"Huh?!"
Illumi's deduction silenced the entire room.
Even Zeno, who stood hunched with his hands behind his back, was taken aback.
His Nen ability is Copy?!
Nen development is diverse. The same ability can have vastly different effects in different hands.
But a true "Copy" ability? That was unheard of. It was too absurd.
There were rumors of mimics, but Ryker's case was different. He copied not just the technique, but the mastery.
"Impossible—there is no such ability in this world!"
Kikyo screeched.
She refused to believe in such a broken ability. If it existed, the user would be invincible.
"But if it's not Copy, there's no explanation. Unless someone can perfectly imitate a battle technique after seeing it once? That's beyond 'genius'," Illumi said, his eyes empty.
Silva fell silent.
"There was someone," Zeno suddenly spoke. All eyes turned to the family's strongest elder.
"Decades ago, Netero had similar talent. He could learn any technique instantly. But he didn't make that his main path. He focused on one thing: Gratitude."
"Perhaps Killua's friend Ryker has Netero's talent. But if he walks down the path of copying others, his future is limited."
"Choosing to copy instead of developing one's own specialty leads to mediocrity. A pity."
Zeno sighed and shook his head.
Being a jack-of-all-trades meant being master of none. To reach the peak of martial arts, one must break through in a specific field.
"Alright. Killua, do you agree to the proposal? If your friends pass our test, the family will never restrict you again! And we will be permanent allies with Ryker."
"If they fail, you will obey our arrangements."
Silva looked at Killua, his voice heavy.
Killua was silent. Ryker's arrival had disrupted the family's plans. They adjusted.
"Brother Ryker is strong, but he can't beat you. And you say you'll limit your strength for the test? I don't trust that. Assassins lie," Killua stared at his father intensely.
"HAHAHAHA! Silva, you've failed as a father lately. Don't worry, Killua. Grandpa guarantees it. If your friends pass, we will keep our promise."
"We will follow the agreed rules. If anyone breaks them, we lose," Zeno chuckled and ruffled Killua's hair.
Killua relaxed slightly. "Okay! I agree! I believe in Brother Ryker and Gon!!"
"Good! HAHAHA! Let's go. Illumi, follow us. Kikyo, Milluki, stay here."
Zeno laughed and walked out.
Meanwhile.
Ryker and the group walked up the mountain path.
They finally reached the Zoldyck Castle.
Giant trees blocked out the sun. The atmosphere was gloomy.
The massive castle gates opened, emitting a faint smell of blood.
"No guards? Is this really Killua's house?" Leorio was surprised.
"I hear noises inside!" Kurapika frowned. His hearing picked up sounds from deep within.
"Let's go. Killua should be in there."
Ryker squinted at the castle and walked in.
The interior was a maze. Dark and gloomy.
Saving on electricity bills?
Ryker led the way. His senses were sharp.
After ten minutes of navigating, they reached the main hall.
"KILLUA!!!"
Gon screamed, losing control of his emotions.
Before them...
Killua was suspended in mid-air, covered in blood and wounds.
Next to him, a muscular man with long golden hair held a whip.
Silva Zoldyck.
Hearing them, Silva stopped and turned. His gaze lingered on Ryker for a second.
"Stop! You'll kill him! Who are you? Why are you torturing him?!"
Gon was furious. He rolled up his sleeves to fight, but Kurapika and Leorio held him back.
"He's strong!!" Kurapika sensed the danger.
"Don't be reckless, Gon!!" Leorio warned.
"Who are you?" Silva asked, feigning ignorance.
"We are Killua's friends! Who are you?!" Gon shouted.
"Me? Hehe. I am his father. Is there a problem? Do I need permission to discipline my son?"
Silva sneered. His whip dripped blood.
Killua seemed unconscious, his wrists mangled by the shackles.
Father?!
Gon was stunned.
"How can a father do this?! He's your son!"
"Are you trying to kill him?"
"Too cruel!"
"I understand why Killua ran away now," Leorio and Kurapika muttered.
"It doesn't matter if a useless waste dies. Are you here to lecture me? Get out. You're not welcome," Silva scoffed.
