Chapter 30: So He's an Emitter?
Kanzai looked like an angry tiger with steam coming out of his ears. Though Dago and the other amateur hunters knew his anger wasn't directed at them, they still shivered under the pressure.
"Alright, Kanzai," Ginta interrupted, breaking the tense atmosphere. "I don't think Haru meant anything by it."
He turned to Haru. "Do you even know what a 'specialist hunter' is?"
"Of course," Haru replied, pausing briefly before admitting, "Well, explain it anyway."
Kanzai rolled his eyes but seemed to cool off as quickly as he had flared up.
"Forget it for now," Ginta said, cutting the topic short. There was no need to delve into the Association's internal conflicts here.
"Fine." Haru grabbed a pen and signed his name with elegant Chinese characters.
"What kind of writing is that?" Shizuku asked, leaning closer.
"It's a niche language. You wouldn't have seen it before," Haru said nonchalantly.
"Oh," Shizuku nodded, accepting his explanation without question.
So what was the point of asking her to read the contract? Dago and the others silently fumed. Haru had signed just as quickly as everyone else—what a waste of time!
"Well then, everyone," said the bald-headed Sloane, clapping his hands together. "Prepare yourselves. In twenty minutes, we'll set out for the reserve. We've got five days left to make something of this investigation, and now that we have Blanchett Company's cooperation, we can search openly. Let's aim for some real progress."
"What exactly are we even looking for?" Menchi asked, puzzled. She glanced behind her to find Haru and Ginta already walking away.
Dago approached and explained in a hushed voice, "It's not about inefficiency; it's Kakin's constant stalling. They've wasted more than half of the original twenty-day deadline…"
"Oh," Menchi nodded and walked off after Haru. "Wait up, you two!"
Dago stood there, speechless.
Shizuku, meanwhile, had pulled out an old book from who-knows-where and sat quietly reading in a corner.
---
"You're leaving?" Menchi turned to Ginta.
"Of course. My mission here is complete," he replied.
"You finished with the poachers ages ago," she countered, hands on her hips.
Haru chimed in, "He means his real mission was probably mentoring you in Nen. Right, Ginta? And don't think I've forgotten—you still owe me an explanation about those 'specialist hunters.' Planning to skip out on it?"
Ginta stopped at the doorway, thought for a moment, and then turned back. "Mentoring rookies like Menchi isn't a paying gig."
"Huh?" Menchi looked confused. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"While guiding a promising rookie can be rewarding if they become successful, it's not guaranteed. Potential is an unpredictable factor," Ginta explained. "Specialist hunters tend to avoid these kinds of unpaid, time-consuming tasks. They also steer clear of any high-risk jobs, even if the reward is substantial. They'll only take on low-risk, high-reward tasks that don't take much time."
"Any hunter with self-respect should despise those kinds of cowards," a voice chimed in from behind them.
Haru and Menchi turned to see Kanzai grinding his teeth in frustration. "Those specialists are a disgrace to the title of 'hunter.' Watching them cherry-pick missions just makes my blood boil!"
"What makes a proper hunter, then?" Menchi asked, genuinely curious.
"Whatever the specialists are not," Kanzai retorted, his tone biting.
Ginta spoke up, his voice calm and steady. "A true hunter is someone with unending patience, boundless curiosity, and the courage to face any challenge head-on. If Chairman Netero were here, I believe that's what he would say."
He glanced at Haru and Menchi. "Do either of you have a 'hunt' you're willing to dedicate your life to?"
"Of course I do!" Menchi puffed out her chest and pointed to herself proudly. "I'm a Gourmet Hunter. I'll do anything for the sake of great food!"
Haru smiled faintly. "I guess I have one, but it's a long-term goal. Not something I feel like sharing."
Kanzai nodded grudgingly. "You're not as annoying as I thought, kid."
"You're the tiger here," Haru quipped.
Kanzai blinked, not following the joke, while Menchi burst into laughter. Haru could be infuriatingly sharp.
Ginta offered a rare smile before waving them off and heading out on his own journey.
---
At Blanchett Company's research facility, Sloane shook hands with the company representative. "So, we're officially authorized to investigate now, correct?"
The representative withdrew his hand, his expression neutral. "Haven't you been investigating for the past two weeks already?"
Sloane sidestepped the comment with a polite smile. "This time, we'll also include the core area in our search."
"That's the main habitat for the Crescent Tigers," the representative replied, his tone firm. "I don't know what you're looking for, but I must insist that you not disrupt the ecosystem here. Crescent Tigers are critically endangered. This reserve is one of their last sanctuaries…"
"Blame Kakin for the delays," Sloane said dismissively.
"Mind your words, Mr. Sloane," a stern voice interrupted.
The group turned to see Barbimina approaching with several Kakin personnel in tow. His movements were precise, and his demeanor exuded military discipline. "Kakin has already gone to great lengths to approve this cooperation, thanks to First Prince Benjamin's full support."
"First Prince?" Shizuku tilted her head in curiosity.
Menchi explained, "In Kakin, all of the king's children are called princes, regardless of gender. They're treated equally."
Dago added, "Prince Benjamin is the eldest and most likely heir to the throne—" He cut himself off when Barbimina's sharp gaze turned his way.
Haru's ears perked up at the mention of the First Prince. Ah, so it's that Benjamin, he thought. The one who strangled a lion barehanded in the manga.
And also the older brother of the sadistic Fourth Prince…
Great, Haru mused grimly. Looks like I've figured out who my future enemy is. This is going to be a pain.
Barbimina suddenly pointed at Haru. "Is he one of your hired hunters?"
"Yes," Sloane replied, still smiling.
Barbimina studied Haru for a moment but said nothing further.
Menchi crossed her arms, glaring defensively as if daring him to criticize Haru.
As the group moved into the reserve, Haru raised his hand. "So we're free to investigate however we want?"
"Exactly," Sloane confirmed. "We trust our hunters to work independently. All we care about are results."
"In that case, let's stick together," Haru suggested, nodding toward Menchi and Shizuku. Shizuku looked around, realizing he meant her.
"What did you just say?" one of Dago's companions snapped. He'd been stewing in resentment since Haru signed the same contract as them. "You think you can just—"
The man froze mid-sentence as Haru raised a finger. A dense ball of aura spun rapidly at its tip.
"Seems like you've had issues with me from the start," Haru said calmly.
The glowing sphere of Nen grew larger and brighter, radiating palpable danger.
The man's face paled as sweat poured down his forehead. He instinctively understood—this wasn't a bluff. If Haru fired, it would be fatal.
Haru flicked his finger.
Boom!
The Nen bullet tore through the air, grazing the man's cheek and cutting a line of blood before blasting through several trees behind him.
The man collapsed to his knees, trembling, while Haru stood over him, utterly calm.
Haru blew on his fingertip nonchalantly. "Any more complaints?"
"He's an Emitter…" Kanzai and Barbimina both thought, their expressions tightening. That kind of power is no joke.
Even Menchi seemed surprised. Haru wasn't usually this confrontational.
As for Sloane, a mere bystander in all this, he had no idea what had just happened. All he could do was stare in stunned silence at the aftermath of Haru's "magic trick."
(Chapter end)