Chapter 45: Dance of Death!

In a hallway connected to a peaceful garden, Zeno walked slowly toward the underground tunnel to visit Killua.

"Hmm?"

Zeno's brow furrowed in confusion as he halted his steps, a hint of concern flickering across his features.

He closed his eyes momentarily as he turned towards the direction of the main gate before he slowly reopened his eyes as a sigh escaping his lips.

"...Looks like trouble's brewing," he muttered, sensing the tension in the air like a gathering storm.

"Grandpa Zeno! What's going on?"

A chubby teenager emerged from the underground tunnel, gasping for breath.

He had short, neatly trimmed black hair and squinty black eyes.

"Milluki, meet your father. You know what to do next," Zeno addressed his grandson calmly.

Milluki scratched his head, pondering for a moment.

"Okay. Are you still going to see Killua?" 

Zeno closed his eyes, deep in thought, "I'll put it off for now..."

Milluki shook his head and hurried off towards the mansion.

Back in the present moment...

"So, that guy's the one who hurt Illu-nii?"

Milluki's childish voice echoed, oblivious to the tension thickening in the air.

Illumi shot him a glare, but Milluki remained oblivious as he kept pointing his chubby finger at Raymond, "You motherfucker, coming here like you've got a death wish!"

"Milluki, zip it! Quit making a scene in front of Mother!"

A woman with an electric visor dressed in an elaborate dark purple gown and a flamboyant hat adorned with feathers, fur, and flowers scolded Milluki, who shrank back nervously while fidgeting his fingers.

"Sorry, Mama..." he mumbled sheepishly.

Kikyo shook her head, her bandaged face turned towards Raymond. 

On Kikyo's side, Kalluto observed Raymond with curiosity.

Silva's expression remained icy, unmoved by Raymond's sarcasm or Milluki's antics. 

"No sense of humor, huh?"

Raymond sighed while shaking his head.

"It looks like I've brought a trouble home," Illumi remarked as he approached his family.

Silva briefly glanced at Illumi before fixing his gaze on Raymond once more, "Spit it out. Who are you? And do you really think you can leave here in one piece after asking for my son's arm?"

"Isn't it natural since he killed someone crucial to my interests in Yorknew City? He's like my left-hand man there, so it's only reasonable for Illumi to hand over his left hand in return, right?"

Raymond nonchalantly shrugged.

"..."

Silence hung heavy, and even Sakujiro found himself a bit lost for words.

He couldn't help but marvel at how bold his master could be at times. He shook his head, staying watchful.

"Hahaha, very well!"

A wave of oppressive energy emanated from Silva's imposing figure, his laughter slicing through the tense atmosphere like a razor.

The sheer force of his Nen sent shivers down the spines of all around as they struggled to maintain composure in the face of such overwhelming power.

Sweat glistened on their brows as they fought to keep their fear at bay, their hearts pounding with the weight of Silva's aura bearing down upon them.

But just as they began to adjust to the suffocating pressure, another surge of energy descended upon them, equally potent and unyielding.

"...!"

All eyes turned to Raymond, the center of this new equally overbearing pressure as realization dawned upon them.

"He's... he's strong!"

Gotoh exclaimed in his mind as he immediately channeled his own Nen to shield himself from a collision of power emanating from Silva and Raymond.

The clouds above churned ominously, mirroring the turmoil below as the very sky darkened in response to the ferocity of their confrontation.

"..."

Illumi watched in silence as he had anticipated Raymond's powerful Nen.

Kikyo looked grave while Kalluto sought shelter behind her.

"...!"

Realizing he had spoken rashly to someone who could rival his father's Nen, Milluki appeared scared and hid behind Kikyo alongside Kalluto.

Kikyo glanced at her son with exasperation before smacking Milluki on his head, causing him to flinch.

"Do you have any sense at all? To think you'd dare to ask for something like that in front of me..." Silva's voice continued to echo through the tense air as he walked forward.

With a swift motion, he extended his arm, and in an instant, his form vanished into thin air.

"..."

Raymond remained silent, his own figure disappearing in response.

BOOM!

Then, a deafening explosion reverberated through the space as both men reappeared, locked in a clash of titans.

Silva's fist surged forward with deadly intent, but Raymond's reflexes were razor-sharp as he intercepted the blow with a block, the impact resonating with a thunderous force.

In retaliation, Raymond launched a fierce kick, aiming for Silva's back.

Yet, Silva was equally prepared, his defense solid as he deflected the attack with a well-timed maneuver.

Their collision unleashed a shockwave that rippled outward, threatening to tear through everything in its path.

"What in the world?"

The servants scrambled to retreat, their eyes wide with disbelief as they witnessed the spectacle unfolding before them.

Silva was forced to step back as Raymond was also similarly forced to take a step back, creating some distance between them.

The air crackled with the residual aura of their clash.

"His raw strength rivals Sakujiro's... no, he's even stronger!"

Raymond's mind raced with exhilaration and disbelief, his body thrumming with the adrenaline of battle.

Despite the pain pulsating through his body, he couldn't help but feel a surge of invigoration coursing through his veins as his face contorted into a crazed smirk.

On Silva's end, he recognized that he had the upper hand in terms of raw strength. The young man before him, who was around the same age as his son Illumi actually possessed superior technique.

"No wonder he managed to best Illumi," Silva thought, a crazed grin spreading across his face as he acknowledged the formidable opponent standing before him.

"Huh?"

However, when he saw a similar grin mirrored on Raymond's face, Silva was caught off guard.

"Hahahaha!"

The laughter bubbled forth from deep within their souls.

Silva's heart raced with anticipation, his blood pumping with the thrill of the hunt.

For him, the thought of facing a formidable opponent he needed to kill was a source of pure ecstasy.

Similarly, Raymond's pulse quickened with excitement, his senses heightened by the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

For him, the thrill of battle was an addiction.

Though their nature was different, both Silva and Raymond recognized the undeniable fact between them...

"We're of the same kind!"

The realization hung in the air like a vow.

"This is exciting!"

Raymond's voice echoed with exhilaration as he vanished into thin air, his form melding seamlessly with Silva's as they continued their dance of death.

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