The first day of formal life on the second underground level, Maki brought lunch, or rather, prison food. It consisted of Meteor City's best-selling dry bread, one potato, two cabbage leaves, and a cup of water. Five old books were provided for amusement. Both material and spiritual sustenance were covered; luxurious Meteor City treatment, beyond reproach.
Illumi, leveraging his ability to speak, engaged Maki in conversation. However, Maki was tight-lipped and divulged no unnecessary information. All we learned was that we had indeed been added to the wanted list by District 4, that the riot by District 4 criminals had been suppressed, and that Meteor City was now conducting a search. The implication was that we should stay put and not make any rash moves.
Day two of fugitive life, I choked on a potato and wished for soft cake.
Day three of fugitive life, I read books to pass the time.
Day four of fugitive life, Illumi wanted to give me a physical check-up (verbally), which I refused.
"I just wanted to confirm if I should kill that guy," he explained.
"...It's none of your business," I replied with lip service.
Day five of fugitive life, Illumi attempted a physical check-up (literally), and I slapped him.
Day six of fugitive life, Illumi ambushed me, seemingly trying to cut my face again, and I fought back.
Mels' affection for Illumi: -1
Mels' total affection for Illumi: -998
Day seven of fugitive life, Illumi did nothing but sit next to me and watch me read.
Day eight of fugitive life, Illumi did nothing but sit next to me and watch me read, but I still felt a sense of danger.
Day nine of fugitive life, I was lingering near the innermost room door, which was forbidden to open, and Illumi stopped me.
Day ten of fugitive life, I finished the books and fought with Illumi to pass the time, confirming his level did not exceed mine.
Day eleven, I washed my hair and showered, left the second underground level, and shared a room with Maki. Maki taught me how to grind coffee beans and brew coffee.
Day twelve, I cleaned the house with Maki and prepared Mr. Fran's meal.
Day thirteen, I secretly tasted the cream from Mr. Fran's afternoon tea cake. Mr. Fran then gave me a tour of the innermost forbidden room on the second underground level. The room was filled with jars containing various human organs. Mr. Fran threatened me, saying that when I grew up, he would put my eyeballs in one of them.
"Why not my tongue or finger?" I wrote on the notepad he provided.
He explained the significance of successful eye transplant technology and the difficulty of processing the optic nerve connection. He was the first person in the world to achieve eye transplantation, and one of his eyes was his latest achievement. His ultimate goal was brain transplantation.
The subsequent content is omitted. I suspect he wished for eternal life, like Orochimaru in Naruto.
Applause, what a grand aspiration.
Incidentally, he wasn't a native of Meteor City. He stayed in Meteor City because he had more "freedom" there. Hey, this piece of information is far more important than the impractical pursuit of eternal life.
Incidentally, Illumi had already departed on day eleven to find the "materials" Mr. Fran needed. This is not important.
What's important is that to compensate for my transgression, I put on the nurse's uniform that Maki refused to wear... Mr. Fran, you... never mind, it's not important.
Day fourteen, Mr. Fran's afternoon tea delicacy today was waffles.
Day fifteen, Mr. Fran's afternoon tea delicacy today was blueberry cookies.
Day sixteen, Mr. Fran's afternoon tea delicacy today was fruit tart.
Day seventeen, Mr. Fran's afternoon tea delicacy today was baked apple pie.
Day eighteen, Mr. Fran's afternoon tea delicacy today was nut-filled pastries. I'm so hungry, I really want to kill Mr. Fran.
Day nineteen, I assisted Maki and participated in a surgery performed by Mr. Fran. The removed part was made into a new specimen.
Day twenty, I ran errands to deliver medicine to a shop owner in District 5 and received two candies. I ate one on the way back and saved one for Maki. Maki expressed a slight admiration for my feat of going out in a pink nurse uniform.
Huh? Isn't your world's cultural setting very accepting of eccentric clothing?!
