Chapter 8: The Zoldyck Estate: Butler Brawls
[ ** SYSTEM MESSAGE: USER ADAM RICHTER. NEW OBJECTIVE: ACCUMULATE 20 UNIQUE DEATHS FOR SYSTEM UPGRADE LVL 1. CURRENT PROGRESS: 8/20. ** ]
The journey to the Zoldyck Estate was a long one, but for Adam, it was filled with anticipation. Not just for rescuing Killua (though that was important, obviously), but for the sheer number of high-tier, skill-bearing targets walking around that mansion. Butlers. Assassins. Guard dogs. The Zoldycks were a walking, breathing, lethal skill-farm.
" Alright, Adam, this is it. The Zoldyck family estate. A veritable buffet of potential deaths. Each butler, each guard dog, each random-ass tree that tries to kill you – all potential skill donors. My goal: acquire a speed-related skill. Something to help me dodge all the 'accidental' assassinations I'm about to invite upon myself. And maybe, just maybe, teach Mike to fetch. One can dream. "
Upon arriving at the Testing Gate, Adam watched Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika try to open it. He knew it was futile until Gon's brute strength (and pure heart) eventually got through. But he saw an opportunity for some passive-aggressive mischief.
As the others strained against the immense doors, Adam strolled up, pulling a small, brightly colored ribbon from his pocket. He tied it around the handle of the smallest gate. "Alright, everyone! New plan! This gate is clearly designed to test your inner willpower. You need to… convince it to open. Perhaps with encouraging words? Or, in Leorio's case, with threats of legal action." He then produced a small, hand-drawn 'You Tried!' participation trophy made of cardboard and left it leaning against the gate. "For your valiant, if somewhat futile, efforts."
Leorio glared at him. "What is wrong with you, kid?!"
"Just embracing the spirit of competition!" Adam beamed. "And ensuring everyone gets the recognition they deserve, even if that recognition is for spectacular failure."
Once Gon finally managed to push the gate open, Adam marveled at the sheer strength. "Impressive, Gon! Truly! You're like a walking, talking, pure-hearted bulldozer! Though, I suspect it's less about your muscles and more about your ability to just… will things into submission."
Inside the estate, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken threats. Adam found himself particularly fascinated by Canary, the apprentice butler. She was fast, precise, and utterly dedicated. A prime target for a speed skill.
"Excuse me, Miss Canary!" Adam called out, approaching her with a polite smile, ignoring Kurapika's warning glance. "May I just say, your posture is impeccable. Truly. It screams 'I could snap your neck with a single, elegant motion.' It's inspiring, really. What's your secret? Is it ballet? Or perhaps intense training sessions involving dodging a really annoyed cat?"
Canary stopped, her eyes narrowing. "Do you have business here, child?"
"Oh, I do, I do!" Adam insisted. "My business is… to observe. And perhaps, if you're feeling particularly generous, to invite a small, non-lethal demonstration of your… talents. For educational purposes, of course. I'm writing a highly exclusive, top-secret guide on 'How to Be a Terrifyingly Efficient Butler with Style.'"
Canary, clearly annoyed, warned him to step away. But Adam wasn't deterred. He needed a death. A controlled one. He decided to try the "annoying to death" approach. He started humming a ridiculously upbeat, out-of-tune tune, dancing slightly. "Oh, Canary, Canary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells, and human bones all in a row!"
Canary's patience snapped. With a blur of motion, she delivered a swift, precise blow to his neck, knocking him unconscious instantly. It wasn't lethal, but it was effective.
" Drat! Not a death! Just a very professional incapacitation! She's too good! Too precise! I need someone less… restrained. "
Adam jolted awake in the inn room. He rubbed his neck. A phantom ache lingered. He was back at 8/20. Canary was off-limits for this kind of provoked death. He needed someone less… competent at non-lethal takedowns.
He eventually found his way back to the mansion, locating the group as they encountered Gotoh and the other butlers for the coin game. This was a tense moment, but Adam also saw an opportunity. Not with Gotoh directly, but with one of the junior butlers present.
He decided to go for the "annoying, reckless kid" approach. During the coin game, while everyone was focused, Adam suddenly pointed at a junior butler standing slightly off to the side, who seemed a bit less experienced.
"Hey, you!" Adam exclaimed loudly. "Yes, you, the one trying to look intimidating but mostly just looking constipated! I bet you can't even throw a coin properly! Your technique is abysmal! You're probably going to drop it and roll it right into Mike's mouth!"
The junior butler's face flushed. "Why you little…!" He lunged, not with a refined assassination technique, but with a clumsy, frustrated charge, attempting to tackle Adam.
" Perfect! Unrefined aggression! This is my bread and butter! Or, you know, my death-and-skill-acquisition. "
Adam allowed himself to be tackled. The junior butler, frustrated by Adam's bizarre lack of resistance, panicked slightly. In the ensuing struggle, he fumbled with a small, hidden dagger. Adam subtly guided his hand. The dagger, not designed for a lethal blow, still managed to pierce Adam's lung during the messy scuffle. It was messy, painful, and surprisingly unheroic. Adam gasped, felt a gurgle in his chest, and then… black.
[ ** SYSTEM MESSAGE: UNIQUE DEATH DETECTED. SKILL ACQUISITION INITIATED. ** ]
[ ** SYSTEM MESSAGE: ACQUIRED SKILL: [C-RANK SKILL] ENHANCED REFLEXES. ** ]
" YES! Enhanced Reflexes! Finally, a speed skill! Take that, stupid agile guy who gave me 'Enhanced Balance'! Now I can react faster! Dodge better! Maybe even catch a flying cookie without looking like a deranged squirrel! This is a real win! "
Adam woke up in his inn room, a wide, genuine smile on his face. He felt… quicker. His mind seemed to process sensory input at a higher speed. He was at 9/20 unique deaths. Not quite 20 yet, but getting there. And he had a truly useful skill.
He quickly made his way back to the Zoldyck estate. By the time he returned, Killua was free, and the group was preparing to leave. Adam joined them, walking with a newfound bounce in his step.
"Alright, Killua!" Adam announced, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good to see you! Did your family miss me? I tried to explain my 'unique' approach to visitor relations, but I don't think Canary fully grasped my comedic genius."
Killua just smirked. "You really are an idiot."
"A charming idiot, thank you very much," Adam corrected. "And a slightly more reflexive idiot, now. So, any dangerous places we can go next? I'm thinking… somewhere with lots of money. And maybe some less-than-competent thugs who are really good at losing poker games."
The conversation quickly turned to their next steps, leading naturally towards Heavens Arena. Adam's eyes lit up. Money. And Nen users. A glorious skill-farming opportunity. He was going to get rich, or die trying. Probably both.