When Chimera's figure completely vanished beyond the horizon, Beyond and Marione's joint pursuit ended in failure.
"We really made fools of ourselves."
Marione's gaze swept over the burn mark on Beyond's face before looking toward the distant sky.
Not only had they allowed Morrow to send Kurapika away during their joint operation, but in the end, they hadn't even been able to stop Morrow himself.
If their other companions learned about this, they'd likely be laughed at for a whole year.
Hearing Marione's complaint, Beyond slowly withdrew his gaze, revealing a dead-fish expression, then suddenly raised his finger to point at her: "It's because your aim was too poor."
"!!!"
Marione's metal jaw made clicking sounds, but she couldn't find any words to refute him.
Seeing this, Beyond grinned and changed the subject: "Actually, there's nothing to be ashamed of. It's just that the other party was solely focused on escaping. If it had been a fight to the death..."
He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked up at the sky again with a thoughtful expression.
Marione stared at his profile, waiting for what felt like an eternity without hearing the rest, and finally couldn't help but press: "What would happen in a fight to the death?"
"Do you really want to know?"
Beyond suddenly lowered his head to look at her.
Marione remained expressionlessly silent, but her meaning was clear.
Beyond stroked his beard, his gaze turning profound: "In a two-against-one fight to the death, he would certainly die, but you might be dragged down with him."
Marione remained silent for a few seconds before coldly spitting out two words: "Absurd."
"Hahaha!"
Beyond suddenly burst into loud laughter, then said seriously: "Then consider it nonsense."
As he spoke, he glanced in the direction of Kakin's capital.
Even now, he still felt a sense of incongruity in his heart, unable to understand Morrow's various choices during their encounter.
No matter how hard Beyond racked his brains, he could never have imagined that Morrow's choices and motivations were all based on his identity as a transmigrator and the secret of rewind.
The only logical explanation, Beyond concluded, was that the boy harbored a secret he desperately needed to protect.
But what kind of secret could someone so young possibly possess that would justify such reckless behavior? What could be so crucial that he would willingly endanger not only his own life but that of his partner as well?
Beyond had encountered many hunters over the years, each carrying their own burdens and hidden truths.
Yet Morrow's actions suggested something far beyond the typical secrets of youth, a stolen technique, a shameful past, or forbidden knowledge.
No, this was something else entirely. The boy had fought with the desperation of someone protecting not just a secret, but perhaps an entire existence that couldn't be revealed.
But Beyond couldn't be bothered to investigate further anyway.
He had only wanted to alter Morrow and Kurapika's memories as a precaution.
Even if he failed, it wouldn't affect the overall situation.
The mess Tserriednich left behind, however, would require some effort to clean up.
But with his entire team backing him up, any mistakes could be promptly remedied.
"Let's go back. We need to accelerate the plan."
Beyond took one last look in the direction Chimera had departed.
In his view, Morrow was no different from a 'dead man,' and as for the other person... They weren't worth wasting any more energy on. Speeding up the plan's execution was the top priority; this concerned his long-awaited challenge to the Dark Continent after fifty years!
"Mm."
Marione responded.
However, she didn't have a deep understanding of Beyond's 'plan.' Within the entire team, only No. 2 Pariston was deeply involved in the plan.
All she knew was that once the plan succeeded, it would usher in an era where their team, and even all of humanity, could challenge the Dark Continent.
—--
Swardani City, Hunter Association Headquarters.
Vice President's Office.
"If you discover anything during your work or have matters you'd like me to follow up on, please be sure to contact me promptly. Additionally, if there are areas that need improvement, I will address them quickly as well."
Pariston held the landline receiver, a sunny smile spreading across his face as he spoke to the person on the other end:
"Ah, please don't say that. This is something the Association should naturally devote its full efforts to. So, may I ask if you have any other requests?"
"Mhm, understood. I'll definitely convey your intentions properly."
"Rest assured, the professional Hunter assigned to this commission will be activated within a day."
Pariston cheerfully closed this deal, then hung up and immediately dialed another number.
Through such back-and-forth exchanges, he secured a lucrative assignment for the Association's contract members, one with good pay, minimal effort, and low risk.
Ever since Pariston assumed the vice chairman position, this had been his method of winning over Association members, gradually accumulating connections and strengthening his influence.
This way, he could affect the decisions of the 'Review Committee'...
Such underhanded dealings were something Netero would never engage in, yet Pariston could accept this approach without batting an eye.
This was their fundamental difference.
Therefore, when Netero occupied the chairman's seat, he sometimes found himself constrained by the 'Review Committee' or various external factors.
But Pariston could navigate these waters like a fish in water.
