Chapter 53: First Encounters X Investigation X The Zoldyck Family

Before the person arrived, their voice was already heard—this was, in essence, what happened.

Kurama and Mokona exchanged a glance, stroked their chins, then turned with a mischievous look to the impassive Illumi.

“It seems you’re not such a failure after all—at least, as a big brother.”

Although the two had only spent a few days together as friends, Kurama and Illumi were unexpectedly compatible, so joking with Illumi, who always wore a cold expression, came effortlessly to Kurama.

And indeed, it was just so. Illumi merely tilted his head to glance at him, neither refuting nor affirming anything. Yet, if one looked closely, there was the faintest trace of a curve at the corner of his lips, barely perceptible, revealing his rare good mood.

“Curt.”

His tone remained flat, but somehow lighter. Illumi opened his arms, and at that moment, a child in red darted toward him, creating a blur, and leapt straight into his embrace.

“Big brother!”

The clear voice was muffled by the child burying himself in Illumi’s arms, but the joy and longing in his words were obvious.

Dressed in a vivid crimson kimono, his hair cut in a neat bob, the child raised his face slightly in Illumi’s arms. His delicate, porcelain-like features were doll-like, and his large, expressive eyes gazed deeply at his brother.

—This beautiful, doll-like child was Curt Zoldyck, the youngest of the Zoldyck family, Illumi’s precious little brother.

In truth, Kurama had not expected Curt to be so close to Illumi. In the original Hunter series, he seemed much more focused on Killua...

Kurama blinked, reaffirming that seeing was believing. As Curt, having recovered from the joy of his brother’s return, noticed Kurama, he immediately asked,

“Big brother, who is this person?”

Face slightly flushed, Curt stepped back from Illumi’s embrace and curiously observed Kurama, showing neither caution nor coldness—likely because Kurama had appeared alongside Illumi at the Zoldyck estate.

“He is Kurama.” Illumi was uncharacteristically patient and gentle with Curt. “He’s... my friend.”

—It was clear Illumi had little experience introducing friends to his family, and his expression was nearly frozen by the end.

But at least, he managed to say it.

“This is Curt, my youngest brother.” Illumi introduced Curt to Kurama with much less reservation.

The red-haired fox smiled warmly, his eyes curving in friendly greeting to the quietly scrutinizing young boy.

“Hello, Curt. It’s nice to meet you—I am Kurama.”

The young boy was clearly dazzled by Kurama’s radiant smile, and he fell silent for a moment before shyly taking Illumi’s hand and replying,

“Hello, I’m Curt.”

He hesitated, feeling his greeting was too casual, bit his lip, and spoke again,

“Welcome to the Zoldyck estate. We are a renowned family of assassins with a long history. If there’s anyone you’d like to kill, for my brother’s sake, I can give you a ten percent discount. Any lower is impossible... um!”

Realizing his welcome was somewhat inappropriate, Curt abruptly stopped and frowned in embarrassment.

Kurama nearly burst out laughing at his cuteness.

He gave Illumi a look that said, “Your brother is adorable,” and, unsurprisingly, received a proud “Of course!” in return. Kurama smiled and extended his hand to Curt.

“Thank you, Curt. If I ever need help, I’ll come to you first—not Illumi, how about that?”

Curt’s eyes widened at this, instinctively glancing at Illumi. Seeing only encouragement in his brother’s eyes, he composed himself and nodded with dignity.

“That’s fine.”

Kurama smiled again. This little boy wasn’t cold and silent—he was so well-behaved and sweet he had to pretend otherwise.

—Of course, it was only Kurama’s playful guess; the real Curt was not someone one could judge so quickly at first meeting.

So the fox said no more, following the Zoldyck brothers with Mokona occasionally yipping for Illumi’s attention and petting, as they continued toward the main residence atop the mountain.

＊＊＊

Curt and Mokona walked side by side behind Illumi and Kurama.

Watching his usually taciturn brother act so relaxed before the red-haired youth, even speaking freely to introduce Kukuru Mountain, Curt was utterly amazed.

In fact, when Illumi had called a few days prior, saying he’d bring a friend home, the entire Kukuru Mountain was thrown into turmoil.

Milluki’s robotic eyes started flashing as he shrieked and summoned the butler for a thorough cleaning of the mansion.

Silva stroked his chin with an expressionless face.

