Milluki sat in front of the computer, munching on chips as he scrolled through the assignment details.
He hit "Enter" and froze for a moment.
"Ron, are you sure?"
"What's wrong?"
"Are you sure you want to take on this mission?" Milluki's face was tense, his voice serious.
"The targets aren't ordinary; the risk level here is extremely high. Illumi might be more suited for this."
"I'm sure. Just get me the intel on these people. I'll approach them myself and gauge whether I can handle them."
"You're positive?"
"Positive."
After a moment, Milluki nodded. "Alright, give me two days."
"No problem."
---
Two days later, an email notification appeared in Ron's inbox. He opened it to find Milluki's detailed intel on the escapees.
At that moment, his phone rang.
"I managed to pinpoint three of the inmates' exact locations," Milluki informed him, "but I still don't know where the other two are. I need more time."
"Can you tell me about their abilities?"
"I've compiled intel on all five. Keep in mind, however, that these powers are only based on prior sightings—they may have hidden techniques. You'll have to assess that yourself."
Ron nodded.
"How long until you track down the other two?"
"I can't say for sure."
"That's fine. I'll start with these three and see if they might draw out the remaining two."
He paused. "What's the total cost?"
"Eight million Jenny," Milluki replied. "I'll keep working on tracking down the other two. If I find them, you'll owe an additional two million Jenny. But if you locate them based on my current info, there's no extra fee."
"Understood."
"And be careful," Milluki warned. "Don't get yourself killed!"
After hanging up, Ron felt a trace of unexpected concern in Milluki's tone. Though he was efficient and reliable, Milluki hadn't shown this kind of personal concern before.
But then again, he considered, there was a sense of loyalty in the Zoldyck family, even among members who seemed distant.
"Grandfather Zeno's mission here isn't likely a coincidence," he mused. "He's probably watching over me from the shadows."
Ron shook his head, feeling a surge of determination.
"I'm still too weak. I need to get stronger, fast."
"When my second Nen beast manifests, my basic stats should receive a significant boost, like when Killer Queen first appeared. Perhaps that will finally push me up to the C-level ranking that Silva mentioned."
Ron opened Milluki's email and carefully reviewed the detailed information on each inmate.
---
**Death Row Inmate #1: Franzki**
Franzki possesses the ability to climb smooth surfaces of buildings several hundred meters high. His body is remarkably resilient; small-calibre bullets barely faze him.
Ron assessed the intel, recalling the Phantom Troupe's Uvogin, an Enhancer who could withstand bullets and even a rocket launcher.
"But Franzki likely doesn't match Uvogin's level."
"If he can only withstand small-calibre bullets, then larger weapons should be effective. And a rocket launcher would certainly inflict damage."
**Death Row Inmate #2: Cole**
Cole's body has undergone several modifications. He's highly skilled in melee weapons and firearms, making him more lethal than Franzki.
"Unclear if he's a Nen user," Ron noted. "Typically, Nen users don't modify themselves in this way—unless they're trained assassins."
---
**Chapter 55: The Phantom Troupe's Bounty!**
**Death Row Inmate #3: Kaike**
The oldest among the five, Kaike has few documented fights, with combat skills as his primary ability. Little other intel is available.
"There are generally two types of Nen users," Ron considered. "Some, like Netero, maintain strength as they age. Others weaken with time."
"Kaike seems more likely to be the latter. His main strength lies in experience, not physical endurance."
"But as an assassin, I already operate from the shadows. His experience won't matter if he doesn't see me coming."
**Death Row Inmate #4: Killian**
Killian is a Transformation-type Nen user with abilities involving Nen threads.
The name Killian reminded Ron of "Gillian," from a manga he'd read in his past life. But Killian's thread abilities seemed more similar to Machi's.
"I wonder who would come out on top—him or Machi."
**Death Row Inmate #5: Ryu**
With a feminine name, Ryu is a Conjurer who can manifest weapons of varying forms and is reportedly the strongest among the five.
---
Milluki had given Ron locations for inmates #1, #2, and #4.
"I'll start with #2," Ron decided, marking a red dot on his map. Cole's location was within the same city as Heaven's Arena.
"Oh, I forgot to pay Milluki," he noted, transferring **eight million Jenny** from his phone.
The amount was substantial for most people, but for Ron, it was minimal in comparison to the reward. Each inmate had a bounty of one hundred million Jenny, making Milluki's intel a small price to pay.
"Lina, I'm heading out. Don't open the door for anyone, alright?"
"Got it, big brother."
Ron left Heaven's Arena, moving swiftly toward Cole's location.
---
A couple stood beneath a streetlamp in the city below, lost in conversation.
Suddenly, the woman's eyes widened.
"Something just went by!"
The man looked at her, puzzled. "I didn't see anything."
"I swear, a shadow passed by!"
"Nothing was there," he said dismissively, pulling her closer. "Let's not worry about it. I'll walk you home."
"No," she insisted, stepping away. "I'm going home alone."
The man watched in stunned silence as she walked off. Regret flashed in his eyes, but eventually, he followed.
Ron barely noticed them. In no time, he'd arrived on the roof of a nearby high-rise building, where he paused to survey his surroundings, his gaze locked on the hotel across the way.
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