I woke up with a dull throbbing in my head. It felt similar to when I had a fever and fell unconscious in the "real world." For a moment, I thought Shaiapouf might have actually defeated me, sending me back to reality.
[Alertness: Level 3]
The text that appeared in my vision welcomed me back online to "Otherworld Reincarnation Game: Hunter x Hunter Instance."
My head was swimming. The head-on clash before I passed out—or rather, my one-sidedly ineffective attack—had somehow worked in my favor, leveling up my [Alertness] from level 2 to level 3. I hadn't gained nothing. I congratulated myself.
Congratulations, congratulations. Although my other skills hadn't changed, well, one couldn't be too greedy.
Given how difficult it was to level up skills, referring to my highest-level skill, [Gritting Teeth: Level 9], I suspected the level cap was likely 10.
Because the meaning of the [Gritting Teeth] skill was quite similar to pain levels, and the generally accepted highest pain level was 10, I reasoned this way.
However, this was just my personal conjecture, for reference only.
Based on my experience reading fanfiction in the "real world," I knew there was a genre where the protagonist, after dying, would reincarnate into another character's body in the same world. This type of story offered a vast amount of room for maneuverability and freedom, making it perfect for a power fantasy. Then, I could turn misfortune into fortune and easily reach the pinnacle. Being prone to laziness, I couldn't help but indulge in such fantasies, confirming the scene beyond the ceiling.
And then I saw the character I least wanted to see: Illumi Zoldyck.
He was sitting on a chair by my bed, not looking at the book resting on his lap. His inorganic, black cat-like eyes were fixed on me.
"You're awake, sister," he said politely.
"..." I just knew I wouldn't be that lucky.
Oh, welcome player "Melrs Zoldyck" to continue experiencing the Zoldyck route. Please enjoy yourself to your heart's content...
Enjoy what?
The limited fuel of a salaryman had been burned out. The salaryman was tired. The salaryman wanted to do nothing and think of nothing.
Hatred?
Oh, if Illumi were an ordinary NPC I could kill whenever I pleased, I'd bet the grass on his grave would be seven feet tall by now. I'd even throw a party and rave on his grave to celebrate.
Who is he? He is a rising star in the professional assassin world, with exceptional intelligence and top-tier strength. Even I could see his extraordinary talent.
Who am I? A sparring partner, not very smart, with mediocre talent, weak in character, and prone to backing down.
The key was that the Zoldycks were immune to poison. Trying to poison him for an underhanded attack wouldn't work either.
"..." When one knows they are powerless, hatred is rather meaningless.
I am not Kurapika, and Illumi is not Chrollo. The hatred between us is not the inhumane "genocide."
I merely lost a falcon... yes, merely a falcon, just a pet.
For a pet, would I kill a "person"?
It was... me being too impulsive.
I would no longer feel angry. Illumi was just an NPC acting according to the original plot. He wasn't worth wasting my emotions on.
He didn't deserve death, but I would never forgive him. Never.
Sitting up from the bed, the missing weight on my neck immediately made me touch my chest. "..."
My whistle, my whistle was gone!
"Do you want the whistle?" Illumi raised his hand and pointed to the cabinet by the bed. "It's here."
The moment he raised his hand, I snatched the whistle from the cabinet almost desperately, clutching it tightly in my fist. The whistle's irregular edges pricked me a little due to the force.
However, this whistle seemed meaningless now, because the falcon was already dead.
"I didn't touch it," Illumi said, seeing my slightly agitated behavior. "I know sister doesn't like anyone touching her whistle."
Hah, you knew I loved my falcon the most, yet you killed it anyway, you scum!
Even so, it seemed only I in the entire world at this moment considered him scum.
His features were soft, his skin very fair. He wasn't fierce or vulgar. His large, dark cat-like eyes, lacking expression, made him seem a bit dull and harmless.
And he always sat up straight and proper, clearly a well-behaved and obedient child with excellent upbringing.
"..." I couldn't help but recall the Zoldyck family's etiquette lessons.
Born into a commoner family, I had no etiquette at all. Crossing my legs and jiggling my leg were my old habits.
Due to long hours of desk work in the "real world," I also habitually slumped when sitting.
Fortunately, I was a child. These bad habits wouldn't have aroused suspicion at the start.
Although the Zoldyck family's etiquette lessons weren't overly elaborate and were quite ordinary, like walking with your head held high and chest out, sitting up straight, and not making noise while eating—simple, small details—my bad habits of many years couldn't be changed so quickly. For that, I had endured countless punishments to correct them.
Especially my habit of holding chopsticks. In the "real world," I had never used the correct posture.
