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Chapter 90
🕑 Added 2024-12-05 09:58:21 +0000 UTCUnlike Yorknew City, which is drenched in depravity and teeming with corruption where darkness far outweighs the light, Vambaloti was vibrant, alive with energy, and filled with vitality.
While shadows of darkness did exist, they were largely confined to hidden corners, a stark contrast to Yorknew's unabashed gloom.
As Morin stepped off the airship and set foot in this city, he found himself momentarily unaccustomed to such an environment.
A prosperous city that wasn't steeped in decay? In the Hunter x Hunter world? That was rare.
It even made Morin suspect that the city's grime was merely well-hidden. But after cautiously using his tools to investigate, he confirmed there wasn’t anything amiss.
"Well, that's a surprise," Morin mused to himself. "Normalcy almost feels... abnormal."
Vambaloti belonged to the Eastern side of the six continents. Like each continent that boasted its signature locations, this land had one notable powerhouse overshadowing all others: the Kakin Empire.
Situated at the heart of the continent, the Kakin Empire was akin to a beating heart, controlling the lifeblood of the region. It was the same Kakin Empire that would, in the future, launch the Dark Continent Exploration Movement.
While Morin had yet to cross paths with Kakin, he knew that when the age of the Dark Continent began, he would inevitably board that massive Black Whale ship. And when that day came, interactions with the empire's influential figures would be unavoidable.
For now, however, his priority was to head toward the agreed meeting point.
Vambaloti’s beaches were world-renowned, though not without their flaws. The coastline was marred by clusters of jagged rocks, a "perfect imperfection" that added a unique touch to the scenery.
Yet few ventured near these rocks. The most treacherous currents in the area swirled ominously around them.
One could never predict when the next wave or whirlpool might surge forth, dragging them from the rocks into the merciless depths of the ocean.
Initially, the area had attracted tourists. But as casualties from natural disasters mounted, the city designated it a danger zone.
Of course, for fearless thieves and rule-breakers, this made it the perfect spot for a gathering.
By the time Morin arrived, someone was already waiting for him.
"It's been a while, hasn’t it, our Vice leader?"
Sitting atop a solitary rock was Chrollo Lucilfer. He closed the book he had been reading, his face adorned with a calm smile as he addressed what he saw as the Phantom Troupe's other brain.
"You’ve changed as well, Chrollo," Morin replied, observing him intently.
Even while sitting still, Chrollo exuded a presence that naturally drew attention, making him the undeniable focus of any scene.
"Is this the so-called leader's charisma that comes with being a Specialist?" Morin thought, recalling Hisoka's analysis of personality traits tied to Nen categories.
Hisoka’s breakdown was an eccentric mix of stereotype and insight:
Enhancers: Simple-minded, straightforward, and honest, like Gon or Uvogin.
Emitters: Impatient and hotheaded, like Leorio or Franklin.
Manipulators: Methodical and love reasoning, such as Shalnark or Illumi.
Transmuters: Unpredictable and prone to lies, represented by Killua and Hisoka himself.
Conjurers: Tended toward being overly cautious or even neurotic, like Kurapika.
Specialists: Uniquely individualistic and often natural leaders, with figures like Chrollo, Kurapika (in Scarlet Eyes mode), and Meruem.
Of course, Hisoka’s analysis was largely subjective and not without its exceptions. But there was an undeniable accuracy to his observation of Chrollo's growing presence.
Compared to when they first met in Meteor City, Chrollo had shed his youthful naïveté and grown more composed and authoritative.
His appearance alone reflected this transformation. Gone was the student-like attire; in its place was the iconic black coat with a reversed cross insignia on the back.
He had styled his black hair, revealing the purple cross tattoo on his forehead, and adorned his ears with sapphire earrings.
This evolution in Chrollo’s appearance was a testament to the three years he spent honing himself, improving both physically and mentally.
“You’ve made impressive progress, Chrollo,” Morin remarked after silently observing him.
“Well, I couldn’t have done it without those training techniques you sent through Machi.” Chrollo’s tone was sincere as he smiled.
“You have my thanks, Morin.”
