Chapter 89: Fake

"... It's still very expensive."

"Hmm, student Karna, since you are a high-energy servant, your fuel consumption is truly terrible, so just finish it off. Magic Aura is just like eating."

"... Hmm, I had a terrifying battle with Illumi later, and that was also a major event."

September 4th, morning.

Kurapika placed his hand on the forehead of Sora, who was lying on the bed, roughly checking how high the fever was, and muttered to himself with some pain, but the person with the fever just answered with a smile.

"However, it's just because I consumed a large amount of Mana and am already exhausted, so if I sleep as Mr. Karna said, I think my fever will subside tonight."

"So don't worry about me, go to Gon. I haven't contacted you for two days, and I think I must have made everyone worry, so please explain that you are fine."

Kurapika stopped him from getting up to speak, so Sora, lying on the bed, raised his right hand and waved it.

As Kurapika, there were many things to tell Gon and the others, and many things to apologize for, so he was grateful that they were willing to say "come over," but besides that, he was worried about Sora's current situation, and he was the only one. He had a strong feeling that he didn't want to.

However, this did not mean he could not take away Sora, who was still running a high fever. Gon and his friends, especially Killua, certainly wanted to see Sora more than he did, but although the Leader of the Phantom Troupe was dead, it was not a total annihilation, so it was very likely that remnants were still lurking in Yorknew.

It seemed that only the Leader was obsessed with Sora, but if the remnants discovered the weak Sora, they might target her with the intention of paying tribute to the Leader, so Sora should stay out of the public eye for the time being, Kurapika and Sora judged for themselves.

Therefore, if the threat from the Brigade disappeared, there was still a lot of work to do, and since he was far from the employer's lights and the escorting Neon's eyes, he could secretly invite Gon and the others to the Hotel later to meet Sora. Kurapika thought it was possible and promised Sora that he would bring Gon and the others.

Sora smiled happily at this promise.

"Yeah, please... Then I'll sleep for a while... Or rather, I'll ask Karna what happened and what she did."

"? Come to think of it, I've been thinking about it since last night, but do you know that Karna lives in your body with you? If you fall asleep, can you have a conversation or something in your dreams?"

Kurapika had plenty of time after Sora finished speaking, so he frankly confronted Sora with the question that came to his mind.

"Ah, I should say I knew, or rather I was aware, but I didn't expect Mr. Karna's ego to be kept so clearly. I was thinking..."

"That person is truly selfless, putting others first, so he probably put me first until now. I think he has always been sleeping in my heart."

"I mean, if I'm just talking about theory, the reason why Mr. Karna is inside me, and how Mr. Karna's personality uses my body, is the same principle as the Gem Sword I showed in the final exam, so if I have Mana, I can separate student Karna from myself and summon her. Well, even if I paid the price of my life in exchange for the Mana to summon that person, it still wouldn't be enough."

"However, precisely because I accepted that person, I have never tried to talk to them internally instead of manifesting them, but it must be easier, and I think the required Mana and burden will be small, so I will still try. I intend to. This will eventually become a conversation in a dream, so it's a mystery how much I will remember after I wake up, but I don't think there will be more things I don't understand, so I will deliberately try it without expecting any confirmation."

"... Most importantly, I want to hit Mr. Karna on the head because I walk around without a jacket."

"Oh. Definitely do that."

There were still many things in Sora's answer that he didn't quite understand, so he wanted to ask him for more details, but as expected, he didn't have enough time to check the root and leaves, and Sora ran off. Kurapika agreed with Sora's wishes, and he clenched his fists, his face not because of the previous fever, but because of embarrassment.

After agreeing, Kurapika touched Sora's forehead again.

This time, he didn't check the heat, but stroked him as if he were stroking him, soothing him, then he smiled slightly and told him.

"Alright then, I'm going now. I think you know, but don't do anything unreasonable or irrational again."

"I understand, I won't bother you or your colleagues, today, I will be a good boy in bed."

Hearing Sora's answer, Kurapika breathed a sigh of relief.

Many things have been lost, and many wounds have yet to heal. It is no exaggeration to say that he only had regrets and worries about the future.

Even so, Kurapika walked away, grabbing what he wanted most, what he wanted to protect, right here.

