Chapter 21: Arrival × The Yorknew Shooting

 

For the three days following that card game, Dia stopped tormenting those three pathetic private soldiers.

After all, he wasn’t actually there to monitor whether they would attack the Prince. Anyone who had read the manga knew that the Fourth Prince would never make a move against his siblings before the Succession War officially began.

During his shifts these past three days, Dia spent his time in the security zone practicing Zetsu, and during his off-hours, he focused on physical training and strength conditioning. His life was fulfilling and simple. He frequently chatted with Drobada and the other security guards, asking about the "inside scoop" of the bodyguard industry and the finer details of their current assignment. After effortlessly defeating everyone in an arm-wrestling contest, he quickly integrated into the group. For some reason, however, he would occasionally catch a few guards sneaking glances at him during shift changes, only for them to instantly pretend they were doing nothing at all.

As for the Royal Guard, they spent their entire shifts revolving exclusively around the 12th Prince, remaining deaf and blind to everyone else, which made it impossible for Dia to glean any useful intelligence from them.

Airport.

After a three-day journey, the airship finally arrived at Yorknew City’s Lingon Airport around dinner time on August 31st.

The airport was brightly lit. While they hadn’t cleared out the entire facility like they did when departing Kakin, they had cordoned off a dedicated section to keep the Prince’s party separated from other airships. As the vessel touched down smoothly on the tarmac, the reception team arranged by the Kakin Empire hurried forward to await the 12th Prince.

Whoosh.

As the airship door opened, Drobada and Dia were the first to step out, with the rest following in silence. The security guards spread out instinctively, while the Royal Guard flanked the 12th Prince, ushering her slowly toward the waiting black armored stretch limousine.

The 12th Prince maintained her usual tranquil composure, not saying a word, every bit the gentle, dignified royal princess from a picture book.

Dia stood by the motorcade, glancing sideways at Momoze as she walked toward the cars. Of everyone present, he was likely the only one who knew she wasn’t actually a placid, dignified princess. She was just a poor soul raised in a twisted, biased environment, forced to maintain such a rigid facade.

Her mother had likely told her that to become a Queen, she had to maintain that posture at all times. It was a tragedy that mirrored her canonical fate; because of her mother’s demands, she would carelessly concede her own interests and be the first to be killed. Even in her final moments, she had still been pitying her mother and brother’s panic.

Even the condition for her Guardian Spirit Beast to control others was to first ask "Excuse me, are you free?" and the target had to explicitly state they were available. It was remarkably polite.

Bang!

The sound of a car door closing snapped Dia back to reality. He directed his security team to board the vehicles in the rear of the motorcade. He, however, continued walking to the front, taking the passenger seat in the lead car. The Fourth Prince’s private soldiers had brought their own small vehicle, which trailed at the back of the convoy.

The motorcade pulled away slowly, heading toward their pre-booked luxury accommodation for VIPs: the Red Dragon Hotel.

Outside the Red Dragon Hotel, the manager was timing his arrival perfectly to greet the guests. Suddenly, he saw a long line of black vehicles approaching. In the center was an expensive-looking armored stretch limousine, and for some reason, a small white car trailed behind the entire procession.

Skreeee—

With a sharp halt, the lead vehicle stopped smoothly in front of the hotel. Dia stepped out from the passenger seat, scanned the surroundings, and walked toward the entrance.

The manager’s eyes lit up. He marched forward, reached out a hand, and asked, "Are you the distinguished guests from Kakin? Your rooms are prepared. Shall we proceed with check-in?"

"Yes, but we need to inspect the rooms first."

Dia shook the manager’s hand. The rooms had been booked by the Kakin side, but security inspections fell under the jurisdiction of the outer perimeter, which the security team managed. Dia gestured for a few team members to accompany the manager, while he sought out Drobada to clarify the subsequent arrangements.

"According to the schedule provided by the Lieutenant, the collections requested by the Fourth Prince will be auctioned off at the Southernpiece Auction House on September 5th. The airship to retrieve the Prince arrives on the 5th, so we will depart then," Drobada said in a low voice. He went on to brief Dia on the general nature of the Yorknew Auction, the ten-day event lasting from September 1st to the 10th, and the various unique auction sub-events.

Dia frowned, just about to comment, when a guard returned to report: "Rooms checked. No issues."

Drobada nodded and turned to signal the Royal Guard to escort the Prince into the hotel. The private soldiers had already silently moved to the side of the Royal Guard, standing stoically, save for the occasional resentful glare aimed at a certain someone.

