Chapter 160: Buying an Island
One person challenging all the experts present?!
This was simply insane!
It had to be understood that because the Terrio Family's offer was simply too generous, aside from the Zoldyck Family, almost all the experts from the underworld across the six continents had gathered here.
And Mord actually dared to challenge them all alone?
In their eyes, this guy was probably suffering from madness. Those who knew him recognized him as a Two-Star Hunter, but those who didn't would think he was the former chairman Netero, the world's number one martial artist.
In this situation, the happiest people present were naturally from the Terrio Family.
The Grand Elder shouted loudly, "All previous promises stand! Additionally, our family will offer extra rewards to everyone who participates in killing this scoundrel!"
The eighteen guards exchanged glances. Since things had escalated to this point, there was nothing left to say.
To prevent Mord from escaping, they silently surrounded him, blocking all possible escape routes.
"You're far too arrogant, kid! Do you really think being a Two-Star Hunter makes you invincible?"
...
Everyone present thought Mord was insane—except for Milluki and Canary, who were filled with confidence in him.
They had witnessed Mord controlling lightning.
In their eyes, Mord was an omnipotent god.
Mord calmly watched them and slowly said, "I don't know if a Two-Star Hunter is invincible, but I am indeed invincible."
His voice wasn't loud, and his tone was even, yet it drowned out all the noise in the area.
In everyone's eyes, Mord drew his blade and swung it forward.
Clang!
He sheathed the blade.
After completing this action, Mord walked straight ahead.
The guards were left bewildered. "Tyrant" Chalmers roared in fury, "Are you looking down on us?"
Before his words faded, he suddenly felt an intense pain in his chest and saw bright red blood gushing out.
One stream, two streams, three streams, four streams...
In total, eighteen streams of blood spurted out. Every guard had been struck in the chest, each killed by a single slash.
Only then did the terrifying sound of the blade ring out.
As everyone stared at the eighteen bodies lying in pools of blood, the entire scene fell into a dead silence. It was as if they were ducks with their throats clamped shut, too shocked to make a sound.
The Grand Elder of the Terrio Family knelt directly, his entire body trembling as he spoke, "...E-everything was Terrio III's decision. He was the one who issued the bounty on you. W-we were just following orders."
Mord glanced over; the old man's face was drenched in sweat.
"Don't be so afraid. I said I'm just here to collect a debt, not to kill anyone. Why so nervous?" Mord chuckled and patted the Grand Elder's shoulder.
"You should be quite familiar with the Terrio Family's affairs, right?"
"I handle the family's daily affairs, sir. What would you like to know?" The Grand Elder nodded repeatedly, terrified that a delay in his response might cost him his life.
"Perfect. Take me to your family's treasury," Mord said casually.
He took two steps forward but noticed the Grand Elder hadn't followed. Turning back, he saw the old man struggling to stand, his aged legs still trembling uncontrollably.
In front of the Terrio Family treasury.
Mord finally met Terrio III, the one who had issued the bounty on him—the very reason Mord had been forced to flee to Jappon back then.
Ironically, this twist of fate had allowed Mord's mastery of the blade to advance by leaps and bounds.
"You old scoundrel! How dare you bring an outsider to the family's sacred ground!" Terrio III glared furiously at the Grand Elder behind Mord.
Scolded directly by his family head, the Grand Elder instinctively shrank back but quickly regained his composure, cautiously eyeing Mord standing in front of him.
Emboldened by this, he took a step forward and retorted loudly, "Terrio III, you are the one who has brought shame upon our family! You are unworthy of being the family head. If not for your foolish decisions, how could our family have fallen to such a state?"
"Lord Mord has said he is here to collect a debt, not to kill. If you don't want the Terrio Family to be wiped out, step aside now!"
Ignoring the elder, Terrio III turned to Mord and asked, "Are you Mord?"
"That's me," Mord replied calmly.
Even in such a life-or-death situation, he maintained such composure. Terrio III truly lived up to being one of the ten individuals who once stood at the pinnacle of the underground world.
"The wealth behind me nominally belongs to the Terrio Family, but in reality, we are merely safeguarding it on behalf of Prince Nowell."
When he mentioned Prince Nowell's name, Terrio III straightened his posture slightly.
A flicker of fear passed through the elder's eyes.
The Seventh Prince of the Begerossé Union, and the most favored candidate to succeed the throne.
"I can give it to you, but do you dare take it?" Terrio III sneered with a twisted grin.
Backed by the V5, no wonder he dared to act so fearlessly.
Mord laughed.
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
He slapped the treasury door.
The door, which could withstand rocket attacks unscathed, was sent flying with a single slap?!
Mord turned to look at the horrified Terrio III and said, "Also, I despise being threatened the most."
Blood splattered crimson.
...
The legends of the underground world, the centuries of accumulated wealth of the Terrio Family, were emptied by Mord in a single night.
And the entire family fell to a second-rate power overnight.
Naturally, those who had grudges or conflicts with them seized the opportunity to kick them while they were down, settling old scores and seeking revenge.
In the brutal world of the dark underworld, if the Terrio Family could merely preserve their surname, it would already be a stroke of luck amid misfortune.
Of course, none of this had anything to do with Mord anymore.
Just as Mord had said from the beginning, he was only there to collect a debt, nothing more.
Now that he had the money, the rest was no longer his concern.
With this fortune, Mord followed Ging's example and bought an island overseas, where he began constructing a research institute and other necessary facilities.
He entrusted all these matters entirely to Canary. Worried that the young girl might be overwhelmed, Mord went directly to the Zoldyck family and borrowed a few butlers to assist.
After all, the Zoldyck family didn't have so many affairs to manage.
Mord was simply making the best use of resources.
"Fatso, I've fulfilled my promise to give you the money," Mord said, looking at Milluki. "Next, it's time for the next step."
"I'll get you the people you need."