What he wanted to protect, what he didn't want to see hurt, was that Sora was not the only existence that could be saved by living.

Kurapika left Sora at the Hotel, telling his friends he would "help" them, "It's okay now."

"Long time no see!!! Everyone is gathered together!!!"

"Is Sora not here?"

Gon and Leorio had asked the Auctioneer for the Dayroad Park where they met, and also called them to the Hotel where they were staying.

As soon as they met, he explained Sora's current situation, but Kurapika seemed to dislike Killua very much, and Killua had been in a bad mood since they met again.

By the way, Kurapika hadn't told anyone about Karna yet.

Since Karna was just talking about himself personally, there was no point in talking about the details with Gon and the others, and Kurapika didn't say what he wanted to say; Kurapika didn't have the confidence not to complain about Karna, so he had intended to talk about it, but decided to talk about it later.

"Yeah! Why is Killua splashing water on me like this!?"

"You heard from Kurapika why Sora couldn't come, Sora is safe! You can meet in the evening, so never sulk!"

"Don't back down!!"

Gon was a little angry at Killua's remarks that deliberately ruined the cheerful atmosphere, and Gon protested, but Killua continued to deny it unconvincingly, so a melee broke out.

Although Kurapika was fighting in the park, he felt he was fine, but he knew he was responsible for this fight, so he took responsibility and ended it.

"Both of you are a nuisance to those around you."

Gon hurriedly followed, saying, "It's not Kurapika's fault!" but Killua glared at Kurapika, then snorted in frustration.

"Where? Part of it is because he's stupid, but that's also the reason the Brigade is targeting him; he has a fever, and he's blind."

The frustrated Killua said some harsh words, and Gon wanted to be angry at Killua again, but was stopped by Kurapika himself.

Kurapika thought Killua was right, so even though every word became a thorn of guilt, stabbing his chest, he didn't mean to blame Killua. On the contrary, although they had separated, he felt more guilty about blaming himself, so in a sense, Killua's harsh response was easier than Gon's response, he could feel it.

"That's right, everything is weak, I have the responsibility to continue to hesitate, to come to this place, but unable to come up with an answer."

So Kurapika completely affirmed Killua's words.

Giving an affirmative answer.

The only thing he couldn't let go of, and couldn't put down.

"That's why I will protect you."

He said he would never leave Sora, because he was the one who hurt Sora and made him bear the unforgivable sin.

Killua said, "Sora will get hurt because of you, so go away!" then turned and left.

Seeing Kurapika's unusual outspokenness, Gon and Leorio widened their eyes, and a few seconds later Leorio asked, "... What on earth are you doing?"

"... Yeah. Thanks to me falling to the bottom many times, instead of once, I am a person who has broken through many things before feeling at ease."

"............ Part of my worry was solved by Gon."

"Huh? Me?"

I suddenly became the topic of discussion; hearing that Kurapika's heavy worries were undoubtedly resolved, even if only partially, I grew a bit impatient, because I did not know who this person was.

Kurapika stroked Gon's stiff hair, looking at Gon's appearance and answering with a strange smile.

"…Ah. Thank you."

Saying this, Kurapika narrowed his eyes and began to reminisce.

On the way to the park where Gon and the others were meeting, Kurapika's sense of tension was significantly lighter than when he was with Sora.

To be honest, seeing Gon and the others made me feel very heavy.

I did not want to see him, because I considered him an important friend.

I was already prepared to be blamed for failing to protect Sora and for hurting her, and I thought I deserved to be blamed, so it was fine.

But besides Killua, Gon and Leorio must certainly care about themselves.

Thanks to Karna pointing out that "Sora is saved," the guilt he had carried for years—that "Sora would be unhappy because of his mistakes" or "I shouldn't have met him"—all vanished so easily, and most of it disappeared, leaving me relieved.

However, because he was weak, he felt he was foolish, hesitated, and could not think of an answer; Kurapika could not do it either.

This is why my own guilt, self-loathing, and regret were not repulsive. What made me feel heavy were my own thoughts, which were always cash-strapped and negative.

