This unimaginable power transformed into a torrent of pitch-black aura, punching a hole through the churning cloud layer.
Although the members of the Zoldyck Family within the estate did not witness this scene with their own eyes, merely feeling this indescribable aura at close range was enough for them to profoundly understand its terror.
Is this truly a height that 'Nen' can achieve?
No, perhaps it has long since transcended the scope of Nen. It is... a power from a higher dimension.
Because unlike a 'wish,' which must adhere to the principle of equivalent exchange, a command issued by Killua carries no risk.
This violates the very essence of 'Vow and Limitation.'
But this point had already been verified through multiple trials.
The only thing that remained unclear was the extent of the desires that could be fulfilled through such a command.
Perhaps, like a Möbius strip, it held infinite possibilities?
Or perhaps there was some unknown limit?
For now, at least one thing was certain. This power, which words could not describe, could even summon a departed soul back to the world of the living.
Unbelievable...
Staring at the figure gradually materializing from the swamp-like black aura, Milluki was dumbfounded, muttering to himself.
His shock was shared by every Zoldyck present.
Kikyo, in particular, had the electronic eye she wore emit a chaotic burst of static, a testament to the violent turmoil in her heart.
The fluctuations of the black aura lasted for about a minute before slowly dissipating.
Illumi's long hair, which had been blown about by the airflow, slowly fell back down as the aura vanished.
He then opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Nanika, right in front of him.
At the same time, he felt the lingering aftereffects of that terrifying aura.
Before he could think further, he subconsciously looked up at the traces of the aura in the sky, which were dissipating like black smoke.
A flash of astonishment crossed his deep, dark eyes, which then turned to understanding as he realized what had happened.
Without a doubt, I was definitely killed by Morrow. And then I was resurrected by Alluka's wish-granting ability? From past experience, Alluka's power, while indeed capable of granting any wish, comes with an exceedingly dangerous price. A single misstep could lead to the entire family being buried along with it. But I never expected... that this power, seemingly born from the depths of darkness, could even "resurrect the dead"? However, the risks involved must be immeasurable. Even just having a stranger make a wish could trigger a chain reaction of mass death due to brief contact. With such an obvious risk, even if the family learned of my death, they would never take such a huge risk to resurrect me. So the conclusion is... This act of resurrection, even if not entirely risk-free, certainly wouldn't endanger the family. Or rather, the risk was already within a controllable range.
Illumi gazed up at the dissipating remnants of the aura, reaching a conclusion in his mind within a few breaths.
He absolutely did not believe the family would take a huge risk to resurrect him.
If the reality was as he speculated, that the risk was within a controllable range, then... That wish-granting power, which should have been permanently sealed away by the family, would be able to display unprecedented strategic value.
During this brief moment of contemplation, Illumi showed no hint of joy or relief at being brought back to life.
Instead, based on preliminary speculation alone, he locked his entire focus on the potential of Alluka's terrifying power.
The traits of a Manipulation-type were on full display in him.
How long was I dead?
He slowly lowered his gaze, looking at his family before him.
But as soon as the question left his lips, he realized his family might not be able to accurately determine the time of his death.
So he immediately rephrased, What's the date today?
Before his words had even faded, the hollow features on Nanika's face, who stood before him, instantly receded, changing back to Alluka's appearance.
But due to the severe power drain, even though Alluka had regained control of her body, she was dragged into a deep sleep, just like the time she restored Tsubone's arm.
So, at the same moment Illumi asked his question, the unconscious Alluka slumped directly toward the ground.
Catching her in his peripheral vision, Illumi casually reached out and grabbed Alluka by the collar.
The gesture didn't seem like he was helping a family member, but more like he was picking up a lifeless tool.
From this action, Killua clearly sensed Illumi's completely utilitarian attitude toward Alluka and Nanika.
He, who had originally intended to bide his time, could no longer control the sliver of anger that leaked out.
What he could not accept most was someone not treating Alluka and Nanika as family.
And the current Illumi was even worse; he had clearly come to see them as nothing more than tools.
