Sumas is the name of the Nen entity of the Kurta clan.
"However, this is impossible."
"I've run out of strength... my flame has burned out."
"Neither of you possess Kurta blood."
"Almost every member of the Kurta clan outside has been wiped out."
"Even if, by some miracle, there are survivors, by the time they find Sumas, it will be long, long after you're already dead."
What the old man failed to notice, however, was that Kaizen did not look flustered by his words.
Or rather, he was merely pretending to be.
Upon entering Sumas' inner domain, Kaizen had attempted to communicate with Raiken.
However, his Nen beast was trapped, unable to break free.
This realization made Kaizen's heart sink.
But before he could truly panic, he felt something—a shift. Sumas, this Nen entity, had acknowledged and even submitted to his aura.
It meant Kaizen could take control of it.
It was just like Dominica's bond with Kolossim.
Like Rocks' connection to Ganlu Temple.
It would take time, but it was undoubtedly possible.
Because now, no one could interfere.
The old man was already at death's door, and the remaining Kurta outside were either dead or too weak to claim Sumas.
With no one to challenge him, Kaizen could take control of Sumas unopposed.
A complicated mix of emotions stirred within him.
Initially, he had come to the Kurta territory simply to study their unique Nen traits and use them to craft a new beast.
But this? This was far beyond what he had expected.
Kakin, Mimbo, Meteor City—none of them had targeted the Scarlet Eyes themselves.
Their real goal had always been Sumas.
The Scarlet Eyes were nothing more than a distraction.
Even Sheila, who exposed the Kurta's hidden sanctuary, had no idea of this deeper truth.
But regardless of their true intentions, their goal was achieved all the same.
The Kurta clan had suffered catastrophic losses—practically annihilated. And yet, they had not gone down without a fight.
They had taken many of their attackers with them.
The Kurta were exceptionally strong Nen users.
Even disregarding the "trials" Sumas had set up, every single warrior of their clan was formidable.
Many were A-rank Nen users.
Some possessed unmatched speed.
Some could phase through objects, becoming intangible.
One wielded flames of terrifying intensity.
Another could summon a towering giant.
Even the Phantom Troupe had struggled against them.
For Kakin, Mimbo, and Meteor City to win, they had resorted to using weapons akin to the Poor Man's Rose—proof enough of the Kurta's overwhelming might.
They had surpassed even the underworld syndicates and Meteor City's own elites.
And then, there was the old man standing before Kaizen now.
In the original story, when Uvogin spoke of fighting the Kurta, he wasn't exaggerating. He had truly respected their strength.
But in the end, none of those who sought Sumas obtained it.
Instead, it has fallen into my hands.
A mobile Nen entity… the value is immeasurable.
It far surpasses even Kolossim.
Kaizen's excitement grew.
Sumas must have mistaken my Observer's Will for genuine Kurta traits.
That's why it accepted me.
It's just like when I entered the trial grounds.
No other outsiders could step inside.
Only me.
And I have all the time I need.
Claiming control over Sumas wouldn't happen instantly, but Kaizen had patience.
Such a powerful Nen entity required careful handling.
But thanks to the storage space within Killer Queen, I have plenty of food and water.
I can wait as long as I need to.
In the end, I will claim the ultimate prize.
Kakin, Meteor City, Mimbo—all of them fought, all of them bled, only for me to reap the reward.
Still, there was no denying the tragedy of the Kurta.
Because of Sheila's betrayal, their sanctuary had been discovered.
Their people slaughtered.
Their eyes harvested like trophies.
It was a cruel fate, and Kaizen could do nothing to change it.
Even if he wanted to.
Besides, he had no intention of telling the old man about Sumas.
For now, the elder saw him as a victim, perhaps even as an unfortunate bystander caught in the Kurta's downfall.
But if he realized that Kaizen could claim Sumas, his attitude would undoubtedly change.
Kaizen stayed silent.
For a long moment, the secret chamber was filled only with the quiet hum of unease.
The old man studied Sheila, then turned his gaze to Kaizen.
"Kaizen… I am sorry that you must bear witness to this tragedy."
"But our time is running out."
"Come now, don't look so grim."
"You're still young, and to possess such strength at your age… Where exactly do you come from? You were called an assassin earlier, weren't you? That reminds me of a rather infamous family… the Zoldycks."
Kaizen cut him off.
"I am a Zoldyck. Full name: Kaizen Zoldyck."
The old man's pupils shrank.
"I see… that makes this all the more tragic. A Zoldyck—your future would have been limitless. No one could have threatened you."
"Your family's situation is far better than that of the Kurta."
"No one would dare target you."
At the mention of the Zoldycks, Sheila's gaze flickered toward Kaizen.
She had heard of the Zoldyck name even back in Meteor City.
And in the Phantom Troupe's investigations, the Zoldycks had been mentioned as those who purchased Meteor City's people from the elders.
Sheila had never joined the Phantom Troupe, but she had ties to them nonetheless.
They had grown up together, after all.
Even if they had chosen different paths, that shared history remained.
"Maha's power alone is enough to instill fear in anyone," the old man murmured.
"If I had possessed even a fraction of Maha's strength… the Kurta clan might not have met its end today."
After a brief pause, he exhaled slowly and continued.
"Let me tell you about the history of our Kurta clan…"
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