Dia ignored them. He watched as Drobada signaled the Guard, who then moved to the motorcade to retrieve the 12th Prince. Dia couldn't help but feel a sense of internal exasperation.

This is completely redundant, he thought. The order is passed down twice. If an attack comes next time, will it be the outer guards telling me, so I can tell Drobada, who then tells the Royal Guard?

He couldn't imagine whose brain had come up with this double-layered isolation security measure.

Just then, a commotion broke out in the distance, the sound of two men arguing.

Just as no one was paying attention…

Bang!

A gunshot rang out, instantly putting everyone on high alert. Eyes snapped toward the disturbance. A man was shivering, holding a handgun with a wisp of smoke rising from the barrel, his face frozen in a look of sheer terror. Before him, a heavily tattooed man lay in a pool of blood.

In that instant, every guard, soldier, and even the 12th Prince herself wondered: What happened? Was it an accidental discharge? A vendetta? Will this affect the Prince’s safety?

Before anyone could judge the situation, three more gunshots rang out, so fast they sounded like a single burst…

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Simultaneously, a blood-curdling scream erupted: "AGH—!!!"

This time, it wasn't in the distance, it was right under their noses, less than 10 meters from the motorcade!

It was like a cat startled by a ghost on a television screen; an icy, visceral dread flooded the hearts of every security professional present. Turning to the source, they saw a man writhing on the ground, shrieking. Both of his kneecaps had bloody holes, and his right hand had been pierced by a bullet. Beside him lay a black handgun, its barrel cold and devoid of smoke.

Who fired those shots?

Dia slowly lowered his hand, his expression entirely devoid of fluctuation. At some point, he had already moved to stand in front of the 12th Prince. The row of headlights illuminated his figure, and the night breeze whipped his tie with a sharp flap-flap sound.

Behind him, Momoze maintained her dignified, calm facade. But in the gaze she fixed upon the guard, a flicker of stunned disbelief remained. Since birth, she had never left Kakin, and as a perpetually overlooked Prince, she had never faced the crisis of an assassination attempt at such close range. Royal upbringing allowed her to suppress her panic, but her lack of experience left her briefly, utterly lost.

Did I... almost die just now?

A Prince can be stunned, but a bodyguard cannot. In that single moment, every guard reacted, entering a full state of alert. The Royal Guard, shaken from their stupor, instantly mobilized with professional efficiency, surrounding the 12th Prince and rushing her into the hotel.

Drobada broke out in a cold sweat. A minor oversight had allowed the enemy to get this close, it was an undeniable dereliction of duty. Fortunately, Dia’s reaction had been fast enough.

Only three seconds had passed since the sound of the initial chaos. Drobada’s extensive experience kicked back in; he drew his sidearm and followed the main group, eyes scanning everything. Dia followed close behind Drobada, moving at an unhurried pace.

Once the 12th Prince was safely inside the hotel, the group finally let out a sigh of relief. Drobada looked at Dia, his voice filled with gratitude: "Thank God you reacted quickly, Dia. Otherwise, it would have been all over."

Dia merely smiled at the gratitude. "People are like a flock of pigeons. If one person looks into the distance, the rest will follow. It’s not hard to predict when someone with ill intent will take advantage of that distraction."

Momoze, surrounded by the Guard on the hotel steps, seemed to overhear the conversation. She turned her head, stealing a glance at him.

His name is... Dia?

 

 

Chapter 22: Bounty × Bodyguard

 

Prince Momoze’s room was situated on the eleventh floor of the Red Dragon Hotel, an entire level chartered exclusively by the Kakin royal family.

That evening, the security detail, their vigilance pushed to the absolute limit following the assassination attempt, stood guard in the corridors all night to forestall any further threats.

As for the assassin Dia had wounded, it seemed he had been dragged away by the Kakin soldiers on the spot; he wasn't expected to survive.

Dia had no intention of sleeping. He spent the night patrolling, occasionally flicking out a Nen bullet to train his Emission abilities. The night passed without further incident.

September 1st arrived, and the grand, annual Yorknew City auction event finally commenced.

In these ten short days, the number of auctions, large and small, held throughout Yorknew City would likely reach into the tens of thousands. Most of these were public auctions, while a small portion, those with ties to the mafia, would be conducted underground.

The "mafia" here referred specifically to the Ten Dons, men with thunderous reputations in the manga, yet whose actual performance often left much to be desired.

The nature of the underground auctions was evident from their format; they dealt in goods that were hardly legal or compliant, such as organs of rare animals poached by poachers or ancient artifacts plundered by tomb raiders.

