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Chapter 117: Taking the Initiative to Contact
Rather than try to talk Kurapika out of revenge, Sheila shared more about the Troupe.
From her stories, it was clear that each member of the Phantom Troupe had a softer side beneath their cruelty. Machi, for instance, had sought out a mortician to learn makeup skills, ensuring that if any future comrades died, they could pass on with the same dignity Sarasa had. Uvogin and Nobunaga frequently visited the church to teach the kids basic survival and combat skills. And Pakunoda, Shalnark, Feitan, and Phinks often brought back novelties from the outside world for the orphans.
This was precisely why these homeless children, gathered in the church, looked at Ronin's group with such hostility. It was only Sheila's presence that kept them from acting out.
Ronin listened quietly. He couldn't care less about the Troupe's twisted sense of camaraderie in Meteor City. Kurapika felt the exact same way. In fact, listening to Sheila's anecdotes only deepened his hatred for them.
They know the agony of loss perfectly well. Why do they keep inflicting that pain on others?! Damn them!
His crimson eyes were a clear indicator of his turbulent emotions. The unbridled killing intent radiating from him caused Sheila's voice to gradually trail off.
Ronin's group didn't linger at the church for much longer. Right before leaving, Ronin shot Sheila a meaningful look. "If the kids at the church are willing, you can send them to Elder Ryan. He can give them jobs, warm meals, and even some wages."
Ronin didn't know if Sheila took it to heart, but he could tell the older and more mature children had understood him perfectly.
"They'll die, won't they?" Kurapika spoke up suddenly once they were a fair distance away from the church.
"Who knows." Ronin shrugged.
The ambitious ones would inevitably join Ryan's ranks, and their first real enemies would likely be the Phantom Troupe. Whether they survived or not would be up to fate.
Kurapika fell silent for a long time before saying, "You're more ruthless than I am."
"That's because I'm no saint to begin with. Truth be told, now that I have this power, I probably lean a bit closer to being a monster." Ronin casually evaluated himself.
He had seen the malice and ferocity in those children's eyes. If not for the few moral constraints still holding him back, he might have just slaughtered the entire church right then and there.
Kurapika didn't know what to say for a moment. "Actually... I just don't want your hands stained with too much blood, Brother Ronin."
"What nonsense are you saying? You're the one who needs to stay clean. My moral bottom line isn't that high," Ronin chuckled. "If I wasn't so terrible at planning and scheming, I'd much prefer you keep your sunny, positive outlook on life, rather than spending your days buried in deception and plotting."
Kurapika smiled softly. "You're destined to be disappointed, then. Besides, I actually quite like the life I have now."
Ronin gave him a long look before changing the subject. "How much of what Sheila said do you think is true?"
Although the Dowsing Chain hadn't reacted to indicate she was lying, that didn't mean she had told them everything. There were plenty of ways to bypass Kurapika's chain. And Ronin couldn't shake the feeling that Sheila wasn't as simple as she appeared.
"I don't know," Kurapika shook his head. "I just hope she really is as clueless as she claims."
A pure, innocent saint surviving in a place like Meteor City? Ronin felt she was just too fake. She was too perfect, without a single crack in her innocent facade. She acted like the cleanest, purest, most innocent existence in all of Meteor City.
But is she really? Ronin couldn't quite see through her.
Time slipped quietly by. By September 27th, Ronin still hadn't received a call from Hisoka.
When he finally took the initiative to dial the number, he was greeted by the roaring cheers of a live crowd. It seemed Hisoka had already arrived at Heaven's Arena and was warming up for their match.
"If you come, there's a good chance you'll run into Chrollo," Ronin told him.
"No rush. Right now, I'm much more interested in you than Chrollo," Hisoka's voice practically purred through the receiver, thick with his usual insufferable flair.
"That's a bit of a shame," Ronin said.
"What's wrong? Getting cold feet?" Hisoka's tone shifted, tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction and killing intent.
"Of course not. I'm quite looking forward to our fight," Ronin answered firmly.
"Excellent. Then I'll see you in the ring on October 1st." Hisoka's tone immediately brightened, sounding as if he could barely contain his excitement.
Just then, the live commentator's voice bled through the receiver. "Contestant Hisoka has chosen to answer his phone in the middle of such a tense match! Contestant Kastro seems to have taken this as a grave insult; his attacks are growing even more ferocious! But even so, he can't even graze the Magician's clothes! Hisoka is practically dancing the most elegant waltz on the edge of a blade! This is absolute madness!"
So Kastro has already shown up? He was a bona fide genius who had completely derailed his own potential by developing a Conjuration ability completely unsuited for an Enhancer, squandering the vast majority of his talent. If he had followed the correct path, could he have gained the upper hand against Hisoka years later?
Looking at his phone after Hisoka hung up, Ronin decisively scrolled through his contacts and dialed Milia's number.
If Kastro survived his encounter with Hisoka this time, he'd have Milia sign him! Once he returned to Heaven's Arena, he'd personally meet with Kastro and explain the mechanics of Nen to him. It would be a good deed. Reading the manga, he always felt Kastro's death was a bit of a waste—he was a pretty cool guy.
Milia picked up. "What's up? Got another prospect for me?"
Since Hisoka was currently signed under her, the promotional hype for him was massive. Even before reaching the 200th floor, Hisoka had already made quite a name for himself in the arena.
"Yeah. Kastro, the guy fighting Hisoka right now. His talent isn't bad," Ronin cut straight to the chase.
"I can see that. But he seems to belong to his own martial arts school, so he won't be easy to recruit." Milia had a much clearer view of the match—she was sitting right in the audience.
It was obvious that Hisoka was playing with his food, thrilled to have found a worthy opponent. Every strike from Kastro carried immense momentum, but it was also clear he hadn't been using Nen for long. Against a veteran master like Hisoka, he was completely outmatched.
"Just try to set up a meeting for me, or at least get his contact info. If it doesn't work out, it's fine," Ronin said casually.
"You want to teach him?" Milia acutely grasped his intentions.
"Not exactly. I just don't want to see someone with so much potential go down the wrong path," Ronin replied honestly.
"Alright, I'll try to set something up," Milia agreed.
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