Chapter 107: Two-Star Mission
The team was still just a prototype. A few key members were missing like someone with healing abilities.
But Haze wasn't in a rush. He preferred to wait and see.
In fact, when he met Biscuit, he had considered inviting her,
but feared she would refuse.
Though Biscuit's Nen ability wasn't directly curative, it had regenerative properties.
So, Haze took his five teammates to the Hunter Association Headquarters
and began searching for missions.
He went straight for the hardest ones.
These extremely difficult missions usually required approval from the Review Department… and newcomers like Gabwich and Anthony would likely be rejected.
That's why Haze planned to find the Chairman and take an indirect route.
After their previous battle, the old man, Netero, seemed to have lost interest in him… and had no intention of helping again.
To Haze, Netero had merely "opened the door."
Whatever lay beyond it that was up to him.
Or maybe… the old man simply didn't want to deal with him anymore.
"Pariston became Vice Chairman?"
In the hallway, Haze scrolled through the Association's website on his laptop, browsing the mission list.
When they entered the building, he overheard some Hunters talking.
"Well, yeah… the Chairman appointed him personally not long ago,"
Menchi replied.
"Three Stars?"
Haze turned back to the screen.
"Yes."
From Two-Star to Three-Star in just two years…
Considering Pariston's age, the man was undeniably capable.
"Let's take this one," Haze said after a moment, pointing to the screen.
"Two… Star… difficulty?"
Gabwich stammered as he looked at the mission icon.
"I was going to go for Three-Star," Haze said casually, "but since our team still needs time to adjust, we'll start with Two-Star."
A Two-Star mission meant that even with a Two-Star Hunter as leader, success wasn't guaranteed.
Difficulty scaled with danger.
Mission:
The Ochima Federation has commissioned the Association to assist in an archaeological excavation.
There are reports of foreign forces attempting to steal or destroy the site's treasures and resources.
Anthony leaned closer, reading aloud word by word.
The Ochima Federation one of the V5 nations.
"It's not an official government request," Haze added, "but a large corporation within the Ochima Federation."
"Even so," Menchi frowned, "if such a massive company has government backing and its own Nen users, yet still needs help… then the opposing force must be from another V5 nation."
"Most likely," Haze nodded.
Her insight impressed him. Menchi had seen a lot more than her age suggested.
Even a small, isolated nation like Eastern Gotuo had numerous powerful Nen users.
Open nations, then, were an entirely different story.
Star-level missions almost always involved state-level entities or non-governmental organizations tied to them.
Any group capable of challenging the Ochima Federation was likely a hostile V5 force.
The V5 might appear united under the UN's supervision, but in truth, political and economic rivalries still brewed behind the scenes.
Conflicts rarely made the public eye they were handled quietly, through proxy organizations or covert Hunters.
"Still, we don't have any Ruins Hunters or Two-Star Hunters," Menchi noted.
The Review Department would almost certainly reject their application.
"Star-level missions are rare," Haze said. "If you find one even slightly relevant to your field, take it before someone else does. I'm a Classic Literature Hunter excavation work still falls under my field."
He pulled out his phone.
Menchi quickly realized what he was doing: calling in a favor.
Moments later, the call connected.
"Hoho… ready to start, are you?" Netero's familiar voice came through.
Haze didn't need to explain the old man immediately understood.
"I'm about to take on a mission," Haze said calmly. "But following standard procedure won't cut it. I'll need your help."
"Hohoho… go ahead," the old man laughed. "You have my approval."
With that, Haze hung up, filled out the team details, and submitted the request.
Then he turned to the others.
"Alright. Pack up we're heading straight to the Ochima Federation."
"Incredible…" Anthony muttered in awe.
Ordinary Hunters didn't have this kind of authority.
Only the Chairman could personally authorize such a mission yet Haze, not even a Star Hunter, had secured it with a single call.
Definitely special treatment.
Menchi wasn't surprised.
Others before him including members of the Zodiac Twelve had risen through similar exceptions.
A few hours later, aboard the spacecraft, Haze received confirmation from the Association:
Mission approved.
