Perishing in the Flames × The Final Relic

Chrollo's words silenced the entire atmosphere.

Everyone turned to look at him simultaneously.

Machi seemed to understand what the other person meant. Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to say something, but Phinks immediately covered her mouth.

It's always good to have one person alive.

Of the surviving members, only she and Burolo Lev did not participate in the extermination of the Kurta Clan.

"You want us to spare those members who didn't participate in the massacre of the Kurta Clan?"

Kevin asked, puzzled.

Chrollo nodded calmly.

"That's right."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over everyone present.

In their brief encounter, he could roughly divide this group of people into three categories.

Kind-hearted, like Kurapika.

Obedient to orders, like Basho.

The one filled with hatred Pairo.

And the one who makes the decision here, without a doubt, is the person in front of you.

Kevin's orders should be the most important.

However, considering the overall progress of the incident and the current situation, Kevin will likely also take other people's opinions into account when making his decision.

He looked at Pairo; among this group, besides Kevin, Pairo was the only person he recognized.

Pairo has simply grown up; his appearance hasn't changed much.

If I try to recall it carefully, I can still remember the scene.

Pairo's idea was definitely to kill them all.

He looked at Shalnark beside him and suddenly asked, "You're also a kid from Meteor City, right?"

Shalnark nodded upon hearing this.

Chrollo's voice softened as he began to recount, "The Phantom Troupe's founding originated more than a decade ago—"

And so, Chrollo began to inexplicably recount the history of the Phantom Troupe's formation and the reasons behind their actions.

Everyone listened quietly, and not a single person interrupted.

As Kevin listened, he approached the bound, Resentment Shalnark.

In front of everyone, he extended two fingers and touched the Shalnark's body, drawing away the Resentment, which then condensed into a small Resentment Orb.

The struggling Shalnark, as his Resentment dissipated, returned to his original form.

The only difference from before is that there is still no blood in his body, but he still maintains the appearance of a normal corpse.

Chrollo, watching this scene, did not stop his narration.

But Kevin clearly noticed his change in mood.

Until he finished speaking.

The scene fell silent again.

Kevin listened to the whole thing.

When Kevin learned that the Phantom Troupe came from Meteor City, he already knew about the structure of Meteor City.

Although it's called Meteor City, it's clearly not a proper neighborhood.

It can be described as a relatively large city in some respects, but it is also an extremely densely populated and impoverished area.

But it's never marked on the map; what is marked on the map is a giant landfill.

Every day, garbage from all over the world is dumped in this area.

No one knew that there was a city in the middle of this garbage dump.

Of course, this is just a way to fool ordinary people.

Anyone who wants to know more about this area can easily find out.

The people inside were all abandoned; they had no identity records from birth.

In countries around the world, even those in small, peripheral nations, people are required to have their identities entered into an international identity system at birth.

Kevin simply cannot believe that such a forgotten and abandoned area was not deliberately created by various countries.

This environment fostered a belief among the residents that the strong prey on the weak, and a very weak sense of good and evil.

This is Kevin's general impression of the place.

Now, with Chrollo's narration, those who were unfamiliar with Meteor City gained a general understanding of it.

Chrollo, Pakunoda, Machi, Shalnark, Feitan, Uvogin, Franklin, Phinks.

These are the children who met and became acquainted in Meteor City when they were young.

They can be considered as founding members of the Phantom Troupe.

They lived in a garbage-strewn area when they were children.

Listen to him tell stories about his childhood.

Even Phinks and the others standing nearby were silently lost in their memories.

Kevin found it somewhat absurd.

The Phantom Troupe was originally established to provide voiceovers for superhero tokusatsu films, and its goal was to create a circus troupe that dreamed of traveling the world.

However, the death of one of the girls caused the entire Phantom Troupe's purpose to change drastically.

Moreover, it wasn't an ordinary death; it was a death resulting from brutal torture and dismemberment by the gangsters, followed by a videotape of the victim's taunts.

Essentially, they are both groups that have come together for revenge.

"So, after saying all that, you're probably trying to gain our sympathy so that the Phantom Troupe won't disappear, right?"

Chrollo's purpose was easy to guess; almost everyone present knew it.

Chrollo didn't hide anything and nodded knowingly.

"That's right, besides being A-Rank wanted criminal gang, we are also Meteor City's sharpest blade to the outside world, using fear to tell everyone..."

Meteor City is inviolable.

At this moment, Kurapika looked at them and asked in a deep voice, "Did you succeed in your revenge? You should have succeeded long ago."

Chrollo nodded and said calmly, "It was a success. We cleaned up the people involved in that incident many years ago."

"Then why? Why continue to commit these completely unrelated evil deeds?"

Kurapika, who pays more attention to the Phantom Troupe than others, is very knowledgeable about the entire Phantom Troupe's criminal history.

That would certainly have been the case in the past.

They would leave notes announcing their crimes.

However, afterwards, some of the misdeeds clearly began to change according to certain preferences, and were obviously not for the so-called Meteor City.

