The room fell silent as the weight of those words settled over the new Hunters. They had passed the exam, yes—but passing was only the beginning. The license was both a key and a target.
Kevin turned his card over in his hands, studying its construction. The material was unfamiliar—some kind of reinforced polymer, maybe, with embedded security features that weren't visible to the naked eye. He extended a thread of Nen toward it, curious.
The card seemed to absorb his aura, then reflect it back in a pattern that felt almost like a signature. Biometric encoding, he realized. It's linked to me specifically.
"You'll notice it responds to your life energy," the green bean man continued. "That's one of its anti-theft features. If someone else tries to use it, the card will appear blank—useless to anyone but its owner. However," he added sternly, "that won't stop people from trying to take it from you. Hence the 20% loss rate."
Bajiao held his license up to the light, squinting at it. "So if I lose this, I'm just... out of luck? No replacements?"
"None. The Association issues exactly one license per successful Hunter. Lose it, and you lose all privileges. You can still function as a Hunter—the title itself isn't revoked—but without the card, you're essentially operating as an independent contractor. No official recognition, no automatic access, no benefits."
Goreinu paled slightly, clutching his license tighter. "I'm never letting this leave my sight."
"Wise." The green bean man moved to the next topic. "Now, about the Association itself. As members, you have certain obligations—primarily, to report any major discoveries or threats you encounter during your work. The Association maintains databases of information that help all Hunters. In return, you have access to those databases, along with support networks, medical facilities, and training resources in Association branches worldwide."
He clicked a remote, and the blackboard display changed to show a world map with marked locations. "There are Association branches on every continent. You can use them for rest, communication, and assistance. Some branches offer specialized services—combat training, research libraries, medical treatment. All are available to licensed Hunters."
Kate leaned forward, studying the map intently. "And the restrictions? What can't we do?"
"Good question." The green bean man's expression grew serious. "Hunters operate with tremendous freedom, but that freedom comes with responsibility. You may not use your license to commit crimes against humanity, to destabilize nations, or to assist in the creation of weapons of mass destruction. The Association has a review board that investigates complaints against Hunters. If found guilty of severe violations, your license can be revoked—permanently."
"Revoked," Astrand rumbled. "Not just lost?"
"Revoked means the Association itself strips you of status. Your card stops working entirely, your name goes on a watchlist, and you become a target for other Hunters who want to collect bounties." The green bean man's voice was cold. "Don't let it happen."
Kevin absorbed this information quietly. The system was designed for freedom with accountability—a balance that made sense given the power Hunters wielded.
"Any questions?" the green bean man asked.
Gawain's hand shot up. "What about knightly conduct? Is there a code of honor we're expected to follow?"
The green bean man blinked. "A... code of honor?"
Gawain nodded earnestly. "Yes! Chivalric principles! Justice, protection of the weak, fair treatment of opponents!"
Several examiners exchanged glances. Netero coughed, hiding a smile behind his hand.
"There is no formal code," the green bean man said carefully. "Hunters follow their own moral compasses. Some pursue justice. Some pursue wealth. Some pursue knowledge or glory. The Association doesn't dictate philosophy."
Gawain's expression fell slightly, then brightened. "Then I will create my own code! A knight's path, worthy of a true Hunter!"
Netero chuckled openly now. "I like this one. He's got spirit."
Kevin caught Kate's eye and shook his head slightly. This kid...
The orientation continued for another hour, covering practical details—how to access Association databases, how to contact other Hunters, how to handle bounties and commissions. By the end, the new Hunters were overwhelmed with information but buzzing with excitement.
As the meeting broke up, Netero approached Kevin.
"Biscuit asked me to give you a message," he said quietly. "She says to contact her when you're settled. She has something for you."
Kevin nodded. "Thank you, Chairman."
"Call me Isaac. Or Old Man. Everyone does." Netero patted his shoulder. "You did well, young Kevin. I expect great things from you."
He walked away, humming tunelessly, leaving Kevin alone with his thoughts and his new license.
Outside, the others were already making plans—Bajiao talking excitedly about his first journey as a Hunter, Goreinu nervously checking his license every few seconds, Kate quietly observing everything, Gawain practicing knightly poses.
Kevin smiled.
The exam was over. The real journey was just beginning.
The room fell into thoughtful silence as the weight of the Hunter Ten Commandments settled over the new Hunters. Some regulations were straightforward—practical rules for an organization built on individual freedom. Others hinted at deeper philosophies, unspoken expectations that would only become clear with experience.
Kevin's mind lingered on the fourth commandment: Hunters must not regard fellow Hunters as prey. The exceptions for "extremely evil criminals" created a gray area—one that would undoubtedly be tested by Hunters on both sides of that line. He thought of the Phantom Troupe, of their actions in the Kurta village. Were they on the Association's wanted list? Probably. But if not, did that mean they were technically protected from other Hunters?
Another thing to investigate, he noted mentally.
