Boarding time was eight o'clock.
Law and Melody walked through the boarding passage towards an airship inside the airport.
"Sorry for having you board with me on such short notice."
"It's fine. I was originally here to find you," Melody shook her head slightly.
Law glanced down at her and said, "You should have called or texted me in advance. If I hadn't seen you, you might have come all this way for nothing."
When he spotted Melody in the crowd, Law was quite surprised. Thanks to the White Smoke Font's reminder, he took the initiative to stop Melody and found out she came here specifically to look for him.
"But meeting you was bound to happen sooner or later," Melody said.
Law's gaze unconsciously fell on Melody's shoulder bag. After a moment of silence, he said, "You're right about that."
Even though he hadn't asked Melody about it yet, he believed that what was in that bag was very likely one of the other two Dark Sonatas.
Given that Melody had successfully found a Dark Sonata, he would inevitably meet her eventually.
Because the current setting wasn't appropriate, Law wasn't in a hurry. He planned to have a frank conversation after boarding the airship.
As they walked, Law suddenly took out his phone.
Melody looked at Law in confusion. With her hearing, she didn't detect the phone ringing or vibrating.
Then, she saw Law turn his phone off directly.
Noticing Melody's gaze, Law made up an excuse, "I've been getting a lot of spam calls lately. I was worried they'd disturb our conversation later, so I turned it off."
"Liar."
"You could tell?" Law asked, unconcerned, with a smile.
Melody shook her head. "Your heartbeat was normal when you gave your reason. I just don't think any advertising company in the world could get your phone number."
"So you couldn't tell from hearing. Looks like I have a talent for lying after all," Law stroked his chin.
"..."
Melody was speechless.
Law didn't explain the reason either. He led Melody onto the airship to the VIP cabin.
Meanwhile, at the Martial Arts Hall.
Netero listened to the voice on the other end of the phone: The number you have dialed is powered off. Please try your call later.
He silently put down the phone, looking at Uvogin and Nobunaga standing on the stone platform.
Both sides looked at each other in silence. The sudden quiet was most awkward.
After a moment, Nobunaga also took out his phone and dialed Law's number. He got the same powered-off message.
'That bastard Law... He didn't make things clear!'
Nobunaga sighed inwardly, then looked at Uvogin.
When he saw Uvogin eager and raring to go, Nobunaga's face darkened slightly.
Netero noticed the surging Aura emanating from Uvogin's body. He thought, 'Fine, this person also seems like a good candidate for loosening up my joints.'
…
The airship ascended, navigating through the clouds.
Inside the VIP cabin, Law and Melody sat on a sofa. Nearby was a window offering a view of the blue sky and white clouds outside.
Melody directly took out the rolled-up Flute version of the Dark Sonata from her shoulder bag and gently placed it on the table.
The sheet music's material resembled parchment. After weathering time, its surface was a dull, dirty yellow.
By focusing Aura into one's eyes, one could see a sinister black mist swirling and coiling around the sheet music.
Melody gazed at the sheet music, unable to help but reveal a grave expression.
"You found it. That's incredible."
Law quietly looked at the sheet music and sincerely praised Melody.
For a Music Hunter, finding the genuine Dark Sonata was equivalent to a Gourmet Hunter discovering a new A-Grade ingredient, or a Ruins Hunter excavating a significant ancient ruin.
This achievement alone could easily earn Melody a Single-Star title.
Of course, the fact that Melody was now delivering the Sonata to him indicated she didn't care much for accolades.
Melody didn't speak, her gaze lifting to fix intently on Law's face.
Meeting Melody's unwavering stare, Law calmly asked, "Is this the Flute solo version?"
"Yes."
"May I take a look at it?"
Melody hesitated for a moment, then silently nodded.
Seeing this, Law picked up the sheet music with one hand.
The moment he touched the sheet music, the frequency of the white smoke's prompts reached its maximum.
'If I absorb the Nen from this sheet music, the gauge should reach 100%. But in that case, my Aura Nodes would be forcibly closed.'
Law thought to himself, then unrolled the sheet music and glanced at it.
Having previously absorbed the Harp and Piano versions, he could somewhat understand the sheet music now. But to master the performance method, he still needed to absorb the sheet music first.
After just a few glances, Law placed the sheet music back on the table.
Whether or not to absorb it was a question that required serious consideration.
He looked at Melody and asked, "Do you want to destroy all the Dark Sonatas?"
"Yes."
Melody answered solemnly.
She didn't want anyone else to follow in her footsteps, so her goal in becoming a Music Hunter was to find the sheet music and destroy it.
It was ironic. Being a Music Hunter yet aiming to destroy a legendary piece of sheet music. But only the profession of Music Hunter could locate the sheet music the fastest.
Law shifted his gaze to the sheet music. "Even if the sheet music is destroyed, as long as someone knows how to play the movements within it, the catastrophic phenomena of the Dark Sonata will continue to exist."
Melody lowered her eyes. "But if the sheet music disappears, eventually everything will disappear."
Law believed Melody's statement was correct. Although the effects and costs of each solo piece were different, the performers often met bad ends.
In other words, all performers who memorized the sheet music would eventually die. By then, without the sheet music, there would be no continuation.
"You're right," Law placed his hand on the sheet music. "Currently, the sheet music I have mastered are the Harp solo and the Piano solo. You can rest assured, the sheet music has been destroyed by me."
Hearing Law's words, Melody felt a wave of relief.
"However, the contents of the sheet music are all in my head."
Law raised his right hand and tapped his temple.
Melody stared at Law, biting her lip slightly.
Law said, "I can promise you that I won't let the sheet music contents be leaked. But I want this Flute solo version. In return, I can restore your body to its original state. Do you agree?"
Melody had been listening to Law's heartbeat all along.
Despite the small incident at the airport earlier, she was still certain Law wasn't lying.
After a long silence, Melody nodded heavily. "Yes!"
Law smiled slightly, then, in front of Melody, he made the Flute solo sheet music vanish into Kuro's space.
Then, he commanded Kuro to transform into a black harp.
Looking at the harp transformed from Kuro, Melody immediately thought of the Dark Sonata, 'Could it be that he intended to...'
Seeing the reaction on Melody's face, Law placed one hand on the harp's neck and explained, "The nature of the Harp solo's ability is similar to 'wish-granting'. The performer needs to pay with their lifespan in exchange for what they desire."
"Playing with one hand might be a bit difficult, but performing a single movement should be manageable."
"So, are you ready?"
Melody listened, looking stunned. She clearly wasn't prepared and had many questions sprouting and taking root in her mind.
'Not only did Law possess two Dark Sonatas, but he had also figured out their abilities and costs?'
'Something so dangerous!'