They were simply committing evil deeds.

"To survive, the Phantom Troupe must continue to plunder and perpetuate fear."

Chrollo said quietly.

"You're lying, aren't you? Even in a situation like this, there are things you have to hide—like Nen ability?"

At that moment, Kevin suddenly asked a question.

The sudden revelation caused a subtle change in Chrollo's expression.

"You can even tell the difference like that? Just how much Nen ability do you have?"

Even if he just stands there doing nothing, you can tell he's lying from a distance.

He was so confident that, apart from Nen ability, it was impossible for anyone to discover that he had concealed something in his words.

What he just said, to some extent, cannot be considered a lie, but rather a selective expression.

"Your Nen ability is called [Master of Stealth], although many people name their Nen ability with unrelated words."

"However, most people still choose words related to their Nen ability naming it."

"Whether it's appearance, imagery, or abstraction, at least in his mind, this is how the name of his Nen ability is expressed."

Those with such Nen ability have indeed engaged in theft and robbery.

If it's simply about demonstrating fear, then one could act like a terrorist.

While the Phantom Troupe's actions often result in large-scale killings, there are also isolated cases that show they don't cause excessive additional casualties if there aren't many people involved in the robbery.

It is essentially an act of theft; quickly overcome all obstacles, obtain what you want, and leave as fast as you can.

"So, your Nen ability can grow, right? You should undoubtedly be a genius, a gifted person, and your temperament is indeed extreme, so it's only natural that your Nen ability is powerful."

The reason I thought of Nen ability being able to grow was naturally because of Pairo.

Pairo's Nen ability can also grow, as seen in the eyes of the Funeral Clan.

Moreover, it is also Specialization Type.

"You're really amazing; you can even deduce something like this."

Chrollo couldn't help but say.

Such things cannot be known by those who do not have sufficient understanding of Nen ability. It is a kind of experiential knowledge; one must know enough about Nen ability and have witnessed enough Nen ability to have such experience.

However, just a few years ago, such people were the ones they were chasing after.

However, upon closer reflection, the fact that the other party was able to save several people and escape right under their noses in that situation is indeed quite impressive in a way.

"So, what are you still thinking about? Even now, you're still thinking, even knowing you can't escape."

Kevin, standing to the side, asked with great curiosity,

He possesses the ability to distinguish between good and evil, coupled with the power of the Dream Butterfly created from materials obtained in the Dark Continent.

With the reinforcement of both methods and his training, he was now able to vaguely perceive the emotions expressed by others when they were thinking.

"Looks like there's no other way."

Chrollo said helplessly, then simply lay down on the ground, resigning himself to being at the mercy of others.

He gave up.

Kevin ignored him and turned to look at Kurapika and Pairo.

What are you two thinking?

No one can help the two of them make a decision in this matter.

Without hesitation, Pairo said, "Let them atone for their sins. There's nothing more to say."

He remained steadfast in his belief that everyone in the Phantom Troupe deserved to die, and was destined to die.

Upon hearing Pairo's reply, Kevin turned to look at Kurapika.

"The hatred for their comrades will turn into Resentment. Even if someone survives, they will not let it go. Even if only one person survives, they will continue to seek revenge."

That's how the Spiral of hatred begins.

If they wipe out the Phantom Troupe here, the people of Meteor City will find out too; it can't be kept secret.

And places like Meteor City embody this kind of philosophy.

Many will seek revenge against them afterward.

But should we give up on revenge for that reason? Impossible.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be called the Spiral of Hatred.

Suddenly, Melusina came to Kevin's side, took his arm, and looked at his face.

"What's wrong?"

Looking into Melusina's eyes, Kevin suddenly asked.

Melusina smiled, reached out and touched Kevin's face, then flashed the ring on her hand.

I can feel how you feel.

Hearing this, Kevin smiled helplessly.

"I'm sorry I made you feel bad."

"It's okay, I'm very happy."

I despise the Phantom Troupe and loathe their actions.

However, it is undoubtedly true that it is still the Phantom Troupe from our childhood.

I also loathe the creation of such an environment, and I loathe those twisted scumbags.

Normal people are essentially no different from the people of Meteor City.

Humans are complex, and so are their emotions.

Just as Chrollo said, the reason why they can kill those people without hesitation, yet cherish their comrades, is because...

Emotion.

Companions are those you care about, while those who die are those you don't care about.

They were simply laying bare these hidden emotions.

They simply amplified these emotions because of the extreme nature of their environment.

Is it due to their nature or the environment?

Kevin's education clearly pointed out the problem to him.

It is precisely because they do not integrate with the outside world, because they are discriminated against, and because of the harsh environment, that they are not connected with universal moral values.

It is precisely because of the shared emotions that humans have done essentially the same things.

Melusina looked at Pakunoda.

"Your name is Pakunoda, right? I remember your ability is to read memories and transfer them to others?"

Although Pakunoda didn't know what the situation was, he nodded nonetheless.

