(Happy Lunar New Year!)
Southern Urubian Continent, Kukupu City.
At dusk, the setting sun dyed the city's skyline a dark gold.
Chrollo stood at the edge of the rooftop of a twelve-story building, his fur-collared coat swaying gently in the evening breeze.
He stood with his hands in his trouser pockets, looking down at the city streets where lights were gradually flickering on, his face devoid of any expression.
Footsteps sounded from behind him.
Pakunoda walked to his side, her expression more grave than usual.
I have checked the records of all funeral homes, hospital morgues, and police station body storage facilities in the entire city.
Pakunoda's voice was somewhat dry.
There are no bodies of Uvogin and Franklin, nor any death records matching their characteristics.
This meant one of two things: either the bodies had been completely disposed of, or... they hadn't been sent to these places at all.
Machi also emerged from the stairwell.
She had changed into casual clothes, her purple-red hair tied into a ponytail, looking like an ordinary urban woman, but her sharp gaze was incongruous with her appearance.
I spent two days visiting the shops and residents around the area where Uvogin and the others were last seen.
Machi began, her speaking pace steady.
According to the descriptions of seven people, an explosion occurred near the main road in the East District a month ago. The sound was loud, the ground shook, but it lasted for a very short time. Someone saw two groups of people confronting each other on the street from a window, but they were quickly obscured by smoke and dust.
She paused.
The physique of one of the parties in the description is very similar to Uvogin's. But I went to the scene to check, and it was very clean. There were no traces of an explosion, no bloodstains, and even the ground damage had been repaired. If it weren't for multiple people confirming it, I would have even doubted they remembered the location wrong.
Pakunoda frowned.
No traces? If it was damage caused by Uvogin's Super Destruction Fist, it's impossible for there to be no traces.
Chrollo turned around, his back to the city lights, his face hidden in the shadows, only his eyes glowing with the cold light of analysis in the dim light.
There are two possibilities.
Chrollo's voice was not loud, but every word was very clear.
First, Uvogin and Franklin were captured and taken away by some force. The other party planned meticulously, completely cleaned up the scene after the action, erased all traces, and left us with no way to track them.
He paused for a moment and continued.
Second, they died at the hands of the enemy. And someone among the enemies possesses a Nen Ability that can clean up traces—not repair, but complete removal, the kind that doesn't even leave behind residual Nen.
Pakunoda's expression became even uglier.
If it was the first case, Uvogin and Franklin might still be alive, but becoming experimental subjects or prisoners is a disgrace to the Phantom Troupe.
If it was the second case, the Phantom Troupe had already lost two main members, and they didn't even know who the enemy was.
Machi looked at Chrollo.
Regardless of which one it is, the enemy is now in the dark, and we are in the light. It's too passive. I suggest contacting other members immediately to confirm if they have also been attacked.
This was the most rational approach.
If the enemy is targeting the entire Phantom Troupe, then members scattered in various places might all be in danger.
Chrollo was silent for a moment.
The evening breeze passed through the rooftop, blowing up the loose hair on his forehead.
Faint sounds of traffic came from the street below; the city's nightlife had just begun, neon lights were turning on one by one, and everything seemed calm and ordinary.
But beneath this calm, some kind of danger was spreading.
Do as Machi said.
Chrollo finally made a decision.
Pakunoda, contact everyone who can still be reached, and confirm their situation and safe location.
Pakunoda nodded.
Understood.
Also.
Chrollo looked at the night sky in the distance.
We need to recruit new members. This time we need to find people with tracking abilities—since the other party is good at erasing traces, we need people who are better at finding traces.
Machi nodded slightly.
This was indeed what was needed most right now.
And.
Chrollo said last.
I am going to leave alone for a while!
You notify everyone to be vigilant. From today on, the Phantom Troupe is in a state of alert. Report any abnormalities immediately, do not act without authorization, and wait for my return.
His tone remained calm, but the coldness contained within it made both Pakunoda and Machi feel a shiver in their hearts.
The leader rarely gave such an order for full-member alert.
Once issued, it meant he believed the threat was imminent to the point where all members had to respond.
Yes.
The two replied simultaneously.
Chrollo stopped talking and turned to walk towards the stairwell.
The hem of his coat swayed gently with his steps, his back appearing exceptionally lonely and exceptionally dangerous in the thickening night.
Pakunoda and Machi looked at each other and followed.
The figures of the three disappeared from the rooftop. Below, the lights of Kukupu City were still brilliant.
