The remaining six Shadow Beasts matched perfectly with the six Phantom Troupe members present. Besides the incapacitated Uvogin, Morin, Machi, Nobunaga, Shalnark, Franklin, and Feitan each had one to face.
"This bunch is more than enough for me," Feitan declared, his eyes blazing with intensity. He shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, ready to engage.
"Can't let you hog all the prey!" Nobunaga bent down, gripping his sword, his sharp aura instantly concentrated.
"Looks like we won't need to step in," Morin remarked, stepping out of the battle circle with a smile at Machi and Shalnark.
Indeed, that was the case. These Shadow Beasts were on par with the likes of Rabid Dog and others they had faced before. Some were even weaker. Against Feitan, known for his swift and unpredictable attack style, their fate was sealed.
A small convenience pack unfurled, scattering the underground auction items all over the ground.
"Seems like we've completed our mission perfectly today," Machi noted, glancing at the plentiful auction items before looking at the defeated Shadow Beasts sprawled across the ground.
They had lost all their previous arrogance, unable even to speak.
The only one still alive was their supposed leader, Owl, who lay on the ground, bloodied and barely breathing.
"As expected, they talked a big game, but when it came to fighting, it was hardly satisfying," Nobunaga said, sheathing his sword.
He looked at the balloon-like Shadow Beast he had decapitated and couldn't help but swallow hard. "Pretending to be something they're not."
"Alright!" Shalnark patted Uvogin on the shoulder. After the diagnosis and treatment from the "Doctor's Briefcase," all the toxins in Uvogin's body were completely gone.
"Am I all healed now?" Uvogin flexed his arm and slowly got to his feet. "Did we really take care of the Shadow Beasts just like that?"
He surveyed the bodies strewn across the ground. "What a letdown. I thought I'd have more fun."
"This joint operation was far less exciting than usual," Uvogin grumbled.
"There's still one left," Feitan said, crouching down to grab Owl by the neck and lifting him up. "His Nen ability is decent. I think the boss might be interested."
"Are we done once we take him and the auction items?" Nobunaga asked, hands in his pockets.
"We've achieved our auction item target, so if we decide to leave now, the operation is a success," Machi said, smoothing her hair. "But the mafia won't let this slide."
Morin chuckled. "We've robbed their auction, humiliated them, and wiped out their armed forces. They're not going to let us off easy."
"Still looking for trouble with us?" Nobunaga scratched his face.
"I admire their courage to face certain death, but honestly, if even the Shadow Beasts couldn't handle us, where would they find the strength to oppose us?"
"They don't have the manpower left, and even if they send mafia family bodyguards, it's a suicide mission," Shalnark mused. "But they do have vast wealth and resources, making waves in the underworld."
"They might hire some particularly skilled assassin families to take us out," he continued, counting on his fingers.
"Like the Zoldyck family from Kukuroo Mountain, or the up-and-coming Herakma brothers in the assassin world."
"If Ten Dons wield their wealth and power, they could probably enlist them," Shalnark concluded.
"And knowing our boss's distaste for trouble," Franklin added, "he'll probably deal with the Ten Dons before ending this operation."
---
"And don't forget, the Nostrade family has a natural Specialist with divination abilities. The boss won't let such a Nen ability slip by," Feitan mentioned, lifting Owl. "Shall we head back?"
"Yeah, let's see what the boss says when we return." With their decision made, the group vanished into the night after Morin secured the auction items,
leaving behind a scene of chaos and a massive crater as evidence of the fierce battle that took place. The gentle breeze that blew through added an eerie chill to the atmosphere.
As the Phantom Troupe concluded their operation, elsewhere...
On a bustling street beside a river, "I'm so bored, Killua. How about you try arm wrestling?"
"No way, I refuse!"
"Stop messing around, Gon. They're all here for you. You've beaten so many people already; soon, you'll attract the big fish!" Leorio encouraged.
"But, Leorio..."
"No buts, trust me!!"
Meanwhile, the original main character of this world was struggling to make money with the second and fourth protagonists, while the third protagonist was performing on the stage in Yorknew City.
Across the river, in a dilapidated, abandoned building...
"Ah, almost forgot," Hisoka said, rising slowly and smiling at Chrollo with his back turned. "I have a meeting today. Can I go?"
"Yes, just be back by six tomorrow evening."
"Alright~" Hisoka swayed his hips as he headed out.
"Hisoka," Chrollo's eyes remained on the book in his hands. "Are you up to something?"
Hisoka paused, turning back with a wicked smile. "Who knows?" Hisoka was a master of deception, something everyone was used to.
But this time, he was telling the truth. The blend of truth and lies made him unpredictable.
Hisoka arrived alone at their prearranged meeting place—a small, prison-like room. Moonlight streamed through the iron bars, casting a bright glow. Upon entering, he saw Kurapika.
"Oh my, looks like you arrived early," he commented, noticing the aura rising around Kurapika's eyes, who was on guard.
"Relax, I don't want to fight you now," Hisoka chuckled, casually finding a place to sit.
"I don't want to fight you either," Kurapika replied calmly. "Our previous agreement was based on the Phantom Troupe's destruction of my clan. However, reliable intelligence suggests the Phantom Troupe wasn't responsible."
"The real culprits are the V5."
"You're well-informed," Hisoka laughed. "Even I only learned this after joining the Troupe."
"So, there's no hatred between me and the Phantom Troupe, and our cooperation ends here,"
Kurapika said sternly. "I came here to express my sincerity for your choice to lose to me during the Hunter Exam. Beyond that, we have nothing more to discuss."
With that, Kurapika turned to leave.
"How cold," Hisoka grinned. "As soon as you find me useless, you draw the line immediately? Your blatant realism is quite captivating, hehehe!"
Hisoka toyed with the playing cards in his hand. "But I have another piece of information. Interested?"
Hisoka's smile was both charming and dangerous. "There's someone you know in the Phantom Troupe. Care to guess?"
"Is it Morin?" Kurapika turned back, his expression calm.
"Oh, you knew?"
Hisoka was slightly taken aback, then realized, "I almost forgot. They went to the mafia's underground auction tonight, and you're a bodyguard for a mafia family, right? It's no surprise you spotted him."