Isn't this the Sky Master?
The person they'd met yesterday at the foot of the mountain. The person who'd led them in competition at the practice field all day today. That person was... not the Sky Master?!
Hart felt like he was in a ghost thriller. The classic scenario: chatting with a character for a long time, then another person comes over and says, "Who are you talking to?" "There's no one there at all." "That little girl died ten years ago."
Every hair on his body stood on end.
Shizuku just said "Oh," then informed Liam of this information through the Moon Mark on her index finger.
At the practice ground, Liam was genuinely surprised when he received Shizuku's message. He looked at the Sky Master in front of him.
The white-haired man with a youthful face. Looked like an immortal. Had an extraordinary temperament. An unparalleled master.
Turns out he's a fake?
Why would a counterfeit go to all this trouble? Waste a whole day competing with so many martial artists?
The Sky Master looked toward Liam.
Liam stared back at him nonchalantly for a while. Asked, "Are you providing food?"
The Sky Master looked very surprised. Then smiled. "Of course."
After a while, waiters from the villa brought dining carts.
Nearly two-thirds of the fighters had been eliminated. Some had already left and returned to the hotel. Others remained here, observing those still persisting. The "out-of-body" experience—though simulated and false—was still rare. The taste of it, if you savored it carefully, did make sense for tempering your mind. Everyone rationalized it this way. Otherwise, why go through all this?
Liam acted like a normal person. Controlled his body and ran to the dining cart. Lifted the cover. Immediately revealed all kinds of delicacies underneath. The aroma was fragrant, making stomachs rumble.
His physical body—except for the lack of brightness in his eyes, as if sleepwalking—was no different from usual. His eating and drinking movements were quick but not rude. His concentration on enjoying food actually increased the appetite of onlookers.
The remaining eliminated martial artists looked at each other. Joined in.
Soon more waiters brought more dining carts. Under Liam's leadership, these people ate enthusiastically in the training ground. At first glance, you'd think Liam had also been eliminated.
The "souls" of a dozen warriors still struggling tried their best to control themselves. Not to watch the scene of those people enjoying delicious food.
Their consciousness had been out of body for a whole day. The experience could be described as torture every minute.
Even Wing—holding his breath to keep his "soul" stable—couldn't help frowning and smiling bitterly in secret.
Liam secretly communicated with Shizuku through the ring on his body. At the same time, glanced at the seemingly fake Sky Master from the corner of his eye.
[If he's not the Sky Master at all, someone should've recognized him when we were at the foot of the mountain.] His voice sounded in Shizuku's mind. [For example, Wing. It's not like he's never been to the event before. How could he recognize the wrong person?]
In the hotel room, Shizuku typed up Liam's doubts and sent them intact to Bisky.
At the same time, Bisky—in another corner of the world, wearing cute pajamas—walked barefoot to the window. Looked at the starry sky and pondered for a while.
I'm afraid it was at the Sensui Mountain Conference forty years ago. What did President Netero do to the Sky Master?
She clicked into her phone and sent a message.
Buzz. Shizuku's phone vibrated. She clicked: "The Sky Master I saw forty years ago was a senior who looked much older than President Netero. Since the Sky Master Wing saw back then is the same Sky Master you see today from this person's appearance, then: 1. Sky Master has been replaced at least ten years ago; 2. Sky Master has used some kind of ability to restore his youth."
And below: "PS: Are you John Smith?"
Shizuku used the Moon Mark to relay Bisky's reply to Liam. Replied "yes" to Bisky.
[If it was a swap, the waiters at Sensui Mountain would probably have been replaced long ago. If some kind of Nen ability was used, it's probably a Conjuration ability!]
Liam at the practice ground thought this. Remembered Netero he'd seen on the hotel roof at noon.
At that time, Netero was looking toward the training ground. Was he observing this real-or-fake Sky Master?
However, if the Sky Master's appearance had already changed so drastically at least ten years ago—from the decrepit old man Bisky saw forty years ago—and if Netero was really curious or even suspicious about such changes... why did Netero only come here to observe today?
"Unless the Sky Master's change was originally caused by Netero."
"Besides martial arts competitions, art exhibitions began appearing at Sensui Mountain. Is it because of this change that happened to the Sky Master?"
"What is Netero doing? Conducting experiments on the Sky Master? Doesn't fit his character."
Many speculations flashed through Liam's mind. Finally, he thought amusedly, It can't be that Netero holds art exhibitions to cultivate his sentiment. Or seduce artistic young women? Uh.
