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Chapter 601
🕑 Added 2025-06-10 15:04:01 +0000 UTCChapter 601
A figure approached Chrollo.
"Machi, is something wrong?"
"Boss, there’s something I want to say."
"You may."
Chrollo nodded slightly.
"I don’t want to take part in the attack on the auction this time."
After a long hesitation, Machi finally voiced her decision.
Chrollo paused for a moment, then closed the book in his hand.
"Can you tell me why?"
"Because I’m confused," Machi said as she looked up toward the ceiling.
"I’m confused about the meaning of our actions now. I’m confused about my relationship with Meteor City. I’m confused about what kind of place Meteor City really is. I suddenly realized that I didn’t feel such a strong sense of belonging. Those people I don’t know, those I’ve never met—I can’t bring myself to treat them as comrades, let alone risk my life for them. What’s the connection between us anyway?
That we’re all abandoned? Is that it? Then why, even among ourselves, do things never feel united?
I’m just... tired. These years, I’ve increasingly felt like what I’m doing has no meaning."
"Maybe, like you hoped, this could change Meteor City. But then what? Sarasa’s death already happened—we can’t go back and change that. And if others experience something similar, what does that have to do with us? They’re not Sarasa. That’s why, Boss, I don’t want to continue with the auction operation. I’d rather go kill the Ten Dons of the Underworld Mafia. That, I believe, would be a better way to avenge Sarasa. I think Sheila made the better choice."
Chrollo was silent for a long time.
"I see... so, Machi, what you want now—is to leave the Phantom Troupe?"
Machi didn’t speak. She only nodded.
"I understand," Chrollo said as he looked at her. "To be honest, I’ve had the same doubts in my heart too. But still, I want to do something for Meteor City. Maybe right now, it's a scattered mess—but in the future, it won’t be. Meteor City can be better. I don’t care how the people there see me. I don’t care whether they appreciate what I’ve done. I just want to do it. That’s all.
I don’t expect anything in return. But Machi, I understand why you feel this way."
"You can leave. I won’t stop you. But this is your only chance. You need to be absolutely sure. Once you leave, you can never come back. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair to the others."
After a brief silence, Machi nodded. "I’ve made up my mind."
"Alright, then I wish you the best. From now on, let’s not see each other again. Do whatever it is you want to do—I respect your choice. But the others... might not. The best way is for us never to cross paths again. Live the life you want, follow your heart. I hope you find your happiness."
Chrollo reopened his book and turned his gaze back to the unread pages. But from the way he turned the pages, it was clear that his heart wasn’t nearly as calm as he appeared—what he felt was far more complicated.
After all, they had been companions for so many years. Friends who had known each other since childhood. They shared a past that began in Meteor City. And within the Phantom Troupe, Machi's role had never been minor. She was their only healer, having sacrificed her potential in combat-type Nen just for the sake of the group.
Had she chosen to develop in battle-type Nen, Machi’s personal power would’ve been much greater than it is now. That had been her sacrifice for the Troupe. Yet even so, Machi’s overall strength wasn’t low among them.
Machi looked at Chrollo for a moment, then turned and left. When she had made her decision and come to stand before Chrollo, her heart had been heavy. But after speaking her piece, she suddenly felt a lightness.
This life, after all, was no longer the one she wanted.
Shortly after Machi departed, two figures appeared, gazing in her direction.
"Boss, you're just going to let Machi leave like that?" Feitan glanced back at Chrollo.
Phinks clenched his fists. "This is going too far—she’s just walking away like that? What does she take us for? She's breaking the oath we all swore together. She’s betraying the Troupe!
I won’t forgive that. Boss, don’t you agree?"
Chrollo kept his head down and remained silent.
Just as Phinks stepped forward, preparing to chase after Machi—
A figure suddenly appeared and blocked his path.
"Uvogin?"
Phinks narrowed his eyes. "You're going to betray the Troupe too?"
Uvogin looked at him calmly. "I’m not leaving the Troupe. But I respect Machi’s decision. Today, no one will stop her from leaving. I’ll stand here. If you want to go—then kill me and step over my corpse."
Phinks’s face darkened.
Boom!
The ground trembled violently under Phinks’s stomp.
Their fists collided, and a wave of forceful aura blasted outward in every direction.
Both were Enhancement-type Nen users. Both were top-tier Nen users. Their strength was overwhelming.
In terms of raw arm strength, Uvogin ranked first in the Phantom Troupe, while Phinks was second. But their styles differed. Uvogin focused on consistent power, similar to a DPS or marksman in games—no single blow was too devastating, but the sustained output added up to massive damage. He specialized in continuous assault.
Phinks, on the other hand, was more like a mage. His regular attacks were weak, but his abilities delivered tremendous bursts. He excelled in explosive power.
It wasn’t a question of which style was better—just that different methods had different applications. What suited one scenario might not suit another. What worked for Uvogin didn’t work for Phinks, and vice versa.
But in overall strength, Uvogin was still just a little bit stronger than Phinks.
