Half an hour later, the crisp sound of footsteps approached. Pakunoda, her face grim, carried a box towards the park.
From a distance, she spotted Loki. After a moment's hesitation, she continued walking towards him.
Loki sat by the pond, calmly observing Pakunoda. Reaching him, Pakunoda set down the box.
"Where's Chrollo?"
Loki glanced at the box on the ground. "Are these your companions' bodies?"
"I cut off their heads; that should—"
Before she could finish, Loki interrupted. "That's a decent ability, but it's fake."
He had killed the three; the heads were Kortopi's ability. Perhaps Kortopi's death made the heads seem more real.
Pakunoda stared at Loki. Nen flowed from her hands, and a silver revolver materialized. With astonishing speed, she pressed the gun to Loki's temple.
"Tell me about Chrollo."
Pakunoda looked down at Loki, her expression cold, the materialized revolver icy.
The wind rustled the leaves. Pakunoda's intense gaze was fixed on Loki.
"Three seconds to answer."
Her eyes were bloodshot; she was frantic. Kortopi's deception had been exposed, and Pakunoda knew explanations were useless.
She hadn't intended a genuine exchange; she knew the consequences of bringing real bodies. But she needed to confirm Chrollo's fate.
Getting close to Loki was her goal; this was her only chance. She would seize him and force him to talk. If she couldn't kill him, she had no other options.
The other Troupe members were stronger, but Pakunoda was in charge. Compared to the calm Loki, Pakunoda was agitated.
She began the countdown. "One..."
Loki watched calmly.
After three seconds, Pakunoda said, "Aren't you afraid I'll shoot you?!"
"You're the one who's afraid," Loki said, smiling as he grasped her hand. "Your hand is cold, and you're trembling. An enemy who can't even hold a weapon steady won't scare me."
Pakunoda gritted her teeth, her eyes blazing. 'Why?' 'Unshakeable will.' 'Why does this kid have such unwavering determination?'
Nen strength isn't directly linked to willpower, but at a certain level, willpower significantly impacts Nen.
Uvogin, for instance, had unwavering will in the face of danger, resulting in incredible Nen and defense. Loki was the same; his Nen was unwavering.
Pakunoda felt her attack wouldn't work; she wouldn't even be able to break through his defenses.
For Nen users, if they believe their attack will fail before they even strike, the attack's power weakens.
After her gaze shifted several times, she didn't shoot. There was no point; she couldn't hurt Loki. She felt weak, stumbling back and sitting before him.
"Chrollo... is he dead?" she whispered hoarsely.
"Your ability reads memories. Confirm it yourself."
Pakunoda looked up, astonished. Why did Loki know her ability? And why would he let her read his memories?
Loki didn't give her time, grabbing her hand and placing it on his forehead. "There you go."
Before Pakunoda reacted, Loki said, "Chrollo's not dead."
Loki's memories flooded Pakunoda's mind—the rooftop battle, the fights with the Troupe members, his conversation with Chrollo.
Countless memories surged forth. Pakunoda's eyes welled up; Chrollo was alive.
"Done?" Loki asked, seeing her tears. "Seems you've read them."
Pakunoda lowered her hand, wiping her eyes. "Why did you let me read your memories?"
"Besides Chrollo, did you read anything else?"
Pakunoda understood; Loki was testing her. She'd read many memories but not how Loki developed his Nen or the source of his power.
This was unusual. But she didn't care. Those with memory-reading abilities might have abilities to protect their memories.
"I didn't read anything about your abilities. You were testing your own abilities," Pakunoda said.
Loki stared at her. 'She's not lying.' This was just a feeling, but he sensed Pakunoda hadn't read anything about his abilities.
The system's existence couldn't be detected even by memory-reading abilities. This was interesting. But he wasn't entirely sure; he needed to test her with Kurapika's ability.
Loki stood, smiling. "Though Chrollo's alive, how long he lives depends on you."
"What do you mean?"
"Your ability is unique and useful to me. If you obey me, Chrollo will live."
Loki's previous actions had shocked the black market and Hunter websites.
But before the shockwaves subsided, another incident occurred.
After the news of the building's destruction, the Nen world...
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