After Chrollo left, only Pakunoda and Machi remained.
Pakunoda looked at Machi.
According to what the leader said, contact the others first.
Machi nodded and took out her phone from her pocket.
Her movements were crisp and neat, without any hesitation.
The first one to answer was Feitan.
Feitan's unique, metallic, cold voice came from the receiver, with some noise in the background; faint sound effects of game consoles and the hustle and bustle of a crowd could be heard.
What's the matter?
Feitan asked directly.
Confirming safety.
Machi said concisely.
How is the situation on your side?
Normal.
Feitan's answer was even shorter.
Phinks and I are in the Guganyu Kingdom, eyeing an underground game auction. We'll act in three days.
Be careful. There might be operations targeting the Phantom Troupe recently.
Feitan was silent for a second.
Who?
Not clear yet, the leader has ordered all members to be on alert.
...Got it.
The call hung up.
Because it was uncertain whether Uvogin and Franklin were dead, and because Feitan and the other were relatively impulsive, she didn't tell them the truth for the sake of stability.
Machi looked at Pakunoda, who nodded, indicating that there was indeed no problem on Feitan's side.
The second was Nobunaga.
This time it was Pakunoda who dialed the number.
The phone rang several times before being answered, and Nobunaga's voice carried obvious impatience.
Pakunoda? What's the matter? I'm busy—
Confirming safety.
Pakunoda interrupted him.
Are you with Caesar?
Caesar—the newly joined member, replacing Shalnark.
Yeah.
Nobunaga's tone softened a bit.
The kid is drinking next to me. We are in the north of the Ejin Continent, wandering around, seeing if we can find suitable newcomers. By the way...
His voice dropped.
Find that guy. The last thing, it can't just end like this.
Pakunoda and Machi looked at each other.
Nobunaga was still brooding over the humiliation at the Xililike Auction House, which was expected.
Be careful.
Pakunoda repeated Machi's words.
Report immediately if there is any situation.
Got it, got it.
Nobunaga muttered and hung up the phone.
Next were Shanark and Kortopi.
Machi dialed Shanark's number first.
A regular busy signal came from the receiver, and it hung up automatically after thirty seconds.
She dialed three more times, with the same result.
Pakunoda dialed Kortopi's number, which was also a busy signal.
Both of their faces sank.
Shanark and Kortopi...
Pakunoda's voice was somewhat dry.
Can't be reached either.
Machi didn't speak, but her eyes were colder.
Four members lost contact; this could no longer be explained by coincidence.
Finally, it was Hisoka.
Pakunoda stared at the name on the phone screen, her brows furrowed slightly.
She didn't really want to deal with this pervert, but the leader's order had to be executed.
The phone was answered after two rings.
Hmm~ Pakunoda?
Hisoka's voice carried that unique, frivolous, and eerie tone.
How rare, you would take the initiative to contact me~
Confirming safety.
Pakunoda went straight to the point, her tone cold.
Have you encountered any attacks on your side? Or any abnormalities?
Attack? No~
Hisoka's voice sounded very happy.
Everything is normal on my side. After all, no one wants to team up with me, I can only wander around by myself, looking for some fun~
This was true.
After Hisoka joined the Phantom Troupe, except for a few group operations arranged by Chrollo, most of the time he acted alone—no one could stand his kind of crazy personality at any time.
Stay in touch.
Pakunoda didn't want to say more.
Report to the leader immediately if there is any situation.
Got it, got it~
Hisoka dragged out his tone.
By the way, did something happen? Suddenly so nervous~
Pakunoda hesitated for a moment, then said it.
Uvogin, Franklin, Shanark, and Kortopi have lost contact. The leader has ordered all members to be on alert.
The other side of the phone was quiet for two seconds.
Then Hisoka laughed, a twisted excitement in that laughter.
Oh my, oh my Looks like someone is attacking the Phantom Troupe. How interesting
Be careful.
Pakunoda didn't want to listen to his laughter anymore and hung up the phone directly.
She put away her phone and looked at Machi.
Feitan, Phinks, Nobunaga, Caesar are normal. Hisoka is also normal. But Shanark and Kortopi...
Four now.
Machi's voice was very soft, but every word was like an ice pick.
Uvogin, Franklin, Shanark, Kortopi. It's exactly the pairs who act in groups of two.
Pakunoda clenched her fists.
Both of them knew what this meant—the enemy likely attacked when they were alone, and specifically targeted the pairs.
Let's report to the leader first.
Machi said.