A strange black token was placed in Ryker's hands. The material felt like neither iron nor wood—smooth, almost weightless—and etched across its surface was a sharp, unmistakable dragon emblem.
"Father?"
Silva's expression shifted subtly at the sight of it.
Illumi, Killua, Milluki, and Kikyo exchanged confused glances.
"This is the ancestral token of our family," Zeno explained, voice grave. "With this in your possession, the Zoldyck family will fulfill one unconditional request for you. Furthermore, you will be treated as a VIP across all our intelligence networks. Access is granted to everything below Patriarch-level classification."
Zeno handed it over with solemn finality.
This… isn't this basically an honorary elder title? Or chairman-level privileges?
Not bad at all.
"Is… is that really the legendary Family Token?" Killua blurted, eyes wide. "Grandpa mentioned it when I was little, but I've never actually seen it!"
Even Illumi had never laid eyes on it.
"Father-in-law! Are you certain about giving something so precious to an outsider?" Kikyo's voice rose in alarm. "If Mr. Ryker ever misuses it, it could spell disaster for the family!"
She was clearly worried, though she kept her tone careful—after all, this was the teenager who had pummeled her husband into unconsciousness.
"Ryker is Killua's friend, and now a friend to the entire family. This is my decision." Zeno's smile remained warm. "Accept it, young friend. Consider it partial compensation for the trouble we caused."
Ryker knew refusal wasn't an option. Turning down a gift from one of the world's apex powerhouses would only breed suspicion.
"Then… thank you. Killua is Gon's friend, which makes him my friend too. Don't worry—I'll look after him."
Ryker accepted the token with an easy smile.
Refusing might have raised red flags. Accepting put them at ease.
Besides… free high-tier loot? Why say no?
The Zoldyck intelligence network was legendary. This token was a master key.
"Excellent! Hahahaha! Young friend Ryker, you're welcome here anytime." Zeno laughed heartily.
"Of course. Actually, Grandpa Zeno… I have one small request. Would you consider it?"
Ryker's tone stayed light, almost casual.
"Hmm? Speak freely. If it's within my power, it's yours."
Zeno was clearly in high spirits.
"I heard from Chairman Netero that you're one of the strongest fighters alive. I've always wanted to spar with someone of your level. Is now a good time?"
Ryker flashed a bright, toothy grin.
He still hadn't farmed Zeno's traits.
Ryker had noticed a pattern: beating the same person again too soon yielded no loot. There was a cooldown.
But Zeno was fresh game. The hidden boss he'd been eyeing for days.
Name: Zeno Zoldyck
Traits: [Transmutation Grandmaster] (Red), [Assassination Grandmaster] (Red), [Nen Technique: Dragon Head Caricature] (Red), [En] (Double Gold), [Super Calm] (Gold)…
Three Red-tier traits!
And that Dragon Head Caricature? Most people couldn't reach Red proficiency in a lifetime. Even geniuses needed decades.
If Ryker copied it… perfection.
"Uh?! Hahahaha! A spar? Of course! Let's head to my private training ground!"
Zeno agreed without hesitation, clearly delighted.
"Just the two of us, if possible," Ryker added smoothly.
Zeno paused for a heartbeat, then chuckled. "Very well. Everyone, stay here. I'll go have a little match with our young friend."
Zeno and Ryker departed.
"…"
The group watched them leave, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Killua's expression was especially complicated.
His lifelong goal had been to surpass Illumi.
Yet Ryker had one-shotted Illumi.
Then he had beaten Silva.
Now he was challenging Zeno.
Killua suddenly understood how small his old ambitions had been.
Ryker operated on an entirely different plane—standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the true titans.
"I've decided!! From now on, Brother Ryker is my goal! I'm going to catch up to him!"
Killua clenched his fist, eyes blazing with new fire.
"Me too!! I want to catch up to Brother Ryker!!" Gon shouted, matching the energy.
