"Should we consider inviting this guy to join the Troupe?" Shalnark pondered.
"Given the future direction of the Troupe, a reduction in mbers is inevitable."
"In this situation, to continue the Troupe, we must recruit new mbers."
"And this guy's talent rivals that of the leader. If he joins, he might significantly enhance the Troupe's overall strength."
Shalnark contemplated silently.
Similar thoughts had occurred to Greed when he brought Ron back to Aurean.
However, Greed had evaluated Ron rely as an E-rank Nen user, soone who would struggle to reach D-rank—not worth paying attention to. What Greed noticed was only Ron's apparent greed. That's why he so readily changed his approach, using Ron as experintal material.
His assessnt was entirely different from Shalnark's.
Firstly, at that ti, Ron had allocated most of his aura to Hanma Baki and Chii, so his own aura seed rather weak. But now, Ron hadn't allocated his aura to his Nen beasts. Even though he was only maintaining Ten and not intentionally displaying his aura, it was still stronger than before.
Secondly, Greed's perceptiveness was inferior to Shalnark's. There was a certain strength gap between the two.
Shalnark took out his phone and quickly obtained so information about Ron.
"A participant on the 200th floor of the Sky Arena?"
"Already achieved three consecutive victories?"
"I'll keep this in mind; no need to make contact now. I'll wait for a better opportunity later."
He withdrew his gaze.
---
### A New Journey
The airship landed.
After disembarking, Ron headed to a small town to the east. This ti, the route back to the Zoldyck estate would be a bit more troubleso. He couldn't take an airship for the entire journey. He had to switch to a car in the middle; the town he was heading to was between two cities with airship routes.
Therefore, Ron planned to rest in this town for a night.
The next morning, he would proceed to the next city and take another airship.
There were few inns in the town, so Ron booked a guesthouse.
Soon, he arrived at the gate of an ordinary courtyard house. After confirming the address, he knocked on the door.
A woman heard the sound and opened it.
"Hello, I booked the guesthouse for tonight."
"Are you Mr. Ron...?" The middle-aged woman was a bit surprised to see Ron because he was so young.
"Yes."
"Please co in. I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be so young. The room is ready; the bedding and sheets have been changed. Co in, please."
She led the way. "This way, please."
"Thank you."
Ron followed her inside.
It was a very ordinary house. The reason there was a guesthouse here was because of the beautiful scenery in the nearby mountains, attracting so visitors—but not too many. Otherwise, there would be more than just guesthouses here.
She opened the door to his room. "Mr. Ron, this is your room. If you need anything, just let know."
"Okay."
Ron nodded and put down his backpack.
He had just sat down for less than ten minutes when the woman returned, carrying so items.
"Here's so hot water; the tea is on the table. By the way, Mr. Ron, have you had dinner? If not, you can join in the dining room; I've just finished preparing it."
"Our town isn't like the cities outside; once it gets dark, few shops remain open."
Ron had planned to just eat so bread, but hearing her offer, he stood up. "Then I'll take you up on your offer."
"Not at all, not at all."
They walked into the dining room together.
At that mont, a young girl rushed out energetically.
"I'm heading out, Mother. Don't wait up for tonight."
The woman smiled helplessly. "Alright, don't stay out too late."
Noticing Ron's gaze, she said, "That's my daughter. Children are harder to manage when they grow up, but she knows her limits."
"Let's have dinner first. It's just so homade dishes; I hope you don't mind."
---
### The Dinner Conversation
The middle-aged woman was clearly a talkative person. Even though Ron didn't say much, the dining room felt lively, reminding him of certain experiences from his past life. He once had a neighbour like her—soone with such a personality.
Listening too much could beco a bit tireso. However, for those with social anxiety or introverted personalities, having soone like this in an unfamiliar setting could be comforting; they could just sit quietly and listen.
"Is the food to your liking?"
Ron nodded. "It's quite good."
The dishes she prepared were simple, all ho-style cooking. In terms of sophistication, they couldn't compare to restaurant fare, but each had its own charm.
"As long as you like it." The woman smiled.
"By the way, Ron, travelling alone—aren't your family worried? I don't an anything by it; it's just that you're quite young. If my daughter were your age, I wouldn't feel comfortable letting her travel alone."
"I'm not an ordinary person," Ron explained. "In many dojos, people around my age often travel alone; it's part of our training."
"A dojo?" She was montarily puzzled. "Are you a ninja?"
"Not a ninja, but close enough." Ron wasn't a ninja; he was an assassin.
She showed a look of understanding. "I see, no wonder. Then you must be quite strong, Ron. Ordinary adult n probably aren't a match for you."
Ron nodded.
After resolving her curiosity, she turned the conversation back to her daughter, taking out a photo.
"When I see my daughter now, I can't help but recall the tis with her father. I understand why my parents worried about back then."
"But fortunately, she chose a decent young man. He's honest, intelligent, and cos from a good family."
"Take a look, Ron." She handed the photo to him.
Ron took it, but as soon as he did, his brow furrowed. In the photo, he sensed a heavy, ominous aura of death. This feeling was even more sinister than the death auras of Kyler or Dandins before, making him uncomfortable.
As for its intensity, Ron couldn't tell much from just a photo.
It was a picture of two people: the woman's daughter and a young man with a slight smile, appearing to be a kind individual. But no matter how Ron looked at it, he felt uneasy.
The unsettling aura emanated from the young man.
However, Ron didn't say anything. After all, it wasn't his business, and he had only just t the woman. Ron was an assassin.
After dinner, he returned to his room.
---
### A Disturbing Morning
The next day, Ron packed up, ready to leave.
The woman was pacing anxiously in the courtyard, looking distressed.
A young man ran up to the entrance, panting. "Ma'am, we've searched the entire town, but we can't find Juna anywhere."
He looked anxious. "Last night, around ten o'clock, Juna left my house. I thought she'd go straight ho; I didn't expect this to happen."
"It's all my fault; I deserve to die!" The young man's eyes were red.
At this mont, more people gathered at the entrance—so the sa age as the young man, others who appeared to be neighbours.
Suddenly, the young man's gaze fell upon Ron. "Ma'am, who is that?"
"Ron is a guest who stayed at the guesthouse last night." She forced herself to regain composure.
"Ron, are you leaving now?"
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