Chapter 605 Reward +1

Moses's eyes moved across the data on the paper, as if he suddenly thought of something, and suddenly stopped at Hatsu, which is rated A-.

Nen Techniques comprised the Four Basic Nen Techniques, and seven Advanced Nen Techniques. Among them, Hatsu directly corresponded to the precision and potency of a Nen User's Nen Abilities.

Moses had been preoccupied with En and Ko and had nearly overlooked Hatsu.

Improving En could unlock En: Domain, the reward he obtained after killing Nobunaga back then. While the specifics were unknown, it would likely enhance his overall strength.

Improving Ko would straightforwardly diversify his offensive arsenal.

But enhancing Hatsu would increase the precision of several of Moses's Nen Abilities, including Soul Echo, Super Speed, and Kyoka Suigetsu.

So, after taking all factors into account, investing the Heart of Tempering into Hatsu might be the optimal choice.

'It can even improve the precision of the Shadow Space Ability I'm planning to develop.'

After thinking about it, Moses found himself leaning toward using the Heart of Tempering on Hatsu.

'But I still haven't decided on the foundation direction for the Nen Space...'

Moses picked up the pen and wrote two terms on the blank part of the paper: Emission-Type Nen Space and Conjuration-Type Nen Space.

Then, under the Emission-Type Nen Space, the words, Teleportation and Offense, were marked, while under the Conjuration-Type Nen Space, the words, Rules and Functionality, were marked.

If the Nen Space Cornerstone is embedded into the Emission-Type, then according to Moses's current thinking, perhaps the ability effect of 'transmitting damage through shadows' can be turned into a reality in a short period of time.

But if the Nen Space Cornerstone are embedded into the Conjuration-Type...

He must first decide whether this conjured Nen Space is inclined to be similar to the Land of Exile that requires the power of various rules to support its capabilities, or is inclined to be a purely functional Nen Space similar to Knov's Hide and Seek.

Choosing between the two wasn't something Moses could easily decide right away.

'I need to decide on the direction for the Nen Space Ability first, then use the Heart of Tempering. That's the only way to maximize the value of both rewards.'

Moses put down his pen, destroyed the paper, then looked up at the ceiling and fell into deep thought.

He didn't know how much time had passed when Menchi burst into the room.

"Master, it's time to eat!"

"Huh?"

Moses snapped back to his thoughts and said with a smile: "Go ahead. I'll be there in a bit."

"Okay…"

Menchi hesitated for a moment, but still left the room obediently.

A few minutes later-

Moses walked out of the room and sat down at the table amid the cheerful greetings.

He glanced around at the familiar faces of his friends and couldn't help but smile warmly.

It has been seven years since he came into this world. It is really a rare opportunity to be able to gather together with all the friends he has met along the way.

This filled Moses with genuine contentment.

"Chu-chu!"

Rat Jewel changed back to its original form and leapt onto the table, heading straight for the steaming, fragrant soup.

But just as its tiny legs took a few steps forward, Menchi grabbed it by the scruff.

"Go wash your hands… and your feet while you're at it."

"Chu-chu!"

"No room for negotiation, go now."

"Chu…"

Rat Jewel drooped in defeat, then scampered toward the restroom at top speed after being set down.

Moses turned his head to look at Rat Jewel's back as it ran towards the bathroom, and couldn't help but smile.

'First, I'll try smuggling into Greed Island...'

'If that works, I'll spend some time helping Biscuit get the Blue Planet.'

'If that doesn't work, I'll go home and visit Hawk first. Then, I'll find a way to get a game console and help Biscuit get the Blue Planet in a legitimate way.'

Moses's gaze lingered on the restroom door where Rat Jewel had disappeared, mind already running through upcoming plans.

…

After the banquet ended, Cheadle, being the busiest person among the crowd, left first and returned to the Hunter Association.

The second busiest person, Sanbica, said that she was on a compulsory vacation, so she was able to stay in Glover City for two more days.

The others also had no pressing matters to do, so they chose to stay.

However, Moses had no time to entertain them.

He quickly contacted a ferryman to arrange transport to Greed Island and soon finalized the schedule: he would meet the ferryman at Sakara Port on the eastern edge of the Yorbian Continent in a week.

The ferryman he contacted was none other than Morel, the Single-Star Sea Hunter from the Hunter Association.

Originally, Morel wasn't interested for the commission of 'carrying people', but after seeing that the client was Moses, he accepted the commission.

…

"What are your plans after this?"

In a dimly lit room, Moses leaned against the window and glanced at Kurapika, who was sitting in the shadow.

Kurapika lifted his eyes slightly and replied in a low voice, "Recover my people's eyes."

"Oh."

Moses nodded. He asked the question even though he already knew the answer.

Kurapika stared at the dark floor and said, "I need a large amount of starting capital, so I will first accept various Blacklist Hunter commissions."

"You don't really have to worry about money."

Moses looked at Kurapika's lowered head and said calmly:

"With all the added bounties... the heads of the Phantom Troupe are worth a lot. After deducting the taxes, there's still about 50 or 60 billion left. If you insist on 'merit-based rewards,' you can take 20 billion. If you don't care about that, you can have it all."

"I don't want the money."

Kurapika said firmly.

Moses sighed softly and said, "Yeah... I figured you'd say that. But unfortunately for you, I'm your master. And a disciple's job is to listen to their master. Unless... you're planning to be a rebellious one?"

"…"

Kurapika slowly raised his head and looked at Moses with helplessness in his eyes.

Moses smiled and said, "It seems that you don't want to be a rebellious disciple. Then choose one, do you want 20 billion or all of it?"

"Twenty billion."

Kurapika sighed and answered.

He hadn't wanted to accept the bounty money. Part of him saw it as a way to repay Moses's guidance.

It's because he didn't know how he should repay Moses now, and what he could repay Moses with, so he could only use this 'usual' method...

"That's more like it. A good disciple knows how to listen to their master."

Moses walked over and put his hand on Kurapika's head.

Kurapika squirmed slightly at the gesture, uncomfortable with being patted like a child, but after resisting symbolically for a while, he gave up under Moses's unyielding grip.

Moses looked down at Kurapika and said softly: " So... I hope that when you face tough times in the future, you'll remember… that you still have a master you're willing to listen to."

"…"

Hearing this, Kurapika's body trembled slightly.

Moses withdrew his hand.

Suddenly-

The voice of Perception resounds from deep within his consciousness.

[You've opened Kurapika's heart. Emperor Time +1.]

'Huh?'

'Why is there a reward?'