It wasn't intended as an intimidation tactic for Loki, but rather a test to gauge his approximate strength. Gotoh seemed to have misinterpreted his master's instructions regarding Master Killua.
However, as a Zoldyck butler, death held no fear. Loki still had one hundred coins left, and Gotoh had initiated the game. For the sake of the Zoldyck family's honor, this deadly game must continue.
Gotoh slowly stood up, adjusting his glasses.
"Mr. Gotoh, are you alright?" Canary attempted to approach, but Gotoh raised his hand, signaling her to remain where she was.
Stopping Canary, Gotoh bowed slightly, looking at Loki.
"The game is not yet over. Mr. Loki is an important guest of the master. Regardless of what transpires during this game, absolutely, absolutely no discourteous actions are to be directed towards Mr. Loki."
He spoke these words with utmost seriousness. Having witnessed Loki's power, Gotoh, with a resolve to die for the Zoldyck family's honor, uttered these words.
The other butlers around them displayed worried expressions. Gotoh's meaning was clear. But could they really just stand idly by and watch events unfold without intervening? The butlers had received orders from their master to entertain the guests, representing the master's face. If Gotoh retreated out of fear of death, it would bring shame upon the Zoldyck family, something absolutely unacceptable.
"Mr. Loki, please continue," Gotoh said, his attitude towards Loki now one of profound respect, a respect born from genuine awe.
This change in attitude caused Loki, who had been standing still, to frown. If Gotoh had been arrogant, Loki wouldn't have minded giving him another lesson, even killing him or crippling him for life. But now, Loki found it uninteresting. His opponent had given up. Gotoh had put down all his coins, showing no intention of resisting. The game had lost all its appeal.
With a cold snort, Loki picked up his coins and casually scattered them. The coins remained perfectly aligned in mid-air before neatly landing in the basket. He used no Nen; it seemed like a casual toss. Yet, the coins, stacked neatly, maintained their formation in the air before landing perfectly in the target area. This skill stunned Gotoh.
"Uninteresting," Loki muttered, turning to leave.
Understanding Loki's meaning, Gotoh bowed deeply. "Thank you, Mr. Loki, for your mercy. You have won this game flawlessly."
The other butlers followed suit, bowing to Loki.
Kurapika looked at Loki, wanting to speak but hesitant.
'If I had that kind of power, dealing with the Phantom Troupe might…'
"Loki, how did you do that?" Gon asked.
Loki paused, looking at Gon.
"How did you keep those coins perfectly aligned in the air before they landed in the basket?"
Loki found this amusing. Gon's focus was always different from ordinary people's. He was more interested in Loki's coin-tossing technique than the powerful Nen display.
"I can teach you sometime."
"Really? Great, thank you!"
Gotoh stepped forward and bowed again. "Then, I shall escort you to see the master and Master Killua."
"Wait, Mr. Gotoh, I'd like to try this game too!" Gon exclaimed excitedly.
Gotoh, looking at the enthusiastic Gon, slowly nodded. "Mr. Gon, if you wish to try, by all means."
While Gon and Gotoh engaged in their game, in the Zoldyck family's residential area, Kikyo ran swiftly down the long, dimly lit corridor towards Silva's room, having sent Kalluto away.
The dimly lit room held a large chair in the center, its backrest intricately carved with dragons and tigers. Soft cushions adorned it, and Silva reclined, hand propping his chin. A large, black beast, far exceeding the size of an ordinary dog, wearing a collar, lay quietly beside him.
Kikyo burst in, but Silva and his pet remained unmoved, not even lifting their heads.
"Why let them in? Why bring them here with Gotoh? Husband, have you given up on Killua?"
Kikyo, with high hopes for Killua, focused on training him to be the Zoldyck heir. Any disruption to Killua's training agitated her.
Silva slowly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on Kikyo.
"You don't need to concern yourself with this matter."
"Why? This is a crucial time for Killua. Why let these people influence him? If this continues, Killua's talent will be wasted."
"Since you understand this, then remain composed," Silva said sharply, his cold gaze piercing Kikyo.
Kikyo took two steps back. "My Killua… my Killua…"
Kikyo, her voice choked with tears, turned to leave.
Silva withdrew his gaze. "Rest assured! Killua is my son. He carries the Zoldyck blood. Wherever he goes, he will always be an assassin."
Looking back at Silva, Kikyo calmed down slightly.
"Is a heartless assassin truly perfect?"
Silva smiled.
"A machine-like assassin isn't the perfect assassin."
Experiencing emotions—friendship, etc.—and returning to the Zoldyck family will make Killua the perfect heir. It's like achieving supreme detachment; how can one achieve detachment without experiencing the best of love?
Kikyo didn't understand.
"Regardless, I won't let Killua be taken away by his so-called friends."
"Hmph!" Silva nodded. "If you can, try to stop Killua."
Kikyo rushed towards Killua's cell. Killua's siblings were torturing him. They mentioned Gon and the others. Killua, previously unresponsive, broke free of his chains, his emotionless gaze fixed on his siblings.
"If you touch them, I'll… kill you!"
Kukuroo Mountain, despite its ominous name, has beautiful scenery. A butler led Loki and the others into the Zoldyck family's residential area. The plants and buildings had a dark, gloomy atmosphere. But Loki found it interesting. He never thought the plants from fairy tales actually existed. Dried branches held ghost-light flowers, emitting a dark red glow.
"The scenery here is quite nice. Worthy of a wealthy family," Loki remarked.
Kurapika and Leorio looked around. The dark undergrowth seemed to conceal strange creatures. The cawing of crows added to the atmosphere. It wasn't what they'd call "nice."
'Does Loki have a different sense of aesthetics? He calls this nice?' Leorio thought, not daring to speak. The atmosphere was oppressive, like a ghost town. Kurapika felt uneasy. Only Gon agreed with Loki.
"Yeah! Killua's home is so interesting. If Killua didn't hate it, I'd want to stay here and explore Kukuroo Mountain."
Leorio and Kurapika stared at Gon.
'Do you two have a different understanding of "nice" and "interesting"?'
As Loki and the others ascended the mountain, Gotoh contacted Silva.
"Master!"
"How did it go?" Silva asked.
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