Tsubone silently intervened, suppressing Killua's emotions.
Illumi sensed Killua's anger but paid it no mind.
It was also at this moment that he noticed among the family members present, besides his great-grandfather Maha who never meddled in family affairs, even Kalluto was absent.
Illumi didn't need to think to know... In a situation like this, Kalluto's absence could only mean he was by that person's side.
His expression unchanging, his gaze swept past Killua and turned to Silva.
Silva, with his arms crossed, quietly concealed the astonishment in his eyes and said in a deep voice, "It is now April 25th, 2000."
"I see. So it's been over a year since Morrow killed me..." A flicker of surprise crossed Illumi's face, but his tone was so calm that not a single ripple of emotion could be heard. "But my memory and perception are still stuck at the moment before I was killed. Thinking about it, it's quite miraculous."
After calmly stating the fact that he had been killed by Morrow, he couldn't help but look down at the sleeping Alluka in his arms.
Right now, I just want to know, was my resurrection a matter of the risk being controllable, or... are there other rules I'm unaware of within the cycle of wishes and requests?
If the act of resurrecting him would plunge the entire family into crisis, he would rather not have returned to the world of the living.
Silva glanced at Alluka, who was being held casually by Illumi, and said, "The power that resurrected you still originates from the form of a wish, but there is a way to circumvent the risks and costs that follow."
He did not immediately explain the core of the rule to Illumi.
This was because he had also noticed Illumi's intentions regarding Alluka, which made him need a moment to think.
But even without Silva's direct explanation, Illumi, who had already speculated on this, once again looked keenly at Killua.
Is it because of Killua?
His eyelids drooped slightly, his gaze lightly sweeping over Tsubone's hand restraining Killua.
Silva hadn't expected Illumi to have basically pieced together the situation within seconds of his resurrection, and could only nod.
Illumi let out a silent, soft laugh.
At this time, Milluki, after his emotions had calmed slightly, couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Big Brother Illumi, wasn't the one who did it to you that guy named Hisoka?"
Hearing this familiar name, an image of Hisoka flashed through Illumi's mind, but he just shook his head faintly. "No, as I said just now, it was Morrow, who killed me."
Zeno, who had been standing silently with his hands behind his back, unconsciously recalled the Chimera Ant subjugation mission from some time ago.
With his understanding of Illumi, this grandson of his would probably not let things go so easily after being resurrected.
But with Morrow's current strength... Even Netero had been defeated by him, let alone Illumi, who had already been killed by Morrow once.
He could even guess the reason why Illumi had been killed by Morrow.
It was most likely the result of him going to cause trouble for Morrow on his own whim.
Zeno suddenly spoke, "Illumi, a word of advice. With Morrow's current strength, even I am no match for him."
He paused slightly here, then recalled the final outcome of the Chimera Ant subjugation.
"No."
He shook his head to himself and said slowly, "I'm afraid... I don't even have the right to be his opponent."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked.
Not even having the right to be an opponent... Weren't those words a bit too modest?
Illumi's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly for a moment before quickly returning to calm.
He didn't think his grandfather was joking, nor did he think this was a roundabout way to stop him from seeking revenge.
Besides, he had already personally verified Morrow's absurdly rapid growth in strength with his own life.
So even if it seemed a bit unbelievable upon reflection, Illumi still took his grandfather's words as a fact based on evidence.
In other words... Morrow's current strength had reached a level that he absolutely could not afford to provoke lightly.
But at this moment, his mind was not on revenge.
I understand.
Illumi replied calmly, his tone betraying no emotion. I won't make the same mistake twice.
Since there was a way to circumvent the risks of Alluka's power, as long as he obtained the right to use this 'tool,' getting even would be an effortless matter.
The only difference was... Whether to directly use this power to erase Morrow from a distance, or to make a wish to increase his own strength to a level where he could personally take care of him.
Regardless, the moment he learned that Alluka's power could be used without risk, the outcome was already determined.
