Leaving Pariston behind, Auren's bank account having made a somewhat miraculous recovery, the group makes its way towards their airship with a fairly great mood. Jolt is taking a direct course towards the Kukan'yu Kingdom, aiming for Swardani City, and is making good and steady progress.
Auren, along with Vanessa, is having one of their strictly controlled daily meals, both eating a large serving of 'rice,' along with a third person, whom they picked up before leaving Yorknew.
"That Pariston creep," Neffi yells. "No wonder you always complain about the rat. He wants you to get rid of a candidate? Damn, what a madman."
"Your reply is shockingly similar to Vanessa's," Auren states. "I won't do anything like that. I can just make up an excuse if I want. Though with that particular individual, him attacking me isn't impossible... and if he does, I might do that favor for Pariston, after all. In this case, Pariston's request might end up saving thousands of lives in the long run. Clearly, Pariston has his own interests and motives, some obscenely egotistical, but once again, I hate to admit it, I probably agree with him."
"Pariston said he killed 20 examinees and heavily wounded an examiner last year," Vanessa explains, looking a little interested. "And he merely got disqualified over it, with no additional punishment... and he can even participate this year as if nothing happened."
"As I said, I don't agree with Pariston often," Auren comments, "but reforms indeed need to happen. The current exam is lazy, barbaric, and frankly a nightmare. Talented and capable people, many qualified to become Hunters, die just like that, for absolutely nothing, the rules shielding their murderers. I think there is a hidden agenda from the V5 that the number of Hunters needs to stay under a certain threshold, but I can't prove it. They need the Association to remain stable, but they don't want it to prosper or expand. It's a fine balance. In any case, killing Hisoka does nothing for the bigger picture, which is why I probably won't do it. There is also a heavy risk involved; he seems to be not only strong but also ingenious. It isn't a given that I can simply kill him... at least... not alone."
"He's that strong... then you shouldn't do it. Anyway, are you gonna intervene in the structure of the exam this time too?" Neffi asks. "When I took the exam, it was fairly mild, with almost no people dying. In fact, I thought it was super fair. I think the exam was truly great."
"Probably not," Auren says. "I can't just hijack the exam... though if it's within my capabilities, I might do something to spare the candidates. Let's wait until we know more. I've signed you two up as helpers... though you don't need to act like those Hunters in black suits... you can just tag along with me and get another stamp on your resumes... if you ever want a promotion, you might need it."
"I'm being told that I'm set for a promotion fairly soon," Vanessa mentions. "I dabbled in a lot of things... I think that Beans guy called me a Fame Hunter or something. He wanted me to act a certain way... I think he called me dozens of times over the last few years."
What a stupid name.
"A Fame Hunter... I guess you are somewhat of a superstar. While I don't really like that kind of profession, it suits you just fine. What did you reply to him?" Neffi asks, curious about her stance on the issue.
"I forgot..." Vanessa says, looking a tad embarrassed. "I think I just agreed with whatever he was saying to get rid of him... but he called me again and again, and seemingly wasn't quite satisfied with my efforts. In any case, he then mentioned the promotion, and afterwards I've... restrained my activities a little more. No more scandals. He hasn't complained since then. He messages me sometimes, though, for some reason, he seems to genuinely like me. I can't quite see through the little guy."
Interesting.
"I appreciate you trying to behave. I believe if Beans likes you, it won't be to your disadvantage. He has Netero's trust... his full trust. Anyway, before we arrive..." Auren says, his face turning serious. "I need to make a call to an old colleague."
Returning to his room, Auren grabs his phone and calls one of his contacts, simply named '0'.
Exactly ten seconds later, the call is accepted, and a familiar voice speaks up. "Auren... it's been some time."
"Indeed, I hope you and your... Troupe are doing fine... Chrollo," Auren replies.
"Business is slow... though I'm planning a big job fairly soon. We might even need your help if things turn out badly. What is it?" Chrollo asks.
"I've heard you hired a new member..." Auren states. "That particular member seems to be a somewhat popular and eccentric fighter at Heaven's Arena, and my information network there is quite... thorough."