If Sora were here, if Sora were right in front of me, I could have broken my short-sighted thinking of trying to protect the happiness before my eyes, but if I were not by her side, I would still be able to see Kurapika. I worried about the future, not knowing what to do or where to go.

Therefore, when Kurapika arrived at the park, his face was likely as gloomy as it had been two days ago when he carried Sora back to the Hotel.

Gon, who was in the middle of a fast-eating contest or something, had his mouth stuffed with food and called out Kurapika's name; when he threw the food in his mouth at Killua, he seemed so happy he didn't even notice it himself. Turning around, he didn't know what to say, his face full of awkwardness.

Kurapika tried to talk to him, even though he felt guilty again for making him look like that and for making him care.

I don't remember what I was going to say now.

Because before that, Gon decided what he wanted to say and just said it.

"Good for you!!"

First, he said yes.

Casting aside the doubts and unease in his heart, he was the first to be overjoyed.

"Now that the Brigade is dead, I can finally focus on doing what I want to do most!"

Gon's words were actually insensitive, although I hadn't thought about it seriously.

With a little thought, I believe anyone could figure it out.

This was a path of thorns, more heartbreaking to Kurapika than revenge against the Phantom Troupe.

However, he said.

"Quickly find the 'friend's eyes' with me and Sora!"

That is, the end of the massacre, the scarlet eyes, the product of being raped and trampled, used to flatter the Demon who treated them as objects.

Most importantly, searching for the whereabouts of the scarlet eyes with her, who was a gem coveted by Human Body Collectors, meant putting Sora in danger by using her as bait.

Of course, Gon certainly did not think of such a thing. For better or worse, this boy, who was a model of the theory that human nature is inherently good, could not imagine such ugly Malice without being told.

That is why I couldn't even think of Kurapika.

I did not want to put Sora in danger. Sora becoming a hobby for a Human Collector was unacceptable, even in their imagination.

This is why it was absolutely impossible for Kurapika to let Sora participate in the matter of retrieving the scarlet eyes.

However, after being told by Gon, a picture of the future suddenly emerged in his mind.

Kurapika knew that in the future, it would be more efficient and more difficult for Kurapika to act alone versus retrieving the scarlet eyes with Sora.

Because she never flattered Human Collectors. So, the superficial business relationship would be covered up at first, but if it were auctioned like this time, she would betray the client at that moment, take it back, and calmly bring it home. She would give it to Kurapika.

Even if she stole it, it was just an object; she could not rely on direct attacks like the police, but she did so after realizing that this would turn the world's Mafia into an enemy like the Brigade.

In the eyes of Sora, who had already made up her mind to be an enemy of Gaia and Alaya, the Mafia of this world was nothing to fear.

What he absolutely did not want to do was to hand over Kurapika's most beloved—the scarlet eyes—as a cruel souvenir for that person, to someone who hated the Phantom Troupe as much as Kurapika did.

Without a doubt, she would think that way and do that.

No matter how much danger she put herself in, she was looking for a future that would make Kurapika the happiest and cause the least harm, and she chose that path.

Because that was her own salvation and happiness.

And Kurapika imagined that future; after Gon told him, for the first time, he did not think of the "worst future," but rather a future where Sora would walk alongside him before that.

It was much more difficult than walking alone, and the possibility of the worst future was too high, but the process would certainly be much happier than walking alone.

I absolutely do not want Sora to end up in the same situation as my kin. But this is the same choice I made when I tried to kill Uvogin and the Phantom Troupe.

I realized that I abandoned all happiness not for the sake of happiness, but to avoid the worst-case scenario I wanted least.

Of course, if Kurapika did not rely on Sora and went to find and Collect the scarlet eyes himself, the possibility of the worst ending occurring was small.

But in the end, it would only get lower and lower. Looking at Sora, no matter how careful he was, unless he kept her under house arrest somewhere without attracting anyone's attention, it wouldn't be strange for a Human Collector to be eyeing her at any time. The worst-case scenario was always possible.

In that case, it was better to do as Gon said; this was a provocative conclusion.

If the worst ending could be determined, there would still be room for consideration, but if this possibility never disappeared, Kurapika would be hurt and unhappy, and Sora would end up unhappy just like his kin. The future might be retrospective, and no matter how high the possibility of reaching the worst outcome was, it was best to remain happy during the process.

