Chapter 80: Killing is Killing, No Need for Reasons
"Machi's intuition has always been accurate," Nobunaga said, scratching his head.
"Let's go back."
"But the boss ordered us to steal all the treasures from the underground auction. We haven't even found out where the treasures are yet. With the boss's and Phinks's abilities, one Hisoka doesn't pose much threat," Feitan said, holding the still unconscious Owl.
"Since we disagree, let's use a coin to decide whether we stay or go."
Machi took out a coin and flicked it with her fingers. The antique coin spun continuously in the air before finally landing on the back of her hand.
"Heads we go back."
"Tails we continue searching for the treasures."
...
Yorknew City, abandoned old town.
"I'd advise you not to make a move," a somewhat lazy voice came from behind.
Pakunoda was startled and whirled around to see Bonolenov lying in a pool of blood!
So fast?!
Pakunoda immediately grabbed Kortopi and put distance between them and Mord, simultaneously aiming her gun at Mord.
Mord knew Pakunoda's ability very well.
A Specialist Nen user.
By simply touching another person's body, she can extract their memories. Before reading the memories, she will ask questions, and the moment she touches the person, she will see their memories. Asking questions helps facilitate reading the deepest memories, so even if the person tries to think of other things, it won't affect the memory extraction.
The most crucial aspect of her ability is that she can materialize memories into bullets. By firing these into someone's head, she can achieve memory sharing.
Using the same method to shoot the bullets back into the person from whom the memories were extracted can cause them to lose their memories, turning them into a blank slate like an infant.
The maximum number of bullets she can use at once is six.
Because memory bullets are like regular bullets, using the memory-sharing skill requires the absolute trust of the target.
This is also her means of attack.
By extracting several chaotic memories and forming them into memory bullets, when shot into an enemy's head, the enemy's brain will shut down from suddenly receiving too much complex information.
Against enemies like Uvogin, ordinary bullets cannot penetrate their defenses, but Pakunoda's memory bullets can easily enter their brains.
As long as this ability is known in advance, it poses no threat in battle.
At least not to the current Mord.
Mord glanced at Pakunoda and shifted his gaze to Kurapika and Phinks.
"...I'm furious."
A low voice came from Kurapika's mouth.
"The lingering sensation on my hands... the unpleasant sounds... and the smell of blood... are disturbing my nerves."
"When you kill people, why don't you ever think? Do you feel nothing? How do you do it?"
"Say something!"
"Go ahead and kill me if you dare!" Phinks said fearlessly.
At this point, Kurapika clearly hadn't yet completed his final transformation.
He was still too inexperienced.
Killing is killing—why overcomplicate it?
Since Phinks said to kill him, then kill him.
Mord simply walked over, swinging his Zanpakutō forward.
Thud!
Blood blossomed, splattering upward in a crimson spray.
Phinks's head flew into the air, his expression still frozen in the same state as when he was questioning Kurapika.
What a fast blade!
So fast that the eyes could barely follow its trajectory.
So fast that none of the people present could react in time.
Bright red, scalding blood sprayed out, drenching Kurapika's head, staining his golden hair and making his crimson eyes even redder.
"What are you doing?!" Kurapika shouted at Mord as he regained his composure.
Countless faint points of light, invisible to others, flew out from Phinks's body and were absorbed by Mord's Zanpakutō.
Mord stared coldly at Kurapika and said, "I should be asking you, what are you doing? Kurapika!"
"I killed your enemy, and now you're questioning me?"
"You need to understand, we're still in a dangerous situation. The other Troupe members who went to Yorknew City to raid the underground auction could return at any moment."
"Mercy toward the enemy is cruelty to yourself! Don't you know that?!"
"You're still hoping for what? That these scumbags who've committed every crime imaginable would repent for their evil deeds before dying?!"
Mord showed no courtesy, slapping him directly across the face.
"Wake up!"
Satisfying!
He'd long wanted to touch... no, strike that face.
This slap finally jolted Kurapika back to his senses.
"I'm sorry," Kurapika said.
He realized he had lost his composure earlier.
With the two biggest troubles dealt with, handling Pakunoda and the nearly combat-inept Kortopi would be much easier.
Though the life energy they could provide couldn't compare to Bonolenov and Phinks, it still shouldn't be underestimated.
After all, they were Troupe members, all possessing above-average aura capacity.
Mord drew his sword, his face showing no trace of pity as he advanced toward Pakunoda.
The scene made them appear more like the villains, with Pakunoda resembling a helpless mother protecting her child Kortopi.
Just as Mord lunged forward and was about to strike with his sword—
A roar filled with hatred echoed as greenish light flashed before Mord's eyes, accompanied by a chilling cold wave.
A finely crafted long sword, gleaming with sharp radiance, simultaneously launched fatal attacks toward his throat, brow, chest, heart, head, and all vital points on his limbs.
In that instant, killing intent filled the air.
An expert!
Mord's expression remained unchanged as he swiftly retreated. Though the movement wasn't fast, covering only one step back, it perfectly avoided all of the opponent's attacks, leaving the long sword to slash through empty air.
After retreating, he immediately advanced.
Mord lightly tapped his foot, yet it produced a thunderous roar as he transformed into a bolt of lightning charging forward.
"Thunder Fang Thrust!"
Holding nothing back, he unleashed his ultimate move right from the start.
The assailant clearly hadn't anticipated Mord's retreat-and-advance maneuver, but being a sword master himself, he reacted swiftly, horizontally positioning his katana for defense.
Clang!
A sharp metallic clang rang out as Kortopi covered his ears nearby.
Transformed into lightning, Mord pushed against the attacker, breaking through several stone pillars and a wall before emerging onto the street outside.
Just as he prepared to attack again, a series of whooshing sounds came from behind.
Mord instantly vanished from his position, and in that same moment, numerous aura bullets bombarded the spot where he had been standing, creating a sizable crater.
Simultaneously, several figures in the distance rapidly approached, soon arriving at the scene and surrounding Mord from all four directions.
All Troupe members had arrived!
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