Chapter 124: New Creature × The Dark Continent ( Haze Chapter)
The Island of Heroes officially opened to the public a month ago, following a massive advertising campaign by the Mafia. Now, news about the game could be found across nearly every mainstream media outlet.
There were even video interviews with members of the development team, such as Morel.
Thanks to this intense promotion, The Island of Heroes' popularity skyrocketed, drawing the attention of countless Nen users.
To the general public, Nen was an unknown concept. For those outside of it, The Island of Heroes was just an ordinary online portable game… but through the Hunter website or other Nen-user-accessible channels, it was revealed that those who completed the game and defeated the final boss could gain access to the true Island of Heroes.
This was something only Nen users could discover…
The mastermind behind this idea and design was none other than Ging Freecss, who played a key role during the six months the Island had been active. Most importantly, the binding effect of the "Player's Contract" had been further strengthened.
Beyond the game's main story, Ging added numerous fun life-related and gameplay elements to daily breaks and downtime, increasing player engagement and loyalty.
After completing all this, Ging Freecss left The Island of Heroes, leaving behind a message saying he would return once he had raised his base player rank.
At his current level, few opponents could offer him any meaningful challenge.
During his time on the Island, Ging also summoned Kite, who stayed for a few days before leaving again.
Kite had been quite busy lately ... his visit had been a stroke of luck.
Haze and Ging exchanged contact information, so they spoke occasionally.
People like Ging rarely kept in touch with others, so his continued communication with Haze clearly showed a desire to understand him over time.
Haze understood his intentions, but he didn't mind.
Over the past year, the game world had been filled with a large influx of "energy recharge," running more smoothly than ever. He felt he would soon be able to disconnect ...
He had officially mastered three Nen abilities!
Haze returned to the Association's headquarters, where he reunited with Menchi and the other four, all of whom had completed a year of training.
The change in them was immense ... not just in power, but especially in attitude. Their personalities were still distinct, but they were no longer the naive novices they once were.
Now, within the team, besides Haze, a two-star Hunter, the others had all become one-star Hunters.
Menchi's achievements and experience were almost enough to earn her two-star status… yet her strength still needed improvement.
Otherwise, even if she applied, the Association's board would likely reject it.
Still, her current power far surpassed what it had been in the original timeline.
This growth was inseparable from Haze's leadership during their year of training.
"What are you planning now? Going for three-star rank?" Menchi asked her captain in the Association's hall.
It had been a long time since they'd seen Haze.
Upon reuniting, the feeling she gave off was… incomprehensible.
Two years ago, when the team was first formed, Haze was already strong, but at least back then, her teammates could still perceive her power.
Now… even though they'd improved immensely in the past two years, they were still far behind this person.
Haze's tireless training wasn't out of kindness or goodwill.
Menchi's only wish was to become a three-star Hunter ... and that meant taking on a three-star mission.
Such missions couldn't be accepted through ordinary procedures; they had to be assigned by the Guild Leader and senior officials.
"That's right," Haze said with a smile. "But not only do I need to reach three stars… all of you need to get stronger too."
"Looks like we're about to start another adventure," Anthony said with a grin.
Even becoming a two-star Hunter was no small feat. Currently, Menchi was the only one who seemed close to achieving it.
For someone like Anthony, being a one-star Hunter was already an accomplishment.
Still, the six-person team had grown close emotionally, and they trusted and respected Haze completely ... so they would follow wherever their captain led.
"Have you already accepted the mission?" Menchi asked, noticing Haze's expression.
Haze nodded.
"Then let's go ... what are we waiting for?" Menchi pressed.
Perhaps influenced by Haze, everyone had developed the habit of acting decisively, a trait ingrained during their solo missions over the past year.
"Waiting for someone," Haze replied.
"To join another team?" Menchi was slightly surprised.
Given the nature of a three-star mission, it made sense. Such missions were rare ... perhaps only one or two a year ... and some had remained uncompleted for a long time.