After distributing the lucrative assignments to contract members via phone, Pariston clasped his hands beneath his chin. Though his face still wore a smile, his deep eyes showed no trace of amusement.
We need to accelerate the plan...
Pariston lowered his gaze, staring at the pen on his desk as he silently mused.
But I haven't had enough fun yet. I really don't want this to end so soon.
At the thought that his 'game' with Netero was approaching its conclusion, the smile gradually faded from Pariston's face.
Yet there was no helping it.
When it's time to play, play to the fullest; when it's time for serious business, be meticulous.
To advance the Dark Continent exploration plan, using that foreign creature to push Chairman Netero into a desperate situation was necessary.
We need to carefully select a suitable 'location'.
Pariston's thoughts turned to the next phase of the plan.
No matter how far this plan could be implemented, it would ultimately benefit Beyond's objectives.
If the Hunter Association was willing to shoulder the responsibility, Pariston had methods to interfere with the 'Review Committee's' decisions, thereby severely limiting the support Netero could obtain.
Then he would personally push Chairman Netero into a corner.
If the Hunter Association failed, leading to disaster spreading throughout the world, that was also an acceptable outcome for Beyond.
They could then exploit this incident to quickly familiarize the global population with information about the 'Dark Continent.'
This would likewise benefit the advancement of the Dark Continent exploration plan.
Moreover, they wouldn't need to handle the cleanup; 'V5' would be left to deal with the headaches.
This was the either-or game Pariston excelled at.
Now, for Pariston and Beyond's team, the only thing missing to rapidly advance their plan was a suitable location to build their stage.
Additionally, over recent years, operating under the name of the Kakin Empire's Biological Survey Bureau, they had continuously issued long-term commissions to many Beast Hunters...
And once good commission relationships were established, it became easier to facilitate subsequent assignments.
They needed a stage, and they needed characters to raise the curtain.
Not too early, not too late. The characters' screen time must also be just right.
Finding the right balance in this regard is likely the most challenging part of the plan.
Pariston pondered this, and as time passed, his usual sunny smile reappeared on his face.
—--
Dentora Region, Kukuroo Mountain.
Kalluto walked alone on the deserted mountain path. When he reached the fork leading to Chiselwood Town, his footsteps unconsciously halted.
Looking in the direction of Chiselwood Town, Kalluto's geta shifted forward half a step before slowly withdrawing.
There was no longer any need to buy chocolate beans.
Because his brother Killua had left home a long time ago.
He wanted to eat sugar pancakes.
But if Mother found out, he would be punished.
Kalluto silently thought this, then withdrew his gaze and headed toward Kukuroo Mountain without looking back.
Many things had happened in the Zoldyck family during this period.
Yet the things that shouldn't change remained completely unchanged.
Killua had achieved the freedom he desired, gaining autonomy and no longer wishing to pursue the assassin profession.
But Kalluto couldn't do the same.
Thus, many things naturally shifted onto Kalluto's shoulders, including family responsibilities and various assassination commissions, including Kikyo's nearly pathological need for control.
Anything she couldn't obtain from Killua, she would demand from Kalluto.
For her, as long as she could keep Kalluto firmly by her side, she could gain a sense of security that calmed her.
Kalluto was no longer that submissive child who accepted everything without complaint.
But the 'outcome' remained completely unchanged.
If there was one difference; before, his obedient compliance, no matter how hard or exhausting, without daring to voice any complaint, was because he wanted to gain his family's approval.
Now, his diligent fulfillment of duties and continued submission to Mother's controlling nature stemmed from knowing his family needed him.
Kalluto followed the mountain path to the Testing Gate.
Zebro habitually greeted Kalluto.
Kalluto politely nodded in response, then pushed open the Testing Gate.
With a rumbling sound, the heavy stone door slowly closed, completely obscuring Kalluto's figure.
Zebro watched the tightly shut Testing Gate before him, raised his hand to scratch his increasingly thinning hair, and let out an almost inaudible sigh.
Morrow's figure flashed through his mind.
How long had it been since he last saw Morrow here?
Zebro shook his head slightly.
As the gatekeeper of the Zoldyck family, he had countless times watched the masters leave and welcomed their returns.
And the changes in Kalluto were something Zebro perceived most clearly.
In the past, Kalluto wouldn't have even glanced at servants like them, let alone returned greetings.
All of this was influence brought by Morrow.
But now...
Zebro silently withdrew his gaze.
Kukuroo Mountain Forest.
Kalluto walked along the familiar path and soon returned home.
Pushing open the heavy main door, the familiar atmosphere greeted him.
