Bump!!"
The two sofas Rimo had conjured slammed onto the ground with a heavy thud, the sound echoing clearly through the confined, broken interior of the house.
Uvogin, Nobunaga, and Machi were already completely used to Rimo casually materializing things out of thin air using his Conjuration-type Nen.
So the three of them sat down beside him naturally, as if this were the most normal thing in the world.
On the other side, however, Chrollo and the others were seeing this ability up close for the very first time.
For a brief moment, they were stunned.
Chrollo's eyes sharpened almost instantly.
From the moment Rimo raised his hand to the instant the sofas appeared, he had carefully observed the entire process.
There was no doubt.
This was Nen.
More specifically, a highly refined application of Conjuration, forming tangible objects out of aura.
And judging from the speed and stability of the manifestation…
This was not something achieved recently.
It was already deeply developed.
Chrollo's mind began moving rapidly.
If Rimo could materialize objects so casually, then everything Machi and the others had described before—the drastic transformation of their base, the food, the furniture, even the so-called "luxury" items that should not exist in Meteor City—
All of it suddenly made sense.
Originally, Chrollo had assumed Rimo might have used his strength to bring in resources from the outside world, perhaps through connections or sheer force, similar to how some elders occasionally arranged smuggling.
But now it was clear.
Everything was created directly through Nen.
Out of nothing.
This ability…
It wasn't just useful.
It was terrifyingly versatile.
No matter the terrain, no matter the situation, Rimo could instantly produce what was needed.
Supplies.
Weapons.
Tools.
Even environmental advantages.
For a group like theirs, which would eventually operate in all kinds of dangerous environments, this kind of ability was beyond valuable.
It was irreplaceable.
Rimo…
I must have you.
A faint heat flashed in Chrollo's eyes as he looked at Rimo.
If, before, he had only been interested in Rimo because of his connection to Uvogin and the others…
Now, his desire had completely changed.
Machi and the others were important, but not indispensable.
Rimo was different.
Rimo himself, however, was completely caught off guard.
What kind of look is that?
He felt a chill run down his spine.
I'm acting this arrogant on purpose, and you're supposed to show some reaction—at least a bit of hostility or discomfort, right?
Why are you staring at me like you just found treasure?
Are you crazy?!
"Cough… cough. Well, go ahead and sit. No need to stand on ceremony."
Unable to bear Chrollo's gaze any longer, Rimo quickly urged him to sit down and move the conversation forward.
Wait, wait… don't tell me you're that kind of Chrollo…
I'm a serious person here, okay?
Let's not mix in anything weird.
"Ah… sorry, Rimo. Your Nen ability is just so impressive that I lost focus for a moment."
After being reminded, Chrollo quickly regained his composure and sat down opposite Rimo.
Pakunoda, Franklin, and Feitan followed suit, taking their seats without a word.
"It's fine. Now, Chrollo, you can tell me what you wanted from me."
Returning to the main topic, Chrollo's expression became calm again.
He looked directly at Rimo and asked,
"Rimo… have you ever thought about leaving Meteor City?"
Rimo raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Leaving Meteor City?"
"Yes," Chrollo nodded. "With your strength, I don't believe you would be willing to remain trapped in a place like this forever."
Rimo didn't deny it.
"In that, you're right. I don't plan to stay here for long. In fact, I've already been considering leaving soon."
Chrollo smiled faintly.
"I thought so. Someone like you wouldn't choose to stay here indefinitely."
Then his tone shifted slightly.
"Since you're already thinking about leaving, then you should also understand the position of Meteor City in the outside world."
Without waiting for a reply, he continued,
"We have no identity. No records. No existence in any official sense."
"In the eyes of the world, Meteor City doesn't exist. And neither do we."
During this period, Chrollo had been learning from one of the elders, absorbing knowledge about the outside world.
Compared to the lawless chaos of Meteor City, the outside world was structured.
Organized.
Controlled.
"There are nations, organizations, and associations that govern everything," Chrollo said calmly. "Rules created by those in power dictate what can and cannot be done."
"In Meteor City, strength decides everything. If we want something, we take it. If we dislike someone, we kill them."
"But outside… it's different."
"If we want to survive out there, there are only two paths."
"Either we follow their rules. Suppress our nature. And live under the control of others."
As he spoke, Chrollo's gaze swept across everyone present.
Aside from Rimo, the expressions of the others darkened.
Uvogin's aura flared slightly.
Nobunaga's hand twitched.
Machi's eyes turned cold.
They were people of Meteor City.
They lived by one creed:
They reject nothing, but they will never allow anything to be taken from them.
To give up their freedom and submit to external rules?
Unacceptable.
Even if they were treated worse than stray dogs, they still carried the pride of Meteor City in their blood.
And this was precisely why the elders tightly controlled any connection to the outside world.
Because most residents would rather die than submit.
"And if something goes wrong outside," Chrollo added quietly, "Meteor City pays the price."
Then he spoke the second option.
"Or…"
"We choose another path."
His voice became firm.
"Become enemies of the entire world."
Silence fell.
Chrollo looked directly at Rimo, waiting.
Rimo didn't refute anything.
Because there was nothing to refute.
For people like them, those truly were the only two choices.
"You're right," Rimo said calmly. "Those are the only paths."
Chrollo leaned forward slightly.
"Then which one will you choose?"
This time, not only Chrollo and his group, but even Uvogin, Nobunaga, and Machi turned their attention fully toward Rimo.
They were waiting.
Rimo suddenly chuckled.
"Don't test me, Chrollo."
Then his lips curved into a sharp, confident smile.
"My choice is obvious."
"I'll become an enemy of the world."
For a brief moment, silence hung in the air—
Then Uvogin burst into loud laughter, unable to hold back any longer.
"HAHAHAHAHA!! I knew it!"
"Rimo, you'd definitely choose to stand against the whole world!!"