"Not a team," Haze said with a faint smile. "The Association is temporarily providing outside support."
"Outside support? Do they think we can't handle it?" Anthony frowned, confused.
Hunters passing by greeted Haze respectfully, and she returned each greeting with kindness.
She was quite popular within the Association now.
"They're here," Haze said suddenly, spotting a figure approaching with their head lowered.
As the newcomer approached, Menchi and the others went pale.
It was… one of the Twelve Zodiacs.
The Monkey: Xi You.
How could a Zodiac be joining them?!
Menchi immediately looked to Haze, searching for an answer, but he had said nothing beforehand.
Normally, the Twelve Zodiacs ... being part of the Association's upper command ... rarely involved themselves in other teams' missions unless under special circumstances.
This three-star mission shouldn't have been a problem with Haze already on board.
So why involve a Zodiac? Especially considering Haze's position within the Association, this was… suspicious.
Over the past two years, Menchi had learned a lot about the Association's internal politics.
Haze had once been nominated for a Zodiac seat ... but she'd refused!
And she also had a poor relationship with the vice chairman, Pariston.
Menchi sensed a conspiracy brewing.
"And one more…"
Feitan, smoking a cigarette, turned his gaze aside.
Gail the Serpent.
Two members of the Twelve Zodiacs.
"Hello, everyone," Haze greeted warmly.
Though she'd been in the Association for years, Haze had rarely appeared publicly and had only ever met Pariston among the Zodiacs.
Menchi and Anthony exchanged looks ... they both knew what this meant.
This mission… was going to be complicated.
They were no rookies ... it was obvious the Zodiacs were here because of their captain.
As her teammates, they would have to remain wary of these two and, without question, side with Haze.
"I suppose introductions aren't necessary," said Gail coldly.
"Of course," Haze replied with her gentle smile. "We'll have plenty of time to talk on the way."
Xi You twirled her weapon ... a shrinking staff ... glanced at Haze's companions, and walked ahead.
The group left the Association together.
This three-star mission had an unknown level of danger.
Though still within the Human World, the destination was close to the Dark Continent's outermost edge.
Between Möbius Lake ... where the Human World lay ... and the Dark Continent were several small deserted islands.
The Association had received intel suggesting that species from the Dark Continent might have infiltrated one of these islands. If not stopped, they could bring devastating catastrophe upon humanity.
Their destination: the Tenth Island of Route Three.
The team's objective was only to investigate. After all, the report could be inaccurate.
If Dark Continent creatures were found, they didn't need to engage ... just return immediately.
Even so, given the connection to the Dark Continent, the mission had been ranked three-star. Still, it was puzzling why two Zodiacs had been dispatched.
To Haze, it was clear: this was entirely the will of the Zodiacs.
Ging Freecss's goal had been achieved ...
The Twelve Zodiacs had begun to focus on Haze.
Whether Pariston was behind it remained uncertain.
As vice chairman, Pariston held more power than the other Zodiacs, making it easy for him to manipulate things behind the scenes.
When V5 ventured to the Dark Continent, there were several official routes ... each tied to the two expeditions of the Chairman. Humanity, however, had only ever reached the edges of the Continent, discovering the Five Great Calamities there ... never venturing further inward.
They had never truly entered the Dark Continent ... merely lingered at its fringes.
And even that had come at great cost.
A week later, Haze and the eight others reported to V5's Ferry Administration before boarding the officially designated ship bound for the Third Route's tenth island.
"If the report turns out false, then we basically just ran errands and still cleared a three-star mission," Anthony said, sitting cross-legged with a tabloid magazine in hand.
Across from him, Gail read a pharmacology book. Without looking up, she said flatly, "It's very likely true. This mission came directly from V5, meaning it's neither groundless nor public. Only mission personnel and high-ranking Association members know of it."
Even without her stressing it, everyone understood what "Dark Continent" meant ...
Taboo.
