__________ POV Ashton__________
I guess I should not antagonize him too much for no good reason. As I said, most of my acquaintances tried to kill me at least once.
"Oh yeah. To answer your question, a person named Zigg Zoldyack taught me these techniques. I also met Maha in the past. Silva and Zeno too." His eyes seemed to widen the more I spoke.
"Why would a member of my family teach you those things?"He had calmed down somewhat, mainly because I didn't mention the circumstances of me meeting his family.
If he knew that I am basically the only person the Zoldyck family has failed to assassinate he wouldn't be calming down at all.
But he was still wary, which is a given. I did just claw his back with an assassination technique his own family takes great pride in.
Their techniques were gathered from all around the world, not all of them belong exclusively to this family.
Although some techniques are Zoldyck family originals. And their use of these techniques is certainly beyond skilful.
Most of their arsenal is composed of simpler techniques they found and improved upon over the years. Turning them into completely new ones or just strengthening them majorly.
"Oh, I saved Zigg's life a few times. He wanted to fully repay the debt so he taught me these techniques." A simple story. He seemed able to accept this, at least to some extent.
I can't remember if the Zoldyck family saw their techniques as something sacred that must be protected. Well, I think they do, at least to some extent.
Zigg was somewhat special, even for the Zoldyck family. They are usually quite against fighting overly powerful opponents.
But Zigg decided to go out to the Dark Continent, much like Netero. The Zoldyck family doesn't really take requests like that. So it's safe to assume he sought the expedition out on his own.
Although, I don't know if he realised just how dangerous the continent actually was. He seemed quite regretful at some points during our journey.
Still, he made it back alive quite well. Me knowing the lands there certainly helped. Although I didn't give them much besides some Nitro Rice when it comes to treasures.
"By the way... What's your name?" I said whilst extending my hand to him. A handshake is in order I believe, at least that's what you do when meeting someone new.
__________ POV Narration__________
To say that Illumi was surprised would be a great understatement.
A random person that he tried to control turns out to be a powerful fighter and a skilled assassin that has mastered his families techniques.
He didn't really believe that this man was taught by Maha's own son. He also found it hard to believe that this man had met with every single senior member of his family.
But a previous conversation he had with his great-great-grandfather, Maha came to mind.
"If you ever see a strange man in a lab coat using our families techniques more skillfully than you... Run, run as far as you can." Were the words the old man had given him when asked where he had lost his right arm.
A simple sentence. To the point and conveying a clear message to the young Assassin.
Illumi didn't think much of it at the time. Mainly because he thought Maha was joking around with him. Trying to make him tense up and be more careful when fighting an unknown opponent.
Although thinking back, the example he gave was a bit too detailed to be a coincidence.
Maha was invincible in the eyes of the Zoldyck Family, at the time, he thought the old man had suffered an accident and tried to cover it up in embarrassment.
The other members that knew of Maha's defeat, Zeno and Silva, also avoided ever speaking about the incident
But this man did fit the bill perfectly. Ashton was skilled and powerful in all aspects he could observe.
His aura was still hidden, but it had been able to completely block the assassins attack. Under normal circumstances, he'd try to either flee or try another surprise attack.
But his broken arm and shattered ribs would've made escape a bit more troublesome. There was also the apparent lack of hostility from the formally dressed man.
So, he decided to respond to the scientist.
"My name is Illumi, I am Silva's oldest son." He shook the man's hand.
A strangely calm exchange compared to what had just happened. There were no civilians in sight to witness this. At least none that weren't being controlled by Illumi.
"My pleasure. I am called Ashton, I don't really have a family name or anything of the sort." Illumi just nodded.
The scientist wasn't quite wrong. He only had a family name on paper, he barely even remembers it himself. Blake maybe?
Not that he cared about it much. Ashton was the name his teacher had given him a long time back. And, as far as he's concerned, it's his only true name.
They shook hands and looked each other in the eye. Both of their stares were completely emotionless as if they were competing on who can look deader than the other.
"I have some business in the hospital right now, if you don't mind..."Ashton's tone remained cordial, although some sarcasm was still present.
Illumi looked conflicted, on one hand, he didn't want anyone to help his brother's friend. On the other, he couldn't really stop this man either.
He could only hope that Ashton was here for some unrelated business.
"Well then, until we meet again." Said the scientist as he entered the hospital, waving a hand at the emotionless assassin.
'It will be sooner than you think' They both thought at the same time. As Illumi was hatching a plan to dispose of this strange person.
And Ashton planned to visit the Zoldyck family in due time.
Their paths were bound to meet once more. And that meeting might go in a completely different direction.
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Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
It came a bit later than usual, but that's fine!
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