"How is it?" Menchi asked as she sheathed her two knives. "What do you think of us? You don't think much of us, do you?"
Germain looked at Bisky and Wing standing nearby. When they nodded, he said, "I think you're good enough to be our allies."
"The 'Danger Zone' you mentioned must be dangerous, since the four of you 'Nen masters' are keeping it a secret."
"Whether it's dangerous depends on the situation," Germain said, pointing toward the mansion. "We'll show you some information, and then you can decide..."
Menchi, with her experience, interjected, "Regardless of our decision to join you or not, we must keep things here confidential. Don't worry, we've been professional hunters for a long time."
"Leaking information would make us enemies among hunters," Buhara added with a grin. "Everyone would hate us."
Menchi pointed at Germain and said, "Unless you're planning something evil and crossing our boundaries... But from what we've seen, you don't seem like that kind of person."
Germain pursed his lips and said, "Then come with us."
Menchi and Buhara followed closely behind.
Germain walked up the grassy slope and stood in front of Kurapika. "Kurapika, you and Zushi will continue your training deep in the forest. Wing will guide you here."
Kurapika blinked. He had only caught glimpses of the fight between Teacher Germain and Menchi. He saw that Menchi's double knives could fly like puppets in her hands.
Kurapika was intrigued by "Nen ability" and wondered how long it would take him to master it and catch up to Mr. Germain's current strength.
Kurapika wasn't about to disobey Teacher Germain's orders. He glanced at Menchi and Buhara, still confused, but agreed.
Wing nodded at Germain, then led the confused Kurapika and the excited Zushi towards the woods by the lake.
After sending Kurapika and Zushi, who weren't ready to participate, Germain and Bisky took Menchi and Buhara into the house.
Shizuku happened to come down the stairs and stretched. "Why are you all here? Didn't you want Germain to evaluate the new recruits?"
"It's done," Menchi replied, rolling her eyes. "And can't you remember our names? You've been calling us 'newcomers' since yesterday."
"Menbu." Shizuku pointed at Menchi and then at Buhara. "Bura."
"It's Menchi and Buhara," Menchi corrected with a slight frown. It wasn't the first time she had to correct Shizuku.
Shizuku looked puzzled, standing on the last step of the stairs, tilting her head as if trying to process the information and sort out her memories.
Bisky emerged from a room, holding a thick book with both hands. "Here's the information we've compiled. You can take some time to read it."
"Okay."
Menchi took the book without hesitation.
Considering Buhara's large size, Menchi sat cross-legged on the plush carpet and opened the book so Buhara could also see it.
The first page was clearly titled "Observations on the Dark Continent."
"Dark..."
Menchi's hands trembled as she held the book. She looked up at Buhara, who also seemed astonished, to make sure she wasn't imagining things.
"You guys..." Menchi glanced up at Bisky, who was smiling at her.
"Anyway, please read it first," Bisky said, placing her hands on her hips. "If you have any questions or need to discuss what you read, ask after you finish."
Menchi felt a shiver run down her spine, and the book felt much heavier now. But, with no other options, she and Buhara continued reading.
The first chapter discussed Germain's "lantern," the key to the "journey to the Dark Continent."
The second chapter covered the "Dry Valley," the third the "Mud Land," the fourth the "Spider Valley Bottom," and the fifth the "Wall of the World Tree."
If that wasn't overwhelming enough, the final chapter, "The Ancient Labyrinth City," left them stunned.
The secrets revealed in V5, including "hope and disaster," "Herb for All-illnesses and Botanical Weapon, Brion," seemed especially strange given the text and illustrations.
"How can you show us international-level secrets like this?"
Before Menchi could turn the last page, she suddenly panicked and stood up. Bisky quickly placed her hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back down onto the carpet.
"Now," Bisky said with a sly glint in her eyes, "we're in this together."
Germain leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching them intently.
"Many people know the secrets of the Dark Continent. You don't need to be so anxious. Not every part of it is as dangerous as you might think."
He moved away from the wall, crossed the room, and sat down cross-legged in front of Menchi and Buhara.
"Bisky and I believe you'll keep our secret and that you're strong enough to join us. But there's one last thing. Are you willing to come with us?"
Menchi began to calm down.
Buhara looked at her with concern and said, "Menchi, you should decide. You've always made the right decisions before."
"That's just luck," Menchi murmured. "We survived each time, so every decision I made seemed right."
She looked down at the book titled "Dark Continent News" for a while, then looked up at Germain, Bisky, and Shizuku.
"Why did you form a team to go to the Dark Continent? Your reasons will help me make my decision."
Germain, Bisky, and Shizuku exchanged glances. Germain spoke first: "I want to explore the Dark Continent's depths and push the limits of human ability."
Bisky followed: "I'm searching for a unique gem. Since most gems are owned by the wealthy and collectors in the six continents, I have to look beyond them."
She added, "Germain is a professional hunter I discovered. I suggested he leave the dark world and the Phantom Troupe. I feel responsible for him and don't want him to risk his life in the Dark Continent."
When Bisky mentioned her "responsibility," her fingers showed a small gap between her index finger and thumb.
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