Ten Pairs of Scarlet Eyes

Kurapika held the chain pendant between his fingers, his gaze fixed on the Scarlet Eyes on the table.

"Give me back the eyes."

Tserriednich leaned against the sofa, turning a glass between his fingers.

"Don't be in such a hurry. It's rare to find someone who can play with me. Stay a little longer."

His eyes flicked toward Saitama, his smile turning intrigued.

"Especially this friend of yours. I haven't had the chance to get to know him properly."

"No need." Saitama swallowed his pastry. "The cheese is good. Can I take some with me?"

Leorio stood nearby, the corner of his mouth twitching.

He'd thought they were in for a bloody fight today. He'd even brought three bottles of antidote. Instead, they were sitting here eating pastries. No one would believe it.

Gon stuffed his mouth with pastries and nodded indistinctly.

"Yeah, yeah! Let's take some back! Kurapika likes them too!"

Killua slapped him on the back, worried he might choke.

"Idiot, slow down. No one's taking them from you."

He looked up at Tserriednich, mockery in his voice.

"Quit dancing around it. Are you giving us the eyes or not? Give us a straight answer. If not, we'll take them ourselves."

Tserriednich chuckled.

"I'll give them to you, of course. But on one condition."

He raised a hand and pointed at Saitama.

"He stays with me for three months. In exchange, you get all thirty-six pairs."

Kurapika's fingers tightened.

"Impossible."

"Oh?" Tserriednich raised an eyebrow. "Thirty-odd pairs of your people's eyes in exchange for one person staying three months. That's a bargain."

"He's my friend." Kurapika's chain drew taut. "Pick another condition."

Tserriednich shrugged and said nothing.

He tapped the armrest with his fingertips.

In the shadows by the wall, several human-faced insects the size of fingernails slowly