In this confined space, the power of his ability was amplified, its effects stronger than in an open field.
Ronnel touched his chin thoughtfully, his body flickering as he suddenly darted toward Chrollo.
Strike first and take the advantage!
"Teleportation uses too much aura, and for the best effect, I need to get close to him and set the pattern beneath his feet!"
Right now, Ronnel shouldn't be aware of the The Sun and Moon's full abilities. If Chrollo could set the pattern in place sooner, he'd have a better chance of winning!
Chrollo narrowed his eyes, watching as Ronnel leapt toward him. He activated his ability once again.
"Teleport."
Chrollo's figure disappeared from Ronnel's view, causing a smirk to cross Ronnel's face. He activated another ability in response.
"Double!"
Meanwhile, back in the Zoldyck family conference room...
Bzzzt—bzzzt—bzzzt
The piercing ring of a phone shattered the silence.
"Hello? Illumi?"
Silva Zoldyck picked up the family's dedicated phone and answered it, his voice cool and unbothered.
"Ah, have you finished the job?"
Silva glanced at Zeno, who had just opened his eyes beside him. "Dad, looks like our employers are dead."
"So, the contract's void again. And up there, the two of them haven't settled their match yet… Should we delay?"
Zeno stroked his mustache and gave a slight shake of his head.
"No need to stay, Silva. Let's head back."
With a silent nod, Silva retracted his Nen, and the two stood to leave. Zeno, however, paused briefly, as though already knowing this outcome. Silva understood his father well.
He'd known this was how it would end. Even if they'd confronted Chrollo together, Chrollo would've stalled, giving Illumi time to complete the job first.
Since the contract was void and there was no payoff, this had turned into a losing deal.
That's why Zeno had decided they'd step in only after the other two exhausted each other.
The Zoldyck family business ran on professional ethics. Even if their clients targeted each other, they always honored their contracts with commitment. But once an employer died, they wouldn't see the mission through.
So much for their plan to sit back and watch both sides lose—it was a bust.
They were professional and ethical, yet sometimes, such standards left them with empty hands.
On the other end of the phone, Illumi glanced at Maha and Kalluto, a hint of frustration in his voice as he responded.
"My employer… Is he still alive?"
Chrollo had offered a huge payout for this job, enough to make him cautious. So, he'd paid handsomely to have his great-grandfather accompany him as backup.
But if his employer was dead, he'd be out of luck—and out a lot of money.
Silva replied, "Your employer? He's alive now, but who knows how long."
Illumi frowned and held the phone away from his ear, perplexed, just as Silva's voice came through again.
"There's another assassin as powerful as your great-grandfather and me, aiming for your employer. Hopefully, he survives this~ click"
Silva hung up, turning to leave with Zeno without even sparing a look at their initial target.
On the top floor of the building, at the viewing balcony…
Chrollo reappeared just beneath Ronnel, nudging Ronnel's feet with the back of his hand and teleporting again to change direction.
Ronnel seemed momentarily out of options as his feet came down onto a pattern-covered floor.
BOOM!!
An explosion roared, filling the room with flames and smoke!
The impact shattered nearby glass, sending shards plummeting. Chrollo, who had retreated to the corner, was still caught in the blast wave, which sent him crashing into a wall. The wall gave way, stones collapsing around him.
Covered in dust, Chrollo emerged from the rubble, fixing his gaze on the smoke-filled room.
Under such concentrated explosions, it was unlikely anyone could survive—even if they cloaked themselves in aura. Of course, if they had a protective fabric, there was a slim chance.
Watching the shifting smoke, Chrollo tensed, ready for any sudden movement.
"Where is he?"
Suddenly, a hoarse voice floated down from above.
"I'm here~"
Chrollo looked up, startled to see Ronnel hovering in midair, wings outstretched.
He's flying?!
Incredulous, Chrollo frowned, confusion tightening his brow.
"Wasn't his Nen a fabric? How is he flying?"
Before he could react, a sharp whistling sound sliced through the air behind him.
Not good!!
Chrollo whipped around, instinctively dodging forward. He felt a small, sharp impact and then the faint splash of blood as he narrowly evaded a lethal hit.
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