Torlan, as the foremost mob boss in Spice City, had considerable wealth and influence...
Although he is not as comparable to any of the Ten Dons, who control the five continents and ten districts, he is still outstanding among the many mafia families.
The huge wealth and the influence deeply rooted in Spice City are Torlan's capital.
However, these assets also brought him many threats and troubles.
As far as he is concerned, there are many envious individuals sought to undermine him, and he had quite a few enemies who wanted to bite through his neck.
For Torlan, maintaining a facade of sophistication on the surface was crucial. He strategically used various hobbies and common topics to win the favor of people from all walks of life.
What was terrifying is—
The hobbies he often made into common topics of conversation are not just for show.
He genuinely immersed himself in them, and did not hesitate to spend energy and time on it, solely to pave the way for a smoother future.
Simultaneously, to counteract potential retaliation from enemies, Torlan attaches great importance to security issues.
Needless to say, the special car he used for traveling has top-tier bulletproof features.
And before traveling anywhere, he will also ask his subordinates to conduct a comprehensive check.
No matter where the car was parked, it had to be guarded by his men. The mansion where he usually lives is even more heavily protected.
There is a first-class security system, round-the-clock mafia elites guarding the premises, and dozens of large guard dogs patrolling the courtyard.
The last time he invited Lisha to dinner, Torlan even dispatched over a hundred subordinates to guard outside the restaurant. Additionally, four personal bodyguards were stationed close to him.
This shows how much Torlan attaches importance to security.
However-
These defense lines built with money are nothing more than decorations to a skilled assassin like Illumi.
Even in broad daylight, he could infiltrate the mansion like a ghost.
If he could complete the mission in the easiest way possible, he would not foolishly resort to forceful means.
At this moment…
Torlan, who had just finished lunch, entered his study. He casually picked up a book from the shelf and sat down to read.
This is his habit.
Having become a member of the mafia and survived through countless bloody encounters, Torlan understood that most of the time, firearms were more useful than the knowledge in books.
However, it didn't prevent him from valuing knowledge.
Rustle—
Inside the study, the only sound was Torlan flipping through the pages of a book. And within this rustling sound, an almost inaudible sound of footsteps was mixed in.
Illumi silently approached from behind Torlan.
The jet-black eyeballs, with only a hint of white, stared at Torlan like the eyes of a grim reaper- cold, indifferent, and merciless.
There's no need to use his Nen.
He only raised his palm and slashed across.
The movement was swift and decisive.
Torlan's expression shifted as a line of blood appeared on his neck.
Before Torlan could comprehend what happened, his head rolled off his neck and landed on the floor with a thud.
The cut on his neck was unusually smooth, and blood gushed out like a fountain.
Clearly, he died beyond any chance of survival.
After effortlessly completing the mission, Illumi with an emotionless expression, took out his phone and snapped a few pictures of Torlan's lifeless body
After doing all this, he quietly left the mansion.
A high-paying reward for an assassination with minimal risk.
This is a low-risk, high-reward business.
Illumi easily completed the last mission before going back home.
There was no particularly special feeling, let alone a sense of accomplishment. Similar missions had never been a failure for him, and he had excellently completed countless.
After leaving the mansion, he sent the photos to the employer and instructed them to transfer the reward.
"It's done."
Putting away the phone, Illumi tilted his head slightly and looked at the street.
'The job was finished, and there was no rush to go back.'
A moment later…
The notification sound of a deposited payment rang.
Illumi took out his phone again, finally revealing a slightly satisfied expression.
Meanwhile.
In the mansion's study, Torlan's body was separated.
His body sat on a single sofa, while his head lay on the floor.
A large amount of blood soaked the sofa and the floor, creating an extremely gruesome scene.
However, at this moment—
A black bubble rose from the pool of blood.
After the bubble burst, a dark, viscous substance slowly emerged.
It then touched Tolan's head.
In a flash—
Dazzling lightning flashed.
The blood splattered around vanished, leaving a scorch mark on the sofa and the floor where the body had separated.
Then, Torlan, who had just died, was standing intact next to the sofa.
In his consciousness, there was no memories of being 'killed by Illumi'.
He walked to the bookshelf, pulled out a book, then sat on the sofa, flipping through it as usual.
The cover of the book had a dark, ominous tone.
On it were written the words 'Swamp Man'.
…
Time passes, and night fell.
Illumi came to Spice City Airport and purchased a ticket for his journey home.
Then, he found a seat in the waiting area and waited for the boarding time.
After about ten minutes...
Illumi's phone suddenly rang.
He took out his business phone and answered.
"So, is this how the renowned Zoldyck doing business?"
A male voice filled with suppressed anger came through the phone.
Illumi remained indifferent, and said coldly: "Stop talking in riddles, just say what you have to say."
"The photos you sent are fake!"
The voice on the other end sounded like a volcano about to erupt:
"Torlan is not dead at all, and I have transferred all the rewards to your account. That's all I had, so I want to hear your explanation now."
"I am certain that the target is dead."
Illumi's expression was still indifferent.
He had no interest in delving into the motives behind the employer making this call and was ready to hang up the phone.
"Certain he is dead? That's the funniest joke I've heard this year."
The man on the other end of the phone spoke viciously:
"I will send you the photo and address I took just now, Zoldyck. Whether Torlan is dead or not, you can confirm it yourself."
"…"
After hearing the employer's words, Illumi ultimately did not hang up the phone.
Instead, it was the employer who hung up directly after finished speaking.
Illumi brought the phone closer to his eyes, and saw the photos and the name and address of a restaurant sent by the employer.
In the photos, Torlan could be clearly seen standing in front of a restaurant's entrance, making an invitation gesture towards the two guests with enthusiasm.
As for the two guests who were obviously invited, one was an outstanding-looking young man and the other was a woman with dark circles under her eyes.
"Hmm?"
Illumi noticed that the young man in the photos was the 'average Nen User' he encountered in the middle of the night.
But such details were not important.
He was now thinking...
The assassination target is really not dead?
Does that mean he failed in the assassination?
Wouldn't this be the first failure in his career?
Moreover, he already requested the payment from his employer in such a situation.
Ridiculous, embarrassing.
Emotions that should have surfaced at this moment were basically absent from Illumi.
He only felt displeasure because his family's reputation had been damaged by his actions.
"…"
Illumi's eyes became particularly terrifying, exuding a ruthless and violent aura.
The passengers in the airport waiting area seemed to have seen something terrifying, and immediately stayed away from Illumi.