Chapter 44: I Accept
Two nights later, Kyle stood in the shadows of a skyscraper, watching a specific window in a distant hotel.
He had just finished a phone call with Kurapika. The Chain User initially didn't want to drag his friends into his revenge, but Kyle's simple, "Aren't we partners?" had been the challenge to his core belief that finally earned a reluctant compromise.
Kyle had already infiltrated Kurapika's hotel and concealed himself.
Inside the designated room, Kurapika stood alone, his eyes gleaming coldly in the darkness.
Soon after, Uvogin strode in.
Uvogin's rough face showed clear surprise that Kurapika was waiting alone. After a brief exchange, they reached an agreement and headed outside the city limits to a desolate, rocky ridge.
Kyle followed at a distance, using Zetsu to mask his presence entirely. He was a silent spectator to the clash of fate.
The moonlight cast long shadows across the uneven terrain. Kurapika's Scarlet Eyes, hidden beneath colored contacts, burned like two stars of retribution. Uvogin stood like a charging beast, his muscles bulging, his Nen creating an almost visible aura around him.
The battle unfolded exactly as Kyle had known it would.
Uvogin was securely locked down by Kurapika's chains. No matter how much the Enhancer roared and thrashed, he could not break free from the deceptively thin iron bindings.
With Uvogin immobilized, Kurapika rained punch after punch onto his body, his expression grim, demanding information on the Troupe.
Uvogin, however, saw Kurapika's interrogation as a desperate, meaningless tantrum. He remained defiant, even as the bones in his body fractured.
Just as the killing intent in Kurapika's eyes peaked, and he was about to unleash his Vows and Limitations fully on Uvogin, Kyle stepped out of the shadows.
Kurapika was stunned. The killing rage in his Scarlet Eyes receded slightly, replaced by confusion and wariness.
"Kyle, you—"
Kyle held up his right hand and smiled. "Yo, Kurapika." His voice was too casual for the charged atmosphere.
Kyle noted Kurapika's compromised emotional state and glanced at the battered Uvogin before turning back to his friend.
"Kurapika, killing him won't get you the Troupe's information, and from what I know, even killing the leader won't disband the Troupe anyway."
He walked toward Kurapika, the moonlight illuminating half his face. The [Book of World Resonance] had appeared in his hand, its pages gently fluttering in the night breeze.
"Kurapika, what do you think of my proposal?" Kyle asked, his expression serious.
Kurapika clenched his fist. He looked at Uvogin's blood covering his clothes, hating the person he had become. He couldn't understand how the Phantom Troupe could kill without a second thought. He had hoped that killing the leader would dissolve the group, but Kyle's words suggested otherwise.
He clenched his fists again. "Kyle, won't banishing them there simply harm the people of that world?"
"That world is an extremely chaotic place, full of ruthless pirates and countless strong people," Kyle said, meeting his gaze earnestly. "Your goal is to retrieve the Scarlet Eyes and neutralize the evil of the Phantom Troupe, isn't it?"
Kurapika fell silent.
The Phantom Troupe's movements were unpredictable. If he couldn't eliminate them now while they were gathered, he might never get the chance again. As for his own power, he could take on any single Troupe member, but if he was outnumbered, he would inevitably be killed. For him to take on the whole Troupe alone, especially after alerting them, was impossible.
If Kyle's plan could successfully remove the entire Phantom Troupe to another world, it might be the only viable path.
Kurapika looked at the bloody Uvogin, who was still grinning defiantly, utterly devoid of fear. A cold chill ran through him.
"Kyle, proceed with your plan," Kurapika finally agreed after deep contemplation.
Kyle breathed a sigh of relief and turned his attention to Uvogin.
Though Uvogin was confused, he had caught enough of the conversation to grin. "Kid, I don't know what you're planning, but I won't surrender. You should just kill me now."
Kyle spoke slowly, sensing Uvogin's death wish. "My ability is called the [Book of World Resonance]. By signing a Death Contract with me, I can banish you to a different world. The only way to return to this world is to find and kill me there."
As Kyle explained, the [Book of World Resonance] glowed with a visible light.
"Once the Death Contract is signed, if you die in that other world, 1% to 10% of the growth and power you achieved there will transfer to me."
Uvogin wasn't stupid. He immediately understood Kyle's goal: "Fattening him up for slaughter."
But Uvogin didn't care. He was confident in his strength. If it weren't for Kurapika's specific ability to force him into Zetsu, he knew he would have won. He was not afraid of this "Hunter."
To activate such a powerful ability, Kyle thought, it has to be voluntary and fully explained. It's a Limitation on my power, but a necessary one to target a strong Nen user.
Uvogin assessed his situation. He was about to die at the hands of the Chain User. He hadn't betrayed the Troupe, and a new world was essentially a new life. According to the young man, that world was full of strong people. The thought of fighting ruthlessly there made his excitement bubble up. He couldn't contain his fervor.
"Uvogin, do you agree to sign the Death Contract and be banished?"
Kyle's book enveloped Uvogin in light.
"I... I ACCEPT."