Larry had only given it a brief, uninterested glance. But that one look alone was enough to send a bone-chilling terror through the beast's entire body. A phantom of something far more terrifying loomed behind him. Mike swore it could see it. A monstrous entity standing against the sky, roaring so powerfully it seemed like it could tear the heavens apart.
A pitiful whimper escaped from the enormous watchdog. Its tail, previously rigid with aggression, curled downward and wagged frantically in submission. Its massive frame hunched lower to the ground, practically groveling, as it desperately tried to convey that it meant no harm.
Despite itself, Mike's voice came out in a strangled, high-pitched whine. The cold sweat dripping from its fur was unmistakable. Instinct screamed that taking even one more step forward meant death. Unlike ordinary wild animals, beasts like Mike possessed a much higher level of intelligence. Some could even speak human language. Their enhanced awareness allowed them to perceive threats on a deeper level. And right now, there was no doubt in Mike's mind—this was not someone it could afford to offend. No. This man was far more dangerous than even Silva Zoldyck himself.
Larry didn't even bother acknowledging the trembling beast any further. To him, it was just a mutt that had eaten one too many foolish trespassers. A guard dog wagging its tail, begging for mercy. Seeing that he had no interest in killing it, Mike's massive eyes flickered between fear and relief. Without wasting a second, it bolted deeper into the estate, wanting to get as far away as possible. Its enormous paws pounded against the ground, each step sending vibrations through the earth.
Such a commotion naturally caught the attention of the butlers. At the head of them was the general manager of the estate—Gotoh.
Inside the main house of the Zoldyck family, the dimly lit hall exuded an air of quiet intimidation. Larry sat comfortably, relaxed as if he were visiting an old acquaintance. Across from him sat the current head of the family, Silva Zoldyck. "So," Silva's voice was calm, unreadable, his chin resting against his right hand as he studied Larry. "What exactly brings you here?" His sharp eyes showed no emotion, only quiet calculation. Draped in a heavy black training robe, with thick white hair framing his strong features, Silva looked every bit the apex predator. He carried himself with the composure of someone who had complete confidence in his own strength, yet beneath that control was an undeniable pressure—a silent warning that those who underestimated him would not live to regret it.
There was a reason why white-haired Zoldycks were revered. Within the family, talent could often be determined by hair color. Black-haired members were considered strong, but those born with white hair were in an entirely different league. They were the prodigies, the chosen heirs.
In each generation, there was usually only one white-haired descendant, and that person was almost always destined to become the next head of the family. For this generation, that person was Silva. For the next, it would be Killua.
Silva's reputation was that of a merciless assassin, yet his demeanor toward Killua had always been a strange contradiction. Killua feared him, yet at times, Silva spoke to his son in a way that suggested he was more than just an authoritarian father—he was a man who, in his own way, cared. Larry's lips curled slightly. "I'm honestly surprised," he said, his tone casual. "Even the head of the Zoldyck family knows my name? My reputation sure has spread fast."
The fact that he was recognized without introduction made him wonder just how many people had been keeping an eye on him. In reality, Silva had taken an interest in Larry long before this meeting. It wasn't just because of his recent exploits—killing Wrath and Envy had certainly made headlines, but that wasn't what caught Silva's attention. The true reason was far more important. Larry wasn't just a strong Nen user. He was an unprecedented Nen user. An absolute outlier. And for the Zoldyck family, that was something worth investigating.
Because hidden deep within their estate was something far beyond human comprehension. A being not of this world. A monster from the Dark Continent. That monster was Alluka Zoldyck—or rather, the entity living within Alluka.
Under certain conditions, a creature from the Dark Continent emerges—a being called Nanika. It exists in a symbiotic relationship with Alluka. The original manga never explicitly states what this creature is, only that it originates from the Dark Continent. Some readers speculate that Nanika might be connected to one of the Five Great Calamities—the Nurturing Beast Pap. According to Togashi's notes, this mysterious entity is described as having the ability to grant happiness in exchange for life, which aligns eerily with Nanika's wish-granting powers. Whether this theory is true remains unknown.
As for why such a good-natured child like Alluka ended up bonded with a creature from the Dark Continent, Silva had his own suspicions. One of their ancestors, Zigg Zoldyck, had once accompanied Chairman Netero on an expedition to the Dark Continent. Though he successfully returned, there was always the lingering possibility that something had followed him back. If any traces of the Dark Continent's influence had tainted his bloodline, it could have affected his descendants generations later.
Despite extensive research and countless attempts to separate Alluka from Nanika, the Zoldycks found no solution. The only real hope lay in a Nen exorcist of extraordinary caliber. But such individuals were rare, and none of them had succeeded.
In the end, the family had no choice but to isolate Alluka in a secured chamber, forbidding all contact. But now, at last, a top-tier Nen user had appeared. Someone who might be able to help. During the Hunter Exam, when Illumi heard Larry's name, he had felt a flicker of recognition. That was because Silva had already mentioned him at home. "I came here to find someone," Larry said calmly, meeting Silva's gaze. "And to meet an old acquaintance."
Silva, who had been resting his chin against his hand, narrowed his eyes slightly. "My father is out at the moment," he said, his voice measured, though not unwelcoming. Given the circumstances, he wasn't hostile—at least not yet.
Larry shook his head. "No, I'm not here for Zeno." The moment those words left his mouth, Silva's expression subtly shifted. A thought flashed through his mind, one that seemed too impossible to consider. Larry leaned forward slightly. "The person I'm looking for is Maha Zoldyck."
Silva's usually composed face finally betrayed a flicker of genuine surprise. "How do you know his name?" The question left his lips before he could stop himself.
Maha Zoldyck was a figure shrouded in secrecy. Outside of their family, there were only a few people still alive who even knew of his existence—Netero being one of them. Larry took a slow sip of tea before replying, his expression unreadable. "I know a lot of things," he said, setting the cup down. "More than you'd expect."