Inside the Secret Realm, Layard lay on the ground; he knew he had no way to escape, and rather than continue being tortured, it was better to just come clean.
"This operation... indeed has to do with the Doctor."
He spoke, his voice hoarse yet steady.
"But it wasn't the Doctor who masterminded it alone."
Leo's brows rose slightly.
"There's someone above the Doctor?"
Layard nodded, which pulled at his wounds, making him grimace in pain.
"We were just following orders. As for who is above... I don't know."
Sophia interjected.
"How long have you been with the Doctor?"
"Four years."
Layard gave a bitter smile.
"In four years, I haven't even found out who the person behind her is. Whenever she contacts them, she never lets anyone get close."
He paused and continued.
"I know there's a secret base on some island. But I don't know the exact location—we enter and exit the base using someone's ability, which allows for long-distance teleportation."
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly.
A Space-type ability user; such people are extremely rare, and their abilities usually have many restrictions.
To use such an ability as a daily means of commuting suggests that the Nen User is either extremely powerful or has developed their ability to a very high level.
"What's in the base?"
Layard told him everything he knew.
"A large number of civilians and various biological samples are held there, along with many security personnel and researchers, plus six Nen Users responsible for guarding it. The Doctor conducts experiments there—researching biological weapons."
"Biological weapons?"
Sophia frowned.
"Yes. Organisms that can be mass-produced, possess Nen Abilities, and are completely controllable."
Layard said.
"They spent many years and countless test subjects died, until they finally achieved a Breakthrough recently."
Leo's heart stirred.
"What Breakthrough?"
Layard looked at him, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
"Because of a gemstone."
Before Leo could ask, he continued.
"Aistan Island, the styx stone."
Leo's heart jolted violently!
Aistan Island? The styx stone?
Wasn't that the gemstone on the scepter used by Kotekinnas?!
He remembered clearly—Machi Komacine had said that the scepter was completely destroyed, and all relevant information had been sealed and archived.
That gemstone should have completely disappeared in the explosion along with Kurt's self-destruction; how could it...
Sophia was also stunned; she subconsciously looked at Leo and found that for the first time, her master's expression had become so solemn.
Layard didn't notice the change in their expressions and continued speaking.
"That gemstone has incredible regenerative powers and biological manipulation effects. After the Doctor obtained it, the progress of the experiments skyrocketed. Those previously unstable test subjects who were prone to sudden death can now be stabilized."
Leo suppressed the storm in his heart and asked in a deep voice.
"How was that gemstone obtained?"
Layard hid nothing.
"After the Hunter Association finished handling things on the island, the Doctor instructed me to go to Aistan Island to search. She gave me a small fragment of the scepter—my ability allows me to find lost items."
He paused.
"In the pile of rubble at the edge of the explosion, I found that gemstone. Although the scepter was destroyed, the gemstone remained."
Leo fell silent.
Sophia's brows furrowed tightly as she blurted out.
"It seems the Hunter Association has the Doctor's people."
She looked at Leo, her eyes full of solemnity.
"Master, if we don't find that person, we will be at a severe disadvantage."
Leo nodded and looked at Layard again.
"Do you know who in the Association is working for the Doctor?"
Layard let out a sneer, one filled with self-mockery.
"I don't know. The Doctor wouldn't tell anyone such important matters. Even as her confidant, I couldn't access such core secrets."
Sophia asked again.
"Then what about the Doctor herself?"
Layard took a deep breath and slowly recounted.
"The Doctor is female; no one knows her name. She's very mysterious, about 1.7 meters tall, and always wears gold-rimmed glasses. She has a morbid interest in life—any life that falls into her hands is handled with terrifying efficiency."
He paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
"So efficient it's frightening."
Leo listened quietly, noting down each piece of information.
After Layard finished, he closed his eyes.
"I've told you everything I know. Kill me."
His tone was calm, without the slightest fear.
Although he had revealed a lot of information, he hadn't told Leo and the others the most critical parts, which could be considered his way of repaying the Doctor for saving his life.
Leo looked at him.
He knew Layard still had much left unsaid—like more details about the mysterious power behind the Doctor, the identity of that Space-type ability user, or the general location of the base.
But he also knew that asking further would yield no answers.
Leo stood up and walked over to Layard.
He raised his foot and stepped down.
"Crack."
The crisp sound of bones breaking. Layard's body twitched violently twice, then became completely still.
A familiar warmth came from the tattoo on the back of his hand.
[Life Energy +20%] [Rank: Level 68 (90%) → Level 69 (10%)]
Leo withdrew his foot and turned to look at Shizuku.
"Shizuku, clean this place up. Leave nothing behind."
Shizuku nodded, stepped forward, and materialized her vacuum cleaner.
"vacuum cleaner, suck it all up."
"Hayo!"
The nozzle of the vacuum cleaner opened, and a powerful suction suddenly erupted.
For the next three hours, Shizuku shuttled back and forth within the Secret Realm.
The corpses of those Red Worm Monstermen, that giant Bloodworm Demon Gorilla, the remains of humans and beasts that had been sucked dry, and all traces of the battle—everything was sucked clean by the vacuum cleaner.
The metal cages inside the Ruins, the shriveled skins, even the bloodstains on the ground—not a single thing was left.
When Shizuku pressed the switch for the last time, the entire Secret Realm was as clean as if no one had ever been there.
Only the destroyed trees and the overturned ground proved that a battle had once taken place here.
"It's done."
Shizuku put away the vacuum cleaner and adjusted her glasses.
Leo nodded.
"Let's go."
The three of them passed through the light door and left the Secret Realm.
Outside the cave, the sunlight was just right.
The ice crystals of the Wusong Forest shimmered with fine light under the sun; everything was so peaceful, as if the blood and cruelty from just now had never existed.
Sophia looked at Leo.
"Master, what's the next step?"
Leo was silent for a moment.
"I'll go visit Goreinu first. You two do whatever you need to do, but stay put. Wait for my notice."
Sophia nodded.
"Understood."
She turned to look at Shizuku.
"Then let's go."
Shizuku nodded and followed behind Sophia.
The two of them quickly disappeared into the Wusong Forest.
Leo stood where he was, watching them leave.
Then, he turned and walked toward Omask City.
As he walked, he pondered.
The person behind the Doctor held a high position and great power, very likely a high-ranking official of the V5.
Being able to keep track of the Hunter Association's every move and immediately obtain the sealed scepter fragments after the Association handled the scene—this showed that the person's reach had extended deep into the Association.
Acting rashly would only alert the enemy and might even lead them into a trap.
'I need to discuss this with Machi Komacine.'
Leo made up his mind.
He is one of the Zodiacs and knows the power structure within the Association best.
First, catch that rat hidden in the Association, then we can talk about the next step.
As for the Doctor... Leo's eyes flashed with a cold light.
No matter who is behind her, no matter how powerful that force is.
One day, he will drag her out with his own hands.
He quickened his pace and walked toward the city.