My family and I all thought that as long as I could pick up food steadily, the posture didn't matter.
Whether a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat.
Unfortunately, the Zoldycks didn't think so. Every single rule they listed, I had to obey them all.
Why do you professional killers care about such superficial things?!
It would be better to spend more effort on professional skills.
...So troublesome!
Speaking of which, I wondered when Illumi sat here, how long he had been here, and what he had done. He wasn't a child with a normal worldview. Just thinking about it sent a shiver down my spine.
"I entered sister's room with mom and dad's permission," he said, closing the book on his lap. "To complete the 'reconciliation with sister' mission, I will work hard."
Tsk, the word "mission." You're too blunt! So honest it's touching.
I felt that book was just for show, as the title on the cover was "Love Education."
No, Illumi, don't do that. It doesn't fit your character. Are you trying to make me laugh myself to death so I can end this "Otherworld Reincarnation Game" early?
I think special professional books like "The Fascinating Body: A Book on Anatomy" would be more suitable for you.
"Mm, I do resemble mother more. Judging by yesterday's performance, sister indeed resembles father more, which rather frightened me." Illumi stared at my face, his tone completely flat. The statement of being "frightened" sounded particularly insincere. "I'm sorry, sister. I have truly reflected upon myself. Although I can't quite understand sister's feelings... I thought sister would just be a little unhappy. Sister's anger was completely beyond my expectations."
"..." I didn't know if he was telling the truth. Anyway, whatever he said was useless. The falcon was dead and couldn't be brought back to life. What he did was irreversible.
"During my reflection, excluding the 'compensation money' option which sister has already rejected, I have prepared several solutions. For example..." Illumi said, "An eagle that looks similar to sister's falcon, or perhaps a different, more beautiful falcon would also be fine. Would this be acceptable as compensation?"
"..." I didn't really want to answer him.
"Or perhaps, sister wants to choose a different kind of creature as a pet?" Illumi earnestly guaranteed, "Anything is fine. I will do my best to ask mom and dad."
"..." Oh right, he's a child. Important matters like buying pets are not something he can decide alone. He can only make verbal promises to me in advance.
He stated his solutions very seriously, his attitude genuinely earnest and sincere, but it only made me feel uncomfortable—because there wasn't a shred of guilt in him.
These so-called solutions were no different from giving me compensation money directly.
The reason some injuries can be forgiven is because the perpetrator sincerely repents and atones continuously.
As for Illumi, according to his character setting, I believe "repentance" and "atonement" are concepts far beyond his comprehension. There's no need to harbor any unrealistic fantasies about him.
The term "solutions" was used very accurately. He offered a verbal apology and material compensation. The entire standard procedure was aimed at resolving the issue, like a lawyer handling a civil dispute, doing business.
He was so calm and rational. I thought the best way to retaliate against him would be to make him truly experience the "pain of losing something important," so he might understand some of my feelings.
But I could hardly imagine what he would look like when experiencing pain.
Did Illumi's heart bleed?
Did Illumi's heart ache?
Did Illumi have a "heart"?
Oh, if he could experience "heartbreak" once, I would definitely feel incredibly relieved. I might even pity him for being so pathetic.
According to the original setting and fan analysis, there are two things he values more than his own life: one is family, and the other is Killua's (and perhaps other family members') lives.
I'm not entirely sure how much he values the lives of his other family members. I think other family members definitely have priorities in his heart. In the original work, I only saw him constantly thinking about Killua and rarely showing interaction with other family members.
No matter how harmonious a family is, there are always close and distant relationships between family members. I don't think Illumi is the kind of saint who can treat everyone equally. Besides Killua, the lives of other family members should be considered附属产物 (subsidiary products) within the concept of "family," right?
If it were a situation where a family member had to be sacrificed for the survival of the entire family, they would probably be ranked according to priority?
Then, I, the insignificant mute, am quite in danger.
The possibility of me destroying the Zoldyck family—let's put that aside. It's daytime, no need to daydream.
As for Killua, that's even more impossible. I don't want to kill off the manga character I liked in the "real world" just to annoy Illumi!
It's too self-defeating.
I still have to have some bottom line.
Tsk, Illumi, your character is only good-looking.
I got out of bed and pointed to my hair and pajamas, indicating I needed to comb my hair and change clothes, using this as an excuse to get Illumi to leave.
Illumi was a smart observer. He left without another word. The moment he closed the door, I felt an immediate sense of relief.
Sitting in front of the vanity, I even had the mood to admire "my" face. Yes, "my" face is indeed incredibly cute. To put it bluntly, the biggest advantage of "my" character is just her face.
