Morrow quickly became known among Whale Island's residents for devouring dozens of plates of fried rice in one sitting.
Within just a few days, this feat became a fresh topic of conversation at dinner tables and drinking gatherings, repeatedly brought up by everyone.
Morrow paid no mind to this, spending his days immersed in studying the Divine Script Codex, only heading to Mito's tavern to eat when hungry.
As time passed, the tavern's patrons grew familiar with Morrow.
Whenever they saw him come to eat, they'd playfully urge him to have a strong drink.
But Morrow refused every time, unwilling to let alcohol interfere with his study of the Divine Script Codex.
Despite this, the drinkers continued their enthusiastic urging without any intention of giving up.
It seemed they found amusement in it.
In the end, though, Mito would always step in, scolding them into silence.
"How come your stomach shows no change at all? Where does all the food you eat go?!"
Mito would often examine Morrow's abdomen while carrying drinks from behind the bar.
But no matter how many times she looked, Morrow's physique remained completely unchanged.
It was this miraculous phenomenon that kept the islanders talking about him.
"Maybe my digestive system is just different from ordinary people's," Morrow said offhandedly, setting down his empty plate. He then raised his index finger toward Zute, who had just emerged from the kitchen. "Another serving, please."
Zute was Mito's grandmother, and together they ran the tavern.
Hearing Morrow's request, Zute's wrinkled face broke into a kindly smile. She acknowledged slowly before turning back to the kitchen.
Mito placed the collected glasses and plates on the counter, glancing at the still-towering stack of empty plates beside Morrow. "No matter how efficient one's digestion is, there should be limits. Sometimes I really wonder if you're human."
After more than half a month of interaction, their relationship had become comfortable, their conversations no longer formal but casual and relaxed.
Morrow leaned his elbow on the bar, cheek resting on his knuckles, and replied nonchalantly, "That's because you haven't seen more impressive eaters. Some people can consume one hundred and one roasted whole pigs in one sitting, each pig being the size of a mature wild boar."
"What?"
Mito's first reaction wasn't to doubt Morrow was exaggerating, but to wonder if she'd heard correctly.
Their time together had given her understanding of Morrow's character; she knew he never overstated things or spouted nonsense like the drunken patrons.
"Hahaha, eating a hundred roasted pigs in one go? Little Morrow, that's quite the tall tale you're spinning!"
"Sano, looks like our local bragging champion title might have to change hands."
The tavern patrons overheard Morrow's comment and burst into laughter.
For them, boasting and bantering with friends was likely one of their few daily entertainments.
It had long become part of their lifestyle.
But seeing Morrow, who refused even a sip of alcohol despite their persistent urging, now telling an even wilder story than theirs, they found it quite amusing.
"Little Morrow, how about a drink to liven things up?"
A patron seized the opportunity, raising a glass of strong liquor toward him.
Morrow glanced at the drunken patron and politely declined, "No, thank you."
"Hey, look at you, hic~~ Those dark circles under your eyes must mean you're not sleeping well, hic~ have a drink, it'll help you sleep..."
The patron chuckled drunkenly.
Just as Morrow was about to refuse again, he saw Mito frown, throw down the rag in her hand, and glare at the patron.
Without even needing to speak, her sharp gaze alone made the patron sheepishly return to his seat.
Once the strong smell of alcohol had faded, Mito picked up the rag again and wiped the water stains on the counter, lost in thought as she said, "If someone could eat a hundred roasted whole pigs in one go, they must be a super huge fatty, right?"
"You don't think I'm just bragging?"
Morrow looked at Mito, who was diligently wiping the counter, with some surprise.
Mito wrung out the rag, looked up to meet Morrow's gaze, and asked in return, "So, is what you said true?"
"Absolutely true."
Morrow nodded firmly.
"Well, then that settles it."
Mito smiled curiously and asked, "So, is that person really a super huge fatty?"
"Fat as a small mountain; he wouldn't even be able to squeeze into your shop."
Morrow chuckled, his gaze shifting toward the kitchen, where the enticing aroma of food was already wafting through the air.
Mito wiped her hands clean and widened her eyes in surprise. "That's way too exaggerated. Wait..."
She eyed Morrow suspiciously, scanning him up and down.
"I feel like you're saying my shop is tiny?"