Dia had specifically looked through the previous years' catalogs from the Southernpiece auction; the "Scarlet Eyes of the Kurta Clan," one of the seven great beauties of the world, were listed there as a rare poached animal specimen...

Dia had zero interest in these auctions. His bank balance was so low he could barely afford the rent he owed the Hunter Association.

If he wanted to participate in those high-end auctions, he’d probably have to rely on that handsome face of his to sponge off some wealthy woman...

Doo-roo-roo-roo...

It was Dia's phone. Standing in the hallway outside the prince's door, he took out his beetle-shaped phone and answered. A familiar voice came from the other end:

"Hello? Is this Dia?"

Cheadle?

Speak of the devil and the wealthy woman appears?

Dia’s brow furrowed, his entire demeanor sharpening instantly.

"It’s me. Cheadle-sensei, is there something you need?"

"Yes, this is urgent, so I’m going to have to interrupt your current commission."

On the other end of the line, Cheadle stared at her computer screen, her brow tightly knit, her eyes filled with self-reproach.

"At 9:21 this morning, an account with an unknown IP logged into the Belar Mercenary Recruitment site and posted... a bounty on you!"

Dia’s mind raced. He didn't panic, instead asking calmly:

"Regarding that incident? Is it Kakin?"

Click.

Before Cheadle could answer, a door opened within Dia's line of sight.

It was the door to the 12th Prince’s room...

Dia squinted, watching silently as Momoze walked out.

With a dignified bearing, as still as a peony, Momoze walked slowly toward Dia with a standard courtly gait, her large eyes fixed calmly upon him.

Another wealthy woman appears...

And she just happens to be from Kakin.

"Hello, Dia-san," Momoze greeted softly.

Dia stared back at her calmly, saying nothing, waiting quietly for Cheadle’s reply.

"...Yes, it’s the Secret Tribunal... but that IP isn't in Kakin; it's in the Mimbo Republic."

"I have already had a Hacker Hunter attempt to ban the account, but the logs show that several mercenary groups had already contacted the account before the bounty could be withdrawn..."

Cheadle’s voice dropped.

"...I'm sorry, Dia... for dragging you into something like this... you should drop the commission and return to the Hunter Association."

"Cheadle-sensei, a Hunter’s commission can be failed, but it cannot be abandoned, right?"

Dia replied just as softly.

Opposite him, Momoze saw that he was ignoring her greeting entirely, focused solely on his call, and couldn't help but feel a little awkward.

In Kakin, regardless of what anyone was doing, if a member of the royal family initiated a greeting, the person addressed would immediately stop what they were doing and respond respectfully.

Being ignored to her face was a first for Momoze. However, her royal upbringing and temperament prevented her from making any discourteous gestures, so she could only stand there and wait for Dia.

It was only now that Momoze took her first close-up look at this security guard who had saved her last night.

So young. He can't be much older than I am. And he’s so tall...

After a long while, hearing no response from Cheadle, Dia continued firmly:

"I will not abandon the commission. I will protect the 12th Prince until the mission is complete!"

Upon hearing this, Momoze, standing before him, was momentarily stunned.

Though she had been surrounded by guards since childhood, this was the first time someone almost her own age had stood right in front of her and stated so bluntly that he would protect her.

"But don't worry, Cheadle-sensei. I will come back. I still remember that I have another task to finish for you."

Halfway through his sentence, Dia realized Cheadle was acting out of concern for him and softened his tone, trying to ease her anxiety.

Cheadle was just too responsible; she wanted to handle everything herself and bear all the burdens.

But Dia was a Hunter (provisional) too. Since when does a Hunter abandon a task they’ve personally accepted just because of a little trouble?

If Chairman Netero found out, he’d surely treat him to a supersonic punch!

On the other end of the line, Cheadle’s helpless voice drifted over:

"Fine... if you run into any trouble, remember to contact me."

Dia nodded hurriedly.

Cheadle hung up the phone on her end and sighed helplessly. If it were her, she probably would have made the same choice as Dia.

She stared at the black screen of her phone, her brow suddenly furrowing as a thought occurred to her:

'Was there a female voice just now?'

"Hello, Prince Momoze."

Dia put his phone away and addressed the 12th Prince before him.

"Ah, hello, Dia-san..."

Prince Momoze snapped back to reality and hurriedly responded.

Seeing that she seemed a bit nervous, Dia softened his voice.

"Is there something you need, Your Highness?"