"Then, load your magazine with all the memories you know, have experienced, and understand about Meteor City, and fire."

These words shocked everyone.

"Wait, Melusina!" Kurapika immediately stopped him.

Kevin and his friends already did a great favor by helping them get revenge; there's no point in doing something like this now.

Men Qi, who had been watching the whole thing unfold, scratched his head, somewhat puzzled by Melusina's actions.

He nudged Xiahara's belly with his elbow, trying to ask a question.

However, Buhara simply shrugged and shook his head.

Biscuit, arms crossed, remarked, "Such a love-struck fool, but—has she finally grown up?"

The reason for this decision can be understood by understanding Kevin's personality, purpose, and thoughts.

Kevin looked down at Melusina and held her hand tightly.

You don't need to go that far.

"No, it's necessary. Didn't you say before that people Dharma Image because they can't empathize?"

"In places like that, if it's really as they say, even if they die, people just like them will keep appearing."

It will never stop.

"I also want to do something. After all, I'm just sitting in the Manor doing nothing, aren't I? I need to find something to do."

"And."

Melusina smiled but didn't continue.

Through the ring, Kevin could clearly sense Melusina's feelings.

Therefore, they can empathize with each other and understand each other's feelings.

Melusina seemed to have made a connection to something.

During the time when Melusina was still Saintess, her understanding of all the beauty in the outside world came from books, videos, and various newspapers.

That's illusory, superficial.

The vast majority of them are beautiful.

Food Village is a place of delicious food, and food is essentially a beautiful expression of human nature.

Not to mention that she loves romance comics, although there are also tragic ones, but she undoubtedly yearns for pure love with happy endings.

She was born yearning for this beauty.

Similarly, I want to transform unpleasant things into something beautiful, a place where one can freely enjoy love and genuinely smile while eating dessert.

Not to mention that Meteor City is like Cage — Cage in a different form, not necessarily better than the former Food Village.

"Okay, I understand."

This was the first time Melusina had wanted to do something, and Kevin, of course, supported her.

With outstretched hands, her Nen Aura transformed into specks of light, which drifted like dust, enveloping Melusina's head before surging into it.

"Come on, just like she said, shoot her. Don't even think about tampering with anything; I have ways to examine her."

Kevin looked at Pakunoda and said.

Kevin had many ways to prevent accidents from happening, and through the medium, he could also clearly sense Melusina's changes.

Therefore, there's no need to worry about Pakunoda tampering with the memories during delivery.

The effects of the drug on the Phantom Troupe members present were still ongoing.

Kevin snapped his fingers lightly, and the effects of the potion on Pakunoda disappeared.

Gowen walked over, took out the potion, and poured it into Pakunoda's mouth, reconnecting the broken part.

Aside from feeling somewhat unwell and weak, Pakunoda stood up.

As Melusina had said, he took out a pistol.

Nen Aura surged.

"Bang!"

He pulled the trigger under everyone's gaze.

A Nen Bullet struck Melusina between the eyebrows.

Melusina was only slightly taken aback, then shook her head.

"So fast?!"

Pakunoda exclaimed in surprise.

This isn't just a few memories; it's a collection of memories from her childhood, memories of her experiences in Meteor City.

Of course, it wasn't just some everyday little things, but rather some impactful events she had experienced.

Although the sequence is short, it's definitely not a situation where you can be completely unaffected the moment you're hit.

"It's not so bad compared to previous experiences."

Melusina said with a smile.

"I never expected you to possess such Nen ability. So that's the reason."

Every Nen ability has a reason for its formation, especially the Specialization Type.

Pakunoda, a member of the Phantom Troupe, developed his Nen ability for a rather positive reason.

It can acquire memories and also give memories to others.

Moreover, it uses guns as a medium.

Understanding, emotion, and trust.

The Nen ability is born from the intertwining of three emotions.

"This is what they mean when they say even the most hateful person has a pitiable side."

As she spoke, she closed her eyes, then opened them again to look at the Phantom Troupe in front of her.

"Now, you can die in peace, carrying your sins with you."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Kurapika.

Kurapika nodded at this moment.

He has calmed himself down and solidified his resolve.

"May I use fire?"

Chrollo suddenly spoke.

Kevin looked at the tattoo on his forehead and nodded.

With a gentle wave of his hand.

Hot Wind swept in.

Immediately, like a whirlwind, the Hot Wind blew forward violently.

The wind blew towards the corpses on the ground and towards the Phantom Troupe members who were gathered together.

When the Hot Wind touched them, the temperature suddenly rose.

In the blink of an eye.

The members of the Phantom Troupe were ignited and immediately turned into sparks, as if they had been instantly vaporized by the high temperature.

It turned into sand and gravel blown by the gale, and even the skeleton was reduced to dust in the sweeping wind.

When the Hot Wind that enveloped them disappeared, all that remained was a pile of ashes.

A surge of Resentment welled up within him.

A book was born from Resentment.

Born from ashes.

[The Master of Stealth]