Chapter 217: Returning the Debt—Smelling a Rat

With Potclean attached to Auren, he charges forward towards Knuckle, his Aura spiking, the additional Aura provided by Potclean increasing the potency of his Ren even further.His Aura is like a huge bonfire lighting up the night, everyone’s gaze drawn to him without even meaning to.

Not even pretending to hide his intention and target, Knuckle and Shoot, despite being engaged in combat, stare at Auren while desperately trying to gain distance from Neffi and Eren.

Even before he arrives, Auren already pumps a huge amount of Aura into Eternity, causing the blade to appear incredibly threatening as he is using Limitless Waters to perform three ranged water slashes, also using In to hide them as best as he can. All of the slashes fly at Knuckle at high speed, visible only to someone using Gyo.

Before they can hit their target, the earth in front of Knuckle opens up, and a desperate-looking Morel appears.

Alongside him, more versions mimicking him emerge from the opening, making it unclear if the real Morel is even among them.

Is that the real Morel? It doesn’t matter! I’ll finish this right now.

As Auren’s water slashes crash into the clones, they get torn apart and instantly vanish. The attacks are seemingly unweakened as they continue flying forward—however, two of them are stopped, crashing into Morel’s body, which was among the clones. He manages to barely block one slash with his pipe, causing it to get thrown aside, while the other slash lands clean, colouring his clothes red with a large diagonal cut appearing, starting from his left shoulder and running all the way to the middle of his stomach.

The third slash hits its intended target, cutting into a shocked Knuckle, who is unable to comprehend the speed and intensity of the attack, not even able to use Gyo to see the attack coming.

Instantly, the counter of Potclean changes and now displays a zero. The next moment, Potclean shrinks down, decreasing in size.

“The loan is repaid,” Potclean meekly announces, before disappearing into a tiny cloud of Aura.

Good.

Using Knuckle’s condition, both Neffi and Eren are able to pressure Shoot, fighting two against one. As Neffi deals with his flying conjured hands, Eren manages to stab Shoot again and again, not giving him room to breathe.

Finally, Auren arrives before Morel and Knuckle, who desperately try to regain their balance to meet him head-on. However, before Auren can engage them directly, both of them get hit by Nen empowered bullets, crashing into their legs and jolting them off balance.

“Knuckle!” Morel yells, looking panicked.

Vanessa... it seems a little brutal, but that’s actually wrong. On closer inspection, it looks like she held back—they barely took damage, they are merely off balance. She is surprisingly sharp, and she knows what I intend to do. This is my chance. The best way to stop this fight is this!

Seeing Morel’s weakness, Auren sends his two clones towards Morel, feigning an attack on him, while he focuses his Aura into his feet and jumps over his opponent, gliding forward towards Knuckle as his clones keep Morel distracted.

Auren descends and drives his knee into Knuckle, using his speed and momentum, pushing him onto the ground, causing him to slide backwards on the wet street.

He then points Eternity at Knuckle’s throat, looking towards Shoot and Morel. He focuses all of his Aura into Eternity, making the blade look like it’s a weapon used by the Reaper itself—everyone’s eyes helplessly drawn to it.

“Stand by, everyone!” Auren yells, before lowering his voice, speaking only to the two Hunters in front of him.

“Two choices... fight till the end, or stop and discuss this rationally. If you choose to stop your struggle, I will guarantee your safety,” Auren says, his eyes icy cold.

Both Morel and Shoot instantly lose any will to fight.

“Fine... you win, little monster,” Morel relents, raising his hands and dispelling the remaining Deep Purple clones that are still engaged in cat-and-mouse games with the Hollow Blade soldiers.

Shoot, looking torn, also raises his one hand. Hotel Rafflesia, along with the conjured hands, still wrapped inside Neffi’s clothes disappears, his Hatsu having turned out to be almost useless because his hands were unable to perform because of Neffi’s interference

“A wise decision...” Auren states, actually looking relieved for the first time since the fight started.