To be more precise, from the moment he learned this wonderful news, to him, even a Morrow who could easily defeat his grandfather was nothing more than an ant that could be crushed at will.
That's right.
As long as he could get the right to use the tool, crushing Morrow would be far too simple.
"Illumi."
Silva reminded him with a deadpan expression, "Learn your lesson. Don't act recklessly again."
"Yes, Father."
Illumi's mind raced, but on the surface, he smiled and agreed.
Silva's gaze then shifted to Alluka, held in Illumi's hand.
Last time, when Alluka restored Tsubone's arm, she had slept for nearly a week.
And this time, after resurrecting Illumi, who knew how long she would need to sleep... The only thing that could be determined was that it would surely be far longer than a week.
She might even sleep forever.
After all, bringing the deceased back from death was in no way comparable to restoring an arm.
And if she could wake up, but the slumber was too long, this power would have to be used with even greater caution.
Lest it be needed in a true emergency, only to be unavailable due to her sleep.
But as for resurrecting other family members... It was worth the wait.
Silva's thoughts churned.
—--
In the depths of the Zoldyck estate, in an outmoded room.
The light was dim, with only the faint glow from an old-fashioned television screen illuminating the surroundings.
Maha sat upright on the sofa directly in front of the TV, watching a cartoon with rapt attention.
It was currently time for the latest episode of Sanrio Keroppi, which was why he hadn't gone to witness Illumi's return.
Perhaps in the old man's heart, catching the latest episode of a cartoon was more important.
However, when that majestic aura suddenly erupted, he still slowly averted his gaze, staring up at the ceiling for a long time.
He's back, is he...
Maha murmured to himself.
It was unclear whether he was referring to Illumi's return, or something else.
In fact, he had felt a hint of familiarity in the aura of that power.
He had once witnessed a power that manifested in a similar form.
It was just that back then, what he had faced... was Post-Mortem Will.
Time passed, day by day.
—--
Kakin Empire, a certain village.
As night fell, a deathly silence enveloped the land.
Just that morning, the village had been brimming with life and peace.
However, Beyond's arrival changed everything.
In a single day, everyone in the village became a sacrifice for the regalia, the Sword of Good Omens.
By now, the Sword of Good Omens had devoured the lives of nearly thirty thousand Have-Nots.
This should be enough.
The night was as black as ink. Beyond's tall figure stood against the wind.
He lowered his head slightly, gazing at the regalia in his hand.
The scabbard, engraved with a full inscription, was entwined with a black Nen that resembled vengeful spirits.
The King of Kakin was willing to lend him this regalia with only one requirement: it must not be lost under any circumstances.
Therefore, regarding the number of sacrifices, Beyond had originally thought ten thousand would be sufficient, but King Hui Guo Rou had insisted on more.
Perhaps only those who sit high on a throne would truly see the lives of Have-Nots as insignificant numbers.
What was even crueler was... To a behemoth like the Kakin Empire, the lives of a mere thirty thousand Have-Nots were truly of no consequence.
—--
"I've re-read 'Journey to the New World.' In the few brief personal accounts written from Don Freecss's perspective as an explorer, I found descriptions of a 'gaseous lifeform' and a 'massive sand body'..."
Ging held an ancient book in one hand and a stack of handwritten notes in the other.
The group, led by Morrow, all turned their gazes toward him.
Ging's dark circles were as thick as if they'd been drawn on with charcoal, but his expression was full of excitement. "Not only that, I also found records of the 'Sandworm' in the archives of the Kukan'yu Kingdom, though the associated region wasn't a desert, but a mountain range."
"But by connecting these clues, we can determine that the coordinates of the Klein Bottle are located within the 'East Continent,' and not too far from the coastline."
As Ging spoke, he spread the handwritten research materials on the table.
"The key evidence supporting this judgment is that Don Freecss's exploration range back then was always limited to the coastal areas. In other words, as long as we can determine the direction..."
"Theoretically, it's possible to travel from the coordinates to the swamp where the Nitro Rice is located, to the southeast."
"What do you think?"