"As the two-time champion of Battle Olympia, that doesn't come as a surprise," Chrollo replies. "We have... I take it you aren't interested in the spot yourself. What about it?"
"Do you like that member and appreciate him? I've been requested to get rid of that particular member... a mass murderer who enjoys killing people... his joy and madness as apparent as his deeds; he doesn't quite fit your group," Auren states, speaking vaguely on purpose. "It looks like I'm involved in this year's exam, and I have some ambitions regarding it. I don't want a mass murderer to go on another rampage."
"... I'd prefer if you didn't," Chrollo replies after pausing for a few seconds. "If you want to take his spot, I'd welcome it, of course, but if you don't plan on doing that, I'd prefer if you leave him be. However... should he foolishly go against you... do what you want. He is not vital to the Troupe and has already proven to be quite unreliable and disengaged."
"That's all I wanted to hear. I'll leave him be, but if he goes against me or decides to kill for sport again... I can't guarantee a thing," Auren states. "If you want to protect him, you can inform him, give him a friendly warning; if it's you, he might give it some thought," He continues.
"That's not how our Troupe works," Chrollo states. "He's on his own. In any case, I'll talk to you soon."
He then ends the call.
Continuing their journey, the group of three arrives in Swardani City on December 23.
Having been granted permission, Jolt is allowed to land on the property of the Association, requiring the three of them to simply step out of the airship and then enter the nearby skyscraper belonging to the Association.
To his surprise, Beans stands in the lobby, ready to welcome them.
He shakes Auren's hand and does the same for Neffi, smiling politely as he does so, before stopping in front of Vanessa and looking her straight in the face.
Did her story turn out to be a lie? Is he pissed off at her?
"Hunter Vanessa Chester!" Beans says, a strange sense of authority in his voice.
"On behalf of the Hunter Association, personally approved by Chairman Netero, I'm hereby promoting you to Single-Star Hunter. Congratulations!" he says, the nearby employees and workers perking up and gathering around.
As they realize who it is, they begin to cheer and applaud loudly.
As Vanessa, obviously surprised, accepts her new license, the members of the Association Headquarters swarm her. Auren counts almost twenty people, mostly young secretaries, but even a few male office workers among them, staring at Vanessa, their cheeks flushed with excitement.
Standing aside, Neffi can't help but comment. "Is that how she's seen in public?"
"I guess so," Auren replies. "I was surprised too when they announced her feats during this year's Battle Olympia. The audience went crazy for her. She downplayed her achievements and reputation quite a lot earlier."
Over the next five minutes, Beans's face goes from embarrassed to annoyed to outright furious. "MOVE AWAY! If I see anyone next to her in the next ten seconds, you can all get new jobs!" he yells, his round, green face gaining some red color, as blood is pumped through his tiny body, almost making him look like a slightly unripe tomato instead of a bean.
Finally, sighing in relief, he leads the three towards an elevator, riding it to Netero's office at the top of the Association building.
Knocking on the door, stretching his tiny arm into the air, and mustering a surprising amount of force, Beans opens the door by himself, despite not receiving a reply.
"Chairman," Beans yells cheerfully as they enter. "Hunter Auren is here."
Netero, lazily sitting behind his desk, perks up.
Smiling widely, he stands up and walks over to the group.
"Ho, it's the brat!" Netero says with a grin. "Went missing for almost two years and then showed up, just to win Battle Olympia yet again. Why don't you drop that contest already? It's beneath you, and a student of mine isn't allowed to hunt for easy victories! You should give others a chance to win as well, wouldn't you agree?"
If you knew what I truly hunt for....
Auren simply shrugs and nods at his supposed master.
His gaze wanders to Neffi, smiling at her, and finally moves on and stops at Vanessa. "Like your... impressive friend here...." Eyeing her voluptuous body, he adds, "Ho... impressive in more ways than one."
"Another creep," Vanessa mutters quietly.
"Chairman!" Beans yells angrily.
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