Chapter 883
Without fully understanding the specifics of Tserriednich's ability, Chrollo had no way to steal it. Because of that, he deliberately held back his attacks, intentionally giving Tserriednich time to recover. This way, Tserriednich would be forced to activate his ability again, granting Chrollo more opportunities to observe and analyze it.
At first, Tserriednich had assumed that Chrollo and the others were just as exhausted as he was—that they had reached their limits. But it didn't take long for him to realize the truth: they were holding back on purpose.
It was like a cat toying with a mouse.
Tserriednich could feel that he was being played with, and that realization made him deeply uncomfortable. Not because he was at a disadvantage, not even because his life was in danger, but because he was being humiliated.
As a prince of Kakin, Tserriednich had always been above others, born into power, influence, and control. Even though his nature was perverse, he still possessed an overwhelming sense of pride. And right now, Chrollo's actions cut directly into that pride.
Tserriednich's expression darkened, his face so clouded it looked like it could drip water.
"The Phantom Troupe... very well."
His powerful emotions seemed to trigger something—his Nen beast's aura began to shift, growing stronger.
Chrollo's expression changed instantly.
Even far away, Nasubi noticed the transformation, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"So his potential goes even beyond what he's shown?"
Suddenly, Tserriednich's Nen beast began to swell rapidly, expanding before their eyes.
Bang!
With a muffled explosion, the beast vanished. A strange energy engulfed the entire area nearby.
Cough, cough.
Pakunoda began coughing uncontrollably, along with one of the female guards. It was clear that this influence was gender-specific. The effect on women was far stronger than on men—otherwise, the heavily injured Nobunaga should have been more affected.
Tserriednich was recovering.
Chrollo noticed the change in Pakunoda and his face darkened further.
"Feitan. Kill him."
"Yes, boss."
Feitan paused for a split second, then activated Ren. His aura surged violently, bursting outward as he used the technique to draw out more Nen in a short span of time—an explosive boost that most Nen users relied on in critical moments.
"Boss, do you trust me?"
Kurapika's voice cut in.
"What?"
Chrollo turned his head.
Kurapika stepped beside him and lowered his voice, quietly explaining the ability of his index finger's Judgment Chain. Chrollo's pupils contracted slightly.
Chrollo didn't answer the question. He simply said, "I'll coordinate with you and Feitan."
That confidence surprised Kurapika. Chrollo's straightforward cooperation made him reevaluate the Phantom Troupe. His feelings toward their massacre of the Kurta Clan, while not erased, loosened just slightly.
There was an important reason behind that change—Kurapika believed he had played a role in the tragedy. He had been the one who brought Sheila back to the Kurta Clan's hidden settlement. If the Troupe were murderers, then what did that make him?
An accomplice.
Tserriednich, meanwhile, was basking in the transformation of his body and the surrounding environment. He wore a satisfied smile.
"Next, all of you will die."
"The Phantom Troupe… you're just a gang of thieves. Did you really think you were something special?"
This time, Tserriednich took the initiative and attacked—not Chrollo, Feitan, or Kurapika—but the one most affected by the strange energy: Pakunoda.
"Die!"
He darted forward at frightening speed, his movement now far faster than before. Within this altered field, his strength had risen dramatically—he had, at least for now, reached the level of an A-rank Nen user. Of course, that power was confined to this environment. Outside it, he still required more accumulation and experience.
Even so, this outcome caught everyone off guard—including Tserriednich himself as Tserriednich hadn't expected the Nen beast's effect on women to be this overwhelming.
Pakunoda, caught completely off guard, seemed unable to move at all. Her body froze before she could react.
Squelch!
Tserriednich's blade pierced her body.
Franklin raised both arms and prepared to launch his Nen bullets.
Tserriednich shifted, pulling Pakunoda in front of him as a human shield.
Franklin was forced to redirect the barrage, sending the bullets crashing into the wall instead. One hole after another tore through the structure.
Tserriednich's weapon was still embedded in Pakunoda. With immense force, he pulled it through her flesh, carving a massive wound into her torso. Muscle tore. Blood sprayed. Flesh rolled outward in thick folds.
And just then, Feitan's attack finally arrived. Tserriednich pulled back.
Kurapika moved quickly, running to Pakunoda's side. He extended his healing chain—Judgment Chain's secondary function—and began treating her. But the injury was too severe. Even with Kurapika's ability, it couldn't be healed quickly.
Chrollo and Feitan worked together to corner Tserriednich, launching a coordinated assault to pin him down. Their success came at a cost. Both of them sustained injuries during the exchange.
Kurapika looked toward Tserriednich, preparing for another move.
Then it happened.
"Watch out!" Hooker's voice rang out.
Kurapika instinctively turned around—and froze.
Pakunoda's body was changing. Her aura, her presence… it was morphing into something else. The feeling was eerily similar to the Nen beast that had accompanied Tserriednich.
Squelch!
A massive tear ripped across her body. A creature burst out from the wound, shredding her like a discarded sack.
Pakunoda's mangled corpse collapsed limply to the ground.
"Pakunoda!" Franklin roared, his face twisted in rage as he stared at the monster.
Bang!
Kurapika was sent flying, slamming hard into the wall.
The creature grinned. Its gaze swept the room, locking on Nobunaga.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Heavy footfalls slammed against the floor, each one reverberating through the room. The ground seemed to tremble under its weight.
In that critical moment, Nobunaga rose to his feet.
"En!"
He split his aura into two streams—one extended as En, the other focused into his blade. The monster sensed danger and halted abruptly, then redirected its focus back to Kurapika.
Kill the weak first—that seemed to be its instinct.
Chrollo looked down at Pakunoda's broken body. His eyes filled with guilt.
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