After a brief stay in Kent City, Leo washed away the mud and blood from the wetlands, changed into clean, sharp black clothes, and boarded an airship bound for the Bartochia Republic.
One day later, at the airport on the outskirts of Niujiala City, Bartochia Republic.
The afternoon sun was somewhat blinding.
Leo walked out of the terminal and immediately spotted two figures waiting by the roadside—Sophia was standing on tiptoes, looking around, while Shizuku stood quietly to the side, looking down at her shoe tips, lost in thought.
"Master!"
Sophia's eyes lit up, and she hurried over.
Leo nodded and turned his gaze to Shizuku.
"Have you been getting used to living with Sophia during this time?"
Shizuku looked up, adjusted her glasses, and a faint but genuine smile appeared on her face.
"Yes, Big Sister Sophia is very kind to me."
"That's good."
Leo patted Shizuku's head, and she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Master, there's progress."
Sophia composed her smile and lowered her voice.
"Two days ago, Niko found traces of the Genei Ryodan—it's very likely Shanark and Kortopi. They are currently in Niujiala City. Their specific location needs further confirmation, and Niko is still working on tracking them."
Leo's eyes narrowed.
"Let's talk inside the city."
The three hailed a taxi and drove toward the city center.
Inside the car, Leo opened his phone to check the intelligence file sent by Niko.
The intelligence indicated that three days ago, a vicious incident occurred at the "Henglai Casino" in Niujiala City.
Two men caused a disturbance in the casino, causing security personnel to lose control and kill each other.
According to survivors, one was a blonde with a baby face, wearing purple clothes, and looking harmless; the other was short with long hair covering his face.
The two seemed to be looking for someone, and after causing some destruction, they left.
"Henglai Casino... Shanark, Kortopi..."
Leo put away his phone and looked out the car window.
Thirty minutes later, the taxi stopped on the street where the casino was located.
The three got out and stood across the street to observe.
The casino had resumed operations, and its neon signs were shining with gaudy light even in the daytime, but the flow of people entering and leaving was noticeably sparse, with four vigilant security guards standing at the entrance.
"You wait here."
Leo said.
"I'll go in and take a look."
Sophia and Shizuku nodded and watched him cross the street.
The light inside the casino was dim, and the air was mixed with the smell of smoke, alcohol, and a suppressed restlessness.
Leo walked straight to the nearest security guard and showed his hunter license.
The security guard was stunned for a moment, and just as he was about to speak, Leo slightly released his Nen—not an attack, just a leakage of aura while in the state of "Ren".
The security guard's face instantly turned pale, and cold sweat seeped from his forehead.
He nodded stiffly and led Leo through the noisy lobby to the back office.
The casino manager was an oily-faced, middle-aged fat man who was furious on the phone.
Seeing Leo enter, he was about to scold him, but caught a glimpse of the security guard's fearful eyes and swallowed the words back.
"Hunter Association."
Leo said briefly.
"I need to check the surveillance footage from three days ago. Please cooperate."
The manager swallowed his saliva, dared not ask more, and personally pulled up the video from that day.
On the screen, the figures of Shanark and Kortopi were clearly visible.
Shanark had that signature, harmless smile on his face as he strolled around the casino, his gaze sweeping over every gambling table.
Kortopi followed silently behind him, his long hair covering most of his face.
The cause of the conflict was a waitress—when she passed by Kortopi, she sneered a few words in a low voice.
The video had no sound, but it was clear from her lip movements that she was not saying anything nice.
Shanark and Kortopi turned their heads at the same time, and then, Shanark pulled a red mobile phone from his pocket.
The following scene was eerie.
Shanark pulled two antennas out with his left hand, stabbed them into two nearby security guards, and his fingers pressed rapidly on the phone's keypad.
The security guards' bodies suddenly went rigid, their eyes became vacant, and then they began to attack their colleagues.
The casino instantly fell into chaos, guests screamed and fled, while Shanark and Kortopi stood in the center of the chaos, watching it all calmly.
Two minutes later, the two turned and left.
The controlled security guards regained their senses after Shanark left, looking blankly at the surrounding corpses and bloodstains.
Leo turned off the video.
"Did they say anything?"
He asked the manager.
The manager wiped his sweat.
"Th-that blonde one... said something before leaving."
"'Not here.' J-just that."
Leo nodded and turned to leave.
When he reached the door, he paused, and lightly stomped his right foot on the ground—Boom!
Nen penetrated into the ground!
With his landing point as the center, within a ten-meter diameter, the ground exploded with spiderweb-like cracks!
The entire office shook!
The manager was paralyzed with fear, his face pale.
"You should know what should be said and what shouldn't."
Leo didn't look back and walked straight out of the casino.
At an open-air café in the square, the three of them sat around a small round table.
Sophia ordered three drinks and asked impatiently.
"Master, any discoveries?"
"It was indeed Shanark and Kortopi."
Leo took a sip of coffee.
"They should be looking for new members. The thing at the casino was because a waitress mocked Kortopi."
Sophia frowned.
"Just for a mocking remark, they killed so many people?"
"The Phantom Troupe's style is always like this."
Leo said indifferently.
"In their eyes, the lives of ordinary people are not important."
Shizuku listened quietly, holding the cup with both hands, sipping slowly.
Leo looked at her.
"Shizuku, I might need you to take action next. Is that okay?"
Shizuku put down the cup and nodded.
"Yes, I have no objection."
Her tone was as calm as if she were agreeing to help move something.
Leo calculated quickly in his mind.
Shanark's Manipulation Nen ability, "carrying others' fate"; once pierced by his antenna, the target becomes a Puppet.
Kortopi's "God's Left Hand, Devil's Right Hand" is a replication ability; although not directly used for combat, it would be troublesome when combined.
"Sophia, you go to the airport and stake it out. If you spot them, contact me immediately."
Leo assigned the tasks.
"Shizuku, you watch near the main roads leading out of the city. I will search inside the city. Contact me every half hour to ensure safety."
The two nodded, and the three split up to take action.
A hotel in Niujiala City, a third-floor room.
Shanark sat in front of the computer, his fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard.
The blue light of the screen reflected on his baby face, appearing somewhat eerie.
"Hmm..."
He stared at the information stream on the screen, the corners of his mouth curling up.
"Finally found it."
Behind him, Kortopi sat on the floor, his long hair hanging down, his expression unclear.
"Kortopi, let's go."
Shanark turned off the computer.
"The target appeared near the airport and should have left."
The two packed up simply and left the hotel.