The small, nondescript hotel sat on the quiet eastern edge of the Republic of Padokea, where the roads were empty and silence reigned. Inside one of its modest rooms, a middle-aged man leaned against a creaky chair, his sharp features accentuated by the dim yellow light overhead. A thin scar ran above his left eyebrow, a subtle reminder of battles past. His dark eyes flicked to the window, watching the desolate street below as he held a smartphone to his ear.

The emptiness outside mirrored the hotel itself—no footsteps, no voices, no visitors. Just Rin and the stillness. His voice broke the silence, low and tense, as he barked into the phone.

“What do you mean by that? Huh? I told you—I have the real dirt on Ethan Byers' deals with those Khakin Empire bigwigs! If you don’t believe me, I’ll send you a preview of the files.”

A pause. The voice on the other end responded calmly, almost too calmly. “I understand, Mr. Rin. But patience is key. My men are already en route. They’ll reach you within a day.”

Rin’s jaw tightened, his expression twisting into one of frustration. He scowled, gripping the phone as though squeezing it harder would make the response come faster. For a moment, he said nothing, then released a sharp breath and forced his tone into something resembling composure.

“Another day, huh? Fine. But you’d better hurry before I find myself another buyer,” he snapped before ending the call with a jab of his thumb.

The room returned to its oppressive silence, but Rin’s mind churned. His gaze drifted back to the street outside, his eyes narrowing as his thoughts turned grim.

They’ve been after me for almost a month now. Three times I’ve barely made it out alive. Three times! If this keeps up, it’ll be the end of me. He clenched his fist, his nails digging into his palm. This information is a curse. A hot potato burning my hands. I need to unload it before Byers sends more killers my way.

His lips curled into a bitter smile as he considered his next move.

'Once I sell this intel, I’ll be swimming in billions. And Ethan? His empire will crumble the moment I expose his dirty secrets. Those Khakin bigwigs will handle him for me. I won’t even need to lift a finger.'

For now, Rin waited, his mind trapped between hope and paranoia, while the stillness of the hotel seemed to stretch endlessly into the night.

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Cade sat quietly in the backseat of the car, his gaze fixed on his phone. The screen displayed a location map, the red marker blinking steadily—a signal sent to him by Milluki Zoldyck. He studied it intently, taking note of the target's position.

“East of Padokea,” he muttered to himself, the faint hum of the car engine the only other sound in the cramped interior. “Smart choice for someone hiding. Low traffic, no CCTV. Convenient for him... but better for me. No need to hold back.” A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned back in his seat. His mind began to wander, lulled by the monotonous rhythm of the vehicle’s movement.

The hour and a half passed in a haze until the driver’s voice broke through his stupor. “Sir, this is the last hotel on the road heading east. Beyond this point, it’s just abandoned buildings—a graveyard of ruins. I can only take you here.”

Cade straightened, blinking away his thoughts as his eyes settled on the rundown motel ahead. The building stood stubbornly against time, its cracked paint and sagging roof a testament to its neglect. He nodded toward the driver. “Alright. Let’s check in here.”

The driver hesitated, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. “How long do we have to stay here, sir?” he asked, a note of concern creeping into his voice. Cade, catching the man’s unease, reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a thick stack of cash. He handed it over without a word.

The driver’s eyes widened, his apprehension melting into a sheepish grin. He accepted the money with a quiet “thank you” and drove the car into the motel's small parking lot, pulling up near the entrance.

Cade stepped out, adjusting his sunglasses as his sharp eyes scanned the building. The windows, some boarded up, others barely holding onto their frames, seemed to stare back like hollow eyes. One, however, caught his attention.

In one of the unbroken windows, a shadow shifted. His gaze sharpened as his eyes met with the occupant’s. There was no mistaking it-Rin was watching him.

Cade’s eyes locked onto Rin’s from across the parking lot, a wild grin spreading across his face. "Found you," he said under his breath, stepping out of the car with unshakable confidence.

Inside, Rin sat at a small table near the window, His brow furrowed. What’s a kid doing here? Is he after me, or…

His train of thought was broken when he noticed Cade standing outside the building, gesturing with a wave of his hand, silently inviting him down.

