Chapter 149

Perhaps today alone has rendered him speechless more times than his entire lifetime combined.

"If you're asking for 200 billion Jenny, you might as well kill me," Zeno declared, his voice filled with resignation.

At this point, Zeno had completely given up, realizing these young people, while incredibly talented, were all eccentric in their own ways. In fact, their quirks reminded him of his own youthful escapades.

"Do you even know how much wealth the world's richest individual possesses right now?!" Zeno shouted, clearly exasperated.

Of course, I know.

Machi smirked, unbothered.

She wasn't expecting Zeno to actually fork over such an outrageous amount. It was just a way to push her luck. And if not, starting with a high demand often meant getting something decent in return.

Why get so worked up?

Machi's disdainful glance at Zeno was met with a cold, unwavering stare.

A subtle tension hung in the air between the two, as though they were both unyielding when it came to financial matters.

It seemed the two of them were gearing up for a prolonged battle of wills over the final price.

"Since she's stated her terms..."

Kastro, standing nearby, turned his resolute gaze toward Silva. Despite Silva's singed hairless scalp, his demeanor remained imposing.

"I also have a condition," Kastro said firmly.

"This ambush has been an eye-opener for me, a reminder that there's always someone stronger, always a higher peak.

"I'll remember today's encounter and use it as motivation. My goal is to become the world's greatest martial artist.

"When I achieve that, I will personally visit Kukuroo Mountain and challenge the Zoldyck family once again!"

Kastro's determined eyes locked onto Silva's, his tone unwavering as he concluded:

"I will come and seek another lesson."

"Very well," Silva replied with an even tone, nodding slightly.

The Zoldyck family had always welcomed challengers. They received numerous visitors every year, all eager to test their mettle against the legendary assassins.

Kastro was just another one among many.

As for other matters, Silva might have given them more thought. But challenges? They were routine.

With Silva's agreement, Kastro stepped back silently, his determination firmly etched into his heart.

Privately, he hoped Morin wouldn't actually kill Silva and Zeno here.

Today's events, along with the injuries he had suffered, had been deeply imprinted on his mind.

He couldn't continue to live in the shadow of his master's protection.

The blood he'd shed and the pain he'd endured today would serve as a reminder to reclaim his dignity through his own strength.

On the other side, Machi and Zeno's negotiation had reached a conclusion after a heated exchange. Judging by the slight quiver in Zeno's lone remaining eyelash, it was clear the agreed amount was a bitter pill for the Zoldyck family to swallow.

"If you take on another assassination contract targeting us…"

Machi's lips curved into a rare smirk. "We'll be waiting."

There will be no next time.

Zeno resisted the urge to roll his eyes yet again.

With that, Zeno and Silva, battered and bruised, decided to leave without delay.

Before departing, Zeno cast a deep, meaningful glance at Morin.

"Let's hope we meet under different circumstances next time," he said.

"Let's hope so," Morin replied with an enigmatic smile.

Thinking back to events in the original story, such as Silva accepting a contract to kill a Phantom Troupe member or Zeno and Silva's joint mission to assassinate Chrollo, Morin found himself quietly amused.

That day might come sooner than expected.

Silva and Zeno left in silence, their heavy injuries ensuring they didn't linger.

"Alright."

Morin turned to Machi, who was practically glowing with excitement, and said:

"Let's find a place where we can properly rest and recover."

Meanwhile, somewhere along the path Silva and Zeno had taken…

Click-clack, beep-beep.

"This is Netero of the Hunter Association. Who is this?"

The cheerful voice on the other end of the phone made Zeno clench his fists.

"Netero, your Shingen-Ryu has truly produced a remarkable disciple!"

"Yo-ho-ho, what's the matter?"

Recognizing Zeno's voice, Netero let out a hearty laugh.

"A sudden call like this, and with such words to boot…"

"Did something happen?"

"Yes," Zeno replied.

Zeno and Netero had been old friends for decades. Netero had even held him as a baby. There was nothing to hide between them.

"Do you have a disciple named Morin in your Shingen-Ryu?"

"Morin?"

Hearing the name, Netero stroked his curved mustache thoughtfully.

"I've heard of him. He's the first disciple of one of our seasoned hunters… a very senior member of the association."

Even Netero spoke with a degree of caution when referencing Biscuit.

That being said, under the effects of Morin's Fountain of Youth, Biscuit had regained the appearance of her youthful 30s. She no longer seemed "senior" in any sense.

Truly, monsters beget monsters, Zeno thought to himself, fully convinced.

It seemed he had misunderstood Netero's mention of a senior hunter to mean one of the association's top-tier elites.

"What's this about? Did you encounter him?" Netero asked with a cheerful tone. "Judging by your voice, it doesn't sound like your first meeting went very well."

"Not well at all," Zeno muttered, his eye twitching slightly.

"What happened? Tell me—I'm curious," Netero asked, genuinely intrigued.

After becoming chairman of the Hunter Association, life had grown relatively uneventful for him. Any unusual news was always welcome entertainment.

"Nothing much. We took a job, and the target was one of his people," Zeno began. "He showed up and confronted us."

To Zeno, a confrontation was simply another form of battle. As for the result? That humiliating detail was something he'd rather not broadcast.

"I see," Netero replied, immediately catching on.

Even though Zeno hadn't spelled it out, Netero could infer from the context—and from the fact Zeno had called specifically to ask about Morin—that the Zoldyck elder had suffered a significant setback.

"So, he's that powerful?"

Recalling the scattered bits of information he had about Morin, Netero's musings were interrupted by Zeno's disgruntled voice:

"The Hunter Association produced such an exceptional talent, and you didn't bother to inform us ahead of time, Chairman."

In the assassination business, knowing one's target inside and out was a matter of survival.

Accepting contracts without full knowledge of the target often led to conflicts where the payout didn't justify the risk.

This was why the Zoldyck family maintained a longstanding relationship with the Hunter Association.

The arrangement allowed the Zoldycks to be aware of any particularly formidable hunters within the association. That way, if someone placed a contract on one of them, the Zoldycks could adjust the price to a point where the client might reconsider.

This not only prevented unnecessary clashes but also indirectly protected the association's members.

Likewise, it ensured that promising young hunters could grow without being prematurely targeted by the Zoldycks.

If Netero had informed Zeno about Morin beforehand, the price offered by their client, Kud, would have clearly been insufficient. Zeno would have rejected the job outright, avoiding this costly and frustrating conflict.

"Well, I haven't had much direct interaction with him, so I don't know him well," Netero admitted, scratching his cheek. "He seems to be an unusually low-profile individual.

"For someone capable of making you call me, it's clear his strength is exceptional.

"Yet, despite his abilities, he hasn't made any waves or earned a big reputation in the world. That tells me he's not the type to flaunt his power. He's likely focused on honing his skills in solitude.

"For someone like that, even the Hunter Association struggles to gather detailed information."

Netero's explanation was honest, and Zeno could tell.

Given their longstanding amicable relationship, Netero wouldn't deliberately mislead them about something so serious.

"Then it looks like we were just unlucky this time," Zeno sighed, resigning himself to his misfortune.

"Yo-ho-ho! Seems like he gave you Zoldycks a hard time," Netero chuckled openly.

At the same time, a glint of light passed through his eyes.

"To be able to get the better of the Zoldyck family… there aren't many in this world who can do that."

"Morin…" Netero repeated, his interest in the name deepening.

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