Hunter X Hunter: Tombbound Power

The man with a square face, Leiert, smiled warmly, giving the impression of a gracious host. However, his eyes told another story.

"What's the test?"

A young man with messy yellow hair impatiently stretched out his hand, cutting to the chase as soon as Leiert finished speaking.

"The test is simple. All of you came through various channels, each vying for the same job. You should already know what I'm looking for, right?"

Leiert's demeanor remained polite, unbothered by the boy's impudence. But Ronnel sensed the coldness beneath that kindness—an aloofness that marked him as someone not easily crossed. As the head of an underworld family, Leiert still seemed skeptical of the group, either looking down on them or reluctant to trust them fully.

"I know. We need to find the blue S55, serial number 001."

The yellow-haired man was quick to respond, his tone suggesting professionalism despite his rough appearance.

"Heh, exactly," Leiert chuckled. "That's what I need for my collection in Yorknew City. This is the first test. If any of you can provide significant help in tracking down that gun, you pass."

The air grew heavy with tension at his words.

The first test? Does that mean there's more?

The seven examinees exchanged cautious glances, even the yellow-haired man clamming up for once.

"Significant help?" one of them muttered to himself. "So he's testing our abilities under the guise of teamwork?"

No one dared to reveal their hand this early. Any seasoned fighter knew better than to expose their Nen abilities too soon.

Leiert didn't seem bothered by their silence, instead watching with amusement as the tension among them grew.

Ronnel's lips curled into a slight grin. He could see the gears turning in everyone's minds. Just as he was about to take action—

"Mr. Leiert!" a young scholar resembling Nobunaga stepped forward, adjusting his glasses.

"The S55, first released in 1762, holds a special place in firearm history. It's not just a rare piece—it's one of the finest examples of craftsmanship. And the first batch, including the serial number 001, is—"

The scholar spoke with precision, his deep knowledge even surprising Leiert, a collector himself.

Before he could finish, the scholar paused dramatically, pushing his glasses up again.

"Mr. Leiert, with my knowledge and insights, don't you think I could offer invaluable assistance?" he asked, confidence radiating from him.

"Knowledge is power, after all!"

Leiert nodded approvingly, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

"Well said. It seems you've done your homework. 3 points to you."

The scholar smiled, reclining in his seat with the satisfaction of someone who'd aced an exam.

The rest of the group remained cautious. Was his impressive knowledge linked to his Nen ability? The idea lingered in their minds, though none acted yet.

With a quiet chuckle, Ronnel rose to his feet. He wasn't one for grand speeches. Instead, he reached into his coat, aimed at the far wall, and fired.

BOOM!

A large hole exploded in the solid wall, shocking everyone.

The yellow-haired man, who had been the first to speak earlier, paled and took a step back.

"Mr. Leiert, with power like this," Ronnel said with a smirk, "I think I could more than guarantee your safety, don't you?"

Leiert flinched, retreating two steps as if the impact had hit him personally.

"Uh… yes, I'd say that's more than enough."

He shot a quick glance at the old servant standing behind him, who leaned in to whisper something in his ear.

"Is this the same Kay Taylor, the one recommended by the Thousand Ears Society?"

The servant nodded.

"I knew he was a lone gunman," Leiert murmured under his breath, "but I didn't expect him to be this strong."

In the underworld, power wasn't just measured by wealth and connections—it was also a matter of how formidable one's bodyguards were. A more powerful bodyguard meant a stronger family, one with resources and influence.

Leiert's smile widened. He liked Ronnel's style.

Soon, the rest of the group began to demonstrate their abilities.

The middle-aged martial artist executed a flawless technique, earning recognition from the others.

The twin brothers, one armed with a sniper rifle and the other unarmed, said little but let their actions speak. The gun-wielding brother fired at the wall Ronnel had damaged, his bullets leaving deep marks that hinted at his mastery over Nen.

Even the yellow-haired man had more up his sleeve. He produced a stack of papers, folding them into various shapes before imbuing them with Nen. The paper blade he crafted sliced through the wall with the sound of metal on metal, drawing comparisons to Hisoka's playing cards. Clearly, this man's Nen ability was far more refined than his appearance suggested—an advanced form of origami manipulation.

Then came the girl, no older than eighteen or nineteen. She sang a haunting melody, and the sound waves radiating from her voice made even Ronnel wince slightly.

Every person in the room had passed their test.

Leiert clapped his hands slowly, a grin creeping onto his face.

"Impressive. Very impressive."

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