September 1st - (2)

The page opens with the chapter header N°073 SEPTEMBER 1ST - (2). Kurapika stands prominently in a nighttime cityscape, wearing a black outfit with white flame-like patterns, one arm extended forward with fingers pointed. Below, a panel shows a girl with long flowing hair and ornate clothing looking downward. Adjacent is a close-up of a stern male face with dark hair. The bottom panel depicts a dynamic figure in motion above scattered debris or coins, cloak billowing, set against an urban night backdrop with illuminated skyscrapers.

A nighttime exterior shows a multi-story building with balconies and foliage. Inside a large bedroom, Neon lies face-down in bed under heavy blankets, her short hair visible as she cries herself to sleep. A voice states, "RIGHT NOW, SHE'S TIRED FROM CRYING, AND IS SLEEPING." A close-up reveals a spiky-haired man with a tense expression saying, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN SHE WAKES UP, THOUGH." He adds, "OF COURSE, WE'LL OBTAIN THE ITEMS SHE WANTS, BUT..." The room is trashed with papers, a tipped stool, and debris scattered across the floor. Neon remains asleep in the background while two figures sit on the floor nearby. In the lower panel, an open doorway reveals a figure standing outside as a voice explains, "SHE WAS DISAPPOINTED TO FIND OUT THAT SHE COULDN'T ATTEND IT," and another adds, "SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO ATTENDING THE AUCTION AND BUYING THE ITEMS HERSELF."

A close-up shows the spiky-haired man on a phone, declaring, "THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO OBTAIN THE QUEEN'S MUMMY AND MAKE NEON FEEL BETTER." He continues, "ALL RIGHT. I'LL CANCEL MY PLANS AND I'LL HEAD OVER THERE." In a separate room, Gon and Killua stand together; Killua holds a phone and says, "HOW ARE THINGS?" while Gon reports, "NOTHING WRONG. NOTHING OUT HERE." Killua then answers another call with "IT'S ME," followed by phone sounds "BIP" and "PFF." On a nighttime balcony overlooking a sprawling illuminated city, Killua holds the phone and says, "ROGER. WE'LL NOTIFY YOU WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS." A small figure in a white hooded coat stands on the balcony below him, facing the city lights.

On a nighttime balcony overlooking a brightly lit city, Kurapika stands with arms crossed while Melody leans on the railing. Kurapika remarks, "IT WOULD BE LIKE SAYING, 'WE'RE DOING ILLEGAL THINGS HERE.'" A voice replies, "THAT'S TRUE." Melody adds, "NO ONE OTHER THAN THE COMMUNITY'S PRIVATE GUARDS CAN COME WITHIN 300M OF THE BUILDING. WHAT A SECURITY SYSTEM. OTHERWISE THE OUTSIDE WOULD BE FULL OF MAFIA MEMBERS." Kurapika answers, "SURE." Melody then asks, "CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?" In close-up, Melody inquires, "WHAT ARE THEY TO YOU? SCARLET EYES." Kurapika's face tightens with visible tension as he replies, "WHY DO YOU ASK?" Melody stands silently with a neutral expression while Kurapika turns away.

Melody continues the conversation on the stairs, noting, "YOUR MELODY WAS RATHER VIOLENT WHEN YOU SAW THE PHOTO." Kurapika replies, "I'M JUST CURIOUS. NO REASON." Melody observes, "LYING IS USELESS AGAINST YOU. DEEP, ENDLESS ANGER. THAT KIND OF MELODY." Kurapika descends the staircase and states, "I'M A MEMBER OF THE KURATA CLAN." In a close-up, Kurapika explains, "SO I'M WEARING BLACK CONTACTS TO AVOID BEING NOTICED. OUR EYES ARE NORMALLY BROWN, BUT THEY CHANGE TO RED WHEN EXCITED." Melody listens with a surprised expression.

