Nightfall launched their attack, but Oster showed no sign of panic. In Oster's mind, as long as Sotan hadn't come, then even if Nightfall arrived in full force, they would be no match for him. Eight people? So what? Could they break through the defenses he'd arranged around the estate? Could they even defeat him? Getting close enough to land a blow would already be difficult—let alone killing him.
Meanwhile, Tuck, Nesli, Nancy…all eight members of Nightfall plunged into the fray, clashing with Oster's guards. As fierce combat broke out there, another scene unfolded somewhere else:
A huge plaza—circular in shape.
The Herd's six members had arrived.
Ron was standing on one side of the plaza, while the six figures lined up across from him, their gazes fixed on the lone figure before them.
Ron nodded. "That's me."
"You knew we were coming and still didn't run? Or do you already realize there's no escape?"
A white-haired young man stepped forward.
"It's that there's no need," Ron replied calmly. "I've been waiting here a while already. Honestly, you took your time."
The white-haired man's expression darkened. The black-haired youth next to him spoke up:
"Largin, why bother talking? Let's just take him down. Someone like him isn't worth wasting time on—who knows if there's trouble at Lord Oster's estate by now."
After the Three Hounds and Four Beasts were both wiped out and the Herd left Oster's estate, both Oster and the Herd had expected that someone would seize the opportunity. In the Saheilta Union, plenty of people had a grudge against Oster.
"No hurry," Largin said. "Oster can handle himself. This guy killed the Three Hounds and the Four Beasts—even if they were useless, his strength can't be taken lightly. Better to stay cautious."
"True, but we have six people," the black-haired youth insisted.
"Eex, he's not alone," a petite girl—their "midget" teammate—interjected, glancing around. "Aside from him, I smell someone else. Actually, multiple people."
Eex froze. "There are others?"
All six in the Herd instinctively shifted their eyes to the perimeter. A bunny-eared singer asked, "Could they be his Nen Beasts? He's a Nen Beast–type user, and not just one Beast either."
The small girl shook her head. "Not a Beast—human presences."
Ron looked over at the girl. "Didn't think one of you had such keen senses. You're right. I'm not the only person here, and you won't just be facing me."
Footsteps echoed from two different directions—not from Ron's side, but from the other two paths leading into the circular plaza. Two figures approached at a leisurely pace—one tall, one short, one burly, one lean.
Both exuded a terrifying aura. Both had white hair.
All at once, the area fell silent, and only the sound of the two men's steps could be heard:
"Zoldyck?" the middle-aged clown blurted out in alarm when he caught sight of them.
Hearing that name, the other five members of the Herd turned serious. Any Nen user worth their salt knew the Zoldyck family—few in number, but each one fearsome in power.
Zeno and Silva showed no change of expression. They simply walked to the edge of the plaza and stopped. The air grew intensely oppressive.
"So they really are from the Zoldyck family," someone muttered. "Never thought this guy would hire their assassins. They're specialists in killing—even more than we are. This could be trouble."
Eex glanced at the clown, frowning. "So what? Even if they're Zoldycks, there are only two of them. Are you telling me six of us can't handle two Zoldycks?"
The clown shook his head. "I don't know. But it won't be easy, that's for sure. There is a reason they have gained so much infamy"
Largin stared at Zeno. "Zoldyck elder, this is an affair between us and Ron. If you've accepted a job from him, maybe you don't know who we are before committing.
We serve Minister Oster of the Saheilta Union—known as the Herd. This operation is under Oster's direct orders. Perhaps Ron never told you that?
If he concealed our identity, are you sure you want to keep this assignment?"
Zeno merely glanced at Largin without a word. Largin looked to Silva, who showed the same disinterest in answering. Largin's eyes flickered.
"You really want to stand against us—and Oster—and the entire Saheilta Union—just for a single contract? Saheilta is one of the V5 nations, you know. Even if the Zoldyck family is the world's top clan of assassins, you can't go toe-to-toe with an entire V5 country. Will you risk your family's survival for this?"
Ron cut him off before he could say more.
"Don't waste your breath. You won't convince them. And aren't you confident in your own abilities? Why so concerned all of a sudden?
Besides, do you honestly represent the entire Saheilta Union? Don't kid yourself. Oster himself is probably in trouble right now."
Largin's pupils shrank. "So you really are in league with those revolutionary vermin!"
"Not exactly. I just know a few of them. They got wind of your movements and decided to act for their own purposes," Ron said.
Eex snorted. "Ron, Lord Oster doesn't need your concern. Those pests can't harm him in the slightest. They'll all die—just like you!"
Suddenly, the petite girl's expression changed. "Someone else is coming from the west—closing in at high speed!"
All six members of the Herd tensed, turning in that direction. Sure enough, a figure was approaching fast, aura anything but weak. A new wave of tension settled over them.
Things were getting complicated.
-----------------------
You can read up to 120 Advanced chapters!