No, no, no, this is different from Illumi's situation. "My" face at least allows me to be in a good mood when I look in the mirror.
I dawdled in my room for almost two hours. When I opened the door, I was surprised to find Illumi waiting by the door, having never left.
"Sister looks beautiful today as well," Illumi said.
"..." This must be the wrong way I opened the door.
I quickly closed the door.
What was that just now? Too creepy! Am I still asleep?
I pinched my arm to confirm the pain, then after doing five sets of breathing exercises, I opened the door again.
"?" Illumi's tone was confused. "Did I displease sister again?"
"..." It's not about being pleased or displeased, it's about feeling creeped out. Your sudden "compliment" makes my heart pound.
"I thought sister would be happy," Illumi explained. "Mom said women like to hear compliments."
"..." Your sudden "compliments" are one thing, but doing it with a blank expression, feeling no sincerity at all, it's very fake.
"Are all the solutions I offered previously unacceptable to sister?" Illumi asked. "Sister still refuses to forgive me?"
I remained silent. He understood my silence, knowing it was my refusal.
"Give me one last chance, sister," he proposed. "Go somewhere with me. After we go, whether it's successful or not, I promise not to bother sister anymore."
Being able to dismiss him so quickly would be ideal for me. I believed he also didn't want to waste too much time on me.
He didn't have much affection for me. It was merely out of the "family" identity that he was forced to complete the mission of "gaining forgiveness."
He himself admitted he couldn't understand my feelings. Forcing him to linger here, hmph, it must be difficult for him.
Walking through several corridors and down the stairs, Illumi led me to... a prison cell?!
"???"
I stared at him warily as he took the whip hanging on the wall and walked towards me.
Uh, Illumi, what do you want to do to me?
The prison cell had good soundproofing. If you want to be forceful, do you want to force me to "forgive" you?
You've finally dropped your disguise!
Even though my strength is inferior, I won't surrender without a fight!
I clenched my fists and stood my ground, refusing to retreat to show my firm conviction and attitude.
Until he offered the whip to me with both hands.
"Please whip me, sister," he said. "This should make sister less angry."
"..." Are you sick?
I couldn't help but take a step back.
"Come on, sister, don't hesitate," Illumi immediately stepped forward, closing the distance again, his tone showing a rare upward inflection, sounding more like an enthusiastic invitation than a sincere apology.
"..." I retreated further and further, and Illumi pressed closer and closer.
Finally, I simply turned around and quickly walked towards the prison cell door. To my surprise, Kikyo was standing there, blocking my path.
"Mel, don't be too willful," she said with a hint of reproach.
No, I didn't do anything. It was Illumi...
"!"
The instigator, Illumi, was trying to stuff the whip into my hand. Since he couldn't get forgiveness, he was jumping over the wall in desperation, tricking me into coming here, just to frame me!!!!!!!!!!!!
I angrily shook him off, about to defend myself, when I heard Kikyo say, "Illumi is already being so sincere! You still refuse to accept it?"
"???"
"It's just a falcon. Even if you're sulking, you should know when to stop," Kikyo said, taking the whip from Illumi's hand and handing it to me. "Whip him thoroughly, vent your anger, and then reconcile. Isn't that good?"
"??????" No, this is just ordinary torture.
"Melrs, you haven't forgotten the content of last time's interrogation class, have you?" Kikyo grabbed my wrist, the one holding the whip. "You remember how to hit to cause pain, right? Do you need me to demonstrate again?"
"???????????"
The handcuffs hanging in the prison cell had a sensor. Once the wrist was pressed into them, the handcuffs would automatically close. Thus, Illumi had already handcuffed himself and folded his shirt, placing it on a table nearby.
Kikyo took my bewildered wrist and demonstrated the first whip strike for me. The whip sliced across Illumi's shoulder, leaving a long, dark red line.
"???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????"
Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
"Just like that, do you remember now?" Kikyo released my hand. "Make sure to practice what you've learned."
With that, she said to Illumi, "Remember this feeling. If your sister isn't serious, remind her—how can you be useless at such small things."
"Mm, I understand," Illumi responded with utmost calmness.
"Then I won't disturb you," Kikyo said, patting my head. "Just like that first strike, don't hold back, go ahead."
She left, closing the door casually, leaving me and Illumi to stare at each other.
"..." I felt the whip in my hand was cold and hard.
"Shall we begin, sister?" Illumi, with his hands cuffed and raised, was the one who broke the silence.
He blinked, adding a trace of eerie liveliness to his tone, "Don't waste each other's time."