Day twenty-one, I randomly guessed if Illumi might have died outside. After all, my whistle was still with him, and that wouldn't do!
Day twenty-two, I couldn't resist secretly eating the apple peel I had cut while helping prepare afternoon tea. It was so sweet! I successfully replenished my vitamins.
Day twenty-three, before washing the milk bottle, I poured some drinking water into it and drank it, so I could taste the milk.
Day twenty-four, I shared the bread crusts cut while making sandwiches with Maki.
Day twenty-five, I caught a crow and tried to put it in the oven, but Maki disdainfully threw it away and warned me. I cried inwardly.
Day twenty-six, Illumi dragged back a sack of "materials" late at night. Mr. Fran, in a good mood, ordered Illumi to drag the "materials" to the third underground level.
I had the privilege of visiting the third underground level, which was filled with various stitched-together monstrosities. Mr. Fran excitedly raised his scalpel towards the fresh, vibrant "materials."
Everyone worked through the entire night.
Regarding my uniform, Illumi seemed to want to say something.
Day twenty-seven, before Illumi could return my whistle, Mr. Fran dispatched him to find the next "material." Paying off debts is truly arduous.
Day twenty-eight, I fed the stitched-together creatures in the third underground level with Maki and also cleaned. It's really tough.
Day twenty-nine, Mr. Fran asked if I wanted to have my vocal cords transplanted to gain the ability to speak, making life easier. I shook my head, refusing.
Firstly, the surgery's risks were unknown and possibly experimental. Secondly, the surgery was definitely not free. Thirdly, I genuinely didn't want to speak; being mute was fine.
"Actually, I hoped you would continue as my assistant," Mr. Fran said. "Your physical condition and adaptability are quite good."
No, the food here is too bad. It's better to work for the Zoldyck family business.
I shook my head.
Mr. Fran decided to give Illumi a more difficult task next time.
"..." I hope the eldest son of the Zoldyck family can handle it.
Day thirty, Mr. Fran treated me to afternoon tea. No need for unnecessary pleasantries; I immediately succumbed to temptation.
Day thirty-one, Mr. Fran gave me basic medical introductory books and asked me to study them while doing odd jobs.
"I will test you on these next week," Mr. Fran kindly highlighted the key points in the table of contents.
Like some teachers in the "real world," there were more highlighted sections than non-highlighted ones. Could that truly be called "key points"?
Thanks to the body the Zoldycks bestowed upon me, my memory is excellent. I've entered "rote memorization" mode.
Day thirty-two, Mr. Fran did not treat me to afternoon tea. Hmph, a stingy and hypocritical man, a cheapskate!
Day thirty-three, I met Phinks in casual attire.
Stunned. x2
I was wondering how he left the arena and how he found me when I saw Kuroro, also in casual attire, not far away.
...It's you again?
Phinks looked at me, and I looked at Kuroro.
Maki, behind me, recognized Kuroro. They already knew each other and exchanged simple nods. This Meteor City is truly small, with acquaintances everywhere.
Afterward, I learned from Maki about Kuroro's illustrious history of constant criminal activity, entering and exiting the arena three times. He was a seasoned veteran of Meteor City.
The future Phantom Troupe leader was indeed extraordinary.
No wonder Phinks described the arena as a "punishment." Meteor City not only has no death penalty but also inflicts very light punishments on criminals. As long as a criminal is willing to redeem themselves by working for those in power, they can be released quickly. Meteor City's capture of criminals is essentially capturing free combat power, which is why Mr. Fran described Meteor City as having "freedom."
I suspect Illumi learned about the District 5 administrator from a local of Meteor City, Kuroro.
Phinks likely wouldn't carelessly attempt something beyond his capabilities at the District 5 administrator's doorstep. Even Illumi dared not provoke Mr. Fran, diligently working to repay his debt. I wrote on the notepad, intending to ask Phinks what his business was. Phinks snatched the notepad and asked for a pen.
