Ah… it stinks! Why does it feel even worse than before? Could it be that I haven't come out for too long?"
After getting up in the morning, Rimo and his group enjoyed a rather exquisite breakfast by Meteor City standards, all of it prepared through Rimo's Conjuration-type Nen, before heading out at a relaxed pace toward Block 13 to meet Chrollo.
Due to staying inside a station equipped with a Nen-reinforced air purification system running at full capacity twenty-four hours a day for an extended period of time, Rimo had temporarily forgotten just how harsh the environment of Meteor City truly was.
But the moment he stepped out and took only a few steps forward, he was instantly "educated" by the outside world.
A thick, suffocating stench rushed into his nose—rotting garbage, chemical waste, and the faint metallic tang of burned scrap all mixed together, forming something akin to a biological and chemical weapon unique to Meteor City.
Even with Ten passively covering his body, Rimo felt his scalp go numb from the impact.
"Is there? It's a bit pungent, but I feel fine."
Uvogin said in confusion, even taking a deep breath as if to confirm it.
Rimo stared at him.
A monster.
As expected of someone who would later rely purely on Enhancement-type Nen and push his physical body to its absolute limits.
But what really made Rimo pause was that Machi and Nobunaga also showed almost no reaction.
Machi simply frowned slightly, while Nobunaga walked forward as if nothing was wrong.
It was only then that Rimo realized something.
If this body were still completely dominated by Mo's original consciousness, then the reaction would probably be the same as theirs.
After all, habits formed over more than ten years in Meteor City would not be changed by just one or two months of comfortable living.
But now, the one in control was Rimo—a soul from modern society.
After more than a month of softened memories and a cleaner environment, his original perception had resurfaced.
That was why the smell felt so overwhelmingly strong to him.
Without hesitation, Rimo flipped his hand, and four gas masks were instantly manifested through his Nen ability.
Although Uvogin and the others had little reaction to the polluted air, inhaling too much of it over time would still be harmful, even with Ten providing basic protection.
After tossing one mask to each of them, Rimo quickly put one on himself.
"Hah… I can breathe again."
Machi and the others rolled their eyes at him almost in unison.
Having lived in Meteor City for more than ten years, they simply couldn't understand Rimo's level of sensitivity.
He was too… delicate.
No wonder he had developed such a strange Nen ability.
They had already heard Rimo explain that Nen abilities, especially Hatsu, are deeply tied to what a person desires and pursues.
And Rimo's Nen had practically developed right in front of them.
Starting from that absurd conjured Kobe steak, to everything that followed, it was all centered around one concept.
Enjoyment.
Even in combat, his abilities were extensions of that same idea.
In other words, what Rimo pursued in his heart was obvious.
Comfort and enjoyment, without a doubt.
"Damn it…"
Uvogin and Nobunaga both felt a surge of frustration at the same time.
Their Nen was built for battle, for power, for overwhelming opponents head-on.
Yet despite that…
They weren't even close to being Rimo's match.
"Next time!! Next time I'll definitely be stronger than Rimo!!"
The two swore fiercely in their hearts.
But when they thought of Rimo's almost cheating-like ability, especially that ridiculous technique he called [Unlimited Spell], their confidence wavered instantly.
"…Can we really beat him?"
"???"
Machi looked at the two of them, who had suddenly fallen into visible depression, her expression turning strange.
What exactly were these two idiots thinking about now?
The North District of Meteor City was, in fact, the general area where Rimo and his group were currently based.
The thirteenth block where Chrollo was located was only one block away from the eleventh block where they lived.
And this choice of location was clearly deliberate.
Not too close to create pressure on Rimo and the others, but not too far either, allowing easy contact at any time.
A perfectly measured distance.
It was a subtle but clear sign of Chrollo's personality.
Calm, calculating, and considerate in a way that didn't make others feel uncomfortable.
So it didn't take long for Rimo and his group to arrive at Block 13.
"This should be Chrollo's temporary residence. I heard that they, like us, cleared out the entire block, leaving only their base."
Machi explained as she looked at the dilapidated house in front of them.
After what happened with Oss, Uvogin and Nobunaga had insisted on wiping out all competing groups in their territory.
With Rimo's approval, the two—who had only just begun mastering Ten and Ren—spent a single day completely dominating Block 11.
Every other group in that block was eliminated.
Total control.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Rimo didn't say much, but his eyes flickered slightly.
A protest?
No… that didn't seem right.
If Chrollo wanted to apply pressure, he would have chosen Block 12, which was closer to them.
That would have created more psychological tension.
And judging from Chrollo's previous attitude, such a direct move would be inconsistent with his character.
Someone like him wouldn't make such a contradictory decision.
So if it wasn't a protest…
Then it was a display of strength.
A message.
An unspoken declaration that they also possessed power.
After all, in Meteor City, strength determined everything.
The weak didn't get to choose.
Only the strong stood as equals.
"Tigers don't walk with ants…"
A faint smile appeared on Rimo's lips.
Interesting.
"Creak—!"
While Rimo was still thinking, the door to the house slowly opened from the inside.
The old wooden frame let out an overwhelmed groan as it moved.
Footsteps followed.
Clear. Steady. Unhurried.
A handsome young man with long black hair walked out, dressed in a black suit similar to Rimo's, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, a faint smile resting on his face.
Although his face was still youthful, there was no hint of immaturity in his presence.
On the contrary, he radiated a natural authority that made people unconsciously take him seriously.
Even the cheap-looking suit seemed more refined simply because he was wearing it.
"He's Chrollo," Machi whispered beside Rimo.
But in truth, there was no need to say it.
Rimo had already recognized him.
The young man in front of him was undoubtedly Chrollo Lucilfer.
Even Rimo couldn't help but feel a trace of admiration for that almost black hole-like charisma.
If the charm of Gon Freecss was the kind that made people want to help him and stand by his side, then Chrollo's charm was different.
It made people want to follow him.
To accept his leadership without question.
It was hard to imagine that someone only thirteen years old could already possess such a temperament.
At the same time, while Rimo was observing Chrollo, Chrollo was also quietly observing Rimo.
Even though Rimo and the others were wearing gas masks, Chrollo still identified him at a glance.
Powerful.
That was his first impression.
By focusing aura into his eyes using Gyo, Chrollo could clearly perceive Rimo's Nen.
It was dense, constantly expanding, almost like a prison made of aura.
Because Rimo's aura was still increasing every moment, and due to his imperfect control over Zetsu, traces of it leaked outward continuously.
But instead of making him seem weak, it made him even more dangerous.
Seeing Chrollo approach, Rimo and the others removed their gas masks.
After all, keeping them on during a meeting would be rude.
Young.
That was Chrollo's second impression.
Although Rimo was slightly older than him, based on observation, he was at most around eighteen years old.
Chrollo hadn't expected that someone so young could possess such strength and even guide Uvogin and the others into properly understanding Nen.
As Chrollo stepped forward, several figures followed behind him.
Feitan, with his cold and sharp gaze.
Pakunoda, quietly observing everything.
Franklin, tall and silent.
Rimo and Chrollo's eyes met.
For a brief moment, the atmosphere seemed to tighten.
Then Chrollo took his right hand out of his trouser pocket, stepped forward, and extended it toward Rimo with a friendly smile.
"Hi, my name is Chrollo Lucilfer."