[But Kurapika wouldn't insist on killing you guys, right?]
"Heh, hahaha!" Feitan suddenly burst into laughter, which made the other members laugh along with him.
Shizuku was holding a bottle of champagne and figuring out how to open it when she heard the laughter and looked confused. "Huh? What's so funny?"
Yeah, what's so funny.
Chrollo sat nearby, showing a somewhat helpless smile at that moment.
"We are not afraid of death." After the laughter died down, Chrollo said.
"We live to do things that are more important than death. We always stick to our spirit and live on. Any moment we go against it is a betrayal of ourselves."
Speak in plain words.
"In simple terms, the spider must survive. We as individuals can die, and we all accept that."
It's like that middle school syndrome eternal spirit thing.
Seeing the other didn't get it, Chrollo covered his mouth and explained again. "It means, without Nen, we might do bad things, so better kill us."
Saiki Kusuo nodded hesitantly.
Everyone has different goals. Though he didn't know what shaped this group like this.
Villains talking about spirit and ideals—what could be scarier?
Hisoka seemed normal by comparison. He was just a guy who fights whenever he wants for his own fun.
The longer he lived in this world, the clearer some truths became. Everyone here is real. Their joys, angers, sorrows, and choices all have reasons. The more he learned, the less he could treat this place like a normal world.
He wasn't realizing this truth today. But with departure so close, even a little awareness of it made him want to think deeper.
Living two completely different lives in two worlds—which side was the real him? If this world couldn't be called fiction or 2D, could he really start his normal life back home without regrets after leaving, ignoring everything here?
[Good luck to you all.] Saiki Kusuo suddenly said.
"Is that okay? We're not good people."
[I wish Kurta good luck too.] After Saiki Kusuo said that, he vanished from the spot.
"Leader, is this guy really going to die on the Dark Continent?"
"Probably. He's very strong, but he judges he can't come back. No one knows the place he's going better than him."
Machi: "I don't think he'll die. He doesn't have that scent of someone heading to their death."
Chrollo: "You feel that? In a way, we're heading to our deaths too. Do we have that scent?"
Machi: "...No."
Chrollo: "A strange guy we can't figure out. If he survives, that would be good."
...
Saiki Kusuo arrived at Kukuroo Mountain. The mountainside was bustling with people preparing the venue. All these lively and messy thoughts pulled him back to reality.
No matter what, his real family had been sad for many days after he left without saying goodbye.
He had to go back.
Soon, the day of the birthday arrived.
The sun rose as usual and shone on the halfway point of Kukuroo Mountain. Gotoh knocked on Saiki Kusuo's room door.
Saiki Kusuo had been awake for a while.
In front of the house, his younger brothers were waiting at the door like elementary kids excited for a field trip.
Alluka: [Excited excited!]
Milluki: [Looking forward looking forward!]
Kalluto: [Killua Killua!]
Saiki Kusuo, opened three doors with one hand.
To prove he could go to the Dark Continent and survive safely, he didn't hold back much.
Anyway, it was already the last day. The goodbyes and company stuff had mostly been done a few days ago.
Not everyone came right on the day, but Kukuroo Mountain was a tourist spot with plenty of good places to stay nearby. Two kids had arrived near the mountain yesterday—Killua and Gon.
The first ones ready to head up were Killua and Gon.
"Why is your house at the top of the mountain, but you're staying at an inn down below, Killua?"
"Idiot, you're staying at an inn too, right? It's more fun to stay together at night."
"But yesterday you kicked me awake."
"Huh? I haven't even said anything yet. This morning I woke up right at the edge of the bed. One more inch and I'd have rolled off! Your side had so much space!"
"Really? When I woke up, you weren't next to me anymore. I didn't even know!"
"You're more honest than a pearl!"
"Then... we're even!"
"Even! Hey, what's that over there?"
"Ah!"
You two keep chatting.