By the same token, no matter which path you choose, there is always a possibility of ending in the worst way, so if you don't lose the possibility of a happy ending, no matter how small, that path should be happy for it.

The happier the path, the harder it is to let go.

I only realized this point.

After being reminded, Killua was angry at Gon for throwing a piece of food, hit Gon's face with a piece of cake, and a melee ensued. But Kurapika told us.

"Thank you, Gon."

In Gon's view, he just spoke his mind and didn't really think about it, to the point where he didn't even know what he had said or when Kurapika's trouble had been resolved.

Confused, he answered.

"Uh, uh... I don't know what it is, but I'm glad if I can help Kurapika."

In his confusion, he smiled as if it were his own happiness.

However, Killua seemed uninterested in everything, continued his sulking, and put a period to the story.

"... So, in the end, were you one of the Phantom Troupe killers or the Chain Bastard? Or are you the one from the sky in the Red Coat?"

I pour cold water on it, but first, we aren't just getting Together to talk about the current situation. On the contrary, this is the point.

As expected, Gon does not complain to Killua, waiting for Kurapika's answer with a pitiful look in his eyes.

"... It is Sora."

Kurapika also wipes away the gentle and faint smile he had when talking to Gon, answering in a low voice with an expressionless face.

Of course, this is different from the expressionless face of someone thinking of nothing, but it is not a mask to hide emotions; he answers emptily, as if his feelings for that reality have been worn down, worn down.

"... But only I and my colleagues know about this. My colleagues only heard about it from me."

The Phantom Troupe has absolutely no evidence to prove that Sora is the Red Coat who destroyed the initial attack, nor is there evidence that she is the one who killed the member of the 11th Brigade. That is why looking for a Red Coat is just an occasion.

If their remnants are searching seriously, the person thought to have killed the 11th is the target of their revenge. I am the Chain Bastard who came from this.

Kurapika's answer does not make Killua feel better, but instead eases the tense atmosphere a little. He must have been relieved that the risk of Sora to the Phantom Troupe was not that high.

The risk for Kurapika is still quite high, but in Killua's view now, it is nothing more than self-indulgence, so he does not know.

However, for the other two, Kurapika is of course as worried as Sora, so he asks if it is okay to go out without disguise, but he forgot there are remnants, and because his head is already dead, he did not stay vigilant. He was scolded by Kurapika for carelessly going out.

According to Gon, although it was Sora who killed him at first, Kurapika is the only one who captured a member of the 11th Brigade. I also remember I have some things.

"Ah, I see. First of all, I think you yourself have caught one before."

"It seems he is one of the top muscle-headed idiots in the Phantom Troupe."

Thinking back, I am convinced, but even though we have only started Training for about two or three months at most, Leorio has only mastered 'Ten' and Gon has only mastered the Four Major Principles. Killua and Killua, he does not know how he gained the power to capture an A-rank Bounty head alive, nor does he know what that power is exactly. After pulling away the gap, the tone of my answer is as stubborn as when we first met.

"... If you guys want to catch the remnants of the Phantom Troupe Spider, ask for a reason, then don't do it. My story is of no help."

"That's not all."

He must have sensed the stubbornness in Kurapika's refusal, but Gon of course has no reason to back down, continuing to move forward.

"Even we want to master 'Nen'. Of course, I have a feeling of wanting to catch the remaining Phantom Troupe Spiders, but I think Nen Ability will definitely be needed from now on."

"Then don't even mention it."

"Why!?"

However, Kurapika remains stubborn.

He answers Gon's question stubbornly.

Having been answered, Gon and the others know.

"My ability, except for the Brigade, cannot be used by anyone else."

"!"

Kurapika realizes his stubbornness is not because of refusal, but because they do not want to let themselves bear the extra burden of a 'secret'.

"Vow and Restriction..."

"Oh."

Sitting in the Hotel's common room, Kurapika explains why he is the only one with the ability to contend with the Brigade, even though he is training at the same time.

'Nen' is an ability that affects the mind.

The amount of preparation increases power. But it comes with high risk.... In the final exam, didn't Sora have some weapon against Hisoka? It has a strong Magic element, but it is a Nen Ability that fuses Constraints and Contracts.

