After Kurapika and Mizaistom Nana met, the status of the latter's son was officially confirmed.
The first thing Kurapika did after joining the Zodiacs was assist in screening for the next Hunter Exam.
Once the applicants' strength and qualities had been evaluated, Mizaistom posed three questions for the final test.
Officially, they were meant to assess information gathering, analysis, and practical application.
But in truth, it was Mizaistom's way of conducting a deeper investigation—because among the examinees, someone affiliated with Beyond had slipped in.
Inside the exam room, a video played of Nasubi Hui Guo Rou and Beyond live-streaming their announcement of the Dark Continent Expedition to the world.
Using that footage, the examinees were asked to respond to three questions:
Question 1: Before the video was broadcast, did you already have relevant intel?Question 2: If you had prior intel, explain—within reason—how you obtained it. If you didn't, describe feasible ways you could have gathered it beforehand.Question 3: Assuming you had the intel ahead of time, describe the potential economic, social, and cultural benefits of the Dark Continent to humanity.
The first two questions were straightforward. But the third one was more revealing—it asked what the candidates personally believed the Dark Continent could offer humanity.
Mizaistom's true purpose was to understand each examinee's motivations for joining the expedition.
Each person answered the questions into a camera in an isolated room.
The Zodiacs then analyzed the footage, judging not just content, but truthfulness.
That's where Kurapika came in—his job was to detect lies.
With his Chain ability on his ring finger—specifically the Dowsing Chain—he could guide the truth out of people. Once he activated Emperor Time, that ability reached its peak.
No matter how thoroughly someone had trained to hide their emotions or physical cues, they couldn't deceive the rules enforced by Nen.
Anyone caught lying was flagged by the Dowsing Chain and immediately disqualified.
Kurapika's abilities and precision left everyone impressed.
Even Mizaistom commented, "Your ability was practically made for this moment."
But Kurapika didn't take pride in the praise. Calm and composed as always, he instead raised a sharp concern:
"Although I've filtered out a fair number of fakes, what if the real traitor was embedded in the Hunter Association long before Beyond made his move?
"If someone within the upper ranks has an ability like mine—or knows how my lie detection works—they could be helping infiltrators bypass the process.
"That's why I think we should investigate the Association itself. There may be traitors among us..."
With the cool logic of someone newly appointed but already burning with responsibility, Kurapika turned his eyes toward the Zodiacs themselves.
...
Meanwhile, in a hotel somewhere in the Kakin Empire—
Two elegant but slightly tipsy young women were supporting each other as they prepared to leave.
Suddenly, a man stepped into their path.
He was handsome in a quiet, disheveled way—dressed in a black tuxedo, his beard slightly scruffy but refined, with a melancholic air that clung to him like expensive cologne.
"Ladies," he said with a soft bow, his voice smooth and cultured. "May I have the honor of inviting you to my residence for a bit of… fun?"
His noble demeanor and effortless grace made the women hesitate, unsure whether they should be cautious—or intrigued.
Then the hotel manager appeared beside them without warning and whispered with a practiced smile:
"This gentleman is none other than His Royal Highness, the Fourth Prince of Kakin. This entire hotel belongs to him."
The Fourth Prince?!His hotel?!
No one in their right mind would joke about Kakin royalty. The women immediately believed him.
And with their curiosity now cloaked in false confidence, they accepted the prince's invitation.
...
"May the gods bless you and grant you a painless night."
The hotel manager watched silently as the two women entered the prince's car, his smile tinged with pity.
He had helped the Fourth Prince "hunt" many times before and had become vaguely aware of the man's… tendencies.
He could only hope the women's end would be swift—and merciful.
Above them, in the ink-black sky, two stars flickered weakly.
But as the night wore on, those stars dimmed, then disappeared entirely, like falling meteors vanishing into nothingness.
As if the heavens themselves were issuing a silent omen.
...
Late at night, in a luxurious residence—
The Fourth Prince, Tserriednich, watched with rapt fascination as a tattoo artist inked something onto a pair of skins that looked disturbingly human.
Just then, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, raised an eyebrow, and answered:
"Ehh, Benjamin. My dear older brother. What a surprise—what made you decide to call me?"
A voice crackled through the line, calm but imposing.
"Because I have good news for you~"
On the other end, the First Prince, Benjamin, towered with sheer muscle, his arms coiled tightly around a furious lion trying to break free.
He held the phone to his ear as the beast snarled and roared in vain.
"Our father gave the green light," Benjamin said coolly.
"Oh? Did he now?"
"He made it quite clear—whoever survives this voyage to the Dark Continent... will become the next king."
Tserriednich exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders slipping away.
"Oh... finally," he whispered, closing his eyes.
When he opened them again, all traces of calm had vanished. In their place was a void of darkness—and malice.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)