Gon jumped and waved wildly. "Killua's brother! Good morning! Happy birthday!!"
He was the first to say happy birthday.
[Good morning, Gon.]
Our Killua was different. "Haha! I'm definitely getting first place up the mountain! First one there!"
"Ah! Sneaky! Weren't we coming up to find Killua's brother? I should win!"
"It's a race to see who gets up the mountain faster, dummy!"
The Killua who came to celebrate Saiki Kusuo's birthday flew right past him from the side.
This kid.
"By the way, happy birthday, Kusuo!"
You really don't have to shout that.
The two kids turned into shadows and disappeared into the woods.
Oh man, Saiki Kusuo turned to head down the mountain, but suddenly stopped and looked up.
Above, an old man was falling straight down.
"Boom!"
The Hunter Association president, Netero. He jumped from a thousand meters up, feet on wooden clogs.
Hey, don't frame me or die in front of my house.
"Hoho hoho... those two kids have such lively energy." The smoke cleared, Netero unharmed, chuckling as he stroked his beard.
He had been watching Killua and Gon jump down.
The airship seemed to be looking for a landing spot. Saiki Kusuo pointed up and used telepathy to tell the pilot the right place to land.
The airship slowly headed higher up the mountain.
Alone with Netero, Saiki Kusuo stayed calm. Even this man, called the strongest in the Hunter world, didn't make him feel fear or pressure.
"Oh!"
Saiki Kusuo turned his head, trying to avoid Netero's examining gaze.
"Long time no see, Kusuo-kun. I didn't expect you to be Killua's brother..." Wing came out from the trees, greeted him, then bowed to Netero. "President."
"President!"
The one always saying it was Zushi, a kid smaller than Killua and Gon, dark-skinned, round-faced, honest and straightforward. He was Wing's student, but Zetsu treated Wing like a stand-in master.
So he might be Wing's master too. Biscuit's student, so maybe Wing's junior. Later Wing was Killua and Gon's Nen teacher, but now after Biscuit taught them, Wing became their peer, and they had to call Zetsu senior brother...
Ah, got it.
How Killua, Gon, Wing, and Zushi address each other when they meet.
But now Saiki Kusuo replied: [You two can follow this path all the way up to visit the mountain.]
Saiki Kusuo strolled slowly down the mountain. With telepathy, except for Netero who suddenly dropped from the sky, he wouldn't run into too many people.
"Hahaha! I didn't expect you here too." Biscuit saw a Hunter Association partner at the foot of the mountain and was very happy. "Whose birthday is it today? Killua's?"
You should look at the invite.
"I remember it's the second son of the Zoldyck family, Saiki Kusuo's birthday."
Biscuit fanned herself, covering her smile. "Oh~ that pink-haired guy, he looks pretty neat too..."
Saiki Kusuo circled around to avoid them.
Near the foot of the mountain, Saiki Kusuo finally saw the Kurta people. Their ethnic clothes were very eye-catching, blue and yellow colors, easy to spot even in the woods.
A group of five, led by Kurapika. Saiki Kusuo felt a bit relieved.
Right, where's Leorio?
One of the main four characters, but he was rarely seen.
Saiki Kusuo used Clairvoyance to search.
On the early train to Kukuroo Mountain, a tall, skinny man with a bag was getting off the rail car, tired, his legs bowed like O-legs, hunched back and panting.
"Damn! Sat in that seat for 2 days and 22 hours, my butt's flat, finally here! Zushi will eat it all back here!"
You really worked hard, Leorio. If I had foresight, I'd teleport you straight here.
"Oh my oh my~ lots of fruits."
Saiki Kusuo ducked as Hisoka's card flew by.
Who sneaks an attack while someone's worried about guests' safety.
But Hisoka didn't need Saiki Kusuo to warn him. A butler had been tailing him for a while.
"Dear guest, the head of the house asks you to talk in the main hall. Please come with me." Tsubone appeared with a kind smile, blocking between Hisoka and Saiki Kusuo.