Anyway, Netero is certainly not a hundred-year-old innocent bachelor.
The man has a son!
[So you suspect all the abnormalities are related to Netero, the President of the Hunter Association?]
Front mountain hotel. Kurapika's side.
Liam briefly told Kurapika about the situation through the Moon Mark on the ring.
Kurapika also communicated through the Moon Mark. Nodded as he spoke to himself.
[He's the strongest. From the same era as the Sky Master you mentioned. Didn't you suspect from the beginning he might be a Nen clone? Since it's a clone, the Nen user can adjust what it looks like. It's normal for it to become younger and more in line with one's wishes.]
"Kurapika!" At this time, other bodyguards came over. "It's almost seven p.m. Time to change shifts."
Kurapika got up, cleaned up, changed clothes, and went out with several other bodyguards. Headed to the hotel restaurant to find his employer, Damat.
Celebrities came and went in the restaurant. Especially at Damat's table. This important critic was very popular.
Kurapika and the others changed shifts with the bodyguards who'd been on duty during the day. Those on night shift had to protect their employer from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next morning.
As for the little gray bird on Kurapika's shoulder, his colleagues didn't say anything when they saw it.
Bodyguards like us can carry pistols, let alone a little bird that doesn't look conspicuous.
Besides, Nen users' methods are unpredictable. Who knows whether this little bird is some kind of helper for Kurapika's abilities?
For that matter, these knowledgeable bodyguards of Nen users wouldn't casually ask others about their abilities. That could easily create enemies.
After dinner, his employer Damat left the restaurant. Chatted and laughed with others. Headed to the art exhibition hall.
Kurapika and the other bodyguards followed from near or far.
[So, have you found your prey?] Jaku-Liam stood on Kurapika's shoulder, but the transmission came from Liam's main body far away in the back mountain through the ring. In reality, Jaku only acted as a "camera" throughout.
Kurapika sent a message. [Not yet.]
[Then why aren't you hurrying up?]
[My current duty is to serve as a bodyguard. I need to protect my employer. The art exhibition lasts three days, with six or seven days of other activities afterward. Masuo Harrison won't leave early. There's always a chance to meet him.] After a pause, his eyes darkened. [As long as I can see him up close and get a drop of his blood, I can find him again with the Book of Revelation.]
Liam said unexpectedly, [Seems like you plan to wait until the event's over to settle the score with that guy?]
Kurapika said, [He may also have bodyguards. With so many people here, I can't guarantee I can do it without causing commotion. I can't predict whether innocent people will be affected.]
In the art exhibition hall, different paintings were displayed. Men and women in formal wear whispered to each other. Stopping in front of each painting, then slowly leaving. Even the waiters coming and going tried to keep their voices down.
Wherever Damat went, he inevitably attracted silent sidelong glances. How long he stayed in front of this painting. How long he looked at that one. Whether he spoke. What he said. Many people were extremely concerned about his movements.
Except for the personal bodyguard with the square face, Kurapika and the others followed at a distance. Naturally, the bodyguards also wore black attire appropriate to the occasion.
During night shift, Kurapika had to protect his employer nearby. During the day, Kurapika had to rest.
Why am I here?
Jaku-Liam glanced at Kurapika from time to time.
Kurapika asked, [What about you? If you're willing to help, with your Star Mark ability, you should be able to subdue Masuo Harrison silently. Then control him to hand over the Scarlet Eyes.]
Liam didn't respond.
Jaku-Liam just turned its head. Looked at him with left and right eyes. Said nothing.
Kurapika suddenly turned into dead fish eyes. Finally said, [Boss, if you're free, please help me.]
The face of the little gray bird could actually be read as an expression of relief that "this child can be taught." At the same time, Liam's voice message rang in Kurapika's mind. [I can't get away. The competition isn't over yet.]
[Then I have to wait for an opportunity.]
[But who said I can only use Star Mark with my body?]
Kurapika was very surprised. With a flash of inspiration, he asked, [Can the target you marked with a star also spread the mark?]
[What do you mean spread? Use proper words. I think of you as a transmission source.]
[I do have a star on me.] While transmitting, Kurapika glanced at the small gray bird on his shoulder. [Can the bird's wings and claws successfully use the Star Mark?]
At this moment, there was a hushed commotion in the quiet art exhibition hall. A group of people were whispering.
Kurapika and the other bodyguards immediately followed the sound. Approached their employer in unison.
