Chapter 75: A Dangerous Tune—The Entity

Carrying two unconscious bodies through Meteor City draws plenty of stares. Even here, in a place where crime is a way of life, the sight of Auren openly walking with two bound children slung over his shoulders is enough to make people stop and look.Auren doesn’t bother hiding himself. He takes the most direct route back to the Troupe’s hideout.

Whatever they think doesn’t matter.

He quickens his pace and finally reaches the base.

When he steps inside, he finds every single member of the Troupe waiting for him in the lounge—a rather large open space in the middle of the warehouse-like space filled with couches and chairs.

“Group meeting?” Auren asks with a grin.

“Stop your bullshit!” Machi snaps.

“We’re getting calls left and right saying you’re openly abducting children in broad daylight! What the hell are you doing?” Machi asks, with a rage-filled face.

“Machi, enough,” Chrollo says, calm as always. “He obviously has a reason.”

“Yeah. Pakunoda has some sort of ability to check for lies, right?” Auren says. “When I first met her, I got the feeling she wanted to use it on me. I refused, and that led to the fight.”

Silence fills the room for a moment before Pakunoda finally speaks. “Indeed.”

“What’s your point, Auren?” Shalnark asks. “You think these two kids are connected to Nibana?”

“No… I think one of them actually is Nibana.”

The room shifts with a wave of surprise. Auren quickly recounts his visit to the mansion—how the documents and computer were missing, Nibana’s strange change in behaviour a couple years ago, and everything that happened with Ella and Killi. He repeats it word-for-word, especially his talks with Killi and the older orphans.

“Huh?” Uvogin says before breaking into loud laughter. “Hahahaha! I don’t get it. That Ella kid sounds shady, but why grab the other one? She’s not wrong for being pissed! I hate traitors too!”

“Your name…” Shalnark says, pressing his index fingers against his forehead, doing his best to analyze Auren’s conversation. “Right?”

“Yes,” Auren answers. “Sheltered children… nobody knew me, or my name. She instinctively addressed me as Auren.”

“That’s not all,” Chrollo adds. “Her reaction to your offer of teaching her Nen was unusual—too casual. Nibana never taught the children Nen. Any normal kid here would’ve jumped at the chance to ask questions about it. She accepted without knowing what you were talking about. Your suspicions are warranted.”

“They could just be under someone else's control… but right now, these are the only leads I’ve got. If I’m wrong, I’ll compensate them. They’re not hurt,” Auren says, dropping both onto an empty couch.

“Pakunoda, help me just this once,” he says. “It’s in your own interest to expose Nibana if we can. She could cause serious damage to Meteor City. We just have to make sure there’s no risk of her stealing our bodies—if that’s even possible.”

“I doubt it,” Chrollo says after a moment’s thought. “Don’t speak to them unless necessary. A power like that would require very strict conditions. And if it exists, they probably can’t use it back-to-back. Something that strong would come with heavy restrictions.”

Nobunaga steps toward the captives, one hand resting on the hilt of his katana. “If they try something funny, I’ll handle it.”

Auren pulls more rope from his backpack. “Might as well secure them tighter.”

“I’ll take charge of the interrogation,” Chrollo says. “Pakunoda—I’ll be asking the question. Only interfere if you sense danger. Don’t speak a single unnecessary word. The rest of you, use Zetsu and keep quiet.”

His eyes pass over everyone in the room before stopping on Uvogin.

“Okay, boss,” Uvogin says, looking slightly offended.

A few hours later, Ella and Killi are tied to a large stone pillar in the middle of the hall, both muzzled and bound.

The entire Troupe, along with Auren, stands around them, waiting to see what Chrollo has in mind.

Auren notices Ella beginning to stir. Without hesitation, Chrollo places earplugs into Killi’s ears, ensuring she can’t hear what’s about to happen.

Pakunoda steps up to Ella, resting a hand on her shoulder.

“Explain your Nen ability,” Chrollo says in an icy tone.

Ella squirms in her bonds, but with the gag still in place, all that comes out are muffled sounds.

Pakunoda glances at Chrollo and shakes her head.

So… she doesn’t have a Nen ability?

“What are you hiding?” Chrollo presses.

Pakunoda frowns, then finally speaks. “This is a dead end. She’s just hiding the fact that her friend Killi told her to start hanging out with the kids who used to bully her. She’s been figuring out ways to get into their good graces. The reason however, is unclear.”

Was I wrong? Is Ella innocent? Could she trick Pakunoda? No… that shouldn’t be possible.

“Take her to an empty room and lock it,” Chrollo orders, looking at Uvogin.

“Got it, boss,” Uvogin says. He walks over, unties Ella from the pillar, removes her handcuffs, and slings her over his shoulder before carrying her away.

Pakunoda steps up to Killi, places a hand on her shoulder, and pulls out one of her earplugs.

“Explain your Nen ability,” Chrollo repeats.

Pakunoda’s expression instantly changes.

“Tell me the conditions for activating your ability—now!” she snaps, not waiting for Chrollo’s next instruction.

A few moments later, she jams the earplug back into Killi’s ear and walks straight over to Chrollo.

“Auren was right! Careful—she can take over bodies! And not just that—if she switches, her old body stays as a sort of ‘remnant’ still under her control!”

“No way,” Phinks mutters.

Feitan glances at Auren, clearly surprised.

The rest of the Troupe exchange uneasy looks.

“Nicely done, Auren. Your hunch paid off,” Chrollo says. “It seems Nibana—or rather, the entity inside her—didn’t expect someone to act so decisively. You ambushed it and caught it off guard.”

