Ronnel, who didn't wait for a response, lifted his head, just in time to meet Shizuku's gaze, sparkling with excitement.
"Let's go wherever you say."
In a soft voice, Shizuku's delicate.
Feeling the warmth of her touch, Ronnel paused for a moment, then smiled.
He tossed the magazine he was reading into his space backpack and, with his other hand, affectionately stroked Shizuku's hair.
"Now, it's finally time for just the two of us."
"... Mmm~!"
Under the warm sunlight, Ronnel gazed at Shizuku with a slight smile. At that moment, everything felt extraordinarily perfect.
Ronnel thought it was great, but not everyone shared the sentiment.
"They... left."
Looking at the empty room, the playing cards slipped from Hisoka's hand, scattering across the floor.
"I was just getting... into it," he muttered with a hint of disappointment.
Standing in the corner, Machi glanced at Hisoka, who seemed to radiate deep resentment. Choosing wisely, she turned and left without a word.
Rare creatures, phantom beasts, monsters, hidden treasures, mysterious realms, and forgotten relics—each place in the six continents holds countless secrets. The allure of the unknown draws in both Hunters and ordinary adventurers alike, eager to explore new lands and mysteries.
The six continents of the Hunter world may be mere islands floating within the vast expanse of Lake Mobius, but the sheer diversity of life and culture on these lands has kept even the most dedicated Hunters puzzled for their entire lives.
(T/N: Lake Mobius is a massive lake in the center of the Dark Continent.)
Half a year had quietly passed since the end of the Battle Olympia. When the festival concluded, Ronnel's victory had been on everyone's lips. But as the months went by, and with Ronnel refusing interviews and leaving Heavens Arena to embark on a journey of training, his fame gradually faded.
Perhaps when the Battle Olympia rolls around again next year, people will recall the brilliance of this year's champion.
Dolle Harbor.
A young man dressed in a black windbreaker stepped off the airship, still talking on the phone as he walked.
"Yeah, I'll definitely get my Hunter License back this year."
"As for how long it will take, I'm aiming for a month. I plan to finish everything within that time."
"I got it. If I run into Chairman Netero, I'll say hello on your behalf."
"Shizuku's in your hands for now, Master Bisky..."
After hanging up, the man in the windbreaker casually slipped the phone into his pocket. He looked up at the towering fir tree in the distance and took a deep breath.
"Here I come, Hunter Exam!"
The man in the black trench coat was none other than Ronnel.
In the past six months, Ronnel had traveled the world with Shizuku. Together, they visited famous landmarks, met countless people, tasted exotic foods, and participated in a variety of festivals.
But, where there's light, there's always darkness.
Thanks to Shizuku's beauty and Ronnel's somewhat intimidating aura, they often attracted trouble. Some unsavory characters even went so far as to gang up on them.
True to his principles, Ronnel swiftly dealt with them, sending each one to meet their maker. (If there's a God in this world, Ronnel mused, recalling something Chrollo had once said.)
Originally, Ronnel and Shizuku's world tour wasn't finished, but as December approached, they had to put their plans on hold. Ronnel decided to sign up for this year's Hunter Exam.
He had asked Shizuku to take the exam with him, but she refused, calling it "boring."
After registering for the exam, Ronnel got a call from his master, Bisky, whom he hadn't seen in over half a year. During their conversation, he learned that Bisky was in a nearby city.
Shizuku took the opportunity to visit Bisky, bringing along some rare gems she had collected during their travels.
Ronnel, hoping to reunite with Bisky after so long, was promptly turned away with a curt response: "You can visit after you get your Hunter License."
And so, without even meeting her, Ronnel headed straight for Dolle Harbor to find an old friend—the Kiriko who had once guided him to the Hunter Exam.
It was still the same massive tree and the cabin under the tree.
Ronnel knocked on the door lightly and released a bit of Nen. A small stir came from inside the cabin, and soon the door creaked open. A grumpy Kiriko emerged, eyes narrowing as he recognized the visitor.
"So, it's you, Ronnel!"
This Kiriko was the same one who had guided Ronnel to the Hunter Exam previously.
"I saw your fights in Heavens Arena on TV! You even won the championship at the Battle Olympia! Didn't you leave for training? Or are you just passing through to visit an old friend?"
"Ahem."
Ronnel cleared his throat. "Well, visiting old friends is part of it. But I also need you to take me to this year's Hunter Exam."
Kiriko blinked in surprise. "You want me to navigate you to the exam again? Didn't you fail last time? That doesn't make sense! With your strength, you should've passed easily!"
Ronnel rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, there was... a small accident last time."
Ronnel spent the rest of the day talking with Kiriko's family, recounting the events of the previous exam and the details of his travels. The sun had already begun to set by the time they finished, casting a warm glow over the cabin.
Just as they were finishing dinner, elder Kiriko perked his ears and looked out the window in a particular direction.
"Oh? It seems we've got some promising candidates this year... three of them, in fact."
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