A power beyond comprehension, and creatures that seemed to exist only in mythology.
All of this, along with the name "Morrow," struck the minds of the 287th Hunter Exam candidates like thunder.
Their understanding of the world gradually crumbled, only to be rebuilt amidst newfound shock.
A door to a new world had been flung wide open before them.
Yet no one could say for certain whether what awaited them ahead was greater opportunity or graver danger.
—--
At the mountain peak.
Chimera spread its fleshy wings, its massive body riding the wind as it ascended.
On its back, Ponzu and the others felt a surge of emotions, unable to tell whether they were more afraid or excited.
Looking back, they could still faintly make out the figure watching them depart.
This is... the world of Pro Hunters, isn't it?
Even though Morrow, like them, was a newcomer who had only obtained his Hunter License this year, they were already certain that someone capable of taming a magical beast must have journeyed far, far ahead.
As Chimera's figure vanished beyond the horizon, Morrow and the others remaining on the mountaintop withdrew their gazes.
Barbara, the Beast Hunter, was still immersed in overwhelming astonishment.
Though she had only received her Hunter License today, she had already ventured into multiple human restricted areas and had been commended by the International Biological Governance Organization for discovering three new species.
Yet, despite such extensive experience, she had never before witnessed the existence of a "magical beast."
Such a creature, higher-tier and more threatening than ordinary magical beasts, had nestled quietly at a human's feet like a tame house cat.
Unheard of.
"Chimera, Chimera..."
Barbara murmured the name softly, her eyes trembling with irrepressible excitement as she looked up at Morrow. "Morrow, if we register Chimera's information in the International Biological Database, it would be an unprecedented achievement!"
"I'm a Treasure Hunter, not a Beast Hunter."
Unfazed by Barbara's fervor, Morrow declined the suggestion with a calm statement of his identity.
The excitement in Barbara's eyes froze for a moment, then she sighed with regret and disappointment.
Though she felt it was a pity, she had enough sense not to press the matter further.
Morrow turned his attention to Gon and Killua, suddenly wondering if Ging was keeping tabs on Gon's movements.
Given Ging's intelligence channels and network of connections, even if he wasn't actively monitoring Gon, as long as Gon mentioned searching for his dad or the name "Ging" along the way... Ging would likely receive news about Gon passively.
Better not bring it up to him... Morrow thought to himself, then asked Gon, Killua, and the others, "What about you? What are your plans next? If there's somewhere you want to go, once Chimera returns, I can have it take you there."
"I want to make full use of this license to search for my dad."
Hearing Morrow's question, Gon took out his Hunter License, his eyes shining with determination. Then, as if recalling something important, he added: "But before that, I might need to go home first and tell aunt Mito that I passed the Hunter Exam."
"So you're going directly back to Whale Island?"
Morrow asked with a smile.
Gon was momentarily stunned upon hearing this and instinctively asked, "Morrow, how do you know my hometown is Whale Island? And what about the previous written test..."
"Ging Freecss."
Morrow interrupted Gon and spoke Ging's full name.
Gon's eyes widened with shock and surprise. After processing this, he urgently asked, "Morrow, do you know my dad?"
"Yes, we met just last year and worked together for about a year after that."
Morrow wore a faint smile.
Gon opened his mouth but seemed to be engaged in an intense internal struggle, momentarily unable to find the right words.
Morrow noticed Gon's inner conflict and said seriously, "If you want to know more about Ging, or get his contact information, even his location... I can tell you right now."
"..."
Gon froze.
He had thought obtaining the Hunter License was just the first step, never expecting information about his father would come so suddenly.
Just by asking, he could find his father immediately.
But...
Gon took a deep breath and firmly shook his head: "No need."
After making this decision, he actually felt much more relaxed, his eyes becoming particularly bright: "I want to find my dad through my own strength, just like Kite did."
"Is that so."
Morrow's smile deepened as he nodded: "I believe you can do it."
"Thank you, Morrow."
A smile spread across Gon's face as he suddenly turned to Killua and asked curiously, "What about you, Killua? What are you planning to do next?"
"Me?"
