Hunter X Hunter: The Strongest Assassin Of The Zoldyck Family!

Kaizen felt uneasy.

What he'd just witnessed disturbed him—corpses left on this desolate ground were immediately devoured by the walking dead.

If that's how they treat the dead… what would happen to a baby?

Before Kaizen could locate the source of the infant's cries, the walking dead had already reached the child. But the baby wasn't eaten as Kaizen had feared.

Instead, one of the walking corpses gently picked up the baby, cradling it like a parent caring for their child.

Kaizen stood there, stunned by the sight.

Parker, who was beside him, let out a sigh of relief.

Kaizen took a step forward, intending to approach the one holding the baby, but the walking dead barred his way. The infant, however, seemed to enjoy the attention and let out a bright, innocent laugh before falling into a peaceful sleep.

The other walking dead gathered close, each offering the food they had scavenged from the garbage mountain.

It was oddly… tender.

Kaizen never imagined these seemingly soulless beings were capable of such care. Despite their gentle actions, their faces remained blank—cold, emotionless, like machines fulfilling a task.

"My lord, I have a request," Parker spoke, addressing Zeno and Kaizen. "These creatures won't harm the child, but it will be difficult for them to find what's necessary to raise him properly."

Parker hesitated, then continued, "May I take this child with me? I want to help him."

Zeno glanced at Kaizen, silently passing the decision to him.

After a moment's thought, Kaizen nodded.

"Go ahead."

"Thank you, my lord."

Parker carefully approached the group of walking dead. Normally, they paid no mind to him, treating him as if he were invisible. But this time, the situation was different.

As soon as Parker reached for the baby, the creatures moved to block him, forming a protective wall around the child.

Parker didn't expect this response.

He tried to reason with them, speaking in calm, measured tones, but the walking dead remained steadfast, their bodies unmoving.

Parker considered using force—snatching the baby and making a run for it. Yet after weighing the risk, he abandoned the idea. If the child was hurt in the struggle, it would be a senseless tragedy.

The baby awoke, crying from hunger. The creatures frantically offered the scavenged food, but the infant refused—such things were unfit for a baby.

Then, one of the walking dead stepped forward, pulling out a dull blade. He pricked his fingertip, letting a droplet of blood fall. Gently, he placed his finger in the baby's mouth.

The baby began to suckle.

Kaizen could only stare, speechless.

The scene was surreal.

He never imagined the walking dead would go so far—not just sparing a life, but sustaining it with their own blood.

"Strange…" Kaizen murmured to himself. "They're as cold as machines, and they feed on corpses… Yet when it comes to a baby, they're willing to sacrifice this much."

Parker, having observed everything, slowly backed away.

"Perhaps… this is just how things work here," Parker said softly.

He returned to Zeno and Kaizen, his expression thoughtful.

"My lord, shall we continue?"

"Yes."

As they ventured deeper into the garbage mountain, Kaizen witnessed more bizarre scenes:

Corpses being eaten by scavengers. People defecating as they ate. Some fell asleep amid the filth, while others consumed their own waste without hesitation.

A child clung to a group of the walking dead, his humanity intact despite the grim surroundings. He curiously studied Kaizen, Zeno, and Parker—new faces in this forsaken place.

Then, Kaizen noticed another child—older than the others.

The walking dead were banishing him.

The boy, confused and hurt, pleaded to stay, unable to comprehend why those who had cared for him were now forcing him away. His cries went unanswered as they beat him to the ground.

Kaizen frowned, a thought taking shape in his mind.

These creatures hadn't lost their humanity entirely—they had just surrendered it to a terrible extent. But even in their despair, they hadn't abandoned these children.

The walking dead seemed determined to raise the children… and, when the time came, send them away from this place. Perhaps they believed that by doing so, the children could escape the misery of the garbage mountain and live better lives.

Parker turned to Kaizen, waiting for his decision.

"Should we help?"

Kaizen nodded. "Yes."

Parker approached the boy and extended his hand.

"You don't belong here anymore," Parker said gently. "I know this doesn't make sense to you now… but one day, it will. Come with us."

The boy hesitated, glancing between Parker, Kaizen, and Zeno.

After a moment, he reached out and took Parker's hand.

And just like that, their trio became a group of four.

The boy had no name, so Parker gave him one.

"Peter," Parker said.

At the sound of the name, Kaizen's brow furrowed.

"Peter… Parker?" he muttered under his breath, the coincidence tugging at a distant memory.

It reminded him of Spider-Man—an iconic hero from another world. Though not the strongest in terms of power, Spider-Man was famous… yet his life was riddled with hardship.

Ten days passed.

Kaizen stood over a crystal ball, observing it closely. The rate of aura absorption had slowed significantly. Staying in this area wouldn't yield further results.

"It's time to move on," Kaizen said. "We need to find another garbage disposal area. The Observer's Will won't absorb more characteristics here."

"Understood, my lord," Parker replied, turning to lead the group out of the old garbage area.

Just as they started to leave—

BOOM!

A massive garbage mountain collapsed in front of them.

Countless people were buried beneath the debris. The walking dead, seemingly unafraid of death, allowed themselves to be crushed without hesitation. One by one, they disappeared under the falling heaps of trash.

Kaizen narrowed his eyes.

He could feel it—a powerful, suffocating coldness radiating from the collapsed pile.

This aura was no ordinary presence. It was drenched in overwhelming negativity.

Something far more sinister lay buried beneath the garbage.

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