The enormous, eyeless head withdrew behind the high wall.
The world grew quiet again.
But the smell of blood and that lingering chill refused to fade.
The tourists on the bus were already scared out of their wits, urging the driver to get moving.
After a deathly silence, the gang erupted in screams and scrambled into their vehicle to flee.
Soon, only Luo Ye and his three companions remained before the Testing Gate, surrounded by the mess left behind.
Creak.
The little door to the inconspicuous guardhouse beside them swung open.
A short, stout old man in uniform emerged, carrying a bucket and mop.
Without so much as glancing at the four of them, he walked over to the two bloody halves and deftly began cleaning up.
Expressionless, he swept the scraps of flesh and blood into the bucket.
He was not cleaning up a corpse.
He was clearing away trash.
The sight made Leorio and Kurapika's stomachs churn.
Gon's face turned pale, too.
Only Luo Ye still looked as though he were enjoying a show. He even offered a comment.
"Tsk, what a professional. More efficient than a five-star hotel."
Once the old man finished, he carried the bucket back into the guardhouse, then turned to survey the four boys with clouded yet piercing eyes.
"Why are you still here?"
His voice was hoarse and impatient.
"Visiting hours ended ages ago."
"We're not here to sightsee."
Gon stepped forward, his gaze clear.
"We're here to find our friend."
"Your friend?"
The old man froze for a moment, then scoffed as though he had heard a joke.
"There's no friend of yours here. This is the Zoldyck Family's home, a den of assassins. Get lost, brats. The living aren't welcome here."
"Our friend's name is Killua," Gon declared.
His voice