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75 HxH: The Strongest Assassin
🕑 Added 2024-10-30 13:19:19 +0000 UTCZeno knew the elders of Meteor City, so he had a reliable way in.
A beat-up car rolled up in front of the hotel.
The driver was a middle-aged man with a disheveled appearance, and the vehicle looked just as worn out. Although the modifications gave it a strange, mismatched look, it seemed sturdy enough.
Zeno and Kaizen got into the car, and with the rumble of the engine, they were soon driving out of the city.
After a short ride on the main road, they veered onto a narrow, bumpy path. There were few people around, and the poorly maintained road twisted and turned through the landscape.
Most cars would've struggled to make it down a road like this, but this beaten-down vehicle held up surprisingly well.
Kaizen leaned back, sifting through what he knew about Meteor City.
It's a massive dumping ground.
Resources are incredibly scarce.
The area is governed by a council of elders.
It's home to criminals and fugitives.
Groups like the notorious Phantom Troupe are based there. But the Troupe isn't the only danger. With so many desperate souls inhabiting Meteor City, trouble comes from every direction.
As the car bumped along the uneven road, the surroundings grew more desolate. For the past half hour, Kaizen hadn't seen a single house.
Then, two hours later, something massive appeared on the horizon—a looming shape that cast a long shadow over the area. At first, it looked like a mountain, but as they got closer, Kaizen realized it wasn't rock at all. It was a colossal heap of garbage, stacked so high it resembled a mountain.
The foul stench hit Kaizen like a slap in the face.
"We've arrived at the main entrance," the driver said, glancing back at Zeno and Kaizen.
Zeno nodded. "Keep going."
The driver pressed on, foot shifting from brake to accelerator.
Kaizen squinted at the towering trash heap, noticing another mountain of refuse beyond it. A narrow path ran between the two, marking the entrance to Meteor City.
"This is the main gate," the driver said, catching Kaizen's curious glance. "The garbage near this road has been treated, so it stinks less. It's not quite as harmful to people as the untreated piles, but still, if you're weak, you'd better not linger."
He gestured down the road. "It's about ten kilometers from here to the inner gate. No one gets in or out easily—there are guards everywhere. They work directly for the elders, and anyone trying to break in or escape gets taken down."
The road twisted and turned, narrow and pitted with potholes, forcing the car to crawl forward. Kaizen could feel unseen eyes watching them from the shadows, but the glances were fleeting—barely a flicker before they looked away.
After a while, a massive iron gate loomed ahead.
"We're here," the driver said as he brought the car to a stop.
Zeno and Kaizen got out. The gate reminded Kaizen of the Testing Gate at the Zoldyck estate, though it didn't feel quite as imposing. It likely weighed much less than those legendary doors, probably only equivalent to the first few levels.
"Grandfather Zeno, did you come through this way last time?" Kaizen asked.
"No," Zeno replied, shaking his head. "Last time, I used an airship. We flew straight to the Elders place."
At the gate, a group of guards inspected the driver's credentials. After confirming the elder's mark on his papers, they opened a small side door.
"You're clear to proceed," the driver said, gesturing them through.
Once they stepped past the iron gate, Kaizen was struck by how different the atmosphere was from the outside world. A sense of desolation hung in the air, thick and oppressive. It felt like stepping into another realm entirely.
"What would you like to see first?" the driver asked as he walked beside them.
"Meteor City is dangerous. Even as an elder's subordinate, I can't guarantee full protection here."
Zeno turned to Kaizen. "What do you think?"
Kaizen studied the driver for a moment. "What's your name?"
"You can just call me Parker," the driver replied humbly. Though he didn't know Kaizen's identity, he recognized Zeno as an elder figure worthy of deep respect—and by association, Kaizen must also be someone important.
Kaizen nodded. "Parker, did you grow up in there?"
"No, my lord," Parker answered. "I was born and raised among the garbage heaps."
He smiled wryly. "I only made it to there after I got lucky during a gang brawl. One of the elders took notice of me, and I've served him ever since."
"Can you give us a breakdown of the different areas within Meteor City?" Kaizen asked.
"Certainly," Parker said, adjusting his stance as he began.
"Meteor City is isolated from the outside world. Aside from the elders and a few select people, nobody here has any contact with the outside. There are three main areas."
"The first is the Elders place, where we are now."
"It's the wealthiest part of Meteor City, not much different from a regular city on the outside. The elders control everything there, and about 80% of the street's resources are concentrated in those areas. There are twelve elder cities in total."
"The second is the Chaos Zone."
"This area is full of gangs. Food is more accessible than in the garbage zones, but everything else is in short supply. Violence and conflict are common, with various gangs constantly fighting over territory. In fact, the elder's part evolved from gangs that managed to consolidate power over the years. They now function like factions."
"There are two types of people in the Chaos Zone: gang members and civilians under gang protection. Civilians must surrender a large portion of their resources to the gangs for safety. If they can't pay, they're exiled."
"The third area is the Garbage Zone."
"Most people here survive by scavenging from the trash heaps. There are two parts: the New Garbage District and the Old Garbage District. The difference is that the old district is almost picked clean. People there are desperate, and life is… unsettling. I don't know exactly what goes on, but it's enough to make most folks avoid the area altogether."
Kaizen thought for a moment. "Let's head to the Old Garbage District first."
Parker nodded. "As you wish, my lord. But it would be best to go on foot. Driving might attract too much attention, and that could spark trouble. Will that be acceptable?"
He paused, glancing at Kaizen and Zeno's attire. "Also, you'll need to change into something more inconspicuous."