Milluki’s attitude toward his big brother and Killua was mixed—some fear, some rejection, but a bit more closeness than with Killua. Still, most of his attention was on his anime hobbies, so after expressing mild surprise, he let it go.

Zeno and Silva reacted similarly, while Maha, the great-grandfather, remained as inscrutable as ever.

As for Curt himself...

To be acknowledged as a “friend” and brought home for the first time in over twenty years by his big brother, Curt was very... curious.

After Illumi’s message, the Zoldyck family mobilized considerable resources, examining every detail about Kurama. The results astonished everyone—

The boy named Kurama first appeared in the port city Setorant. There, he had the information broker Old Burn arrange flawless new identification. Afterwards, though records showed him boarding a ship, all traces vanished after arrival, as if he’d evaporated from the world, until he reappeared more than a year later to take the Hunter Exam.

In the strange world of Hunters, suspicious movements weren’t exactly rare. There were many ways to conceal one’s true whereabouts or identity—Nen made the impossible possible (see Illumi’s two faces, nail-face and pretty-boy). What truly puzzled the Zoldycks was the lack of any information before Kurama obtained his new identity.

—It was a complete blank.

Kurama seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, as if he hadn’t existed in the world before.

That was... intriguing.

Of course, perhaps he was simply a young member of some reclusive clan out for adventure, but...

For an assassin family like the Zoldycks, a friend genuinely acknowledged by a family member warranted caution.

So Kurama’s visit was not universally welcomed.

Curt was naturally among those with doubts.

But his concern wasn’t about Kurama’s motives—it was, rather, how this person had won such trust and recognition from his big brother.

He pursed his lips, watching the two ahead chatting amiably, his eyes filled with deep confusion.

＊＊＊

In the end, Curt learned nothing on the walk.

Kurama, however, discerned from Curt’s thoughtful gaze a hint of what was going on. He had already prepared for scrutiny by the host family—Illumi’s background was extraordinary, and earning acceptance as a friend would not come easily.

Nevertheless, when Kurama, after Illumi’s introduction at the mansion entrance, met the head butler Wutong and entered the main house, he found himself in a drawing room that was not lavish but understated and dignified. There, he saw every Zoldyck family member, including great-grandfather Maha (except for Alluka), and finally realized the gravity with which the family regarded his visit.

Illumi led him through introductions. Aside from Milluki’s mechanical eyes flashing wildly at the sight of him, Silva, Zeno, and Maha were so composed their reactions were unreadable; Milluki looked indifferent, apparently uninterested, and Killua was absent—presumably still confined.

Kurama surveyed the room, confirming once again how grand an affair his visit had become.

Perhaps considering the fatigue of Kurama and Illumi after their journey, the Zoldyck elders exchanged only brief greetings with Kurama and spoke shortly with Illumi, then allowed the two to retire to their rooms.

As Kurama left with Illumi, he glanced back at the distant drawing room, unsettled by Mrs. Milluki’s smile, which gave him a sense of foreboding.

But remembering her eccentric nature, Kurama relaxed—he wasn’t a Zoldyck child, so she wouldn’t force him into girls’ clothing or anything like that.

Mokona, being so cute, would need special protection—even from odd women. Mrs. Milluki had eyed Mokona several times, and each time her robotic eye flickered with static!

That was not a good sign for Kurama.

Lost in thought, he followed Illumi and Wutong through twists and turns. When they finally stopped, Kurama looked up in confusion, only to find Illumi still in front of him—

The fox was surprised.

“You haven’t returned to your room?”

He thought the butler alone would suffice to escort him to the guest room—Illumi’s presence seemed unnecessary.

Of course, if Illumi valued him so highly, Kurama was pleased.

But reality is often harsher than one imagines.

The dark-haired assassin, exasperated with his clueless friend, pointed behind himself with a touch of mockery.

“This is my room.”

—Ah, so they had already arrived.

Kurama pursed his lips.

“Well then, I suppose I must trouble Butler Wutong to guide me to the guest room.”

He had walked so far for nothing; Illumi was so inconsiderate!

The fox grumbled silently to the white bundle in his arms.

The white bundle patted him in support.

However, their exchange was soon interrupted by Wutong’s words.

“Kurama’s room is right here.” The black-haired butler said calmly, gesturing across from Illumi’s room.

“It’s this one.”

“…………!”

—For a moment, the fox was completely stunned.