Killua was caught off guard by the question and murmured, "I don't know what I want to do. There are many things I don't want to do, like not wanting to..."
"Brother."
Kalluto seemed to guess what Killua was about to say and gently interrupted.
Killua paused, looking at Kalluto standing beside Morrow, and sighed: "Fine, I won't say it then."
His gaze returned to Gon.
"Anyway, I don't have anything particularly special I want to do right now."
"Huh?"
Gon blinked, then broke into a radiant smile as he enthusiastically invited: "Then Killua, do you want to come visit my home?"
"Can I?"
Killua's eyes lit up.
Gon said excitedly: "Of course! Don't you want to know what the Master of the Swamp looks like? When we get back to Whale Island, we can try to catch it together! And I have a Foxbear friend in the forest..."
"Foxbear friend?"
Killua asked curiously.
Gon replied: "Yeah, he's the king of the forest."
"Really? Actually, my family keeps a king of the forest too, but it's like a robot - you can't really be friends with it."
Killua's eyes held a hint of anticipation.
The two chattered back and forth, growing more animated, both wearing happy smiles.
Nearby.
Leorio watched Gon and Killua with an amused expression in his eyes.
Youth is wonderful.
Wait. Why am I having such thoughts!
Leorio quickly shook his head, reaching his right hand into his pocket to touch his newly acquired Hunter License.
Things I want to do... I can't fall too far behind, Leorio thought to himself. Soon, the group briefly discussed their next destinations.
Leorio needed to return to his medical studies and would take an airship, so he was heading to the nearest airport.
Barbara planned to explore the nearby area, but she wanted to get close to Chimera, so even if it was just going downhill, she shamelessly decided to ride Chimera once.
Killua was going back to Whale Island with Gon, while Kalluto had no objections but kept some concerns to himself, unsure whether to share them with Killua.
"Kalluto, I'll leave it to you to give Chimera its instructions later."
Morrow left this instruction and prepared to check on Hisoka's condition in the medical room.
"Mm." Kalluto responded, watching Morrow walk toward the distant cluster of buildings.
Barbara, Gon, and Leorio all cast surprised glances at Kalluto, clearly not expecting that he could also command Chimera.
Kalluto ignored their looks, his mind still wavering as he debated whether to inform his family about the situation here and worried that his elder brother Illumi might suddenly appear from somewhere.
Brother Killua is rarely this happy and excited... what if...? It would be better if Morrow could come along...
Watching Morrow enter one of the distant buildings, Kalluto silently thought to himself.
If Morrow knew what Kalluto was thinking, his first reaction would definitely be refusal.
He had no interest in getting involved in children's play.
As Morrow entered the building, his eyes flickered slightly, and he pretended nothing was amiss as he walked toward the corridor corner.
Just as he revealed half his figure, a graceful figure flashed out, reaching out to pull him over and press him against the wall.
Thud.
Morrow's back lightly hit the wall as he looked at Menchi, who was now inches away from him, not at all surprised.
Menchi pressed herself tightly against Morrow, allowing their body heat to mingle.
This was just her nature.
Once she figured things out, she no longer held back.
If a relationship could truly blossom, she would be one to love and hate fiercely.
"Morrow, how come my Zetsu never fools you?"
Seeing Morrow's complete lack of surprise, Menchi knew she had been detected long ago.
Morrow chuckled lightly, "You still carry the scent of spices, you must have just come from the kitchen, right?"
"Yes, but I don't always end up smelling like spices."
Menchi clearly wasn't satisfied with this explanation.
Morrow's right hand suddenly slipped through the gap between them, gently pressing against her chest where he could clearly feel her heartbeat: "But I'm not prey being hunted by a Gourmet Hunter either. When you're not hunting, there's no need to perfectly control your heartbeat. So the scent is one thing, but your heartbeat is just as obvious."
"So it was the heartbeat..."
Menchi's cheeks flushed slightly as she quickly stepped back.
The hands that had just boldly pinned Morrow against the wall were now clasped behind her back, unconsciously twisting together.
Suddenly remembering the scene of examinees crowding around Morrow asking for his contact information, she quickly changed the subject: "You're quite popular, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
Morrow was momentarily taken aback before understanding and smiling faintly: "Seems that way. Probably because they think I'm strong."
