Chapter 161: They Came Willingly
"You've vented enough anger—it's time to know when to stop."
Hearing the familiar voice from the other end of the phone, Mord chuckled and replied, "How did I even manage to disturb an already retired old man?"
"If I didn't step in now, you'd probably turn the whole world upside down," Netero said irritably. "The Terrio family matter was one thing—after all, they were just a bunch of dogs. Although you offended Prince Nowell because of it, he has no legitimate reason to move against you. The underworld has its own rules, so he can only swallow this bitter pill."
"But now you've directly stormed a military base of the Federation of Ochima and killed one of their generals in front of everyone? That's far too reckless! Do you realize he was a decorated general of one of the current five great nations?"
"Debts must be repaid, lives must be paid with lives," Mord responded calmly, his expression unchanged.
"If it weren't for your great contributions in the Chimera Ant extermination mission, plus the fact that the Federation owed an explanation for their handling of the previous Tolgon City incident, this matter truly wouldn't have been resolved peacefully."
Netero's expression turned deadly serious as he said, "Mord, no matter how powerful an individual may be, they remain insignificant when facing a nation—or even all of humanity."
"It's not that they can't deal with you—they just haven't reached the point where they must."
"More likely, they can't afford the cost of dealing with me," Mord interjected. He knew well that Netero meant well.
After all, the Poor Man's Rose wasn't even the strongest weapon the V5 could deploy. Though Mord was now stronger than the King of Ants, he still couldn't be completely confident about withstanding weapons more powerful than the Poor Man's Rose.
If the V5 were determined to kill Mord at all costs, disregarding casualties, they could certainly do it.
But the price would be dragging at least one V5-level superpower down with him.
Unlike the newly born King of Ants, Mord wouldn't just stand still and take a nuclear strike. His En could now easily cover tens of thousands of meters.
The moment he detected a nuclear threat, he could escape the blast radius at maximum speed. The only way to trap him would be through coordinated saturation attacks.
Or by sending multiple experts of Netero's caliber on suicide missions to take him down together.
"Even a cornered rabbit will bite, let alone a beast like the V5. Enough—you understand the principles, so I won't waste words. Return the researchers you kidnapped," Netero said wearily.
"Kidnapped?" Mord deliberately drew out the word. "Old man, that's absolutely not what happened. Those researchers came with me voluntarily. Even if this went to an international court, I wouldn't lose."
"They're researchers from the Federation of Ochima, and you claim they came willingly? On what grounds?" Netero retorted, exasperated. His retirement had barely begun, and Mord was already testing his limits.
"On the grounds that I have more money, of course. I can provide them with the world's best research conditions and treatment. To protect them from Federation retaliation, I've already had all their families relocated immediately," Mord stated earnestly.
"What exactly are you trying to achieve?" Netero asked intently.
The meticulous execution clearly indicated this had been planned long in advance.
"I'll tell you when the time comes. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up." Mord moved to end the call.
"There's one more thing I need your help with. Come to the Hunter Association headquarters immediately," Netero interjected.
"Understood."
...
Hunter Association Headquarters, Conference Hall.
"I thought all Zodiacs would be present, but it turns out the Rat is absent," Mizaistom Nana, the Ox, declared sternly, hands pressed firmly on the table.
"The Vice President must be quite busy at a time like this~" Pyon, the Rabbit, chimed in sarcastically without looking up from her phone.
Gel, the Snake, added beside her, "It's precisely because of such occasions that he's occupied. He's probably out canvassing for votes."
"The President, boo hoo hoo... how tragic—" Ginta, the Sheep, wept uncontrollably, clearly distressed over Netero losing an arm and a leg.
"You're so noisy, Ginta. Your body temperature is high, and you stink," Cluck, the Rooster, complained.
"Even the elusive Ging showed up, yet that Rat bastard is missing," Saiyu, the Monkey, grumbled, dragging Ging into his complaint about Pariston.
"What do you mean 'even me'... You damn monkey, if you keep spouting nonsense, I'll kill you," Ging, the Boar, stated calmly.
...
The Association staff present dared not speak a word in the presence of these formidable figures. The overwhelming pressure made it difficult for them even to breathe.
Just as chaos reigned, Pariston, the Rat, finally made his belated entrance. He greeted everyone enthusiastically as he walked in, "Ah—my apologies! Sorry to keep you all waiting!"
"The events in East Gorteau have kept me swamped. I'm at my wit's end with them."
"Enough with the excuses. Take your seat quickly," Mizaistom, the Ox, interjected.
Pariston continued apologizing as he moved to the head seat.
"Now, let's begin the meeting. We'll discuss the matter of the next chairman!" Pariston announced.
"Wait! What gives you the right to act so entitled and chair the meeting?"
"How dare someone who's late steal the spotlight? Pariston is disgusting! Revolting! Just disappear already!" The cute rabbit Pyon didn't even lift her head, her eyes fixed on her phone, yet her words were sharp.
Instead of getting angry, Pariston laughed. "I admit it's rather shameless, but after all, I am the Vice President!"
"This meeting should be chaired by me."
At that moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the door, interrupting Pariston and the others' conversation.
Almost simultaneously, all twelve Zodiacs turned to look at the entrance.
Twelve sharp gazes, tangible as physical force, bore down. Anyone with insufficient training in Nen Ability would likely collapse to their knees on the spot under such pressure.
After all, gaze and aura are manifestations of Ten.
Yet the newcomer remained unfazed, strolling leisurely into the conference room as if taking a casual walk in a garden, before settling into the seat opposite Pariston.
"Since none of you twelve can agree with each other, instead of arguing until the world turns dark, why not let this third party chair the meeting?" Mord smiled as he addressed the Zodiacs.
"Good, it seems there are no objections. Then I shall take charge."
For the others, as long as Pariston wasn't presiding, they could accept it.
What puzzled them was Pariston's attitude—he had unusually chosen to remain silent.