In a certain sense, both Nanika's ability and Perception share an otherworldly, incomprehensible nature.
But from the perspective of 'making a wish', Nanika's ability surpasses Perception in terms of sheer power.
Conversely, the 'cost ceiling' it bears is also far higher than that of Perception.
Thus, in Moses's view, he doesn't believe Perception is stronger than Nanika's wish-granting ability.
But the relationship between the two is that Perception is in a dominant position, and can actually prey upon an existence like Nanika...
'Should I keep asking...?'
Moses hesitated.
If it were just Killua here, he probably wouldn't have so many reservations.
'Forget it.'
Considering that there were other members of the Zoldyck Family observing this conversation, Moses didn't want to risk exposing Perception.
Besides, he had already gained crucial information from this exchange.
One thing was now absolutely certain-
Perception was some kind of entity from the Dark Continent, and in terms of hierarchy, it stood even above Ai, one of the Five Great Calamities.
Moses temporarily suppressed his urge to delve deeper into these thoughts, and instead took the initiative to end the conversation on the grounds that he did not want to provoke Nanika any further.
Seeing that Moses wouldn't ask anything else, Alluka immediately relaxed.
Others couldn't see Nanika's state, but he could.
In the depths of his consciousness, this was the first time he had ever seen Nanika so flustered.
If Killua hadn't been present, Nanika probably wouldn't have spoken at all, let alone engaged in a normal conversation.
After ending the conversation early, Moses turned and left the basement without hesitation.
Alluka watched Moses leave until his figure completely disappeared, then he said to Killua beside him and said in a coquettish tone: "Big brother, play with me!"
"Sure."
Killua glanced in the direction Moses had gone to, then smiled at Alluka.
…
Inside the surveillance room.
Silva and the other Zoldyck Family's members watched the two brothers playing in silence.
In the entire family, only Killua still treated Alluka as a sibling.
As for the attitudes of other Zoldyck Family's members towards Alluka, either they regard Alluka as a tool or as a monster...
In any case-
They would never see Alluka as family.
…
Zoldyck Family's estate, Guest Room.
Moses returned to his room and casually leaned back on the sofa, his eyes filled with contemplation.
He was thinking about the possible close connections between Perception, Ai and Mammon.
And then he reached one conclusion-
'Humans.'
'All three of them had established deep ties with humans.'
'But it was hard to say-'
'For these three, are humans food, nutrients, or soil?'
'If humans were indeed such important beings to them, then it is understandable that they would go to great lengths to invade the Six Continents.'
Taking this as an extension of thinking, it is inevitable to come to a chilling speculation.
'Is the reason so few of 'these entities' had invaded the Six Continents due to the existence of the 'Gatekeepers'?'
'Then, can this also imply-'
'That 'humans' on the Dark Continent were on the verge of extinction?'
'Thus, if not for the 'Gatekeepers', these beings, which viewed humans as food, nutrients, or soil, would surely swarm into the Six Continents like a tidal wave.'
'After all, to them, the Six Continents would be nothing short of paradise.'
Moses's thoughts sank like a stone into the abyss of the ocean, plunging deeper and deeper...
Until a horrifying possibility struck him.
'Humanity-'
'Could they be livestock, raised within the Six Continents?'
Moses snapped out of his contemplation, and a chill ran down his spine when he thought of this possibility.
Had anyone, throughout history, ever considered such a possibility?
Moses didn't know...
He had only arrived at this speculation by analyzing the connections between Ai, Mammon, and Perception.
'Probably not very likely.'
He silently reassured himself.
…
Over the next few days, Moses still stayed in Zoldyck Family's estate. During this time, he received good news from Cheadle that the Thermal Light Species had been confirmed as eradicated.
With the Thermal Light Species dealt with, then the Hunter Association could now focus entirely on the mission of 'hunting down Beyond Netero'.
Regarding this matter, Cheadle, in her capacity as the Vice-Chairman, extended invitations to numerous talented individuals within the Association.
Morel and Knov, who had performed brilliantly in the Chimera Ant Extermination Operation, were naturally among the first group of invitees.
In response to Cheadle's invitation, Morel readily agreed.
Now that the craze to go to the 'New Continent' has become a foregone conclusion, the boundary lines drawn on the world map had become utterly meaningless.
Thus, Morel accepted the commission to transport the Hunter Association's members to the Dark Continent's coastline.
If it was his ocean-going ship, the Purple Smoke, he could rely on his Nen to ensure basic navigation even without carrying too much reserve fuel.
Under these conditions, more cabin space could be allocated to food reserves.
Taking a step back-
Knov also accepted this invitation.
Therefore, with his Hide and Seek Ability, there was basically no need to worry about fuel or food storage issues.
Unfortunately, Knov only agreed to go with the team to the imaginary New Continent located between the known waters and the Dark Waters.
If pressed further, he might stretch it to the transit base before crossing into the Dark Waters.
This was the limit of what Knov could agree to. According to him, there was no way he would cross the boundary of the Dark Waters, let alone set foot on the Dark Continent.
Cheadle expressed understanding toward Knov's stance.
However, without Knov's ability to store supplies and provide short-term refuge, they urgently needed to find another Nen User with similar capabilities.
With time running short, one can imagine how difficult it will be to implement this matter.
Upon learning of this, Moses simply told Cheadle to do her best.
It would be best if they an ability similar to Knov's Hide and Seek.
But if they can't find it, there was no need to obsess over it.
While the Hunter Association was making intense preparations, Beyond's team was doing the same.
In fact, V5 and International Permit Agencies had indeed reached some kind of private agreement with the Kakin Empire.
Just like in the original work, V5 included Kakin Empire in their superpower nation group and proposed the conditions of 'splitting profits fifty-fifty' and 'resolving the two existing Calamities'.
In return, the Kakin Empire would enjoy all the prestige brought by the exploration of the New World.
Based on this point alone, Kakin Empire agreed very readily.
Because for Nasubi, prestige was one of his primary goals in this endeavor.
Driven by this private agreement, the exploration of the New Continent has become a foregone conclusion.
…
Time passes.
October 9th.
The eve of the Voyage to the New World.
Through the joint efforts of the Hunter Association, the Kakin Empire, Beyond's team, and the International Permit Agencies, all previously contained Calamities had been resolved.
Thus-
Countless eyes from around the world turned toward the grand Voyage Ceremony the next day.
This would be humanity's first large-scale, high-profile advance into the Dark Continent, and it will also be a moment that would undoubtedly be recorded in history.