There is nothing new under the sun. In the face of absolute power, all schemes are worthless.
If Netero had been younger, or just a little stronger, even without using the "Poor Man's Rose," he would have killed the Ant King, and not at the cost of his own life.
Roy just watched Pariston with a smile. Their gazes clashed, and sparks seemed to crackle in the air.
Behind them, Gotoh had his hands in his pockets, gripping several coins. The thin bodyguard silently recited scripture, clutching the cross on his chest.
Vree... Vree... An old woman drove past on a floor-cleaning machine, sweeping the ground.
Pariston glanced at her, clapped his hands, and was the first to break the stalemate: "What a pity. Congratulations, Roy Zoldyck. You win."
"This game was called 'YES' or 'NO.' The side that chose 'NO' wins."
"Since you refused my proposal..." The blond youth bowed to him and made an inviting gesture. "Please."
Roy watched him with great interest. 'This youth calculates one step, then calculates every step. His quick wit is outstanding. He already has the makings of the Vice Chairman.' He stood up. One step, two steps... he walked towards the boarding gate. He passed the old woman, who was driving the cleaning machine past him again. He even had the leisure to smile and joke, "Granny, isn't it a bit early to be washing the floor?"
"Can't be helped... We're on a fixed wage. If the boss sees, he'll dock my pay."
Putt... putt... putt... She then slowly drove the cleaning machine past.
Roy nodded, smiling and waving at her. "Take care."
He took a few more steps, brushing past Pariston's shoulder, and stopped at the ticket gate... Pariston did as he said, maintaining his bowing posture. Behind him, the fat and thin bodyguards tensed, their gazes locked on Roy, not relaxing in the slightest.
Just then, Gotoh followed with the small bag, saying, "Young master, you forgot your cane."
Roy "just remembered." "Oh, right."
He reached out a hand behind him. The cane sword, held in Gotoh's grasp, Clang! flew out of its sheath!
It pierced the air, letting out a sharp hum, and shot forward like electricity. A cold gleam flashed, streaking past Pariston's handsome face, leaving a bloody mark. Finally, it was grasped firmly in Roy's hand!
"Little Hill! / Pariston! You guy...!"
"Don't move!"
A sharp command... stunned his companions... Pariston straightened up. He took a folded pocket square from his suit's breast pocket, wiped the blood from his face, and looked at Roy calmly. "Why?"
'I already declared you the winner of the game. Why would you still do this?'
The blond youth said deeply, "Roy Zoldyck, you don't play by the rules."
"Because from the beginning, my young master never even saw you." Gotoh, gripping the sheath, walked up. His right hand clutched several coins, ready at any moment. He came to Roy's side and bowed. "Young master, please forgive my presumption."
"You did well." Roy twirled the sword in one hand, then pointed the tip down and stuck it into the floor. He crossed his arms and leaned on the cane sword, quietly watching Pariston and his two men. "Introductions are unnecessary, you already know. Since that's the case..."
"Please, do me a favor, all three of you."
Pariston's brow furrowed.
The boy smiled brightly. "Please, all three of you, withdraw from this year's Hunter exam. Ensure that I can pass."
Whoosh— The cold wind swept in, carrying away all the noise. The boomerang that had just been thrown seemed to fly right back.
The waiting hall fell dead silent!
The thin bodyguard's face fell. Beside him, the fat bodyguard let out a strange "Yohohoho" laugh. The two flanked Pariston. The blond youth looked at Roy intently, then covered his face and began to chuckle...
At first, the laughter was light, then it grew louder, and finally, he burst into a wild laugh... which he abruptly cut off!
His face dark, he stared at Roy, squeezing a few icy words from his mouth: "What if... I say no?"
'No?'
Roy smiled—
Pff! Two suns leaped into existence in his pupils. The boy's black hair billowed without any wind. He swept a casual glance over them. The fat and thin bodyguards behind Pariston both took a step back in unison. An alarm bell instantly rang in their minds, as if...
They had been stripped naked and thrown onto the street, seen through to their very core!
[Hatsu: "Eye of Delusion-Breaking," see through all falsehoods!]
"I'm not an unreasonable person."
Roy gripped his cane sword and drew a straight, thin line on the floor, starting from the tip of his boot...
"Only I will be taking the next flight. Anyone who dares to cross this line..."
"Reach with a hand, I chop the hand. Step with a foot, I chop the foot." At the end of the line, the cane sword swung around and came to rest on Pariston's shoulder.
Roy asked with a beaming smile, "What do you think?"
Pariston: "..."
He could clearly feel the sharpness of the cane sword. His intuition told him that if he dared to say "no"... in the next second, the blade would slice open his neck!
The blond youth took several deep breaths. Experiencing failure for the first time in his life, his expression shifted rapidly. Finally, he raised both hands. "My, my... it's all a misunderstanding... a misunderstanding. Clark, Gore, what are you standing there for? Let's go..."
As he spoke, Pariston carefully backed away until he could see the tip of the cane sword. Only then did he sigh in relief. He gave Roy a deep look, then turned and left. Behind him, the fat and thin bodyguards followed... slinking away like defeated dogs, all their previous arrogance gone.
"Young master, they've retracted their aura." Gotoh handed the sheath over. Roy performed a silky-smooth motion, sliding the blade home. He gave a noncommittal "Mm," then turned to have his ticket checked and board.
The young butler pushed up the glasses on his nose, glanced at the trio one last time, and followed with the bag.
The straight, thin line lay three feet from the ticket gate. For a long time, no one dared to cross it...
Vmmmm...
The engines turned the propellers, churning the air.
Ten minutes later, the airship took off. Outside the terminal, Pariston leaned against a railing, looking up. The airship flew higher and higher, becoming a red dot in the night sky, and vanished in an instant... The youth spread his arms, letting the cold wind toss his bangs. He couldn't help but close his eyes, his mouth pulling up into a grotesque smile.
"Ah... so this is what failure feels like... Roy Zoldyck, you are simply wonderful! I really... really...
...want to play you to death..."
"Hehehe... Hahaha...!"
His laughter shot into the clouds. Pariston's shoulders shook, scattering a flock of birds...
A passing passenger stole a glance, spat, and muttered, "Psycho!"
As a result, the fat and thin bodyguards stared him down, and he fled in terror.
A moment later, the blond youth gradually calmed down. The fat bodyguard saw this and asked with a grin, "Little Hill, are we still taking the exam?"
"Of course!" he said decisively. "From now on, wherever Roy Zoldyck is, I'll be there!"
"What about the others?" The thin bodyguard glanced at the crowd of candidates—the bandaged man, the snake charmer, the bow-wielding boy, the bald ninja—who had rebooked their tickets and gathered in the waiting hall again. He said expressionlessly, "If you want to play, we can play again..."
"After all, that guy is already gone..."
"No." Pariston's expression was one of boredom. He was tired of it...
"They're all trash, not even worthy of shining Roy Zoldyck's shoes. There's no need to waste time on them..."
...So said the youth.