This must be a Constraint; it cannot be realized unless it is damaged to a certain degree, and it guarantees that the power will increase in proportion to the damage received.

Kurapika materializes the five chains wrapped around his right hand while explaining the example of Sora's Gem Sword, which everyone except Gon has seen.

Then, I show the chains to the three of them and continue to explain.

"I used most of my Nen Ability to swear to overthrow the Phantom Troupe Spider. I also set rules for this."

"... Phantom Troupe Spider, if I attack someone who does not have my chains, I will die."

"!!"

Sora's covenant with the Sword is also quite crazy and risky, while Kurapika's is even more inescapable.

Kurapika continues his cold explanation with an empty expression toward the three who are speechless after being told.

"My heart is still pierced by a blade."

"Know it? My ability is a product of the resentment born from hatred. Phantom Troupe Spider, this is a power that fundamentally does not work."

"... I am speaking because it is you. Please do not say anything else."

Just as Kurapika finishes speaking, Killua stands up and punches Kurapika in the face.

"!? Killua!!"

"Hey! Hey! Calm down!!"

Killua's movement is fast, but Kurapika is completely unprepared, perhaps because he had no intention of being prepared from the start, falling sideways. Killua continues to attack Kurapika, and just as he starts to try, Gon and Leorio hurriedly grab Killua to stop him.

Even though the two are strangling each other, Killua stares at Kurapika with wide eyes, biting his teeth until the roots are almost broken, then shouts and spits it out.

"What are you thinking?! Sora's actions, you are an idiot, you have no right to complain!! You are the biggest idiot!!"

"............ Ah."

Kurapika, who gets up after being beaten, silently accepts all his violence and abuse without blaming Killua.

"It is meaningless to prove your listening ability now!!"

"Most importantly, he told us!? Even though it is such a stupid story, it is all about high risk!!"

"... Hmm. Of course. I wonder why..."

"Their brains are dead... they have lost their minds... and because this is something Sora can never talk about, perhaps he hoped someone would listen to him as a form of confession."

"Don't be stupid! If that's the case, then dig a hole in the trash can and spit it out!"

Compared to the irritable Killua, Kurapika is surprisingly calm and lacks vitality; he answers in a matter-of-fact tone, probably because he is in a state of burnout, and such an answer only provokes Killua's anger even more.

"Why... why did you tell us more than anything! Even though it is still there!"

"Phantom Troupe fellows, one of my friends who has the ability of reading memories is still alive!!"

Kurapika heard Killua's shouting clearly, but without being ambitious to the point of making one wonder if he was truly listening to Killua, he raised his head.

A glimmer of light flashed in those somewhat hollow eyes.

Killua asked who killed Uvogin, and when he faced the absolutely unforgivable sin he had committed, he fell into a vicious cycle again, but he broke through it, using cash to despise shortsightedness. Because I can only see the present, not the past or the future, I realized the important things I cannot give up.

"What does this mean?"

"............ It's just like that!

Perhaps it is the ability to read the required information by touching the target. Even if we don't want to talk at all, he can freely entice memories back.

If that guy finds out, then your chances of winning will certainly be greater, but Sora is the worst!!"

Killua was even more annoyed that he immediately bit onto the information that Sora was in danger, even though he was in a state of rage at his own anger. In that case, Killua was even more annoyed, who knew he could never forgive himself, let out a shout, and stomped on the ground.

"Killua! I know you are worried about Sora, but calm down!

What about that girl? But she didn't appear at that time, did she?"

Gon asked while holding Killua, and Killua was still panting, but he didn't hit him again, answering straightforwardly with a bit of an outburst.

"At that time, we didn't even know the Chain Bastard and the Red Coat were Kurapika and Sora! But now we know everything!"

"However, it's safe not to get close from here, right? I looked it over and thought it was white."

Leorio tried to calm him down and pointed this out, but even if he was provoked, Killua's mind would not slow down. He immediately retorted.

"There is also a guy named Nobunaga, he is really dangerous. Chain Bastard Kurapika, when are you, Red Coat Sora, I am looking for you, perhaps you haven't given up on chasing us."

"But he doesn't know the contact point between the two of you and Kurapika, right?"

