Early the next morning, sunlight spilled through the cracks in the window into the room, painting several pale golden stripes on the floor.
Kalluto was already up, holding a paper fan, dressed in a very neat dark purple kimono.
He waited at the main gate early for Leo's arrival, looking toward the intersection with a face full of excitement.
Before long, Leo's figure appeared at the intersection.
Leo walked up to Kalluto to greet him.
"Good morning, Kalluto. Are you ready?"
Leo asked.
"Mhm, we can set off."
Kalluto nodded.
Leo didn't move immediately; he pulled out his phone from his pocket, opened a file, and handed it over.
"No rush. Let's find someone first. Here's the information."
On the screen was a wanted file, with "Rank A-" marked in red at the top.
Shadow Wolf Organization Organization, a gang of six; the leader is named Titus, a Transmuter.
They began their activities three years ago, specifically targeting the wealthy for robbery, kidnapping, and extortion, with clean and efficient methods.
Three multi-millionaires were stripped clean by them; because one refused to cooperate, his entire family was killed, not even sparing the servants.
More than forty people have died at the hands of the Shadow Wolves.
Nico only found the last location where they appeared six months ago.
Moreover, since Nico had followed Goreinu and the others to take on a commission, Leo didn't intend to trouble him further.
Kalluto took the phone, his gaze moving slowly across the screen.
He flipped through page by page, reading very slowly, but he memorized every word.
After finishing, he handed the phone back.
"I'm ready."
He took out a piece of white paper from his sleeve; his fingers flew, folding, pressing, and flipping.
Soon, a small paper doll lay in his palm.
He closed his eyes, and Nen was slowly injected into the paper doll.
The paper doll trembled slightly, as if it had been infused with life.
Kalluto opened his eyes and handed the paper doll to Leo.
Leo took it and closed his eyes.
All the data on the Shadow Wolf Organization Organization began to surface in his mind—the leader Titus's face, the appearance of each member, their methods, activity areas, and the last position Nico tracked.
He injected all of this information into the paper doll.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
The paper doll greedily absorbed the Nen, shaking slightly in his palm.
Five minutes, six minutes, seven minutes.
The paper doll finally had enough and stopped trembling.
It shook slightly in his palm, then stood up and turned around, as if identifying a direction.
Then it raised its hand and pointed north.
After seeing the paper doll indicate the direction, Leo put it away.
"Let's go, we'll take an Airship."
The two turned and walked toward the airport.
Two days later.
In the shadows of an abandoned factory in the northern part of the Yorbian Continent, the last member of the Shadow Wolf Organization Organization fell.
Leo withdrew his fist and glanced down at the tattoo on the back of his hand.
[Rank: Level 78 (70%)]
He flexed his wrist and turned to walk out of the factory.
Kalluto stood at the door, holding the ashes of the already burnt-out paper doll in his hand as the night wind blew them away.
Ten days, six people.
Kalluto's tracking ability combined with Ashir's teleportation made their efficiency several times faster than before.
"Next one?"
Kalluto asked.
Leo nodded.
"Let's go."
Kalluto nodded, and the two left directly through a teleportation portal.
Another seven days passed.
Yorbian Continent, Principality of Stuttgart.
A small villa in the suburbs was hidden deep within a birch forest, as quiet as a painting.
Sunlight poured through the windows into the living room, drawing geometric shapes of light on the carpet.
Liam sat on the sofa, holding a cup of steaming coffee, his gaze fixed outside the window as if admiring the scenery.
A man in Blake stood before him, his posture upright, his voice neither high nor low.
"Supervisor Liam, the Douglas Family and the Colton Family are already at each other's throats. Both sides have suffered losses, and the battle is at a stalemate."
Liam didn't turn back, only giving a soft "Mhm."
The man in Blake continued.
"As you expected, the Colton Family has sought outside help. Currently, they have the upper hand, but the Douglas Family has Blake's support behind them, giving them a clear advantage in manpower and funds. Both sides are just one catalyst away from all-out war."
He paused, lowering his voice slightly.
"By my estimation, if Douglas doesn't get a supplement of Nen Users, they can only hold out for three days at most before a total collapse."
Liam finally turned his head, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
He placed the coffee cup on the table with a soft clink.
"Use special channels to deliver the evidence that the Douglas Family is supported by the Ten Dons' Blake to the Colton Family."
The man in Blake nodded.
"Then send Vahn to kill the son of the Douglas Family's Belloc. Clean up the traces, but he must be killed by a fist."
The man in Blake didn't respond immediately, hesitating for a moment.
"Understood. However, I think the head of the Colton Family should have guessed long ago that the Douglas Family is backed by the Ten Dons' Blake. Why go through this extra step?"
Liam picked up the coffee and took a sip, his gaze falling back outside the window.
The leaves of the birch forest flipped in the wind, their silvery-white backs flashing.
"She knows, of course."
His voice was unhurried.
"The head of the Colton Family is no fool. From the day Douglas suddenly expanded their manpower and started buying munitions on a large scale, she should have known someone was backing them. But knowing is one thing; having evidence is another."
He put down the cup and tapped his finger lightly on the tabletop.
"Without evidence, she cannot wage war against Douglas with fanfare. Gavin's side would say she's stirring up trouble, and the other Ten Dons would think she's not following the rules. But with this evidence—"
The corners of his mouth hooked into a faint arc.
"She can shut Gavin's mouth."
The man in Blake fell silent for a moment, digesting these words.
Liam continued.
"What I want is for the Colton Family to emerge as the total victor from this muddy water. Only then can we proceed to the next step."
The man in Blake didn't ask further, bowing his head respectfully.
"Understood. I will see to it immediately."
He turned and left, his footsteps quickly disappearing outside the door.
Quiet returned to the living room.
Liam picked up the coffee and took a sip; it had already grown somewhat cold, but he didn't even frown.
He stood up and walked to the window. The birch leaves were still flipping in the wind, and sunlight spilled through the gaps in the foliage, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
His gaze pierced through the forest, landing on the faint outline of the city in the distance.
The stage has been set.
Everything that needed to be done has been done, and everything that needed to be given has been given.
The rest depends on how the people on stage perform.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he turned and walked back to the table.
The file on the table was open to the first page; the photo showed Leo's appearance.
I hope you can give me an even bigger surprise...
Liam's finger tapped lightly on the photo, then he closed the file and turned to leave the room.