Guganyu Kingdom, Chirok City, June 30th.
The late June sun shone down on this city famous for antique trading, where the buildings lining the streets mostly maintained a classical style, with stone exterior walls, arched doors and windows, and exquisitely carved eaves.
The air was filled with a mixed scent—the musty smell of aged paper, the odor of maintenance oil, and the aroma of spices wafting from street food stalls.
At three in the afternoon, Leo and Sophia were walking along Central Avenue.
The streets were crowded with people, many of whom were clearly outsiders—well-dressed collectors, bespectacled scholars, and shrewd-eyed merchants.
Chirok City would be hosting its largest annual auction tomorrow, attracting attention from the entire continent.
"The auction will be held at the Xililike Auction House at eight tomorrow night."
Sophia scrolled through the information on her phone.
"Known auction items include three pieces of royal jewelry from the Guganyu Dynasty, five artifacts from lost civilizations, and over a dozen paintings by top-tier artists. The estimated total value exceeds fifty billion jenny."
She paused and added.
"You need an invitation to enter. Each one costs two million jenny, and they are already sold out. Some are reselling them on the black market, driving the price up to five million."
Leo shook his head.
"No need to buy one. We'll just monitor from the perimeter. The intel only says Morex 'might' appear, there are too many uncertain factors, and besides, the lives of these wealthy dignitaries aren't worth me protecting."
He looked toward the magnificent stone building at the end of the street—the Xililike Auction House.
It was three stories high, with two heavy doors at the main entrance, and six security guards in formal attire standing in front.
Rank A wanted criminal: Morex.
This was the first Rank A target Leo had taken on.
The previous Rank C and Rank B wanted criminals each had their own troublesome aspects, but compared to a Rank A, they weren't on the same level in terms of strength or the degree of danger they posed.
Data indicated that Morex was an Enhancer, his specific Nen Ability was unknown, but his combat style was extremely brutal.
Over the past six years, he had been involved in seventeen major robberies and was confirmed to have killed one hundred and twenty-three civilians.
His last crime was five months ago, when he looted a bank vault on the Urubian Continent, killing nine people in the process.
Danger Rank: A, meaning "it requires multiple experienced Hunters working together to have a chance at capturing the target."
Leo wanted to try.
He wanted to know how far he was from the "high-risk" level of this world after more than a year of training and actual combat.
Morex was a good test subject—strong enough, but not so strong that he couldn't be dealt with.
"Master."
Sophia's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Since it's still early, I'd like to go look around the market."
She pointed to an area on the tourist map.
"I found out that the traditional market here has many local specialty snacks and a lot of handicrafts... is that okay?"
Sophia made a pleading expression, blinking her eyes.
She had been very diligent these past few months and had never made any personal requests.
Perhaps seeing the atmosphere of this city today, she had developed a rare desire to have some fun.
Leo looked at her expectant expression and couldn't help but smile.
"Alright. You've certainly worked hard during this time."
"Whatever you want to eat or buy, go ahead; I'm treating you today."
Sophia's eyes lit up, and a smile bloomed on her face.
"Great! Thank you, Master! Let's go!"
She turned and walked toward the market, her steps light and quick.
Leo followed behind her, maintaining a distance of two steps, his gaze still vigilantly scanning the surroundings—habit took over.
At the same time, on the outskirts of Chirok City.
On a dusty country road, three figures were walking unhurriedly.
On the far left was an exceptionally burly man with several stitched scars on his face, wearing a simple white coat and work pants—Franklin.
In the middle was a woman with purple-red hair, her features delicate but her gaze cold; she wore a white long coat and black fingerless gloves—Machi.
On the far right was a man with a ponytail, a sheathed long sword at his waist, wearing a loose dark blue kimono-style coat; he had a blade of grass in his mouth and a nonchalant expression on his face—Nobunaga.
The three maintained a subtle distance—neither too close to appear intimate, nor too far to lose support. This was a tacit understanding formed from long-term cooperation.
"The leader is gathering everyone who is free in Chirok City this time."
Nobunaga spat out the blade of grass in his mouth, his voice lazy.
"Is there some big operation?"
Machi didn't even look at him, her tone flat.
"You don't know? There's a large-scale auction at the Xililike Auction House in Chirok City tomorrow with quite a few precious collectibles. The leader has his eye on a few of them."
"Oh?"
Franklin spoke, his voice deep and resonant.
"Then how many members will be coming this time?"
"Except for Feitan, Uvogin, Kortopi, and Shanark, everyone else who is free will be coming."
Machi said.
"Pakunoda, Shalnark, Omokage... they should all be coming."
Nobunaga rubbed his chin.
"Hmm—Feitan and the others aren't coming! Without those battle maniacs, it doesn't feel lively enough."
"They are busy."
Machi said briefly.
"And the leader only asked those who are 'free' to come, it's not a mandatory summons. You know the rules of the Phantom Troupe."
Franklin huffed and looked at Nobunaga.
"What, do you think the few of us aren't strong enough?"
Nobunaga glanced at him sideways.
"I didn't say that. Is that what you think yourself?"
The atmosphere instantly became subtle.
Machi sighed and quickened her pace, putting some distance between herself and the two of them.
She knew these two too well—Nobunaga was combative, and Franklin wasn't exactly even-tempered either; put them together, and they'd be fighting within a few sentences.
She didn't want to get dragged into it.
Sure enough, she hadn't walked even twenty meters before the muffled sound of fists and a sword colliding came from behind her.
Machi didn't look back and kept walking forward; she was already used to it.
The members of the Phantom Troupe all had distinct personalities, and their way of getting along was by bickering and fighting—as long as no one died, the leader generally didn't care.
Five minutes later, the sounds of fighting stopped.
Footsteps followed from behind.
Nobunaga and Franklin walked up to Machi's left and right, their clothes slightly disheveled, but their expressions were calm, as if they had just exchanged greetings.
"Done fighting?"
Machi asked.
"Just stretching my muscles."
Nobunaga shrugged.
"Next time use your Nen Ability to fight, don't just use your mouth."
Franklin said calmly.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."
Nobunaga immediately retorted.
"Wanna try?"
Machi rolled her eyes, too lazy to try and persuade them again.
She looked toward the gradually clearing silhouette of the city in the distance.
Chirok City, the auction is tomorrow night.
"Let's go."
Machi interrupted the two.
"The leader said to gather at the 'old place'. Don't be late."
The three quickened their pace.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long, casting them onto the dusty country road.
Chirok City traditional market.
Sophia was standing in front of a candy stall, looking at the colorful handmade candies with bright eyes.
The stall owner was a smiling old woman, introducing various flavors in the Guganyu language.
Leo stood three meters behind her, leaning against a stone pillar, his gaze scanning the market seemingly casually.
It was very lively. Tourists, locals, vendors, street performers... it was noisy, with a mixture of various scents.
Tomorrow night's auction looked like it would be quite "lively."
The corners of Leo's mouth curled up slightly.
"Master! This is delicious! You should try it!"
Sophia ran over holding a skewer of fruit coated in syrup, a satisfied smile on her face.
Leo took it and took a bite. It was indeed very sweet.
He looked toward the western sky; the setting sun had already begun to sink.