He raises Eternity towards the sky, and soon the raincloud fades away, a thin stream of Aura returning to Eternity.

The rain stops instantly, and the moonlight shines onto the battlefield unobstructed, finally letting Auren see Morel, Knuckle, and Shoot clearly. All three are staring at him with sheer resignation on their faces, clearly intimidated not just by him but also by Eternity.

Despite seeing them for the first time, Knuckle and Shoot look visibly different from the rough, unclear images he had built up in his mind.

They look younger than I somehow envisioned them... their Aura is also a lot weaker than I thought. They were barely above Neffi, and even Eren was able to keep up. It looks like it hasn’t been that long since they learned Nen. I guess in the next 5 years, or so, they’ll become way stronger.

Despite the fight that just happened, and the close proximity to the Hunters, Auren confidently sheathes Eternity and lets go of Knuckle. He walks over to Morel’s pipe and picks it up, acknowledging the craftsmanship as he holds it in his hands, testing the weight of it for a moment.

Not bad... but not really my thing. It doesn’t contain any innate Aura.

“Follow me,” he says, then turns and walks towards the soldiers spectating from farther away.

“Clean up the place. If anyone is injured, treat them. If anyone’s seriously injured, report to me immediately,” Auren orders, talking to the first group of soldiers in his way.

“Yes, Vice-Leader!” the soldiers reply, reverence written all over their faces.

A little surprised and still baffled, Morel, Knuckle, and Shoot follow after Auren—while Neffi and Eren follow as well, keeping a close eye on the three of them.

Meanwhile, Vanessa appears, jumping down from the building where she had been surveying the fight.

“Nice!” she comments with a grin. “Went exactly as suspected. You are unbeatable, aren’t you? It almost pisses me off a little... but just wait. I’ll catch up to you soon enough.”

This wasn’t exactly a fair fight... I don’t feel proud about this... ‘victory’.

“Well, I guess I need to return the praise. For now, I can do nothing but praise you,” Auren replies, grinning a little. “You were quite impressive... if you keep it up, surpassing me might actually be possible.”

Utterly shocked for a second, Vanessa’s face shifts almost immediately into pure pride and joy as she follows after him, playfully jumping through the air while easily carrying her rifle, making all the soldiers around them stare at her suspiciously.

Escorted by most of the soldiers, Auren walks towards the centre of Landing Point B, where the Port Administrator and the Mayor are already waiting for him in front of the largest building.

“We need a room to discuss a few things,” Auren immediately says to the two surprised leaders, not wasting any time. “Also, send someone who can perform first aid. We need to bandage a few cuts and maybe a few holes. I haven’t taken a closer look.”

It doesn’t seem too bad, though.

Both of them look at Auren in confusion, clearly not comprehending the request at first, before they recover almost instantly, seemingly understanding what he’s trying to do.

“We’ll send someone immediately!” they reply, before addressing one of the many subordinates next to them. “Lead the Vice-Leader into Room D on the first floor.”

Immediately, a few helpers led them to a medium-sized room with a bunch of chairs, something that vaguely resembles a conference room. Just seconds later, two people carrying first aid supplies rush in right after them.

“Treat them,” Auren says, pointing towards Knuckle and Morel, before sitting down on a chair.

“That’s not necessary!” Morel says in an enraged tone, forcefully grabbing the supplies—then tearing open his ripped apart top, revealing his extremely muscular chest.

Auren notes that the cut may look daunting, but in reality, it’s not deep at all.

He’s quite tough... especially for a Manipulator. With his size and physical strength, he would have been a deadly Enhancer, close to Uvogin’s level.

Knuckle’s wound is also not life-threatening, and he, like his master, quickly grabs the supplies. At the same time, Shoot once again conjures his hands, but immediately clarifies his actions, “I am not intending to fight.”

Using his hands, he quickly takes care of his own wounds.

