Chapter 309 : Familiar Companions!!

After returning to "Greed Island," Germain and Shizuku first greeted Abengane, who was on duty. Then, Germain began checking what he had brought back this time.

Abengane waved toward the camera, signaling that Germain and Shizuku were fine and didn't need emergency treatment.

The camera flashed red three times, meaning that Dwun, Eta, and Elena had received the message and would quickly inform the others who needed to know.

Through the projection of his "Hunter Badge," Germain noticed that he had gained one "Positive Trait," one "Negative Trait," and one "Disease."

— Positive Trait —

"Demon Slayer": When fighting "demons," Germain gains increased "precision" and "critical hits."

— Negative Trait —

"Passionate": Outside the "Dark Continent," Germain can only relieve stress through "intimate physical interaction."

— Disease —

"Gray Mold": Germain's "maximum HP" increases, but his "precision" decreases.

Germain had now obtained "Demon Slayer," adding to his previous traits—"Corruption Slayer," "Beast Slayer," and "Human Slayer." With this, he had finally collected all "Four Slayer Traits."

"Passionate" would have a significant impact on him. It was now his second-highest priority for removal among his "Negative Traits," right after "Shoulder Injury."

Encounters with "high-pressure events" were relatively rare in the Six Continents. Plus, with his current "Champion's Aura," he could ignore any "stress" below 7 points.

Still, he needed to get rid of "Passionate," just in case.

Finally, there was "Gray Mold," a double-edged disease.

However, with his current "physique," Germain didn't lack "maximum HP," so he didn't need "Gray Mold" at all.

Without hesitation, he took out a "Medicine for All Illnesses Injection" and gave himself a shot.

Hiss—

Carefully disposing of the used syringe, Germain watched as "Gray Mold" in his "Hunter Badge" projection dimmed and eventually disappeared.

He was now in a "disease-free" state. Even "Gray Mold" had taken a long time to reappear, and it was the only "disease" he had encountered this time.

This was thanks to his current "Monster Physique" and his "Positive Trait: Resilient," which increased his natural "disease resistance."

"Is something wrong?" Shizuku asked, noticing that Germain had given himself an injection of the "Medicine for All Illnesses."

"It's nothing major," Germain briefly explained.

Shizuku nodded, as if understanding, though still a bit confused.

At this moment, Abengane spoke up: "Dwun and the others already know you're back. I told them you're fine, and they're on their way here."

"There's no need to make such a big deal every time..." Germain shook his head helplessly. "We can just go upstairs, it'll be the same meeting them there."

Abengane suddenly smiled mysteriously:

"But, Mr. Germain, there's a group of guests who came to 'Greed Island' to visit, and they can't wait to meet you right away..."

"Guests?" 

Germain paused for a moment, and then his mind started to make guesses.

Soon after, the noise of conversation and footsteps came from the corridor, and a group of people quickly stormed in.

The first person to burst in had a notable triangular, airplane-like haircut and wore a white, rebellious outfit.

Upon seeing Germain, the first thing he did was show an expression of surprise, then rushed over with open arms, hugging Germain tightly.

"Germain, long time no see!" Knuckle shouted excitedly, "I never expected you all were hiding and doing such dangerous things!"

After Knuckle, others began to enter—familiar faces.

Dwun, squinting with a cigarette between his lips.

List, with his hands behind his back, wearing suspenders like a little mischievous boy.

Knov, completely bald, wearing a soft hat to cover it.

Shoot, with his hair tied up in a samurai style, dressed like a wandering samurai from Wano.

Palm, with a round ball on her forehead and indigo-colored skin.

It seemed like most of the members of last year's Chimera Ant Extermination Team were here.

Knuckle hugged Germain enthusiastically for a moment, then noticed Shizuku standing next to him.

"You must be Shizuku… You're really brave. Even though you're not a 'Hunter,' you're still willing to follow Germain to the 'Dark Continent.'"

Shizuku nodded at him.

Then, she looked at Germain with a confused expression, as if asking, "Do I know him?"

Germain shook his head, his eyes saying, "You don't know them."

Only then did Shizuku relax and raise an eyebrow.

She had been worried that her memory was so bad that she might not even remember people she had met before. But with Germain saying that, she felt reassured.

From the fact that Knov, Knuckle, Shoot, and Palm were all here, as well as Knuckle's recent brief words, Germain had already guessed what was happening on the 'Greed Island.'

Sure enough, Dwun, who had a cigarette in his mouth, scratched his belly with his finger as he smiled and said:

"Not long ago, Chairman Netero, Morel, Knov, Knuckle, and Shoot arrived at 'Greed Island.'"

"After Chairman Netero reviewed our 'results,' he discussed with Granny Linne and decided to tell Morel, Knov, and the others the truth."

"We need more help, and Morel, Knov, and others, who once fought alongside you, are trustworthy."

Knov adjusted his thin-framed glasses and stepped forward.

"On the condition that they sign a confidentiality agreement and prepare themselves physically and mentally for the possibility of participating in dangerous situations in the future."

After two months of rest, Knov no longer looked as nervous as he did during the Chimera Ant Extermination. He had regained his usual calm and composed demeanor.

His bald head could have been fixed with Nen abilities or medicine, but he refused.

In Knov's view, keeping his bald head was a form of punishment and self-awareness—he should have done better during the Chimera Ant Extermination.

Not to mention Germain, Chairman Netero, and Morel, but even during the final battle that night, he performed worse than Knuckle and Shoot.

Thinking back, he felt ashamed, which is why he maintained his bald appearance.

As for Palm, after being transformed into a "Chimera Ant," she had shed her blind worship of Knov.

Now, she was more rational and mature.

Having performed exceptionally well on "Greed Island," she quickly earned the trust and respect of everyone.

Not long ago, when everyone decided to reveal the truth to Morel, Knov, and others, Palm was included, and her rank was also raised from B to A.

Knov sighed softly.

"After Chairman Netero's solemn attitude and seeing the detailed terms of the agreement, Morel and I had a very bad feeling."

"However, after knowing the full situation, we realized that we had still underestimated the terrifying scale of it all."

"I never expected that, over the past year, you've been secretly conspiring and actually carrying out an exploration of the 'Dark Continent,' and that you even successfully retrieved two 'Hopes.'"

"I have to marvel at your audacity. No matter what, the historical records of the world's future will certainly have the names of you pioneers."

********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 30 early chapters.

https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer