The purification of the Cruz Cemetery and the excavation of numerous relics would completely dispel the lingering death and resentment that had haunted relic hunters and explorers alike.
Such remarkable achievements deserved the respect of all Hunters.
Even just handling the Cruz Cemetery alone—if made public—would likely cement Ronnel's name in history, ensuring his legacy would be recorded for generations to come.
This was already one of the key conditions for earning the title of Three-Star Hunter.
Unconsciously, Knov found himself looking at Ronnel with newfound respect.
"I'm Ronnel, a Two-Star Ruins Hunter."
Noticing the odd expressions on Morel and Knov's faces, Ronnel merely offered a slight smile and chose not to elaborate further.
But for Morel and Knov, just knowing his name was enough.
It really was him.
Even though they had already confirmed it by recognizing his face, hearing it aloud made them feel a mix of emotions.
Their understanding of Ronnel wasn't just about his rank or occupation as a Hunter.
Yet, amid their admiration, a question lingered in their minds.
"It's just some ants. The three of us should be enough, shouldn't we? Why do we need Ronnel?"
The briefing Morel and Knov received indicated that a giant Chimera Ant was involved in cannibalistic incidents. While Netero had emphasized that this ant had mastered Nen and was extraordinarily powerful, they had initially dismissed the warning.
Their confidence as humans led them to underestimate the threat.
To them, even if the ants had learned Nen, they were still just mindless beasts—like children wielding weapons, possessing raw power but lacking wisdom.
However, with Ronnel's unexpected presence, they realized that this mission might not be as straightforward as they had assumed.
Just what kind of ant could warrant the involvement of both Chairman Netero and Ronnel—two of the most powerful individuals they knew?
For the first time, a sense of unease crept into their hearts.
Yet, the feeling was fleeting.
With Netero and Ronnel here, no matter what kind of enemy awaited them, they believed victory was assured.
This was the unspoken consensus between Morel and Knov.
"Now that the introductions are done and we all know each other, let's get going~"
Netero glanced at the darkening sky, then arranged for a carriage from the local Hunter Association branch to take them directly to NGL.
That's right—only carriages.
Though many tourists sought to visit NGL for its primitive lifestyle, the entrance was close to the airport. Due to increasing tourism over the years, vehicle traffic had surged, leading to a rise in pollution near the border.
To counter this, a law was passed permitting only environmentally friendly transportation into NGL. Horse-drawn carriages became the fastest mode of travel.
After brief introductions, the group boarded the carriage under Netero's arrangement.
Inside, Ronnel and Netero closed their eyes, savoring a few hours of rest.
Morel and Knov, seeing their companions resting, couldn't help but reflect on the strength of their enemy.
A heavy silence filled the carriage. Even their breathing felt subdued.
Under a sky dotted with stars, the group made their way toward NGL.
Meanwhile, outside a large tree near the NGL border, Killua sat in silence, his heart pounding in his chest.
Never before had he felt such overwhelming terror and helplessness.
Not even his older brother Illumi, or Jed from Heavens Arena's upper floors, had instilled this kind of fear in him.
Illumi had never truly intended to harm him, and Jed's target had been Netero—Killua had merely been incidental.
But the cat-like Chimera Ant he encountered tonight had been different.
When that creature released its raw, murderous intent, Killua's body had shut down entirely.
His mind screamed one instinctive thought: "Escape immediately!"
Not once had he considered the safety of Gon or Kite.
If Kite hadn't drawn the cat-woman's attention, Killua might have abandoned them without hesitation.
Even knocking Gon unconscious had been a reflex—a desperate attempt to hide the shameful truth that he had wanted to flee.
The realization made his stomach churn with guilt.
Had he really betrayed his companions?
"Does this mean I can never have real friends?"
His father and Illumi had always said so.
Killua stared down at his trembling hands, drained of all strength.
Time passed quietly as he sat in the depths of his turmoil. Before he knew it, the first light of dawn pierced the gray sky, casting golden rays over the earth.
...
A new day had begun.
The warm sunlight bathed him and Gon, who lay peacefully nearby.
But no amount of light could dispel the darkness clouding Killua's heart.
"No matter how many times I see it, the rising sun is always the most beautiful sight in the world."
A gentle yet familiar voice reached Killua's ears.
Startled, he lifted his head and looked down the road.
A carriage had arrived, and four figures stepped out, walking toward him.
The two leading the group were unmistakable.
"Chairman Netero… and Ronnel."
Killua murmured their names in disbelief.
"Oh-ho, even young Killua looks like he's been shaken up! Seems like this opponent is going to be quite the handful."
Netero tucked his hands into his wide sleeves, his tone playful—but his eyes were sharper than ever.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)