"Remember this, this is my name." Phinks threw the notepad and pen back into my arms, leaving with this threatening statement, and left with Kuroro.
He's not illiterate?
I glanced at the name he wrote on the notepad: Feitan Portor.
He even wrote his full name. Ha, at least Phinks isn't illiterate now.
Day thirty-four, Maki taught me how to mend clothes, reminding me of the technique for stitching wounds in the church. Poor clothes, must have hurt both when being sewn and when having stitches removed.
Day thirty-five, I went shopping for supplies in District 5 with Maki. Before leaving, Maki gave me a set of casual clothes to change into.
"You'll change just because I tell you to? You're too easily swayed by others," she complained.
"...?" So, do you want me to change or not?
"This makes you too vulnerable to exploitation... That's my personal opinion, just take it as advice. Let's go."
A shop owner regretfully asked why I had changed my clothes. I took out my notepad to write, but Maki reached out and blocked me, telling me it was okay not to answer insignificant questions.
Day thirty-six, Maki recalled Mr. Fran's eye transplant surgery from two years ago, his most proud and frequently discussed operation. Fran wasn't bragging; that blue eye wasn't natural; it was transplanted. Fran could operate on himself because he could manipulate surgical instruments with his will. Oh, so he used Nen.
Performing surgery on oneself while remaining conscious meant no anesthesia, which must have been incredibly painful. Scary.
What? Fran has congenital insensitivity to pain?! Oh, never mind then.
Day thirty-seven, Illumi dragged back a bloodstained sack late at night. The injured "material" couldn't be used immediately, so Fran treated both the "material" and Illumi. After bandaging his wounds, Illumi was surprised to find only his bed still had bedding on the second underground level.
Oh, I forgot to tell Illumi that on the first day he went out on a mission, I had already moved upstairs to sleep with Maki.
Considering he was covered in injuries, I didn't ask for my whistle back. I'll let him keep it as a "comfort pacifier" for now.
I'm so kind!
I flashed my notepad that read "Goodnight" at Illumi and then linked arms with Maki to return to our room to sleep.
Day thirty-eight, I delivered prison food, or rather, lunch, to Illumi, sharing half of my potato with him, hoping he would eat enough to be on his way.
Day thirty-nine, Illumi set off.
Day forty, I took a bath with Maki. Maki had a scar on her back from before she was taken in by Fran. She envied my healing abilities a bit. Of course, the Zoldyck family's status in the original work was always high; their physique is awesome! Zoldycks are awesome! (Yelling)
Day forty-one, Maki asked me if I liked the Phinks who showed up on the thirty-third day.
"..." I almost choked on water.
Maki, you're acting strange. According to the original work's setting, you seem to be a cold and un-gossipy character!
"If you don't like him, refuse him early. I think he's a dangerous person," Maki advised.
"..." Won't a dangerous person become even more dangerous if refused?!
"This is just my personal intuition, take it with a grain of salt," Maki comforted me.
No, according to the original work's setting, Maki is a character with extremely accurate intuition, a form of metaphysics that even Kuroro trusts.
I've read the original work and I know Phinks' character setting is that of a dangerous person, but how am I supposed to refuse Phinks? He hasn't shown any special intentions, and to tell him "I don't like you" the moment we meet would require an immense amount of narcissism to do such a shameful thing!
"I'm sorry, I've been too talkative. Please don't take it to heart," Maki looked somewhat regretful.
I quickly shook my head and wrote "Thank you" in her palm.
Day forty-two, Mr. Fran was absent. I dealt with a disturbance in the third underground level with Maki.
Day forty-three, I asked Maki if she had any future plans. She said she was still considering. I'm not actually interested in her specific plans; I just wanted to tell her that the food outside is much better than here. So, it's best to change jobs early, Maki!
Day forty-four, a knock at the door late at night. I thought it was Illumi, but it turned out to be Phinks. This is bad. Mr. Fran is absent; I wonder if Phinks knows this?
