The master and disciple had now expanded their influence across multiple domains.
Overall, their progress was quite impressive.
Additionally, Morin received a private commission call from Zeno of the Zoldyck family, essentially making him a VIP client of the assassin clan.
Then there was the tea session with Netero, where their conversation had gone quite smoothly.
Just before Morin left, Netero seemed to recall something and posed a final question:
"You participated in the Hunter Exam before, didn't you? Have you ever considered taking it again and officially becoming a Hunter?"
With a hearty chuckle, Netero added,
"If you did, then among the Five Strongest Nen Users in the World, there would be—"
"!1!"
"—of them coming from the Hunter Association.
"It would also make the report I submit to the V5 look a lot better, and I could get more funding approved!"
Hmm… The moment Netero said that, Morin couldn't help but suspect that his selection of "the world's five strongest Nen users" wasn't just for fun or recognition—
It was also likely a means to extract more money from the V5.
To Netero's proposal, Morin simply replied:
"That day will come, but not yet."
He smiled at Netero. "After all, a Hunter License comes with plenty of privileges. While I don't particularly care about those, having one is always better than not having one—and more importantly, it saves a lot of trouble."
Morin was definitely going to get his Hunter License.
But there was no rush.
A few years later would be just fine.
Meanwhile, in the Distant Republic of Bartoria...
Within the Sky Arena, the most famous martial arts battleground—
A tall, red-haired man, his face adorned with teardrop and star-shaped markings, strode leisurely into the arena.
"Quite the lively place, huh?"
Watching the vast gathering of martial artists, his lips curled into a charming, amused smile.
"What did you just say?!"
Suddenly, an angry, childlike voice rang out from the side.
"You're telling me you don't have any more chocolate candy?!"
The red-haired man instinctively turned his head and saw a silver-haired boy with striking, upturned locks.
His bright, piercing eyes glared at the vendor's counter.
This was an official convenience store set up at the Sky Arena's entrance, selling all kinds of necessities.
At this moment, standing before the counter—
A young boy with soft silver hair and deep blue, petal-shaped eyes glared angrily at the shop clerk.
"Sir, I'll repeat myself," the female clerk said politely, her professional smile unwavering despite the child's outburst.
"It's not that we don't have chocolate candy. It's that you don't have enough money to pay for the amount you're trying to buy."
She was clearly well-trained, responding with composure even when faced with a frustrated customer.
Then again, the fact that the "angry customer" was an adorably handsome little boy might have helped with her patience.
"What?! I don't have enough money?!"
The boy slammed his small fists onto the counter, fuming.
"I just won 750,000 Jenny in the Sky Arena, and you're telling me I don't have enough?!"
He bared his small, sharp tiger-like teeth—so adorable that anyone watching would be tempted to ruffle his hair.
Wait a minute… Why does this feel like petting a grumpy little kitten?
"I'm sorry, sir," the shop clerk continued with a kind yet firm tone.
"Please take a careful look at our chocolate candy's pricing.
"Our special edition chocolate candy is priced at 100,000 Jenny per box.
"Since you're trying to buy ten boxes, that totals 1,000,000 Jenny.
"You only have 750,000 Jenny, which is clearly insufficient."
"100,000 Jenny for just one box of chocolate candy?!!"
His eyes widened in shock.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
His anger flared up again. "This is price gouging! You're scamming your customers! I'm going to report you!"
"Sir," the clerk replied with a polite smile, "our chocolate candy is crafted using a special recipe developed by a One-Star Gourmet Hunter.
"The price is officially approved by the pricing bureau.
"If you have any concerns, you're welcome to contact them for clarification."
"Of course," she added with a signature customer service grin,
"There's actually a much simpler way to resolve your dissatisfaction—"
"You could simply choose not to buy it."
The silver-haired boy: "..."
Of course, he could choose not to buy it.
But the problem was—this chocolate candy actually tasted amazing!
It wasn't sold anywhere else.
Sky Arena was the only place that carried it.
"Tch… It's just a box of chocolate candy, but it costs as much as one of Milluki's collectible figures…"
The six-year-old muttered to himself, venting his frustration.
He had been thrown into the Sky Arena by his father for training and had already begun making a name for himself.
