"What about mere humans?"
In an instant, an overwhelming aura erupted from Roy's body!
With the title "King's Foundation" surging around him, a wave of Conqueror's Haki—his overwhelming will—exploded out, shaking the very air.
CRACK—!
The sound rang in everyone's ears like popcorn exploding. The cabin groaned under pressure, creaking as cracks tore through the wooden walls. It was terrifying.
"M-My house~!"
The Ferocious Fox Father let out a sorrowful wail—
Then, darkness clouded his vision. The world spun.
Before he could collapse, his daughter swayed, falling toward the floor first.
"Mom, Dad… I feel dizzy~"
The little Fox Girl staggered in a daze.
Luckily, the Ferocious Fox Mother caught her just in time, pulling her into her arms, narrowly avoiding disaster.
"This is… Nen?"
A voice trembled amidst chattering teeth.
Confronted by Roy's overwhelming presence, the Ferocious Fox Son struggled to stay upright. His whole body shook violently as he looked at Roy—like he was staring into the face of a demon god!
Roy stood as if seated on a throne high above the mortal world. His cold, blind eyes didn't reveal emotion, yet they felt like swords piercing into their very souls, pinning the entire family in place.
They dared not move.
Dared not speak.
Dared not even think of raising their heads.
Simply staying conscious was already an unreachable hope.
"What's wrong with them?"
Gon blinked, confused.
The Ferocious Fox family, who just moments ago were showing off and threatening them, now looked like completely defeated husks.
Gon tilted his head like a curious child and stepped forward.
But before he could take another step—
YANK!
Kurapika and Leorio each grabbed an arm and pulled him back.
"Don't go over there!"
"Are you stupid?! Being curious about everything is how you get yourself killed!"
BONK!
Leorio punched Gon on the forehead.
"Oww~ again?!"
Gon squatted, holding his head and glaring at Leorio pitifully.
Leorio clicked his tongue, adjusted his sunglasses, then looked at Roy with serious eyes.
"Kurapika, doesn't this seem familiar to you?"
Kurapika's eyes narrowed. A flash of crimson briefly lit up his brown pupils. He didn't answer, but stared solemnly at Roy's back.
He did sense something familiar—like Nen—but also not Nen.
He remembered clearly: Roy's attacks on the Poseidon used tangible power—his armament thread, and the whip he used on Matthew.
But this… this wasn't tangible. Not even ghostly. It was purely spiritual—willpower made manifest.
Could a human's aura truly distort reality like this?
Kurapika looked at the split walls again and opened his mouth, unsure of the answer.
"Answer me. What about mere humans?"
Roy's voice was calm as his Haki surged, crushing.
He stepped forward, face expressionless, tightening the grip on his staff-sword.
SMACK!
The Ferocious Fox Father slapped his son.
"You dumb brat! Didn't you hear the gentleman's question?!"
Damn it! All these years hunting geese, and now they ran into a dragon?! In all previous exams, no one this terrifying ever appeared!
"You idiot, kneel and apologize now!"
PLOP!
Whether from fear or instinct, the Ferocious Fox Son collapsed onto his knees before Roy.
"Uncle, I was wrong! Humans are… humans are amazing!"
Behind him, the Ferocious Fox Mother bowed deeply, still holding her daughter.
"My son is ignorant. Please forgive us."
Roy took it all in calmly and then gave a rare nod.
"At least you have a good wife."
And just like that—his Haki vanished.
The pressure lifted, and everyone gasped like they'd been pulled from deep underwater. Cold sweat soaked the Ferocious Fox family. They were pale, still trembling.
"Two hundred million. Let's talk payment."
Roy sat down like he owned the place, pulled over a chair, and scooped a hot bowl of curry onto steaming rice. He began eating heartily.
GURGLE~
Gon held his stomach. The scent was too tempting.
Roy glanced at him, amused.
"Still standing there? Want me to feed you?"
"Coming~!"
"Long live Uncle Roy!"
"Thank you for the meal, Mr. Tiano!"
Kurapika and Leorio joined Gon at the table, eagerly digging in.
Meanwhile, the Ferocious Fox family could only stare in silent grief.
"That's… that's our dinner, Daddy…"
The Ferocious Fox Mother glared at her husband.
The father tried to play it off with a smile and whispered to Roy:
"Bro… didn't we say it was just 100 million?"
"Why is it 200 now?"
What?! They were still going to pay?!
Wasn't this basically ransom?!
The Ferocious Fox family was speechless.
Roy chewed slowly, savoring the rich curry. Surprisingly, it was well-cooked for something made by a beastman. He wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"If saying sorry fixed everything, why would we need police?"
"100 million is your fee for spying."
"The other 100 million is for my emotional damage."
He leaned back and raised a brow.
"You scared me, you know?"
"So… any problem with that?"