Yeah, there’s no doubt now. He’s here for me. Is Ethan sending kids after me? No, that can’t be right. I shouldn’t judge him by his appearance, Rin thought, his gaze drifting to the briefcase on the table.

After a moment’s hesitation, he grabbed the briefcase and made his way downstairs. When he stepped outside, his eyes fell on Cade, and his lips parted in surprise.

"You really are a kid," Rin said, disbelief laced in his voice. "I thought I was imagining things. How did you find this place? Did that bastard Ethan send you?"

Cade’s smile widened, sharp and unyielding. "You’re correct, Mr. Kazeki. I was sent by Mr. Ethan. As for how I found you—well, let’s just say it wasn’t easy. But let’s not dwell on the details. Let’s focus on the present, shall we?"

Sliding his hands casually into his pockets, Cade tilted his head slightly. "I assume the briefcase in your hand contains the stolen goods. Am I right?"

Rin’s grip on the briefcase tightened instinctively, his knuckles turning white, but then he relaxed, exhaling slowly. "You’re right," he admitted. His voice dropped, cold and threatening. "But if you’re here to take it back, forget it. You’re not strong enough. Go home before you get yourself killed."

The air around them grew heavy with menace, Rin’s words carrying a murderous edge. Cade, however, remained unfazed, his grin unwavering.

"Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of walking away," Cade replied calmly. "And judging by your resolve, I doubt you’ll hand it over without a fight. Isn’t that right, Mr. Kazeki?"

Rin’s lips curled into a feral grin, the glint of violence in his eyes unmistakable. "Not bad, kid. You’ve got guts, standing there even after feeling my bloodlust. But you leave me no choice. I guess I’ll have to dirty my hands with a kid’s blood today. So, what’s it going to be? Here, or somewhere more private?"

Cade pulled his hands from his pockets and gestured toward the distance. "Let’s not cause a scene. There are plenty of abandoned buildings nearby. Let’s head there."

For a moment, neither spoke, but their shared understanding hung heavy in the air. Without another word, they took off, running side by side toward the empty structures on the horizon, the tension between them promising an inevitable clash.

They arrived at a small clearing surrounded by crumbling walls and buildings that bore the scars of neglect and decay. The space was silent, save for the faint rustle of the wind sweeping through. The two stood a few paces apart, facing each other, the tension palpable.

The wind swept through Cade’s long hair, pushing it into his face. With practiced ease, he gathered it and tied it neatly behind his head. His movements were deliberate, calm, and confident.

Rin, in contrast, remained composed, his expression unreadable. He walked to a nearby pillar, setting the briefcase down with a casual air, but his mind was anything but idle. His sharp eyes studied Cade, taking in every detail.

No weapons, Rin noted. He must know about my ability to steal possessions. He’s prepared. Still, he doesn’t seem particularly strong, though his composure in the face of potential death is... commendable. But that won’t earn him any mercy.

Cade, unfazed by Rin’s scrutiny, removed his glasses and folded them carefully before tucking them into his jacket. Shrugging off the jacket, he placed it on a nearby stone with equal precision. His golden-yellow eyes glimmered faintly, a subtle but unmistakable sign of the falcon’s trait.

Three traits. That’s my current limit, Cade thought, his gaze steady. Anything more would push my body too far.

The atmosphere grew heavier as both men prepared for the inevitable confrontation, the clearing becoming their battlefield.

Cade decided to be first.

He ran towards Rin at lightning-fast speed.

Leaving cracks on the stone floor.

Rin stood still his arms wide.

Ten ghostly purple arms materialized around him in the air and headed toward arriving. They had speed matching that of Cade's.

Cade's nails grew into sharp bone-like claws and he ripped the ghostly arms easily with dodging attacks.

' he's strong'.Rin thought 'My ghostly claws are as strong as steel and he ripped through them like paper. Damn. But don't get cocky yet.'

With but a thought the arms that had ripped apart vanished and appeared again beside Rin.

Then something magical happened the ten ghostly arms merged into five arms that had a strange purple metallic sheen.

In the meantime, cade had entered a four-meter radius of Rin.

The arms attacked again.

This time from all different angles.

Cade plunged his claws into the concrete below and lifted up a massive slab then kicked it mid-air shattering it into multiple smaller stones all heading to still standing Rin in the middle.