Her tall back was very reliable, her words reliable, her thoughts reliable too.
Tsubone: [The head has long questioned Hisoka and the eldest son's relationship. This time it's a special talk, hope the eldest doesn't find out.]
Saiki Kusuo: Understood, I'll help.
Where's Illumi now? Saiki Kusuo searched.
After a few seconds scanning Kukuroo Mountain, Saiki Kusuo was puzzled. Wait, why isn't he on the mountain? Has my Clairvoyance lost the ability to find disguised killers?
[But the eldest was sent by the head on an urgent task and won't be back until afternoon. Should be fine.]
So the reliable adults and butlers have better ways.
Poor Illumi, emergency overtime at a time like this.
The Greed Island GM couldn't make it, so among the people Saiki Kusuo had met in this world, there weren't many left for chance encounters now.
Saiki Kusuo kept walking down the mountain.
A fox beastman greeted him. "Killua's brother, hi!"
Saiki Kusuo: Who is this?
"It's the shape-shifting beastman, Kiriko. An outside member of the Hunter Association. Every year helps guide exam candidates through basic trials."
In his peripheral vision, long silver hair floated by. A tall, skinny man in a hat appeared with all limbs intact.
"Long time no see, Dr. Saiki. Long time no see, Kiriko. Did you two come as a couple?"
Kiriko said, "Long time no see. Met Killua during this year's Hunter Exam. Didn't expect him to invite us."
[Long time no see, Kite. Did you clean up the ants well?]
So is this the male or female one? Saiki Kusuo thought, eyes moving down.
Ah, male.
"We acted right after finding the Chimera Ants. Now we've formed a pro team, spread awareness to villagers. If anyone goes missing between villages, it's reported right away. We've locked on the Queen Ant, just waiting for the right moment to wipe them out." Kite reported the latest dutifully. Since NGL was like an isolated country with farming-level infrastructure, outside info spread slowly. He noticed this peace-loving kid didn't know the updates, so he explained extra carefully.
Appreciated.
Killing the Queen directly would make other ants scatter, so keep her. No need for Saiki Kusuo to remind; experienced Hunters had it handled.
The situation was much better. Though watched, it wouldn't be as dangerous as in the anime.
[Um... anyone there? Is this... the Zoldyck house?]
Saiki Kusuo suddenly heard such a voice.
Someone looking for Zoldyck, a little girl, at the foot of the mountain. Saiki Kusuo also heard another searching voice.
[Uh... where is she? The train's here! Did she miss her stop? Waa, Kusuo brother!]
This was Alluka. Do they know each other? But since Alluka mentioned her, he'll check.
[I'll step away.] After greeting, Saiki Kusuo vanished.
When he found the voice looking for Zoldyck, he learned Alluka invited Komugi.
How could you let a blind girl travel all this way alone!
Komugi sniffed hard with big snot. "It's a bit cold here! I left my bag on the train... but! No problem! No weapons in the bag this time!"
Is that the issue? Saiki Kusuo teleported to the train, found the bag Komugi was thinking of, and placed it in her arms.
Oh man, traveling blind is really inconvenient.
"Huh? This is my bag. How did it get here..." Komugi touched the bag, very surprised.
"Hehe, brother ran over to get it!" Alluka was thrilled. "Komugi, put on your thick clothes quick!"
"So cool, like making a wish in my heart and it appears in my hand..." Komugi marveled.
No problem. In front of you are two "super-powered" wish granters.
Settling guests, handling conflicts and needs between them—Saiki Kusuo was new to hosting, but he appeared more timely than butlers, helping where needed to ensure the evening party prep went smoothly. Time passed like that without notice.
The birthday party's lights signaled from halfway up Kukuroo Mountain, music started, people scattered around the mountain or visiting the Zoldyck house gathered one after another.
Night at 8 PM, Nen Users 98%, seated in the venue.
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