Windstorm Strips the Ears · The Plunderer Waiting to Reap the Benefits

Buzz—

A massive suction force suddenly burst from the straw's opening.

There was no sound of wind or howl, only an overpowering pull that appeared out of nowhere and enveloped the entire enclosed area.

The golden popcorn piled across the stone slab instantly rose into the air.

Like a golden flood, it surged madly into Gray Moth's chest through the straw's opening.

In a mere three seconds.

It was gone without a trace.

Not even a single crumb remained.

The stone slab inside the enclosure was completely bare, with only two unpopped kernels left, rolling forlornly in the corner.

The fragrance still lingered in the air.

But their harvest had already vanished, every last kernel.

The entire scene fell deathly silent.

Leorio's hand, halfway extended, froze in midair. His mouth hung open, and he stood there in a daze.

The lightning at Killua's fingertips faded, and his brows drew into a deep frown.

Kurapika's chains trembled faintly inside his sleeve, while the color of his Scarlet Eyes deepened.

Gon clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

From traveling to harvesting, from adjusting the temperature to tending the flames while waiting for the kernels to pop, all their hard work, all their anticipation, and all the suffocating pressure of being followed—

Just one second before the food reached their mouths, someone had sucked it all clean right in front of them.

Humiliation and rage surged upward through their veins.

Gray Moth let out a satisfied belch and casually stretched his four arms, a look of contentment on his face.

"Not bad."

He smacked his lips, his tone sounding as though he were reviewing a home-cooked dish.

"The heat was Gang right, and the aroma was rich enough. The quality is even better than I expected."

He acted as though he