The Deal Is Done

A hundred million Jenny?

That was how much he could get by putting his Hunter License up as collateral. For an eye cursed but not especially powerful, that was a very high price.

Gelman was a little surprised. But after he quickly glanced at Neon, he had a rough idea of what was going on.

Neon's "Angel's Automatic Notetaking" had probably predicted some future, and to prevent it from coming to pass, the Nosra Family needed to buy "Lord of Crows' Monocle."

Someone was willing to pay a hundred million Jenny, and he was in urgent need of money. Even if a public auction might have fetched a higher price, he had no reason to refuse.

"All right." Gelman nodded. "Once the money's paid, it's yours."

Seeing Gelman agree so readily, Light breathed a sigh of relief, though a trace of suspicion crept in as well.

He was relieved because Gelman hadn't raised the price, and it looked like the deal could be wrapped up quickly and cleanly.

He was suspicious because Gelman had agreed so quickly. Was the eye not actually worth much?

If he hadn't been short on time, Light would normally have probed every detail. Now, though, he could only let it go.

Neon's prophecy had predicted Light's future for the month, hinting at Neon's tragic fate.

His daughter's safety mattered more. He had to prevent the future in which she "withered." Otherwise, the rising Nosra Family would fall, and their enemies would take advantage of the opportunity to kick them while they were down.

That absolutely could not happen. Light couldn't imagine what misfortune might befall him if he lost his daughter. It was too horrifying.

"Huh?"

Neon had never read the prophecies she made. That was how she ensured their accuracy, so she knew nothing about what was going on and was a little surprised.

"Dad, you really did buy it. Didn't you say it was cursed? Besides, it's just some beast's eye. It isn't even pretty, and there's no use for it."

"We'll just keep it in the basement." Light immediately put on a kind expression for his daughter. "The curse can't affect us."

Daznuo offered a suggestion at just the right moment. "Or you could give it to an enemy or a rival. Before long, this eye might disrupt their minds and make them misjudge things."

"Good idea." Light nodded in approval.

Gelman was sure of that, too. He'd been the first one whose mind it had affected.

But he had held "Lord of Crows' Monocle" for three days now and hadn't been affected again.

In other words, to affect a Nen user's mind, it needed to be kept nearby for at least three days. For ordinary people, the time should be shorter.

It had quite a few limitations. After all, it had been separated from the Lord of Crows and was now just a dead object.

It was getting late. Neon, who had insisted on following her father, yawned and began to feel sleepy.

Seeing this, Light asked his daughter if she was all right, then instructed, "Daznuo, transfer the money to him. We should be going."

"Yes, boss," Daznuo replied respectfully.

Light looked at his daughter again. "Neon, let's go. We'll get back early so you can rest. No more staying up late."

"Sure—" Neon drawled playfully and stuck out her tongue. "I know, Dad. I'll go to sleep after I finish the 'Human Body Puzzle.'"

It was her latest treasure. As the name suggested, it was a jigsaw puzzle, except it depicted human body parts. She planned to frame it once she finished and hang it at the entrance to her collection room.

"You, honestly." Light chuckled, looking every bit the doting father who could do nothing about his headstrong daughter.

Surrounded by their guards, the father and daughter swept in like a black tide, then receded just as swiftly.

Daznuo transferred a hundred million Jenny from the Nosra Family to Gelman's account, then paid the auction house a fee.

After confirming the transfer, Gelman handed over "Lord of Crows' Monocle."

Holding the glass jar, Daznuo gave Gelman one last glance, then turned and hurried after his boss.

By the time he caught up with him, they were outside the auction house.

Neon was already in the back of the black sedan, while her father was arguing with someone who had approached him.

The man was bald and wore sunglasses. Several bodyguards followed behind him as he confronted the Nosra Family.

"Light, don't get too full of yourself!" The bald man spoke with a lisp, raised his chin, and pointed at Light with his index finger in contempt. "You spineless loser, riding your daughter's coattails to the top!"

Daznuo's expression darkened.

He handed the jar of liquid to one of the guards and, bristling with anger, started toward Light. But Light stopped him with a raised hand.

"Stand down." Light signaled with his eyes.

Daznuo promptly answered, "Yes."

He stepped back to Light's side, close enough to protect his boss at a moment's notice.

"Shanzhi." Light stroked the mustache above his lip. "We both work for the Ten Dons. We can stay out of each other's way, can't we?"

The gang boss addressed as Shanzhi glared at Daznuo, then roughly rubbed his gleaming bald head and sneered.

"You used to be nothing but a small-time boss. You only got where you are by swindling people! How dare you compare yourself to someone like me, who's gone through fire and water for the Ten Dons?"

"You'd better watch your mouth." Light held his hands behind his back. "You're free not to believe in Neon's predictions. But are you saying the Ten Dons can be fooled that easily?"

Only then did Shanzhi realize he'd said too much. He spat on the ground, as if that could take back his words.

"Heh. I may not be able to beat you in an argument, but one day the Ten Dons will see you for what you are. Then the Nosra Family will be disgraced and ruined."

"Then we'll see." Light had his concerns, but outwardly he remained confident.

"Tch, what a bad omen. Don't let me see your faces again!"

Shanzhi snorted and strode toward the auction house entrance with his men.

At that moment, the revolving door at the entrance turned, and Gelman happened to walk out. He headed down the street, where the streetlights gleamed like stars.

Shanzhi passed Gelman, then suddenly seemed to realize something. He turned and watched Gelman's retreating figure, thoughtfully rubbing his chin.

"I think I've seen that man somewhere before..."

At the same time, Light and Daznuo stood beside the sedan and witnessed the scene.

"Boss," Daznuo quietly reminded him, "ever since I saw that seller, I've felt like I'd seen him somewhere. I just remembered where. He was on a wanted poster."

"A wanted poster?" Light looked at Daznuo in surprise.

"Yes. His name is Gelman. Besides being wanted by the police on a Class B warrant, he's also wanted by the gangs. He once killed one of our gang's minor bosses, and he's suspected of being a member of the Phantom Troupe."

"Gelman?" That name stirred a faint memory in Light, though this sort of minor matter usually didn't concern him. "What exactly happened?"

I made some changes to the previous text, but every time I revise something, there's a chance some of the chapter comments might get deleted. Sorry, sorry.