"Not at all."
Morrow shook his head, then glanced at the cramped hall that could only fit five tables and said truthfully, "But your shop really is quite small."
"!!!"
Mito's eyes widened even more.
The two patrons at the bar immediately grabbed their drinks and scurried away.
But the scene they had anticipated didn't happen.
"What's this? Favoritism!"
The two patrons exchanged glances, both seeing grievance in each other's eyes.
Night deepened.
Inside the tavern, the customers gradually dispersed.
This island, with its simple and honest folk customs, was ultimately different from a bustling city. Even though there was a tavern for entertainment, it wouldn't stay open too late.
After eating and drinking his fill, Morrow stayed behind to help Mito with some physical tasks, like moving chairs.
Mainly because Mito always gave him a discount, reasoning that his daily spending was too high, and with the discount, he could use the savings to cover his daily lodging fees.
Morrow didn't actually need the discount at all.
But Mito's personality was exactly like Gon's, there was no arguing with her.
Thinking that he had already received Mito's kindness, Morrow simply helped with the physical work at closing time.
A while later.
With the cleaning mostly done, Morrow said his goodbyes and left.
"Wait a moment."
Just as he stepped out of the tavern, Mito called out to him.
Morrow stopped and turned to see Mito running out from the tavern.
She jogged up to Morrow and handed him a lunchbox wrapped in a cloth.
"Morrow, this is made from today's leftover ingredients. Take it back for a midnight snack."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Morrow accepted the lunchbox.
Mito smiled and said, "Head back early."
"Alright."
Morrow nodded to Mito and turned to walk in the direction of the inn.
Mito watched Morrow walk some distance away before turning back to the tavern.
—--
After returning to the inn, Morrow continued studying the contents of the Divine Script Codex.
Over the past half a month, he had firmly memorized the numerous modules of Divine Script and had already begun attempting the preservation-effect Divine Script composed of only 29 modules.
It could be said he had crossed the most difficult step in studying Divine Script.
What remained was to repeatedly practice these perfected Divine Scripts while reinforcing his proficiency in module application through the process.
Once his proficiency improved, he would naturally comprehend the principles embedded in each Divine Script.
After all, many of Ging's annotations conveyed the same idea: meticulous work yields excellence... keep grinding until it becomes second nature.
Reaching that stage would essentially allow effortless use of Divine Script.
He might even leverage his understanding of Divine Script modules to create scripts that better aligned with his Nen ability's effects.
Just like the Divine Script structures supporting Greed Island's operation...
These were improvements Ging made after fully mastering Divine Script, enabling them to unleash more powerful effects.
Fortunately, Ging left these annotations...
Morrow had roughly covered two-thirds of the Divine Script Codex.
The further he read, the more he appreciated the value of Ging's annotations.
If Don Freecss's book could be compared to laying out multiple paths toward Divine Script, then Ging's annotations in the codex were like placing signposts along the correct routes.
Thus, by following Ging's signposts, even if Morrow progressed very slowly, he needn't worry about taking wrong turns.
This also meant that the effort and time Morrow invested would hardly go to waste.
Tomorrow, I'll try the second Divine Script example composition. This script's ability effect is 'recording,' with a difficulty several times higher than 'preservation'...
Morrow flipped through the pages, planning to find a secluded spot early the next morning to practice the second Divine Script from the codex.
Hmm?
Beneath the bottle's body, there were briefly sketched wave patterns, as if hinting at some connection to the sea.
This illustration...
Morrow stared at the black bottle, fragments of memory surfacing in his mind from when he absorbed Post-Mortem Will at the ruin.
Besides the feather that triggered the violent earthquake, what left the deepest impression was this black bottle drifting across the sea.
The object resembling a message in a bottle from his memories matched the bottle image in the Divine Script Codex almost exactly.
Moreover, the bottle was deliberately colored black, perhaps to emphasize its hue.
Suppressing his surprise, Morrow quickly read Ging's annotations below the illustration.
Only a few nouns were written: Drifting, Random, Teleportation.
Followed by several question marks.
Evidently, the Krakauer Script content written by East didn't clearly explain the details of this black bottle illustration.
But the Divine Script associated with the entire illustration below seemed related to "Teleportation."
Hence, these thoughtfully considered yet inconclusive nouns were left behind.
