A high-ranking police officer approached and asked a few casual questions before letting them go and preventing other officers from getting close. Kurapika's wooden sword was also taken out of the luggage and handed over first.
Germain led Kurapika away from the crowd that had finished their interrogation and exited the airport.
As they walked through a quiet corridor and out of the airport, Germain said, "You can ask me one question, and I'll answer it. Consider it your reward for spending time with me."
Kurapika paused for a moment, surprised.
Germain continued walking, ignoring him.
Wearing a bird-beak mask, Germain attracted some attention, but most people thought he was just doing "cosplay" and didn't take him seriously.
Soon, Kurapika caught up and quickly decided on his question.
"How can I become as powerful as you?"
He didn't waste the chance to ask about other things but went straight to the point. This was what he needed to know most.
"Take the Professional Hunter exam," Germain replied, stopping a taxi. "Once you have your Hunter license, someone will teach you."
He gave Kurapika the same advice he had given Killua and then got into the back seat of the taxi.
A "Professional Hunter"… I understand now. The license he showed the police must have been a Hunter's license.
Professional Hunters hold an extraordinary status, so even the police did not dare to be dismissive. They asked a few routine questions and then let them go.
Kurapika pondered this but still had many unanswered questions.
He didn't give up and got into the taxi, sitting next to Germain.
"As far as I know…"
After sitting down, Kurapika adjusted the two wooden swords he had behind him and turned to look at Germain.
"The Hunter Exam happens once a year. This year's exam has already ended, so the earliest I can participate would be next January. I don't want to wait that long. Is there no quicker way?"
"You also mentioned that after I get my hunter's license, someone will teach me. What exactly will they teach me?"
Germain didn't respond to Kurapika's questions; he had only agreed to answer one.
He set his suitcase down and gave the driver an address.
The taxi moved slowly, stopping frequently due to city traffic, which was a bit congested. The driver had to take a detour.
Kurapika was surprised that Germain ignored his second and third questions.
With no way to address Germain's silence, Kurapika watched as Germain picked up his phone and played the game "Snake," completely indifferent to the outside world.
Kurapika fell silent, his mind working through the situation.
Outside the window, the city lights flickered, creating a dreamlike scene.
The driver's detour proved effective, and the taxi soon arrived at Itro City's landmark—a statue of a "Trojan Horse" that looked like it was made of metal but appeared wooden.
Germain and Kurapika got out of the taxi, paid the fare, and watched as it drove away, disappearing around the corner.
Kurapika took the initiative to help Germain with the suitcase, following quietly behind.
Germain glanced back at Kurapika but didn't speak. He scanned the area and soon spotted the person he was meeting.
The brown-skinned Abengane looked around nervously, pursing his lips and sighing occasionally.
When Abengane saw the man in a bird-beak mask approaching, he immediately recognized that the masked person was who he was waiting for.
Despite the change in appearance, Abengane could still sense the familiar presence.
"Ger..." Abengane began to whisper, but noticing the unfamiliar young man with Germain, he stopped and asked, "Who is he?"
"Don't worry about him. Just ignore him," Germain said. "Let's get started."
Abengane looked at the confused Kurapika with suspicion several times before nodding. "Alright, please follow me. I've reserved a place."
"You lead, and we'll follow," said Germain.
So, Germain and Kurapika followed Abengane through the bustling square and into the quieter streets. Gradually, the crowd thinned out around them.
Kurapika tried to speak up several times, wondering if it was too risky to keep following and if he should leave. Such adventures were unlike him.
But Kurapika was willing to take the risk as long as there was a chance to gain the power to defeat the "Phantom Troupe". He was determined not to give up.
He followed a man he had just met two hours ago and another he had just encountered, down some stairs into a basement.
Abengane took a key from his pocket, unlocked the door, and led them into a dark corridor. He stomped his foot, and the sensor lights lit up.
Once Germain and Kurapika were inside, Abengane peeked outside cautiously before locking the door.
"Please go ahead. It's at the end of the corridor," Abengane said, raising his hand to point. "Sorry for being so cautious. Life as a 'Nen Exorcist' has become more difficult lately."
Kurapika noted the new term "Nen Exorcist" and, while carrying Germain's suitcase, paused briefly before quickly continuing, remaining a "silent listener."
"Your ability is quite rare, isn't it?" Germain's voice, deep and muffled by his bird-beak mask, asked. "You'd think your life would be fairly good."
Abengane glanced at Kurapika. Since Germain seemed willing to discuss the topic, it appeared he trusted the young man, so Abengane felt it was safe to be more open.
"That's not the case. Not everyone is as easy to talk to as you. There are always some people who expect 'free services,' and some think my 'Nen ability' is their natural enemy."
The term "Nen ability" was a new concept for Kurapika, who listened attentively.
Abengane used a key to unlock the rolling door at the end of the corridor. With a clatter, he lifted it, revealing a completely dark room inside.
He fumbled along the wall for a moment, then flipped a switch with a click, and the room was illuminated.
Inside the approximately 80-square-meter room, there were rows of shelves filled with various potted flowers. The flowers were arranged symmetrically along a central line, with matching arrangements on the left and right sides, creating a neat and pleasing appearance.
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