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Chapter 403
🕑 Added 2025-03-02 16:02:01 +0000 UTCChapter 403
“Big Brother, I think you’re wrong.
“I do have things I want.
“I’m tired of killing.
“It’s true that I didn’t join this Hunter Exam just to become a Hunter. I only wanted to see the outside world.
“Also, I want to make friends.
“I want to experience a normal life.”
Illumi cut Killua off.
“Give up those unrealistic ideas. It’s impossible. You have no right to have friends. You were born a killer, and you can only live in darkness...”
“That’s not true… it isn’t like that at all… I really do want to be good friends with Gon.”
Killua lowered his head, his shoulders trembling.
“Impossible. Nobody will ever be your friend.”
Right then, Leorio’s booming voice resounded.
“Killua, don’t listen to this ‘big brother’ of yours. Aren’t you and Gon already friends? Gon’s treated you as a friend for ages!”
Killua’s eyes widened, a rush of joy flooding over him. But then a trace of worry followed.
Ron glanced toward Leorio.
Kurapika moved a bit closer to Ron.
“Ron, is your Zoldyck Family really like this?”
Ron shook his head.
“Kurapika, let’s just watch.”
Illumi turned to Leorio, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
“So Gon already considers Killua his friend? Then I’ve decided—I’ll kill Gon.”
Leorio’s face went rigid.
Killua froze, terror appearing on his face.
“Friendship is pointless to an assassin.
“Assassins don’t need friends. Having friends is just a hindrance.”
With that, Illumi turned away.
“Where is Gon now?”
Killua watched Illumi’s departing figure, his body trembling uncontrollably. He couldn’t help recalling his earlier conversation with Ron. Looking to Ron like someone grasping at his last hope, Killua pleaded silently with his eyes.
Illumi noticed and slowed his steps.
Leorio and Hanzo had already moved to block the exit. Kurapika bit down lightly on his lip, glanced at Ron, and then jogged over to stand beside Leorio.
“We absolutely won’t let you harm Gon!”
Hisoka’s gaze darted back and forth among Illumi, Ron, and Killua, brimming with curiosity and anticipation for what might happen next.
Ron took out a phone. He flicked his wrist—
“Whoosh!”
A sharp sound sliced through the air, and in the next moment, Illumi found the phone in his hand.
“Cousin Illumi, your father just sent a text. Take a look.”
Illumi opened the phone and stared at the text message in silence.
A long moment passed.
The entire hall fell quiet. No one made a sound.
Killua clearly had issues of his own, but Illumi was no different. Before the final exam, Ron had called Silva, and Silva made a decision. As a result—unlike in the original story—Silva got involved sooner, changing certain developments.
One of the biggest changes would affect Bodoro.
In the original timeline, Killua killed Bodoro under Illumi’s orders. Bodoro, an old man who had little potential, wouldn’t have done much even with a Hunter License. Now, it seemed he wouldn’t die. Going from death to survival was a huge change.
Killua kept his gaze locked on Illumi.
“Killua, concede.”
Killua paused. At that moment, he clung to Ron like a final lifeline. Whatever Ron said, he’d do.
“I… give up.”
The examiner announced the result.
“The winner is Illumi.”
Illumi raised his head, looking at Killua.
“Killua, remember, it’s time to come home. Father is waiting there for you.”
Then Illumi turned to the examiner.
“For me, is the Hunter Exam over? Can I leave now?”
Having never encountered this scenario before, the examiner looked instinctively to Netero. Netero nodded.
“Yes. We’ll have someone deliver your Hunter License later, if you absolutely must leave now. There’s still one more activity afterward…”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Illumi turned and left the hall.
In an instant, the tense atmosphere dissolved somewhat.
Hisoka looked visibly disappointed—this wasn’t the outcome he’d hoped for. In Hisoka’s mind, it would’ve been best if Ron and Illumi ended up fighting, or at least Killua and Illumi. But nothing happened.
“Next match: Leorio vs. Bodoro!”
Leorio and Bodoro stepped to the center.
Killua walked up to Ron.
“Ron… Cousin, thank you.”
“No need.”
Ron paused briefly.
“As for Illumi saying he’d kill Gon, you don’t have to worry about that. It’s not true. Cousin Illumi wouldn’t really do it.”
Illumi knew perfectly well who Gon was: the son of Ging Freecss, and above him was Don Freecss. The current Zoldyck Family couldn’t stand against them; Ging alone was on par with Maha Zoldyck. Illumi would have to be out of his mind to provoke them.
Killua let out a sigh of relief.
“Also, Uncle Silva mentioned you in his text, so once your match is finished, head straight home. There’s no need to stay.”
“Alright.”
Killua nodded, then couldn’t help asking, “Ron… Cousin, was that conversation we had before true?”
“What part?”
“About whether assassins can have friends?”
“What do you think?”
“I… I’m not sure.”
Killua longed for a friend, yet he remained afraid of Illumi.
“You’ll have to decide for yourself,” Ron answered. “No one else can do it for you. If you believe you need friends, then you need them. If not, then you don’t. It’s different for everyone.”
“But Big Brother…”
“Illumi has his own opinions. There’s no absolute right or wrong here, and it’s normal for an older brother to control his younger sibling.”
Killua’s eyes dimmed.
“But.”
Ron shifted his tone slightly.
“I have two suggestions for you about this.”
“What are they?”
Killua’s eyes lit with hope, staring at Ron.
“First, you can ask Uncle Silva about it, since he’s currently the head of the Zoldyck Family, and he’s also your father.”