Though Chrollo had captured countless skilled Nen users over the years, their experience paled compared to the structured teachings of a master like Biscuit Krueger.
“Don’t mention it,” Morin said dismissively. “Those were just general techniques, not anything tailored to Specialists like you.”
Specialists were unique in that their training was often individualized, unlike Enhancers or Transmuters, who followed well-established methods.
Fortunately for Morin, Biscuit had been there to provide him with a personalized training regimen.
Chrollo, on the other hand, had made do with the comprehensive techniques Morin had shared—a collection from the esteemed Shingen-Ryu school.
Even so, these had been immensely beneficial for Chrollo, saving him significant time and effort.
Chrollo’s gratitude was genuine. He understood the rarity of such knowledge and valued it deeply.
“Oh, by the way,” Chrollo said, turning to the rocks flanking him. “Allow me to introduce our newest members: Kortopi and Shalnark.”
Morin’s gaze shifted to the two figures beside Chrollo.
Kortopi, cloaked in a tattered gray robe with long, disheveled silver hair obscuring his face, gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
Shalnark, on the other hand, was much more animated. The blonde, cheerful-looking young man offered a friendly wave and a smile.
"Yo!" he greeted, his green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
The pair’s contrasting demeanors hinted at their future roles within the Troupe—Kortopi as a silent support figure and Shalnark as a sociable tactician.
Shalnark's bright and approachable demeanor contrasted sharply with Kortopi's quiet and reclusive nature. Despite their differences, both of them were now crucial parts of the Phantom Troupe.
Shalnark was particularly noteworthy. Known for his sharp intelligence and ability to handle all sorts of information, he was set to become the Troupe’s go-to tactician and analyst. In the future, he would even participate in the Hunter Exam to obtain a Hunter License, which he would leverage to access the vast resources of the Hunter Network.
"Nice to meet you," Morin said, nodding to both.
Shalnark responded with a grin. "Likewise! I've heard a lot about you. It’s an honor to meet the legendary vice leader of the Phantom Troupe."
Morin smirked faintly at the compliment but didn’t respond further.
Kortopi, on the other hand, merely nodded again, his face obscured by his long silver hair. While reserved, his loyalty to Chrollo was evident in the way he carried himself around the leader.
Chrollo, noticing the subtle interactions, added, “They’ve been valuable additions to the team. Both have unique abilities that enhance the Troupe’s strength.”
"Is that so?" Morin replied, his interest piqued. He was curious about how Chrollo had chosen these two and what roles they would play in the ever-evolving dynamic of the Troupe.
Morin silently observed Shalnark.
Shalnark's appearance exuded the image of an intelligent and sunny older brother. His distinctively youthful face often radiated a warm smile, giving him an approachable and harmless demeanor.
He wore a simplified, modernized martial arts outfit, exuding an air of sharpness and competence from head to toe.
His actions were always polite and well-mannered, and his calm mind could analyze information in meticulous, profound, and accurate ways. In terms of strategic perspective, he was only slightly less adept than Chrollo.
Shalnark maintained good relationships with everyone in the Troupe. Even Hisoka, a highly eccentric individual often on the fringes of the group, treated Shalnark with respect, especially when it came to his intellect. In many ways, Shalnark acted as the Troupe’s “caretaker,” offering equal care to every member. When Chrollo was absent, Shalnark and Franklin would mediate and balance any internal discord within the Troupe.
As the Troupe's strategist and an important advisor to Chrollo, Shalnark held a pivotal position within the group.
Major commands were generally issued by the leader, but in certain situations, Shalnark would take charge on-site.
Referred to as the Troupe’s “underground commander,” Shalnark was considered the most likely candidate to inherit the leader's role if Chrollo were ever killed by Kurapika.
After describing him at length, it became clear that Shalnark’s role and style in the Troupe resembled Morin’s in certain ways.
One could even say that they were of the same type.
If a comparison were made, however, Morin could be considered a more advanced version of Shalnark.
Although Morin might fall short of Shalnark in some aspects, he could easily compensate with his array of tools.
