Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Testing Gate
After defeating the Chimera Ant, Killua had grown remarkably stronger. Though his power lay in speed rather than brute strength, he was anything but weak.
Being a Transmuter, not an Enhancer, meant Killua had different strengths. Still, among the entire Zoldyck household, only Maha, Zeno, Silva, and Illumi were superior to him in ability. Even Tsubone, the family's oldest and most skilled servant, was unlikely to pose a threat to him anymore. As for the rest of the house staff—none of them stood a chance.
Gotoh, another young but formidable fighter, could already push open four gates of the Testing Gate, demonstrating immense strength.
"I wonder how many gates I can push open," Kaizen thought aloud, bracing himself.
He steadied his stance, his focus sharp. Then, summoning all the power in his body, Kaizen pressed against the heavy metal doors.
"Creeeeak!"
The grinding sound of iron echoed across the courtyard as the third gate began to shift. Kaizen could feel every muscle in his arms and back straining under the weight.
Gotoh's eyes narrowed in disbelief.
Slowly but steadily, the third gate opened wider.
A figure emerged from a small shed nearby—a robust old man with a no-nonsense demeanor. This was Zebro, a long-serving caretaker who handled the manor's outer defenses.
Zebro's sharp gaze fell on Kaizen and Gotoh. Though unfamiliar with Kaizen, he immediately recognized Gotoh by his clothes and demeanor. Understanding Kaizen's importance from Gotoh's respectful stance, Zebro approached with caution.
"Good day" Zebro greeted them politely.
Gotoh gave Zebro a brief nod. Kaizen's face, flushed with exertion, glistened with sweat.
The third gate—the one requiring 16 tons of force per side—now stood fully open. Kaizen exhaled slowly as steam rose from his skin, his sweat evaporating in the crisp air. For a moment, he looked up at the manor looming beyond the gate but made no move to enter. Instead, he stepped back, allowing the massive iron doors to swing shut with a deafening "boom!"
"Master Kaizen," Gotoh said, hurrying to his side with a look of genuine astonishment. Though he had watched Kaizen train under Maha Zoldyck every day, he hadn't realized just how much he had grown.
Kaizen had gone from struggling against Sanghir, one of their toughest sparring partners, to surpassing him. In their early fights, Kaizen had to rely on a technique to turn the tide. But by their third and fourth encounters, Kaizen didn't even need to use it. He had grown far too strong.
And now, Kaizen—only nine years old—had just pushed open the third gate, a feat most adults couldn't dream of accomplishing. His strength, speed, and mastery over his aura were evolving rapidly.
"This level of power…" Gotoh whispered to himself. "It's already far beyond Sanghir."
Just a few days ago, Sanghir had been stronger, but now the gap between him and Kaizen was undeniable.
Kaizen turned his attention to Zebro.
"You're Zebro, right? Mike's cleaner?"
"Yes, Master Kaizen," Zebro confirmed with a slight bow.
Mike was the Zoldycks' first line of defense—a massive guard dog as large as a small house, known for its ferocity and loyalty. While Zebro served as the cleaner, he was also responsible for dealing with visitors at the gate. Most outsiders couldn't push open the Testing Gate, so they would turn to Zebro for another way in.
There was, of course, a small side door next to the main gate, accessible only by a key. Outsiders would often try to bribe or threaten Zebro for the key. He always handed it over without a fight—it was a part of his job. But using the key was just a trap. Anyone entering through the side door would immediately be attacked by Mike.
Kaizen gave Zebro a knowing look.
"Show me around the gate," Kaizen requested.
He had noticed something strange: the crystal ball he carried was absorbing aura from the surroundings faster than expected. Curious about the phenomenon, he wanted to stay near the gate for a bit longer before entering the manor.
"Of course, Master Kaizen," Zebro replied without hesitation. "This way, please."
Just as Zebro turned to lead Kaizen and Gotoh along the outer wall, a commotion erupted outside the gate.
"They're here!"
"I see it!"
"Boss, over here!"
A group of a dozen rough-looking men came into view, all armed and approaching fast. Their expressions were hostile, and it was clear they weren't here for a friendly visit.
Kaizen's brow furrowed, his gaze sharpening.
Gotoh immediately stepped in front of him, ready to protect.
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Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Real Killing Is the Kingly Way to Rise
Zebro handed over the key without hesitation.
"You've made a wise choice," a middle-aged man said, taking the key and heading toward the side entrance.
With a swift motion, he inserted the key and turned it.
Click.
The door creaked open, and over a dozen people rushed inside in a chaotic flurry.
Boom!
The door slammed shut behind them.
Zebro watched them disappear through the side entrance, shaking his head before turning to Kaizen with a slight smile.
"Master Kaizen," Zebro greeted warmly.
He approached the front gate, shrugged off his coat, and revealed his muscular physique. Planting both hands on the large gate, he gave it a forceful push.
Creak.
The gap between the heavy doors slowly widened.
"Please, after you."
