Chapter 314 : Talk!!

Kurapika noticed Melody returning from the back garden, but for some reason, he couldn't shake off a sense of unease.

Every now and then, he glanced at Germain.

What exactly happened in the fifteen minutes they were gone? Kurapika couldn't help but wonder.

His teacher always carried many secrets—some beyond ordinary comprehension, like the "Dark Continent"…

Could it be that Germain had told Melody about the Dark Continent and invited her to join us?

It was a reasonable assumption. After months of working together, Kurapika already considered Melody a trustworthy companion, someone he could entrust his life to. Her Nen ability was also incredibly useful.

Perhaps that was one of the reasons why Germain had called Melody to Greed Island—he wanted to evaluate her personally.

Just then, Germain's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Kurapika, come with me."

"Hm? Oh—alright." Kurapika was a little surprised but quickly agreed.

It had been a while since Germain had acted like a proper teacher and checked in on him. Now seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Meanwhile, Melody, still hesitant about something, stayed behind with Komugi, playing a game of Gungi.

Germain and Kurapika walked back to the courtyard of Limeiro Castle, passing by a fountain where the mist created a small rainbow.

Kurapika hesitated for a moment but eventually asked, "Teacher, are you planning to invite Melody to take part in matters related to the Dark Continent?"

Germain glanced at him and admitted, "Yes. But all I did was extend the invitation. She still has time to decide whether she wants to join or not."

"Do you think she'll accept?" Kurapika asked calmly.

"She likely will. She has a reason to be involved."

Noticing the shift in Kurapika's tone, Germain stopped walking and asked, "What's wrong?"

Kurapika knew exactly what his teacher was asking. He felt as if he were being seen through completely.

This gave him an even stronger sense of defeat than when Melody used her Nen ability to read him.

"I…" He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "If I earn your recognition and become a capable Hunter… would I also be able to join the expedition to the Dark Continent?"

Germain had no intention of avoiding the question. He wasn't surprised Kurapika asked—in fact, it was strange that he hadn't asked sooner.

"I have indeed considered that possibility. You've obtained your Hunter license, your strength is improving rapidly, and you've gained a lot of real battle experience with Nen."

"However, in the grand hierarchy of Nen users, you're still in the middle to lower tier."

"You're barely strong enough for the Six Continents, but for the Dark Continent? It's still too soon."

Kurapika had to admit that was true. The frustration deepened—being left behind never felt good.

Then, something came to mind. He blinked.

He recalled what Mizaistom had told him after the Professional Hunter Exam.

"Teacher… if—just if—I became a One-Star Hunter… would that mean I'm truly an independent Hunter? Would that be enough to go with you to the Dark Continent?"

A One-Star Hunter?

Germain thought about it carefully and said, "If you became a One-Star Hunter, that would mean the Hunter Association has recognized you… and you would have met my standards as well."

"But you still have some unfinished ties in the Six Continents. Are you really willing to leave just like that?"

"Ties..." Kurapika immediately understood what Germain meant.

Not long after he reunited with Germain, Kurapika told him how Mizaistom helped him recover the last of the Scarlet Eyes.

He had already held a quiet funeral for his people, chanting the poetry of the Kurta Clan, wishing them peace and a safe passage to the afterlife.

"My greatest wish has already been fulfilled," Kurapika said. "That was to retrieve my clan's Scarlet Eyes and lay them to rest together."

"As for those who once possessed the Scarlet Eyes, I don't hold much hatred for them. As long as they were willing to return them, I wouldn't resort to my 'final measures.'"

"Now that everything is over, I won't pursue them any further."

"Of course, the Phantom Troupe is different. They are different... They were the ones who orchestrated the Kurta Clan massacre."

"Even though, from Sheila, I learned that most of the main culprits from back then have already died—either at the hands of my teacher or ours."

"But there's still one man, the mastermind behind everything. He is most likely still alive, just hiding somewhere."

"Chrollo. As long as he lives, this will never truly be over. He is the one person I will never forgive."

Kurapika furrowed his brows at this but soon relaxed again.

"Teacher, you said my strength is 'barely enough for the Six Continents.' But at the very least, I still can't enter Meteor City alone."

He thought for a moment before adding another name.

"And Kukuroo Mountain."

"Kukuroo Mountain?"

Germain was surprised to hear that name. Wasn't that the territory of the Zoldyck family?

When did Kurapika get involved with them…? Ah—he almost forgot. Kurapika took part in the 287th Hunter Exam back in 1999.

Gon, Leorio, Hanzo, and Pokkle had all taken the exam that year too.

The two brothers of the Zoldyck family—Illumi and Killua—should also be participating in this exam unless something unexpected happens.

The only person missing from the exam is Hisoka, whose whereabouts and status remain unknown.

As expected, Kurapika started recounting his experience in the Hunter Exam, including how he met Gon, Killua, and Leorio.

Then, he moved on to the conflict between Illumi and Killua.

Germain nodded silently.

It seemed that the only changes in this year's exam were Kurapika learning Nen earlier, Hisoka's absence, Killua obtaining a Hunter License, and Bodoro surviving.

Everything else played out similarly to the original timeline.

Gon still had his arm twisted by Hanzo and passed out.

Killua was still forced to return to the Zoldyck family by Illumi, but this time, it happened after he had already obtained his Hunter License. Gon was still unconscious when it happened.

Kurapika had a good impression of Gon and Leorio, so he didn't cut ties with them. He kept in touch through phone calls and messages, staying updated on their whereabouts.

"Gon and Leorio decided to visit the Zoldyck family to see Killua. They even invited me, but I refused."

"If it were before I learned Nen, I might have considered going with them."

"But after learning Nen, I realized just how big the gap between me and Illumi is."

"And Illumi is just one member of the Zoldyck family. He's clearly not the strongest… I couldn't bring myself to take such a reckless risk."

"I tried to convince Gon and Leorio otherwise, but Gon was too stubborn. He insisted that he wouldn't have any conflicts with his 'good friend's' family. Leorio also took his side."

"In the end, I had no choice but to let them go."

The Zoldyck family, huh?

Germain recalled how, after the Chimera Ant Extermination, Zeno and Silva had invited him to visit Kukuroo Mountain.

Perhaps now was a good time.

Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang.

He took it out and glanced at the caller ID—

It was "Shizuku."

Some time ago, Germain changed her nickname from "Glasses Girl" to "Shizuku."

But if they were in the same castle, why would Shizuku call him instead of coming to find him directly?

Maybe something had happened. Given how absent-minded Shizuku could be, she might have forgotten and just called him instead.

When Germain answered the call, his guess was proven right. After a brief conversation, he calmly hung up the phone.

Kurapika had already stepped away when Germain picked up the call.

Once his teacher was done, Kurapika walked back over and saw Germain deep in thought before saying:

"Looks like we need to leave Greed Island for a bit. Kurapika, you should come with us... This trip might let us solve two problems at once."

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