Shalnark's Nen Ability, "Black Voice," achieved absolute control over a target by inserting an antenna into their body.
Shalnark had two antennas in total.
Before entering the building, he had already used one.
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Now, faced with Leech and Porcupine blocking their way, he had inserted his remaining antenna into Leech and taken control of him, while Pakunoda drew her gun to distract them and Kortopi attacked to provide cover.
But before using his last antenna, he had already handed it to Kortopi to copy.
So what he had inserted into Leech was actually just a counterfeit antenna made by Kortopi.
But even a counterfeit had the same functions as the original. That was what made Kortopi's Nen Ability, "Gallery Fake," so terrifying.
Shalnark now had two antennas in his hands again, one counterfeit and one original.
Phinks caught up from behind, while Feitan stayed alone to block the stairs.
More Shadow Beasts had already quickly assembled in the lobby: Hedgehog, a gaunt old man with spikes on his body; Woodlouse, whose clothes had armor-like decorations; Bat, who had broken through a window and entered with wings flapping; and Owl, who pushed up the glasses on his nose with a grave expression.
Apart from the remaining two, Firefly and Malu, who were upstairs and on their way, everyone was present.
Yet in that brief clash alone, the Shadow Beasts had already lost Worm, Rabid Dog, and Leech. Although Porcupine was still alive, he was no longer fit to fight and needed to expel all the eggs from his body as soon as possible. If he delayed even a little, he would die too.
Even among experts, there were differences in ability.
That was exactly what Owl thought at that moment.
When No. 91 of the Ten Dons had ordered them to avoid contact with the Phantom Troupe for the time being, none of them had accepted it.
They had even arrogantly believed they would teach the Phantom Troupe an unforgettable lesson today, but none had expected this outcome when they actually met.
Should we keep going?
Owl wavered.
But Feitan was still furious. Looking at the gathered Shadow Beasts, he curled his lips into an icy smile, then actually attacked them first.
Meanwhile, the four who had followed Shalnark up to the second floor all stopped.
Two people were slowly approaching ahead of them. Powerful Nen radiated from the two silver-haired men, bringing grave expressions to the four Phantom Troupe members' faces.
They're strong!
Shalnark was torn.
By his calculations, the Shadow Beasts and the assassins hired by the Ten Dons could tie down two of them at most. The remaining three would be enough to support the boss.
But now, it appeared his calculations had been wrong.
In that case, there was only one best course of action now: wait.
Wait for Shizuku and the other two, who had split off, to come support them. After all, two of those three were combatants.
"I'll handle this." Phinks stepped forward of his own accord.
His expression was extremely grave. Facing Silva and Zeno, he had no confidence.
Silva in particular had left a deep impression on him. After all, Silva had once killed the Phantom Troupe's No. 8 single-handedly.
But in their current group, if he did not step forward, no one else could hold these two back.
Besides, Phinks knew he would not need to face the two alone for long. Feitan, Shizuku, and the others would soon arrive to reinforce him.
The wall Kortopi had copied downstairs could stop the mafia, but it could not stop Shizuku's group of three.
Shalnark had no other option now. He could only give Phinks a solemn nod.
"It seems we've been underestimated," Zeno said with a chuckle. But he showed no intention of attacking immediately. Instead, he and Silva stepped slightly aside, clearing the way.
Shalnark, Pakunoda, and Kortopi quickly passed them with caution. Only when they reached the third floor did they truly relax, though they could not help worrying about Phinks, who had stayed behind alone.
But before the three had climbed many more floors, throwing knives suddenly shot toward them from the corridor.
This time, Kortopi stayed behind.
Outside the restaurant on the eighteenth floor, Qiao Lun and Kurapika met up.
"What's happening inside?" Kurapika could hear fighting in the restaurant.
"They're evenly matched. They probably won't settle it anytime soon." Qiao Lun kept his eyes on the stairs.
"So Hisoka really isn't a member of the Phantom Troupe?" Kurapika still found it hard to believe.
"Right. Your ability specifically targets Phantom Troupe members, doesn't it? Good thing you never attacked Hisoka." Qiao Lun had already told Kurapika about Hisoka peeling the tattoo off his back.
He did not want Kurapika to fall into a trap without knowing what was going on.
After all, no one could say when Hisoka might become an enemy. The man really was rather unhinged.
"I understand. Thank you." Kurapika was quite grateful to Qiao Lun.
Today's situation had come about entirely through Qiao Lun's efforts to stir things up. It was foreseeable that even if they could not wipe out the Phantom Troupe today, they would certainly deal it a heavy blow.
Qiao Lun was just about to reply when the White Divine Dogs sniffed a few times, then nuzzled him.
Kurapika's phone also vibrated just then. It was a message from Gon.
"The Phantom Troupe members have gone up. Only two of them."
With their route established, Gon, Killua, and the others had long since stationed themselves in the surveillance room to watch the stairs.
"They're here." Kurapika put away his phone, his whole demeanor turning serious.
Qiao Lun formed a shadow puppet with his hands in front of him, and a Toad appeared beside him. Alerted by the Divine Dogs, the Toad suddenly shot its tongue toward the stairs.
There was no need to waste words on the Phantom Troupe. Attack on sight!
That was Qiao Lun's tactic!
The instant the Toad's tongue reached the stairs, a figure appeared there.
But it was not Shalnark or Pakunoda as Qiao Lun had hoped. It was an armed mafia member.
The Toad's tongue instantly wrapped around the man's neck, and gunshots rang out. But the mafia member caught by the neck was not the only one firing. A tall, slender blond figure also leaned out from behind him.
It was Pakunoda, with a revolver in her hand.
Both Divine Dogs sprang forward at once, while chains also danced in front of Qiao Lun. One bullet struck the White Divine Dogs, but utterly failed to penetrate the Cursed Energy covering its body.
Another
bullet struck Kurapika's chain, throwing off sparks.
The Black Divine Dogs dodged the bullets and seized the chance to close in on the stairs. It leaped, its gaping jaws opening to tear into Shalnark's neck.
Shalnark pulled the mafia member in front of him to shield himself, his brow tightly furrowed, while another antenna had already appeared in his hand.