Joey raised his hand halfway to his lips—then paused.
A glance at the blood on his fingertip. Dismissed.
Ten seconds.
That's how long it would take for the Chimera Ant to arrive—
And for Sheer Heart Attack, its mission complete, to return.
A professional Hunter like Pokkle would've seen the tank's trail marks, even without being able to perceive the Stand itself.
But could Nen users really not see Stands?
Joey wasn't so sure.
Ten seconds passed in a blur.
Crunching twigs.
The tiny tank clattered back into view, rolling straight toward Killer Queen—and reabsorbed smoothly into the Stand's outstretched hand.
Right then, four figures emerged from the trees—spaced apart, fanned into a subtle formation.
Joey didn't hesitate.
He raised his hands in a clear surrender gesture and stepped out of the underbrush.
Then he saw it.
Pokkle's gaze.
Following the tank's trail...
…then locking onto the invisible Killer Queen.
His eyes weren't confused or startled.
No.
They saw it.
So Nen users could perceive Stands.
Wait…
"I can see Nen?"
The thought stunned Joey for half a heartbeat—but he didn't have time to dwell.
"Yoshikage Kira?"
Pokkle's voice was calm but direct.
Joey froze.
His throat locked up. Every line he'd prepared crumbled to dust.
He knows me?
A storm of questions exploded in Joey's mind—but he didn't let it show.
Brow tight. Eyes cold. Voice rough with feigned strain:
"That's me."
"…Why are you here?"
"The village was attacked. Monsters. Everyone's either dead or taken. I was the only one who got out."
He said it flatly, glancing warily toward the distant remnants of the Chimera Ant Pokkle had blasted moments ago.
He needed time.
Time to process.
Time to adapt.
Pokkle recognizing his name had thrown him off-balance.
But there were clues here. Joey had already made some leaps:
Pokkle hadn't been surprised to see Killer Queen. That meant he'd likely seen it before.
Which led Joey to a theory:
Pokkle and his team must've encountered Yoshikage Kira in the village during their investigation.
Kira, based on what Joey knew, wasn't a spotlight-chaser.
The kind of guy who scored third in every test—intentionally.
Always good, never best. Just… unremarkable enough.
In NGL, he would've played the same role—just another face in the crowd.
He might have observed Pokkle's group. Maybe interacted briefly.
But he would've stayed detached.
That meant if Pokkle saw Killer Queen, it was likely an accidental exposure—a moment when Kira used the Stand too openly.
And Kira probably didn't know Nen users could see it.
Joey pieced it together swiftly.
It was the most logical explanation.
…Unless there was something dumber or more melodramatic.
Always possible, but not likely.
Still, Joey wouldn't be sure unless he got more intel from them.
Now he had to gauge their reactions. Watch every micro-expression.
One wrong read could cost him his life.
A girl with green hair, same beige cap as Pokkle, cute face—Ponzu.
She blinked, looked at Pokkle, then clamped a hand over her mouth in shock.
"No way…"
"That ant was the one chasing you?"
Pokkle's brow creased, voice flat. "What's your plan now? Where are you headed?"
The two nameless grunts—background noise even in personality—didn't react much.
They watched the woods nervously, hands near weapons.
Typical cannon fodder.
Still, from the way Ponzu's bees hovered, she hadn't let her guard down either.
Joey clocked the look she gave Pokkle—confirmation of something.
They'd discussed him before.
But Pokkle had seen through him too.
Joey had stayed too calm when his real name was called. Too composed.
That told Pokkle this "Yoshikage Kira" wasn't surprised.
Which meant he was hiding something.
A trap.
That single line might've been a test.
A baited line.
To see how Joey reacted.
And he'd bit down.
Joey cursed internally.
He had to redirect—take control of the narrative.
"I've been investigating Zaiphra's operation," he said, voice gravel rough. "There's a narcotics base about an hour from here. After the village fell, I figured it was my best shot. The only place with real weapons."
He tapped the rifle slung across his chest.
Pokkle's eyes dropped to the gun. Thoughtful.
Then he spoke.
"One hour? That's not far."
His fingers twitched—subtle shift in posture. "We'll be heading that way. You wouldn't mind sharing your intel en route?"
Polite tone.
Undeniable command.
He didn't ask.
He instructed.
Joey caught the message.
Pokkle had seen his Stand. Seen Sheer Heart Attack explode ants into paste.
But he wasn't intimidated.
He was confident—in himself and his team.
And Joey?
He knew the truth.
If they fought right now, he'd die.
Killer Queen's abilities were powerful.
But Joey himself wasn't.
Not yet.
Pokkle was a seasoned Hunter.
Nen user.
Combat trained.
He had backup.
Joey would be lucky to land a single blow.
So he did the smart thing.
He nodded.
Slowly. Tightly. A small grimace on his face.
Killer Queen shimmered… then vanished.
A calculated move.
A gesture.
Part surrender.
Part test.
Would Pokkle's team react?
Would they panic? Or nod knowingly?
Either way, Joey would learn something.
What he didn't notice…
Was Pokkle flashing a subtle hand signal to Ponzu behind his back.
To Joey, it looked like Pokkle was lowering his guard.