After Saccho Kobayakawa stepped forward and revealed his status as a Two-Star Hunter, the chaotic scene on the airship quickly calmed down.
The reputation of Hunters and the Hunter Association, synonymous with strength and justice, proved invaluable in this situation.
The two robbers barely put up a fight before being subdued by Saccho.
"In light of your actions, I've already notified the authorities. What awaits you is a long stay behind bars!"
Amid the warm applause of the passengers, Saccho delivered his statement with practiced ease. Ignoring the unconscious robbers, he turned toward the man who had retrieved the fallen briefcase—Ronnel.
"I don't know what's in here. It was guarded by bodyguards who paid for it with their lives..."
Ronnel weighed the briefcase in his hand. It felt light, but following the principle that curiosity killed the cat, he didn't bother opening it. Instead, seeing the elderly owner catching his breath and rushing over, Ronnel handed it back with a neutral expression.
"Luckily, it wasn't stolen. Thank goodness, thank goodness..."
The old man muttered incessantly, his face still bearing the imprint of shoe soles, as he clutched the briefcase protectively. After a quick inspection to confirm it hadn't been tampered with, he sighed in relief.
Yet, despite having caused the incident, he neither apologized nor expressed gratitude. Hugging the briefcase tightly, he retreated to a corner, ignoring the disdainful murmurs of the other passengers.
Ronnel remained indifferent. He acted for himself, not for recognition or thanks. Like Saitama from the hero comics he once read, Ronnel saw heroics as a personal choice, unburdened by others' opinions.
Still, when the old man took the briefcase, their brief physical contact gave Ronnel something unexpected.
Thanks to his Nen ability, Psychometry, inherited from Pakunoda, Ronnel caught a flash of the man's memories.
"A family of killers..." Ronnel mused silently. However, he quickly shelved the intriguing information as Saccho approached, and the two struck up a lively conversation.
Psychological topics, always relevant in modern times, filled the rest of their discussion. With over a decade of knowledge that surpassed even contemporary experts, Ronnel found the exchange stimulating.
Their talk continued until the airship landed.
...
Meeting New Allies
"If you're ever free, feel free to visit me at the Hunter Association headquarters. My office is there."
At the airport, Saccho enthusiastically invited Ronnel, going so far as to exchange numbers.
"Sure, I'll stop by if I have time," Ronnel replied with a smile before waving him off.
Flagging a taxi, Ronnel gave the driver directions to the Nostrade estate.
Light Nostrade, a once-prominent local figure, had fallen on hard times. Taxi drivers typically avoided the area, but the hefty fare Ronnel offered was persuasive.
As they drove, the chatty driver regaled him with the latest gossip.
"The Nostrade family's been struggling ever since their fortune-teller lost her ability. They've barely held on, thanks to that new butler they hired—a real tough one, from what I hear. Apparently, he scared off some debt collectors from other cities just a few days ago!"
Ronnel listened quietly, piecing together the situation.
'Without Neon's prophecy, the Nostrade family has lost their edge,' he thought. 'If not for Kurapika's efforts, they'd have collapsed completely by now.'
By the time they reached the estate, Ronnel had a clear picture of the Nostrade family's precarious position.
...
Gathering Information
Using his Nen ability Face Changing, Ronnel assumed the identity of Kay Taylor to discreetly meet with his contacts, including Hugh Ross.
Ross and Lisa, relieved to be distanced from the underworld under Kurapika's leadership, lived comfortably despite the Nostrade family's decline.
Ronnel's primary goal was to contact Melody, and Ross provided her schedule and details. Arranging to meet the next evening, Ronnel prepared for an important discussion.
Melody, predictably, was reluctant to discuss the Sonata of Darkness. Even knowing Kay Taylor was an ally, she resisted revisiting the haunting piece of music.
But Ronnel had his methods. With Psychometry, he extracted all memories of the Sonata from Melody's mind, gathering what little information she had.
Afterward, their conversation fizzled out. With polite goodbyes, they parted ways.
A New Lead
'Just one movement of the Sonata of Darkness...' Ronnel muttered to himself, a wry smile on his lips.
It wasn't much, but it was a start. Adjusting his windbreaker, he turned his gaze toward the horizon.
"That family of killers should be on this continent," he mused, recalling the memories he had glimpsed on the airship. His expression shifted, a glint of interest sparking in his eyes.
For Ronnel, the hunt had only just begun.
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