As if he had sprung from a stone...
Hisoka appeared without warning.
For a moment, Morrow was genuinely startled.
He had considered the possibility that Hisoka might pursue him relentlessly, but the scenario he had envisioned was Hisoka chasing him all the way to Heavens Arena.
He never expected Hisoka to track him down to such a remote corner in such a short time.
What Morrow didn't know was...
Hisoka had gone all out to find him here, even at the cost of his entire fortune.
Had he known, Morrow might have taken the hefty sum and voluntarily disclosed his location to Hisoka.
Morrow looked at Hisoka and swallowed the other half of his words.
Now, he was actually calming down.
He couldn't be sure whether Hisoka would honor their "one-year cold war" agreement.
But he knew Hisoka had a strong sense of principle in certain matters. The fact that Hisoka had sneaked over like this and deliberately leaked his aura...
Precisely indicated that Hisoka hadn't come for a one-on-one fight but had another purpose in mind.
If Hisoka had simply wanted to break their agreement and fight, he could have feigned a few moves, using the pressure of death to force Morrow into responding.
Hisoka wouldn't do that.
Because in such matters, Hisoka pursued perfection.
Cards had to be stacked neatly to their highest point, with not a single misalignment that might mar their beauty.
Only then, before toppling them, could Hisoka derive the utmost satisfaction.
With his thoughts clear, Morrow decisively closed his aura nodes, withdrawing from Ren back to Ten.
The subtle signs of attack he had prepared through the act of pointing were also discreetly retracted.
But such a small movement couldn't escape Hisoka's notice.
Hisoka watched Morrow's withdrawn hand with keen interest, his gaze and smile seeming to say: I don't dislike such tactics.
Seeing Hisoka's reaction, Morrow grew even more certain that the other man hadn't come to "break their agreement." Yet, being stared at like this by Hisoka made him feel utterly uncomfortable.
Shifting his gaze away from Hisoka, Morrow turned to Sanbica and said earnestly, "Can you give me a chance to explain?"
"..."
Sanbica didn't speak, only shaking her head.
Her aura remained at its peak intensity, especially after Hisoka deliberately revealed his presence. Her aura, though powerful, radiated extreme wariness.
It had to be said that Hisoka's aura was undeniably intimidating.
Even toned down, it still gave Sanbica a palpable sense of danger.
And in her eyes, Hisoka, who exuded such a dangerous aura, was someone Morrow knew.
In this situation, she only wanted to distance herself from this trouble as quickly as possible.
Sensing the defensive tension in Sanbica's aura, Morrow could only stubbornly argue, "I do know him, but we're not close. More importantly... I'm not like him."
"Oh."
Sanbica complied softly, then cautiously asked, "Can I leave now?"
"Of course."
Morrow's original intention had been to gather information from Sanbica. If not for Hisoka's interference, he might have already learned many crucial details.
Moreover, after their brief interaction, he had formed a basic understanding of Sanbica and naturally wouldn't resort to coercive measures against her.
"I still don't know your name." Seeing Sanbica already starting to move away, Morrow quickly asked.
Sanbica stopped and said softly, "Sanbica Norton."
"Sanbica..."
Morrow repeated the name, feeling a faint sense of familiarity but unable to recall where from.
Could she be a character from the original work who appeared but had very weak presence?
While pondering this, Morrow also considered whether to follow Sanbica back to the village.
He had mostly confirmed that the "virus" was created by Nolan's research institute, though he didn't know its exact location yet.
Just as he was about to speak, Hisoka drawled, "Sanbica, aren't you the least bit curious... about what our relationship is?"
Not curious at all.
Sanbica answered directly in her heart.
Though accustomed to going with the flow, she knew this wasn't the time to voice her true thoughts.
"What relationship?"
Seeing the "ask me" expression on Hisoka's face, she ultimately indulged his superficial request.
Hisoka curled his lips and said, "We're in a 'passionate relationship,' though currently going through a cold war..."
"?
Sanbica froze, her large eyes flashing with confusion, as if suddenly stuffed with countless complex formulas.
Morrow's eyelids drooped, too exhausted to even consider salvaging his image with Sanbica.
This, he supposed, was the price of stealing kills.
Though given the chance, he'd do it again...
The area fell silent for about two seconds.
Belatedly, Sanbica gasped, first glancing cautiously at Hisoka, then at Morrow.
"C-can I... go now?"
She didn't want to stay here a moment longer.
If not for sensing their formidable strength, she would've bolted without looking back.
Hearing her words, Morrow sighed, abandoning any thought of accompanying her to the village. Too tired to speak, he just waved dismissively.
Taking this as permission, Sanbica turned and left without hesitation.
Only after confirming no follow-up actions did she finally relax.
Master was right; perverts really are terrifying!
Quickening her pace, Sanbica thought silently to herself.
Morrow watched her figure recede into the distance.
"Tch."
Another sigh escaped him.
Morrow turned to Hisoka and asked, "Do you want to break our agreement?"
"Not at all."
Hisoka idly played with his cards.
Morrow frowned. "Fine, then why are you here? Don't tell me this is just a coincidence."
"I came specifically to find you."
Uncharacteristically straightforward, Hisoka cut to the chase: "To... quickly end our cold war."
"So essentially, you still want to break the agreement."
Morrow didn't mince words.
Hisoka wagged his index finger, smiling. "It's different."
"How?"
"Breaking the agreement could mean breaking up, but I don't want that."
Hisoka's golden eyes gleamed with undisguised eagerness. "So I'll 'appease' you to shorten the cold war, this is my one-sided concession. Happy now?"
"Got it." Morrow took a deep breath and said seriously, "If I agree to reduce the cold war period by one... well, two months, can you disappear right now?"
"Rejected~"
Hisoka shook his head.
Morrow asked curiously, "Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"
"It's different."
"How is it different?"
"Insincere words will only worsen the cold war."
"Fine, fine, then let's do it your way."
"Mmm-hmm."
Hisoka narrowed his eyes with a smile.
Morrow also smiled at this point—or rather, he gave up—and crooked his index finger at Hisoka. "Then bark like a dog to cheer me up."
"Woof woof~~"
"???"
Morrow regretted it.
Now he finally understood why Hisoka could develop "Bungee Gum".
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Bonus chapter for every new review and every time the story gets 10 Power Stones.