HHES: Chapter 130

After hearing Zeno's assessment, Silva realized Loki wasn't in the same league as him. In terms of pure fighting ability, Loki might not be that strong yet. However, Loki was rapidly improving.

'It won't be long before that kid surpasses me,' Silva mused to himself. Then, a far more unsettling thought struck him. 'No... perhaps that kid is already stronger than me, maybe even stronger than Father!' The very notion seemed almost unbelievable to Silva.

He understood that the path to true strength for advanced Nen users wasn't simply about accumulating more aura. It was far more nuanced, requiring profound mental cultivation. This type of spiritual refinement was exponentially more challenging than physical training or the development of inherent potential.

Each individual possesses unique innate talents and potential. Fully realizing one's potential is already a significant accomplishment. To transcend those limits and achieve even greater heights necessitates a dedicated focus on mental cultivation.

However, while the concept is easily articulated, the reality is far more elusive. The average individual might spend a lifetime without ever reaching this level of spiritual mastery. Even exceptionally gifted individuals, without the appropriate opportunities and guidance, may never unlock the secrets of mental cultivation.

'Father was right; he truly is a little monster,' Silva reflected. 'That kid, who's only been using Nen for a short time, why is his rate of progress so astonishing?' The sheer speed of Loki's advancement was beyond comprehension.

Silva was now eagerly anticipating the conclusion of the Hunter Association's Twelve Zodiacs meeting, anxious to witness whether they would indeed assemble a force to hunt Loki in Yorknew City.

Gon and Killua watched Baise depart. After she left, they headed back to their hotel.

On their way, Gon turned to Killua. "Killua, do you think Loki might become a different person someday?"

"A different person?" Killua paused, surprised. "Gon, why do you ask that?"

Gon gazed into the distance. "Nothing. Just a random thought."

Killua fell silent, contemplating Gon's question.

"Forget it," Killua said, deciding to shift the focus. "Anyway, if Loki's interested in Greed Island, that's great. We can use his copy to enter the game."

Noticing Gon's subdued mood, Killua swiftly changed the subject.

"I hope so," Gon replied, still somewhat troubled. "It feels a bit like we're taking advantage of Loki."

Killua rolled his eyes. "So what? That guy's incredibly wealthy, spending over six billion Jenny on a single game. I can't imagine how he makes so much money."

Gon chuckled nervously. "I guess for professional Hunters, making money isn't a problem. It's just something we two aren't very good at."

Baise and Chrollo, having left the auction hall, were heading back with Greed Island.

"What were those kids talking about with you?" Chrollo asked as soon as they were in the car.

Baise glanced at him. "They know our boss, so they asked about him."

"Oh! Those kids know the boss too!" Chrollo mused, recalling his brief encounter with Gon and Killua. "By the way, who is our boss? What's his name? Even those kids know him, but I, the one who's been hired, don't. Isn't that a bit odd?"

"Quite the opposite," Baise replied, a faint smile playing on her lips as she gazed out the car window. "Knowing who the boss is wouldn't be a good thing for you."

"Really? Is he some kind of important big shot? Then I really want to see his true face!" Chrollo exclaimed, his curiosity piqued.

Baise considered her response. "Important isn't the right word, but he's definitely a big deal."

'A big deal considered a devil by the whole world!'* Back at the hotel, Baise returned to her room and contacted Loki.

As soon as the call connected, Baise stated, "I've secured Greed Island."

"Good," Loki's voice replied, showing no interest in the price paid.

"By the way, I ran into two kids at the auction, Gon and Killua. They were asking about you."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, just what everyone already knows."

"Only that?"

"They also asked if you'd let them use your Greed Island copy to enter the game."

This was inconsequential to Loki. He needed one slot himself, but he had extra slots available, so allowing Gon and Killua to use his copy of Greed Island to enter the game posed no issue.

"Where are you now?" Baise inquired.

"Don't worry about that," Loki responded. "Keep a close eye on Chrollo and Greed Island. I'll be back shortly."

High in the cloudless sky, Loki stood by the window of a flying ship, observing the city below as it gradually drew closer.

