Chapter 143

Inside the virtual space, Morin contemplated the game design with renewed inspiration. A potential breakthrough sparkled in his mind. Meanwhile, in the real world, on the sandy shores of the eastern coast...

"Alright, I'll explain everything in detail later," Morin said, gently running his fingers through Machi's soft, lilac-colored hair. The silky texture brought a moment of comfort amidst the tense atmosphere.

"For now, let's deal with this little inconvenience first."

Lowering his hand, Morin turned around, his expression shifting to one of calculated amusement. His sharp gaze landed on the father-and-son assassin duo before him.

Zeno Zoldyck stood composed, his aged yet piercing eyes studying Morin's every move, while Silva loomed beside him like a silent predator, his massive frame radiating menace.

The air grew heavier as Morin addressed them, his tone carrying an edge of mockery.

"You've come here on a job, I assume. But taking down the Zoldycks' target? Now that's a bold move."

Moments ago, Morin had deflected Zeno's rapid strike—"Dragon Head Strike"—with a single, effortless punch. The display of casual strength left the Zoldycks both wary and intrigued.

Zeno adjusted his stance, stroking his small, pointed beard with a faint smile. "Impressive. It's been a long time since I've encountered a young one who could neutralize my attack so effortlessly."

"Recent years seem to have brought forth quite a crop of exceptional talents," Zeno mused aloud, his tone light yet probing.

"Oh?" Morin's lips curled into a subtle smirk. "Then perhaps it's a sign of the times, old man. Maybe you should consider retiring. After all, you wouldn't want to find yourself outclassed by the newer generation."

His voice dropped, carrying a chill that made even the sea breeze feel colder.

"When one reaches your age, it's better to sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy what's left of life. Otherwise…" His fingers flexed, joints cracking like gunfire. "You might end up in a forgotten corner of the world, dying at the hands of someone you underestimated."

Zeno chuckled, unfazed. "You've got sharp words for someone so young. But the job isn't done until the target is eliminated. Let me ask you—do you really intend to stand in our way?"

"What do you think?" Morin's voice remained calm, his stance unyielding.

Zeno sighed lightly. "So it seems there's no room for negotiation."

He shifted into a battle-ready pose, his aura flaring brighter. "It's rare for us to find someone this young with such potential, but business is business. If you insist on interfering, we'll just have to eliminate you as well."

Silva, who had been silent until now, let out a low growl, his aura swelling with raw intensity.

Despite the escalating tension, Morin stood his ground, his expression unchanged.

"Zoldycks or not," he said, his gaze flicking to Machi and her companion, "I'm not about to let you lay a finger on them."

Zeno shook his head, the faintest hint of regret crossing his features. "A shame. You've got strength and skill—enough to rival some of the best—but you've chosen to make enemies of the wrong people."

Without further words, Zeno and Silva moved as one, their combined Nen creating an overwhelming pressure.

Machi and Morin prepared themselves. This battle was only just beginning.

In addition to transporting himself to the battlefield, Morin could have theoretically used his Transmutational Converter to bring Kastro and Machi into the virtual network world.

However, there were two reasons why he avoided this.

First, Isshuki Bay clearly despised interruptions, and Morin didn't want Machi or Kastro disturbing her peace.

Second, transferring them to the virtual space wouldn't stop the Zoldyck family, who had accepted their assassination contract, from pursuing them.

In fact, it would only incite the Zoldycks to redouble their efforts to hunt them down.

Thus, Morin decided to handle the problem right here and now!

"There are two rumored outcomes when facing the Zoldyck family," Morin began, his tone even. "Either you die silently, without ever realizing how or when it happened…

"Or you put up a fight, only to understand the vast gap in strength and die in despair."

Morin's words carried the weight of grim tales spread across the internet. "I've always wondered—are the Zoldycks really as unbeatable as they're made out to be?"

Zeno Zoldyck shook his head lightly, his voice calm but laced with an air of modest superiority. "Oh, we're nothing extraordinary, just a simple family of assassins. Thanks to the generosity of our peers, we've been ranked number one—but it's really nothing special."

His tone, humble on the surface, carried an unmistakable sense of pride—a classic display of Zeno's calculated demeanor.

"Oh, is that so?" Morin smirked, his gaze sharp. Suddenly, his tone shifted.

"I've also heard there's a way to prevent the Zoldycks from completing a contract."

"Oh?" Zeno raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious.

"The first method," Morin said casually, "is to take your own life. That way, technically, you wouldn't have died at their hands."

Silva's stoic face remained unreadable, but there was a faint twitch in his brow.

"And the second method…"

Morin's grin widened, flashing toward Zeno and Silva, his gaze unreadable yet laced with challenge.

Both assassins immediately tensed, their instincts honed through decades of experience screaming at them.

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, Morin's figure vanished into thin air.

"This is… Instant Transmission!?"

The thought struck Zeno and Silva simultaneously, their pupils contracting.

Without hesitation, both assassins leapt to the sides, creating distance from their previous positions. They had no way of knowing where Morin would reappear, and they couldn't risk a sneak attack from behind or below.

Their reactions were flawless, born from years of battling formidable foes.

But—

Morin's target wasn't them.

"What… what are you doing?!"

Kute, the infamous leader of the Kute Bandit Group, stammered as Morin materialized in front of him, seemingly out of nowhere.

"How… how did you get here?!"

Kute's face twisted in terror as he stared at Morin. He recognized the ability—it was undeniably Instant Transmission.

As a Nen user skilled in spatial manipulation techniques, Kute prided himself on his mastery of teleportation. Yet, witnessing Morin's seamless use of the ability left him shaken.

"How is it possible for you to use Instant Transmission without any Nen aura fluctuations?!"

Desperately activating Gyo, Kute scrutinized Morin's body, searching for any sign of Nen activity. But there was none—no ripple, no disturbance, nothing.

"Not only is there no Nen fluctuation, but there's no visible Nen drain after using the ability either…" Kute muttered, his voice trembling. "How is this even possible?"

"Why wouldn't it be possible?" Morin chuckled. "Who says Instant Transmission has to be a Nen-based technique?

"Other sources of power can work just as well."

Years ago, Morin had drawn two extraordinary training tools from his Inventory Bag: the Superpower Training Box and the Ninjutsu Training Kit.

Through the Superpower Training Box, Morin had developed his Instant Transmission ability—an ability that operated entirely outside the Nen system, consuming no aura.

Moreover, Morin's Instant Transmission was free from the limitations that plagued Kute's version, making it far superior.

Before Kute could process Morin's explanation, a sharp, decisive motion cut through the air.

Slash!

Morin's hand, shaped into a blade, swept across Kute's neck with terrifying precision.

A fountain of blood erupted from Kute's severed neck as his head soared into the sky.

With a heavy thud, his headless body collapsed onto the sand, the crimson stain spreading like a macabre canvas.

The infamous leader of the Kute Bandit Group, a man who had terrorized the world for decades, met his end in a single, decisive strike.

And the reason for Morin's execution?

"To stop the Zoldyck family from completing a contract," Morin muttered.

"That's the second method."

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