"...... Hisoka is in the Brigade. I cannot imagine that bastard would be loyal to such a group. I don't know what the purpose of becoming a Brigade member is. You can also consider selling your information. There is a contact point."

"...... No. That is not true."

Kurapika thought for a while before answering the arguments of Killua and Leorio.

"I... should be that Sora and Hisoka have had contact. So he knew from the beginning that I was the Chain Bastard and Sora was the Red Coat.

And Hisoka's purpose is to strike up a conversation with the leader of the Phantom Troupe. That purpose is definitely gone, but given his personality and purpose, if it were when you were captured, maybe he could weigh it, but if not, then it is definitely your own, they will not try to sell us, who they view as prey, to others."

When Kurapika pointed it out, Killua managed to suppress the urge to click his tongue out of frustration.

Just as Kurapika said, even Killua thought the possibility of Hisoka selling his own intelligence to the remnants of the Phantom Troupe was almost non-existent. His goal was within the scope of his hypothesis.

Hisoka was just using Kurapika as an excuse to hunt down the remnants of the Phantom Troupe.

Kurapika certainly wanted to hunt down the remnants so he could buy Greed Island, but more importantly, Killua wanted a guarantee.

Sora wanted a guarantee that she would never have to worry about anything ever again, so she wanted to get rid of the Brigade that threatened her safety and peace.

Using Kurapika to achieve this goal was a feeling bordering on resentment for Sora's connection to the Phantom Troupe; even though Sora cared so much, she cheaply imitated her own life. That was just to prevent Sora from being hurt again, no matter what means I used.

For this, I will use anything.

Even if Sora wanted to protect her beloved to the end, one couldn't say there was no jealousy, but most importantly, relying on Kurapika meant admitting that one had no power, which was shameful. However, what I want to protect is more than just my pride.

Therefore, although Killua was angry, he still moved his head calmly, trying to provoke Kurapika into hunting the remnants.

Kurapika and Killua had the same wish.

And unlike Killua, I think he might lose Sora in front of me.

Nevertheless, Sora still wanted Kurapika.

So Kurapika answered.

"...... That woman is indeed dangerous to me and Sora, but... Phantom Troupe fellows, since my head is dead, I will focus on recovering my brothers' eyes, just as Gon said."

It is a pity, but if Hisoka is there, the danger will be relatively small. They should be able to successfully guide the remnants so that they are not involved with us."

I don't know how long I can keep that promise, and I can't guarantee that I will keep this promise for the rest of my life. Won the hunt for the Phantom Troupe by Kurapika.

Hearing Kurapika's answer, this time Killua couldn't help it and clicked his tongue loudly.

Kurapika vaguely sensed this reaction, but I am sure he wanted to incite himself to hunt the remnants. However, Killua realized that he was looking for the remnants for Sora rather than for money, so he didn't want to blame him.

"Sorry, Killua. I am very worried about you."

"Leave me alone! You idiot!!"

So he apologized honestly, but Kurapika seemed to have been identified as someone who didn't like Kurapika, so Killua sat cross-legged on the sofa, turned around, and spat.

Killua wasn't the only one; Kurapika, Gon, and Leorio gave a wry smile, and the topic shifted from the Brigade to how to soothe Killua's emotions.

Kurapika was right.

Because Hisoka is greedy, he basically hates his prey being stolen by others.

Until you can taste its deliciousness, sometimes overlooking, sometimes protecting, sometimes training yourself.

That is why, if the prey they are aiming at loses one, they don't know what they will do, but there is a place they don't know what they will do. I think the possibility of Sora, who can no longer go out to fight, interfering is quite low.

Having lost the prey I was looking forward to, I decided I wasn't stupid enough to lose what I was looking forward to yet.

This judgment was correct.

But Hisoka is very greedy.

Although I have the patience to wait for the prey I am aiming at to grow delicious, I cannot miss the opportunity to taste it.

The mobile phone in Kurapika's pocket rang.

Since he told him he was receiving mail instead of a call, Kurapika didn't get up from his seat, took out his mobile phone, glanced at the sender with slight doubt, and then opened the mail screen. Rushed to my head.

"The corpse is a forgery, a forgery"