At these words, Momoze gradually calmed down. After deliberating for a long while, she spoke slowly:

"I am planning to visit the markets and small auctions in Yorknew today, but Lieutenant Ralph believes that in the crowded city center, having too many guards and security personnel will be counterproductive."

"So, after some discussion, the number of guards for future outings will be reduced to five, while the others will follow from a distance in disguise, standing by."

"Alright, count me in."

Dia decisively claimed one of the spots. He had long been dissatisfied with this "double-layer" security model; having the opportunity to provide close-range protection would certainly be more conducive to his performance.

Seeing him agree so decisively, Momoze couldn't help but let out a breath of relief.

After all, their security contract explicitly stated that they were only responsible for external security. Suddenly asking for close-range protection would definitely require more effort, and she hadn't been sure he would agree.

"Then I’ll leave it to you, Dia-san."

Momoze revealed a rare smile, bowed slightly, and then, unable to hide her excitement, turned with quick, dainty steps to return to her room and prepare for the outing.

Dia thought to himself:

'If I'm going to the market, should I buy gifts for Cheadle and the Chairman? Even though they definitely don't lack anything...'

He made a split-second decision, pulled out his phone, and sent a message to Cheadle:

"Sensei, what kind of gifts do girls generally like?"

Cheadle: ?

Perfect.

Dia was very satisfied with his thoughtful arrangements. Even while working, he didn't forget to bring back gifts for his friends and family, truly, society isn't just about fighting and killing; it's about the art of human connection~

 

 

Chapter 23: Dolls × Cavern Restaurant

 

Outside the Red Dragon Hotel, Dia checked his pistol and ammunition one more time.

These were specialized bullets he had commissioned through Cheadle; light-steel rounds. Seven magazines, totaling forty-nine rounds. The primary characteristic of light-steel ammunition was its ability to temporarily hold and conduct the Ripple!

Against an average Ability user, this should be enough... The primary lethality still relies on the Ripple infused with Nen...

Dia silently snapped the magazines into the pouches on his belt. Each time his fingertips brushed the metal, faint, almost invisible silver sparks flickered across the surface.

"Dia, are you ready? We're moving out."

A steady voice called out. Dia turned to see Drobada already stepping out from the hotel entrance.

Behind him, the 12th Prince had changed into a refreshing blue dress. She had swapped her heavy gold necklace for a pearl one, giving her a more understated appearance.

They were accompanied by three royal guards, two men and one woman, who dispersed into the surroundings. Curiously, the handmaiden who usually carried Momoze’s bags and held her umbrella was nowhere to be seen.

"Dia-san, I’ll have to trouble you, then."

Just as Dia was wondering about the missing staff, Momoze held out a parasol toward him, her eyes fixed on him with a trace of anticipation.

No wonder there’s no maid, Dia thought. He took the parasol with a resigned sigh, then suddenly sensed something. He glanced over his shoulder.

Drobada: [Expressionless.jpg] [Schadenfreude.jpg]

Too lazy to waste breath on the sleazy middle-aged man, Dia stood behind Momoze, the parasol hoisted, and followed her into the passenger seat of a specially modified armored vehicle. The extended limousine they had used earlier was ill-suited for navigating small alleys and the locations of minor auctions, so it had been sidelined for the day.

The others piled into a second vehicle, and the two cars drove in tandem toward Yorknew’s central commercial district.

It was an hour before lunch. The sun hung high in the sky, its scorching rays blindingly bright. Yet, the summer heat could not dampen the people’s enthusiasm for trade. Bustling crowds squeezed in front of various small stalls, scribbling on paper.

Amid the throng, Drobada cleared the path while scanning anyone who approached. Perched stealthily on his shoulder was an owl-like creature. Except for Drobada himself, no one could see the beast, for it was his Nen ability: The Observed!

The Observed could detect every gaze cast toward the host, regardless of how concealed the observer was. Furthermore, it issued warnings for gazes that were too frequent, prolonged, or hostile. It was a perfect anti-surveillance Nen beast.

Behind him, Momoze peered curiously at the surrounding stalls, while Dia, holding the parasol, stood silently behind her, keeping watch.

"Dia-san, why do the items at these stalls have such strange tags?"

Momoze had spotted a stall selling cute dolls. Underneath each one hung a large white tag with scribbled markings.

Dia took a glance and explained:

"It’s a local form of auction. You write your bid on the tag; if no one offers more by the deadline, the item is yours. But if someone is in a rush and wants it now, they can negotiate a price with the owner; if the offer is satisfactory, they can take it immediately."