Just a few minutes later, all three have managed to treat their wounds, and now they stare at Auren in confusion, the room completely silent, just the occasional scream from the outside sounding through the windows.

“Before we start... you may cut your foolish and hopeless ambitions short. We have already reported our findings. If that’s your goal, you are way too late,” Morel announces, a hint of amusement slipping into his voice.

That’s what I thought... this is not looking good, but I still gotta try.

“I see, I am still willing to solve this using words. Let’s clarify our deal. Is that acceptable for you?” Auren asks, remaining patient.

Morel shrugs. “Sure, kiddo.”

“Answer my questions honestly, without hiding anything. In return, not only will I guarantee your safety, but I’ll also facilitate your safe return...” Auren promises, without hesitation. “Are these terms satisfactory?”

“It depends on your questions,” Morel replies, defiant. “Also, what guarantee do we have that you’ll keep up your end of the deal?”

“My word is the only thing I can offer you,” Auren answers, plainly. “Instead of lying, I think if you carefully examine my actions during our fight, you’ll see that I am not a cold-blooded murderer.

A little surprised, all three Hunters stare at Auren for a moment, unable to come up with a swift reply.

“Heh. Well, I guess we have to accept it then. Are you okay with that, Knuckle? Shoot?” Morel asks.

“Heh, fine for me,” Knuckle replies, grinning despite his injuries, while Shoot just nods, moving so little that any normal person wouldn’t even notice.

“We have a deal then...” Auren says, but Neffi immediately cuts in. “What deal?! If they don’t tell us the truth, how can we spare them? It’s all over! They should pa—”

“What reason do we have to harm them?” Auren asks, serious now, staring at Neffi. “Whatever they’ve done doesn’t get erased if we resort to something as primitive and useless as revenge. In fact, I’d say it would only make things worse. Let’s talk this through reasonably.”

“I don’t get it...” Knuckle comments. “Your friend is kinda right, isn’t she?”

“That’s quite a mature worldview...” Morel says, clearly surprised. “So what do you want to know then?”

“Simple... who hired you, what was your mission, how did you find your way here, and who did you report your findings to?” Auren asks. “Just for your information, you may have unwittingly stirred up a conflict that will ruin the lives of tens of thousands of innocent people who have fled poverty, persecution, and hopelessness in the hope of starting a secure and peaceful life here.”

“Aren’t you and whoever started this little expedition responsible?” Morel asks, seemingly unaffected. “I’m a Hunter. Of course, I won’t answer those kinds of questions. You yourself should already know the responsibilities of a Hunter. We do not sell out our clients.”

“If it’s a rightful and legitimate request, you should be able to share with us who hired you...” Auren notes. “I’m not interested in names, but I want to know the organisation at least.”

“Just an individual, acting on behalf of the V5,” Morel replies. “That much I can tell you, I guess, not that it changes anything. As for how I got here and how I found about your little country... I won’t tell.”

“What about my last question?” Auren asks. “Who did you report this to... and when did you do it?”

Morel thinks for a second before shrugging. “Not that it makes a difference... but I reported it to the person who hired us, of course. You know what? I’ll tell you after all, because it’s not someone you can hope to contact, much less influence.”

He grins. “The Hunter in charge of the worldwide search for the culprits of the recent market manipulations... which we were supposed to investigate and which led us right here after a little digging and receiving a few hints. Aren’t I gracious? Now you also know what this is about... though who would have thought we’d discover an expedition force this large, trying to brazenly settle down on the Eastern Yorbian continent, in the middle of a forest hell, surrounded by the most dangerous beasts in the world.”

Auren remains cool, holding up his hands in resignation, pretending to be hopeless, “Looks like you are correct about that. That’s rather disappointing.”

The person... no, the Hunter responsible for investigating the recent market manipulations... didn’t I hear someone constantly complain that he’s busy... but that’s...

It’s the rat...!