The woman's strength far exceeded that of the earlier attackers. In a brief moment, Killua was actually put on the defensive. Facing three people attacking simultaneously, he was a bit caught off guard. These three were much stronger than the Amori Brothers from the Hunter Exam.
Seeing this opportunity, the two male attackers struck more ferociously.
"This brat is on his last legs!"
"Push harder—kill him!"
However, these two attacker's heightened aggression didn't affect Killua much. The real threat in Killua's eyes was that woman.
Click!
All of a sudden, the lights went out.
The trio, including the woman, immediately felt uneasy in the darkness.
But Killua did not.
As a member of the Zoldyck Family, training in lightless environments is mandatory, and Killua had gone through similar drills before.
"This is my chance!"
Killua noticed the trio's discomfort, and his eyes gleamed.
Swoosh!
In a flash, he darted behind one of the male attackers, thrusting through the man's neck.
A violent cry of agony filled the air.
"Big Brother!"
The last remaining attacker turned to look, concern plain on his face. But that concern exposed a glaring weakness, and Killua seized it at once.
Killua reappeared at the man's side in the blink of an eye. A single claw shalsh ended his life.
Bang!
Bang!
Two bodies collapsed in succession. Only the woman remained.
Killua turned toward her.
"Who are you? Why are you trying to kill me? Have we met before? Did you hire those people?"
The woman glared at Killua, her eyes filled with hatred.
"Devil!"
"Murderer!"
"You killed my father! Isn't it only right that I seek revenge?"
"I will never forget that day!"
"You may look like a child, but you're a murderous demon inside!"
"I'm going to kill you and avenge my father!"
Killua frowned.
"So, your father must have been one of my targets for a job?"
Ron, observing silently from the shadows, raised an eyebrow.
"It looks like one of Killua's past assignments slipped up. He revealed his face to the target's daughter, and now she's seeking him out for revenge."
"Killing one's father is a debt that can't go unpaid."
For a professional assassin, this situation is pretty normal. People always say you should go after the one who hired the killer, not the blade itself. But when the 'blade' is also a person, things get complicated. Many choose to blame the assassin directly, and finding whoever issued the contract isn't always simple.
Just like how Silva once took a job to kill the former Number Eight member of the Phantom Troupe. Chrollo, the Troupe's leader, wanted to kill Silva for revenge. Only because Chrollo wasn't strong enough at the time did he back down. If he'd had the power, he surely would have tried again.
Ron could understand the woman's behavior. Logically, her actions made sense, but from a standpoint of loyalty, Ron naturally sided with Killua.
"I see," Killua said with a sudden look of comprehension. "So that's why you hired these people to kill me. Your eyes have been filled with hatred and rage this whole time."
Now that he understood, Killua's demeanor grew calmer. Seeing his change in expression, the woman's face darkened even more.
"You're aware you killed my father, and yet you show no remorse at all?"
"You really are a natural-born murderer!"
"You're just a kid, yet you kill like it's nothing. Who knows how much more of a monster you'll become when you grow older—how many more people you'll kill?"
"You're a vile creature!"
"You really enjoy killing, don't you?"
Killua shook his head.
"I don't enjoy killing. In fact, I hate it."
"Don't give me that!" the woman shouted, cutting him off in anger.
"I'm telling the truth," Killua replied. "There are only two reasons I kill. The first is when I'm forced, like those men you hired. They were trying to kill me, so I killed them in return.
"The second reason is because I accept a contract. I'm an assassin—my job is to kill. Outside of work, I don't do more than necessary."
Killua paused, then continued, "Unfortunately, I made a mistake on that job involving your father. You saw my face when I killed him, leading to all of this. But since you're not part of any contract, if you leave now, I won't kill you."
The woman glowered at Killua.
"You won't kill me? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Are you taking pity on me? I don't need your pity!"
"And why would you think you could just let me go?"
"You believe you'll definitely win?"
Killua nodded. "I'm certain my strength surpasses yours. If this fight continues, you'll be the one who dies, not me. And even if something unexpected happens, I won't die."
His confidence stemmed from Ron. Killua recognized that same protective presence he once felt from Silva. Normally, Silva wouldn't interfere in Killua's fights. But if Killua's life were truly on the line, Silva would step in.
It was the same with Ron now.
"Fine then—show me, you murderous devil!"
The woman charged at Killua once more. This time, with no accomplices to coordinate attacks, Killua had far more freedom and easily gained the upper hand. The woman could only retreat as time went on, her situation worsening.
She bit her lip in frustration.
"Why?"
"Why is this child killer so strong?"
"Can I really not avenge my father?"
"Father…I'm so useless!"
"How can I possibly get revenge?"
Killua dodged her strike. Moving swiftly to her side, he formed his hand into a chopping motion. It came down lightly on the back of her head.
Bang!
Her body tensed, then crumpled to the ground. Killua's blow wasn't lethal, but it knocked her unconscious.
She hit the floor with a dull thud.
Killua turned and started to walk away.
Suddenly—
A wave of terrifying pressure surged toward Killua.