It took several months, and during the journey, they witnessed various climates and creatures that could easily destroy the Purple Smoke.
But they had finally arrived here.
The experiences and sights along the way made them understand why humanity could never rely on its own strength to undertake large-scale voyages.
Without the guidance of a Guide, who is capable of foreseeing and avoiding the dangers of the voyage, crossing the Dark Waters was truly as difficult as ascending to heaven.
'I really want to test the Chimera Gene ability on the Guide...'
Gazing at the towering coastline ahead, Moses thought to himself, "But we still need the Guide to lead us on the return journey."
He was tempted to use the Chimera Gene he got from Perception to try to obtain the Guide's ability to sense fortune and avoid disaster. However, the timing was never right.
After turning the idea over in his mind, he reluctantly let it go.
Instead, another thought took its place.
Rather than entrusting their safe return to someone else, it was better to grasp that guarantee firmly in his own hands.
Moses glanced subtly at the Guide, who was always standing on the bow of the ship.
He was thinking-
For the time being, he could refrain from using the Chimera Gene ability on the Guide, but he can try to use Kyoka Suigetsu to control the Guide.
…
A short while later.
The Purple Smoke reached the waters near the coastline.
Looking up, the Dark Continent's shoreline stood before them like an immense fortress wall.
While everyone on the ship had the ability to scale the cliff, the issue of where to moor the Purple Smoke became critical.
In order to solve this problem, they didn't rush to disembark. Instead, they sailed along the coastline, searching for a suitable landing spot.
It took them about an hour, but their hard work paid off as they found a cave beach among the reefs that looked like towering city walls.
It was as a hollowed-out recess in the rock, as if a giant had punched through the stone, leaving behind a cavernous indentation.
Above the cave, two massive openings allowed sunlight to pour in, illuminating the sandy floor within and dispelling the dampness that would have otherwise accumulated in the cave.
Without hesitation, Morel used his Deep Purple Soldiers to lift the Purple Smoke and carry it into the cave.
The hull of the Purple Smoke is already reinforced with Divine Script, so there is no need to worry about any damage during transportation.
…
"There's a passage leading upward here."
While Morel's smoke soldiers moved the ship, other team members explored the cave and found a winding tunnel that seemed to ascend toward the shore.
Based on their initial assessment of the reef structure, this tunnel likely led to the surface.
"Kanzai, Botobai, Kastro, Ponzu, Ginta, Hisoka, you six go scout the path ahead."
Upon discovering the tunnel, Moses immediately issued orders.
"Got it."
Those whose names were called responded one after another and quickly formed a team, advancing into the depths of the tunnel.
Kanzai, Botobai, and Kastro are all Enhancers, so it is natural for them to took the lead to bear any potential threats.
Ponzu's role was to use her bees to scout ahead and detect dangers, so she positioned herself in the middle of the formation.
As for Ginta and Hisoka, they provide support for the entire team from the rear.
Ginta's task was to ensure Ponzu's safety, while Hisoka's job was to attach his Bungee Gum to every team member.
If an emergency arose, Hisoka would decide whether to use his ability to pull the team out of danger.
Soon, Kanzai and the others disappeared into the depths of the tunnel.
…
Meanwhile, those who remained had their own tasks.
The most important among them was the application of Divine Script.
The Purple Smoke was their lifeline for the return journey. Even though they had found a safe mooring spot, they couldn't afford to leave it unprotected.
So Divine Script, with its versatile abilities, was perfect for this purpose.
Moses and Ging planned to inscribe a simple Divine Script around the ship's resting area to serve both an alarm and a reinforcement to protect the Purple Smoke.
Additionally, they would set up another Divine Script with a teleportation function in this seemingly secure location.
However, before that, the rest of the team needed to further assess the surrounding danger levels.
As for supplying the Aura needed to activate the alarm and reinforcement Divine Scripts, that responsibility fell to Moses.
After all, who made his Potential Aura much higher than Ging's?
Once their tasks were assigned, the entire team sprang into action.
…
Moses leaned over and drew the Divine Script on the ground, but from time to time, he would glance at the silent Guide, who was standing not far away.
Ging, who was also busy drawing the Divine Script, noticed Moses' subtle glances but wasn't surprised.
Because some time ago, Moses had already discussed with him the idea of using Kyoka Suigetsu on the Guide.
In terms of ability mechanics, the Guide, who is essentially a Nen Beast, should be immune to the effects of Kyoka Suigetsu.
That was the natural outcome under normal circumstances.
But because of the example of Rat Jewel, this idea is full of possibilities.
From the perspective of Nen System, the fact that the Guide could lead Moses and the others across the vast Dark Continent waters, staying far from the Gatekeeper, suggested that it had likely become an independent entity under certain limitations.
In other words-
The current Guide might have already shed its identity as a Nen Beast. Only in this way can it be like Rat Jewel, who, although born from a Nen User's Nen Ability, no longer needs to rely on the Aura of the Nen User.
Without Rat Jewel as a precedent, even if Moses had some speculation, he would not have acted rashly.
But since Ging's opinion was basically the same as his, it strengthened Moses's idea of using Kyoka Suigetsu on the Guide.
In the final analysis-
If he had to make the decision alone, he might have continued wavering.
But he felt that the support from Ging was the most important and enough to push forward his idea.
…
A short while later-
Moses completed the final stroke of the Reinforcement Divine Script, and then conjured the Black Sword without making any sound.
[Shape Shift: Shrink]
The Black Sword pressed against the ground instantly transformed into a slender black needle.
Moses pinched the black needle between his fingertips, then slowly stood up, turning sideways to glance at the Guide not far away.
What he was about to do next also carried risks...
But the potential rewards were equally obvious.
This is probably the true portrayal of the vast majority of Pro Hunters.
'I hope my speculation is correct.'
He muttered to himself in his heart, and then his figure blurred into an afterimage, darting past the Guide like a gust of wind.
In the next instant-
Moses reappeared at the entrance of the upward-leading tunnel. The needle-like Black Sword that had been between his fingers was now nowhere to be seen.
Just moments ago, he had driven the needle into the Guide's shoulder.
The Guide had felt a slight sting, like a mosquito bite, but paid it no mind.
Moses glanced back at the Guide, who showed no reaction, then quickly swept his gaze down to its shoulder.
Above that position, a thin and long black tendril was spreading out.
'It's working.'
When he saw the appearance of black tendril, a faint glimmer flashed in Moses's eyes.
This means that Kyoka Suigetsu had been successfully activated. Now, all he had to do was wait for the tendrils to fully cover the Guide's body.