"Are you important in the gang? How high?" Killua asked.
"When did you meet my eldest brother?"
"Are you wealthy?"
Oboro and Killua made their way down to the basement, while Silva, Illumi, and the other family members watched them from the surveillance room, ready to see what would happen.
Killua clutched a stuffed animal in his hands, a thoughtful gift Oboro had wrapped for Alluka. Perhaps because of this gesture, Killua became more talkative, peppering Oboro with questions born of genuine curiosity. Their conversation carried through the listening devices to the rest of the family.
Oboro answered every question openly, holding nothing back. Killua maintained a relaxed demeanor, showing no sense of urgency or gravity about the situation. Oboro remained calm as well, after all, Alluka didn't know his name. Without a name, there could be no requests.
There was much Oboro hadn't revealed. While Alluka's ability had tremendous destructive potential, it could also heal. The rules of cost varied between destruction and healing.
Judging by Silva and Zeno's earlier reactions, they clearly didn't consider Alluka family. They saw Alluka as nothing more than a 'source of danger'. If Alluka was not considered family, she would not receive the protection of the Zoldyck family, and Alluka's death would not matter to them. This would later become one of the main reasons for Killua's almost complete break with his family.
Since childhood, Alluka had never made requests of family members. The "wishes" were only directed at unrelated people, those without blood ties. Oboro had simply played games with Killua.
Gate after gate opened as Killua led Oboro into the sealed cellar. There sat Alluka, dressed as a little girl, surrounded by stuffed animals. Despite the smile, there was an unmistakable loneliness in Alluka's presence.
"Big brother!" Alluka jumped up with joy and ran into Killua's arms. Killua's face lit up with a genuine smile as he embraced his sibling.
As for Alluka's gender, opinions varied, with some saying boy, others girl, and still others suggesting physically male but psychologically female. Upon seeing Alluka, Oboro understood immediately. Given Alluka's unique nature, Oboro believed in a 'dual soul' existence. This would later become apparent when Killua presented Alluka differently to different people. The physical form was male, while Nanika, the being within, was female.
"Brother, you haven't visited me for so long," Alluka said excitedly, pressing herself against Killua's chest. Oboro, standing behind them, was completely ignored, probably mistaken for another household servant. Despite the isolation of the cellar, servants regularly brought food and toys.
Oboro stepped aside and let the children have their moment. Killua and Alluka's deep bond was evident in their play, with Alluka showing a strong dependence on Killua. They engaged in their usual games, with Alluka making requests of Killua, asking for an eye or an ear. Although the requests sounded disturbing, Alluka always said "brother" instead of Killua's name, and Killua skillfully maneuvered around them.
When Killua presented Oboro's gift, Alluka's joy was evident. With time running short, Silva hadn't given them long, and Killua suddenly leaned over and whispered something in his sister's ear. This unexpected action made the family members watching tense. They couldn't hear Killua's words exactly as he had intended.
Illumi's gaze fell on Oboro's calm figure in the monitor. "It must be Oboro. He's influenced Killua somehow. The rules he mentioned may be incomplete. Both Killua and he are hiding something."
"The hidden part must be crucial!"
"Why should we help him?" Milluki demanded from his seat at the surveillance station, anxiously stuffing potato chips into his mouth. Silva remained silent, knowing that his son's limited understanding would make explanations useless.
In the basement, Alluka giggled at whatever Killua had whispered, as if sharing a private joke. After another brief exchange, the atmosphere changed dramatically. The surveillance feeds distorted as the familiar transformation took place in black and white. Nanika and Alluka.
The air grew heavy as Alluka's face drained of color, replaced by darkness. The eyes changed to something inhuman, pure black with no whites, seemingly made of flesh and blood.
"Dark Continent!"
This place harbored life forms beyond human comprehension, each existing by its own twisted logic. Compared to other disasters Oboro knew, Nanika was terrifying, but the presence of emotions could be seen as the Dark Continent's only mercy.
Killua whispered to Alluka again. The child approached Oboro and held out a small hand. Despite his mental preparation, Oboro felt his skin crawl. Still, he reached out calmly and allowed Nanika's touch.
