Joey's sincerity wasn't an act—Kite was the strongest support he'd managed to cling to, and if Kite really died in NGL, it would bring a lot of trouble his way.
Sure, like in the manga, Kite might reincarnate as a female Chimera Ant soldier—but truth be told, whether in looks or in race, Joey much preferred Kite as a human.
Besides, if he wanted to shake off his identity as a serial killer, to live a peaceful life and earn merit in NGL, he needed Kite's guidance. Without it, he might not even qualify to join the extermination team.
He could already feel that from how Netero and the others looked at him.
He was too weak.
As for joining the extermination team—Joey had given it serious thought. With his current level, there was no way Kite would assign him to directly face the Ant King or Royal Guards.
At best, he'd be doing support work—like Buhara, or maybe tagging along with Knov to provide backup without engaging in front-line combat.
If he kept his head down and stayed cautious, surviving wouldn't be out of the question.
There was one thing Joey hadn't said aloud—but Netero and the others probably understood.
Where Kite had fought, they were likely to encounter the one who defeated him: Neferpitou.
Netero's group left without hesitation.
Joey didn't know what their next move would be, but in his heart, he wished them all the best.
After fighting Chimera Ants almost nonstop for two days, Joey held not the slightest fondness for them. He hoped Netero's group could put an end to this threat before the Ant King was born.
But deep down, he knew—it was impossible.
Humans would never drop nukes or Miniature Roses without fully understanding the enemy.
Especially not once the Chimera Ants had dispersed beyond NGL's borders.
Joey still didn't understand enough about this world—the relationship between the Hunter Association and V5, what V5 thought of Netero, and how other people viewed the crisis.
Until he knew more, all Joey could do was survive as best he could, clinging to the edges of this oncoming storm.
One day later, three people stepped into NGL and reached Joey's hiding spot.
Two of them he recognized—Stick Dyna, the afro-headed young man, and the dark-skinned Podungo Lapoy, both Kite's companions.
The third, however, Joey had never seen before.
"I'm Andrei, a bounty hunter—and a friend of Kite's," the tall blond man said, offering his hand before realizing Joey no longer had a left hand. It was wrapped in a blood-soaked cloth.
"Seems like things got worse than expected. Let's get you out of here first."
As Joey watched curiously, Andrei raised his hand—and with a soft shimmer, a small, stone-walled single room materialized in front of them.
"Prisoner's Solitary Cell," Andrei said. "Once you go in, you'll be transported to a private cell I prepared outside NGL. Don't worry—we'll leave right after and take you to the nearest city."
Joey nodded.
No hesitation—he stepped into the conjured room as soon as Andrei opened the door.
It was just like Andrei said. A simple cell. A table. Two interrogation chairs.
Joey sat down. Andrei nodded once, then closed the door behind him.
Joey could already guess the nature of the ability.
"Prisoner's Solitary Cell" must be a Conjuration-type Nen ability—like Knov's 4D Mansion, manipulating and expanding space for unique uses.
Conjuration and Emission types were the best at spatial manipulation.
As for how this ability was specifically applied—Joey could only speculate. It seemed like an interrogation room, created for Andrei's bounty hunter work.
But… why teleport a prisoner somewhere else for interrogation?
He didn't get it, and he gave up trying. Instead, he sat quietly and waited.
The process was smooth—no disorientation, no sense of movement.
Hours later, the door opened again—and Joey realized he was no longer in NGL.
Stepping out, he saw a group of people sitting together in the room.
Some familiar—Killua, Gon.
Others he didn't know.
A hulking man built like a bear. A sharply dressed boy with a perfect side-part. A pink-haired woman watching him with curiosity. A red-haired beauty blowing a bubblegum bubble.
Kite's teammates.
"Welcome back to the civilized, tech-loving world," the redhead said with a pop. "I'm Spina Clo, but you can call me Spina."
"I'm Stick Dyna. We've met. Just call me Stick—Dyna's one of Kite's dumb jokes," said the afro-haired man, eyes squinting in a cheerful smile.
"I'm Podungo Lapoy," said the dark-skinned shorty.
The other three introduced themselves too.
The bear-sized man was Monta Eulass. The tidy boy with bunny teeth was Link Si. The pink-haired girl—Banana Kabao.
Joey memorized their names quickly, then turned to Killua, Gon, and Andrei.
"Let's deal with that injury first," Podungo said, inspecting the hand Joey clutched to his chest. "Doubt we can reattach it—it's been too long. And your hand looks… way too deteriorated. Not normal at all."
It was her specialty—examining biological tissue to classify species. And she'd seen her fair share of dismembered limbs.
Joey understood why—the repeated explosions of Sheer Heart Attack had nearly shredded his hand. Bone-deep scorches still marred the surface.
"Leave it to me," said Banana, stepping forward to help.
"Huh? That happened while I was unconscious?" Gon asked, startled.
"It's my ability's fault," Joey explained simply, passing the hand to Podungo. "Please get rid of it. Burn it, preferably."
The hand wasn't completely destroyed. Joey suspected Sheer Heart Attack hadn't fully broken yet.
He didn't want complications later.
Even so, as he handed it over, he couldn't help the sorrow and regret that flickered across his face.
Losing a hand… it mattered. Deeply.
"Don't worry," Podungo said seriously. "I'm a professional."
Andrei stepped up. "Time's short. Joey—while Banana treats you, I'll bring you up to speed on the situation."
"Yes, sir," Joey said respectfully, voice steady.
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