The Choice He Couldn't Resist

On the field, Killua stared fixedly at Illumi before him.

His lips trembled faintly, and his fingertips unconsciously curled tighter. It wasn't that he hadn't suspected Gittarackur's identity; he just hadn't expected the truth to be revealed here, under everyone's watchful eyes—

"Brother."

The moment those words fell, every examinee around Shu showed shock.

Leorio frowned. "That guy is his brother?"

Gon, meanwhile, seemed to suddenly understand something, hesitation and worry flashing through his eyes.

Illumi... or rather, Illumi Zoldyck, slowly revealed a vague, almost eerie smile on his utterly emotionless face.

"Killua Zoldyck," he said slowly, his voice as dull and heavy as a blunt weapon cutting through the air, "you should understand that running away is impossible."

Kurapika's gaze darkened. Turning toward Ryan and Leorio, he spoke in a low voice:

"Do you know who Killua is?"

Leorio frowned. "He's an examinee who passed with us. Who else could he be?"

Kurapika's tone was Gyo.

"He comes from the Zoldyck family. A family of assassins feared even by the mafia. In this world, only that family can bear the surname 'Zoldyck.'"

At those words, Leorio's eyes widened. "You mean... that legendary assassin family?!"

"That's right." Kurapika nodded slowly.

Ryan said nothing, merely watching the field.

Illumi raised one hand and, in full view of everyone, pulled a silvery-white needle from between his fingers.

It was a Nen Needle—an implanted consciousness-control tool, a rare and terrifying technique in the world of Hunters.

Killua's pupils contracted sharply as he took a step back.

A familiar pain stirred in his muscle memory, a kind of "obedience" repeatedly carved into him through blood and tears on the training room floor late at night. He knew this needle wasn't meant for attacking others. It was made specifically to control him.

Illumi casually tossed