HHES: Chapter 79

Loki answered the phone, speaking softly. The other end was silent for several seconds.

"An unexpected voice. Too young. Too young."

At the Troupe's base, Chrollo's gaze seemed to pierce through everything, fixing on Loki.

"Hello, Loki."

The moment Chrollo spoke Loki's name, Loki's eyes narrowed. A smile slowly spread across his face.

"Chrollo Lucifer. Your voice wasn't unexpected."

A fierce light flashed in his eyes; his aura erupted like an exploding volcano, releasing terrifying killing intent. The surrounding temperature dropped instantly. Kurapika looked at Loki, sweat beading on his forehead.

"You know my name. You know the Phantom Troupe well!" Chrollo said.

"Not very well," Loki replied.

"I disagree. What's your goal?" Chrollo asked.

"Why do you ask?" Loki asked, glancing at his phone. Chrollo seemed to be probing him.

Chrollo chuckled faintly. "I simply want to know your goal. You don't have to answer; that's not why I called."

"Then why did you call?"

"To declare war," Chrollo said coldly.

Nobunaga and the others' eyes widened; their fighting spirit soared.

Loki chuckled softly. "Interesting. Is a declaration necessary? If you want to kill me, come. But I advise against acting alone; you'll die."

"Thanks for the advice. I won't let the Troupe members act alone either. You're strong, even as a kid, but I won't underestimate you," Chrollo said, hanging up.

Loki's smile faded. If Chrollo kept the Troupe together, things would be bad. A direct confrontation would be difficult; the Troupe members weren't weak, and their combined abilities would be formidable.

Just as Loki worried, a familiar, pleasant sound appeared.

Loki froze.

'Mission triggered.'

'The Game with the Phantom Troupe.'

'Time limit: Yorknew City Auction period.'

'Eliminate enemy personnel, protect allies. Reward grade depends on completion.'

'Enemy personnel: Phantom Troupe, Uvogin (deceased) Allies: Loki, Hisoka, Kurapika, Basho, Melody, Baise, Neon, Gon, Killua, Leorio, Linssen.

"There's still a mission!" Loki whispered.

Kurapika was curious. "What mission?"

"Nothing. It was Chrollo."

This abrupt change of subject annoyed Kurapika.

After Chrollo hung up, Nobunaga asked, "Leader, not splitting up? With so many of us, we'll be noticed."

Chrollo glanced at Nobunaga. "I was deceiving him, making him unsure if we'll split up. While he hesitates, we control the initiative."

Nobunaga scratched his head awkwardly.

Nobunaga's embarrassment made Franklin smile.

"Leader, regardless of how we deal with that kid, we now understand why the previous mission failed," Nobunaga said.

Dalzollene's memories included Neon's. The Troupe finally understood why the previous operation failed. Neon, the Nostrade heiress, had fortune-telling abilities. This explained why the auction items were taken without any intelligence.

Franklin said, "Nobunaga means... that girl with special abilities."

Nobunaga nodded. "Yes. Her ability is rare."

Everyone understood. They'd stolen the girl's ability.

"A girl? We should kill that flame kid first!" Nobunaga said, eager for revenge.

Shizuku said, "Nobunaga, don't rush."

Pakunoda said, "Fortune-telling would help us against the flame kid."

The mafia used fortune-telling to avoid the Troupe. If the Troupe got that ability, they could foresee actions. They'd have the advantage against Loki.

"But..." Nobunaga started to object.

Chrollo stood up. "Nobunaga, we know the enemy's members. You and Franklin investigate their location, monitor them closely, but don't get too close."

"Others stay at the base. No one leaves until Hisoka and Feitan return."

Nobunaga was anxious. "Leader, are we just..."

"Don't worry. We control the initiative. Wait for the prey to appear."

Others patted Nobunaga's shoulder. "Don't worry. Listen to the leader. It's not time to act yet."

Nobunaga sat down silently.

Dawn approached; the sky turned red. Night was fading. Loki and Kurapika arrived at another hotel. Melody was waiting.

"You're back! What happened?"

Kurapika said, "The captain is probably dead. Shachmono and Ivlenkov were killed; Squala is probably dead too. The enemy got our information, so this place isn't safe."

"What?!" Melody was stunned.

Inside, Basho, Melody, Baise, and Linssen were gathered. Loki looked at Linssen, who hadn't been there before. "Where were you?"

Linssen replied nervously, "I'm in charge of contact between the Nostrade family and the mafia. After returning, I contacted the mafia in Yorknew City to report on the Nostrade family's situation."

Loki nodded. He was the liaison. Kurapika's information from the mafia came from Linssen.

The next question was who would be the new captain. Everyone looked at Loki.

Loki smiled. "I recommend Kurapika."

Kurapika was surprised but didn't think she couldn't do it. She nodded slightly. "Okay!"

Kurapika was temporarily appointed captain. But the priority wasn't contacting the real boss; the Troupe could easily get information from Dalzollene or Squala. The Troupe now knew everything about the guards. Their hotel was no longer safe.

Kurapika couldn't think of anyone to help them find a safe place. The Nostrade family was out; the mafia was out.

'Where can we go?' Loki thought of some people.

"Let's ask Gon, Killua, and Leorio for help!"

Kurapika looked at Loki. "No. We can't involve them."

"We'll protect them," Loki said, smiling. "Or do you think you can't beat the Troupe? They're Hunters too; don't underestimate them."

He suggested Gon because the mission included them. It was better to involve them than let them be drawn in by a bounty. At least they'd be under his control. A perfect mission completion meant a chance draw, almost as good as a top-tier draw.

Kurapika strongly opposed involving Gon and the others, but it was useless. Loki's gaze showed he would contact them regardless.

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