"I didn't expect tonight to be so chaotic. Phantom Troupe members here? I thought this was going to be a straightforward job," Ronnel muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Ronnel's gaze shifted to the northeast corner of the city.
"So, the duel between Uvogin and Kurapika is about to start? Uvogin's devastating strength is a perfect example of Enhancer Nen, capable of creating a crater with a single blow."
Without another word, he turned and walked out.
As usual, he set his puppet in place, then activated Star Moon Night Walker, sprinting towards the direction Lisa had indicated.
Lisa could transform her aura into sound waves. Whether used for sonic attacks or surveillance, her Nen was remarkably effective. Her skill was enhanced by her naturally gifted voice and sharp intuition, making her reports over 80% accurate.
While Ronnel moved swiftly, Kurapika and Uvogin had already chosen their battlefield on a desolate hill.
"Do you remember the people you've killed?" Kurapika asked softly after a brief prayer, slipping off his Kurta clothing.
"Who I've killed?" Uvogin repeated, half-interested. "You're here for revenge, huh? If they were strong, they'd be worth remembering."
With a smirk, Uvogin flicked his ears, a glint of excitement lighting up his face. He relished the idea of fighting another fool seeking revenge.
"Who do you want to avenge?"
"Kurta clan," Kurapika replied coldly.
"Never heard of 'em."
"Fiery red eyes… You slaughtered them about five years ago."
"Red eyes… like jewels, right?" Uvogin shrugged indifferently. "I can't remember every little skirmish. If it was five years ago, I might've been with the Troupe."
Kurapika's hands clenched, his voice shaking with controlled fury.
"I want to know—when you killed those innocent people, what were you thinking? How did it feel?"
"Feel?" Uvogin grinned wickedly, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust. "I didn't feel a thing."
Kurapika's temper snapped. "You're scum! I'll take your life!"
The two lunged at each other, their clash sending dust and smoke spiraling into the air.
From afar, Ronnel observed the plume of dust and smoke rising into the sky. But as he drew closer, the dust settled, revealing the battlefield.
"Is it over?" he murmured. From his vantage point on a high slope, he looked down at Uvogin's massive body sprawled on the ground, lifeless and bloodstained.
"As expected… he's dead."
Ronnel's expression didn't change. His gaze shifted to Kurapika, who, with a resolute look, was digging a grave with a materialized shovel, having paid a steep price for it.
Feeling Ronnel's eyes on him, Kurapika paused and looked up, the moonlight casting a holy, white glow over them both.
"Ronnel?" Kurapika whispered, his voice hoarse, haunted by the memory of their conversation during the Hunter Exam.
"What you want to do is your own choice, just as my choices are my own. Don't dwell too much on it," Ronnel had said back then. "When you finally face the Phantom Troupe, test your own resolve first."
The memory replayed in Kurapika's mind, his hands tightening around the shovel.
"Did I kill this man for revenge, or am I just as cruel as the Troupe? Am I… becoming like them?"
The shovel slipped from his grip with a dull clang, and he stumbled back, gazing up at Ronnel. His once-bright red eyes were now dim with sorrow.
"No different… I'm no different from the Troupe," he muttered. Kneeling, he covered half his face with one hand, the other resting on a stone, as silent tears streamed down his cheeks.
Watching Kurapika's despair, Ronnel sighed quietly.
Ronnel could sense the turmoil in Kurapika's soul. Kurapika had pushed his potential to the brink, binding himself with restrictions and vows that twisted his Nen, leading him down a dark path. Now, after using it to kill Uvogin, he was caught in a cycle of guilt and self-doubt.
As Ronnel had warned him, it's a vicious cycle to break.
For now, Gon, Melody, and others had helped Kurapika keep his hatred in check. Yet, once the dust settled and Kurapika believed the Troupe was no longer a threat, his original fears crept back in.
Seeing Ronnel now, the one person who had glimpsed his inner torment, stripped away his defenses.
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