"2… 2-Star Hunter License? So the old man Netero knew exactly how strong this kid was from the start. Illumi really dragged a catastrophe straight to our doorstep this time."
Zeno let out a bitter smile as the gleaming card lay on the floor. A 2-Star License wasn't handed out lightly—it required the Chairman's personal stamp of approval.
Especially since Illumi had taken the Hunter Exam himself and confirmed the others had only received standard ones.
That meant Ryker had been hand-picked by Netero.
Zeno even wondered… Had Netero taken him as a direct disciple?
If they harmed Netero's chosen successor here, the fallout would be catastrophic.
Netero wasn't some kindly old grandfather. He ruled the Hunter world because no one dared test the limits of his iron fist.
In that split second of hesitation, Zeno found himself forced onto the back foot.
Ryker—still deep in "berserk mode"—unleashed a storm of attacks.
Pure Taijutsu reinforced by Enhancement. No strategy. Just a mindless, rampaging beast.
But Zeno had witnessed Silva's defeat. He was far too seasoned to be caught off guard.
He evaded each strike with light, precise movements.
Then he spotted the opening.
Dragon Head!
ROAR!
A colossal dragon head of pure Nen materialized, roaring forward and sealing every possible escape route around Ryker.
Old ginger is still the spiciest.
Damn… Scarlet Eyes duration is running out. The old man's playing it safe now. Taking him down in base form won't be easy!
Ryker sighed inwardly.
Silva had already burned through too much of his stamina. Maintaining Scarlet Eyes indefinitely wasn't possible.
Of course, with [Taijutsu] now at Double Gold, his endurance had improved dramatically.
But defeating Zeno right after Silva was asking a lot.
And those Zeno traits… Ryker was practically salivating over them.
[Divine Strength] (Red)!
[Scarlet Eyes] (Red)!
[Taijutsu] (Double Gold)!
[Lightning Nen] (Red) — Lightning Drum Fist!
BOOM!
Ryker met the Dragon Head head-on with a thunderous punch. The raw power surpassed even Silva's Emitted Orbs.
The force shoved him backward, as though a real dragon had clamped its jaws around him.
Yet he halted after only ten meters.
Lightning arced wildly across his body.
Ryker's hands seized the dragon's upper and lower jaws—like Hercules wrestling a mythical beast.
"ROAR!!"
The Lightning Beast bellowed.
RIP!
To Zeno's astonishment, the Dragon Head was torn apart by bare hands.
Lightning crackled along the jagged tear.
Scarlet Eyes… deactivated!
Ultimate cooldown over. Pain incoming.
Pity! I wanted to farm more!
Ryker lamented inwardly, then let his body go limp, collapsing like a marionette with severed strings.
He didn't actually faint. He simply committed to the full performance for Zeno's benefit.
Once he confirmed the old man wasn't moving in for a killing blow, Ryker allowed himself to slip into a light, genuine sleep.
Two Days Later
"Brother Ryker! Brother Ryker! You're finally awake!!"
The moment Ryker's eyes opened, Gon launched himself onto the bed, tears brimming.
"Great!! I was so worried! You scared the hell out of us!"
Leorio's relief was palpable, voice cracking with emotion.
"Brother Ryker, are you feeling any discomfort?" Kurapika asked gently, concern etched on his face.
They had all woken up much earlier.
Illumi had only drugged them—no real harm done. It had all been bait to provoke Ryker.
And Ryker had delivered spectacularly.
"Brother Ryker… thank you…"
Killua stood beside the bed in fresh clothes, eyes red-rimmed.
He had been restrained but fully conscious during the fight. He had watched Ryker go berserk—for his sake.
Ryker had defeated his father and brother to protect him.
Unimaginable strength.
While Ryker lay unconscious, Killua had issued an ultimatum to his family: If Ryker dies or doesn't wake, I leave this house forever and never come back.
Now that Ryker was awake, the Zoldycks collectively exhaled.
"Thank god… the monster's awake… even Dad hasn't woken up yet. His recovery speed is insane!"
Milluki muttered, instinctively stepping back to avoid meeting Ryker's gaze.
Kalluto glared, lips bitten raw.
His worldview still lay in pieces. This boy had beaten his invincible father.
For two days straight, Kalluto had suffered nightmares of the Demon King Ryker.