As he spoke, Dia stepped up to take a closer look. The dolls were well-crafted, especially a pug with square-framed glasses and a lolling tongue. He thought Cheadle might like it.

Momoze scanned the area, her eyes suddenly brightening. She reached out and grabbed a doll. The tag beneath it had several numbers scribbled on it, the final one reading: 1,500 Jenny.

Prince Momoze spoke decisively to the stall owner:

"Sir, can you sell this doll directly to me? I’ll offer 10,000 Jenny."

The owner snapped to attention, rubbing his palms together fervently, excitement flooding his voice: "Of course, milady! It is yours."

Seeing this, Dia hurriedly leaned in to whisper to Momoze:

"Your Highness, the auction ends in an hour. At this stage, you only need to offer 2.5 times the highest bid to secure it."

Momoze didn't seem to care. She took the doll and handed it to Dia, smiling:

"Consider it a token of gratitude for last night, Dia-san. A little extra money is fine."

Eh? For me?

Dia took it in surprise. He looked closer. It was a blue dinosaur. The creature was baring its teeth and claws, looking endearingly ugly.

"I felt it suited you, Dia-san. Please, don't mind it."

Since she put it that way, Dia had no reason to refuse. He accepted the strange dinosaur plush. In return, he picked out a blue mouse doll for Momoze, the kind with a recording function that would make sounds when squeezed.

Momoze accepted the gift with delight, then immediately handed it back to Dia to carry, leaving Dia feeling as though he’d walked right into a trap of his own making.

"Exchanging gifts... guh—!"

A strange, stifled sound drifted from behind them. Dia turned vigilantly, seeing the three familiar figures sitting at a distant table, feigning indifference. One sturdy man was frantically covering the mouth of another.

Those three private soldiers, Dia thought, his eyes narrowing. I suppose they were bored waiting for the auction and got dragged along for security detail.

Besides that, he spent 5,000 Jenny to buy the pug with the tongue. It wasn't worth that much, but the owner had insisted the dog and a rabbit next to it were a bundle deal. Left with no choice, Dia bought both, planning to keep the rabbit and give the dog to Cheadle.

They continued to move with the flow of the crowd, Dia becoming increasingly burdened with bags. While this state wasn't ideal for guard work, Drobada’s Nen beast was still active. With The Observed in play, there was little need to fear a surprise attack.

And if all else failed, he still had his Ripple senses.

Before long, despite the Prince not feeling tired, it was lunchtime. The security detail had pre-booked a spot not far from the market. After a short walk following the map, they found their target: a restaurant with an elegant façade named The Cavern Restaurant.

Ding-a-ling.

As Drobada opened the door, the wind chime let out a crisp sound. The interior was air-conditioned, but it wasn't crowded. There were only a few tables occupied, with some intoxicated figures slumped over small tables.

The decor was exquisite, with soothing music playing softly in the background. Sparse ivy crawled along the exterior windows, lending the place a natural, fresh aesthetic. The restaurant was divided into two halves; the entrance led into the right hall, separated from the left by a heavy, massive curtain.

Dia found their reserved spot, a long table. He pulled out the chair at the head of the table, gesturing for Prince Momoze to sit. Two other guards remained stationed outside to continue patrolling the perimeter.

Dia set his shopping bags on a nearby table. He called a waiter over; Momoze perused the menu and ordered some drinks, insisting that Dia and Drobada do the same.

In the absence of a professional food taster, the other female guard stood at the kitchen pass-through, ready to sample the dishes before they were served to the Prince.

And so, Dia’s group sat in the restaurant, sipping drinks, waiting quietly for the Prince to rest.

People drifted in and out from time to time. Judging by their clothes and demeanor, it was hard to tell if they were mere civilians or assassins. Yet, Dia could vaguely sense that the number of patrons in the restaurant was gradually increasing.

Soon, the restaurant was filled only with the soft, drifting melody of the music.

Suddenly, Dia felt a prickle of unease.

For a restaurant, at this time of day, it felt...

A bit too quiet.

 

 

 

Chapter 24: Five Bullets × Ripple Radar × San

 

The silence within the Cavern Restaurant was eerie.

Suddenly, Dia felt a sharp peck against his arm. His brow furrowed, and he glanced down. A pair of scarlet eyes locked onto his. It was the gaze of The Observed.

Red? According to Drobada, that means… a hostile intent!

Dia didn't change his expression, turning his head toward Drobada, who remained equally stoic. Drobada gave a subtle nod toward the heavy curtain partitioning the two halls, then cast a swift, warning glance toward the restaurant exterior.

