expressing an opinion is a waste of time!

That being said, I'm going to visit Kurapika from now on!!"

"Wait a minute! He must be at work right now!!"

Leorio hurriedly stopped Sora. Sora had said something with incomprehensible persuasiveness; there was no doubt this would absolutely be a troublesome matter for Kurapika, but Sora still threw a bombshell with great interest.

"Yes, I know! I've been watching for so long!!"

"Wait again!!"

"How is your work?"

"Sora, what are you doing!? Do you know Kurapika!?"

The stalker's words were imposing, and all three were accused, but Sora stopped listening, and the call was cut off.

Gon, Killua, and Leorio hurriedly called Sora back and also wanted to contact Kurapika, but both were powered off and couldn't get through.

And so, the three of them each sent this message to Kurapika in their hearts.

(... Although I don't know what it is, anyway, do your best, Kurapika.)

"Ah, not good. This tension isn't Daigo, it's just an illusion of you being liberated in the Demon World.

No, Zen is amazing. Because I think this kind of situation is a matter of course."

Thinking it was bad, he turned off the power while answering the phone; Sora muttered to himself to calm down a little, but the tension that had risen did not subside in the slightest.

By the way, Sora had previously compared his state of mind to Zen, though of course Sora did not believe in any religion, let alone Zen.

However, all religions are closely related to Magic, as is the "Vortex of the Origin," so for Sora, who had been filled with academics and educated as a mage since childhood, this was a year of history that could be learned from school exams. It was merely intangible knowledge, on the same level as numbers and elemental symbols, but the Q&A with Gon was a revelation to Sora; he gained substance from mere knowledge.

Of course, this was just an illusion, a revelation. As Sora himself said, it was the Demon Realm... when a monk meditates, he falls into a state of being tripped up, which is just an illusory state where a Buddha or god appears before him and teaches him. Knowing full well that no such thing exists.

However, for Sora, Gon's answer was also Sora's answer and truth.

No, to be more precise, it was not the content of Gon's answer; the answer and truth were the thoughts he himself derived from Gon's words and actions, and it was not the answer itself that praised Gon without reservation.

However, just as Sora himself said, if you put it into words, it will surely run away.

No matter how many words you use, the more you spend, the further you move away from the truth, away from the truth, away from the answer you truly obtained.

It was born from the origin of everything, originated from the vortex of the end and the beginning, originated from Sora's fear and dread, and until now, he continued to run away while struggling desperately.

Although born in such a terrifying place, Sora felt it was cash, yet felt refreshed, looking up at the setting sun in the sky, the indigo color very similar to his own eyes, and the golden moon floating there.

Look up and you will remember.

Dear brother. Someone who wants to be happy more than anyone else. His own happiness.

I gave him as many possibilities as I could, affirmed all the futures he would choose, and continued to protect them.

Even if it was revenge, Sora did not deny it.

Sora neither denied the hatred nor the revenge; every time he affirmatively said, "If that is what you need to obtain happiness," he would look relieved.

But I noticed it at the same time.

Although relieved, he was always anxious. Knowing he clung tightly to him with eyes that seemed to want him to stop, Sora could only say that he could not live without regrets, desperate words carrying his own sins.

I know you want to kill me.

But just as importantly, I know you don't want to kill me.

I know that no matter what he chooses, he will eventually regret it.

Even so, Sora said nothing, because he thought this was something he had to decide for himself.

It wasn't that I was afraid of being blamed for being transferred to him.

Sora thought, if he could let go of his bad moods and not accumulate regret and guilt, he only needed to correct the way he vented, which would make him feel much better.

He couldn't do that; Sora would hate himself for a lifetime and blame himself. I know that very well.

If Sora said the future he wanted Kurapika to bear, he would surely choose it. It is not hard to imagine that if he chose revenge of his own will, if he could not be happy, then he would blame himself for not being able to.

So Sora said nothing, just gave, protected, and waited for the choice.

... Today is the same.

To her credit, she hadn't followed Kurapika since joining Yorknew. Or rather, when I exchanged information with Hisoka last night, it was just a coincidence that Kurapika was a Bodyguard for the daughter of a Mafia called the "Nostrade Group," so I happened to help his comrade Wese.

She was at the auction site because of her "work" with Hisoka, and the reason she helped Wese was nothing more than a bad awakening, seeing someone who could be saved die before her eyes.

