"What exactly happened just now? Did your Nen Beast lose control?"
It was several minutes after the massive Red Dragon completely vanished before Illumi cautiously approached from a distance, asking in a slightly curious tone.
"No, she consumed enough cocoons to break through her critical point and evolve into the second stage," Allen replied softly.
From the faint smile on his face, it was clear he was in an excellent mood and didn't mind the subtle probing about his ability.
"A growth-type Nen Beast?" A trace of emotion finally appeared on Illumi's usually detached face.
As the eldest son of the Zoldyck family, one of the few lineages in this world with a Nen ability tradition, he understood better than anyone what a growth-type Nen Beast signified.
Especially a unique Nen Beast like the Red Dragon, which could continuously strengthen itself by consuming other Nen users, undergoing a qualitative transformation from a quantitative accumulation. It had the potential to evolve indefinitely until it became a terrifying, unbeatable monster.
Of course, beyond the Nen Beast itself, Allen's own ability had reached a terrifying level.
If nothing else, the astonishing lethality of the arrows, imbued with multiple Nen abilities, that he had just fired, few people in the world could take head-on, and even fewer could guarantee they would walk away unscathed.
"Yes, you could say that. Although, this was actually just an accident and not something I had anticipated," Allen shrugged innocently.
In fact, the Red Dragon's transformation and growth process had given him a completely new idea: using similar vital "catalysts" dropped from dungeons to create more Nen Beasts.
After all, he currently had an egg in his inventory that could summon a Faerie Dragon pet.
Although these diminutive magical creatures lacked the exaggerated size, sharp claws, teeth, strong tail, and wings of the five Dragon Aspects, they could traverse between reality and the dream world, possessing the ability to damage nearby casters while being immune to all magic attacks.
With just minor modifications, this could immediately lead to a powerful and deadly rule-based Nen ability.
However, given that he already had the voraciously hungry Red Dragon to feed, Allen was not planning to create a second Nen Beast too soon.
"If that's the case, your threat level will likely need to be adjusted upwards again. It looks like when I return, I'll have to inform my grandfather and father that it's best never to accept any business related to you," Illumi said seriously.
"Is that so? That's actually a big help. Also, I've always been curious: when the Zoldyck family accepts a contract, do you follow some sort of unspoken, hidden rule?" Allen finally asked the question that had always puzzled him.
After all, reviewing the entire Hunter x Hunter work, it's easy to see that those assassinated by the Zoldyck family are either wanted criminals, mobsters, or Hunters and Nen users. Although ordinary people are occasionally inadvertently involved, they have never touched wealthy businessmen or government officials engaged in legitimate business.
Illumi nodded without hesitation: "You guessed correctly. Our clients and assassination targets are strictly limited to the dark underworld and the world of Nen users. After all, being an assassin is just a job, and we must adhere to the basic order of human society. Otherwise, the Zoldyck family could never have existed and continued to this day."
"I see. Thank you for the explanation and for your help just now. Take this as a gift."
With that, Allen pulled out a vial of Major Healing Potion and tossed it over.
Since acquiring the Aura Burst ability, he ran the Dire Maul: North "Tribute" run almost daily, with the entire process taking only a few minutes, it was incredibly fast.
Consequently, items like Major Healing Potion, Major Mana Potion, Morning Dew Wine, and Roasted Quail were practically overflowing in his inventory, making it easy to give them away without regret.
Illumi swiftly snatched the red vial, grasping it tightly in his hand. Sensing the surging life force emanating from the red liquid, he said meaningfully, "I should be the one saying thank you. After all, what's in this small vial isn't something money can buy. In return, I can help you kill one person for free. Call me anytime if you have need, and goodbye."
The moment the words left his mouth, he leaped away and vanished into the depths of the dark forest.
Watching the 'Brother Complex' assassin leave, Allen immediately asked without turning his head, "How much longer are you planning to hide there?"
"Hide? No, no, no. I wasn't hiding myself; I just didn't want to interrupt the two of you. Besides, didn't you ask me to wait here because you had something very important to discuss with me privately?" Hisoka slowly walked out from behind a tree, his eyes gleaming with sharp light.
It was obvious, without asking, that the short and intense battle—or rather, the slaughter, had ignited a powerful, bloodthirsty desire within him.
"What do you think of the Phantom Troupe? Or rather, would you be interested in teaming up with me to destroy that band of thieves?"
Allen skipped the mutual probing and directly stated his intention to hunt the Spiders.
"Oh? Destroy the Troupe! Are you serious?" Hisoka raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Absolutely. I know you've always wanted a one-on-one duel with Chrollo Lucilfer, and I happen to need the abilities of a few Troupe members. We'll each get what we want," Allen proposed his terms calmly.
"Heh heh~ That sounds very interesting. Can you tell me your plan?"
At the mere mention of Chrollo's name, Hisoka's excitement level immediately elevated by more than a notch, and his entire body radiated a raw, unconcealed thirst for battle.
Allen keenly noticed this and immediately explained: "It's simple. According to the intelligence I've gathered, the Troupe will gather in Yorknew City at the end of August to steal all the items from the Mafia's underground auction this year. That robbery is the perfect window for us to strike. I will need your cooperation then, specifically to infiltrate the Troupe's ranks, communicate with certain members, and complete some of the preconditions for my ability theft."
"Infiltrate the Troupe?" Hisoka didn't seem to fully understand what he meant.
"Like this..."
Allen, without hesitation, directly used the Orb of Deception that he had recently equipped.
In the next second, his entire body underwent a dramatic transformation, physically growing from his height of one-meter-seventy to nearly one-meter-ninety. At the same time, his appearance and clothing became completely identical to Hisoka's.
Undeniably, this trinket, which functions like a toy, was originally intended to allow in-game players to temporarily take on the appearance of the opposing faction, with each Alliance race having a corresponding Horde race.
Normally, a Night Elf should have transformed directly into an Undead.
However, the interesting thing was that it had now become a special item capable of freely changing one's appearance, so long as the target was inwardly defined as an enemy.
"Fascinating! Truly fascinating! Is this also one of your many abilities?"
Hisoka stared wide-eyed at Allen, who looked exactly like him, standing before him.
"Sort of. However, this ability only lasts for five minutes, and it requires a thirty-minute cooldown after each use, so it has significant limitations. That's why I need cooperation from a real Troupe member. What is your answer?" Allen looked up, staring into the other man's eyes.
"Hahahaha! Is that even a question? Of course it's YES! Let us join forces and exterminate the entire Phantom Troupe!"
Hisoka threw open his arms and laughed maniacally, his terrifying killing intent startling all the birds and small animals in the surrounding forest into scattered flight.
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You can read the ahead chapter on Patr if you're interested: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]