The victory condition is to spill the water in the cup?
In the original work, there's a scene where an elder plays a trick on a younger character. The Chairman of the Hunter Association, Netero, plays a ball-grabbing game with the two protagonists, claiming that whoever grabs the ball from Netero's hand will directly receive a Hunter license, which usually requires an examination. However, the gap in strength is too great. Despite their best efforts, the two protagonists are unsuccessful.
The most important thing for a person is self-awareness. Think about the gap between me and the two exceptionally talented protagonists in the original work. I am an ordinary person, even a failure in life. Even with a good appearance, I'm all show and no substance, inherently a level below others.
It's true that Zeno's combat power is set lower than Netero's, and this game is indeed less difficult than the ball-grabbing game. The ball-grabbing game allows for strategic temporary release of the ball, and it can be slapped, kicked, thrown, or spun in many ways. It's different with a teacup; the cup cannot be taken off the hand, and a slight shake will spill the water. My chances of winning seem much higher than the zero-win rate of the ball-grabbing match in the original work, referring to "a non-zero chance," which is a qualitative difference.
However, even with a non-zero chance, if the probability is very low, the success in such a situation is usually called "coincidence," "dumb luck," "a miracle," or other low-probability events.
Luck? Do I have that luck? Probably not.
"It's not convenient to move here, let's go outside." Zeno held the teacup in one hand, his other hand behind his back, and walked towards the courtyard.
Like any ordinary elderly person, Zeno's back was slightly hunched, and his demeanor was reserved. Seen from behind, he looked like any other old man. It was precisely this deceptive appearance that led a certain foolishly aggressive man in the original work to underestimate him, insisting on a fight. Unfortunately, before Zeno could make a move, he was punched to death by Silva falling from the sky, becoming another memorable scene that showcased the Zoldyck family's imposing presence. (Laughs)
In the original work, Zeno's swift attacks against Chrollo left him with no room to retaliate. Can I, a mere shrimp, really stand a chance against such a high-level character?
Ah, no matter. If I win, it's a huge gain; if I lose, there's no loss. Thinking too much with my meager intellect is pointless, better to take action.
I picked up the New Orleans chicken I was holding and threw it with all my might. The plump New Orleans chicken hurtled towards Zeno's back.
"I choose you, New Orleans!" Use [Headbutt]!
Σ(⊙▽⊙？！
Zeno is at such a high level, he shouldn't mind being ambushed by me. No, my clumsy ambush wouldn't even qualify as "ambush" in his eyes, would it?
The New Orleans chicken, temporarily unable to fly due to its weight, instinctively flapped its wings to maintain altitude when thrown into the air. However, its heavy body made it struggle, and it was on course to hit Zeno's back.
I wasn't so naive as to think the New Orleans chicken's [Headbutt] could hit Zeno. As soon as the New Orleans chicken left my hand, I morphed my hand into a claw and attacked Zeno's left side.
Zeno was holding the teacup with his right hand, so his right side would definitely be more defended. To spill the water in the cup, one doesn't necessarily have to attack the cup itself; as long as Zeno's movements are unsteady, the water in the cup will naturally spill from the rim.
Did I hit? No, I hit an afterimage.
It was [Mishap], a footwork technique that creates multiple afterimages by varying the pace of one's steps to confuse the enemy.
When used for attacks, one can identify the real body at the moment of the attack. However, the rule of this game is that Zeno will not retaliate. If he continuously uses [Mishap], I can only find the real body through proactive engagement.
"..." This is too tricky, is this the max-level [Mishap]? A series of afterimages, dazzling and disorienting, like reflections from countless mirrors, making it impossible to tell which is the real body.
I caught the New Orleans chicken before it hit the ground, gently put it down, and petted its head to comfort it. Zeno, mixed among the numerous afterimages, had already walked leisurely into the courtyard, teacup in hand.
"Your initiative is higher than I anticipated, Moor." Zeno stopped, and the afterimages vanished, leaving him alone in the courtyard. "If you had pursued instead of catching that hawk earlier, perhaps you would have won."
"..." You jest. If winning were this easy, the Zoldyck family would have been wiped out by countless enemies long ago.
