Watching the figure on the TV screen, Machi couldn't shake off an uncomfortable feeling.
The expressions and thoughts of everyone present didn't escape Ronnel's eyes.
As for Kortopi and Shalnark, their faces were obscured by hair and bandages, making it impossible to discern their true expressions.
On screen—
"Is this the only way?" Chrollo remained silent for a long time before finally asking.
"Do I have any other options?"
"Hahahaha~!" Hisoka suddenly burst into a spine-chilling laugh, his amusement clear.
It was obviously a laugh of schadenfreude.
Chrollo ignored him, keeping his focus on the person in front of him—his adversary.
In this dangerous world, regaining his full strength as soon as possible was the top priority.
So, to be honest, if this was the only way to restore his abilities and protect himself, then so be it. However, if there were a better alternative, he would naturally prefer that.
People from the streets of Meteor City had few moral constraints. They understood what they needed and were willing to pay the necessary price.
Of course, if there was no price to pay, even better.
"Actually, there is a second way to remove Nen."
The Nen exorcist thought for a moment before tucking the puppet back into his pocket.
Chrollo gestured for him to continue.
"This alternative method is a branch ability derived from my primary Nen technique," the exorcist explained while rummaging through his pockets. "Typically, when I remove Nen, I target obvious areas of the body and prefer a direct approach—quick and clean, avoiding unnecessary complications."
"But there's another method, one that is less... repulsive. A gradual, long-term cleansing that works on the body over time."
As he spoke, he retrieved a small, white, spherical object resembling a pill from his pocket.
"This is a Nen beast I created, inspired by the folklore of my homeland. I call it the Eclipse Butterfly."
"Eclipse Butterfly?"
Chrollo narrowed his eyes, examining the seemingly unremarkable object.
"We believe that Pulua—the puppet I showed you earlier—though hideous, is akin to a forest spirit. In contrast, the Eclipse Butterfly is like a spirit of the grasslands."
"Pulua can remove Nen instantly, but the process is crude. The Eclipse Butterfly, on the other hand, takes time. The stronger the Nen, the longer it takes to be erased."
"Additionally, once the Eclipse Butterfly completes its task, it disintegrates, unlike Pulua, which lingers and remains attached to its target. However, there is a trade-off."
"What kind of trade-off?" Chrollo asked, cutting straight to the point.
"The Eclipse Butterfly requires life energy to sustain itself during the process of Nen removal."
"Life energy?" Chrollo's gaze sharpened.
"Blood."
The exorcist's voice remained calm.
"While it removes Nen from your body, it will periodically extract a small amount of blood. The process is painful."
"And you'll feel a sharp sting every time it absorbs blood."
"Trading time and pain for a clean removal without lingering effects?" Chrollo covered his mouth with one hand, contemplating the choice before him.
Then, he looked up at the exorcist.
"How long will it take? And will the person who placed the Nen on me notice the removal process?"
The fact that he was asking these questions meant he was seriously considering this option.
"At least six months," the exorcist replied. "And no, the original Nen user won't be able to detect it. However, during this period, the placed Nen remains active. If it triggers suddenly or you violate any imposed restrictions, then all efforts will be wasted."
"..."
Chrollo fell into deep thought. The pain didn't concern him—it wasn't even a factor in his decision.
What mattered was whether the Nen placed on him would activate unexpectedly.
"I personally recommend you go with the first method~" Hisoka chimed in, casually shuffling his deck of cards, his grin widening.
"That way, we can fight sooner. Half a year is such a long wait."
"But if I choose the first method, I'll have that puppet following me around. Are you sure we can still fight under those circumstances?"
Chrollo didn't even glance at him as he spoke.
"..."
The bizarre image forming in Hisoka's mind made him frown slightly. He clicked his tongue but refrained from responding.
"One last question."
Chrollo turned back to the exorcist, a faint smirk on his lips.
"How do I use the Eclipse Butterfly?"
His choice was clear.
"Place it directly where the Nen was planted. For example, if it was placed on your heart, then position the Eclipse Butterfly over your chest."
"Since it's a manifested Nen beast, it will merge into your body. During this process, I will activate my ability to make it hatch."
"However, since it needs to break out of its cocoon and become a butterfly, it will immediately start absorbing blood to sustain itself."
"So, using it will be painful," Chrollo noted, a smile creeping onto his face. He took the small, white cocoon from the exorcist without hesitation.
Then, he pressed it against his chest.
Before their eyes, a faint white glow radiated from the cocoon, sinking into his skin like ripples spreading across a lake.
At the same time, the exorcist began chanting in the language of his homeland. Waves of Nen energy pulsed from both him and Chrollo.
Chrollo, more precisely—from his heart.
As the waves of Nen rippled outward, his brows briefly furrowed. Then, just as quickly, his expression returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
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