Chapter 161: The Zoldycks x Ging's Bizarre Condition
God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
God didn't say where the light came from or where it went... but Roy knew that regardless of what any god said, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, day after day, month after month, year after year. It shines freely, illuminating the world, not caring a whit for divine decrees.
The next day, 4:00 AM.
The grandfather clock in the corner chimed.
Roy left the Demon Slayer world, opened his eyes, and returned to the Hunter world.
He rolled out of bed and, as usual, got dressed for his morning run. Leaving the Zoldyck castle, he headed down the mountain path. Passing through the forest, he heard the whistling of a blade and glanced over...
Deep in the woods, by the pool, he could vaguely make out a figure. Bearded, gold-rimmed glasses, dual-wielding training swords, practicing the "Water Breathing" forms with rigid discipline... It was Gotoh.
Smiling, Roy didn't disturb him. He continued his run down the mountain...
Arriving at the entrance to the mountain path, he saw a white-haired boy whose face, just healed from swelling yesterday, was swollen like a pig's head again. Roy couldn't help but activate En to eavesdrop on the boy's thoughts... Kastro was confused.
Yesterday, Kastro had stubbornly challenged Gotoh to a duel again. The result? He got beaten even worse than the day before!
He couldn't understand why someone would suddenly become stronger... Gotoh's aura recovery speed had increased... his coin flicks were more agile... his endurance was greater... all showcasing the enhancement and transformation "Water Breathing" brought to a person.
Humans cannot imagine things beyond their cognition. Let the boy stay confused for a while...
There is a distinction between close and distant.
Roy saw Kastro's potential. He planned to let him stew for a bit. Once Gotoh had fully mastered "Water Breathing" and grown stronger, then Roy would pluck this delicious fruit. It wouldn't be too late.
Thoughts racing... he drew closer...
Kastro heard the footsteps and bowed respectfully. "Young Master."
Roy brushed past the boy's shoulder, leaving him with the view of a not-so-tall but exceptionally upright figure... Thinking back, they had been evenly matched at the Heavens Arena. Now, not only could Kastro not beat Roy's personal butler, but yesterday he had even heard...
That the meteor smashing towards Kukuroo Mountain was the Young Master's doing. Kastro's feelings were a complex mix, like an overturned spice rack—sour, spicy, sweet, bitter, all at once... In his frustration, he had sought out Gotoh again, but it would have been better if he hadn't!
He ended up with a massive swollen head, beaten worse than the day before, even more depressed!
Fortunately, the boy could clearly feel he was improving, faster than he had at the Heavens Arena. That gave him some psychological comfort, keeping him from total despair.
Tap... tap...
With each step, Roy vanished from Kastro's sight.
He maintained his rhythm, neither fast nor slow. Each step was measured as if by a ruler. His fine control over his body had reached a level of effortless mastery.
Soon, he exited the mountain path and arrived at the Testing Gate.
From a distance, he saw a balding middle-aged man instructing Kurapika on muscle exertion techniques.
The girl, her blonde hair in a ponytail, was imitating the stance, footwork, and breathing. At first, she was clumsy, but as she adapted, she seemed to grasp something. She slapped the Testing Gate with her palm... The massive gate didn't budge, but the recoil made Kurapika grimace, hopping on one foot while clutching her hand.
"Oh my... you're too hasty..." Zebro watched with amusement and exasperation. Seeing Roy approaching, he pulled Kurapika aside, removed his hat, and bowed. "Good morning, Young Master."
"Mm." Roy glanced at Kurapika.
The girl clutched her hand, biting her lip, bowing to him despite the pain. Her pitiful yet stubborn appearance showed clearly how much she cared about passing the butler test.
"You can't eat hot tofu if you're in a hurry."
Dropping a simple sentence... Roy turned and left, running back up the mountain path. Kurapika watched him go, taking a deep breath. "Again, Uncle..."
Zebro shook his head... Like master, like servant. The Zoldycks are famous for their stubbornness, and their butlers are no different... each one more stubborn than the last...
Kastro was like this, and now this girl... The new recruits were getting harder to handle...
Zebro put on his hat, suddenly recalling his own youth. He seemed to have been just as stubborn back then. He chuckled, "Heh heh..."
"Uncle, you seem happy to see me suffer..."
"Hahaha... not at all. I'm happy when you're not suffering too..."
Faint laughter chased Roy's footsteps, reaching his ears... Sun-and-mountain earrings swaying, the boy enjoyed a rare, beautiful morning. Smiling, he returned to his bedroom, entered the shower, and began adding points while rinsing off.
Having killed several small demons the previous night, he emptied his accumulated twenty-plus points of "Life Energy" in one go.
Accustomed to the pain, when Roy emerged from the shower, his figure hadn't changed much, but his tight, fluid muscles were even more defined.
In the cold weather, he sat shirtless at the dining table, opening the Record of the West Continent to search for information on "Faith," pondering how to use the two points of "Faith Power" that had appeared on his panel...
Gotoh, finished with his morning training, pushed the food cart in on time. While serving Roy, he reported an important piece of news.
"Someone has accepted the 'bounty' you posted on the Hunter website, Young Master."
"Who?" Roy took a bite of his sandwich and looked up.
Gotoh pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. "A woman named Elena."
"She says she once saw a creature called an 'Elephant Tapir' in a secret realm. It can make things disappear by sucking them up with its trunk. It's suspected to be the 'De-Conjuration' magical beast you're looking for."
Roy washed down the last of his sandwich with milk, listening impassively... Saying it was Elena was basically saying it was... Ging!
Based on the current timeline, he should have already landed on Greed Island and begun using the entire island as a blueprint to create the "Greed Island" game.
"Did she mention a time?"
Roy finished his breakfast, slowly pulling out a napkin to wipe his mouth.
Gotoh said, "That's the strange part."
The young butler narrowed his eyes. "She said to wait for her message. And..."
Gotoh looked at Roy cautiously. "Before that, she wants you to agree to a condition."
"What condition?"
"She says she wants to see your skills."
"Oh." Roy glanced sideways. "How?"
Gotoh: "She wants you to help her break someone out of prison!"
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