HHES: Chapter 73

The temperature within the flames was, needless to say, terrifying. Undeterred, the three sped into the inferno, their Nen flaring to protect them. The moment their feet touched the ground, a sizzling sound erupted as the lingering flames seared their Nen, accelerating its depletion.

Franklin and the others' faces changed drastically.

"Terrifying flames! Their power doesn't diminish even after leaving Loki's body!" Franklin exclaimed, his voice filled with awe and apprehension. The lingering flames, mere remnants of Loki's attack, still possessed such destructive power; the intensity of the initial blast was almost unimaginable.

Shizuku suddenly pointed. "Look! There!"

The three looked in the direction she indicated, their eyes falling upon a dark figure enveloped by a two-to-three-meter-high wall of flames. After a moment's hesitation, they charged towards the figure, plunging into the heart of the inferno.

The sight that greeted them left them speechless. The figure, standing defiantly amidst the raging flames, was Machi! However, her condition was horrifying. Her hands were burned, the flesh raw and bloody. Her clothes were torn and tattered; if they hadn't sensed her Nen, they wouldn't have recognized her.

Machi, turning to see Franklin and the others, said, "You're here!" Her face was ashen.

"Where's the enemy?" Franklin asked. They hadn't seen Loki after passing through the Enjomo.

Machi shook her head. "I don't know. If I hadn't dodged, I'd be dead. I didn't even see him."

At that moment, a cough came from another direction. Shizuku helped Machi up, and the four moved towards the sound. The flames were now dissipating.

Feitan emerged. His condition shocked them. Half his face was mangled; his upper body was burned, and scars covered his body. Blood dripped from his mouth; his eyes were filled with dark anger and killing intent. The four froze.

"That... damned kid..." Feitan rasped.

Nobunaga had been found at the edge of the flames; he was badly burned but less severely than Feitan.

One attack had severely injured three of them, yet Loki had vanished. Nobunaga was found at the edge of the flames, badly burned but less severely injured than Feitan.

Finding the three, Nobunaga was astonished. One person had inflicted such severe injuries on Feitan, Nobunaga, and Machi. His power was terrifying. He'd turned the battlefield into a sea of fire; Nobunaga had never seen such a Nen user. He felt even their leader might not be able to suppress him.

"Who are you?" a voice suddenly said, drawing the Troupe's attention.

Three pairs of eyes locked onto the speakers. Six figures stood on the cliff, looking down at the Troupe.

"Who are you? Are you the ones who attacked the auction?"

"Where are Rabid Dog and the others?" Feitan asked, his body swaying, his eyes bloodshot. He looked up.

The Shadow Beasts froze under Feitan's gaze. It was terrifying, cold as ice. A chilling wind seemed to envelop them.

In his rage, Feitan tore the Shadow Beasts apart. Limbs and hands scattered. Only one, a man named Owl, was captured.

Nobunaga looked around. "That kid's gone."

"Why did he run?" Franklin asked, looking at Nobunaga and Machi. They were badly injured; if Loki had attacked, they would have died. He'd severely injured three but hadn't killed them. It was strange.

Nobunaga said, "He probably had two reasons for retreating."

"First, he fought Uvogin, then fought us three. He used a powerful ability to block the others; his Nen must have been depleted. His final attack was for his retreat."

"If he'd stayed, even if he killed one or two more, his Nen would be low, and we could still kill him."

Nobunaga's face turned serious. "Second, maybe he didn't want to kill us."

After considering both possibilities, Nobunaga thought the first was more likely: Loki had depleted his Nen and retreated to avoid danger.

Machi said nothing. She thought it was more likely the second reason. But why wouldn't he kill them?

Shizuku looked at the captured Owl. "There are only ten Shadow Beasts. The other two weren't Shadow Beasts."

"No, he killed two Shadow Beasts when we went through the fire wall," Nobunaga said, frowning.

"Take this guy back to base and report to Chrollo," Feitan said, his hands bloody. He looked into the distance. "Next time, I'll kill you. You'll suffer a thousand times more pain before you die."

Loki was quickly returning to Yorknew City, his figure flashing through the night sky. He looked back.

'I'll let you go this time.' His Nen was still plentiful. He could have killed Feitan, Nobunaga, and Machi. But then Franklin, Nobunaga, and Shizuku would escape. An ordinary team couldn't make that decision, but the Phantom Troupe could. They'd run in different directions. Loki could probably kill two more, but the third could escape and report to Chrollo.

Then, five Troupe members would be dead. Chrollo might leave immediately, and Loki wouldn't find them. The mission would fail.

Fighting Feitan and the others, Loki understood his capabilities against the Troupe. He couldn't defeat everyone, but he could handle about half. Winning was just a matter of time.

So he severely injured Feitan, Nobunaga, and Machi and left. The Yin Beasts arrived, making the Troupe think his Nen was depleted and he'd retreated with them.

If the Troupe reported this to Chrollo, Chrollo wouldn't leave immediately. He had Uvogin, and Loki had injured Feitan and the others to make them angry. Even if they weren't controlled by anger, it would affect them.

__________________

for more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.

For 10$- All advance chapters.