In contrast, the areas where Shalnark fell short of Morin were nearly impossible to bridge—strength and unique abilities among them.
Moreover, while Morin had only a few weaknesses compared to Shalnark, Shalnark had many areas where he could not rival Morin.
"Is he the vice-leader that the leader keeps mentioning?"
As Morin sized up Shalnark, Shalnark was silently observing Morin as well.
"The man who tore down the Elders’ Council Hall before leaving?!"
Unlike others who had been invited into the Troupe by Chrollo, Shalnark had encountered Chrollo on Meteor City streets and voluntarily applied to join.
Shalnark's outward appearance was clean and warm, but his true nature was cold and selfish.
When Chrollo was captured by Kurapika, Shalnark and Phinks adhered to the original Troupe philosophy Chrollo had established—placing the survival of the Troupe above the life of the leader.
Shalnark's initial motivation for joining the Troupe was simple; he sought to escape Meteor City.
Over time, however, he developed friendships with the Troupe members and eventually came to see them as family.
Shalnark treated the Troupe with utmost care.
At first, it was due to shared interests and similarities, but over time, a revolutionary camaraderie developed.
"Nice to meet you, I’m Shalnark!"
He greeted Morin with a bright, friendly smile. Coupled with his toned physique and simple training attire, his cheerful expression could easily charm anyone who met him.
"It seems Shalnark has quite the fanbase within the Phantom Troupe; his popularity is always high."
There was no denying the infectious nature of Shalnark’s smile.
If Morin hadn’t known Shalnark’s true nature, he might have judged him based solely on his appearance.
However, the thought of someone so positive and sunny coming from Meteor City was highly implausible.
Even if such a person existed, they would need to have a memory as fleeting as a fish’s, like Shizuku, to remain unaffected by their surroundings.
This realization alone highlighted Shalnark’s complexity.
Shalnark had many masks. To strangers, he was the sunny youth. To the Troupe members, he was the peacemaker and caretaker.
To enemies, he would still wear his signature smile, luring prey into the spider’s web with warmth.
"At last, I’ve met the two most prominent figures in the Troupe," Morin mused in his mind.
Compared to Chrollo’s composed silence, Shalnark’s enthusiasm was a striking contrast.
"Indeed, as expected of the leaders of the Phantom Troupe. Your poise and presence exceeded my initial expectations," Shalnark said warmly, extending a hand toward Morin.
"Your pleasantries are quite polished," Morin replied.
Rather than shaking his hand, Morin smiled lightly and said, "You're an Manipulation-Type Nen user, aren’t you?"
"Hm?"
A flicker of curiosity flashed in Shalnark’s eyes. "What makes you say that?"
"You’ve practiced the training methods I shared with the members, haven’t you?" Morin replied with a question of his own.
Morin had shared training methods for all Nen categories except Specialization, distributing them through Machi and Pakunoda to benefit the Troupe.
Though Chrollo followed a universal training system, his nature inclined him to learn from many sources.
Having brought Shalnark into the group, Chrollo would undoubtedly have shared the Manipulation training methods with him to strengthen his skills.
"The training methods are something I contributed, so I’m quite familiar with the traits of each category," Morin said with a smile. "Your Manipulation-type characteristics are more obvious than I expected."
Of course, Morin already knew this even before arriving in this world.
"Is that so?"
Shalnark nodded thoughtfully at Morin’s words.
He sighed lightly. "It seems my training is still insufficient if someone can discern my Nen category from the surface."
"Indeed, your training needs work," Morin agreed with a nod. "For instance, the control phone on your waist and the phone needle hidden in your sleeve are easy giveaways."
"This is the main reason I was able to determine your Nen category so quickly."
"Is that so?"
The smile on Shalnark's face gradually faded as he truly fell into thought.
Earlier, his thoughtful demeanor had been an act. As the strategist of the Troupe, he would not have doubted himself simply because of Morin’s vague statement.
However, when Morin pointed out the specific issue—the medium for activating his Nen ability—Shalnark started to take it seriously.
"Looks like I’ll need to work on how I conceal my items from now on."
Shalnark spoke softly, his expression becoming more serious.