"Uh… let's just make it our group slogan or something," Leorio muttered, twitching. He knew full well he had zero shot.
"Catching up to him is a pipe dream," Kurapika sighed. "He'll reach the absolute peak of this world soon enough. Being his friend is already an honor."
"By the way, Kurapika… if Brother Ryker—" Leorio started, hinting.
"Stop right there, Leorio. That's my burden alone. I won't drag Brother Ryker into it. The Phantom Troupe… is far too dangerous."
Kurapika's voice darkened.
"That guy… I hope Grandpa beats some sense into him," Milluki grumbled, pouting.
"Hmph…" Kalluto crossed his arms, still salty. "He can't beat Grandpa. But Grandpa won't go all-out either. Annoying."
Illumi remained silent.
Silva placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "You were careless, Illumi. I got too close and you didn't notice. Don't dwell on it. There will always be monsters who outstrip even the greatest geniuses. When you can't defeat them… befriend them. That's how you survive."
Silva's tone was calm, almost gentle. He knew the one-punch defeat still stung.
Secret Training Ground.
"Hehe. What a fine day. I'd like to see your true strength, young friend. Do you remember our clash from two days ago?"
Zeno stood with hands clasped behind his back, relaxed.
"When?" Ryker tilted his head, the picture of innocent confusion.
Acting 101—commit fully.
He had fooled Netero before. Now he was even stronger. Time to scam this old man properly.
Sneak attacks preferred, of course.
He just wanted the traits. Victory was secondary.
Come on, Lady Luck. Smile for me.
"Oh? Then let's begin."
Zeno nodded, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face at Ryker's apparent amnesia about the "berserk" rampage.
"Okay! Here I come, Lord Zeno!"
Ryker said politely, then lunged.
Punch!
[Divine Strength] (Red)!
Zeno blocked with effortless grace. The power was impressive—but nowhere near the berserk state's ferocity.
As expected. He can't fully harness that strength yet.
If he ever masters control… he could rival Netero.
I should offer him a few pointers.
Zeno mused, deciding to play along.
Ryker fought like a gifted but raw rookie—relying on instinct and raw physique.
"Almost there! Be careful, young friend!"
Zeno flicked his sleeve with elegant precision.
Dragon Head Caricature!
He held back severely—barely thirty percent output. He remembered the berserk Ryker tearing one apart, but this was supposedly "base" Ryker. No need to injure him.
But Ryker—the ultimate scammer—had been secretly charging his ultimate the entire time.
[Divine Strength] (Red)!
[Absolute Will] (Red)!
[Lightning Nen] (Red) — Lightning Drum Fist!
[Taijutsu] (Double Gold)!
[Nen Clone] (Gold)!
[Iron Tank] (Gold)!
[Scarlet Eyes] — OPEN!
BOOM—
In an instant, Ryker detonated every ability at once. Lightning erupted from his fist like a living storm.
Zeno's expression warped.
SHIT!
THIS KID SCAMMED ME!!!
The realization hit instantly—but it was already too late.
BOOM!
Ryker, wreathed in crackling lightning like a wrathful Vajra deity, smashed directly into the Dragon Head.
Zeno's restrained technique shattered.
Even as the old man frantically tried to ramp up his aura, the timing was off.
Lightning arcs surged through him, paralyzing muscle and nerve alike. Ryker's fist pressure pinned him in place. The floor spiderwebbed beneath his feet.
But Zeno was no ordinary master.
He roared, aura flaring violently. He dropped into a low stance. A second Dragon Head began to form.
BOOM!
The moment it took shape—
A second Ryker materialized from the flank.
Also cloaked in lightning. A second Thunder God of War.
Two Thunder Gods.
The clone intercepted the backup Dragon Head head-on.
The real Ryker broke through the crumbling defense, fist rocketing straight toward Zeno's face.
Like a god of apocalyptic destruction.
KABOOM!!
A cataclysmic explosion erupted.
The entire castle trembled violently—as though a cruise missile had struck its foundations.
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