Brilliant light erupted between them, flooding the room with white radiance. In the observation room, the family could barely see through the glare, but they felt the massive surge of unknown energy from beneath the castle, something completely beyond their experience.
This demonstrated the stark difference between the rules of destruction and healing. Oboro felt pure energy wash over him like sweet rain, hundreds or thousands of times stronger than any healing he'd ever known. It defied common sense, an inhuman method that ripped away his weakness like old bandages. Withered flesh filled with vitality as true strength returned.
"Hahahahahaha!" Oboro's laughter echoed as success washed over him. The light faded, Nanika disappeared, and the cellar returned to normal, save for Oboro's discarded crutches. His face glowed with health, his formerly withered limbs restored to perfect proportion, his loose robes now properly filled.
In the observation room, Illumi's expression rarely changed, mouth open, eyes wide, face contorted in eerie excitement. Only Silva's presence kept him from rushing to the basement. Milluki's potato chips were scattered on the floor, forgotten. This was her first glimpse of Nanika's healing power, especially for such seemingly permanent damage.
Alluka staggered, exhausted, but Killua caught his sister before she could fall. She quickly fell asleep in his arms.
Oboro examined the spiritual energy that still danced around his hand, his smile lingering. "I have recovered to 70-80% of my former strength. Some training will be required for full recovery, and I'll need to rebuild my telepathic abilities." The energy integrated perfectly, allowing an immediate assessment of his condition.
"She needs rest now," Killua said, looking at the 'successful' man with a hint of regret, as if questioning the wisdom of agreeing to his family's request.
Oboro left first. Earlier, he had secretly signaled two words to Killua: "Command." The boy's intelligence showed in his immediate understanding. Alluka's imprisonment had given young Killua some insight into his family's attitude toward his sister. If they revealed that this had been done on Killua's orders, the Zoldycks would see right through it. They had to hide Nanika's appearance and her communication with Killua.
This would certainly arouse the family's suspicions, but as long as Killua remained silent, it would be enough. The Zoldyck family had its rules. Letting them guess and theorize would buy time, only a few years were needed.
However, the incident left Killua somewhat cold towards Oboro. He'd noticed the change in Nanika's condition.
On their way back, Killua walked with his hands in his pockets and a frosty expression on his face.
"Thank you," Oboro said with a smile.
"Hmph." Killua turned away, refusing to acknowledge him.
Oboro's earlier gift still held sway. He quickly traced words on Killua's back: "Protect her." At 70% recovery, Killua couldn't even make out the movement.
Understanding Oboro's intention, Killua's expression finally softened.
At the end of the passage, Illumi leaned against the dim wall, watching their approach, especially Oboro. For the first time, killing intent flickered in his eyes.
"Congratulations on your recovery," Illumi said stiffly.
"Recovery takes time," Oboro replied quietly, seemingly unaware of the murderous aura that filled the corridor.
"You manipulated me, didn't you?"
Illumi flashed in front of him, blocking his path.
"What do you mean? I don't understand," Oboro scratched his head and grinned. "Are you going to kill me? Is this how the Zoldycks treat their guests?"
The young Killua swallowed hard and jumped away like a startled cat, his pupils narrowing as he glanced between his eldest brother and Oboro. Their combined aura made it hard to breathe. He could feel his brother's real anger.
"Now, now, let's not frighten the child," Oboro finally spoke.
"Shouldn't you tell me something? I helped with your recovery," Illumi said, glancing at Killua before speaking more calmly.
"I've told you all I know. Whatever else you seek, find it yourself. It's not my concern." Oboro raised his eyebrows and walked past Illumi.
"This is revenge, isn't it?"
Illumi ignored Killua and followed Oboro.
"Perhaps. I dislike your words and I prefer not to interfere in family matters," Oboro replied casually.
"I see." Illumi nodded, studying Oboro's profile. "Don't try it again. I almost acted just now."
"You still won't tell me?"
"You took my money to help others escape misfortune, understand? Just don't expect answers from me. Watching your frustration gives me pleasure." Oboro paused to pat Illumi's shoulder and spoke with satisfaction.
"Hisoka's assessment of you was correct," Illumi replied.
"Yes, yes, now play nice." Oboro waved dismissively and walked away.