Chapter 324: Not Bad

Billy's questioning was nothing more than a desperate attempt to seek a sliver of survival within the cracks.

But that was clearly unrealistic.

And in response to Billy's question, Maude's second answer was anything but perfunctory.

Seeing criminals as hunting targets had always been a principle Maude upheld.

In his previous life, when Maude first arrived in the Hunter x Hunter world, he initially wanted to live a peaceful life in a city called "Rollet."

However, in a society governed by supernatural abilities, danger lurked everywhere, even in a city with decent law and order.

Just like the car accidents that happened daily, or a flowerpot suddenly falling from the sky.

Without power, these threats could one day descend upon him without warning.

At first, Maude didn't care.

Until one day, while a bounty hunter was chasing a criminal, the collateral damage spilled over to him and his female colleague—someone he had gotten along with well.

In that instant, Maude watched helplessly as his colleague was mercilessly struck down by the criminal, reduced to nothing more than a mass of flesh and blood.

Afterward, Maude narrowly escaped with his life.

But her death was ultimately deemed an accident.

It was then that Maude finally woke up to reality.

In a world beyond Earth, where supernatural forces reigned, possessing strength was more important than anything else.

Only by attaining overwhelming power could one protect themselves, do what they wanted, and refuse to do what they didn't.

Thus, he dedicated himself to mastering Nen and infused its growth with the logic of rapid power progression.

Influenced by the concept of leveling up in games, the "Hunter's Notebook" was born.

Later, Maude took the Hunter Exam and obtained his license.

With that license, he leveraged its privileges to secure a crucial position at an execution facility—a role as an executioner.

With just a simple press of a button, he could take a life in an instant.

Simple. Brutal.

At first, things went as Maude had expected.

Killing death-row criminals carried no psychological burden.

And that was true—for a while.

But as the number of executions grew, as the tally of lost lives climbed higher and higher, Maude's mindset began to shift.

From initial nervousness and hesitation, to calm and composed, to cold indifference, and eventually to a deep-rooted apathy toward life itself.

Perhaps even Maude himself hadn't realized just how indifferent he had become.

Yet, this "growth" perfectly aligned with the harsh reality of this era—the era of great pirates.

In this world, taking the lives of the weak was an everyday occurrence.

But at the same time, protecting the weak was also a reality of this world.

After becoming a wanted man, Maude had no intention of upholding so-called justice.

His sole pursuit was ceaselessly growing stronger so that he could do whatever he pleased.

However, he would always adhere to his own code.

As long as he had a choice, his blade would only be drawn against those who truly deserved death.

"No grievances or grudges, huh...?"

Clang—

Maude unsheathed Shusui.

No matter how much the prey struggled, once the hunt began, it could never be stopped midway.

The crisp sound of the blade leaving its scabbard sent a shiver down the spines of Billy and the other three pirate captains.

Even Ozym, who had earlier berated Billy with an air of superiority, was now trembling just as much.

Despite his bounty being sixty million Berries...

"Go outside and pick up a weapon."

Maude pointed his blade toward the weapons scattered beside the corpses outside the cage.

At that moment, Lafitte had just finished his battle.

He walked toward the cage with a lively spring in his step, smiling as he gazed at the pirate captains inside.

His eyes held the look of a man staring at the walking dead.

Billy and Ozym felt their hair stand on end under Lafitte's gaze.

Suppressing their fear, they climbed through the broken railing and scavenged suitable weapons from the corpses.

Maude looked at Edmond, who remained motionless.

"You're not going?"

Edmond assumed a combat stance, his eyes gleaming. "My body is my weapon."

"Fair enough."

Maude nodded, then cast a glance at the slaves huddled in the corner.

"Go outside. I hope you can give me a bit of a surprise."

...

Faced with the invisible pressure emanating from Maude, Billy and the others were on edge.

Yet, within the auction house, another group was just as unsettled—the guests who had been startled by the earlier explosion.

However, since its establishment, the Human Auctioning House had never suffered an attack during a live auction.

Moreover, under the implicit and explicit influence of Doflamingo's reputation, the auction house had long eliminated its competitors, becoming the sole human auction venue in the Sabaody Archipelago.

So, who could be so brazen as to strike this place?

Some seasoned patrons pondered in confusion.

That was also the question on Disco's mind as he stood on the auction stage.

But for now, pacifying the guests was the most pressing matter.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm. We have the strongest armed security force on the island, capable of effortlessly crushing any troublemakers!"

Disco spread his arms wide, exuding an air of unwavering confidence and control.

Trusting in the Human Auctioning House's power, the guests gradually regained their composure, and the previously growing panic dissipated.

Watching the crowd settle down, a satisfied glint flickered behind Disco's heart-shaped sunglasses.

This auction was far too important to be ruined by some reckless fools.

His thoughts simmered as he raised the microphone and shouted, "Ladies and gentlemen, tell me—where are we?!"

"The Human Auctioning House!"

Many guests raised their arms and responded enthusiastically.

"That's right!"

Disco's grin widened. "We are the one and only auction house in the Sabaody Archipelago! No matter what happens, nothing will disrupt this grand event!"

"Yeah!!!"

Disco's confident and triumphant tone ignited the crowd's excitement.

As the atmosphere heated up, he seized the moment to resume the auction, eager to erase the earlier disturbance.

"Now then, let's welcome today's fir—"

Before he could finish, he was interrupted again.

But this time, it wasn't an explosion.

Nor was it a scream.

It was a massive figure crashing through the wooden walls and backdrop, slamming heavily onto the stage before him.

Disco instantly recognized the figure.

Edmond…

The grand finale of today's Pirate Captain slave collection!

Shit.

Disco couldn't hold back a curse.

His voice, amplified through the microphone, echoed throughout the venue.

The entire guest section froze.

What happened to easily crushing the intruders?

The guests, who had come hoping to purchase their ideal slaves, now watched the stage with growing unease.

"Not bad. You took that hit well."

A deep, magnetic voice echoed from the hole Edmond had crashed through.

Transmitted through Disco's microphone, it reached every corner of the venue.

"Who is it?!"

Veins bulged on Disco's face.

He had a bad feeling—today's auction was doomed.

Maude stepped through the broken wall.

"Hmm?"

Seeing Maude, Disco gasped in shock.

"You, you…!"

His eyes widened in terror as he collapsed onto the stage, unable to form a coherent sentence.

A moment of stunned silence passed over the audience.

Then, panicked screams erupted.

"It's Warlord Maude!"

Chaos instantly engulfed the auction house.

Guests scrambled to their feet.

Run!

The same thought crossed every single mind in the room.

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