Chapter 108: Confrontation Beckons

"...Killua, how many more do I need to defeat?"

Gon whispered to Killua as he sat on a simple chair with a small table and an additional chair on the other side, surrounded by people.

A while back, Gon had opened the item his father had left behind and discovered it was a memory card for a game called Greed Island.

However, due to its high price, they embarked on an adventure to raise funds!

Killua massaged his chin, recalling that Gon had already defeated about 500 people tonight.

He scratched his head, hesitant to reveal the true number.

"...You still have a lot more to go," he replied, avoiding the demotivating truth that Gon still had 899,500 more people to defeat.

"Ohh! Seems like our arm wrestler is getting tired..."

Leorio's loud voice echoed, capturing everyone's attention.

Killua watched the spectacle in amazement, shaking his head at Leorio's boundless energy, "Leorio is quite energetic as ever..."

"Damn, should we stop here, but..."

Leorio hesitated, surveying the crowd and contemplating his decision.

He sighed heavily, but his expression soon brightened, "...Considering that everyone seems to want to give it a try, we're going to prolong our session tonight!"

Hearing those words, both Killua and Gon exchanged a wry smile. However, the crowd's reaction was different.

"Whoaaaa!"

"Let's go! Such a kind-hearted host!"

Moved by Leorio's words, the crowd felt motivated to try and defeat the 'almost' tired Gon!

Back in the eerily quiet auction hall, just beyond the rooftop's edge, Shalnark tapped away at a device resembling a phone, his brow furrowed in concentration, "Hmm, they're taking quite a while..."

"Do you think they ran into a problem?"

Phinks asked, turning to Shalnark.

"That's impossible. These folks shouldn't pose much of a threat," Nobunaga shook his head, disagreeing with Phinks.

"Hahaha, should we join in? My hands are itching for a fight..."

Uvogin boomed, his arms folded as he swaggered toward the group.

"..."

Meanwhile, a furrow appeared on Machi's brow as thoughts of Raymond invaded her mind.

"I should've told them about him," she silently thought before turning to the others, "Let's get in and see..."

Her words were clearly a surprise for everyone since it was unlike her to show such interest. Their expressions ranged from confusion to disbelief.

"Huh? Machi, did you just say that?" Nobunaga's pupils went in opposite directions, indicating his confusion.

Phinks raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on Machi, "What's gotten into you?"

Uvogin scratched his head, a puzzled expression on his face.

"I think I heard something strange just now."

"Hey, relax, guys. They're all strong. Whoever they're up against, they should be able to handle it," Shalnark chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Machi brushed off their stares, her mind wrestling with conflicting emotions.

But then...

BOOM!

"..."

A loud reverberating crash echoed through the building, causing them all to suddenly look at each other before their figures flickered as they decided to check what was happening inside.

"Don't get too cocky, you fucker..."

Feitan's growl rippled through the tense atmosphere, but deep down, Raymond's glowing crimson eyes sent shivers down his spine.

"...He's right. We can't linger here any longer," Franklin interjected, his tone decisive.

Shizuku brandished her vacuum-like device, ready for battle.

"..."

Feitan clicked his tongue in annoyance. However, he recognized the need to expedite their plans despite his irritation.

They couldn't afford to be sidetracked any further!

"Since you guys won't attack me, let me do it for you..." Raymond calmly stated while gripping his kitchen knife tightly.

He abandoned defense for offense and took everyone by surprise.

"...!"

Raymond appeared among them, catching them off guard.

Feitan reacted swiftly, swinging his sword at Raymond.

But Raymond was equally quick, blocking Feitan's strike with his knife.

CLANG!

The clash produced a metallic sound.

During the clash, Shizuku suddenly appeared, slamming her weapon down on him in an attempt to crush his head with her vacuum-like creature.

With a lightning-fast reaction, Raymond was able to dodge Shizuku's attack by sidestepping toward Franklin.

He narrowly avoided the force of Shizuku's weapon as it crashed into the ground.

BOOM!

The impact shook the area, creating a deep pit that destroyed Raymond's footing.

"Nice job, Shizuku!"

Franklin exclaimed, taking advantage of the moment as he swung his arm toward Raymond's face with a smile.

"Die!"

Not just that, Feitan also appeared right in his blind spot as he swung his sword to attack Raymond.

They had to ensure they killed him this time!

However...

"...!"

Raymond's smirk sent chill down through them all.

In his point of view...

Time seemed to slow for him as he made a rotation mid-air as he used Franklin's fist as a foothold.

"Huh?"

With lightning speed, he lunged towards Feitan, who widened his eyes in disbelief.

Raymond's kitchen knife deftly redirected Feitan's sword toward Shizuku.

Realizing Raymond's intention, Feitan cursed, "Shit! Shizuku, dodge!"

In a heartbeat, it was over.

Puchi!

Three of them couldn't react in time as a sickening sound filled the air, followed by the splatter of blood across the floor.

An arm fell to the ground with a heavy thud, a grim testament to Raymond's swift and precise counterattack.

"Eh?"

Shizuku couldn't believe what was happening.

"...What in the world?"

She blinked in confusion, staring at her arm lying on the floor beside her vacuum-like creature, which slowly dissipated into nothingness.

Everything happened so fast that she couldn't even react to Feitan's sword cutting her arm.

"...!"

A sharp, searing pain shot through her arm, causing her to furrow her eyebrows as she grappled with the agony coursing through her body.

She couldn't even react to the pain in time.

Both Franklin and Feitan appeared at Shizuku's side, eyeing Raymond warily.

Franklin looked at Shizuku, who didn't show much reaction besides a frown, and asked, "Are you alright?"

"...It's okay," she replied, stopping her arm from bleeding by tightening the muscles surrounding it, all while conjuring another vacuum-like creature in her left arm.

Shizuku glanced at Raymond silently, tensing up her body.

"..."

Feitan completely stopped his taunting and just simply gazed at Raymond in silence.

Though Feitan didn't say anything, Franklin seemed to understand him, speaking seriously, "...It seems like we actually have to put our lives on the line this time." 

However...

To their astonishment, Raymond calmly sheathed his kitchen knife, seemingly ending the confrontation.

"Looks like the party's over," he remarked with a nonchalant shrug.

"Huh? What?"

"What the hell is wrong with this motherfucker?"

"..."

Confusion flashed across their faces at his sudden change in demeanor.

Yet, before they could process his words, they sensed a formidable presence approaching from their side. Turning, they were met with the sight of their fellow Phantom Troupe members appearing beside them.

Their attention, however, was swiftly diverted to the entrance, where two imposing figures made their entrance.

"Zeno and Silva Zoldyck?"

The old man, Zeno, with his stark gray hair, and the muscular middle-aged man, Silva, with his light blonde locks, strode into the room confidently.

"Well, well, what do we have here? Seems like quite the gathering. Mind if an old man joins the fun?"

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