"Brother Ryker!! Please save Killua! Don't let his cruel dad kill him!!" Gon begged, eyes red.
"Sigh..."
Ryker sighed softly.
He had farmed [Super Senses] (Gold) from Mike.
Combined with [Spider Sense].
Ryker was surprised at first by the scene.
But he quickly realized something was wrong.
He could hear Killua's heartbeat.
It was steady. Calm. Not the heartbeat of someone dying from torture.
This scene... is fake.
Want me to play along?
Hehe!
Ryker guessed the game.
Silva wanted to test his limits. Pushing him to the edge.
Perfect.
He needed an excuse to farm these guys. They just handed him one on a silver platter.
What a loving family. Just short of actually killing the son.
But I have to act.
Can't let them know I see through it. Otherwise, how can I justify going berserk and beating them up?
How else can I get those traits?
HAHAHAHA!
Standing before him was a super vault.
Name: Silva Zoldyck
Traits: [Assassination Art] (Double Gold), [Taijutsu] (Gold), [Transmutation Talent] (Gold), [Emitted Ball Technique] (Gold), [Steel Body] (Gold), [Poison Resistance] (Gold), [All Resistance] (Purple), [Absolute Calm] (Gold)...
A walking Gold Mine!
So cool!
Bro, keep acting! I'm coming!
"Killua!! Damn it!! You don't deserve to be a father! No father does this! Release him!"
Ryker put on a face of 'righteous fury'.
"Hmm?"
Silva frowned. His evaluation of Ryker dropped slightly.
He hoped the genius would be calmer. Ryker seemed emotional. But at least he cared for Killua.
"Oh? Release him? You want to interfere in my family affairs?" Silva sneered.
Ryker didn't waste words.
Godspeed (Gold)!
He vanished.
[Divine Strength] (Red)!
Silva's face changed.
The speed was expected. But the power in that fist... shocking.
Silva punched back. A massive fist wrapped in purple Nen.
BOOM!
Fists collided.
A deafening shockwave blew everyone back.
While Silva was surprised, a Nen card sliced the steel cable holding Killua.
Killua fell into Ryker's arms.
"Killua!! Wake up!! Killua!!"
Ryker 'anxiously' shouted. "Damn it! I'll avenge you!! Gon!"
He tossed Killua to Gon.
"Killua!!"
Gon caught him.
But the next second, he was kicked from behind.
Illumi!
He appeared in his true form.
"Protect them!!" Kurapika and Leorio screamed.
"They broke the rules by attacking in the Zoldyck estate. Kill them, Illumi!"
Silva ordered.
"Understood."
Illumi, eyes empty, appeared in front of Leorio.
His hand, sharp as a knife, sliced Leorio's neck.
Blood sprayed.
Leorio clutched his throat, eyes wide, and collapsed, twitching before going still.
"NO—LEORIO!!!"
Gon roared in agony.
Kurapika's eyes turned scarlet. Rage consumed him.
Scarlet Eyes activated!
But Illumi was faster!!
Thwack!
Before Kurapika could move, a dagger pierced his heart.
"Cough... why... I still have revenge..."
Kurapika stared at his chest, stumbling and falling.
Illumi appeared behind them.
"NO—"
Gon cried, tearing his heart out. He went berserk.
Illumi vanished.
BOOM!
To Illumi's surprise, Gon punched him away!
But Illumi had already struck. His poison nails slashed Gon's face.
Green poison spread instantly.
Gon vomited green blood and collapsed.
Everyone dead.
Ryker stood there, frozen.
In just a few seconds, his three little friends were killed.
Oh!
How sad.
So sad!
So painful!
Wait, how should I react?
Right, right. I should be furious!!
Ryker's face twisted in rage. Veins popped on his forehead.
He wanted to give himself an award.
Best Actor!
If he hadn't obtained [Super Senses] (Gold) on the way here, he would have believed it.
But he could hear their hearts.
Gon, Kurapika, Leorio. Their heartbeats were steady. They were just asleep.
Probably Illumi's needles or some drug.
Silva really went all out to test me.
Even pushing me to emotional collapse.
Isn't this great?
Now I have the perfect excuse to beat up the whole family!
Right?
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
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