Hunter X Hunter: I Got Stronger After I Died

Powerful, indifferent, mysterious…

These were Kurapika's immediate impressions of Kort.

The pile of bloodied flesh on the ground in the alley further highlighted Kort's brutality.

This was, without a doubt, a monster.

Kurapika's perception was shaken to its core.

Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that a child who looked no older than six or seven could, with a mere wave of his hand, slice a strong adult man into dozens of pieces from a distance.

Just as he finally accepted the reality before him, he saw that same monster running away in a panic.

What had happened?

Who had injured that monster so badly that he was fleeing in such fear?

Kurapika stood there, stunned, a cold shiver running down his spine.

From deep within the alley, Kort emerged, immediately noticing Kurapika still standing there.

He ignored Kurapika entirely, dashing through the filthy puddles and the blood-soaked chunks of flesh on the ground, running at full speed toward the alley's exit, where bright light shone through.

There was no way he would naively believe Moro's words.

Something about his ability being valuable…

He hadn't even had the chance to activate his ability in the fight!

And that look in his eyes—he would remember it!!!

Gritting his teeth, Kort ignored his injuries. At this moment, his only thought was to get as far away from Moro as possible.

Beside him, Kurapika watched blankly as Kort ran out of the alley.

Everything he had witnessed in these short ten minutes felt like an icy hand crushing his understanding of the world, leaving him with the surreal sensation of being trapped in a dream.

Moments later—

Footsteps echoed in the alley once more.

Moro walked out from the depths of the alley.

"This is…"

His eyes first landed on the two blood-soaked corpses on the ground and the scattered pieces of flesh before noticing the blond-haired boy leaning against the wall.

His gaze swept over the boy's outfit, which bore the distinct style of the Kurta Clan, and then to the pair of wooden swords strung together with a rope beside him.

Kurapika.

From these clues, Moro immediately recognized the blond-haired boy's identity and was slightly surprised.

Had he been drawn here by news of the Scarlet Eyes…?

His peripheral vision caught sight of the gruesome remains on the ground. He could still make out some blood-soaked paper scraps, confirming that these bodies were Kort's doing.

Judging by the spread of the blood, it seemed that Kort had killed them before coming after him.

"Looks like I won't be getting my paper fan back."

Moro shifted his gaze toward the alley exit, where the light shone.

Technically, he could track Kort down immediately using the Star Mark. However, given Kort's current mental state, catching up to him would serve no purpose.

"Probably around Level 15… As expected of the Zoldyck family, a veritable cradle of genius monsters."

Moro mused.

The reason he had spared Kort today…

There were multiple factors, but the most important one was that he would likely need Kort's tracking abilities in the future.

He could only hope that this "kindness" would leave a lasting impression on Kort.

For now, though, a bigger concern was who had hired the Zoldycks for the assassination.

That question…

It didn't take much thought to figure out—the answer was undoubtedly Nolan, the one in control of the Menu organization.

What he hadn't expected was that the assassin sent by the Zoldycks would be Kort.

If it had been Illumi, he himself would have been the one fleeing on a Flying Star right now.

This meant he needed to take a more proactive approach.

But with his current strength, he wouldn't be able to handle the Ten Dons' retaliation.

That concern surfaced in his mind for only a moment before he forcefully suppressed it.

They had already gone as far as hiring the Zoldycks to kill him—there was no point in hesitating now.

Moro understood the importance of careful planning. That's why he always thought through every step before making a decision.

But when it was time to act, he would never hesitate.

Given the current situation, his plan was simple—strike directly at Nolan's headquarters.

Whatever the Ten Dons did in response would be a problem for later.

At worst, he could just leave a message at the crime scene:

"We do not reject anything. Therefore, do not take a single thing from us."

Moro pondered.

Kurapika struggled to suppress the turmoil within him, cautiously observing Moro, who was deep in thought.

But when he saw the paper fan in Moro's hand, he recalled how that terrifying monster had been forced to flee in disgrace.

The shock he felt inside slowly spread to his face.

If this man could push such a powerful monster to that state… just how strong was he?

Shock gave way to a powerful desire.

He was both careful and reluctant to look away, silently watching Moro.

Noticing Kurapika's gaze, Moro finally shifted his full attention to him.

Desire…

Moro saw it in Kurapika's eyes. At the same time, he felt that this Kurapika was different from the one in the original story—there was an unfamiliarity to him.

The Kurapika who had appeared during the Hunter Exam had been calm, composed, and rational.

Yet, the one before him now was quite different.

Then he remembered—the Kurta Clan massacre had only happened two years ago.

That explained a lot.

He was still growing.

Moro came to that conclusion.

After all, anyone who met the composed and logical Kurapika from the Hunter Exam would never have guessed he bore such a deep, soul-crushing grudge.

Nor would they have known what he had to endure to reach that state.

"Are you alright?"

Moro glanced at the trace of blood on Kurapika's lips and asked.

Kurapika flinched slightly.

Even though the man was speaking to him, even though his tone was friendly, he couldn't bring himself to ask the question burning in his heart.

"How… did you do it?"

That was what he wanted to ask.

Seeing Kurapika remain silent, Moro assumed he was simply too overwhelmed.

One thing still puzzled Moro.

According to Uvogin in the original story, the Phantom Troupe had at least acknowledged the strength of the Kurta Clan. That meant there must have been multiple Nen users among them.

Yet, Kurapika had only learned about Nen after taking the Hunter Exam.

But now—

Because of Kort's interference, Kurapika had witnessed the power of Nen much earlier.

With vengeance as the curse driving him forward, it was only natural that he would crave this power.

"Do you need help?"

Seeing Kurapika looking dazed, Moro raised an eyebrow and asked again.

This second display of concern gave Kurapika the courage he needed.

No matter what, he had to seize this opportunity…

Kurapika pressed his lips together, then finally asked the question that had been weighing on his heart:

"How… did you do it?"

"I won't answer that question. I'm not obligated to."

Moro shook his head.

Kurapika opened his mouth, only for disappointment to flood over him.

Lowering his head, he instinctively avoided letting the man see the sorrow and weakness in his eyes.

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50 Powerstones? (5 Bonus Chapters)

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