[Beidou Hotel]
After cleaning up the house, Ron booked a single-bed room at a hotel.
Then, he used his En to inspect the surroundings, looking for any hidden wiretaps or security cameras.
Knowing the room was clear, he transported the food and took a bath to relax.
While he soaked in the bath, his mind wandered to the previous events.
"Some people have already shown themselves, but there are still missing figures... The chessboard is still incomplete."
***
Several months ago—
Elder Lisores had a discussion with the other members of the council.
Lisores sighed deeply as he read the new report of casualties for the month.
"The number of missing children has increased twofold compared to the previous month. Their activities occur frequently, knowing we couldn't take action against them."
Padre Damaso spoke shortly.
"This has been our headache for a long time. But we cannot just mobilize military personnel. The loss would far outweigh our gains."
Listening to him, the middle-aged elder Isolde sneered at his cowardice.
"Damaso, why is that? Aren't you just afraid of losing military power?"
Hearing this, Damaso's ears twitched.
"Watch your mouth, Isolde!
Things aren't as easy as they seem. This involves the city's resources.
Who do you think holds the majority of the shares in delivering supplies for us?"
Isolde crossed her arms and snorted.
"Is that your reason for inaction? It's not like we're afraid of nothing.
Remember, we built this city from trash. You're just making excuses to cover up your cowardice."
Facing such a remark—
Damaso smirked.
"Elder Isolde, expressing your eagerness. How kind of you...
Are you giving up your share of the resources in exchange for eating garbage food?"
Isolde zipped her mouth.
Seeing her words bite her own flesh, Damaso felt satisfied.
Still, he pressed further.
"It seems you are a coward as well."
Isolde's eyes narrowed.
"You..."
Renko cut in.
"That's enough.
It's important to deal with hidden dangers first, not to quarrel among ourselves.
If this continues, the number of casualties will keep increasing."
Getting interrupted midway, Damaso felt irritated.
"It's easy to ignore the problem if the environment isn't affected."
Renko asked, eyeing him with suspicion.
"What do you mean?"
"Elder Renko... You have the best environment among us.
It's the safest and most comfortable. I don't think you're affected."
"Ho? Are you saying the Misty Forest should be excluded?
That's contradictory to the motto of the city, Damaso."
"Please don't get the wrong idea, Elder Renko. I'm simply stating facts. Everyone here has suffered casualties, but you're hardly affected."
"It's not my fault that our place is more secure. Don't make excuses for your incompetence, Damaso."
Despite her remark, Damaso remained calm and calculative as ever.
"What a shame... Compared to us, you have so few soldiers. It would be a waste if he happened to die while in the line of duty."
Renko's eyelids narrowed slightly.
"Don't get any ideas."
Seeing his provocation work, Damaso smiled meaningfully.
"I'm not having any thoughts. But Elder Renko, among us, you hold the most military power. So I think you should handle this matter."
It was a trap...
A clear trap.
Regardless of the action, it was a losing game.
The reason it had been delayed was because no one was willing to shoulder the loss.
If the sword was aimed wrongly, the trade of goods would be damaged, and her standing as an elder would be at risk.
If the sword was aimed at the right target, they would still suffer, since the majority of supplies came from the Mafia.
Backing down wasn't an option either.
She held the top position.
If that was taken as incompetence, her position in the next vote would also be at risk.
Renko glanced at Damaso.
Seeing his greasy look, she felt disgusted inside.
As a woman, she had long noticed the way others looked at her, barely able to hold herself against them.
However, this greasy man was pushing it further, trying to corner her.
Once she lost her standing, it would be easy to covet her body.
How disgusting...
Renko could only grit her teeth.
Sending Ron was not an option either.
As someone with incredible potential, his life shouldn't be risked on such a dangerous mission.
What to do?
Just when the situation became worse, someone suddenly spoke.
"There's no need to discuss it further."
Everyone turned around to see who the rude speaker was.
"Ron!"
Renko felt her scalp go numb.
What was he doing here?
She had deliberately sent him on a mission knowing there was a meeting incoming.
Now he was suddenly back.
Seeing the familiar figure, Damaso sneered.
"What are you doing here, kid? This isn't a place where you can barge in."
Ron only looked at him with a murderous gaze.
Subconsciously, Damaso stepped back in fear.
Ron withdrew it and casually sat down on Renko's lap, wrapping an arm around her waist and neck.
"My darling is here. Why can't I participate?"
Damaso bit his teeth in frustration.
How dare you touch what's mine.
Feeling his resentful look, Ron pushed further.
He moved his hand and caressed her chest—not exactly touching, just a little close underneath.
Still, it was enough to irritate Damaso.
His face turned red, smoking with anger.
When he was about to lose it, Ron let go of Renko and calmly stood up.
Looking around, he observed their reactions.
Lisores, as usual, was calm and composed.
The arrogant Isolde was, as usual, grinning at him.
While Sol La Luna, the Sun and Moon ability holder, remained neutral like the others, hardly affected.
Only Damaso suffered a heavy blow.
His mentality almost collapsed.
They were not blind and could see through things.
That's why it was interesting to see someone deal with this fool.
In order to avert the topic, Lisores took the initiative to lead.
"What do you mean by there's no need for discussion, Ron?"
