Chapter 90: The Divided Trio
The Zoldycks still needed time to make certain preparations regarding Alluka, so Haze didn't have to leave just yet.
Besides, the situation within his own faction wasn't fully settled either…
The Fiers Family Residence.
Apart from the guards who had gone to the hospital to protect Haze, every other Nen user had been summoned.
Inside the grand hall, Chrollo, Feitan, and Franklin each wearing formal suits stood among a line of mafia operatives. They were now part of the Fiers Family's enforcers its "cleaning tools."
To reach these positions, each had demonstrated mastery over Nen, passed multiple trials, and earned recognition for their effort. Naturally, the Fiers Family treated them generously, offering both wealth and status.
What's more, with the backing of the Ten Dons, the family's future looked bright.
But that was only how outsiders saw it.
To Chrollo and his two companions, every living soul in that hall… was trash.
They could erase them all without breaking a sweat.
Even the captain of the guard Mondel was no exception.
"Master, everyone is here."
Seated casually on a leather sofa, legs crossed and smoking a cigar, was David, the head of the Fiers Family.
Mondel bowed deeply before him.
Officially, David was the leader of the Fiers Family and one of the Ten Dons.
After Haze's report to the remaining Dons following the incident, David's promotion had been a natural progression.
Unlike Haze's reign, however, David now had a strange companion standing beside him.
The man was grotesquely built bare-chested, wearing only shorts, with a swollen belly, a tumor-like lump on his forehead, and unnaturally dark purple skin.
Even his pupils were green.
He was one of the results of the joint project between the Ten Dons and V5 one of the Shadow Beasts, specifically Earthworm.
The other nine Shadow Beasts had appeared as well.
This "biological project," developed through the Ten Dons' collaboration with V5, had progressed for several months, culminating in what was considered a "perfect" set of test subjects.
The Shadow Beasts especially Owl had experienced minimal side effects after being injected with the serum.
Their flesh, blood, and life force were exceptionally potent, and combined with their genetic modifications, they awakened Nen with incredible speed granting them devastating combat power.
Yet when the Dons proudly reported this success to Rodman, head of V5's division overseeing the project, he responded not with praise but with disappointment even resentment.
Ultimately, the experiment was scrapped, and the facility shut down.
The Ten Dons, unwilling to risk further loss, accepted the decision.
The so-called "grand collaboration" ended abruptly.
Still, the emergence of the Shadow Beasts helped the mafia mitigate some of its losses.
Since then, the Shadow Beasts had begun operating in the underworld, carrying out the Dons' commands and strengthening the authority of the Ten Rulers of the underworld.
Whenever major operations took place, the Shadow Beasts would be mobilized.
This was also the first time Chrollo and his companions had met one face-to-face.
It was clear that the Shadow Beasts were not ordinary guards they occupied a far higher status.
Feitan flexed his knuckles behind his back, producing a faint cracking sound.
He was the most eager to kill Haze.
Phinks had been his childhood friend and his partner in the Troupe's missions.
Among everyone present, Feitan sensed only one person who posed any real threat: the monstrous man standing beside David, whose piercing gaze felt like a predator's stare.
"How's the Yangni Family doing?"
David asked casually.
"Everything's taken care of. Their family business has been transferred to Steven,"
Mondel replied promptly.
"Good,"
David nodded, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"Next is Sandy…"
"Yes, sir."
The Yangni and Sandy families were mid-level families within the Dons' jurisdiction. Not only had they failed to pay their dues on time, they'd also disrupted local markets an unforgivable offense.
As one of the Ten Dons, David's word was law.
"Those three… they're the ones recently promoted, correct? I've seen them before,"
David said casually, tapping the cigar's ash into an ashtray.
He was referring to Chrollo and his two companions.
"Yes,"
Mondel confirmed, glancing toward them.
"They're talented and strong. They deserve special attention and training."
Upon being addressed, the three stepped forward immediately.
Chrollo bowed deeply ninety degrees and said firmly:
"It's an honor to be recognized by the head of the family."
His tone was confident yet humble neither arrogant nor submissive.
But beneath that lowered head, his calm eyes betrayed no emotion.
"Hmm."
David seemed satisfied with his demeanor.
"Mondel must've told you already. One of the Fiers Family's important clients is currently recovering in a hospital. Due to certain circumstances, he requires special protection.
We'll also be mobilizing people to handle the Sandy Family's affairs.
