Guganyu Kingdom, Phantom Troupe

Guganyu Kingdom, Kirok City, June 30.

Late June sunlight spilled over this city famed for its antique trade. Most buildings lining the streets retained their classical style, with stone walls, arched doors and windows, and exquisitely carved eaves.

The air carried a mingled scent—the mustiness of old paper, the smell of preservation oil, and spices drifting from roadside food stalls.

At three in the afternoon, Leo and Sophia walked along Central Avenue.

The streets teemed with people, many of them obvious outsiders—well-dressed collectors, bespectacled scholars, and sharp-eyed merchants.

Kirok City would hold its largest annual auction tomorrow, drawing attention from across the continent.

"The auction will be held at Xilirike Auction House tomorrow night at eight."

Sophia reviewed the information on her phone.

"The known lots include three pieces of royal jewelry from the Guganyu Dynasty, five artifacts from lost civilizations, and over a dozen paintings by top artists. Their estimated total value exceeds fifty billion Jenny."

She paused, then added,

"An invitation is required for entry. Each one costs two million Jenny, and they're already sold out. Some people are reselling them on the black market, where the price has been driven up to five million."

Leo shook his head.

"No need to buy one. We'll keep watch from the perimeter. The intelligence only says Mores might appear. There are too many uncertainties, and the lives of these rich people and officials aren't worth protecting."

He looked toward the magnificent stone building at the end of the street—Xilirike Auction House.

It stood three stories tall, with two massive doors at the entrance and six security guards in formal attire stationed outside.

A-rank wanted criminal: Mores.

This was the first A-rank target Leo had taken on.

The C-rank and B-rank wanted criminals he had dealt with before had each been troublesome in their own way, but compared to an A-rank, they were on an entirely different level in both strength and danger.

The files showed that Mores was an Enhancement-type Nen user. His specific ability was unknown, but his fighting style was exceptionally brutal.

Over the past six years, he had been involved in seventeen major robberies and was confirmed to have killed 123 civilians.

His last crime had been five months ago, when he raided a bank vault on the Ulubian Continent and killed nine people in the process.

Danger level A meant "multiple experienced Hunters working together would be needed for any chance of apprehending the target."

Leo wanted to try.

He wanted to know how far he still was from this world's "high-risk" tier after more than a year of training and real combat.

Mores was a fine test subject—strong enough, but not yet so strong that he was impossible to handle.

"Master."

Sophia's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Since it's still early, I want to look around the market."

She pointed to an area on the tourist map.

"I found out that the traditional market here has lots of local snacks and handicrafts... Is that okay?"

Sophia put on a pleading expression, her eyes blinking expectantly.

She had been very diligent these past few months and had never made any personal requests.

Perhaps the atmosphere of the city had finally stirred her rare urge to have some fun.

Seeing the anticipation on her face, Leo could not help but smile.

"Alright. You have worked hard lately."

"Eat whatever you want and buy whatever you want. It's on me today."

Sophia's eyes lit up, and a smile bloomed across her face.

"Great! Thank you, Master! Let's go!"

She turned and headed toward the market, her steps light.

Leo followed two paces behind her, his gaze still sweeping vigilantly over the surroundings—it was a habit.

At the same time, on the outskirts of Kirok City.

Three figures strolled down a dusty country road.

On the far left was an unusually burly man with several stitched scars on his face. He wore a plain white coat and work pants—Franklin.

In the middle was a woman with purplish-red hair. Her features were delicate, but her eyes were cold. She wore a long white garment and black fingerless gloves—Machi.

On the far right was a man with a ponytail, a sheathed long sword at his waist, and a loose dark blue kimono-style outer robe. A grass stem hung from his mouth, and he wore a carefree expression—Nobunaga.

The three maintained a subtle distance from one another—not so close as to seem intimate, yet not so far as to lose mutual support. It was the tacit understanding formed through long-term cooperation.

"This time, the Boss called everyone who was free to gather in Kirok City."

Nobunaga spat out the grass stem, his voice lazy.

"Is there some big operation?"

Machi did not even look at him, her tone flat.

"You didn't know? Xilirike Auction House in Kirok City is holding a major auction tomorrow. There are quite a few valuable collectibles. The Boss has his eye on several of them."

"Oh?"

Franklin spoke, his voice low and deep.

"How many members are coming this time?"

"Other than Feitan, Uvogin, Kortopi, and Shalnark, everyone who's free will be there."

Machi said.

"Pakunoda, Bonolenov, Omokage... They should all come."

Nobunaga rubbed his chin.

"Hm—Feitan and the others aren't coming? Without those battle maniacs, it doesn't feel lively enough."

"They have things to do."

Machi said briefly.

"And the Boss only told those who were 'free' to come. It wasn't a mandatory summons. You know the Troupe's rules."

Franklin snorted and looked at Nobunaga.

"What, you think the few of us aren't strong enough?"

Nobunaga gave him a sidelong glance.

"I never said that. You're the one who thinks so, aren't you?"

The atmosphere immediately turned subtle.

Machi sighed, quickened her pace, and pulled away from them.

She knew these two too well—Nobunaga was belligerent, and Franklin did not have the best temper either. Put them together, and they would come to blows after only a few words.

She had no desire to get dragged into it.

Sure enough, before she had gone twenty meters, the dull sound of fists colliding with a blade came from behind her.

Without looking back, Machi continued forward. She was already used to it.

Every member of the Phantom Troupe had a distinct personality, and their way of getting along was to fight and bicker—as long as no one died, the Boss generally did not interfere.

Five minutes later, the sounds of fighting stopped.

Footsteps caught up from behind.

Nobunaga and Franklin walked up beside Machi, one on each side. Their clothes were slightly disheveled, but both wore calm expressions, as if they had merely exchanged greetings.

"Done fighting?"

Machi asked.

"Just loosening up."

Nobunaga shrugged.

"Next time, use Nen instead of just your mouth."

Franklin said calmly.

"Afraid you can't take it?"

Nobunaga immediately shot back.

"Want to try?"

Machi rolled her eyes, too lazy to dissuade them anymore.

She looked toward the increasingly clear outline of the city in the distance.

Kirok City. The auction was tomorrow night.

"Let's go."

Machi cut the two off.

"The Boss said to meet at the 'usual place.' Don't be late."

The three quickened their pace.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the dusty road.

Kirok City Traditional Market.

Sophia stood in front of a candy stall, her eyes shining as she looked at the colorful handmade sweets.

The vendor was a smiling old woman, introducing the various flavors in Guganyu language.

Leo stood three meters behind Sophia, leaning against a stone pillar as his gaze casually swept across the market.

It was lively. Tourists, locals, vendors, street performers... Voices filled the air, and all kinds of smells mingled together.

Tomorrow night's auction was probably going to be quite "lively."

The corner of Leo's lips lifted slightly.

"Master! This is delicious! Try it!"

Sophia ran over holding a skewer of fruit covered in syrup, a satisfied smile on her face.

Leo took it and bit into it. It was indeed very sweet.

He looked toward the western sky. The sun had already begun to sink.