"Well, what are you planning to do now? I'm sure you would want nothing more than to go hunt them down right now. Though I am unsure if your employers would allow such a thing." Now back in the mostly vacated lounge, Kurapika and I were discussing my new revelation regarding the spiders.
"After she ran away from us the other night everyone went into panic mode, though I was previously assigned to join the protection detail of the auction, and when things calmed down for the night I was able to pick up a few items for my employers which gained me enough favor to slip out today. However, things are on lockdown and the Nostrade family wishes to leave as soon as possible and I would have to accompany them…" Nodding along, we continued to deliberate on how we should do about our last few days in the city. Though I was beginning to get antsy staying in the city for an extended period of time. That and tired from getting my ass handed to me in fights I had no right getting into in the first place.
"So you are looking at cutting your losses for now or hunting down as many as you can within the immediate future…" Rubbing my forehead as I stared at the restless form of Kurapika I practically sagged under the metaphorical weight I felt when he immediately nodded in agreement.
*Sigh* "yes, most likely I will be hunting them down if I can. I had to sign on for a while with the Nostrtades in hope of building up my resume in the blacklist hunter sphere of influence in case I wasn't able to successfully hunt down the spiders here."
Kurapika being indisposed for an indefinite period of time was something that didn't come to me as a surprise, yet, it recontextualized any future pursuit of the troupe. His being stuck with his employers meant he wasn't able to really help us unless he was given the rare opportunity of free reign, which only happened during emergency situations with the troupe being an imminent threat to the family.
"Well if you need help looking around for them they are most likely quartered in the abandoned outskirts of the city… I don't really mind helping out but I should remind you that the 'spiders' we thought the other night was likely clones created through a Hatsu and likely much weaker than the real deal. To be honest I don't think anyone here is strong enough to be more than an informant especially if you plan on taking on the entirety of the troupe. Not to mention you not being able to pursue them should your employers have no interest, and broken contracts look really bad on record. " Taking the slight pause that happened afterward in our conversation I took the initiative to go through my bag I brought into the lounge and pulled out my laptop and booted it up quickly.
While there wasn't exactly satellite GPS that could give real-time imagery there was extensive mapping done through aerial photography that was available to the public, and if I could find any buildings that appeared similar to the iconic dilapidated hideout from the anime skylight and all it could be a large boon.
"Thats… I will have to consider how to handle this admittedly. Just… It's just been a hectic week here at the auction and I admit I have been shirking from the more… tedious aspects of the job. I somewhat wish in retrospect that this could have been an enjoyable meeting between us all again and I did not have any of these responsibilities. Yet, I need this work should I wish to further pursue the Troupe. "
Finally locating on the map an image of the building Killua was held hostage on my laptop I was a bit confused for a moment as the images were of a well enough maintained and not destitute version of the building I collapsed. Though it was likely an older picture that had not been updated in a while.
"If you wish to do something then how about dealing a decisive blow to them and then fleeing alongside your employers? Afterward, I and others can use the time to get a bit stronger for the next time you see the Troupe." A thought that had stuck with me for a while, Greed island could be a great boon for me.
Whether it was exchanging notes with another talented user or the various 'magical' objects and their uses. That or just time and a relative lack of threats. The Knock-off of a Knock-off David Bowie didn't pose a direct threat to me or my goals, allowing me to focus completely on developing my aura and Hatsu. Though I had to admit that the constant usage of my Hatsu during my injury or in combat had been useful for my growth.
"That could work out…Yet, I still have no real way to move after them. Should I be unable to take them out at once then I would have made my employers an enemy" Hearing Kurapika's concerns though reminded me that while he was willing to do nearly anything to accomplish his goal he wouldn't do something he hadn't thought of. And if there was someone who was more heartless in their pursuits than Kurapika it was politicians.
"Then just take some small accident and blow it out of proportion to your employers… or just frame it, didn't the heiress disappear recently? Just say the troupe did it and start a warpath on the troupe or something…"
"That's…"
{Time Skip}
"Hello, it's nice to meet you…" Staring at the short plump figure in front of me I craned my head to the side as I tried to recall their name. Which as it always turned out to be something I struggled with when it came to 'side characters' or even just regular people.
*grunt*"Ow… the hell was that for?" turning to my side I glared over at Killua who had just previously elbowed me in my side. Looking back at our guests they laughed with a light resonating voice.
"Well, I suppose he wouldn't have talked much about me. I am Melody, one of your friend's co-workers and I am here to work alongside you to locate our shared target." Recalling her appearance in the story and piecing that together with her odd appearance and abilities I gave a curt nod before introducing myself.
"We are going to start our search for the Troupe at the location we last fought them, meanwhile Kurapika will be working with Gon and Leorio to help resolve the active situation happening with the Nostradres… though I would wager that it's mostly Kurapika doing the resolving with Leorio driving and Gon… Moral support?" musing aloud to myself, I pulled out paper copies of printouts of the area before handing them out.
"While outdated by a few years the general layout of this area of the city hasn't changed besides the decay and derelict state it's in currently. And here… is where we are, marked by the red X. And just a few blocks away was our last encounter with them, and seeing as they are outlaws they are likely to be on the fringe. Though considering their lofty ambitions or selfish nature I wouldn't be surprised if the building they are inhabiting held some sort of significant historical value or was once a grand location." Receiving some nods in agreement we scoured over the maps I had annotated with the inclusion of various notable buildings or areas as we discussed our search plans.
"That should be fine for now… we should get started sooner than later though, I wouldn't want to stay out in this weather for too long." Glowering at his distorted reflection in the puddle of rainwater, Killua lightly tapped his toe against the sidewalk as concluded our little meeting.
"Alright, then that sounds fine…"