"Master Illumi?!"
The security guard Zebro pretended to be stunned, as if trying to keep up the act.
Ryker shook his head. Since the other party gave him an invitation while hiding their tail, he didn't need to be polite.
He waved his hand.
BOOM!
Old man Zebro was flung backward, slamming heavily into the stone wall. His face was a mask of horror.
He never dreamed... he was playing the pig to eat the tiger, but he ended up being the pig.
[DING! You defeated Security Guard Zebro.]
[Rolling for Copy (10%)...]
[Copy Successful! Acquired: [Combat] (Blue).]
A heavenly sound echoed in Ryker's mind.
Memories of Zebro's youthful training and close-quarters combat flooded Ryker's brain.
It was just icing on the cake. Zebro wasn't strong.
But Ryker didn't mind. Extra traits could be converted into experience points.
"Let's go. Through here."
Ryker paused, glanced at the direction where the burly intruder had died, and chose the small side door.
He could easily push open the Testing Gate.
But he wanted to see the Zoldyck watchdog more.
A creature fit to guard the Zoldycks wasn't just a simple magical beast.
Rumor had it this thing was smuggled from the Dark Continent. If so, he might farm a Dark Continent trait!
Besides...
Bad dogs hurt people. He was just doing a public service.
"Uh... Brother Ryker, that old grandpa... and there's a monster behind the door..."
"He's fine. I controlled my strength. Let's go."
Ryker waved his hand and strode in.
Gon and the others followed without hesitation.
Zebro slid down the wall, trembling. He pulled out his old phone and dialed a number, his voice shaking.
"The enemies Master Illumi mentioned... they... they broke in!!"
Behind the Gate of the Underworld.
Because they didn't take the main path, they entered a dense forest.
The trees were grotesquely large, blocking out the sun.
Blood and scraps of meat littered the ground—leftovers from the unlucky guy earlier.
"Brother Ryker, I sense a magical beast. Be careful! Based on that claw, it's huge!" Kurapika analyzed.
Leorio looked around nervously.
They were Pro Hunters, but Leorio was the weakest. He hadn't awakened Nen yet. He was just slightly stronger than a civilian. Against a behemoth, he was toast.
Surprisingly, they walked for a long time without seeing the beast.
Finally, they reached a clearing.
Zzzzzz...
A snoring sound like thunder.
A mountain-sized beast lay before them. It was napping, chewing on the intruder's thigh bone like a toothpick.
Its massive body blocked the path completely.
"It's huge! Bigger than any magical beast we've seen! The Great Stamp is nothing compared to this!"
"Let's go around. Don't wake it..."
"It feels dangerous!"
Gon and the others whispered, tiptoeing.
But the moment they moved, the sleeping dog struck.
SWISH—BOOM!
A giant claw, like an excavator bucket, swept across the ground, carving deep trenches.
Just as it was about to crush Gon, a figure blocked it.
Ryker punched.
A tiny fist against a massive claw.
They deadlocked.
Name: Mike (Zoldyck Watchdog)
Traits: [Black · Giant Creature] (Gold), [Monster Strength] (Gold), [Super Senses] (Gold), [Wisdom] (Blue), [Sleepyhead] (Blue), [Gluttony] (Blue)...
Trait: [Black · Giant Creature]
Origin: Pan-Asian species from the edge of the Dark Continent. Possesses powerful genes far exceeding ordinary magical beasts. Trait grants Dark Continent genetic markers and an Aura of Intimidation.
Tsk tsk tsk!!
Jackpot!
This thing really came from the Dark Continent! Or at least, it was a hybrid from the boundary zone.
A Golden trait!
Three Golds, the rest Blue!
No wonder the Zoldycks used it as a doorman. It could filter out 90% of intruders. Even average Pro Hunters would die to this.
Senses, attack, reaction speed—all top tier!
"It's troublesome. You guys go ahead. I'll handle it!"
Ryker ordered.
"But Brother Ryker..."
Gon wanted to help, but Kurapika and Leorio dragged him away.
"We'll only get in the way! It's too big! Our attacks won't work!"
They understood their role.
ROAR!
The giant wolf-dog woke up fully.
When it stood, it was five stories tall.
Saliva dripped from its jaws like an open faucet.
It had intelligence. It knew the small human blocking it was the hard bone to chew.
Zoldyck Estate.
"Sir... the people Master Illumi mentioned have reached the foot of the mountain. They broke into Mike's territory. Should we intervene? They are Pro Hunters."
A butler in a black suit reported.
Gotoh, the head butler, adjusted his glasses. He stood straight in his immaculate uniform.
He was silent for two seconds.
"No need for now. They are Master Illumi's guests."
Gotoh frowned, rubbing his temples. He sighed.
Master Illumi returned injured.
That was a huge event for the Zoldyck family.
The sky is going to be turbulent.
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