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143 HxH: The Strongest Assassin
🕑 Added 2024-11-25 06:01:03 +0000 UTCThe next day, Kaizen arrived near the massive conference building.
Security was tight, with guards stationed at every corner.
From a distance, Kaizen calculated that absorbing the building's aura characteristics would take about ten days. Even at such a range, it was manageable.
In the meantime, Kaizen had given Altan a specific order: create chaos in Lab 2.
This disruption would delay the experiments of Dantins and Greed, giving Kaizen more time to execute his plans.
Ten days later, Kaizen had raised his Observer's Will to over forty percent efficiency.
Greed, seated in his smoke-filled study, exhaled a thick plume of smoke and frowned deeply. The tension in the room was palpable.
"What's the situation?" Greed growled, glaring at his phone.
"Why does Dantins keep delaying things? The selection for the Shadow Beast positions is running out of time. I can't afford to wait anymore!"
Finally, unable to contain his frustration, Greed dialed Dantins.
"Ten days," Dantins reassured him over the line. "I'll be there in ten days."
"Fine," Greed grunted. "I'll wait ten more days."
Though the agreed deadline hadn't yet passed, the repeated delays had Greed on edge. After ending the call, he seemed slightly calmer but still agitated.
Heading to the backyard training grounds, Greed spotted Kaizen in the midst of his exercises. The younger man halted as Greed approached.
"Mr. Greedy," Kaizen said, nodding respectfully.
Greedy barely acknowledged him, his mind elsewhere. To him, Kaizen was nothing more than a junior with potential—someone useful, but nowhere near his level.
Kaizen began hesitantly, "what's the Shadow Beast Manor like?"
Greedy raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"You've spoken so much about the Shadow Beasts," Kaizen replied. "I'm curious to see their Manor for myself. It'd be incredible to meet the members in person."
"Didn't you see Leech and Rabid Dog the last time?"
Kaizen shook his head. "I stood too far away. I didn't catch much of their battle, and I wasn't able to speak to them either."
Greed fell silent, contemplating.
"Mr.," Kaizen continued carefully, "your strength is undeniable. If there's an open position in the Shadow Beasts, I'm sure you'll claim it. But… do you think others might resort to underhanded tactics?"
Greed snorted. "Such as?"
"In Heavens Arena, I saw competitors bribing their way to victory. What if the world's gangsters—or even the Shadow Beasts themselves—pull similar tricks?" Kaizen suggested. "Maybe gifts could sway their decision."
The corner of Greed's mouth twitched into a cynical smile. "I've lived long enough to know how this world works, Kaizen. Gifts? Connections? They're all part of the game."
In truth, Greed had already prepared gifts for key individuals. However, his experiments in Lab 2 had delayed their delivery. Without the strength boost promised by the experiments, his chances of securing a Shadow Beast position seemed slim.
Still, Kaizen's suggestion resonated with him. If his experiment failed, those gifts would serve no purpose anyway. Better to give them now and hope for the best.
"Fine," Greed relented. "I'll take you to the Manor. But stay close and don't speak unless I say so. If you ruin my chances, don't expect me to forgive you."
Kaizen smiled. "Understood."
The atmosphere in the Shadow Beast Manor was oppressive. Greed's usual overconfidence seemed dampened as they entered, his aura subdued. In contrast, Kaizen remained calm, his focus on the intricate crystal ball resting in the main hall.
As Greed handed over his gifts to key figures, Kaizen observed the Manor's layout and aura patterns. His inner thoughts churned.
"The time needed to fully absorb the Manor's characteristics is insufficient," Kaizen mused. "I'll have to speed things up."
Unnoticed by anyone, a wisp of Kaizen's aura detached from his body and merged with Altan, who was waiting outside. Moments later, a blazing fire erupted in the Manor's storage warehouse.
Thick black smoke billowed into the sky as flames spread rapidly, consuming flammable materials stored within.
Altan had already hacked the surveillance system, ensuring no alarms were triggered until the fire was out of control. Chaos erupted as guards scrambled to extinguish the inferno.
"Fire!" someone shouted.
In the middle of the chaos, Greed froze. His gift-giving was only half-finished, and now, leaving would undoubtedly raise suspicion. Reluctantly, he stayed put, his frustration mounting.
Kaizen, however, remained composed, his eyes fixed on the flames.
"This should suffice," he thought. "Once I've absorbed the aura from Lab 3 and the Manor, there's no reason to linger. I'll move on to other areas under the world's gangsters' control."
Greed glared at Kaizen, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
"This brat," Greed thought darkly. "Everything has gone wrong since he showed up. If Dantins doesn't deliver in ten days, my position as a Shadow Beast might slip through my fingers."
But Kaizen simply smiled to himself, his plan unfolding perfectly amid the chaos.