Now, he grumbled under his breath:
"Greedy merchants… Crooked businessmen… I curse your company's future business! When I get stronger, I'm gonna rob this place of all its chocolate candy…"
Shop clerk: "..."
Despite his complaints, the little silver-haired boy's body was more honest than his words.
Reluctantly, he forked over 700,000 Jenny and purchased seven boxes of chocolate candy.
Once the candy was in his hands, his face instantly brightened with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, a short distance away…
The red-haired man, who had been watching the entire scene unfold, observed the silver-haired boy skipping away joyfully.
His eyes gleamed with intrigue.
Slowly, his lips curled into a twisted, sinister smile.
"I never expected to find such a deliciously ripe young fruit the moment I arrived at the Sky Arena… Hehehe…!"
Taking long, deliberate strides, he began following the boy's departing figure—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!!
Three sharp whistling sounds pierced through the air, landing precisely on the ground just as the perverse magician took his first step forward.
"Hmm?!"
The magician squinted his eyes and lifted his head, looking in the direction from which the projectiles came. Approaching him was a man with a staggered gait, his movements swaying slightly as he walked.
This man had a blue mohawk, a hideous face riddled with nails, purple-tinged skin, and long, violet-painted fingernails.
"Do not go near him."
Though that grotesque face maintained a subtle smile, the killing intent exuding from his lips was bone-chilling.
"If you dare approach him, I will kill you!!"
The perverse magician glanced at the ground, where three orange-tipped nails were deeply embedded, their aura lingering without dissipating.
"Nen-infused nails?"
He raised his head and carefully examined the man's grotesque, nail-covered face before suddenly smiling.
"I see… So embedding Nen-infused nails into your face alters your appearance, achieving a disguise effect?"
"And the level of your Nen…"
The magician's bright red tongue flicked across his lips.
"How interesting! I never expected to find not just one, but two intriguing individuals the moment I arrived at Heaven's Arena."
"Ahh… I can feel my blood boiling with excitement!"
In an instant, a deck of playing cards appeared in his hands, shuffling fluidly between his fingers.
"If you don't want me interfering with that little brat, that's fine…"
A chilling smile spread across his face.
"But you'll have to entertain me with a fight!!"
"Fine!!"
The grotesque nail-covered man agreed without hesitation.
"But if I find you lurking around Heaven's Arena and bothering him afterward…"
"I won't hold back!!"
With that, he turned and continued his unsteady, swaying steps toward the exit.
As he walked away, he didn't forget to ask, "Tell me your name."
"Hisoka!!"
The magician stopped shuffling his cards and answered with a smile. Then, moving with an exaggeratedly graceful catwalk, he followed after him.
"And you?"
"Illumi."
The nail-covered man responded, "Illumi Zoldyck."
"Such a nice name. I'll remember it."
With that, the two figures left the scene, one following behind the other.
And so, the first fateful encounter between the perverse magician Hisoka and the obsessive older brother Illumi began—a connection that would last all the way until a certain engagement ring appeared in the future…?~?
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
On the Yorubian continent, in a remote, nearly isolated region—
A bright, sunny boy with short golden hair that covered his ears and warm brown eyes, remarkably similar to Shalnark, rode on horseback. A cheerful smile graced his face as he waved toward the elders behind him.
However, unlike Shalnark's, his smile was even purer and more genuine.
He wore a traditional, culturally distinctive outfit, primarily blue, with white inner garments and pants. His cloak, designed for easy movement, was ideal for concealing weapons. Hidden beneath it were two finely crafted twin swords.
"We're off, Chief Grandpa!!"
Beside the golden-haired boy was a smaller-built child dressed in a brown tunic, also enthusiastically waving his hands.
"I'll be back as soon as I escort Kurapika to his destination!!"
"Make sure to take care of yourself out there!"
"Eat well and stay warm!!"
"Don't forget to come visit whenever you can!!"
"And most importantly, remember—don't let anger consume you!!"
The heartfelt concerns and warm reminders from their fellow clan members filled Kurapika and Pairo with deep emotion.
"We will, Chief Grandpa!!"
In this secluded mountainous region, a young boy from a nearly forgotten tribe embarked on a journey beyond his homeland.
He sought to explore the vast world beyond, pursuing his dreams with unwavering determination.
Read Advanced Chapters at:
P@treon.com/ChakraMaster