The reason I started watching Kurapika was because Hisoka contacted me saying "Uvogin is looking for Kurapika for revenge."

Even this watching was just to prevent the worst-case scenario.

Unless Kurapika was in mortal danger, Sora had no intention of moving.

Kurapika had no intention of denying that his own hands would be stained with blood for the sake of revenge.

Even if they were stained, I would never let go of that hand. Sora just watched, intending to tell him, "Your hands are as beautiful as always," he said.

While on the phone with Gon and the others, Kurapika drove toward the wilderness, where the Phantom Troupe's Uvogin and the Mafia were fighting the Shadow Beasts. And the others stayed where they were, watching that big man chase after him.

I saw Kurapika catch that giant yesterday. Based on his ability and the information I heard from Hisoka about Uvogin, I decided that if I moved to a wilderness where it was impossible to "involve unrelated civilians" to fight, I was unlikely to be defeated, so I would chase him no matter what; I didn't care.

No, that was an excuse.

I didn't want to see it, so I didn't want to chase it.

I couldn't bear the "hope" that couldn't be brought back once released, so I thought the worst case wouldn't happen, so I did something like a stalker. I asked because I self-deprecatingly couldn't follow Kurapika's choice.

Gon wanted to intervene in Kurapika's way of life; his wish was too simple, but Sora asked him inadvertently.

"Is it okay to interfere with that child's way of life?"

I don't know how far I read into Sora's question, but Gon was too honest.

"Even if Kurapika is fine, I don't like myself, so I want him to stop."

Of course, this was too selfish an answer.

But that didn't mean it was unpleasant.

It was Kurapika who taught him, not Gon.

"Don't go too far," he said, noticing Sora's silence, Kurapika doing unnecessary things he didn't want to do.

He said he wouldn't allow it.

If Sora's "happiness" came first, even this was excessive enough.

"... In my opinion, if I can't protect you without pushing myself too hard, that's the worst. If such a future happens, I'd rather push myself to the point of losing a limb. Or two."

When Kurapika told me last night, I spoke my true feelings.

This was true. Honest and unmistakable.

However—

"But I really don't want you to worry.

Indeed, I want to keep my promise to you. Kurapika."

While talking to himself, Sora took a string of three pocket watches out of his coat pocket.

After opening the lid, what looked like a pocket watch was actually a compass. But the direction those needles pointed was not north.

As for the direction the gem needles pointed, the white and crimson needles pointed in the same direction, and only the sky-blue needle pointed in a different direction.

The reason I gave it as a birthday gift, and the feelings and wishes I put into it, were not fake.

However, I did give it to them to know their whereabouts and prepare for this situation, because that was the legitimate reason.

Sora mocked himself for being so cowardly while jumping from one building to another in the direction of the sky blue... the Amazon Compass, just like yesterday.

Jumping over it more easily than yesterday had nothing to do with it not being "Absolute" like yesterday. Without a doubt, even in an Absolute state, Sora was confident he could run just as lightly through the night sky.

So much, and that Heavy heart became light. Everything was sunny, and I could only think that everything was going well.

Of course, everything was just an illusion.

In Kurapika's view, the words Sora spoke and the answers Sora found were merely self-centered and selfish; he understood that it would be of no use if they were dismissed.

Nevertheless, Sora was still happy.

Because I am deeply convinced that if my wishes are expressed in words, they will only bring misfortune.

Because I have learned that my own selfishness sometimes coincides with the happiness of others.

Sure enough, the answer Sora obtained could not be described in words.

But for Sora, it was enough.

The thing I can do to make him happy is not just to kill everything that makes him unhappy with my dead-looking eyes and my blood-stained hands, but rather I want to hold his hand and walk. Thinking that I could pull her and move forward in that direction, Sora spread his arms as if embracing the moon floating in the night sky, dancing gracefully in the air.

If you use such a method, you can see that the battle will never end. The illusion that they understand each other will surely shatter in an instant.

Rather than just wanting to increase the number of paths he can take, watching which path he chooses, it might be because one of your hands is occupied, and both you and your opponent will suffer too much damage.

Nevertheless, I decided that I would never let go of his hand.

Not as a magician of possibilities, but as a human named Sora, whether it is an illusion or an insurmountable boundary, it is only to get closer to each other and be happy.

In order to live.

So Sora grabbed his hand and ran toward Kurapika with a smile.