"Kute was dealt with by the captain and vice-captain."
Phinks ruthlessly shattered Uvogin's illusions.
"With the captain and vice-captain involved, how could someone like Kute possibly survive..."
"Aaaaaah!!"
Uvogin was filled with impotent rage, venting his frustration on the rooftop.
"Speaking of which, I don't think I've seen the captain and vice-captain."
Machi looked around, but Luke and Chrollo weren't on the rooftop, and there was no sign of them.
"Ah, it seems the captain said they obtained something dangerous, and it's inconvenient for them to take it out."
Nobunaga casually remarked, "So the two of them are researching it in that Wallpaper House, and they won't let us in. They said they're afraid we might be affected, so they're keeping us out."
"Something dangerous? Even you guys need to be kept away?!"
Shalnark became very interested after hearing that.
He loved weird and unusual things in this world.
However…
"While we wait for the captain to finish their work, we can't just waste time here."
Shalnark placed his hands on his hips, then turned toward Uvogin, who looked annoyed, and smiled: "Don't be depressed, Uvogin. It's time for you to show off."
"Hmph..."
Uvogin growled twice in frustration and didn't answer.
But the next moment…
"And that time is now."
Shalnark lifted his head, a faint smile forming on his face as he looked toward the edge of the rooftop.
A figure was drifting in their direction.
"Hm?"
Not only Shalnark, but even the dullest among them finally noticed something unusual.
"Another idiot coming here to die?"
Feitan's low voice sounded. He had no fear of whoever was coming.
"That shouldn't be one of Kute's people, right?"
Phinks looked at the newcomer curiously.
"Kute Gang of Thieves has seven people, right?"
"Two were caught by the Hunter Association, and we already killed the other four, didn't we?"
"So, they're not with Kute Gang of Thieves..."
Shalnark snapped his fingers lightly. "If my guess is right..."
After identifying the figure, he smiled: "He should be one of the Shadow Beasts."
The Shadow Beast are elite assassins working directly under the Ten Mafia Dons.
It's the strongest force that the mafia can deploy.
"Looks like Uvogin killed so many people that the Ten Mafia Dons finally sent out the Shadow Beasts."
"And..."
Shalnark spoke seriously: "This one seems pretty strong."
"I don't care if he's a Shadow Beast or one of Kute's people!!"
Uvogin cracked his knuckles loudly and stood up, suddenly energized.
Staring at the approaching figure, he grinned: "If he's a strong fighter, then killing him will be worth it!!"
A crazed light filled Uvogin's eyes, and a burning desire to try.
"They really are a bunch of abnormal lunatics."
At this moment, the Shadow Beast, who had reached the top floor, seeing Uvogin and the others' behavior, couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
"No wonder he dared to oppose us and act so recklessly in the place where one of the Ten Mafia Dons is."
"But the more insane a guy is, the faster they perish!!"
The Shadow Beast opened his mouth, revealing sharp fangs.
His bulky, muscular arms, which were thicker and stronger than Phinks were covered in black fur.
A foul stench emanated from him.
"Is that... a Gorilla?!"
Shalnark analyzed the distinct features.
Since they are called Shadow Beasts, it's obvious they resemble animals.
In fact, most of them aren't even human.
They should be from the humanoid beast species mentioned in the Dark Continent arc.
First, their appearance resembles animal-like humanoids.
Second, their biological traits are strange.
Even Melody once said: "What an unbelievable rhythm... is that even a human heartbeat?"
Even she couldn't hear a human heartbeat from them.
Such beings…
"You may call me—"
Before Shalnark finished, the Gorilla-looking Shadow Beast grinned coldly: "Gorilla."
Gorilla was not one of the Shadow Beasts that appeared in the Yorknew City arc.
Whether it was Worm, Porcupine, Leech, Rabid Dog, Owl, or the rest, none of them was an ape-like Shadow Beast.
Meaning this Gorilla died long before that future.
And another Shadow Beast later took his place.
There are ten Shadow Beasts, but that doesn't mean the roster never changes.
"Be careful, Uvogin."
Seeing Gorilla charge forward, Shalnark warned him: "This guy looks pretty capable. Don't get careless!"
The Shadow Beasts' combat abilities were solid.
In the original story, Worm nearly drove Uvogin into a corner during their fight.
People say Shadow Beasts were strong, just too arrogant.
That wasn't entirely wrong.
They lived too long within the mafia, a place useless for the growth of Nen users.
They rarely had chances to fight real fighters and even then, it was usually small fry.
Of course, they would grow arrogant.
Well, except for a group like the Phantom Troupe…
The troupe wasn't small fry; they were the disaster that wiped out the pond.
Judging from actual combat and ability usage, the Shadow Beasts were around the level of fighters on the 200th floor of the Heavens Arena.
If Uvogin had taken them seriously from the start, he could've wiped them all easily.
Which is exactly what he did; despite getting hit multiple times, he killed half of them.
Their strategy, judgment, and defense were fragile, like paper.
They were even more inferior to Kurapika, who had just learned Nen.
Their weakness and their love of showing off made their deaths entirely justified!
Even the remaining Shadow Beasts that went to pursue and stop Feitan and others, led by their leader, Owl, were all wiped out.
They were easily wiped out by Feitan and his group without sustaining any injuries.
This shows the level and strength of these Shadow Beasts. Against any serious member of the Phantom Troupe, they were utterly outmatched.
Therefore, even against Uvogin at his age, thanks to his rigorous training, his foundation was incredibly solid, and his strength remained remarkably formidable.
Facing this Shadow Beast called Gorilla, it wouldn't be an easy victory, but it was certainly more than enough.
However, Shalnark, fearing Uvogin might get too excited and make a mistake, kindly offered a warning.
But clearly, Shalnark's warning was completely unnecessary... Because... Uvogin didn't listen at all.
"Die!!"
Uvogin roared as the Gorilla Shadow Beasts charged towards him.
His body erupted with terrifying power as he clashed head-on with Gorilla!!
Gorilla was clearly strength-based, likely an Enhancer.
So, facing someone like Uvogin, who also enjoys clashes of strength... It can only be said that they are evenly matched, a perfect pair, each finding a suitable opponent.