It's not just "Nen Beasts," it should be referred to as "Conjuration-type" Nen Beasts.
Roy cast his gaze over the old lady and the "children" behind her. They seemed similar to Kate's Nen ability "Mad Clown," having a physical entity that ordinary people could touch and perceive... Naturally, Kurajing, whose acupoints hadn't opened, could also see them.
In the original novel, Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika could see them too, for the same reason.
On the airship emblazoned with the giant logo of the Hunter Association, Zeno, with white hair fluttering, finally shifted his gaze from Kurajing to the group of "child Nen Beasts," unexpectedly glancing at Netero. He didn't expect... the Hunter Association had such a hidden figure...
Someone singlehandedly supporting a group of "Nen Beasts," the old woman looked to be around the same age, yet her aura was quite extraordinary.
"Hohoho... no need to be surprised." Netero, having finished his cake, took a sip of the red tea handed to him by Mamen Beans and said: "Sachiko isn't a combatant, she wants to raise them, and I can't persuade her otherwise."
"Reckless usage of Nen will deplete life energy, that's common knowledge."
"She's not a common person. Beans, tell him..."
"Yes."
Mamen Beans, with an astute sense, also poured a cup of red tea for Zeno, gingerly handing it over, saying: "Nakashima Sachiko is the old lady in the image blocking your grandson's way...."
'Tsk...' Calling her an old lady, Mamen Beans was in fact much older than her. Talking about age, it was the oldest one present.
Mamen Beans suppressed the odd feeling in its heart and briefly introduced Nakashima Sachiko's past... Zeno listened quietly; she too was a woman with a tragic past.
She was once the director of an orphanage in Yorknew City. A fire took away all the children in the orphanage... Stimulated by the shock, Nakashima Sachiko awakened her Nen ability—"Dolls of Heaven." She could manipulate Nen to conjure dolls to fight for her... but at that time, Nakashima Sachiko chose not to do so,
In front of the ruins of the orphanage, she vowed "to forsake combat, never to engage in a fight" in exchange for "true imagination," striving to replicate the appearances and voices of the deceased children as best as she could, manifesting them in the form of Nen Beasts inside dolls, thus creating the group of "children" in the picture.
"Nen is most reflective of a person's true heart. After learning about this, the chairman, moved by her deep love, found a refuge for her and these children, which is the small town you see...."
"What a pity... with her aura, she might have been an outstanding combatant." Zeno put down the teacup and recalled Milluki, as reported by Luke, that child was also disappointing, lacking talent and lazy... Guiding him down the path of an assassin was likely a lost cause as well...
Netero glanced sideways: "Not everyone is like your Zoldyck family, fond of killing and fighting."
The old man lazily leaned back on the sofa, recalling his past with Nakashima Sachiko, sighed and said: "The Hunter Association fully respects each Hunter's dreams and choices. Sachiko enjoys being with the children, so even if she doesn't fight, it's alright."
"I don't lack one more combatant..."
Zeno nodded in agreement: "If Beyond was here and heard you, he might be moved to tears..."
"Shut up!" Netero, infuriated, threw a teacup, which Zeno caught with a chuckle, dismissing a heap of grandiose talk with his sarcastic smile. Yet he couldn't manage his own son... Zeno pretended not to see Netero's murderous glare, turning to watch the surveillance....
Nakashima Sachiko struck the ground with her cane, displaying extraordinary theatrics, shouting: "Betrayal... Betrayal... Heartbeat two-choice question!"
The loudness startled Kurajing, who clutched Roy's arm even tighter.
"Creak!" Wutong clenched his fist, the knuckles making a popping sound from the force, glancing at Kurajing as if looking at a dead person.
Roy remained unmoved, his gaze constantly drifting between Nakashima Sachiko and the children behind her, lost in thought.
While Nakashima Sachiko vigilantly watched him, she said: "Next, I will ask a question, and you only have five seconds to answer, a wrong answer means you are eliminated."
Needless to say, she was also an examiner... The red jeweled cane in her hand caught Kurajing's attention. The girl noticed that it bore a proctor's insignia, just like Maxim's, and frowned as she asked: "Do we three have to answer the same question?"
If one of us answers incorrectly, what happens then?
Nakashima Sachiko squinted with a smile: "Isn't it faster that way?"
"Whoosh~" A chilly wind blew through the tattered street, making the hairs stand on end....
"Young master..." Wutong looked at Roy, Kurajing lifted her chin also looking towards Roy... Nakashima Sachiko squinted similarly, focusing on Roy. Sharply observant, she instantly realized... among these people, this young man was the leader.
'Maxim said this kid could withstand the storm while practicing swordsmanship, reckoning on the old woman not wanting to engage, fearing he'd suffer. But the old woman never made it difficult for others, letting all pass, regardless of right or wrong answers...
Of course, if they answered incorrectly and got lost to encounter a Magical Beast, that wouldn't be Nakashima Sachiko's concern.
Many gazes converged on Roy... The young man seemed lost in his own world, unaware of external matters until a certain moment when his pupils focused and he smiled at Nakashima Sachiko, saying: "Grandma, how about we make a deal..."