Kaizen gave a short nod and stepped through. Gotoh followed closely behind, with Zebro bringing up the rear.
Boom!
The gate swung shut behind them.
The first thing Kaizen saw was a gigantic dog's head, looming and still, like a silent sentinel. Its emotionless gaze resembled that of a lifeless machine—a pure instrument of death, crafted only to kill.
Kaizen's eyes narrowed slightly. There was something off about Mike, the hulking guardian beast before them.
"This isn't just some ordinary creature," Kaizen thought, a trace of unease stirring in him.
He knew the Zoldyck family had links to the Dark Continent—few could forget the legendary expedition where Zeno's grandfather, Maha Zoldyck, had joined forces with Netero to explore its depths. Upon their return, Netero had warned both the Hunter Association and V5 to steer clear of the Dark Continent at all costs.
Kaizen was certain Alluka's strange abilities were tied to that forbidden land. Whether Mike had a similar origin, however, remained unclear.
Half of a man's body dangled from Mike's mouth—the remnants of one of the intruders who had earlier demanded the key from Zebro. The others had already been torn apart and devoured, leaving this unfortunate soul as Mike's final victim.
The man's eyes locked onto Kaizen, Gotoh, and Zebro, glimmering with desperate hope, as if he thought they might save him.
"Help... me..." he croaked, his voice thick with terror.
But the man had grossly misunderstood the situation.
Zebro was a loyal gatekeeper for the Zoldycks. Gotoh, the family's butler, served them with unwavering dedication. And Kaizen—he was part of the family. None of them had any intention of helping him.
Crunch.
Mike's powerful jaws closed with finality.
Splat!
A spray of blood erupted as the man's body was crushed and mangled, leaving him writhing in agony for only a moment longer before falling still.
Kaizen turned his gaze away, his expression carefully neutral.
Living among the Zoldycks had long since numbed him to death. He understood their brutal philosophy: kill or be killed. It was a necessary lesson in a world this chaotic. Yet, witnessing such a gruesome end still unsettled him.
"Zebro, give me an overview of the grounds," Kaizen said, breaking the silence.
"Yes, Master Kaizen." Zebro gave a slight bow. "The main gate we entered is the only way into the manor grounds. Beyond this point lies a vast jungle, inhabited by dangerous creatures. None of us janitors live beyond the entrance—only Mike and the other beasts that guard different sections of the estate."
"The creatures in the jungle... how strong are they?" Kaizen asked, glancing toward Gotoh.
Gotoh gave a small shrug. "Some of them are quite formidable. During my butler training, I fought many of them. A few were even stronger than Sanghir."
Kaizen raised a brow. Among ordinary people, Sanghir would be considered exceptionally skilled, but compared to monsters or elite fighters, his strength was insufficient.
The mention of such creatures intrigued Kaizen.
"I see... So these fights are real," he murmured, half to himself. "Not just duels or sparring."
The thought stirred something inside him. Training against Sanghir felt more like a sport—controlled and predictable. What Kaizen craved was genuine combat, where survival hung by a thread. He needed that kind of experience, especially with future battles awaiting him.
At Heavens Arena, and even during the Hunter Exam, death was a constant possibility. Many competitors fought to kill, not just to win. If Kaizen wanted to be ready, he needed real battle experience now.
"I want to try fighting one," Kaizen announced.
Zebro hesitated, but Gotoh gave a reassuring nod.
"Don't worry about your safety. I'll make sure nothing happens to you."
Zebro glanced between Kaizen and Gotoh, then gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
"Very well, Master Kaizen. I'll lead the way."
They stepped into the dense jungle, the air growing thick with tension.
At first, the surroundings seemed unnervingly quiet, but it wasn't silence—just a different kind of sound. A deep, ambient hum, like the jungle itself was alive.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a shadow darted out from the underbrush.
Kaizen's eyes gleamed with excitement rather than fear.
"Ten!"
He swiftly surrounded his body with aura, the protective technique enhancing his defense. With even a basic coating of aura, Kaizen could withstand far more than any ordinary human.
A large snake lunged at him, its fangs glinting as it aimed for his arm.
"Not today."
Kaizen moved with blinding speed, his arm cutting through the air.
Slash!
The snake's body was severed into seven or eight pieces, each one writhing in its death throes.
The scent of blood filled the air, making Kaizen's heart race. This wasn't some sparring match—this was real. And he loved it.
Zebro stayed close to Gotoh, clearly uneasy but unwilling to leave Kaizen's side.
Meanwhile, back at the manor, a Zoldyck servant approached Silva.
"Master Silva."
Silva looked up from where he sat, his expression impassive.
"Hmm?"
"Master Kaizen has entered the jungle," the servant reported. "He's currently fighting the creatures within."
Silva's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Who's with him?"
"Gotoh and Zebro," the servant replied.
Silva leaned back in his chair, a faint glimmer of interest flickering across his face.
"I see," he murmured. "Let's see how far he goes."
."
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