"Hisoka's strength is not weak. I remember when I first met you, I thought you had talent—but I didn't expect your potential to be this high. If you had possessed this level of strength back then, you would've gained a great deal."
"Oh, that reminds me—at this year's Yorknew auction, there's going to be a pair of Scarlet Eyes from the Kurta Clan."
Ron feigned ignorance, raising his eyebrows in mild surprise. "Scarlet Eyes?"
"Speaking of the Scarlet Eyes, I find it strange," Ron continued. "For Kakin and the Mingbo Republic—two major nations—to have joined forces to exterminate the Kurta Clan, just for those eyes… the value doesn't seem to justify it. I've seen the listed prices online. They're only worth a few hundred million Jenny."
"Do you know the real reason they targeted the Kurta Clan, Machi?"
Machi shook her head. "I don't."
But in truth, she did. The Nen spirit once possessed by the Kurta Clan had never been recovered. Neither Kakin, nor Mingbo, nor Meteor City had obtained it. In the end, Sumas had ended up in Ron's hands. But this was something only Ron knew. Asking Machi the question was a test—to gauge what kind of speculation people from Meteor City or the Phantom Troupe might have.
"Maybe it was just the twisted obsession of some aristocrats. There are people out there with a fondness for collecting human organs—perhaps whoever was behind it was that kind of person," Machi said. "And now that they've had it for a while, maybe they've grown bored. Who knows what goes through the minds of the rich and powerful?"
Ron nodded. "That's certainly a possibility."
"By the way, I remember back then you were attacked by an elder from the Kurta Clan. Did you escape using the same ability you used in your fight against Hisoka?" Machi smoothly shifted the topic.
"Yes," Ron replied. "It's a minor ability, but its practicality is decent."
In truth, he hadn't used the position-swapping ability back then—but since it involved the Nen spirit, there was no way he would reveal the truth.
"Spatial-type abilities are difficult to develop," Machi said, then paused. "We've met twice now—so what is it you actually do? Maybe there's potential for cooperation."
"As for me, I assume you already know—I'm a member of the Phantom Troupe, from Meteor City."
She made no attempt to hide it. She knew Ron likely already knew, especially since he had been involved during the Kurta Clan incident and had encountered several Troupe members there. Moreover, from what she could tell, Ron and Hisoka had crossed paths more than once.
"Hisoka is also one of us in the Phantom Troupe."
Ron shrugged. "To be precise, I wouldn't say I have a fixed role. I hold a Hunter License, and I'm a Floor Master at Heaven's Arena. I take on jobs when they come my way."
"I know about the Phantom Troupe. A very powerful group. If you need something, you can commission me. I'll evaluate the nature of the task and the payment, then decide whether to accept it."
"But not right now. I've already taken on other work."
"Oh, and the thing I'm best at is killing. So if it's that kind of job, come find me."
Machi's eyes flickered slightly. "Got it. Then let's exchange contact info."
"Sure."
They exchanged numbers, along with email addresses. In this world, phones couldn't always guarantee connection—especially for people like Ron or the Phantom Troupe, who often found themselves in extreme environments.
After putting her phone away, Machi looked at Ron with a moment's hesitation. "Ron, I'm curious—you don't seem hostile toward Meteor City or the Phantom Troupe. Why?"
"You should know what kind of place Meteor City is. And the Phantom Troupe—our name is infamous worldwide."
Ron paused for a moment. "I know a bit about Meteor City, and I also know a bit about the Phantom Troupe. An ordinary person might be unfamiliar with Meteor City or fear the Troupe."
"But I'm just someone who accepts commissions and completes them. I don't care who the client is."
"A bad reputation doesn't mean there's nothing redeemable. And prestige doesn't mean there's no filth underneath."
"As long as the pay's good, I'll keep in touch. What others think of you doesn't matter to me."
Ron recalled what had happened in the United Republic of Saherta. He thought of Tuck, and felt a pang of regret.
Tuck had been a righteous man, willing to lay down his life for Saherta. He had devoted everything to the cause of justice for the nation. But what he received in return was tragic. He died—and after his death, not a single person sought justice for him.
The leader of the revolutionary army surrendered to Saherta's royal family. That royal family remained exactly as corrupt and depraved as before. Nothing changed. Darkness, debauchery, rot… still hung over the United Republic of Saherta like a disease.
Of course, that didn't mean the Phantom Troupe were heroes. From Sheila's words, Ron had learned how the Troupe had come to be. He acknowledged that Meteor City was pitiful and that the members of the Troupe were unfortunate. Sarasa, who was brutally murdered and dismembered, was even more pitiful.
But hadn't the Troupe done the same to others? Slaughtering the weak with the same knives once raised against them?
Sheila had orchestrated the destruction of the entire Kurta Clan—but none of this had anything to do with Ron. Whether Meteor City was good or evil, whether the Phantom Troupe were heroes or villains—so long as there was no direct conflict, it had nothing to do with him.
Machi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Sounds like you've seen a lot."
"Not really. Just a few things."
"Can I ask—what's your perspective on Meteor City and the Phantom Troupe?"
Ron was silent for a while. "All I know about Meteor City is that it's the world's garbage dump, where trash from everywhere ends up. The people at the bottom live by picking through refuse. For some of them, being alive isn't much different from being dead."
"But there are also people there who still have hope."
"I don't have any particular opinion of Meteor City. Outside of it, there are many people living in poverty too, struggling just the same."
"It's just that there are more of them in Meteor City."
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