Dia understood immediately: there were enemies in both the left hall and outside the restaurant.

Drobada shifted his weight, signaling he would handle the hostiles outside, leaving Dia to deal with those inside. With a fluid, natural motion, Drobada rose and headed toward the exit.

Dia stole a glance at the massive curtain. It was riddled with tiny, pin-prick holes, as if eaten away by insects.

Peering through those holes, are they? Dia thought. I can’t tell how many are on the other side with the naked eye… No wonder Drobada had to warn me.

Earlier, the two had exchanged basic information about their Nen abilities to ensure their cooperation would be seamless. They hadn't revealed everything, of course. Drobada had only explained the color-coding of The Observed’s eyes: red meant hostile, yellow meant frequent or prolonged, and brown meant a normal gaze.

As the master of his Nen beast, Drobada could pinpoint the source of a gaze, which was how he knew enemies were hiding behind the curtain. In turn, Dia had revealed his "Nen ability." A "Ripple Radar." He claimed it could sense the vital signs and movements of all living beings within a certain range, more stealthy than En and virtually undetectable even to other Nen users.

Drobada had praised the ability, unaware that it was an entire fabrication.

It wasn't a "Nen ability" at all, but a simple application of his Ripple training. By channeling vibrations into the floor, he could use the solid ground to propagate and reflect pulses, essentially turning the terrain into a giant sonar array to track nearby life.

"Hm? What is it, Dia-san? Did you see something?" Momoze, having noticed his turn, asked curiously.

Dia didn't dare mention an ambush, lest he spook the predators. Instead, he smiled gently. "Nothing at all. I was just wondering where the restroom was."

As he spoke, he channeled his Ripple technique, sending vibrations through his feet into the floorboards of the right hall. In an instant, a 3D map of the room’s layout and the movement of the individuals within formed in his mind, clear as day.

Six… no, five attackers. One drunkard seems irrelevant. All armed…

A firefight here would endanger the 12th Prince, but forcing her to leave now would likely trigger an immediate assault.

It seems… I’ll have to strike first and take them out!

Dia’s eyes turned cold as his hand silently gripped the large-caliber pistol hidden on his person.

Momoze had been smiling, but her expression froze. She caught the look in Dia’s eyes, a chilling, predatory glare, unlike the calm she had seen the night before.

Dia rose slowly, silently drawing his 9mm Helata pistol from his waistband. The cold steel caught the light, refracting a beautiful, lethal arc.

Momoze’s pupils contracted, her mind going blank. Dia-san… is he going to kill me?

But the next instant, a voice echoed in her mind: "I will protect the 12th Prince!"

Momoze blinked, her eyes regaining focus. No, there must be enemies!

Dia, unaware of her internal conflict, kept the gun pressed against his chest, his eyes fixed on Drobada’s owl-like creature. When its eyes shifted color, it meant the enemies' focus had temporarily drifted.

He needed to take that window; five bullets, five lives. No more, no less.

It’s a pity guns don't work inside a frozen time stop, Dia mused. Otherwise, I could just use The World to end this in five shots.

One second… two seconds…

Dia held his breath, staring at the owl.

"Holy crap!"

A panicked cry shattered the silence. A drunken figure, on the verge of falling, grabbed onto the curtain for support!

Rrrrrip!

As the curtain was torn down, five dark gun muzzles were exposed to the world. Alongside them were five faces contorted in shock!

"Damn it!"

Dia cursed silently. They’d been exposed early!

Without a flicker of hesitation, Dia dove forward, pulling Prince Momoze into his arms and rolling across the floor.

Rat-tat-tat-tat!

A hail of bullets shredded the spot where Momoze had been standing a second before. Dia executed a nimble turn, shielding the Prince with one arm while snapping his pistol up with the other!

He already knew where they were.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Five bullets, wreathed in silver electric currents, tore from the barrel with impossible speed!

However…

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Three headless corpses hit the floor. Five bullets, but only three targets fell!

It wasn't a miss. In the spots where the other two men had been standing, two figures already lay slumped, status unknown.

Standing amidst the carnage was an unexpected figure, fists balled, staring at Dia with a look of surprise.

"That bullet power… so you’re a Nen user too?"

The drunkard who had been about to fall was standing tall in front of Dia’s muzzle, wearing a goofy, grinning expression. "Hi there! The name's San!"

Dia’s only response was a cold, piercing glare.