Gawain was practically vibrating with excitement. "These commandments are beautiful! They establish a framework for honor and justice! The fourth one especially—protecting fellow Hunters while still allowing pursuit of true evil!"
Kate glanced at him. "They're guidelines, not laws. People will interpret them however suits their purposes."
"But they exist! That means the Association believes in something higher than mere self-interest!" Gawain's eyes shone. "This is exactly the kind of knightly order I've always dreamed of!"
Bajiao snorted. "Kid, you're going to be disappointed real fast if you think most Hunters are running around being noble. Half of them are in it for the money and freedom."
"That doesn't mean I can't be different!" Gawain straightened. "I will be the knight the Hunter Association needs!"
Kevin hid a smile. The kid's enthusiasm was naive, but it was also genuine. In a world full of cynicism and self-interest, that kind of pure conviction was almost refreshing.
The green bean man cleared his throat. "If there are no further questions, the orientation is officially concluded. You are now licensed Hunters. The world is yours to explore." He paused, then added with a slightly ominous tone: "For better or worse."
The new Hunters filed out of the room, their licenses clutched carefully or tucked into secure pockets. In the corridor, they paused, uncertain of what came next.
"So..." Bajiao looked around. "What now? Do we just... leave?"
"Generally, yes." Kate shrugged. "The exam is over. We're Hunters. What we do with that is up to us."
Goreinu looked at his license again, as if expecting it to vanish. "I still can't believe it. Last place in the final phase, and I still made it."
"Last place among Hunters is still a Hunter," Kevin said. "Don't forget that."
A moment of silence. Then Bajiao grinned. "Well, I don't know about you all, but I'm going to find the nearest restaurant and eat until I can't move. Three days of island rations and airship food—I've earned a real meal."
"That's actually not a bad idea," Goreinu admitted. "Celebrate together? One last time before we all go our separate ways?"
Kevin glanced at Kate, who nodded slightly. "I could eat."
They looked at Gawain, who hesitated. "I... should probably begin my training. My Nen is still unstable, and if I'm going to be a knight worthy of the name—"
"Training on an empty stomach?" Bajiao interrupted. "That's how you train badly. Come on, one meal. Then you can go be a knight."
Gawain considered this, then nodded solemnly. "You're right. A knight must maintain his strength. I will join you."
They walked together through the hotel corridors, past staff who nodded respectfully at the new Hunters, out into the city streets. The Kakin Empire sprawled around them, a mix of ancient tradition and modern ambition.
Kevin fell into step beside Kate. "What will you do now?"
"Continue my search," Kate said simply. "The trail I'm following—it's getting warmer. With a Hunter license, I can access records and locations that were closed to me before." He glanced at Kevin. "And you?"
"Return to Lutto. There are people waiting for me there. A project I need to continue." Kevin paused. "But after that... I have my own search. An inheritance, according to a prophecy."
Kate's eyebrow rose. "Prophecy?"
"A child's Nen ability. It pointed me north, toward something waiting." Kevin shrugged. "I don't understand it yet. But I will."
They walked in comfortable silence for a moment. Then Kate spoke again.
"That offer you made Rock—about joining your 'forge.' Was it genuine?"
"Completely."
"And if I made a similar offer? For information sharing, mutual support?"
Kevin glanced at him. "You want in?"
Kate smiled faintly. "I want to see what you build. And I suspect that whatever it is, it will intersect with my own searches eventually. Having allies in unexpected places is never a bad thing."
Kevin extended his hand. Kate took it.
"Welcome to the forge," Kevin said.
They found a restaurant—a bustling place filled with locals and travelers, the air thick with the smell of spices and grilled meat. They took a large table near the back, and Bajiao immediately began ordering everything on the menu.
As the food arrived and conversation flowed, Kevin felt something he hadn't expected: contentment. Not just relief at passing, not just satisfaction at achieving his goal, but genuine happiness at being surrounded by people he trusted.
The exam had forged bonds he hadn't anticipated. Bonds that would last beyond this night, beyond this city, beyond this moment.
Gawain was explaining his knightly code to a bemused Goreinu. Bajiao was composing a haiku about the meal. Kate sat quietly, observing everything with those calm, knowing eyes.
Kevin raised his glass. "To new Hunters. And to the journeys ahead."
They drank.
Outside, the Kakin night hummed with life. And somewhere in the distance, the future waited—full of challenges, discoveries, and the slow, steady forging of something greater than any of them could yet imagine.
Kate nodded thoughtfully, understanding the practical necessity behind Kevin's enterprise. "A Potion Hunter would limit you, I think. Better to have that as a skill, not an identity."
"Exactly." Kevin glanced at the form in Kate's hand. "The materials for higher-grade potions are rare and expensive. Without significant capital, I'd be stuck at D and C grade forever. This company—and the connections it brings—will let me fund the real work."
"The real work being?"