“Before she can take over someone else’s body, there are strict conditions,” Pakunoda explains. “First, she has to receive a genuine expression of thanks. And she needs to know her target inside out—their true ambitions, fears, and goals.”

“She also has to break her target down mentally,” she adds. “If their target is in a good mood, she can’t succeed. The target needs to be depressed without much will.”

“So we’re safe,” Shalnark says, “Good. I’m not in the mood to lose my body.”

“What now?” Auren asks. “Can I kill her? No point taking risks.”

“I’m with Auren,” Feitan says. “People like that shouldn’t exist.”

“Kill it!” Phinks barks.

“I agree as well,” Shalnark comments.

Nobunaga silently draws his Katana.

“Why? Such a waste,” Chrollo asks. “I want to know more. The risk is minimal, and I’m curious about this entity.”

“Can we save the girl?” Machi asks.

“I… don’t know,” Pakunoda admits.

“Keep questioning her,” Chrollo says. “I want to know who this person really is, and how they obtained a powerful Nen ability like that. This could be a path to immortality. Are we dealing with some kind of genius here? I want all the details. If I can, I want to steal her ability.”

“Steal her ability?” Auren says. “How?!”

It’s not a bluff—he genuinely wants to know.

He has to see it in use first, right? He can’t fulfill all the conditions!

“It’s my Hatsu… you’ll soon know,” Chrollo says, revealing a cold, calculating smile. “Let’s use the other girl.”

Hours later, after Chrollo has grilled Killi with hundreds of questions, Pakunoda finally turns to the group.

“This person… is over a hundred years old. And it’s a man,” she says, and everyone’s expression turns into one of shock and disgust.

“He wasn’t a skilled Nen user. Not very talented. Even his own little secret circle kicked him out for being useless and unmotivated. But then… he stumbled across a music sheet—The Sonata of Darkness. The part played by the harp. He had a harpist play it for him because he thought it would allow him to make a contract with the devil himself. The musician died on the spot—along with three other people. Only that man, whose name was Dreika, survived… Well, survived is the wrong word. His body died, but his soul was extracted, wandering aimlessly through the world.

“He spent decades as a wandering soul before creating a hatsu and possessing a comatose woman. Apparently, he managed to somehow communicate with her and earn her gratitude, which allowed him to fulfill the conditions for his hatsu. He learned more about her from her visitors, who talked to her daily. Finally, he took over her body, refined his Hatsu, and started living a new life.”

“This guy’s a pervert. I won’t go into the details, but… he’s never possessed a man. Not once.”

“More importantly,” Pakunoda continues, “the person he’s possessing right now is still alive—sort of. If he ever leaves her body, she’ll become a remnant, a mix of his will and her original personality. These remnants usually die after a few years.”

“So she can be saved,” Machi says quickly. “If we deal with him and steal his ability, the remnants could be saved too. There has to be a way to cancel his Nen!”

“Nen exorcism,” Chrollo says, as if the thought barely interests him. “Sounds like a hassle.”

“I’d… like to try,” Machi says, looking worried.

Why does she care? I guess she truly is a good person. If possible I also want to spare these children.

“Be my guest,” Chrollo replies with a shrug. “But before that, I’ll take his ability. Since he doesn’t have a physical body, I’m curious about the possibilities. Post-mortem Nen is said to be the most powerful form of Nen.”

“So you want to trick him into swapping bodies with the other girl,” Shalnark says, “then meet the conditions for your Hatsu and steal the ability?”

Chrollo nods once.

“That’d leave behind another remnant,” Shalnark points out.

“It’s worth it,” Chrollo answers without hesitation.

“Why not use an old person close to dying? Or better yet, a criminal,” Auren suggests. “Someone who deserves it. Sacrificing these kids is not something I’d prefer to do.”

“It’s an idea,” Chrollo says, “but do you think that spectre would go along with it? Nibana knew about my ability. He wouldn’t risk losing his Hatsu. He’d be trapped forever as a spectre, unable to possess another human. We have a small window of opportunity here, and I already have a plan. It has to be that other girl. If we bring in a new person the spectre will know what we’re trying to do.”

“I… how can I save them, then?” Machi asks.

“Hire a Nen exorcist,” Auren says. “The Association has a few you can hire—for a price.”

Machi frowns, then turns to him. “Can… can you help me with that?”

I’m quite interested in her… and I owe her. So I guess….

Auren sighs. “Fine. I’ve got contacts. But I doubt they’d visit patients inside Meteor City.”

“They won’t,” Chrollo says. “They work out of the Hunter Headquarters located in Swardani City.”

“Once I’m done with her,” Chrollo continues, “you can have them both. They’ll either be mind-controlled shells or living corpses. I’m not sure what will happen after I take the ability. It might be tied directly to that man’s existence—stealing it could trap him completely, leaving those two as lifeless, empty vessels. But there’s also a tiny chance they’ll wake up in control of their bodies again. Either way… it’ll be interesting to see.”

“I just want that motherfucker to die,” Auren says coldly.

“I disagree with your assumption, boss,” Shalnark says. “Here’s what I think happens—you take his ability, but he still controls the body. He just can’t do anything else. No more body-swapping. If we exorcise him after that, he’ll still exist, just like when he was a spectre after hearing the Sonata of Darkness. But he’d never escape that form. A fate more cruel than death… at least as long as you keep his ability.”

Auren’s lips curl into a wide grin. “I like it.”

That also gives me time to find a permanent solution… If Chrollo dies, that pervert ghost might be able to somehow possess another comatose human.