Taking a deep breath, I charged at Zeno. Although the water-spilling game is less difficult than Netero's ball-grabbing game, the difference in the opponents' levels is the same. In a one-sided match, while the protagonists in the original work had exciting moments, my side was unremarkable, or as one might say, "Grandpa plays with grandson.jpg."
No matter from which angle or direction I attacked, Zeno would evade my attack with minimal movement. The hand holding the teacup remained incredibly steady.
It's no use. Just like the protagonists in the original work, a frontal assault is completely ineffective. Should I use items for disruption, like the protagonists?
I retreated a few steps, grabbed a fish from the pond in the courtyard, and threw it at Zeno's face while simultaneously attacking his chest.
"Not retaliating" does not mean "not acting." Zeno slapped the fish away with his left hand and sidestepped slightly, dodging my claw.
Plop.
The fish accurately landed back in the pond.
Not lingering, I jumped onto the artificial mountain in the center of the pond, where a carved dragon was coiled.
"Don't involve innocent fish, and also..."
I lifted my foot.
"Don't damage public property," Zeno said. "The repair costs will be deducted from your allowance."
Uh, Zeno, are you really an assassin, or are you a "model citizen"?
"..." After a moment's hesitation, I broke off a dragon's whisker from the dragon's head.
"?!" Zeno was momentarily taken aback by my audacity.
The slender dragon whisker shot towards Zeno like an arrow.
...It was dodged.
Tch.
I jumped back to the ground and pulled out the dragon whisker stuck in the ground.
Originally, I wanted to kick off the entire dragon head and use it as a weapon, but I couldn't.
The mention of ton-level strength in this world sounds impressive, but while human physical limits are increased, the durability of items in this world has also increased. Otherwise, Zoldyck family members would have to be extremely careful when touching anything outside.
When I tore the chains and pulled open the net in the Meteor City earlier, I wasn't actually damaging the items themselves but their weakest joints. If it were purely physical strength, without considering the "Nen" enhancement, a human fist with ton-level strength could not easily shatter a boulder.
"Moorze, you should have learned not to rely too much on weapons prematurely; it won't help you improve," Zeno said. "You need to rely on your own body's strength and technique."
"You should only act when you have at least a fifty percent chance of winning. This is also something I've learned." I threw the dragon whisker into the pond and replied with my lips, "Continuing this game, isn't that a violation of this rule?"
"That's when you focus on the outcome. The process of this game is also important. Besides winning, aren't there other things you can gain?" Zeno glanced at where the dragon whisker had sunk. "Although you say you want to win, your goal has always been to fail. You're not surprised by any failed attack; you're fully prepared for failure, but you lack the strong desire to win. You're too negative. This is the mindset of a loser. Thus, you will never achieve victory."
Ah, yes, I am indeed a loser, and I am stubborn.
Through countless reality checks, I have accepted the truth that I am a loser.
Just as a top student cannot understand why a struggling student doesn't understand the teacher's lecture, Zeno, as a strong individual, cannot comprehend my inherent mediocrity. The Zoldyck family is known for producing talents through elite education, while I am an exception; I was parachuted in.
From the previous probing, I understood that my current level is so low that it doesn't even warrant Zeno to take me seriously. He dodged my attacks very easily.
This is not a hot-blooded anime set where one can defeat opponents by sheer willpower and flashbacks.
This is a realistic work that will later be classified as "Seinen manga."
It's not that my attitude is negative; it's that I've chosen rationality. The level gap is evident, and no amount of pep talk will make a difference. I have a clear self-awareness, which is why I'm fully prepared for failure. If the opponent in this game weren't Zeno, but an ordinary person with no strength, I would prepare to win.
So, it's not that I solely pursue failure; it's that you, Zeno, haven't given me hope of winning.
Oh, I see. Zeno is telling me that when I challenge Chrollo's Boss dungeon, I will face a situation like this.
He is trying to dissuade me through his actions and reality.
Don't waste... the precious time and energy of the current Zoldyck family head.
Yes, what right do I have?
Being mute is secondary; it can be compensated for with medical means.
