Chapter 16: The Investigation

Seeking out Argo was a strategic move to plant a "nail" that would allow me to keep tabs on Feitan at any moment, ensuring that all my efforts wouldn't go to waste in the end.

To my surprise, Argo actually possessed intelligence on the Phantom Troupe. This was entirely unexpected and immediately brought to mind the two instances of membership turnover the Troupe had experienced. Although the original source material provided very little information, at least the general direction was clear: one member had been replaced by Hisoka, and another had died at the hands of Silva Zoldyck, the current head of the Zoldyck family.

However, I didn't know the specific timing of these events, only that they occurred three years before the Yorknew City arc—which meant this year.

Looking at it this way, could the bounty on the Phantom Troupe that Argo mentioned have been taken by Silva? If that were the case... judging by Silva's attitude in the original story and his warning to Killua and the others not to provoke the Troupe, completing such an assassination contract must have been quite a struggle. If I recall correctly, Silva had even clashed with Chrollo. This suggests that Silva likely managed to eliminate his target right under the noses of multiple Troupe members.

At this thought, a flicker of worry crossed my mind. Could there be some kind of butterfly effect? For instance, what if Feitan happened to be there and inadvertently walked into Silva's line of fire? If that were a possibility, he would be in grave danger. Since the "Death Node" could only be undone by my own hand, if Feitan were to die unexpectedly, I would be dragged down with him due to the existence of the Death Brand.

Still, that possibility seemed slim. My concern stemmed primarily from a scene in the original story that left a deep impression on me: when Silva and Zeno teamed up against Chrollo. Zeno realized at a glance that Chrollo was stalling for time, so he didn't hesitate to sacrifice his own safety to restrain Chrollo, telling Silva to attack both of them without reservation. Even though they could have gradually worn their opponent down in a two-on-one fight, they chose a more dangerous strategy just to "race against time." This level of professional dedication—an almost fanatical commitment to the contract—revealed a streak of madness in the father-son duo.

That streak of madness was exactly what worried me.

As my thoughts raced, I shook my head slightly. Until the intelligence was confirmed, my wild speculations were meaningless.

"Proceed with the tracking, but I have one condition."

Putting a stop to my wandering thoughts, I met Argo’s inquiring gaze. Without waiting for her to respond, I added in a serious and solemn tone: "The Phantom Troupe has an intelligence expert among their ranks. I don't care how you gather your information, but I demand that you be as cautious as possible. You must not leave any traces behind."

"Tch, you don't need to remind me of that."

Argo’s eyes, usually heavy with lethargy, turned exceptionally sharp in that instant. "How should I put this? I value my life quite a lot. You don't think I took such a dangerous job just because I'm blinded by money, do you?"

"..."

I could only remain silent. My expression, however, seemed to ask: Isn't that exactly the case?

Argo read the meaning behind my look. Reflexively, she straightened her posture, hands on her hips, and said indignantly, "You are truly superficial. I accepted this job because I have the confidence and the capability to do it, definitely, absolutely not just because you’re paying so much."

"Oh." I nodded, thinking to myself, *what a fine duet of 'absolutely's.*

Argo sensed my perfunctory attitude. "It seems you still don't get it." She let out a cold hum and lifted her chin. "Actually, within one second of you making that call, I had already grasped your basic information. It was because I was willing to see you that you were able to meet me."

"Impressive. Well, that puts my mind at ease." I nodded again. I had already given my warning, so I had no intention of continuing this topic.

"I knew you wouldn't beli— wait, what?" Argo stopped mid-sentence, staring at me blankly. "Why is that your reaction?"

"What else would it be?" I asked, looking at her with confusion.

Argo widened her eyes. "Persuading someone is supposed to be difficult! Your reaction should be to keep doubting me, and then I’d show off a little to make you eat your words!"

"..."

I was speechless, mentally weighing whether I should demand my money back and look for another information source.

Argo seemed to catch a glimpse of my inner thoughts and asked suspiciously, "What are you thinking about right now?"

"Nothing. In any case, I'll leave the tracking to you." My expression remained calm.

Argo waved a hand. "I’m paid to do a job, so we can skip the pleasantries."

"Fine. I'll wait for your news."

With my goal achieved, I prepared to leave. Argo watched me go. She didn't press the topic of "proving her intelligence prowess" any further, but just as I turned to walk away, she suddenly spoke up.

"Since you're a big client, I'll give you a piece of basic intelligence for free."

"Hm?" I stopped and looked back.

Argo turned her chair around to face the row of computers on her desk. "Someone is tracking you, and it's more than one group. They clearly don't have good intentions. Oh, and fair warning: if you end up dead, I'm not going to burn those two billion for you."

My eyes narrowed. Ignoring the latter part of her comment, I asked, "Can you find out who is tracking me?"

"Of course. Information is a two-way street. If someone is investigating you, then as long as you have the capability, you can investigate them too." Argo leaned back in her chair, her tone serious. "But I said I’d give you *one* piece of basic information. Any follow-up tracking will cost extra. So, should I deduct it from the two billion?"

"Deduct it."

"Heh, you'll have your results before midnight." Argo grinned.

I suppressed the shock and suspicion in my heart and left Argo's hideout without lingering. Because of the tip Argo had provided, I remained on high alert on my way back.

*Who exactly is tracking me...?*

*Is it the people from the mental institution?* Since I killed the two men responsible for the transport, are they coming for revenge? It was a pity I hadn't bothered to dig into their background at the time, or I wouldn't be here guessing now.

Judging by the business the mental institution was involved in and their ability to illegally issue death certificates for others, the forces behind them couldn't be small. In the Hunter world, illegally destroying someone's identity records is considered a crime equivalent to murder under international law. The reach of the mastermind behind them was clear. After all, even a delivery guy was a Nen user...

*And who could the other group be?* Was it trouble left over from intercepting the Senra incident, or had I simply been targeted because I’d made too much money recently?

Whoever it was, I needed to be even more careful in the coming days.

I drove along the road. The private shooting range where I was currently staying was located in the suburbs. As I left the main city thoroughfare, the density of buildings on both sides of the road dropped significantly, replaced by groves of trees. Under the shroud of night, the interplay of light and shadow made the surrounding environment feel all the more still.

*Huh!?*

Suddenly, a killing intent struck. In the darkness, a fleeting, momentary trajectory was barely visible, aimed directly at the car I was driving.

The next moment, the windshield shattered with a roar.

*Skree—*

Amidst the piercing sound of screeching tires, the car lost control and slammed into a tree on the side of the road.