Anomaly X Killing Intent

Hiss...

Metabolism Paradise...

Baishi drew a quiet breath, his attention focused on the Nen Ability. He had never imagined that Buhara, with his little-giant-like physique, would turn out to be a Conjuration Nen user!

The original story had indeed given Buhara little characterization, but judging by his enormous build, Enhancement, which strengthened the user, was undoubtedly a good match for him.

Conjuration...

It was something Baishi had never considered.

But he looked up at Buhara, who was still eating an absurd amount without stopping, and recalled the strengthening characteristics of Enhancement...

Even if he strengthened his stomach alone, could he really eat that much?

And he could digest it at an incredible speed, too!

Seen that way, Conjuration does seem reasonable...

Gulp! Watching the other man eat had whetted Baishi's appetite. He couldn't help lowering his head, his narrowed eyes flickering.

Given the situation, this seems to be my only chance to interact with Buhara for a while! It would be such a waste not to use Advent Emulation while I have the chance...

Metabolism Paradise was a special ability, a good one even among support-type Nen Abilities. Not only could it conjure food the user had eaten using Nen Aura, but it also had the advantage of injecting a target with stamina-restoring cells.

In the mysterious Dark Continent, Metabolism Paradise would be enough to keep a team going.

But...

Considering his priorities, Baishi unconsciously touched the pocket holding the hair. After a moment's hesitation, he still couldn't make up his mind.

He could use Advent Emulation only once. If he used it now, he wouldn't be able to analyze anyone else afterward.

No rush... I can't rush!

Baishi forced himself to calm down.

Never mind that the current setting was unsuitable: once he used Advent Emulation, he would have to quickly find a secluded place to condense the Talisman, and losing his use of Advent Emulation meant he couldn't analyze anyone else.

There was another Gourmet Hunter besides Buhara... Menchi!

Perhaps her talent was even more unusual than Buhara's, and her Nen Ability better suited to Advent Emulation.

Considering that he had little need for food in the short term, Baishi thought it over and decided against using Advent Emulation.

I'll leave it with you for now...

Baishi patted Buhara's belly as if by chance, then squeezed toward Killua and the others, looking somewhat dejected.

If he didn't want to lose the ability to analyze, getting more uses of Advent Emulation was an urgent problem!

Otherwise, just looking at those powerful talents and Nen Abilities he had analyzed made his mouth water, as if he were gazing at the most delicious food imaginable.

Illumi...

Squeezing out of the crowd, Baishi caught sight of Gittarackur standing in line with a whole roast pig, and Hisoka not far away. He grinned, quickly walked past Killua, and gave him a discreet look before heading toward the right side of the warehouse.

Tap, tap, tap!

Killua noticed the discreet look, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes. Hadn't Baishi said this wasn't a suitable place to talk?

Why had he suddenly changed his mind?

Had the person Baishi was wary of disappeared?

Puzzled and longing to escape his own predicament, Killua watched Baishi disappear around the right side of the warehouse. His expression unchanged, he put on his usual bored manner and casually strolled toward the left side without drawing attention. Before long, he disappeared around the corner.

In the crowd, Gittarackur's hollow eyes stared in the direction Killua had disappeared, an eerie smile fixed on his lips.

Not far away, Kurapika, who had also noticed the two disappear, glanced thoughtfully at the crowd. Then he lowered his eyes expressionlessly and leaned against a tree, as if resting, waiting for the test to end.

Rustle, rustle, rustle!

At one corner of the warehouse, a hundred meters from the testing site, was a secluded spot at the edge of the forest.

"Why did you choose this place?"

Killua emerged from the thick undergrowth and paused in surprise when he saw Baishi sitting on a stout branch, looking at him leisurely. Then he nimbly clambered up the tree and landed beside Baishi like a light-footed little monkey.

"Huh!"

Killua gave a soft exclamation. Only then did he follow Baishi's line of sight and see that the gaps between the interwoven branches and leaves offered a clear, concealed view of everything in front of the warehouse. Understanding dawned on him: that was why Baishi had taken such a long way around and chosen to meet here.

"Did you get a good look?"

Watching the examinees in the distance, Baishi smiled faintly without turning his head. "Did you notice anything unusual?"

"Unusual? You mean those examinees?"

Killua's expression remained calm. "I made a point of observing them before I came over! Aside from that fruit farmer you mentioned, there are hardly any who give me a sense of danger."

"Are you sure?"

Baishi gave a noncommittal reply and narrowed his eyes, turning to look at the somewhat puzzled Killua. With the hint of a smile, he said, "There's a guy among the examinees with gold needles stuck all over him. Did he leave any particular impression?"

"He's the unusual one you mean?" Killua was taken aback. "I remember him a little, but doesn't he just look a bit strange? And stuck full of gold needles... Weren't those round gold beads that looked like lollipops decorations on his clothes..."

Gold beads... gold needles!!

His pupils contracted sharply. Killua stared at Baishi in shock and spoke in a low voice through gritted teeth, as if he couldn't believe it.

"He's..."

When all the information came together, no matter how absurd the truth was or how hard he found it to believe, everything lay clearly before him.

"Illumi-"

Snap!

"Looks like he didn't implant an instruction to make you forget..."

Seeing that Killua understood, Baishi snapped his fingers lightly and grinned. "See, that's the appeal of a Nen Ability. Even a mere Manipulation ability can let him control you at will..."

"Wait! You mean Illumi is one of these so-called Nen users too?"

Killua's voice was slightly cold. He stared through the gaps in the foliage, his eyes carrying a faint trace of killing intent as he quickly searched the distant crowd for Gittarackur.

"That makes sense! He can completely change into another person: his height, build, appearance... Even his long black hair became a blue mohawk! If you're right and he's Illumi..."

"The one responsible for making me run away in fear whenever I face danger..."

"I'm going to... kill him!!"