"Damn it… these hard-headed freaks."
Vega sighed as he looked at Silva Zoldyck's cold, unreadable expression. A flash of exasperation passed through his eyes.
He'd known full well that the Zoldyck family wouldn't compromise. But even so, he'd hoped for some kind of negotiation. After all, while he still had plenty of experience points saved up, he'd already planned how to spend them—specifically, to upgrade Phantom Severance.
Now, with Silva refusing to back down, Vega had no choice. He'd have to divert some of those experience points to strengthen himself temporarily—just enough to overpower Silva and force a retreat.
Resolute, Vega summoned the system with a thought.
A familiar interface blinked into view.
Phantom Severance – First Tier Upgrade
Status: Transcendent Weapon
Forged with: Black dragon bone
Ability: When liberated, the weapon merges with its wielder, greatly enhancing combat capabilities.
Effect: Temporarily amplifies physical abilities by over tenfold. Grants high-level defense comparable to armor plating.
Auxiliary Armament: Red Shrike
Cost: 1000 XP per enhancement
Vega glanced at the system counter—over 7,000 XP available.
He instinctively moved to enhance the weapon… but paused.
His eyes flicked toward Silva on the other side—still calm, still watching. That man was no fool. If Vega pushed too hard, Silva would likely escalate to match. Vega wasn't keen to burn all his resources on a drawn-out fight.
So, instead of activating the upgrade immediately, Vega called out in a cold voice:
"Silva Zoldyck. Are you really dead set on fighting to the bitter end?"
"If that's your answer… then come at me!"
He raised the Red Shrike. In an instant, radiant beams of light flickered over Phantom Severance, pulsing with violent energy as power surged into his body.
Silva's eyes narrowed. He instinctively retreated several steps.
Even without fully activating his En, Silva could feel the pressure pouring off Vega. The intensity made the hair on the back of his neck stand up—this wasn't a bluff. His instincts, honed through countless assassinations, screamed danger.
To charge in recklessly now would be suicide.
He froze, analyzing Vega carefully.
From Silva's perspective, Vega had just invoked a powerful Nen vow—probably one that traded lifespan or blood for a massive burst of power. Silva had seen desperate fighters try this before: all-in strikes that could kill in a heartbeat… or backfire spectacularly.
There were only two responses to such an attack: either kill them before it activates, or wait it out.
Silva's aura flared, his senses sharpening. Whether he retreated or counterattacked, he would stay alert for any sudden changes.
The light around Vega faded gradually.
Phantom Severance's previously damaged appearance had been fully restored. Not only that, Vega's presence felt even more overwhelming now—power radiated from him in waves.
Vega's eyes locked onto Silva's cautious figure, and irritation twisted in his chest.
You didn't want to talk when I tried. Now that I've powered up, you want to run?
Not a chance.
With a stomp, Vega blurred forward like lightning. The Red Shrike sliced through the air, glowing crimson with condensed aura.
Silva dodged sideways instinctively.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Red energy beams struck the ground in rapid succession, leaving deep scorch marks across the earth.
Silva kept his eyes on Vega, thoughts racing.
His physical speed just jumped a tier… maybe two. His strikes are faster too. And he can attack from range now?
He examined Vega's condition closely—the armor's repaired… even the previous damage is gone.
This was getting tricky.
Their battle raged on. Each clash sent shockwaves through the terrain. Trees splintered. The ground cracked. The air thickened with tension.
Seeing that Silva was still holding out, Vega's frustration peaked.
"Fine," he muttered.
He pumped more XP into the system—another 2000 points burned.
Phantom Severance – Tier II Enhancement Activated.
His speed surged again.
Silva had no time to react before a flash of red energy carved through the space between them—
SHING!
Silva's left arm dropped to the ground.
Yet his expression remained cold and composed. In the same instant, he blasted a massive Nen sphere from his right palm, halting Vega's advance.
Vega skidded back, blocked by the explosion.
When the smoke cleared, Silva was gone.
He'd retrieved his severed arm, vanished into the trees like a shadow.
"…He ran?" Vega muttered.
Only bloodstains and debris remained on the battlefield.
"Heh. That was fast."
Vega narrowed his eyes, irritation rising again.
Tried to play it cool… refused to talk… now gets his arm chopped off and flees? What a waste of time.
"When it comes to guys like this," he muttered, "you've gotta beat them first, then talk. That's the only language they understand."
He dismissed Phantom Severance's aura and tucked the Red Shrike back behind him.
Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a phone and dialed.
"Kevin. Pick me up."
About half an hour later, a fleet of sleek black luxury vehicles arrived. Before they even came to a full stop, Kevin had leapt out and rushed over with several Pengellet bodyguards in tow.
He bowed low. "Master Vega."
The others echoed, "Leader!"
Vega nodded casually and climbed into the car. The convoy peeled away, heading straight for the central district of Nacro City.
Meanwhile, far from the battlefield, Silva crouched in the shadows, cradling his severed arm with one hand as he pulled out a phone with the other.
Beep—beep—
"Father," Silva said in a low voice. "The target escaped. Mission failed. I'll need your assistance."
"…You'll get half the payment."
He paused, then added:
"And bring the medics. My arm's been severed. I can reattach it with Nen, but functionality won't be ideal."
"If we move together next time, I don't want any… complications."