"We miscalculated. We should have eliminated him," was Illumi's regretful remark the next day as we were being pursued by multiple individuals.
The "him" Illumi referred to was Chrollo, whose introduction I had interrupted, thus Illumi still didn't know his surname.
We were intercepted by Chrollo at our temporary base shortly after robbing a supply transport vehicle in the Meteor City and using the proceeds, six barrels of drinking water. Although Chrollo had promised to pretend he hadn't seen us as he retreated, the current situation suggested he had gone back on his word. Robbers, unlike assassins, have no reputation to uphold.
We had believed our recent efforts to improve our strength would allow us to escape even if we encountered someone like the A-rank scumbag again. Unfortunately, some of those pursuing us were even stronger than that scumbag, and there were six of them in total, the same number as the barrels of water we had stolen.
After robbing so many, it was our turn to be prey. They coordinated to drive us, quickly encircling us. Adhering to the family motto, "Never fight unwinnable battles," we surrendered when we had no escape route left, choosing to preserve our strength to the maximum extent.
"Besides you, there must be others who robbed the supply vehicle. If you don't want to suffer more, I advise you to tell us obediently," said the man who appeared to be the leader among the six.
"Why us?" Illumi inquired. "We have none of the stolen goods with us."
"Why?" The man opened his mouth in surprise and then burst into laughter. "You're still asking why? You're just children, lacking sufficient foresight. Can't you see the stolen goods written all over your faces?"
"..." x2
"This is Meteor City, not elsewhere. In the districts beyond Sector Six, where else would you find children as clean and tidy as you?" The man was quite pleased with our belated realization. As a standard villain, he generously shared his work details. "Little brats, don't underestimate adults. When the vehicle didn't reach its destination on time, we knew it had been robbed. You couldn't have gone far with the supplies in such a short time. With a bit more manpower, we found your secret base. We were a little surprised you weren't there; your caution is commendable."
The man and the others exchanged knowing smiles. "However, it's amusing that you stole those barrels of water just for a bath. Only children would be so willful."
"..." x2
What they considered "wasting precious water resources" was, to us, simply a pure desire to "take a bath and wash our hair." Our living environments were different; they wouldn't understand.
"Perhaps you're not aware, but you've actually gained some notoriety, a pair of siblings, one dark and one light, robbing everywhere. Your distinguishing features are quite obvious," the man said, his gaze drifting upwards to the sky as if recalling something. "Private disputes are not within our jurisdiction, but robbing the supply vehicle changes things. This is a vital lifeline, and we must find the people responsible and hand them over. Don't worry, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Talented individuals, in any sense of the word, are always worth recruiting."
"Therefore, I'd like to know if you have any other companions. If you cooperate, you will both be granted preferential treatment and allowed entry into Sector Four. This is a rare opportunity," the man looked down at us. "I know you won't trust me easily, but I'll give you time to think it over."
They brought us into Sector Four. Most of the buildings here were two stories or higher, not exceeding ten stories. The multi-story buildings of dozens of floors we saw in the outer districts were further away, in the central area, the best part of Meteor City.
The conditions in Sector Four were a world of difference from Sector Thirteen. No more communal sleeping, but proper apartments, thirty-odd square meter one-bedroom units. While not as large as my bedroom in the Zoldyck mansion (laughs), after living amongst garbage for so long, the comparison made it feel like a heavenly experience.
A one-bedroom unit meant only one bedroom. They intended to guard us separately, perhaps considering the need to appease our emotions. When Illumi used the reason that I couldn't speak, they agreed to let us stay together.
During our consideration period, they assigned one person to guard us in the living room, with shifts changing every six hours.
The bedroom had no windows, and the bathroom had a small window too small for even a child to squeeze through. To leave the room, one had to go through the living room.
To prevent potential eavesdropping, Illumi and I stayed in the bedroom, sitting on the bed facing each other, discussing escape plans through lip-reading. Unfortunately, other than eliminating the person in the living room and those patrolling the corridor outside, we had no other good ideas.
As part of their preferential treatment, they gave us each a new set of clothes, categorized by gender. Mine was a pale blue dress, clearly not resistant to dirt.
After the clothes came the food: honey pancakes, topped with a slice of strawberry. Having eaten dry bread, potatoes, and cabbage for so long, seeing food with vibrant colors made my hand, gripping the fork, tremble with excitement.
Tsk, the standard setup for a sugar-coated bullet, but I'd eat this even if it was laced with poison!
With my [Poison Resistance: Level 7], I was definitely fine!
...Let's dig in!
As soon as the pancakes were served, Illumi was still holding back, but I impatiently used the side of my fork to cut into the pancake... Ah, so soft. As soon as it was cut, golden honey flowed out. They have gourmet food in Meteor City too, how exciting!
Perhaps it was because I hadn't eaten well in a long time, but these pancakes were the most delicious I had ever tasted!
So sweet! So fragrant! So soft! So happy!
As I ate the last piece of pancake, I used my fork to scrape the pancake around the plate, gathering all the honey that had spilled onto the plate onto the pancake, not wasting a drop, and ate it with delight.
Oh—bliss!
Patting my stomach, I was completely satisfied.
"..." Illumi, sitting opposite me, watched me finish without touching his fork. He pushed his portion towards me. "Are you still eating?"
"..." Was my eating posture that bad?!
I shook my head and waved my hand, telling him to handle his own portion.
He picked up his fork, lifted the strawberry from his pancake, and placed it onto my empty plate. "Then eat more fruit."