He looked at his five teammates and began explaining.
"Although our client is a major Ochima corporation, our cooperation must remain secret. Officially, we're working independently, in covert support."
He placed a laptop on the table. "This includes the company's internal data and the personnel stationed at the ruins. Take a look."
"Complicated stuff…" Anthony sighed.
The ruins were now a restricted zone, guarded 24/7 and yet hostile Nen users had still infiltrated the site.
Dozens of enemy Nen users, all powerful.
After explaining, Haze turned to Feitan, who was quietly smoking in the corner.
"For this first mission, I don't want surprises. Your job is simple: protect them. I'll deal with the enemy."
"I don't need protection," Menchi replied coolly, spinning a gleaming kitchen knife.
"Alright then." Haze smiled faintly. "Rita, Gabwich, Anthony you'll handle reconnaissance and intel. Keep communication open at all times."
Anthony blinked. "Wait… you mean you're taking on the front lines alone? That makes the rest of us look useless!"
Still, considering their captain's strength, he couldn't really object.
"Each of you has your strengths," Haze continued. "Without your support, I can't complete this mission alone. This first operation is mainly for you to adapt to each other to understand each other's Nen and coordination. Later, I won't need to lead."
He paused, then added with a grin,
"Read the mission details carefully this isn't a normal job. It's practically national-level. You'll be facing Hunters, mercenaries, assassins, maybe even state-trained Nen users. The elite among elites."
He looked around the cabin.
"The Fourth of the Ten Hunter Rules states: 'Hunters cannot treat other Hunters as prey, but Hunters who commit heinous crimes are not protected by this rule.'"
"This means that while only one official Association team is assigned here, others might show up unofficially. Stay alert we might encounter fellow Hunters."
The room grew silent.
"Leave it to him," Menchi said firmly.
She knew Haze best.
The reason he had caused such a stir in the Association back then…
was because the mission the Chairman had assigned him carried a 2.5-Star difficulty,
and he had completed it almost single-handedly.
Few knew that Hisoka had been involved back then Menchi certainly didn't.
A few days later, their ship landed in a city near the excavation site.
The six of them trekked through wilderness mountains, rivers, and dense forests until they reached the ruins.
There, Haze's team met with their contact.
"Up ahead is our secured zone," the man explained, handing over several maps.
"This map is incomplete. Just so you know, while we're partners, you'll bear full responsibility for your actions. Once we help eliminate the poachers, your identities will be disclosed. For now, you're just contracted specialists."
Haze distributed the maps.
"Whoa… these ruins are huge," Anthony exclaimed.
On the computer screen earlier, they hadn't seemed so massive but the maps now showed an area stretching dozens of kilometers.
Dozens of red dots marked enemy activity zones.
"Enemy hideouts?" Haze asked.
"Not confirmed," the contact said, "but they're active in those regions."
"Got it," Haze nodded.
"Be careful. Unknown individuals are moving within and outside the restricted area. Their affiliations are unclear. Proceed with caution."
"Just one question," Haze said, folding the map.
"Are we the only team you've hired? No other allied units?"
"Yes," the man confirmed.
"That's better," Haze smiled faintly. "I'd hate to kill allies by mistake."
The man froze at his words.
"You've got one month," he warned. "After that, even partial progress counts as failure."
"Understood," Haze replied.
Once the man left, Feitan turned to him. "So… what's the plan, Captain?"
"First, clear every red point outside the restricted zone," Haze ordered.
"Team, stay alert begin the hunt!"
"Wait are we really killing them all?" Menchi's tone shifted slightly.
There were many ways to complete a mission: warnings, intimidation, subdual…
But Haze had chosen the bloodiest path.
"This mission marks the beginning of our true teamwork," Haze said quietly.
"You'll need to get used to how I operate. The members I want by my side must be compatible with me. Of course, if anyone feels uncomfortable, you're free to leave anytime."
He looked at each of them.
Silence filled the air.
"Since there are no objections…"
Haze's voice grew colder.
"Let's begin."
(End of Chapter)