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Chapter 85: Let Me See Your Resolve!
Kurapika had begun setting this board months ago.
At the time, he didn't know Ronin's eyes had a bottleneck.
But that detail didn't change his strategy.
Information about Mordin City would eventually be dug up, and his existence would enter the Troupe's radar.
Ronin's unconditional trust was the strongest card in Kurapika's hand.
He had interrogated Ronin for every scrap of information: the names, abilities, appearances, and behavioral logic of the Phantom Troupe members.
He also took inventory of every resource Ronin possessed.
The two most critical assets were the Rock Mercenary Group and the Zoldyck Family.
The former had facilitated a deal with Ronin at Heaven's Arena.
The latter was a connection Ronin had claimed was worth any price—if they could be reached.
Unfortunately, Ronin's contact with Gotoh only yielded 10 million Jenny, not a direct line to the Zoldycks.
However, through Milia—the well-connected local boss of Heaven's Arena—Kurapika secured the Zoldycks' contact information.
After all, the assassin family never really hid their business.
From there, it was simple.
Knowing the Troupe would hit Yorknew on September 1st, Kurapika arranged for Ronin to steal the auction items first.
This baited the Troupe, creating the conditions for Ronin to kill Uvogin. It also drew out the Shadow Beasts, allowing them to trace the chain of command back to the Ten Dons.
Everything went smoothly.
The injured Uvogin appeared in the Gordeau Desert exactly as predicted.
Leading the Troupe there guaranteed at least one spider would die.
The Shadow Beasts appeared as expected. The only surprise was Ronin's ability to read memories.
Kurapika had originally planned to use Owl as a dowsing anchor for his Dowsing Chain to locate the Ten Dons.
That method carried risks, but they were manageable.
He had a backup plan: Sanzhi, the man Ronin had spared in the Cemetery Building.
Though not a Don, that local snake had significant pull in Yorknew's underworld.
The battle on September 3rd was the climax.
The two Zoldycks were hired by Kurapika.
The target was Isrli—Phantom Troupe Member #8. Kurapika chose him because, in Ronin's database, this man didn't exist. He was the variable.
If Isrli was removed, the remaining spiders—whose abilities were fully exposed—would be fish on a chopping block.
Unfortunately, the Troupe's teamwork was too tight for an instant assassination, but the Zoldycks managed to force Isrli to reveal his ability.
Then came the final step.
A trap designed to make the Troupe believe they had found a flaw, a chance to win.
Ronin took Neon away, leaving "Kurapika" alone in the hotel.
Normally, this trap would have claimed at least two spiders. But because of Ronin's eye condition, Kurapika altered the plan.
He couldn't guarantee how many would die, but he knew Ronin would be safe.
Kurapika trusted that Shalnark would find the opening.
After all, Kurapika had personally leaked the photos of Ronin and Neon leaving.
What nobody knew was that the Rock Mercenary Group had infiltrated the hotel the night before, lying in wait.
Delilah was a pleasant surprise.
Without her, Kurapika would have contacted Hisoka. Ronin's intel mentioned Texture Surprise.
He wasn't sure if Hisoka could apply it to another person effectively. If not, he would have had to disguise a real corpse.
But that increased the risk of Ronin seeing through it too early.
Delilah smoothed out that wrinkle perfectly.
It allowed the operation to flow seamlessly, freeing up mercenaries who would have otherwise been guarding Neon.
It worked.
Shalnark spotted the opportunity once they reached Southern Piece.
The Troupe moved. They didn't attack Ronin immediately; they focused their fire on "Kurapika."
The hotel explosion was Kurapika's signal.
When he confronted Chrollo on the 18th floor, the blast went off upstairs. The smoke alerted half the district.
Wherever Ronin was, he would see it.
The bidding market they visited was, after all, recommended by Kurapika.
He knew Ronin and Neon too well.
After the brief clash with Chrollo, Kurapika was extracted by Muhuell to a nearby rooftop.
The mercenaries had rigged ziplines between the buildings beforehand. From there, Muhuell provided long-range support to Ronin.
The Zoldycks struck at the perfect moment.
And finally, the mercenaries emerged. Facing overwhelming force and no hope of killing Ronin, Chrollo had no choice but to retreat.
Kurapika had held the initiative from start to finish.
Although only one spider died, Kurapika wasn't in a hurry.
Compared to hiring assassins, he yearned for the day he could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Big Brother Ronin and slaughter that scum head-on.
He wanted the spiders to feel the pain of being plundered.
He had learned everything about the Troupe from Ronin. He didn't know how Ronin knew so much, but it didn't matter.
He trusted Ronin. That was enough.
According to the intel, the Troupe was formed to find Sarasa's killers.
Chrollo knew his actions wouldn't be condoned by Sarasa. If they met in the afterlife, he would have to apologize eternally.
But Chrollo walked that path anyway.
He had the resolve!
He had the resolve to become a villain to transform Meteor City, to make the world fear harming its people.
Then... let me see your resolve!
Kurapika's eyes shone with unprecedented brightness.
When your cherished companions die one by one... when the Meteor City you wish to protect turns against you...
Will your conviction crumble?
Chrollo Lucilfer. The Brain. The Soul of the Spider. The Architect of the Kurta Massacre.
Can you withstand the fire of vengeance from the Kurta Clan?
The game has only just begun!
Kurapika clenched his fist. If Chrollo had the resolve to be a villain for his people, Kurapika had the resolve to do the same.
But he didn't need to descend into darkness.
Because he had something Chrollo didn't.
Kurapika looked at Ronin.
He had his savior.
Big Brother Ronin!
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