I value loyalty and talent serve faithfully, and you'll be rewarded well."
"Understood,"
Chrollo replied firmly, rising from his bow.
"Good. Now, of the three of you, who's willing to "
Before he could finish, Mondel interjected:
"Let's send Gimborgh. He has an Emission-type ability that's ideal for suppressing enemies and buying time in emergencies."
"Gimborgh" was Franklin's alias.
Chrollo's brow twitched slightly, but he hid his reaction at once.
David's gaze shifted to Franklin the large man with long earrings and a solid build.
"Very well. If Mondel recommends you, then it's decided."
"Understood,"
Franklin replied, nodding to Chrollo and accepting the order.
"Besides the Sandy Family, there's also a minor group that's been making noise lately one that doesn't seem to understand the rules. Replace their leader,"
David added, rising from the sofa.
Earthworm followed closely behind as he left, his eerie green eyes briefly meeting Chrollo's.
"Be careful,"
David murmured to him.
As they departed, Mondel and a group of Nen users bowed deeply.
"You heard the boss. Take care of the Sandy Family and the other one immediately."
Then he turned to the rest:
"Split up. Sean you and your team come with me. The rest, head to the other target."
With a snap of his fingers, the group divided.
Feitan and Chrollo were assigned to different teams.
"Sean" was Chrollo's alias.
His face remained calm as he studied Mondel's expressions the faint messages behind his gaze.
In his mind, he replayed every movement and every word David had spoken.
That "important client" David mentioned was none other than Haze.
If David had chosen Franklin directly, Chrollo might've been uneasy.
After all, a man in David's position knew little about them or rather, didn't care to.
For such a sensitive assignment, that would've been strange.
But from the start, it was obvious David wanted them to volunteer.
Mondel, who understood their methods and the internal dynamics better, had intervened.
He'd correctly pointed out Franklin's advantage in this scenario.
It was unusual for Mondel to interrupt but this time, he had good reason.
And David hadn't shown the slightest irritation.
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
None of the guards who had gone to the hospital had returned, and Pakunoda's group didn't dare expose themselves.
The Troupe still didn't know Haze's current condition how injured he was or how much he had recovered.
The only people they could contact were David and Mondel but for now, they couldn't act against them.
Not yet.
Within seconds, Chrollo's mind raced through deductions and possibilities.
Normally, as the Spider's head, he was always accompanied by two members.
Now, they were separated.
Was that intentional?
Or coincidence?
Franklin and Feitan exchanged glances.
Chrollo gave them a subtle hand signal stay calm.
Judging by what had happened so far, their cover remained intact.
David and Mondel had no clue who they really were.
In other words, they were still safe.
"Even if the prey wakes up,"
Chrollo thought,
"thanks to our precautions, he'll only recognize the knight… not us. The risk is minimal."
He turned and left with his assigned squad, feeling Feitan and Franklin's eyes on his back.
The message was clear:
Follow orders for now and wait for further instructions.
"Connections,"
Chrollo whispered as he passed Franklin.
Franklin understood.
Once inside the hospital and close to their target, he wouldn't attack immediately.
He'd first build rapport gain Haze's trust.
"Kumbo, come with me,"
Mondel ordered.
Franklin followed him out.
"Tch,"
Feitan muttered coldly, his voice low with frustration.
Why Franklin and not him?
But it didn't matter.
He would wait.
They wouldn't let Haze die so easily.
Chrollo had already promised: once the Ten Dons were captured, Feitan could do whatever he wished with them.
Meanwhile, back in his room, David stood by the window, watching the guards file into their cars below.
His eyes lingered on Franklin.
Though he played the role of puppet leader, David understood Haze's plan perfectly.
Even at his age, he could still be useful especially to that young woman.
And he was willing.
From beginning to end, his loyalty belonged only to Fieldlily.
She cared deeply for Haze so he would protect that bond at any cost.
Anyone who threatened it… would die.
Every gesture and word in that meeting had been directed by Haze beforehand.
David had simply followed the script.
Even Mondel had only received limited information.
"Those three… they're not like the other trash, not even Mondel. I can smell their stench."
A low voice rumbled behind David.
It was Earthworm, the Shadow Beast.
"If you're lucky, you'll meet that man,"
David replied indifferently.
"Then, you'll smell his scent again."
"That man…?"
Earthworm's curiosity was piqued.
He had heard a few rumors…
(End of Chapter)