Two choices × Death Waltz

Chapter 33: Two choices × Death Waltz

"So what are you going to do with me now?" Joey asked uneasily.

"Your identity is a problem, so you can't leave through a checkpoint. But with my people waiting to pick you up, we should be able to get you out once you're far enough away from one."

Kite first offered a different way out than before, then shifted the subject:

"Now comes the important part. Your identity as a Murderer isn't something you can easily clear, so if you want a peaceful life in the future, you'll need to earn a Hunter License and build up enough achievements in NGL.

With enough Hunters vouching for you as well, the Hunter Association will step in to protect you, leaving you with nothing to worry about afterward.

Of course, I won't force you. If you don't want to stay, I can send you back to the East Gorteau Republic after we get you out of NGL. News doesn't travel very freely there, so I imagine you'll find a way to make a living."

Joey hesitated. The terms Kite offered were certainly generous.

The first option would ensure he could live without worry, with no need to fear Crime Hunters or Bounty Hunters knocking on his door at any moment. He could even go wherever he wanted and build the life he had already envisioned.

As for the second, Joey could only say that if he hadn't known Kite was unaware of what the future held, he would definitely have suspected Kite was setting him up.

After all, Meruem would head to East Gorteau in the future and hold a national assembly there, gathering all five million of the country's people in the Royal Capital.

And if his status as a Nen user came to light among them, he could very well end up on Meruem's menu or Neferpitou's list of modification subjects.

"Isn't there a third option? I don't want to stay in the Mitene Union," Joey said, voicing his thoughts.

"Sorry. My people won't be able to leave the Balsa Islands for a while, so sending you back to East Gorteau is the best we can do." Kite shook his head.

"Then what will I need to do once I make my choice? You aren't just trying to help me out of kindness, are you?" Joey asked bluntly.

"That's right. Equivalent exchange has always been one of the principles Hunters work by." Kite seemed to appreciate Joey's frankness. "If you choose the first option, I'll act as your guide-in other words, your teacher-to ensure your safety. I believe my standing as a One-Star Hunter qualifies me for that.

If you choose the second, I may visit you in East Gorteau often, because I'm very interested in Ming."

Kite's words boiled down to this: I'm interested in the creature called Ming, and I'm also interested in you, someone occupying another person's body. I want to take you on adventures.

If you agree, I'll take care of your safety.

If you don't, I'll keep you confined to East Gorteau, where I can observe you whenever I like.

Joey said, "I choose the first option."

What was there to hesitate about? A good teacher was incredibly hard to find.

Becoming Kite's student right off the bat meant he had clearly secured a powerful backer, as long as Kite didn't die prematurely.

After all, Kite's own guide had been Ging Freecss, someone Netero had acknowledged as one of the world's top five in terms of Nen alone.

"Good. Next, go back toward the checkpoint with Killua and Gon. Once my companions are ready, they'll get you out of NGL and arrange a new identity for you."

As he spoke, Kite handed the briefcase to Gon. "I want you to deliver this to Deena intact. He'll know what to do next."

"Leave it to me, Kite!" Gon solemnly took the briefcase.

"Then we'll part ways once we've dealt with the enemy. I've already found whatever's been watching us."

Kite's gaze darted upward, immediately spotting a strange Chimera Ant hovering in the sky with folded arms and a head like a dragonfly's.

Crazy Clown appeared in Kite's hand the next instant.

With a boom, the clown let out a pleasant sound amid a puff of white smoke and swiftly transformed into an enormous scythe. At the same time, Chimera Ants of all shapes and sizes emerged from the forest.

Clearly, after that brief lull, a large number of Chimera Ants had converged to block their escape route.

Bloodthirsty expressions covered the Chimera Ants' faces, as though the three people surrounded by them were already helpless prey.

"Number two!"

"Damn it. Still didn't get the one I wanted," Kite muttered, gripping the Death Scythe.

"Don't give me that! Whatever number you get, you should use it with gratitude, you bastard!"

"Killua." Gon's expression was grave.

"Yeah. That scythe is seriously dangerous."

Joey said nothing, but the moment the scythe appeared, a fine layer of goosebumps rose along both his arms.

Just then, a toadlike Chimera Ant at the front spoke in human language, wearing a friendly expression. "All right, let's decide on tactics and the order!"

"Four targets, and you have three choices. One, decide the fighting order. Two, try to escape. Three, give up resisting.

I recommend the first. You'll still die, but as you humans would put it, your deaths will have more dignity. At least you'll get to fight one of us one-on-one before you die.

If you choose the second, it'll be a lot less fun, but we can still accept that. You'll just die horribly and suffer for a long time beforehand.

As for the third, I suggest you don't choose it. We find that even more disgusting than the second, so naturally, you'll endure even more torture before you die! Now, which will you choose?"

As the toad Chimera Ant spoke, a beetle Chimera Ant stepped out from behind it, carrying a bamboo tube filled with numbered bamboo sticks.

The beetle shook the sticks, apparently preparing to draw lots. Clearly, it had already decided that these humans, who had killed so many Chimera Ants, would choose to keep fighting.

And when it came to fighting, no option favored the ants more than one-on-one duels!

Quite a few Senior Soldier Ants were present, utterly unlike the Junior Soldier Ants that had charged into the base as cannon fodder. Their strength was beyond anything those Junior Soldier Ants could imagine.

Ten times, dozens of times stronger-that was the gap between Junior and Senior Soldier Ants!

"Jump in three seconds," Kite said, ignoring the proposal from the Chimera Ants, who were still drawing lots.

As his words fell, all three felt a hair-raising killing intent radiating from the scythe Kite held out horizontally.

Danger!

Extreme danger!

As that warning flashed through their minds, a countdown began almost instinctively within them, as though they feared missing their chance and being caught in the coming attack.

As Kite stepped forward, the faint white mist hanging among the trees that night silently became a vortex centered on him. A sense of dread instantly filled everyone's heart.

Cold sweat broke out on the lead toad's head, and terror filled its eyes.

Its wide mouth opened and closed, but it couldn't get out a single word.

At that moment, Joey and the other two finished their countdowns together, and all three instantly leaped off the ground.

Kite vanished at that same instant, leaving only a dazzling white streak of light flashing through the forest.

A second later, Kite reappeared. Jets of blood shot skyward, and tree after tree snapped with loud creaks less than a meter above their roots.

After landing, the three stared in shock at the Chimera Ants and trees severed in two across a radius of dozens of meters.

"Disappear." Kite's steady voice broke the silence.

Clang! The scythe vanished.

"Death Waltz. That's the only move this giant scythe can perform. Of course, it won't disappear until I use it. Yeah, what a pain!"