Auren stands on the wide deck, staring out at the sprawling skyline of Swardani City.
I don't know why, but I already want to leave again. Once the Entity is exorcised from Ella, we're getting the hell out of this place. I've had enough.
He uses the moment to text Pariston, asking if he's available for a meeting. Just as he slides the phone back into his pocket, it vibrates almost immediately.
Does that guy ever do anything besides work...?
Auren pulls the phone out again and reads the reply:
"Come by anytime ✨"
How... nice. Well, I'd better get it over with. Hopefully, he doesn't screw around and leave me waiting for hours...
"…"
With the airport now visible on the horizon, Auren heads back inside the cabin from the open deck.
The others immediately look his way, clearly expecting something.
After a moment of silence, only Killi innocently steps forward.
"Auren, what are we doing now?" Killi asks curiously.
"Nothing really," Auren replies. "You're free to do whatever you want. Depending on how long it takes until Ella is... 'cured', we might need to stay a little longer. As for the rest of us, we can consider taking on a few more simple missions, but honestly, I'm not in the mood to make any new plans."
"And once Ella is cured?" she asks again. "Are we going to visit the place you talked about? Your home?"
"Yes, but maybe not right away," Auren answers honestly. "I'm thinking of making a short stop somewhere else first—just for a week or so. But we'll take it one step at a time. Anyway, don't worry too much. You'll be fine wherever we go, and you'll always have your own space here on the ship. For now, you can think of it as your home."
"Okay! I like the ship!" Killi beams, her curiosity satisfied for the moment.
The airship slowly begins its descent, and Jolt expertly maneuvers it into the hangar, landing almost exactly where they last touched down before leaving. Once the ship is secure, Auren gathers everyone for a quick meeting.
Before he can begin, Jolt speaks up. "Auren, do you plan to leave your treasures here?"
"That depends," Auren responds. "This is actually one of the reasons I called you all together. The airport security here is pretty strict, isn't it? I'm still considering my options. I'd like you to keep living on the airship if you're up for it, but I can also arrange hotel rooms if you'd rather do that. In that case, I'll probably rent out a secure space at a bank for my collection."
"I want to stay," Killi says immediately. "I like it here!"
Mio and Kai quickly chime in as well:
"Me too."
"Let us stay here!"
Goreinu adds, "I'm not against it either. I don't need the extra space—I'd rather let the twins have my room. You only booked the four rooms on the top floor of that hotel, right?"
"Yes.... but I could always reschedule, get more rooms, or find a new place entirely," Auren offers.
"It's fine," Goreinu says. "I'll stay here too. Also, Auren, you're being a little too nice to everyone. No need to coddle us."
Heh, he's got a point. Since when do I care so much about others? Maybe I've changed more than I thought. It's not a bad thing, though. I'll still be merciless to my enemies—but the people I care about? I'll take care of them. Still, Goreinu's right. No need to treat everyone with silk gloves. I just stay true to myself.
"You know what? I'll stay too," Auren decides. "We'll all stay. I'll cancel the hotel rooms. If anyone isn't happy, they can choose to leave."
Everyone exchanges glances. Even Jean, who had grown quite fond of the luxury hotel treatment back in Glam Gas Land, gives a small nod.
"This airship is quite comfortable," she admits. "It's more than enough. I'm also beginning to like Nen a lot. This has opened up a new world for not only me, but also my sister. She may not say it, but we're actually really grateful. You not only saved my broke dad from debt, but also offered us a safe place and a huge opportunity."
Auren nods at her.
She's more mature than I imagined. This one shows potential. It can never hurt to have more contacts. Hopefully, she and her sister come up with a few ingenious Nen skills. I'd prefer if they choose skills that are useful for out of combat. I don't need fighters, I need people with useful abilities that can support me from behind the scenes!
"Great... If anyone wants a change of scenery, just book any room you like and I'll reimburse you," Auren says. "It's not like money is an issue."
"Don't!" Marsha snaps. "It's time we all start living a bit more frugally. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but honestly, this airship is already luxurious enough. I could imagine staying here for the rest of my life, despite my personal dislike for these things. We'll be just fine."
"Alright," Auren shrugs. "It's not like we'll be staying here for long anyway."
At least, I hope not.
