Lisa was at a loss for words, and Ross's lips twitched slightly, betraying his unease.
"You've made your evaluation, but we haven't even gotten ours yet!"
"Then… Uncle Taylor, can you—no, would you please guide us?"
Lisa blinked her wide, pleading eyes, the desperation in her gaze unmistakable.
"They'll be coming upstairs any moment now, I… I don't want to die."
Seeing her on the verge of tears, Kay Taylor sighed and shook his head. For once, it seemed she was genuinely afraid.
"I'll be honest with you," he said calmly. "If you face those people, you stand no chance of survival. None at all. Even if Leiert had hired Battera's personal bodyguards, it wouldn't have changed anything. Their failure to leave immediately sealed their fates."
He crossed his arms, his expression stern.
"You have two options: either stay loyal and die alongside them, or hide, shirk your duty, and save your lives. Your choice."
Kay Taylor's words hung heavy in the air, his cold honesty tearing away any remaining shred of false hope. Both Lisa and Ross remained silent, forced to confront the grim reality.
"I don't want to die…" Ross muttered through gritted teeth.
"It's just a job," he continued. "Worst case, I'll find another. With my Nen, I can make plenty of money at Heavens Arena. I'll change my name if I have to—anything's better than dying here."
Lisa sank into the sofa, her lips trembling. They had both known deep down that this was the only viable choice, but admitting it felt like a bitter defeat.
Kay Taylor, however, seemed unmoved by their struggle, his demeanor as unyielding as ever.
"Uncle Taylor," Lisa said at last, breaking the silence.
He raised an eyebrow.
"What about you? What do you plan to do?"
"Why would you ask me that?"
"I want to… work with you," Lisa said, her tone suddenly serious.
Ross blinked in surprise but quickly nodded in agreement.
"Work with me?" Kay Taylor repeated, his tone incredulous.
"Yes! Uncle Taylor, I've taken many commissions before, but you're the only one who's ever made me feel secure. I think following you would be promising!"
Lisa's earnestness was palpable.
"But I'm a solo operator," Kay Taylor said flatly. "I don't need companions."
"I know," she replied quickly. "I'm not asking to follow you around. I mean, if you ever need extra hands for a job, you could hire us. Otherwise, we'll stay out of your way."
Ross nodded again, this time more vigorously.
"After tonight, we'll be done in the bodyguard industry anyway," Lisa added, her voice tinged with resignation. "We need a backup plan."
Kay Taylor scrutinized them both for a long moment. While Lisa was ambitious, her intentions seemed genuine, and Ross's demeanor, though cocky at first, had softened after his recent missteps.
Lisa's Nen ability was versatile: she could convert her aura into soundwaves, capable of both attacking enemies and tracking targets. It was a rare and practical skill.
Ross's Nen, Origami Life, was similarly intriguing. With it, he could transform paper creations into real objects. The more intricate the origami, the more aura it consumed, and attempting complex creations like an atomic bomb would require a massive amount of aura—far beyond his current capacity.
Both abilities were support-oriented, and neither Lisa nor Ross had the makings of frontline fighters. As bodyguards, they were misplaced, but their talents could shine elsewhere.
Kay Taylor had just opened his mouth to respond when Lisa suddenly sprang to her feet.
"They're coming!" she exclaimed, panic evident in her voice.
Ross's expression darkened as he clenched his fists.
"Relax," Kay Taylor said, his voice steady. "They're here for Leiert. They don't care about you two. Just find a good hiding spot and stay out of sight."
Without hesitation, the pair bolted for the hidden rooms nearby, leaving Kay Taylor alone. He shook his head and turned his attention to the next room, listening intently.
Though the situation was tense, he wasn't concerned. Even if he were discovered, it wouldn't matter much. After all, he was just a puppet. If he were destroyed, Ronnel could always craft another.
Meanwhile, in the luxurious balcony suite next door…
"So, this is how you welcome the Phantom Troupe?"
Leiert swirled the wine in his glass, his tone laced with disdain as he eyed the oddly dressed figures at the door.
"It doesn't look very good~"
Around him stood several imposing bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses, exuding a menacing aura. Paikaci, the tallest of them, cracked his knuckles, a smirk playing on his lips.
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