Kevin was silent for a moment, watching the Kakin street life flow around them. Merchants hawking goods, children running, officials in fine robes, workers in simple clothes. A world of ordinary people living ordinary lives, unaware of the hidden powers that shaped their reality.
"The Dark Continent," Kevin said finally. "Ging mentioned it. The place beyond the known world, filled with dangers and wonders. If I want to push my abilities to their limits, if I want to find materials that don't exist anywhere else—that's where I need to go."
Kate's eyebrows rose. "Ambitious. Most Hunters never even consider attempting a journey there."
"Most Hunters don't have a Nen ability that requires exotic materials to reach its full potential." Kevin smiled slightly. "I don't plan to go tomorrow, or next year. But eventually. And when I do, I want to have resources, allies, and enough strength to survive."
They walked in silence for a block, the weight of that future hanging between them.
Then Kate spoke. "When you go, I want to come."
Kevin glanced at him.
"The Dark Continent is the ultimate unknown," Kate said quietly. "I've spent my life searching for answers, for truths hidden from the world. What's out there... it's the biggest mystery of all." He met Kevin's eyes. "I'm not asking for a promise. Just... keep me in mind."
Kevin nodded slowly. "I will."
They reached a crossroads—literally and figuratively. Kevin's path led to the airship port, back to Lutto and the forge he was building. Kate's led deeper into the city, toward whatever trail he was following.
"Stay safe," Kevin said.
"You too." Kate paused, then added: "And Kevin—about that 9.9% discount. I'll hold you to it."
Kevin laughed. "I'd expect nothing less."
They clasped hands briefly, then separated—two Hunters walking their own paths, but connected now by bonds that would last.
The airship ride back to Lutto gave Kevin time to think. He sat alone in his cabin, watching clouds pass beneath him, and reviewed everything that had happened.
The exam was over. He was a licensed Hunter. The forge had its first official members: himself, Kate (informally), Rock (if he returned next year), and through them, potentially others.
The pharmaceutical company was established, ready to begin operations. Light's connections would handle distribution. The first products were already developed, waiting for production.
The Kurta—Pairo, Kurapika, Rosana—were training under Mori. By now, they'd have made progress. Their Nen abilities would be developing, their bodies strengthening, their minds sharpening.
And the Phantom Troupe was still out there, still a threat, still waiting.
But now I have resources, Kevin thought. Allies. Information networks. The ability to fight not just as an individual, but as part of something larger.
The airship droned on. Kevin closed his eyes, letting the rhythm of the engines soothe him.
When he opened them again, the familiar landscape of Lutto was visible through the window—the city where his forge was taking shape, where survivors were becoming warriors, where a mafia don was transforming into a corporate CEO.
The airship descended.
Kevin gathered his things, checked his license one last time (still there, still real), and prepared to step back into the life he was building.
The exam was over. The real work was just beginning.
Kate took the document, his eyebrows rising as he scanned its contents. The contract was comprehensive—outlining responsibilities, compensation, and the mutual benefits of becoming an official supplier for Redstone Pharmaceuticals.
"You've thought about this," Kate said, not quite a question.
"For a while now." Kevin leaned against a nearby railing, watching the city bustle below. "The exam gave me time to refine the details. You're the first person I'm offering it to."
Kate looked up sharply. "The first? Not Rock? Not Bajiao or Goreinu?"
"Rock needs to focus on his own growth right now. Bajiao and Goreinu are friends, but they don't have skills that directly align with what I need." Kevin met Kate's eyes. "You do. Biological Survey Hunter—that means you'll be traveling to remote places, documenting unknown species, exploring uncharted territories. Those are exactly the places where rare materials are found."
Kate read further. The contract offered fair compensation for materials delivered, first option to purchase any Kevin-produced potions, and a standing invitation to use the forge's resources—safe houses, information networks, logistical support.
"And if I find something extraordinary? Something you can't afford?"
"Then we negotiate. Or you keep it for yourself." Kevin shrugged. "I'm not trying to own you, Kate. I'm trying to build a network of people who can help each other. You find materials, I turn them into potions, you get first access to those potions. Everyone benefits."
Kate was quiet for a long moment, the contract rustling slightly in his grip. Then he laughed—a soft, genuine sound.
"You know, when I first met you, I thought you were just another strong candidate. Interesting, but not unusual." He folded the contract carefully and tucked it into his jacket. "I was wrong."
"So you're in?"
"I'm in. But I reserve the right to renegotiate if this 'forge' of yours turns into something I don't like."
"Fair enough."
They stood together for another moment, watching the city. Then Kate checked his watch.
"I should go. My trail won't follow itself."
"Keep in touch." Kevin extended his hand. "And Kate—be careful. The world's gotten more dangerous lately."
Kate shook firmly. "It always has been. We just didn't notice before."
He walked away, disappearing into the crowd with that easy, fluid grace that marked everything he did. Kevin watched until he was gone, then turned toward the airship port.
One more ally secured. One more piece of the forge in place.
The work continued.