Kurapika stands alone against a ruined, burning cityscape, his long robe billowing as he declares, "I'LL BRING THEM BACK, WHATEVER IT TAKES." A second speech bubble adds, "I'M LOOKING FOR THE STOLEN EYES OF MY COMRADES." In the next tier, Senritsu's face appears in close-up beside Kurapika's boots; she answers softly, "I WON'T," then asks, "ARE YOU GOING TO REPORT THIS TO DALTORNE?" Kurapika sits on a dark, star-filled rooftop, hands resting on the ledge, replying, "YOU CAN FIGURE OUT THAT MUCH..." while Senritsu leans forward, stating, "I DON'T WANT TO BE KILLED." The final tier shows rapid cuts between their faces. Kurapika asks, "WHY DID YOU CHOSE THIS JOB?" Senritsu counters, "WHY DO YOU ASK?" She then quotes his earlier words: "YOU WERE SAYING, 'I'LL TALK, BUT I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS.'" Pointing directly at him she concludes, "HEARTBEATS NEVER LIE. DURING YOUR CONFESSION, YOUR EMOTION WAS CALM, BUT COLD AT THE SAME TIME."

Senritsu's face fills the left panel as she warns, "I MIGHT JUST LIE." Kurapika's large eyes appear in close-up while he replies, "I CAN TELL BY LOOKING AT ONE'S EYES." Senritsu stands with her back partly turned, adding, "A MUSIC HUNTER." In the middle tier she raises a finger, musical notes floating around her head as she states, "I'M ALSO A PRO-HUNTER." The bottom tier opens with Senritsu laughing loudly, "HA! HA! HA! I'LL SAY THAT'S RIGHT." Kurapika stands on a balcony beside her, both looking out over a glowing nighttime city. Senritsu continues, "YOUR EYES SAY YOU'RE NOT LYING, BUT HIDING THE IMPORTANT DETAILS." The final close-up shows her serious face as she concludes, "I'M LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR MUSIC SCORE."

Kurapika stands facing a large-headed bald man who leans in close and declares, "I'M LOOKING FOR THE 'SONATA OF DARKNESS.'" A massive illustrated panel shows a grotesque, horned beast surrounded by skulls and swirling energy, accompanied by a text box explaining that Satan himself composed the piece with four parts—piano, viola, flute, and harp—and that great misfortune befalls anyone who hears it. Below, the bald man lies on the floor with a sweat drop, then rises and walks away while saying, "I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SUCH A THING COULD EXIST." and "ISN'T THAT JUST A STORY?" Kurapika watches him go, hand raised, as sound effects mark the movement.

The bald informant continues speaking while gesturing, explaining that he only listened to the first verse and that the flute part caused his friend's body to change after a drunken promise never to play again. He reveals he gained an ability in exchange for returning to his original body and now wants to destroy the score so no one else obtains it. The informant states he chose this job because it is easier to gather related information at the auction, then declares that the auction is about to start.

In a vast multi-level hotel lobby filled with suited men, dozens of mafia members stand, sit, and converse across balconies, staircases, and lounge areas. A large group gathers near the center while others watch from upper floors. In closer panels, a man with spiky hair and sunglasses stands beside a blond man wearing sunglasses. Nearby, a short-haired man and a girl with her hair tied in a bun look toward the crowd. A large man with slicked-back hair speaks while gesturing. The short-haired man asks, "WHAT IS?" The large man replies, "THAT'S UNEXPECTED." Another voice notes, "ALL THE GROUPS HAVE SENT THEIR HIGH OFFICIALS HERE, SOME OF THEM ARE BOSSES THEMSELVES." Someone else remarks, "WHAT A CROWD." The short-haired man explains, "5% OF THE PRODUCT PRICE GETS PAID TO THE COMMUNITY AS A SERVICE CHARGE." He continues, "THIS IS ALSO THE PLACE TO COMPETE WITH PRIDE." The girl asks, "CAN'T THEY JUST SEND THEIR UNDERLINGS ?" and adds, "THIS IS A MERE AUCTION, RIGHT?"

The short-haired man continues speaking with an animated expression. He says, "BECAUSE THEY BID TOO HIGH" and "BUT SOME GROUPS WENT BANKRUPT." He adds, "IT BECOMES LIKE AN OFFERING." A narrator-like voice explains, "IT SHOWS THEIR ECONOMIC POWER AND SELLS THEIR NAME TO MAFIAS AROUND THE WORLD." The short-haired man laughs with SFX "OUAis BROUAHA OUAis ざ ざ や BROUAHA." In a wide shot, a grand auditorium filled with seated audience members faces a stage with curtains and a single podium. A lone figure stands on the stage. At the bottom, two pairs of feet are shown; one steps forward as the word "CLAP" appears near a shoe.