Ron shrugged.
"I mean, I'm up for the task."
"Absolutely not!"
Before he could explain his reason, Renko protested.
"Why is that?" he asked, frowning.
"That's..."
Renko couldn't really say.
Saying she was worried would backfire.
This damn kid...
She could only glare at Ron, which he clearly enjoyed.
"Are you worried about me, darling? I can't believe you love me that much."
The corners of their mouths twitched involuntarily.
"It's settled then..."
Before others could speak up, Damaso followed suit.
He looked calm, but there was strong hostility in his eyes.
Ron didn't mind him.
"You don't have any objections, right, elders?"
"No..."
None of them refused.
Dealing with the Mafia would cost a lot. They couldn't spare any resources for it and could only endure while they bled.
If someone was willing to step up and solve the problem, they were willing to accept.
Damaso also took this as an opportunity.
"Going on a dangerous mission by yourself is as good as failure... How about I send some backup?"
Reinforcements—more like spies and disposable pawns to sabotage the mission.
Still, knowing the risk, Ron agreed.
"Sure, but the mission is dangerous. Incompetent people might not make it back alive."
Damaso forced a smile.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure to send someone capable so the mission wouldn't fail."
Yeah. Talk about an assassination mission.
Seeing things finally make progress, Sol asked Ron.
"And how do you plan to proceed?"
It was a question, but they were trying to capture a big fish.
Ron wasn't interested in their game, so he bluntly replied.
"I'll think about that on the way."
Damaso complained.
"You're charging in without a plan!? That's pure recklessness."
Ron smirked.
Charging without a plan? Not really. I'm just being careful of hidden threats.
After all, if I reveal my plans, the mission is as good as failure.
"Take it or leave it."
"Unacceptable! How about I take the lead on the mission? It's hard for someone who doesn't plan anything to guarantee success."
Ron looked at him hollowly.
"Don't push your luck, fatsu. The mission is my responsibility. If you're not satisfied, take your subordinates back. They wouldn't even be able to help anyway."
Damn kid...
"You'll regret this, kid!"
"Damaso, I'm the one in charge!"
Damaso left the room with heavy footsteps, which finally relaxed the tense atmosphere.
Sol La Luna glanced at Ron and spoke with a serious tone.
"Ron, this mission is critical. It could affect the standing of Meteor City. Failure isn't tolerated."
"But if I succeed?"
"If you succeed, then you will be generously rewarded."
Ron smiled knowingly.
"Then I'll accept. As for my reward, how about this..."
He walked closer and whispered something into her ear.
Hearing this, her neutral expression turned ugly.
She immediately swung her arm.
Ron, who was expecting the attack, dodged her backhand with ease.
"Why so serious? I'm only kidding..."
The elders exchanged glances.
They didn't hear what he said, but it was probably not something good considering he managed to annoy the composed Sol.
She didn't say anything else.
Ron took Renko's hand and left the meeting place.
Once they reached a distance—
Ron let go, and Renko kicked his stomach.
He curled like an overcooked shrimp, growling in pain.
Seeing his pained expression, Renko remained nonchalant.
"Quit pretending. An attack on that level wouldn't hurt you."
Ron stood up and dusted himself off.
"Sorry about that (being touchy). You looked troubled, so I had to step up."
Renko gave him a sidelong glance.
The only reason she let his hand wander on her body was because he didn't have any trace of lust.
Although he sometimes behaved like a pervert, it was more playful disguise than actual feelings.
"Anyway, are you sure about this?"
Feeling her genuine concern, Ron felt a little better.
"Well, there's not much we can do. Even if they know there's a traitor, he holds a high position.
Eliminating him could potentially collapse the council. Besides, we are up against an organization that gives 90% of our resources."
Renko sighed helplessly.
"Fine... If you're so confident, I won't force you. But be careful. Damaso's subordinates aren't ordinary."
"Well, that's not a problem."
"Anyway, aren't you a healer? Even if you're proficient in hand-to-hand combat, being a support-type Nen specialist is a huge disadvantage..."
Ron eyed her knowingly.
No one absolutely knew what kind of abilities he had—not even Machi.
She only knew he could wield two complex Nen abilities.
As for the mystery of the memory space?
Machi didn't pry.
Hide and Seek was a high-level ability that was difficult to replicate.
Even in the Hunter Association, the best emitters supported this statement.
After all, it was a mixture of Conjuration and Emission with complex yet simple rules.
Knov really thought things through when he created this.
Adding the fact that Ron could use strong healing—even higher than enhancers—was more surprising.
"Well, you probably don't know yet. But I have two abilities... I don't know how I obtained that healing. Probably something she gave. But this is my true ability."
Hearing this, Renko's eyelids trembled—not because of Ron's revelation about two abilities, but because of the person he mentioned.
But she set it aside and watched his demonstration.
Ron crouched on the ground.
His fingers ignited and drew a perfect circle with white scribbles.
He touched the center lightly, and it filled with black.
"This is 'my' true ability. I call it Hide and Seek. Come inside, I'll show you around."
Together, the two of them slowly sank into his Nen space.
Ron gave her a brief tour.
The plan was supposed to be a short viewing, but after seeing what was inside...
Renko insisted on staying and have a sparring match with him.
It lasted for several hours.