What an idiot…

Dia realized the sequence of events instantly. This "Enhancer" idiot had clearly spotted the guns behind the curtain and, likely out of a misguided sense of kindness, ripped it down to expose them, thinking he could mop them up while they were panicked.

He’d failed to account for one thing: these five, while not Nen users, were clearly highly trained!

At the moment of exposure, they had fired on instinct toward Momoze’s position! This fool’s "help" had nearly killed them!

The man who called himself San seemed to realize that the man before him didn't need his assistance, and that his intervention had actually disrupted the plan. The precision with which Dia had cleared the room showed he had been ready for anything. San looked a bit sheepish.

But it’s not like I didn’t help at all… San muttered to himself.

"If you really wanted to help, you would’ve used Ren to pin them down," Dia retorted sharply. The idiot had been close enough to simply punch them out one by one, yet he chose to cause a scene.

Ehh!? Can he read minds? San was horrified. How could this young man have such a terrifying ability?

"I'm not reading your mind. You're just that easy to understand!"

Ignoring the awkward San, Dia gently set Prince Momoze down and checked her for injuries. Momoze looked dazed, still visibly shaken.

Dia’s brow furrowed, but before he could speak, gunshots erupted from outside, followed by the sound of shattering glass.

Crash!

A volley of gunfire decimated the windows of the Cavern Restaurant. Shards of glass rained down upon them like a lethal shower.

This won't do. It’s too dangerous here. We have to move.

Dia didn't even look at the incoming glass. With a casual wave of his hand, he generated a gust of wind that deflected the fragments. He snatched up the dazed Momoze and sprinted toward the second floor.

Momoze, watching him deflect the glass with such effortless grace, couldn't help but stare in awe.

Meanwhile, left behind in the lobby, San was caught in the middle of a hail of bullets from outside, scrambling frantically for cover. While the stray bullets wouldn't kill him, they still hurt.

Running out there means getting shot. Maybe… I’ll go downstairs instead!

San grinned, raising his arms high as his black hair danced in the air. He curled his hands into blade-like strikes and drove them into the marble floor!

The floor split as easily as tofu under his touch. Digging with the efficiency of an excavator, San carved out a pit in an instant, jumped inside, and pulled a chunk of stone over his head, waiting quietly for the gunfire to cease.

Exactly one minute had passed since the first shot.

 

 

Chapter 25: Metal Silver Ripple × Puppet Hole

 

Dia leaped forward, navigating the grand hall with acrobatic grace before bolting toward the staircase.

The first floor was currently a death trap of ricocheting lead. Staying there was a risk he could handle, but for Momoze, it was lethal.

The safest place right now… is the second floor!

Thanks to his Ripple Radar scan, Dia knew the restaurant’s architecture intimately.

The second floor is a massive, singular banquet hall. There should only be an old man drinking coffee there, no firearms…

As he crossed the threshold and the automatic sensors parted the doors, Dia froze.

A pair of aged, indifferent eyes met his own. The man was silver-haired, impeccably dressed, and maintained a poise of refined elegance. He sipped his coffee, eyes locked onto Dia’s, as if trying to extract the very essence of his soul.

"My name is Karl. And you are, young man?"

Karl ignored the gunshots echoing from below, acting as if he were merely a senior enjoying a quiet morning brew.

Dia remained silent. The Ripple energy surging through his body sent frantic vibrations through his skin, a warning pulse signaling extreme danger. The old man’s Aura was forcibly coiled around his body; he was, without a doubt, a Nen user.

Dia gently set Momoze down and looked at the still-confused 12th Prince. "Your Highness, please close your eyes and stand right here. I will resolve this threat immediately."

Dia offered no further explanation, and Momoze, remarkably obedient, squeezed her eyes shut.

The old man’s brow furrowed at the sight.

Dia stalked toward him, pistol raised, face devoid of emotion. His Ren exploded outward, heavy and suffocating, as if the very air had hardened into solid concrete.

His Ten is faint. He doesn't look like an Enhancer… No movement yet. Is he a counter-type?

Dia analyzed his opponent in silence. He didn't rush in. The raw power of the old man’s Aura suggested that a head-on clash would favor Dia, yet the man remained utterly fearless. Either he had a death wish, or he possessed a lethal counter-ability.

Is it related to eye contact? His ability…

Dia had ordered Momoze to close her eyes precisely because he had noticed the man’s persistent attempts to meet his gaze. Since Momoze had been cradled in his arms the entire time, she had never locked eyes with him. He suspected this was a prerequisite for the enemy’s technique.