"Morrow, I never noticed before that you..."
"When are we eating? Did you prepare another feast?"
"Don't change the subject!"
"Wasn't it you who changed the subject first?"
"Hmph."
The conversation in the corridor gradually faded away.
Menchi accompanied Morrow to the medical room entrance, but remembering there was a pervert lying inside, she decided not to stay and turned back to continue preparing for the banquet.
Morrow entered the medical room alone, first consulting the doctor about Hisoka's injuries before heading to Hisoka's bed.
That punch he'd given Hisoka had held nothing back.
If not for Hisoka's sharp combat instincts, that blow might truly have threatened his life.
The result was Hisoka suffering severe injuries, remaining unconscious until now.
Morrow casually sat in the chair beside the hospital bed, observing Hisoka who was completely wrapped in bandages.
After this battle, this guy should probably rein himself in and honestly become a fruit farmer.
As he was thinking this, footsteps approached.
Morrow looked up to see Beans in a crisp suit entering the room.
Noticing Morrow's presence, Beans' smooth green face showed slight surprise.
"Mr. Morrow, you're here too."
Beans greeted respectfully.
He knew this outstanding young performer from the exam was a junior that Chairman Netero had been closely watching.
Naturally, he also looked forward to Morrow's achievements after becoming a Pro Hunter.
"Mhm."
Morrow responded, his gaze falling on the Hunter License in Beans' hand.
Noticing Morrow's attention, Beans immediately raised the license to explain: "The doctor said Hisoka might wake up soon, so I came to deliver the license. Also, since he missed the orientation, there are some matters that need to be explained..."
"Let me handle it."
Morrow pointed at Hisoka's fully bandaged face, saying: "This guy tends to cause trouble, might make things difficult for you."
"This... wouldn't it be too much trouble for you?"
Beans rubbed his head apologetically, though inwardly marveling at Morrow's thoughtfulness.
"It's fine."
Morrow said gently: "You must be quite busy, right? Just leave the license here, I'll handle the rest."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Morrow."
Beans breathed a slight sigh of relief, he was indeed somewhat afraid of Hisoka, and quickly placed the license on the bedside table.
Morrow said nothing more, simply nodding to Beans.
Not long after Beans left, Hisoka's eyelids suddenly twitched slightly.
The doctor's assessment had been accurate, Hisoka was indeed showing signs of waking around this time.
Morrow casually played with the license Beans had left behind, his eyes glancing toward Hisoka on the bed.
After a moment, Hisoka finally slowly opened his eyes, immediately noticing Morrow sitting beside the bed.
Morrow looked at him calmly: "You're awake. The surgery was successful, at the very least, you probably won't be disfigured."
"That's... truly a pity..."
Hisoka's voice was quite hoarse, his eyes only able to open a slit, but enough to clearly see Morrow beside the bed.
"A pity?"
Morrow raised an eyebrow, but quickly realized Hisoka was probably about to say something provocative again. Immediately letting his eyelids droop, he tossed the license over, forcibly interrupting Hisoka's casting.
"This is your Hunter License. Perhaps you could share how it feels to get your license while lying down."
"..."
Hisoka was unusually speechless.
After all, he really couldn't refute this. Morrow stood up and said casually, "I've compiled the license functions and the association's rules into a text message and sent it to your phone. Also..."
At this point, Morrow simply turned and walked toward the medical room door, leaving behind a remark: "I've fulfilled our agreement. If you still want to pester me next time... be prepared to gamble with your life."
"Heh."
Hisoka suddenly laughed, completely unfazed by the sharp pain from pulling his wounds.
"Gamble with my life, heh... So you're still looking down on me. Next time, I'll definitely make sure you 'enjoy yourself' thoroughly."
"?"
Morrow glanced back at Hisoka.
I have no interest in being a fruit farmer for a pervert like you.
In the end, he didn't voice his inner thoughts and directly left the medical room.
—--
In the corridor.
Kurapika was already there, leaning against the wall, watching Morrow who had just emerged from the medical room.
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Bonus chapter @800power stones