Knov wasn't just being modest—he genuinely meant it.
No matter how dense you were, any of the former Chimera Ant extermination squad members could tell that Palm had been distant from them. Especially from her teacher, Knov.
Even when they met face to face, Palm could speak to them normally, but the warmth from before was gone.
Back then, her feelings for Knov had been obvious—barely hidden at all.
What changed her, of course, was the part of her that had become Chimera Ant… and everything she had gone through during the extermination battle.
Her personality had changed.
Palm had become braver. She no longer hid her face behind long black hair. She showed it openly now, and when she spoke, she made eye contact.
On Greed Island, she'd shown remarkable work ability. She even contributed to the latest version update.
That touched Knov, Shoot, and the others, pushing them to reflect more on themselves.
The final Chimera Ant battle in the Republic of East Gorteau had been nothing short of humiliating for Knov.
As both a mentor and veteran, he failed to fully fulfill his role—and even worse, he let his juniors, Palm, Knuckle, and Shoot, fall into life-threatening danger.
Months ago, when Morel and Knuckle volunteered to join Germain's expedition team to the Dark Continent, he stayed silent—held back by the fear in his heart.
In these past few months, Palm has been changing almost every day, and all for the better. She even took the initiative to request joining the Hunter Association's exploration team.
Her self-recommendation was accepted, and her Nen ability, "Merman Clairvoyance," was exactly what the exploration team needed.
As long as she sees a target once, it can never escape her scouting lock again. It's an incredibly useful ability for both seeking opportunity and avoiding danger.
Meleoron—who joined the exploration team for similar reasons—was another Chimera Ant member selected.
His abilities, "God's Absence" and "God's Accomplice," would no doubt be invaluable in the Dark Continent.
As for the NPC storyline segments that Palm and Meleoron were responsible for, after their departure, they would be handled by Ickshonpe through technical means.
They would leave behind virtual versions of themselves on Greed Island and become true NPCs.
Other NPC members leaving like them would be processed in the same way—this was one of the main reasons Dwun brought Ickshonpe back.
Only Ickshonpe could pull off something this technically complex.
Ikalgo, Welfin, and Hina—three other Chimera Ants—would stay on Greed Island and continue expanding the roleplay business there.
Seeing Palm and Meleoron join the Hunter Association's exploration team without hesitation, despite knowing the dangers of the Dark Continent, made it impossible for Knov not to reflect.
His own students had surpassed him in courage, and that filled Knov with shame.
During this time, he took the initiative to teach Kurapika, Killua, and Gon. And through their training, he often recalled how he had once guided Palm step by step as she grew stronger.
Kurapika, Killua, and Gon all responded with enthusiasm—especially Gon, whose pure and passionate energy deeply moved him.
And finally, Knov made up his mind.
"I'll join the Hunter Association's exploration team too. I'll go as far as I possibly can, wherever that takes me."
"I've already let Palm down. No matter what, I can't let Killua and Gon find out that the NPC teacher guiding them… is just a coward."
The next morning, it was still Germain who woke up the sleepy Shizuku.
Even though last night, she had patted her chest and promised to leave early to meet Sheila in Meteor Street, she couldn't get up in the morning.
After waving goodbye to Shizuku, Germain used his special Game Master card to fly into the dense and lush forest of Greed Island.
He found Abengane, who was there, and was ready to perform the "Nen Exorcism."
Abengane's NPC image on Greed Island was a "Shaman," so his place was a small cabin in the forest.
He wore a strange large mask and was wrapped in a brown-yellow robe, using it to view others.
Many players came here to complete side quests and obtain cards.
But some came specifically for "Nen Exorcism." The problem was that the "price" was too high, so few could afford it.
Germain didn't need to pay this "price," or rather, he had already paid it.
When Abengane saw it was Germain, he quickly walked up to greet him.
For a brief moment, he felt a little dazed, as if he had returned to January 1998.
At that time, when he first met Germain, it was in another forest cabin, and that moment felt just like this one.
But Abengane no longer had the regret he felt after meeting Germain for the first time.
Now, he was actually glad he seized the opportunity and became a pig that was lifted by the wind.
As Germain's position rose and Greed Island grew more prosperous, even the exploration of the Dark Continent was restarted. Abengane was only going to gain more in the future.
With the help of the surrounding trees and vegetation and Abengane's full focus, the "Forest Spirit" removed two "negative traits" from Germain.
The "Contemplative," which affected the pressure release treatment, and "Fear of Darkness," which influenced the pressure accumulation effect when the environment light decreased, were the first to be eliminated.
Abengane gazed at the twisted "Nen Beasts" in the campfire, unable to resist swallowing a lump in his throat.
"Sorry, Mr. Germain, there are still four 'negative traits' I can't remove for you at the moment."
"It's okay," Germain said, "I'll go find Hina and the Nen Exorcist from the Hunter Association later."
Hina was a female Chimera Ant, resembling Pyon, wearing a rabbit-ear headpiece, and possessing the ability of Nen Exorcism.
When Chairman Netero learned that Germain needed someone for Nen Exorcism, he had a female Nen Exorcist from the Hunter Association brought over.
Only then did Abengane breathe a sigh of relief. He had genuinely feared Germain would have him continuously remove those 'negative traits.'
With two Nen Exorcists helping, the burden became much lighter.
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