The day after making their agreement with Chrollo, the Spiders left Meteor City again, taking A Luo with them.
Unlike last time, however, they did not take an airship. They traveled on foot.
A Luo, who could now just barely keep up with the Spiders, stumbled along behind them.
It seemed their destination was not far from Meteor City this time. Otherwise, surely the Spiders would not have put themselves through the misery of running the whole way!
Sure enough, that afternoon, they reached an abandoned manor not far beyond the outskirts of Meteor City.
As soon as they arrived, Chrollo stopped and turned to look at A Luo.
A Luo was a little puzzled.
"Why did we stop? Boss, don't tell me your information said the Life Stone was hidden in a dump like this?"
The manor before them looked as though it had been abandoned for centuries. Weeds and dead trees overran the crumbling ruins, and every so often, they spotted snakes, insects, and rodents lurking in shadowy corners.
Why would anyone hide a treasure in a place like this?
At a glance from Chrollo, Feitan stepped forward and dragged A Luo in front of him.
"Cut the crap. See that stone over there? Get some of your blood on it. Now!"
A Luo's eyes flickered.
Was this why Chrollo had threatened and coaxed her, pretending to give her the freedom to choose when he was actually forcing her to come here?
Shizuku came over curiously.
"Is there something strange about this stone? Why does it have to be A Luo's blood? Wouldn't anyone else's work?"
A Luo also looked at Chrollo in confusion.
Exactly!
Chrollo, Shizuku asked precisely what I wanted to ask!
Why did it have to be my blood? What was different about it?
Chrollo