Father Silva mostly maintained his usual calm expression, showing neither joy nor anger.
Mother Kikyo came forward as always, her electronic eye flashing with excitement as she chattered praise for his perfect execution of the mission.
And Kalluto responded like a programmed robot, precisely performing every expected reaction.
Listening, nodding, responding. For Kalluto, perhaps only when lying in bed, or watching Keroppi cartoons with his great-great-grandfather Maha, could he faintly sense a trace of freedom that belonged to him.
It was exhausting, both physically and mentally.
Yet he had no choice but to continue.
Because the void left by his brother Killua had to be filled by someone.
—--
Evening.
After finishing dinner, Kalluto was called by Maha to watch Keroppi cartoons.
The two sat on the sofa, remaining silent from start to finish.
The room was filled only with the constant sound from the television and the flickering light dancing across the dim walls.
It wasn't until the cheerful ending theme began playing that Maha slowly turned his head, carefully examining Kalluto's profile with eyes somewhat resembling Keroppi's.
Noticing his great-great-grandfather's action, Kalluto met his gaze with slight confusion.
Maha said leisurely, "Do you remember when I mentioned before... that your friend Morrow reminds me of someone?"
"Yes."
Kalluto nodded.
Maha continued, "That person was named Netero."
"The Chairman of the Hunter Association?"
Having participated in the Hunter Exam with Killua before, Kalluto naturally knew Netero's name, though he considered the possibility of it being a different person with the same name.
Maha chuckled, "It's him."
After a moment of silence, Kalluto hesitated, "But Morrow and Netero aren't similar at all. That old man... seems completely unreliable."
"Heh."
Maha didn't correct Kalluto's assessment, merely narrowing his eyes into thin slits that concealed a nostalgic glow as he slowly explained, "They've done the same thing... So when I saw you with Morrow before, it reminded me of Netero back then... and your great-grandfather Zigg."
"Huh?"
Confusion and curiosity surfaced in Kalluto's deep purple eyes.
Maha smiled, "Would you like to hear this story?"
"Yes!"
Kalluto instinctively straightened his posture.
Maintaining his leisurely tone, Maha began, "This matter starts from when your great-grandfather first ran away from home..."
Soon, only Maha's voice echoed through the room.
—--
Much later.
Kalluto emerged from Maha's room, head slightly lowered.
So his great-grandfather, whose whereabouts remained unknown to this day... Had insisted on leaving the family despite their great-grandfather's objections, all for the chance to travel with Netero.
With complex emotions, Kalluto returned to his room and retrieved a living paper doll from beneath his pillow.
This was Morrow's living paper doll.
He had kept it with him ever since it was created during the Hunter Association test.
As he took out the living paper doll, the unusual texture transmitted through his fingertips made Kalluto's heart tighten. He quickly looked down.
The originally smooth paper surface was now covered with fierce wrinkles, particularly the parts representing the left hand and legs, which had curled into tangled messes.
This phenomenon indicated that the target the living paper doll corresponded to might have suffered near-fatal injuries with excessive loss of life force, hence the severe wrinkling reaction.
What happened to Morrow...!
Panic surged through Kalluto as he hurriedly took out his phone and dialed Morrow's number.
The result showed the phone was turned off.
He immediately tried calling Kurapika's number, receiving the same notification.
Kalluto grew increasingly frantic, completely losing his usual composure.
Just then, Kalluto noticed that the wrinkles on the living paper doll were slowly smoothing out.
Especially the tightly crumpled wrinkles on the left arm had begun to gradually unfold, giving the illusion that the arm was regrowing.
This change served as a reassurance, slightly calming Kalluto's heart.
However...
No, I must find Morrow!
Kalluto carefully placed the living paper doll into the pouch, then hurriedly pushed the door open and headed toward the mansion's main gate.
The flickering candlelight in the corridor mirrored Kalluto's current state of mind.
"Kalluto, where are you going?"
In the final corridor leading to the main gate, Kikyo's slightly sharp voice emerged from the shadows.
Kalluto instinctively halted and looked at Kikyo blocking the path, unsure how to answer the question.
Seeing this, Kikyo's electronic eye began to fluctuate intensely, and her tone abruptly turned cold: "Don't make me ask a second time."
Kalluto suddenly raised his head, meeting Kikyo's gaze that had always felt as heavy as a mountain.
But at this moment, nothing mattered more than the worry in his heart.
"Mind your own business!"
Kalluto enunciated each word clearly.
Kikyo's red electronic eye abruptly widened to its limit, as if hearing something unbelievable.
"Kalluto, what... did you say?"
"I said,"
Kalluto firmly repeated: "Mind your own business!"
"...!"