In a grand auction hall filled with rows of formally dressed men, the tall auctioneer stands rigidly at the podium while a small figure with dark hair addresses the crowd from behind the stand. 'GENTLEMEN, WELCOME.' A close-up reveals a long-haired man with closed eyes speaking calmly, 'LET'S SKIP THE FORMALITIES, AND...' Suddenly the scene erupts as a scarred, muscular man with pigtails and earrings lunges forward in a black coat, his face twisted in rage. He thrusts a massive fist forward while shouting 'DIE!!' The small dark-haired figure is now crouched low on the floor, gripping a thin rod-like weapon. The attacker's powerful stance and the surrounding motion lines convey an immediate violent assault on the stage.

The bald man in the foreground recoils with wide eyes and sweat on his face as the crowd behind him reacts in shock, several men pointing or gripping the railing. A massive explosion erupts from the center of the hall, forming a starburst of debris and smoke. The small dark-haired figure is visible at the heart of the blast, arms spread wide. Large text declares 'DOUBLE MACHINE GUN !!' The force of the attack sends rubble flying outward, shattering the surroundings and overwhelming the stage area with destructive energy.

The suited man yells for protection as chaos erupts around him. "BLACK BALLOON CHILD, GUARD ME!" he commands while a violent "DOM" impact shakes the area. In the adjacent panel an explosion blasts outward with "TADAN" as someone shouts "HIDE BEHIND ME!" The black balloon children surge forward in a writhing mass of limbs and distorted faces. The man in the suit stares in horror at the swarm and exclaims "ELEVEN BLACK CHILDREN!!!" He crouches defensively, one arm extended. In the lower left panel his eyes widen with resolve. A sudden massive "BLAM" detonation erupts on the right, hurling debris and shockwaves across the scene.

The mustached man in the suit reacts with fury, sweat flying as he realizes the attack has pierced his defenses. "IT PENETRATED THROUGH MY NEN, AND INFLICTED A MORTAL WOUND! THERE'S TOO MUCH DESTRUCTIVE POWER IN EACH OF THESE BULLETS!!" he roars. "NEN-BULLETS! HE'S ALSO PROJECTION TYPE!" he adds. A silhouette shows a figure firing rapidly with "DON DON DON DON" impacts. Multiple "VLAM" and "KLING" blasts rock the suited figures. One man shouts "WE NEED TO REPORT THIS SITUATION" while screams of "AAAAH AAAAH AAAAH" fill the air and another yells "RUN!" A young girl crouches on the ground amid the fleeing adults as the barrage continues.

Shizuku leaps into action, gripping her long vacuum-like weapon tightly. A massive creature-like form lunges forward with jaws open wide as the word SCRATCH erupts in a jagged bubble. She swings the device with force, sending small figures flying through the air amid SLAT SLAT sounds. One tiny figure cries out AH! as it is struck and scattered. In the lower panel, Shizuku lands and looks upward with focused eyes behind her glasses, her hair tousled from the motion.

The woman with her hair tied in a high bun leaps through the air with an outstretched arm and clenched fist, her black dress flowing. In the distance below, Shizuku stands ready with her vacuum weapon. The next panel shows a close-up of the woman leaning forward with wide eyes and a tense expression, sweat visible on her face. Behind her, Shizuku is hurled backward through the air, still clutching the vacuum. The bottom panel is a stark black field filled with scattered white specks and particles.

A man in a black suit stands hunched on the upper level, fists clenched, declaring the task too easy. Below him, a girl with short dark hair walks away from the scene. In the foreground, Shizuku grips her large vacuum cleaner, its mouth open wide as it activates with a loud QUARF QUARF. She speaks to the device, calling it Deme-chan, and orders it to suck in all the corpses, blood, body parts, and possessions of the dead people in the room, including the chairs. The vacuum unleashes a powerful suction with violent VUUUU and impact lines, pulling the bodies and debris toward its nozzle in a swirling rush.

The man in the black suit notices one survivor still alive and points it out. A large muscular man with a scarred face and mohawk lies on the ground, groaning. He is then shown in close-up, eyes wide with terror, as he begs for mercy and reveals that the community will kill his family if he talks. The suited man and Shizuku stand nearby while a third man with a massive revolver aims it at the survivor. The large man with the gun questions the mention of family and prepares to fire, his weapon emitting a sharp VUUU sound.