Leo stepped off the airship and once again set foot on the soil of Kent City.
It had been a year and a half since he last came here.
At that time, he had just emerged from the Secret Realm "Eternal Chamber," and his understanding of this world was still at a theoretical level.
Now, revisiting the old place and looking at the familiar streets and buildings, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
He did not stay in the city for too long.
Three days ago, after Biscuit left, Leo gathered Sophia, Shizuku, and Nico to inform them that he was going away.
"I'm going out for a while, and I'm not sure when I'll be back."
Leo said.
"Sophia, take good care of Shizuku. Nico, continue searching for traces of the Phantom Troupe, and notify me immediately if you find anything."
After making the arrangements, he set off on his journey to Kent City alone.
During this period, various unexpected situations had occurred one after another—from the life-and-death battle on Aistan Island, to meeting Shizuku, and then to the confrontation with the members of the Phantom Troupe.
Things happened one after another, and he had almost no complete time to focus on increasing his Rank.
Now, while taking advantage of the gap while Nico was gathering intelligence, he had to seize the time to become stronger.
According to Leo's estimation, members of the Phantom Troupe usually acted in pairs, unless there was a major operation that required them to assemble.
The news of Uvogin and Franklin's deaths should be kept hidden for two to three months—provided that they did not contact each other frequently.
But this was just an optimistic estimate.
Given Chrollo's caution, once he discovered that two members had been out of contact for a long time, he would inevitably launch an investigation and gather all the members.
Therefore, what Leo needed to do was to weaken the strength of the Phantom Troupe as much as possible before the other side noticed.
And to achieve this, he needed stronger power.
"Shimeile Wetland..."
Leo stood on the outskirts of Kent City, looking towards the distant horizon.
There were enough prey there.
Passing through the familiar city center, Leo entered Biscayne Forest Park.
This forest had been "visited" by him once last year, and there were fewer large creatures.
He did not stop and continued to head deeper.
Three hours later, a slanted wooden signpost appeared in his field of vision by the side of the road.
The paint on the sign had peeled off, but the warning text written in dark red paint was still shocking.
Ahead: Shimeile Wetland
Extremely dangerous! Trespassers will be responsible for the consequences!
This sign was like an invisible dividing line.
On this side of the sign, although the forest was primitive, one could at least feel the vitality.
On the other side of the sign, the air became significantly more humid and viscous, the light was dim, and one could vaguely smell the unique rot of a swamp.
"Here we are."
Leo stopped in his tracks.
Just as he was about to step into the wetland—
"Roar——!!!"
An extremely violent roar exploded from behind!
The dense vegetation was torn open by a brutal force, and a huge, heart-stopping figure rushed out.
It was a bear.
But it was by no means an ordinary bear.
Its size was comparable to a small truck, its body was covered with thick black fur like steel needles, and its muscles were knotted like piles of rocks.
The most striking feature was the two thick, curved, giant horns on its head that shimmered with a cold metallic light in the dim light—each one was as thick as an adult's arm.
Giant Horned Bear.
This name appeared in Leo's mind.
He remembered that it had appeared in the anime, and the scales growing at the base of its horns were described as top-tier ingredients, a dream delicacy that even Gourmet Hunters flocked to.
However, at this moment, a more practical thought occupied his mind.
He rubbed his stomach—having traveled for three consecutive hours, he was indeed hungry.
"Just right."
A Hunter's smile curled up on the corner of Leo's mouth.
"Eating some bear paw seems nice."
Before he finished speaking, his figure had already disappeared from in front of the Giant Horned Bear.
The Giant Horned Bear didn't even react to where the prey had gone; its huge head turned left and right, emitting a confused low roar.
The next second, Leo appeared behind it like a ghost.
The giant bear finally sensed the fatal crisis!
It twisted its body violently, and its giant horns swept over, the wind pressure uprooting the surrounding shrubs!
But Leo's movements were faster.
He didn't use any fancy techniques; he just raised his right hand and punched lightly at the vital point where the Giant Horned Bear's neck connected to its head.
Pfft.
A dull, muffled sound of bone and flesh.
The Giant Horned Bear's violent movements came to an abrupt halt.
The fierce light in its eyes extinguished instantly, and its pupils dilated.
Its huge body stiffened for a moment, and then it collapsed to the ground like a sack with all its bones removed.
The ground trembled violently, kicking up a circle of dust.
The whole process, from start to finish, took less than three seconds.
"Done."
Leo shook his hand.
The tattoo on the back of his hand felt the familiar warmth.
[Life Energy +25]
[Rank: 49 (84%)]
On a relatively dry open space on the edge of Biscayne Forest Park, near the wetland.
The bonfire was burning fiercely, and the orange-red tongues of flame licked the night, dispelling the cold air permeating from the wetland.
Leo skillfully roasted the cleaned bear paws and bear meat over the fire.
Grease dripped into the fire, making an alluring "sizzling" sound, and the rich aroma of roasted meat began to permeate the air.
He sat on a smooth large stone nearby, holding a large piece of bear meat with a golden, crispy skin, and bit into it hungrily.
The meat was tender and juicy, with the unique, rich flavor of wild creatures.
Just as he was focused on enjoying it, his chewing action suddenly paused slightly.
Leo turned his head suddenly, his gaze shooting like lightning toward the shadows of the dense forest on the edge of the open space.
There, a figure was slowly walking out from the shadows of the trees.
The person had striking short green hair, with six playful little braids on top of her head, swaying gently with her footsteps.
She was only wearing a very distinctive black mesh see-through short-sleeved top, boldly revealing her tight abdomen and smooth waistline.
Her face wore an expression interwoven with curiosity and caution as she slowly approached, her eyes scanning back and forth between the campfire, the roasted meat, and the huge bear carcass not far away.
"Excuse me."
A crisp, bright, and lively female voice rang out.
"I saw smoke rising from here from a distance, and I smelled something very fragrant, so I couldn't help but come over to take a look."
She said, looking at Leo curiously.
"Are you alone?"
Leo was stunned.
This image... Menchi?
The moment he saw the person clearly, his tense nerves relaxed, and a smile even appeared on the corner of his mouth.
He put down the roasted meat in his hand and wiped the grease off his hands.
"I know you."
Leo said, his tone carrying a hint of familiarity and certainty.
"Gourmet Hunter Menchi. A recognized Genius in the Gourmet Hunter world, with an almost harsh and perfect pursuit of ingredients, and having earned the One-Star Hunter title due to contributions to culinary culture."
When Menchi heard these words, her eyes lit up instantly.
Especially the word "Genius" and the affirmation of her pursuit of ingredients, which immediately made a bright, sun-like, unreservedly proud smile bloom on her face.
"Oh? You know me?"
She puffed out her chest, clearly very pleased.
"Then can you tell me what to call you? You know my name, but I don't know what yours is yet."
"Leo, also a Hunter."
Leo said simply.