"I'm heading out," he announces. "I'm going to visit the Association. I'll also check in on Ella. If anything urgent comes up, I'll let you know immediately, Killi. But until then, it's best if you don't visit. Trust me on this, alright?"
"Okay," Killi responds softly, her tone uncertain but obedient.
Before he leaves, Auren turns to Neffi, "Please get the things ready we talked about. I've wired you a couple of hundred million. Use the rest for research."
"Fine," Neffi replies, "as you said, you have the money, and I need to maintain my credibility. I'm having Konrad teach me about business, and I've learned some of the people in charge are taking advantage of me. Let's make a stop in Yorknew soon so I can personally take care of a few of those damn snakes."
Can't forget, she brutally avenged her family and massacred a lot of people... looks like she'll set an example.
With his decision made, Auren sets out. Thanks to the airship's central location at the airport, it doesn't take him long to reach his destination. On the way, he drops by his old hotel and cancels the rooms still booked under his name, then makes his way straight to the Hunter Association Headquarters.
Might as well check in with Zamra first. I hate being behind on information. Pariston's always going to be a few steps ahead, but I need to close the gap wherever I can.
As he steps into the building, the secretaries at the front desk glance at him, but he doesn't slow down. Auren heads straight for the basement level—already familiar territory by now—only to pause halfway and turn around.
He walks back toward the reception desk and approaches the familiar staff members. "Please inform Pariston that I've arrived," he says casually. "I'll be heading upstairs right after a quick visit to Zamra."
"Of course, Hunter Auren!" the older secretary replies with a smile. "And congratulations on your achievement! Everyone's been talking about how you've taken down the Witch. It's not every day someone brings in a notorious international criminal like that. I heard lots of praise... with only a couple haters spreading a few... problematic rumors."
"It wasn't much. Also, you should never believe people who modify their bodies to resemble animals. Obviously, people like that have some sort of mental problem," Auren says, waving it off as he turns and continues toward the basement elevator.
I hope Zamra's not in the middle of something. I never know when her sessions end.
He descends and walks through the familiar hallway until he reaches Zamra's office. He knocks politely.
"Enter," comes her voice from the other side of the door.
Auren opens it casually and steps inside the room, finding Zamra sitting upright and alert, looking a little tired.
"Hunter Auren... your timing is impeccable," she says, almost amused.
"Hello, Zamra," Auren greets her. "Why's that? You mentioned that it can take months, and it has only been three weeks. I thought I was a bit early. I just wanted to see how things are going."
"Unexpectedly well," she replies. "There's far less resistance than I anticipated. Honestly, I think the entity possessing the patient isn't even trying to hold on. It feels like it's given up. That's something to celebrate—but it also concerns me."
She leans back slightly, arms crossed. "I boldly declared that the Entity would vanish with the Nen exorcism... but the subject's attitude is too calm. Too submissive. The Entity hasn't tried a single trick. No deception, no threats, no pleading. It hasn't even bothered resisting. This gives me the impression that it has either given up or is already making plans for the future, which is, of course, concerning."
"That's... unsettling indeed," Auren mutters. "This was my initial fear as well."
Zamra nods. "There's a chance it really will be expelled just like that. At this rate, I'll be able to complete the procedure in three days, and we'll know more."
I'd better make sure that Chrollo hasn't experienced any sort of... issue with the stolen skill. I also unexpectedly gained a solution to deal with this damn ghost! This will not go how the entity envisions it, hehe. I even hope it survives so I can take it down personally.
"That sounds great," Auren replies, pleasantly surprised. "I want to be there when you do, so please call, okay?"
"Yes... I'll also be calling a few more people. I'm getting worried, especially when complicated Nen techniques are involved, in this particular case, an entity that has far surpassed our knowledge of Nen," Zamra responds.
Auren hesitates for a second before saying, "I can't tell you the details, but the entity shouldn't be able to take over someone else. I actually told you, the worst case would be that the entity just lingers in some kind of intangible form. I have already come up with a solution that might work."
-----------------------------------------
A/N: Always thankful for Power Stones, Comments, and Reviews. Thank you for reading!
If you are interested, then please support me at patreon.com/FRWriter
30+ Early chapters available
New Chapters every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday!
Bored? Complains? Demands? Check out the Discord: https://discord.gg/puVqWsf3y9
Thank you for supporting the story with Power Stones!