Time passed slowly. Ron didn't know exactly how long it had been. The devouring of a nen entity was an incredibly difficult task. After all, nen entities were immensely powerful— even one like the shrine could provide a vast amount of nen to an ordinary person without harming them. The ark was even more formidable. (Note: The shrine is the one that the mafia guy, Rock has)
Strictly speaking, Sumas couldn't compare to the ark, but Sumas had its own advantages. First, Sumas's space was larger. Second, Sumas had a master—Ron—who could continuously provide it with nen. The ark lacked this. Additionally, Ron held the ark's card. Both the ark and Sumas could be seen as mechanical constructs, akin to programs. With Ron's assistance, Sumas gained the possibility of enveloping the ark.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't quite "devouring" but rather wrapping the ark into itself.
The sky darkened. Then it brightened. It darkened again. Then brightened once more.
During this period, some members of the Underworld Mafia appeared, but they weren't strong. Even with a numerical advantage, they were no match for Illumi and Machi.
At last, the ark disappeared. Ron felt nearly all his nen was drained. Even standing felt unsteady, as if he were about to collapse.
"Captain." Machi hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and helped steady Ron.
"Thanks," Ron said with a nod to Machi.
Illumi looked over. "Father called me earlier. He and Grandfather have already arrived."
"Alright, let's return to Yorknew."
Ron felt a little relieved at that news. With them, things were unlikely to escalate to the point he had to fight.
Illumi stole a car from a random mafia member. They got in, Illumi driving, with Ron and Machi in the backseat.
Ron closed his eyes to calm himself, to recover. Gradually, his breathing evened out. Yorknew itself had settled as well. The Phantom Troupe's slaughter of the Underworld Mafia was finished. The dead Ten Dons could issue no further orders, and with no new reinforcements arriving, the remaining Underworld Mafia members could only retreat in the face of the Troupe's rampage. As for the assassins the Mafia had hired—they didn't even get a chance to appear.
As soon as the Ten Dons died, Illumi had sent a message to the Phantom Troupe, and he had collected his fee. With that, his entire assignment was complete.
However, Ron still had unfinished business with the Phantom Troupe: a copy of the Dark Sonata, and intelligence about the Dark Continent. Once back in Yorknew, Ron planned to contact them.
But what surprised Ron most was the ark itself. Ron had long suspected the Underworld Mafia possessed nen entities, but he hadn't expected that Sumas would actually be capable of enveloping the ark. That ability had never appeared with other nen entities before. For instance, with the shrine, Sumas couldn't devour it. Ron had tried.
"I wonder how Sumas will change now that it has swallowed the ark," Ron thought. "And what the ark itself might become."
Ron was excited. The ark's previous abilities had already been impressive: complex rules, versatile functions—especially the card system, which was very similar to Greed Island. Holding a card, no matter how far away one was, one could instantly return to the ark. It was just like logging into Greed Island itself. Greed Island was a real place, but its game console could teleport players there instantly from anywhere on the Human World continent.
As they approached the city, Yorknew's tall buildings came into view.
Ron opened his eyes. "Machi, head back to the hotel first and stay with Nina and the others. The next event is a Zoldyck family gathering—not suitable for you."
"Yes, Captain," Machi said and exited the car.
Illumi kept driving, bringing Ron to another hotel.
Waiting outside the entrance was Killua.
"Ron-nii," Killua called out, his face lighting up when he saw Ron. But when he spotted Illumi, his expression shifted, stiffening slightly. "Big Brother…"
Illumi gave Killua a calm glance. "Where are Father and Grandfather?"
"They're upstairs. The private room is ready. They're just waiting for you two to arrive so they can start dinner."
"Lead the way," Illumi said.
Killua obediently walked ahead.
"Killua, where are Gon and Leorio?" Ron asked.
"Leorio already left. Gon is still at the same place as before."
"What about Kurapika? Has he contacted you?"
"Not yet," Killua said, hesitating before asking, "Ron-nii, did you just finish some kind of mission?" This content belongs to ⓝovelFire.net
"A hit," Ron answered simply.
Hearing this, Killua didn't ask further.
They entered the lobby and reached the elevator. Killua pressed the button for the 22nd floor. The elevator ascended quickly.
The doors opened and the three stepped out. A staff member was already waiting and promptly led them down the corridor. Before long, they arrived at the entrance of a large private dining room.
They pushed the door open.
Inside, Zeno and Silva were seated at a tea table, sipping tea. Milluki sat on a sofa nearby.
"Uncle Silva, Grandpa Zeno," Ron greeted them.
"Father, Grandfather," Illumi said.
Zeno and Silva turned their gazes toward them.
"It's rare that everyone can gather ," Silva remarked. "You two don't have any other matters pending, right?"
Illumi shook his head. "My contract just ended."
Ron said, "I'm planning to visit Meteor City next, but there's no rush."
"Meteor City? The Phantom Troupe can be troublesome. Be careful when you go," Silva advised.
Ron nodded. "I won't be going alone—I'll take my team with me."
Ron's strength was already above any member of the Phantom Troupe, but the world of nen was full of unpredictable variables. Strength didn't guarantee victory—especially if things like the Dark Sonata were concerned. It would surely be anything but simple.
Zeno asked, "Ron, how did you like Gourmet Paradise during your visit?"
"It was a great place—the food was delicious," Ron replied. "And their culinary sanctuaries were interesting too."
"Gourmet Paradise really is a fine place," Zeno said, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes. "Come to think of it, I haven't been there in years. By the way, did you meet Linne during your visit?"
"I did," Ron confirmed.
"Pretty well. When I was there, Gourmet Paradise had a minor incident, but Linne resolved it easily. No problems at all."
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