The most important are innate talent and intellect, which are difficult to supplement. I lack these.
Am I just getting cocky by benefiting from this Zoldyck body and having better basic physical functions than ordinary people?
See reality. Among the Zoldycks, whose average strength is very high, I am just a second-rate character. The most suitable job for me is to assist other family members (if I ever qualify), or to be Kikyo's dress-up doll, with only my face being a specialty.
Zeno doesn't actually possess mind-reading abilities; he discerns thoughts through the other person's micro-expressions and behavior. If I do nothing and look down at the ground, he shouldn't be able to know my thoughts.
Let's start over.
Question: Why did Zeno call me here?
Answer: He wants to dissuade me.
Question: Why does he want to dissuade me?
Answer: Because of Silva. They've talked a lot, and Zeno not only knows about Silva's promise to me but also knows that I want to pat Silva's head.
Question: Is this Silva's intention, or Zeno's intention?
Answer: Unsure, both are possible.
Silva's phrase "when I have time" is inherently problematic, much like common polite phrases in the "real world" such as "I'll come again when I have time" or "definitely next time." The real meaning is actually "I might not come again" or "not necessarily next time," which are terms with an uncertain outcome.
I was too foolish to take this matter too seriously, always lingering at Silva's door, which led to Zeno seeking me out, and then... dissuasion.
I know Silva is not an unconditionally loving father figure. He excludes Alluka, who possesses dangerous abilities, from the definition of "family." After letting Killua go free, he reveals a cunning smile, stating that his previous actions were "playing hard to get." He allows Killua to follow the path arranged by the family, tacitly approving Illumi's insertion and control of Killua. Silva's considerations extend beyond the role of a "father"; he prioritizes the entire family. For that, it's normal for someone to be sacrificed; this is the cruelty of large families.
The Zoldycks, whose profession has been assassins for generations and who operate as a family business, cannot possibly be benevolent. Otherwise, they would have been annihilated long ago.
Perhaps Silva, still in his prime, is not yet composed enough. After welcoming his first pair of children back for over a year, he was in a very good mood and inadvertently made a promise... No, it's not quite that. He didn't make it absolute; the phrase "when I have time" can be interpreted in any way. He can choose never to fulfill it, or he can fulfill it today, depending on his thoughts.
Do you regret it, Silva?
I walked to the pond and looked at my reflection in the water.
Silver hair inherited from Silva, slightly curled and fluffy. I raised my hand and used my fingers as a comb, slowly smoothing my hair.
Yes, he must have regretted it.
I am not as excellent as him. I am inferior to his eldest son, Illumi. Illumi always accurately follows the family's teachings; he is intelligent, hardworking, and sufficiently ruthless. If the exceptionally talented Killua had not been born in the future, Illumi would likely have been the next head of the Zoldyck family.
No one is perfect. Parents showing favoritism to more excellent children and allocating resources to them, what is wrong with that?
I can understand you, Silva. Wouldn't it have been better to tell me directly? I am mute; I will remain silent and not complain. Don't use such a roundabout method. This might be your tact, but...
I hate this kind of self-righteous "kindness."
If you are going to reject me, then don't give me hope, don't make me anticipate, don't make me suffer, and don't make me disappointed.
"..." I am jealous of Illumi.
Seeing Illumi follow behind Silva so often, my heart gradually soured.
The Boss of the Zoldyck dungeon personally teaches him. Such top-tier treatment is only deserved by the excellent eldest son. Yes, who am I to deserve this?
[Act.]
Moorze in the water moved her lips.
Act.
I said to myself.
In the reflection on the water, Zeno was walking towards me.
Yes, I am unworthy. I have nothing to lose, so I want to destroy, to squander, to waste.
I want to waste your energy, squander your time, and disrupt your peace.
Kill him, kill Zeno with all your might.
My abilities are insufficient to do so; you don't need to worry about them taking me seriously.
In their eyes, I am just a game.
In my eyes, they are also a game.
This world is also just a game.
Let's waste, let's squander, let's destroy.
To the fullest extent.
Until the last bit of strength is exhausted.
Let them know that I will not be dissuaded by this level.