"I heard the Kakin Empire sent people too…" Haze said, raising an eyebrow and glancing at Xi You.
"Really? I hadn't heard that," Gail said, surprised, lowering her book.
"The Kakin Empire once commissioned research on a new species… oh right, that was when Pariston became vice chairman," Haze said with a knowing smile.
"So reckless?" Gail's tone cooled. Remembering past incidents involving Haze, she realized it was true.
Nearly thirty years ago, the Kakin Empire underwent revolution, renaming itself and breaking from the V5 Treaty ... eventually becoming the independent superpower it is today.
Among the six continents, Kakin was one of the most powerful nations, fully autonomous from V5… and V5 could do little about it.
The so-called "new biological research" referred to species never before seen in the Human World ... its true target, of course, being the Dark Continent.
Kakin seemed intent on violating the ancient rule: "The Dark Continent shall remain untrespassed."
A dangerous, unpredictable move.
Their team only needed to investigate, but if Kakin operatives reached the island and caused an incident ... or brought unknown species ...
"Don't worry," Haze said, sensing the tension. "From what I know, V5 is already aware and will send others to stop them… but they won't assign that to us."
"As for this new creature Kakin is studying," Haze continued, "do you have any idea what it is?"
"A new creature? It's been a while… but yes, the number of research missions commissioned by the Association has definitely increased lately. Could it be related to ours?" Menchi asked, frowning.
"It must be," Haze nodded. "Because of this new species, V5 is on high alert about possible infiltration from the Dark Continent."
"What do you know?" Gail pressed.
The Association hadn't completed any deep research yet ... but judging by Haze's expression, she knew something.
Haze just shook her head. "I'm only guessing. If the creature truly comes from the Dark Continent… things could get serious."
But she wasn't telling the truth.
The "new creature" was the Chimera Ant.
The ants had already begun breeding within the Human World ... on the Barusha Islands, inside the autonomous nation of NGL within the Mitene Federation.
NGL was infamous as the most isolated nature reserve in existence ... harder to enter than even East Gorteau.
Speaking of NGL, one could not ignore its founder, Zailo, a man molded by hatred toward humanity.
Creating NGL was his revenge ... a way to unleash chaos upon the world.
Drugs, weapons, pharmaceuticals ... every kind of contraband came from this land, threatening countless lives.
NGL had long been a problem for V5 ... harder to control than East Gorteau, functioning more like a vast criminal syndicate than a nation.
Given its self-imposed isolation, V5 could do nothing but watch as it spread disorder.
Zailo had clearly planned for that from the start.
Thus, the research into these "new creatures" had progressed slowly.
The outside world knew nothing of what was happening within NGL.
And part of that delay was due to Pariston's interference.
He had long set his sights on Chairman Netero, hoping to use the Ants to create chaos.
His ultimate goal was to overturn the old man's ban on Dark Continent exploration ... and perhaps, to destroy the man he both idolized and sought to surpass.
Another man involved was Beyond Netero (Bi Yangde).
As for Haze, he hadn't intervened in the Chimera Ant incident because their large-scale reproduction actually benefited him. If hunting magical beasts granted him souls and black mist… what would happen with Chimera Ants?
The amplification effect would be even greater.
Moreover, the Chairman's abdication was also part of his plan.
Still, even now, Haze might try to save the old man ... but his chances were slim.
It wouldn't be long before the Chairman and the Chimera Ant King, Meruem, began their legendary battle…
And at that level, Haze couldn't interfere ... not yet.
After all, leaving aside the Poor Man's Rose, the Chairman himself hadn't exerted much real pressure on the King… let alone Haze.
When the Queen first arrived on human soil, Haze was still far away ... training in the mountains or fighting at Heaven's Arena.
The fall of Netero… was fate. Something Haze could not change.
His arrival in this world had already triggered several "butterfly effects" ... Biscuit, Wing, the Phantom Troupe, Hisoka… but some events were destined to remain beyond his control.
(End of Chapter)