"Chairman Netero," Loki murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the Hunter Association headquarters below. "This Twelve Zodiacs meeting is sure to be most entertaining."

Suddenly, a figure materialized behind Loki.

Loki's eyebrows rose slightly as his gaze shifted to his right.

"Hisoka! Are you fond of making such unexpected appearances?" Loki remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"It's not that I'm fond of making unexpected appearances," Hisoka countered, his gaze falling upon Pakunoda who stood beside Loki. "It's simply that encountering a former 'companion' in this location is rather surprising, wouldn't you agree?"

Inside the meeting room, Beans was tidying up.

"What? We're the first ones here?" Kanzai, the Tiger of the Zodiacs, a treasure hunter and bodyguard, exclaimed. "I told you not to come so early. Waiting for others is the most bothersome thing."

"Indeed," Pyon, the Rabbit, an ancient document hunter, linguist, and translator, concurred.

Beans spun around, a surprised expression on his face, upon hearing the voices emanating from the doorway. "Ah, it's you two! It's been quite some time," he greeted them warmly.

The two individuals entered the meeting room and casually seated themselves. Kanzai leaned towards Beans. "You've surely seen the young man who's been causing such a ruckus lately?"

Beans nodded in confirmation.

"Oh! Do you happen to have his contact information? That incredibly adorable young man," Pyon exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.

Beans responded with an awkward shake of his head. "I'm afraid I don't have his contact details."

"Hey, hey, hey! You're completely missing the point here! The old man summoned us here to discuss the extermination of that young man," Kanzai stated, his voice laced with exasperation.

Pyon responded nonchalantly, "What difference does that make? Extermination is one thing, but the fact remains that the young man is undeniably adorable."

"Give it up, Kanzai," Cheadle, the Dog, a three-star miscellaneous hunter, doctor, and legal scholar, interjected. "Girls who adore cute things are not known for their logical reasoning."

Kanzai's gaze shifted towards the entrance. "What's this? Do you also find that young man to be adorable?"

Cheadle entered the room, offering a brief nod to Beans. "While I am also female, I possess a certain resistance to cute things," she explained.

"Cheadle, it's been a while," Pyon greeted warmly, waving at Cheadle.

Kanzai turned away, choosing to remain silent.

Cheadle offered a slight smile. "Pyon, the purpose of this gathering is to discuss the extermination of an S-Class criminal. Regardless of how adorable that young man may be, it holds no relevance to the matter at hand."

"It doesn't concern me greatly either," Pyon remarked, her attention diverted to her mobile phone. "I'm not involved in the combat aspects of this operation."

Cheadle sighed, acknowledging the validity of Pyon's statement. It was highly unlikely that she would be assigned a combat role.

At that precise moment, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the entrance.

"More members have arrived," Cheadle announced.

Shortly thereafter, two additional members of the Twelve Zodiacs entered the room. These were Mizaistom (Ox), a two-star criminal hunter, and Botobai (Dragon), a three-star terrorist hunter.

Cheadle expressed her surprise at the simultaneous arrival of these two individuals, noting the intriguing nature of their respective specializations.

Mizaistom, a two-star criminal hunter, and Botobai, a three-star terrorist hunter, formed an unusual pairing.

Moreover, Botobai held a unique position within the Hunter Association, his reputation and prowess being second only to Chairman Netero.

Mizaistom, sensing Cheadle's curious gaze, responded calmly after taking his seat. "Is it so peculiar? Botobai and I are taking this matter very seriously. An S-Class criminal is not an adversary to be treated lightly."

"It's just unusual to see you two together," Cheadle replied.

At that moment, another member of the Twelve Zodiacs arrived at the entrance. "Was it truly necessary to convene the entire Twelve Zodiacs for this incident? Could this matter not have been adequately addressed by Mizaistom and Botobai?" This was Gel (Snake), a poison hunter, coroner, and pharmacist.

"Indeed, entrusting the handling of this criminal matter to the specialized expertise of Mizaistom and Botobai would have been a more efficient approach," Saccho (Horse), a two-star trouble hunter, detective, and handyman, concurred.

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