"Stick out your hand." Phinks' tone was unfriendly, and his gaze was even more so.
"..." I tensed my entire body and extended my hand slightly, ready to fight.
Phinks snorted, and his clenched right fist stopped above my palm. A round, eyeball-sized object dropped into my palm.
Wait, I remember Maki telling me to refuse him early.
"Just you wait," Phinks said, turning and leaving without waiting for my refusal.
Retreating back inside, Maki and I prepared ourselves mentally and opened the blood-stained tinfoil packaging. Inside was a... chocolate candy ball?
I cut it open with a dinner knife and checked it repeatedly. I found no issues.
Maki and I each took half and ate it. Although Maki didn't show any particular reaction, I felt I might need to be cautious and not open the door carelessly.
Day forty-five, no one came. A peaceful day.
Day forty-six, no one came. A peaceful day.
Day forty-seven, Fran returned, bringing an apple each for Maki and me. Hmph, at least he has some conscience.
Day forty-eight, laundry after a long time.
Day forty-nine, in the early morning, Illumi returned. Maki opened the door.
I caught Illumi as he collapsed. Judging by his injuries, his [Indomitable] level is higher than mine. The shadow of fierce competition returned, and I became anxious.
Day fifty, Illumi was unconscious. I replaced the chain with a thin string and rehung the whistle around my neck.
Day fifty-one, Illumi woke up. Important plot characters are indeed not easily killed. Illumi asked where the whistle was, and I pointed to my chest.
Day fifty-two, taking care of Illumi.
Day fifty-three, taking care of Illumi.
Fran spoke to me privately, saying I didn't need to be so attentive.
According to the setting, Illumi is my biological younger brother, and the residents of Meteor City have a strong sense of emotion. If I'm too cold, it will look bad on the surface. I should at least maintain appearances!
Day fifty-four, I suddenly realized I could also complete Mr. Fran's missions to help repay the debt! I only thought of this today; I'm such an idiot!
"No, if you die, I'll lose an assistant," Fran said. "What are your complaints about life here?"
"..." Many complaints, especially about the food!
Day fifty-five, in the end, Illumi still went out on a mission.
Day fifty-six, late at night, I knocked Maki unconscious, escaped the house, and met up with Illumi.
While taking care of Illumi earlier, we communicated using Morse code. He "said" he felt his debt was mostly repaid, and after working diligently for so long, it was enough to catch them off guard, and the chances of a successful escape were high.
I agreed; the food here is too bad.
The most dangerous place is the safest place. We headed towards the electric fence bordering Districts 4 and 5, attempting to re-enter District 4.
We sensed the presence of pursuers behind us almost simultaneously. Rather, the other party intentionally leaked their presence; otherwise, we wouldn't have detected them at all. This is bad; the opponent is an expert.
Run, or...
"Miss Meurs."
I stopped in shock.
"Young Master Illumi."
Illumi also stopped and took my right hand.
The pursuer revealed herself: Zepile, the direct butler of Silva. She bent down and extended her hand towards us. "It's time. Master Silva has ordered me to escort you two back."
I took a step towards Zepile. Illumi remained in place, holding my right hand, stopping me. "No, sister."
"?"
"Father personally brought us here. By rights, Father should be the one to take us back," Illumi asked Zepile, "Why are you alone?"
"The master is busy with work recently and, due to your trust, I am acting on his behalf," Zepile replied.
"Trust?" Illumi seemed slightly surprised. "That's a flimsy excuse, and you've slipped up. Those who are not family are not to be trusted."
You're lying through your teeth, Illumi! In the original work, you revealed Alluka's ability, the Zoldyck family's top secret, to Hisoka. Did you two guys really get married in private?!
"Oh dear, what a sad reply," Zepile feigned wiping away nonexistent tears. "As Young Master Illumi said, I will handle everything."
"Please... die here." Zepile (?) showed a benevolent (?) smile.
Killing intent, incoming.