"AH!! Mr. Ryker! You're awake! Our hospitality was truly lacking. Are you alright? The Zoldyck family is not your enemy!"
Kikyo's voice pitched high—half excitement, half barely concealed terror.
A teenager who had overpowered her husband.
A future monster the family could not afford to antagonize.
"Hehe. How are you feeling, young friend? I am Zeno Zoldyck. We… met two days ago."
Zeno approached with the warm smile of a kindly grandfather.
"Two days ago?"
Ryker blinked, feigning perfect confusion.
Commitment to the role was everything.
"You were unconscious for two full days. It seems the rage state caused memory loss. Please, watch this recording."
Zeno had come prepared. He activated the screen.
Even on a second viewing, Gon, Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika stared in stunned silence.
Ryker was a human siege engine.
The brutal, half-meter-range slugfest with Silva was visceral, blood-pumping.
Real, primal combat.
Especially the final image: a blood-soaked Ryker dragging the unconscious patriarch out of the rubble like a predator with its kill.
"…"
Awe settled over the room.
Ryker played his part perfectly—eyes widening in shock.
"Is… is that really me? I… I don't remember any of it! Is Lord Silva alright? I feel awful! We're Killua's friends!"
He leaned hard into the innocent, remorseful act.
"No need to worry. Silva is mostly recovered. He simply took more damage than you, so he'll sleep a while longer."
Zeno's tone carried a trace of doting fondness as he looked at Ryker.
"Illumi, come forward. Explain to Ryker why he's here. This disaster is your doing. If he isn't satisfied, I will execute you according to family law."
Zeno's voice turned to frost.
Illumi was escorted in by two servants—bound, thorns embedded in his back as a traditional gesture of atonement.
"Young friend Ryker, we were unaware you were Netero's chosen one. My grandson Illumi brought this calamity upon us. Vent your anger on him. You may even kill him. I swear no one in the family will seek retribution. He deserves it."
Zeno's words were ice.
Milluki trembled, face ashen. He silently thanked every star that he hadn't personally offended the monster.
Kikyo shrieked, "Father-in-law! You can't!! Illumi is your grandson! You can't let him die!!"
She was hysterical. Illumi was her own flesh and blood.
"Silence! Obey Father! Young friend Ryker, we were rash to test you. You gave us quite the surprise."
"Father's word is law. The Zoldyck family will never raise a hand against you again. If you cannot bring yourself to do it, I will end him myself."
"And if your anger extends to me as well… I submit to your judgment. My life or death is yours to decide."
Silva entered the room.
Even wounded, he remained the cold, towering patriarch.
Being a Zoldyck meant always being prepared to die.
As assassins, tomorrow was never guaranteed.
Illumi stared ahead blankly. He accepted his father's and grandfather's verdict. Death had long been an acceptable outcome.
"Hiss—"
Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika drew sharp breaths. This was the first time they had witnessed such frigid family dynamics.
Knowing it had started as a "test" gone wrong only made it feel more excessive.
Killua's emotions churned. He feared Illumi, yet hearing his father offer his brother's life to Ryker sent a chill through him.
Still, he remained silent.
Ryker had fought for him.
Every gaze in the room turned to Ryker.
His decision would determine Illumi's fate—and perhaps even Silva's.
The Zoldycks were resolute: they would secure an alliance with Ryker.
Or rather…
For the survival of the family, they could not afford him as an enemy. Not with Netero standing behind him.
The 2-Star License was a clear signal.
To the Zoldycks, it marked Ryker as the heir apparent to the Hunter Association.
Between family unity and one son's life, there was no real choice.
"Uh…"
Ryker sighed inwardly.
What a ruthless family. Willing to sacrifice their own blood for long-term survival. No wonder they've dominated for generations.
He couldn't help but admire the cold pragmatism.
"Lord Silva, Mr. Illumi… let the past stay in the past. It wasn't entirely your fault. I bear some responsibility too."
"Let bygones be bygones."
Ryker offered a gentle smile.
The suffocating tension shattered instantly.
Illumi looked at him with genuine surprise.
Silva paused.
Zeno's taut shoulders finally eased, a genuine smile creasing his wrinkled face.
"Young friend Ryker, I, Zeno Zoldyck, make this vow here and now: As long as I draw breath, the entire Zoldyck family will be your most steadfast allies."
"Please accept this small token of our sincerity!"
Zeno smiled warmly and extended his hand, offering something forward.
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