To block the debris and stones the ghostly class arranged themselves in a cage-like manner blocking most of the larger stones. The remaining ones couldn't harm Rin much.

Cade inched closer to Rin with each passing second.

The ghostly arms suddenly turned toward Cade and now these claws were coming straight at Cade all from weird angles.

Cade parried the first one and felt it was really hard so he could only parry it.

Then he parried the second and then the third and this continued.

'I can't rip them apart like the first ones These are way stronger. If I didn't have eagle eyes I wouldn't be able to track them even. I must get close to him. But at this rate, I'm going to run out of stamina.'

Cade considered his dilemma.

With every inch he closed to Rin, he faced greater pressure but he persisted.

He had to.

Just then a ghost hand came from his behind hitting his head but just in the nick of time, cade coated his head with Gyo.

He only got slight bleeding from the wound.

But this also pushed him towards his target slightly.

" So you're an Enhancer. Any other nen type and my ghost hand would have seriously injured you. You have my praise. Unfortunately, it's too late."

Rin continued his onslaught.

Just when Cade entered a three-meter radius of Rin he smiled internally.

' checkmate'

Cade only needed to hold on a little longer, and victory would be his. He stayed within a three-meter radius of Rin, skillfully evading or redirecting attacks with swift precision.

"Ahhh!" Rin Kazeki suddenly screamed in pain, staggering back a step.

When Rin used Gyo to inspect himself, he saw a black snake clinging to his leg, its fangs sunk deep into his flesh. He tried to step back, but the snake was already latched on, refusing to release its grip.

In frustration, Rin summoned a ghostly claw and grabbed the snake with it. The claw vanished, only to reappear several meters away, tossing the snake into the distance.

But by the time Rin refocused, Cade had already closed the gap, bringing himself within two meters of his opponent.

"So, he used In on the snake to hide its presence... Damn it! Enough of this!" Rin shouted, his voice laced with fury.

"Hell Strike!" Rin yelled, and all the ghostly hands attacking Cade vanished, reappearing beside Rin, merging into one glowing fist. With a flash, it rocketed toward Cade, seeming to teleport despite his quick reflexes.

Cade barely had time to raise his left hand to block.

Crack.

The force sent Cade flying into a nearby building, crashing through several walls like a ragdoll.

As Cade lay in an unknown state, Rin lifted his foot, assessing the damage the snake had done.

"So he's a Conjurer... That explains the snake and the way he hid it using In, a technique to hide conjured objects from naked eye. He was waiting for a moment to cover me with his En so his conjured snake could bite me. I underestimated him," Rin muttered under his breath. "I should finish him off quickly."

He started to walk toward the shattered building, but with each step, he felt as if the weight of the world was pressing down on him.

"No... It's the poison."

The poison coursing through his veins made every step feel like a mountain pressing on him. A few more steps, and he could no longer stand straight. Using his ghostly hands to support himself, he stumbled forward.

Just as Rin neared the building, ready to collapse, Cade emerged from the darkness within, clutching his left arm.

Rin’s breath came in labored gasps as Cade grinned at him.

"You have impressive vitality, Mr. Kazeki. Even with that poison wreaking havoc inside you, you're still sane enough to maintain your Hatsu. I’m impressed," Cade remarked, his voice filled with dark amusement.

Rin smirked through the pain, his breath shallow. "Heh... This isn’t over yet. I can still fight."

Cade closed in, his thoughts calculating. I could inject him with a regeneration serum—might be enough to bring him back. But what a shame... He has nothing of value to offer me—a damn shame.

Suddenly, a ghostly hand attacked Cade, but he swatted it away with his right hand. More hands lunged at him, only to be similarly deflected.

Rin’s focus was slipping. His attacks became slower, more flawed. Cade’s enhanced vision caught the openings, and he seized the opportunity, launching himself through the gap in Rin’s defenses. As he landed, a crack split the floor beneath him.

Slash.

Cade emerged on the other side of Rin, holding his severed head, blood dripping from it.

"I doubt you can still fight, Mr. Kazeki."

He casually tossed the head aside like trash.

"Mission accomplished."

Cade took a few photos of the corpse and then headed out to pick up the briefcase. His job here was finished.