The direction of the noise wasn't where Damat was, but elsewhere. The gazes that had been paying attention to Damat's movements disappeared as the crowd gradually gathered elsewhere.
Damat's face showed displeasure. But there was nothing he could do.
Because the person who attracted the crowd was Isaac Netero, President of the Hunter Association.
Any Professional Hunter is someone with transcendent status. Anyone can hire Professional Hunters, but tasks are tasks. Status is status.
Netero stands at the top of all Professional Hunters. Compared to Damat, the difference is like clouds and mud.
When people paid attention to Damat, they worried about the atmosphere in the art exhibition hall. Weren't too rude. But when the President of the Hunter Association appeared, everyone couldn't help getting closer.
"The President is here too?"
Among Damat's bodyguards, two were rare Professional Hunters. Of course they knew their Leader.
They also recognized the woman following the President.
Wearing a rabbit-ear headband. Fashionable and playful outfit. Isn't this the Zodiac "Rabbit"?
Damat had a stern look on his face but couldn't help moving closer. This is the President of the Hunter Association, after all!
"'Eye of the Curse.' Hehehe."
Netero and Pyon passed by a painting. After a brief glance, Netero laughed casually.
Everyone who'd gathered to watch had already seen this painting. A new work by a second-rate young painter. Seemed to be inspired by the genocide of the Kurta Clan two years ago.
Stumps and severed limbs all over the painting. Arms. Two heads rolled together—a pair of young men and women. Their eyes were black and hollow. The most vicious thing: these empty eye sockets had two fingers painted on them. Because the fingers were scattered all over, no one could tell whether they were left by the Phantom Troupe who caused this tragedy, or by the Kurta Clan themselves.
In the hellishly dark night sky above, a full moon was scarlet and gloomy. Painted like a fiery red eye. Like the cursed eyes of a devil, staring indifferently at the human tragedy on the ground.
An uncomfortable, unclear work. No one was particularly interested. But Netero took a second look, which inevitably made people stop and examine it more closely. Since Netero seemed to sneer twice before walking away, people's detailed analysis mainly went in a "derogatory" direction.
[Calm down! Pikachu, you have to calm down!] Liam's voice exploded like thunder in Kurapika's head, which was filled with anger. [Are you wearing contact lenses?]
Kurapika stared at the "Cursed Eye" signed "Masuo Harrison." Took a deep breath. [Wearing them.]
[You should be happy. This painting was noticed because of Netero. That Harrison must be impatient to show up.] The little gray bird rubbed its claws on Kurapika's shoulder. [Now's a good time to take advantage of the chaos to capture Harrison.]
[Then I'll trouble you.]
Jaku-Liam, already preparing to take off, stopped again.
Kurapika's eyes narrowed. [My fault. Boss.]
Jaku-Liam flew away silently. Flew toward a passing waiter. Seemed to plan on controlling a waiter first, then finding out where Masuo Harrison lived.
But very quickly, Jaku-Liam flew back quietly. With a lively expression on the bird's face—as if it had seen a ghost.
Not far away, Netero and Pyon passed by Kurapika and the others, walking and chatting.
Pyon suddenly asked, "By the way, where's Gel?"
Netero touched his barb-like beard and smiled. "I asked her to take care of an old friend."
Deep in Sensui Mountain. A dark cave somewhere.
One of Gel's arms transformed into a snake spitting messages. The snake's body was Gel's original arm, with a section bulging roundly, then rolling around in chaos.
Gel frowned slightly. Finally, the long snake her arm had become opened its mouth. Hissed. Sprayed out a cloud of gray poisonous mist.
The snake's body cracked. Finally turned into a layer of shed skin, falling into gray powder on the ground.
Gel's arm returned to normal. She said solemnly, "Breaking this kind of poison is as difficult as reaching heaven."
In front of her was a man bound by iron chains to the cave wall. Gray cracks covered his entire body. He was very old. Gray hair hung down. The entire stone wall behind him was covered with black runes—densely packed divine script from Nen abilities.
"Ho... ho..." The old man, whose body was covered with gray cracks, had cloudy eyes. Growled at Gel in a meaningless voice.
"A strange poison from the Dark Continent. The President can really pose problems for people."
Gel thought this. The corners of her mouth curled up.
After listening to Liam's words, Kurapika subconsciously exclaimed. Stopped in time. Asked through the ring, [Your Star Mark can't take effect? Are these waiters not living people?!]