"You’re clever. That’s right, eye contact is the activation condition for Puppet Hole…" Karl mused, an appreciative smile touching his lips. He set down his coffee, refusing to look at Dia any longer. He produced a polished handgun and spoke to himself. "You must be a prodigy of the upper three types. Being born with a talent for combat is such a blessing… Why was I born as a Manipulator?"

"Ever since my Hunter License was stolen years ago and my legs were shattered, I lost the courage to fight anyone head-on. The reason is simple: I’m afraid of pain."

"But this time, there’s no running away. That old fossil, Qi Peixin, has helped me far too many times… He told me to kill the child behind you, and I have no choice but to comply."

The old man raised his own pistol, pressing the muzzle against his own temple! His face clouded with sorrow. "I’m sorry, child… you’re still so young. My orders didn't explicitly demand killing everyone. If you leave now, I can kill just the girl…"

Momoze’s body trembled at the mention of her death, but she quickly steadied herself, seemingly drawing on some hidden resolve.

Dia remained unmoved, his gaze like freezing liquid, fixed on the man. He raised his pistol, a silent testament to his decision.

Karl understood the message. He let the sadness melt away, his expression reverting to a chilling apathy. "Then, I’ll kill you first."

As his index finger began to squeeze the trigger…

BANG!

A bullet imbued with silver electric currents tore through Karl’s gun hand. The sheer kinetic energy shredded his Ten, obliterating two fingers and half his palm. His handgun spun wildly through the air, clattering across the floor.

It was Dia’s light-steel round, laced with his Metal Silver Ripple.

The Ripple-infused bullet possessed speed and penetrating power far beyond standard Nen bullets, with the added property of specifically destabilizing and "dissolving" Aura! It was a weapon Dia had specifically engineered to hunt Nen users, though its raw speed made it devastating even against ordinary men.

Dia had fired early, but he hadn't emptied the magazine. The "suicide" act had kept him cautious. If the opponent possessed an ability akin to Cat’s Name, a reckless advance could have been disastrous. Though Karl claimed to be a Manipulator, one never blindly trusts an enemy's words.

"AAAH-HAHAHAHA!!"

Karl shrieked in agony, but the scream instantly twisted into a manic, sobbing laughter. "Good! Good! Such power! You’ve done me a huge favor, boy!"

The apathy in Karl’s eyes vanished, replaced by a frenzied, ecstatic bloodlust. He roared:

"Puppet Hole!!"

Hm?

Dia condensed his Aura into his eyes, activating Gyo. In his vision, the Nen on Karl’s right hand boiled like water poured into hot oil. At the height of the turbulence, a perfectly circular bullet hole manifested on the back of his hand!

And as the hole appeared, the hand itself was restored to perfect condition.

Dia’s heart sank. It wasn't a suicide-pact ability; it was damage reflection!

The bullet hole moved like a living parasite, its edges undulating like a leech as it crawled off Karl’s hand and onto his body. With supernatural speed, it leaped from Karl’s body onto the floor.

Ken!

As the bullet hole lunged toward him, Dia shifted his Ren into the more defensive Ken without hesitation. Whatever trigger allowed his ability to manifest, it couldn't possibly exceed the kinetic energy of the bullet that had created it, that was the fairness of Nen!

Dia bent his knees and lunged toward Karl like an arrow released from a bow. You can deflect bullets, but can you handle my fists?

However, the bullet hole on the floor bypassed Dia in mid-air with an impossible, serpentine turn, darting straight toward Momoze behind him!

What? Momoze never made eye contact with him!

Dia’s pupils shriveled. He abandoned his attack, twisted his torso in mid-air, and shoved off the ground. He had assumed eye contact was a requirement to target someone, but it seemed the ability was more autonomous than that.

He threw himself toward Momoze, a frantic roar tearing from his throat: "MOVE!"

Meanwhile, Karl scrambled from his chair, reaching desperately for the pistol he’d dropped.

But the bullet hole was too fast. Momoze had only just heard Dia’s warning; the hole was already upon her!

It’s too late!

The World! Stop time!

Dia roared internally. The golden figure of The World manifested in a blur of power. Within the frozen seconds, The World delivered a crushing strike to Dia’s own body, catapulting him forward at a velocity that defied physics!

Back in the flow of time, Momoze opened her eyes at the sound of Dia’s voice, only to see him hurtling toward her, arms outstretched as if to shield her with his own body!

Her mind went blank.

BANG!

A thunderous impact sent them both crashing backward.

A few droplets of blood…

…splattered onto Momoze’s pale cheek.

Dia-san… he’s been shot.