The next day,
Kaizen arrived in the tenth district.
In the shadows, Kaizen and Dominica kept watch.
From Kaizen's perspective, there weren't any surprises. He'd encountered these monsters before.
When grouped together, they could be formidable. But dispersed, their strength was unimpressive beyond their ability to conceal themselves.
Good enough to handle ordinary people.
But against Nen users? Not a chance.
Kaizen didn't even need to summon additional conjured beasts.
Ryunosuke Akutagawa alone was sufficient.
In a way, Akutagawa's fighting style bore some resemblance to these monsters' attacks. Their writhing tentacles mimicked his dark, claw-like aura constructs.
Still, that was all in the past.
Ralph was now walking down the street, projecting an aura of calm confidence. He even allowed a faint wisp of aura to escape, as if by accident.
Unlike before, Ralph's demeanor radiated poise and focus.
Suddenly, Kaizen's pupils narrowed. A familiar figure entered his line of sight.
"Juliana?"
Kaizen's thoughts raced.
Why is she here?
The last time they'd met, Juliana had challenged him in the Heavens Arena and lost. Afterward, she had approached Kaizen, asking to join his team.
He had refused.
Juliana lacked the raw talent and strength Kaizen demanded. Instead, he'd suggested she train with other Floor Masters at the arena or try her hand at the Hunter Exam.
She had chosen to leave Heavens Arena.
Kaizen assumed she was preparing for the Hunter Exam. The Taris Kingdom, however, was an entirely unexpected place for her to appear.
This was an area even the Hunter Association approached with caution.
The Hunter Exam would never be held here.
Why would Juliana come to such a dangerous place?
Wendy noticed the change in Kaizen's expression.
"Kaizen?"
"I see someone I know," Kaizen replied, pointing toward Juliana. "She used to compete in the Heavens Arena. She fought me once and lost. Her strength isn't bad, though."
Wendy's curiosity was piqued.
At that moment, Juliana's gaze locked onto Ralph. Her expression shifted, her eyes gleaming with a disturbing intensity.
That look... Kaizen had seen it many times recently.
His brows furrowed.
As if on cue, Ralph entered a nearby alley, guided by the faint signal of his aura.
Juliana followed him.
Kaizen sighed, his emotions conflicted.
Juliana had been someone he knew—a fighter whose matches he'd watched in Heavens Arena. She'd gone up against Carlisle, and even Kaizen himself.
Her talent hadn't stood out, but her character was respectable.
Now, however, she was no longer Juliana.
Her body had been parasitized by a monster.
The real Juliana was gone.
Only the creature wearing her face remained.
"Akutagawa Ryunosuke."
At Kaizen's command, a shadowy figure materialized.
"Rashōmon!"
Dark red claws shot out toward Juliana.
Sensing danger, Juliana attempted to defend herself, but the invisible claws tore through her body with ease.
Blood splattered as the monster resisted, its tenacity evident. But it was no match for Akutagawa's relentless assault.
With a heavy thud, the creature's body collapsed to the ground.
Kaizen approached slowly, his expression grim.
Juliana coughed up blood, her weakened voice barely audible.
"Kaizen...?"
Her eyes flickered, a faint spark of recognition returning.
"Where... am I? What's happening to me?"
Kaizen didn't answer immediately.
Juliana began to piece together fragments of memory. She'd left the Heavens Arena, intending to take the Hunter Exam. But before the exam, she'd been lured to the Taris Kingdom with promises of a method to strengthen herself.
Upon arriving in Horun City, she had been ambushed.
Darkness had consumed her consciousness.
She had become a puppet for the parasite now inhabiting her body.
And now, here she was.
"So... I'm dying," Juliana whispered, a bitter smile on her lips. "What a shame. I never made it back to the Heavens Arena. I never took the Hunter Exam. I never became a Floor Master. My dreams are still unfulfilled... Why did it have to end like this?"
"Kaizen, is there any way to save me?"
Kaizen shook his head solemnly.
Her body was fully consumed by the parasite. Killing the creature had sealed her fate as well.
"I see... That's how it is."
Juliana let out a resigned sigh.
"Kaizen, I have one last request."
"What is it?"
"I have a younger sister, Selena. She's still at the Heavens Arena. Please tell her... not to trust anyone. Not to take revenge for me. And not to leave the arena."
Kaizen nodded, though he realized the irony. Would Selena trust a stranger like him?
"Thank you," Juliana whispered. Her eyes dimmed as the last traces of her consciousness faded.
Kaizen stood in silence, gazing at the lifeless body.
He turned to Wendy.
"I'm going to take a walk alone," he said. "Let Dominica take over for the next mission."
Wendy nodded, dialing Dominica's number.
Moments later, Dominica arrived.
"Take care of things here," Kaizen said before walking away, his figure disappearing into the distance.
"What's wrong with him?" Dominica asked Wendy.
Wendy gestured toward Juliana's body.
"She was someone Kaizen knew—a friend. She was parasitized by those monsters, and he had to kill her himself. It's not sitting well with him."
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