A message in a bottle...
Morrow's mind kept flashing through those memory fragments, strongly suspecting this object might be some product of the Dark Continent.
Wait, could that guy Ging have done this on purpose?
Suddenly, Morrow realized a possibility.
Back when he extracted information from the Post-Mortem Will at the ruin, he had told Ging everything without reservation.
Yet Ging's reaction at the time was only grave and contemplative, never mentioning anything about the pitch-black drifting bottle.
Morrow refused to believe Ging hadn't immediately connected it to this illustration in the Divine Script Codex...
This guy must have thought of it right away, but knowing Morrow had no interest in the Dark Continent, deliberately withheld it then.
Instead, he specifically waited until Morrow obtained his Hunter License before producing this Divine Script Codex strategy guide...
Originally thinking this maneuver was just to make him look after Gon while studying Divine Script.
Now it appeared there was an additional layer of intention.
Probably wanting to spark his curiosity and interest in these unknown things.
After all, only with this foundation could Ging confidently proceed with plans to drag him aboard his "pirate ship."
Though Ging never stated it explicitly, Morrow knew perfectly well - in this guy's plans to explore the Dark Continent, he'd already been firmly designated as one of the team members.
Everything has to be so roundabout.
Morrow shook his head, then recalled how in the choices Ging gave Gon, he'd directly blocked any possibility of Gon bringing friends to meet him.
Thinking carefully, this father and son had both similarities and clear differences in their personalities.
Morrow gazed at the illustration in the Divine Script Codex. Though he'd discerned Ging's intentions, whether he'd respond was another matter entirely.
Master Divine Script first...
—--
At Whale Island's harbor under the night sky, a fishing boat's searchlight cut through the darkness.
As the boat docked, two young men leaped from the deck, landing steadily on the wooden pier.
"Killua, it's all because you insisted on waiting in line for candy that we missed the last ferry."
Gon couldn't help complaining as he looked at the already deserted pier.
Killua, hands behind his head, pouted unconcernedly. "But if I hadn't found this fishing boat, we'd still be stuck staring across the water."
"We could have arrived much earlier."
Gon was already striding toward the village as he spoke.
Killua quickened his pace to keep up, arguing, "It's not that late, is it?"
"It's very late. At this hour, aunt Mito's tavern should be closed. Not sure if she's asleep yet, but let's hurry anyway."
Gon increased his walking speed.
Killua stopped talking and dutifully kept close to Gon.
The two moved single file through the quiet village path, soon arriving before the building integrated with a large tree.
The tavern's main door was already shut, but warm yellow light was still visible through the windows.
Gon knocked several times.
After a moment, Mito's voice came from inside: "Who is it? We're closed."
"Aunt Mito, it's me!"
Gon called out.
The moment he spoke, Killua clearly heard the footsteps inside become very hurried.
Within seconds, the tavern's main door swung open.
Warm yellow light spilled out, with Mito standing in the doorway, staring at Gon while also noticing the suddenly somewhat restrained Killua beside him.
"Come in first."
Mito quickly composed herself, pretending everything was normal as she stepped aside.
Gon and Killua entered.
After closing the door, Mito turned to look at Gon and Killua who had already pulled out chairs to sit down, asking with concern: "You must be hungry. Let me cook something for you."
"Yay!"
"We're starving!"
Gon and Killua said with cheerful laughter.
A smile also spread across Mito's face as she headed straight to the kitchen.
"Ah."
Soon, her voice came from the kitchen: "We've used up all the ingredients for today..."
The smiles on Gon and Killua's faces instantly froze.
Killua hesitated, "So... no food then?"
"Seems like it."
Gon nodded.
Killua immediately slumped listlessly over the table.
But then he saw Mito bringing two glasses of milk and managed to perk up a little.
Only now did Mito have time to carefully examine Gon's face, while Gon introduced Killua to Mito.
"Was the test very difficult?"
Mito propped her cheek on her hand, watching Gon and Killua drink their milk.
Gon said enthusiastically, "Extremely difficult! Aunt Mito, let me tell you, our second phase examiner was a huge eater - he could actually eat 101 whole roasted pigs in one go!"
"Eh?"
Mito was stunned.
Thinking she didn't believe it, Killua immediately added, "It's true, I can vouch for that."
"..."