"..." Fine, I won't be polite and ate it with my fork.
That night, as I slept, I was still savoring the wonderful taste of the honey pancakes. Ah, I wonder what else I'll get to eat tomorrow?
The bedroom had twin beds. We slept horizontally, just like sleeping in a communal room, but much more spacious than a communal room; we could even turn over. It was incredibly comfortable.
The twin beds came with only one duvet. Sharing a duvet, despite the distinction between sexes, Illumi was only seven, so even if he had the inclination, he wouldn't have the capability... Besides, what inclination could he possibly have? Looking at his ugly face when he forced me to cut my wrist to drink my blood, calling him a dog would be an insult to dogs.
The next day's breakfast was fried eggs and ham. Wow, such a high-class breakfast in Meteor City, wow!
You think I forgot about escaping?
Can't be helped. We couldn't defeat the guards. They were still treating us politely, so how could we dare to act rashly and alert them?
Lunch. The anticipated lunch didn't arrive. The leader who had captured us came. He didn't ask if we had thought it over, or if we wanted to reveal our companions.
He handed me a small bag of cookies.
"?" I felt the atmosphere was off and repeatedly waved my hands in refusal.
He offered it again. Illumi held my right hand and pulled me back a step.
"We don't need it. Please just say what you have to say," Illumi stated our purpose, speaking for me.
"Alright, then I'll explain the current situation. We always reward good deeds and punish transgressions. Robbing a supply vehicle naturally comes with a price. You will face a constantly warring hell, and only those who survive until the end in hell will be granted amnesty," the man looked at me meaningfully. "Since we've already caught other brats who were splitting the supplies, it makes no difference whether there's one less or one more. Coincidentally, I wanted a daughter, so I can keep you. As for your brother, I can guarantee he'll survive until the end."
"We don't need it," Illumi immediately replied, picking up where the man left off.
"Kid, I'm not asking you. I'm asking your sister." The man placed his hand on my right shoulder. The arm of that hand precisely separated me from Illumi. "Whether it's for your brother or for yourself, you should know which choice is wiser, shouldn't I have to tell you?"
A choice between hell and paradise?
Hmph, there's always someone better. Here in Meteor City, you might be someone of importance, but in the entire world, a true noble family like the Zoldycks is far beyond you. Everyone knows which is superior. kuAiδugg
Moreover, for me, the positions of hell and paradise need to be swapped. Dying in a high-difficulty dungeon would be the best ending, a dignified one. Even the Zoldycks would have nothing to say. That would be paradise.
The option of "being my daughter" is like coaxing a child. I know it's likely not good for anything, and that would be hell.
No need to hesitate. The answer is obvious.
Just as I started to shake my head left, the man raised his hand and cupped my chin, stopping my movement.
"Don't rush your answer. I am a very patient person." The man's thumb gently rubbed my lower lip. My lips were a little chapped from dehydration, so the texture probably wasn't great. "Poor child, I know how hard your life has been. With your potential, you deserve a comfortable life."
"I can give you shelter, so you don't have to worry and live in the elements."
"I can let you eat delicious snacks every day and wear beautiful clothes."
"You must think I expect something in return for all this, right?" The man stopped rubbing my lips. "No, you're mistaken. I don't need any reward, because love requires no reward. I am willing to love you. The only question is, are you willing to accept it?"
He cupped my face with both hands, or rather, held my head in place. I couldn't shake my head to refuse.
I raised my hand and tugged at his sleeve, hoping he would let go.
"A bit troubled, difficult to understand at first? No, this problem isn't as complicated as you think. All you have to do is nod." The man tightened his grip, forcing me to raise my head. "You'll know that your choice is the right one."
Then came a downward force, and with his "help," I completed the nodding motion.
"Very good. You've made the right choice, and I will fulfill my promise." The man's fingertips slid across my cheek, a slightly entranced smile on his lips, as if carefully wiping a precious vase he cherished.
Illumi's offensive and hostile intent exploded. The man was prepared for this; rather, the man had never overlooked any of Illumi's actions. He was waiting for Illumi's attack, giving him a full and legitimate excuse to do what he wanted in front of me, such as punishing Illumi, taking Illumi hostage, and thus forcing me to obey his every whim.
Illumi, you idiot! You've fallen right into the enemy's trap!
I reached out to block in front of the man, trying to stop Illumi's attack.
To my and the man's utter surprise, Illumi's attack was a feint. His true target was me.
Illumi's claws, sharp as surgical scalpels, sliced across my face as if slicing through tofu, starting from below my right eye, crossing my nose bridge, and continuing all the way to my left jaw, cleaving across my entire face.
The man's expression shattered like glass struck by a fist, his smile cracking into countless pieces, becoming indescribable.
"?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" x2
While there are many popular anime characters with facial scars, they are almost all male, and the scars are treated as unique character traits, designed not to affect their appearance. In other words, this scar on me would be considered undeniable disfigurement on a female character.
The highest-valued character in the entire show so far has been disfigured by her own brother?!
The next second, blood flowed from the long, narrow wound, soaking my entire lower face. My nostrils and mouth were filled with the taste of blood.
With a calm expression, a calm tone, and calm, inorganic eyes, Illumi calmly said, "My sister, no one can take her away."
No matter what, you shouldn't have disfigured me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My blood-soaked face ignited a furious rage, and I began to brawl with Illumi.
Illumi Zoldyck!!!!! I'll curse your father!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!