Chapter 35: Kurapika vs. Uvogin

September 2nd, 7:15 PM. The Summer Flower Hotel in Yorknew City.

Silence permeated the luxurious suite. Kurapika stood in the center of the foyer, arms crossed, waiting quietly.

Earlier that morning, after returning to the hotel, he had immediately organized the relocation of their safe house. Melody, a fellow bodyguard and a Nen user, had proposed that Kurapika take over as the new captain. The others, terrified after their previous encounter with Uvogin, had readily agreed. As for their employer, Neon Nostrade, the princess of the Nostrade family, she cared nothing for who led the guards or who died; her only concern was whether the auction would proceed as scheduled, as it held the collection of human body parts she so craved.

After obtaining consent from the Nostrade family boss over the phone, Kurapika had the bodyguards move Neon to the Summer Flower Hotel, with Melody handling the check-in. He himself remained in the original suite, gathering his strength to await his formidable foe.

Click!

The door swung open slowly. Uvogin stood on the threshold, clutching a can of beer, his expression cold and brimming with confidence. "Coming to the appointment alone... truly admirable. Where do you want to die? I can grant you that much."

Kurapika’s expression remained indifferent. "The wilderness near the Gorde Desert will do. That way, we won't disturb anyone. After all, you’ll likely be screaming when you’re on the verge of death."

Uvogin had no objections. Even with Shalnark’s help, it had taken them the better part of a day to track the Chain User. They had been somewhat unlucky, only finding Kurapika after screening every Nostrade hideout but the last.

Meanwhile, Shalnark remained hidden in the shadows, using Zetsu to observe Kurapika.

The flow of Nen around his body was smooth and dense, with no discernible flaws. He was an unexpectedly high-level master! And to dare to show up alone after witnessing Uvogin’s combat prowess—this Chain User was either extremely confident in his own strength, or… there was an ambush.

Regardless, with him watching from the shadows, Uvogin would never lose!

Kurapika and Uvogin moved with incredible speed. Once out of the hotel, they pushed off, moving with agility to avoid the crowds and the patrolling mafia, sprinting toward the Gorde Desert.

The only one suffering was Shalnark, who had to desperately chase after them while keeping his presence hidden. He felt like weeping internally: *Are you two rushing to a cafeteria opening or something?*

***

On the streets of Yorknew City, Gon and Killua had met up with their companion, Leorio. The three had just emerged from an auction house hosting a bounty mission overseen by the Ten Dons.

The Ten Dons were truly sparing no expense. Not only had they obtained photos of the seven Phantom Troupe members who had attacked the underground auction, but they had also issued a massive bounty: twenty billion Jenny for each target captured and delivered to the Ten Dons' command.

No time limit! Dead or alive! The method of capture was entirely free!

Anyone with confidence in their skills could join the hunt by paying a five-million Jenny entrance fee. This had everyone present stirred into a frenzy, including Leorio.

As soon as they left the venue, Leorio was impatient to set off and hunt the Phantom Troupe, as Gon needed money to bid on the Greed Island game console, which was priced in the tens of billions.

Killua, however, poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

"Don't be so hasty. Those people haven't even been caught by the mafia; it’s not that simple."

"What do you mean?"

"The bounty auction was a front. It was essentially a desperate plea for help. It seems the mafia has realized they can't catch the targets themselves. And remember that stage in the hall? It was clearly meant for a fighting tournament, but they had to change their plans to focus on capturing the seven Troupe members."

"You mean they're sparing no time or money?"

"Exactly. The five-million entrance fee fits the form of an auction, but doesn't it strike you as odd that there are no physical items being auctioned, only checks?"

Faced with Killua’s question, Gon and Leorio stared blankly and shook their heads.

"Dummies. It’s because the auction items were stolen by those seven people! They had to turn the bounty into an auction just to get people to go after them!"

Hearing Killua’s explanation, Gon and Leorio had an immediate epiphany.

The three walked along the street, lit by lamps, chatting as they went. Killua kept his hands in his pockets. "These lunatics actually dared to steal the mafia’s treasures—they’re definitely not right in the head. Actually, my dad once killed a member of the Phantom Troupe for a job."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He rarely complained, but he said, 'This job wasn't worth the pay,' implying the target was incredibly troublesome. At the time, he told us, 'Don't mess with the Troupe.' That was about three years ago."

Leorio was shocked. "Did you tell Kurapika?"

Killua shook his head. "No, there’s no point. Does he look like the type to listen to advice?"

"Should we give him a call?" Gon took out his phone and dialed, but after a few seconds, he shook his head. "His phone is off."

"He mentioned earlier that he was acting as a bodyguard for a VIP," Leorio said, scratching his head. "He’s probably… working, right?"

***

The temperature in the Gorde Desert plummeted at night, and the cold wind whipped up gusts of dust.

In the wilderness, surrounded by rock walls, Uvogin and Kurapika stood over ten meters apart, their presence escalating with every passing second.

"Before we start, I want to ask you something. Who exactly are you?"

Uvogin casually crushed his empty beer can into a wad of scrap and rolled his shoulders. "You don't seem like an ordinary bodyguard. I can feel a very particular resolve in your Nen."

"Before I answer your question, I have one for you."

Kurapika unfastened his wide, traditional coat and tossed it aside, revealing the tight, practical outfit underneath. His neutral, delicate face was filled with cold severity.

"Do you remember the people you killed?"

Uvogin tilted his head. "I remember the opponents who leave an impression. So, you’re here for revenge? Who are you avenging? Let's hear it."

"The Kurta Clan."

"Huh? Never heard of them."

"They were a minority ethnic group living in the Kurta region, known for their Scarlet Eyes. About five years ago, you slaughtered them."

"Scarlet Eyes? What’s that? Is it the name of a treasure? Sorry, I don't remember. Although, I had already joined the Troupe five years ago."

Uvogin spoke nonchalantly, without a hint of guilt or remorse.

The Nen radiating from Kurapika’s body grew more intense, and his voice turned devoid of warmth. "…When you were slaughtering innocent people, what were you thinking? How did it feel?"

Uvogin laughed, revealing a mouth full of white teeth. "It felt like nothing. You know? It’s precisely because I keep running into idiots like you that I can never stop killing! Let me tell you my favorite thing to do…"

"It’s beating idiots like you who come for revenge until you're a broken mess, never to rise again! Hahahaha!!!"

His Nen erupted, bursting forth like a brilliant fireball in the night! His muscles bulged, veins twisting like writhing earthworms, and he swung his right fist—saturated with Nen—at the rushing Kurapika!

"RAAAAGH!!! Take this! Big Bang Impact!!"

The violent Nen shattered the ground before him, and gravel flew like bullets at terrifying speeds toward Kurapika!

But the agile Kurapika had already leaped into the air the moment Uvogin swung his fist. Avoiding the blast perfectly, he flicked his right hand, and the chain on his middle finger shot out—his Nen ability, Chain Jail!

Once this materialized chain bound an enemy, it forced them into a state of Zetsu, rendering them unable to use Nen, while also possessing immense binding strength and durability.

But Uvogin, having learned his lesson, had been guarding against this. Using his keen dynamic vision, he saw the chain whip out and dodged to the side.

The missed chain whistled through the air like a ghost’s wail, shattering the ground with a single strike, the terrifying echo reverberating through the entire canyon.

The deathmatch had begun.