The Overall Risk Index has always been determined through multi-faceted assessments.
A B-level dangerous creature, under specific conditions, can approach A-level in terms of threat.
These conditions typically include climate, natural environment, food sources, and even chemical substances.
As a B-level Calamity, if the Thermal Light Species were allowed to breed and spread freely under intense sunlight, its danger rating would undoubtedly rise to A-level.
In terms of destructive potential, B-level Calamitites have an almost 100% fatality rate. Even if victims don't die immediately, they suffer lifelong injuries and incurable aftereffects.
Therefore, based on factors such as population, hostility toward humans, reproductive capacity, speed of propagation, and destructive power, a final assessment is made.
The evaluation criteria for B-level Calamities are as follows:
This dangerous organism must be eradicated as soon as possible. A national, or even international-level operation is required.
This is the standard response to B-level Calamities, as outlined by the International Permit Agencies.
From this, it can be seen that there must be a reason why V5 suddenly threw a B-level Calamity, which would normally require the mobilization of national-level forces to resolve, onto the Hunter Association.
It is very likely that V5 never actually expected the Hunter Association to solve the Thermal Light Species problem. But for some reason, they had to make this demand anyway.
'There's too little information...'
Moses couldn't guess the full picture.
Based on the current situation, he could only assume that someone was using this to tie the Hunter Association's hands, ensuring that Beyond would have enough freedom to act.
'Thermal Light Species... According to existing reports, an enhanced variant can completely erase a Nen User from existence in under ten seconds. Extremely dangerous.'
Although he was forced to take on the task of handling the Thermal Light Species, Moses had no intention of slacking off.
He understood that even if the Hunter Association could not eliminate the Thermal Light Species, V5 and the International Permit Agencies would not do anything to the Hunter Association.
However, with Netero's last wish in mind, Moses couldn't afford to slack off. He had to give it his all, so that he could intercept Beyond either during the voyage or along the Dark Continent's coastline.
'Nanika's ability should be able to deal with the Thermal Light Species. The real problem is getting past the Zoldyck Family. Anyway... let's get Killua's consent first."'
After leaving the Hunter Association's Headquarters, Moses headed to the airport in Swardani City while sending a message to Killua.
He had tried calling Killua earlier, but there was no answer.
He doesn't know what Killua is up to… or if he's even home right now.
It wasn't until Moses boarded the airship that Killua finally called him back.
"Moses!"
On the phone, Killua's voice was brimming with excitement.
Hearing Killua's excited tone, Moses couldn't help but smile slightly.
'Come to think of it, it really had been a long time since I last saw Killua.'
"I haven't contacted you for a long time. Are you okay?"
"Not really. I've been grounded by my family. I can't even go down to the forest at the foot of the mountain."
Killua's excited tone gradually faded, replaced by a lingering gloom.
Moses was quite surprised to hear this and asked, "What got you grounded?"
"…"
Hearing Moses's question, Killua couldn't help but remain silent for a moment.
After a few seconds, Killua finally answered: "I have a younger brother. I tried to take him away from Kukuroo Mountain, but Milluki caught me. So I broke three of his ribs, one of his legs, and four of his fingers."
"…"
After hearing Killua's answer, Moses couldn't help but fall silent for a moment.
'Should I say 'As expected of Killua', or should I say 'As expected of the Zoldyck Family?'
'If it happened in a normal family, what Killua did would've warranted more than just house arrest.'
"Are you… 'free' to talk right now?"
After a pause, Moses suddenly asked.
Killua was stunned at first, but then he reacted quickly.
"Not really."
He answered Moses's question somewhat implicitly.
Moses chuckled and said, "I'm planning to visit your place in a few days. You cool with that?"
"Of course!"
Killua's eyes lit up when he heard that, and he agreed without hesitation.
But then he remembered his father's stern, iron-like expression. He wasn't sure if his family would even let Moses in.
Killua was about to voice this concern, but Moses didn't give him any chance. He just left the final words of 'wait for my call' and hung up directly.
…
Three days later.
A sightseeing bus arrived in front of the main gate of the Zoldyck Family.
"Dear travelers, please look to the left. That is Kukuroo Mountain, where the Zoldyck Family resides. It is said that their estate is surrounded by a sea of trees and built atop a dormant volcano at an altitude of 3,722 meters."
The tour guide, a woman with wavy hair and delicate makeup that exuded a hint of charm, was holding a microphone as she introduced the Zoldyck Family to the tourists.
"Take a look, that is the Zoldyck Family's gate. Because those who enter never return, it's called the Gate of Trials. Since the area beyond the gate is the Zoldyck Family's private property, we cannot enter for a tour."
"Even if we can go in and take a look... how would anyone open such a massive gate?"
One of the tourists stared up at the grand and imposing Gate of Trials. Just its height alone was over 80 meters, and as for its weight, given the sheer size and thickness of the stone doors, it must weigh dozens of tons at the very least.
"This gate was probably built for grandeur, not for actual use."
Another tourist expressed his opinion.
In the eyes of ordinary people, the Zoldyck Family's Gate of Trials was so magnificent and imposing that it was clearly just for show.
Hearing the tourists' discussion, the tour guide smiled and said, "It's said that the smallest door of the Gate of Trials weighs four tons, with the larger ones weighing eight tons. Alternatively, you can enter through the small door next to the guardhouse."
"Four tons!?"
The crowd of tourists erupted in shock.
Inside the guardhouse, an old man reading a newspaper shook his head slightly.
Ever since this place became a famous tourist attraction in the Dentora Region, groups of tourists would arrive daily, marveling at the gate in awe.
Occasionally, some foolhardy people attracted by Zoldyck Family's bounty would tag along with the sightseeing buses.
Since they couldn't even push open the lightest stone door, they had to illegally break in through the small door, and in the end, they all became Mike's snacks without exception.
"Oh, another one?"
The old man suddenly noticed something and glanced out the window. He saw an ordinary-looking tourist stepping out of the crowd and heading straight towards the Gate of Trials.
The outside world called this main gate the Gate of Trials, but its true name was the Testing Gate.
The seemingly ordinary person the old man saw was none other than Moses, who had arrived with the tour bus.
'All I have to do is push open this Testing Gate to gain 'guest status,' right...'
Moses walked to the Testing Gate and stood still, then stretched out one hand and pressed it on the seam of the door.
His actions drew the attention of both the old man and the tourists.
Seeing Moses press one hand against the seam of the Testing Gate, the old man in the guardhouse didn't pay it much mind, and the tourists just assumed that Moses was just indulging in a bit of hands-on curiosity.
But suddenly-
A deafening, thunderous boom echoed across the area.
The smallest stone door of the Gate of Trials, which weighed four tons, was sent flying away from the structure like a piece of paper, crashing into the forest beyond the gate.
Moses remained standing in place, his hand still extended forward.
"?!!"
The tourists were instantly stunned into silence, their eyes wide with shock.
And inside the guardhouse, the old man in charge of the gate tumbled heavily from his chair. He scrambled to his feet, gripping the edge of the table, his eyes bulging in disbelief.
'The Testing Gate...'
'Had been sent flying?!'