Time flowed onward.
The team journeyed, pausing and moving on, the only constant being Law's desperate training.
Every member of the team knew the reason and was not surprised by Law's actions, which squeezed utility from every minute and second.
After approximately one month of exploration, the most dangerous creatures they had encountered were rated around B-level.
It wasn't clear what the unexplored regions were like, but the explored areas indicated this was a land quite suitable for human habitation.
Population pressure, resource scarcity, territorial disputes…
These phenomena persistently present in the Six Continents could indeed be alleviated here, or rather, fundamentally resolved.
It must be said, Nasubi's risky move, made under pressure from the V5, was truly brilliant.
Once the 'immigration' matter was settled, Nasubi's name would not only go down in history but he would also gain unimaginable prestige.
That public harvest of fame and fortune formed a stark contrast with Beyond's true, covert exploration expedition to the Dark Continent.
Not seeking fame, not seeking fortune.
What Beyond possessed was merely the pursuit of a Pro Hunter.
"It should be coming soon, the B·W..."
Law looked towards the coastline. They had been on the imagined continent for about a month. Based on the B·W's sailing speed, barring any accidents, it should land in the near future.
The B·W's route and landing point weren't secret. Even VIPs in the business and political circles on the 2nd Floor could obtain this information, let alone Law and his group.
However, the landing point was also hypothetical. They could roughly ascertain the general area but had no specific location.
"Let's go."
Law glanced back at the fully prepared team members and took the lead.
During this month, Law had been training constantly, while Buorai and the others had gained significant harvests.
Registration of new species, utilization rates of plants and organisms, analogical information on edible and inedible items…
Once the V6 put down roots here, this information, crucial for humanity's initial development, would be as valuable as gold and represent full merit.
However, due to Netero's obstinacy, the Hunter Association had temporarily lost the trust of the V6. Whether they could establish a foothold on the imagined continent in the future remained uncertain.
But judging from the environments explored so far, the V6 would still need the assistance of an organization like the Hunter Association, which is full of expert elites.
Law's group had moved from the coastline inland. Now, they were to return from inland to the coastline.
They were here to pick up Ging before officially heading to the Dark Continent.
…
A large ship marked with the Hunter Association's symbol was anchored in the near-shore waters of the coastline.
This was the ship Netero's group arrived on, and this was the coastline of the imagined continent.
The Hunter Association had arrived, slower than Law's group but faster than the B·W.
Because the imagined continent was sizable and countless routes led here, the chance of the Hunter Association's ship, or their landing party, encountering Law's group was pitifully small.
In fact, this ship had been anchored here for a week.
When the ship docked, Netero led the Zodiac members inland.
They were to visit the Gatekeeper at the [Great Wall] to gain their assistance.
As for how to find the 'Gate', it was quite simple.
Find the city wall on land, then follow it forward until reaching the location of the 'Gate'.
This principle was similar to following a river to find a human settlement.
After trekking for seven days without any intersection with Law, who was also on the imagined continent, Netero's group finally arrived before that gigantic gate.
It was a gate seemingly made only for giants to pass through. Its structure consisted of six panels, featuring three strange patterns arranged symmetrically.
Netero's group stood before the gate, looking up at this door perhaps crafted by giants, their expressions varied.
"This… is the threshold to the Dark Continent…" Botobai murmured softly.
"It's huge!" Kanzai exclaimed with his mouth open.
"Really? You don't say, idiot." Cluck habitually retorted, receiving a death glare from Kanzai, which caused absolutely no damage.
"Hey, hey, Cheadle, quickly take a photo for me!"
Pyon shoved her rabbit-eared phone into Cheadle's hands, then ran to the gate and struck a cute pose for her.
"…"
Cheadle looked at the phone, then at Pyon, thinking to herself that they weren't here for tourism.
Though she thought this, she still picked up the phone and took a photo for Pyon.
After taking the photo, Pyon ran back to Cheadle, excitedly grabbed the phone, and flipped to the photo to admire it.
Cheadle looked at Pyon and asked, "Do you know the meaning of the patterns on the gate?"
"No idea. If it were ancient text, I might have clues, but if it's patterns, I'm helpless," Pyon said without looking up.
Not far away, Mizaistom turned to Pyon. "Chairman, are we to visit with the demeanor of 'guests'?"
Netero nodded. "Yes. Because the Gatekeeper despises those without manners most. Therefore, one of the prerequisites for 'negotiation' is etiquette."
"So, do we knock first?" Ginta said straightforwardly.
Gel silently glanced at Ginta. "Although what you said is stating the obvious, it's not wrong."
"Alright. Guests should have the bearing of guests."
Netero glanced around at the surrounding Zodiac members.
Everyone present understood the seriousness and immediately fell quiet.
Seeing this, Netero walked to the gate, raised his hand, suspended it before the door, and wrapped his fist with white light.
Then, he knocked three times with a distinct rhythm.
Thud, thud…
The knocking sound was deep but not deafening.
After knocking, Netero retreated a distance and waited quietly for the result.
The only path to the Dark Continent was the Dark Waters, a place full of perils. The risks stemmed not from harsh climatic conditions but from the countless giant sea monsters inhabiting the waters.
Human ships were as insignificant as a small leaf before those sea monsters. Without the assistance of a guide, the chance of capsizing was terrifyingly high.
With a guide's assistance, one could find a safe route threading through the densely packed territories of numerous sea monsters.
One minute later, the gate emitted a deep sound and slowly began to push outward.
Seeing this, Netero's group retreated several more steps, watching as the gate opened to about ten meters before stopping.
Standing in the gap was a magical beast about five meters tall. His blue skin and ivory-like teeth were quite striking. It was the Gatekeeper, Blue Shadow.
'Humans…'
Looking down at Netero and the others, Blue Shadow thought to himself.
The group also looked at Blue Shadow. Except for Netero, who remained calm, the Zodiac members' expressions were slightly grave.
'What powerful Aura…'
Even without using Gyo, they could see the vigorous Aura surrounding Blue Shadow through Ken.
This was the Gatekeeper Race from the Dark Continent.
From known intelligence, this Gatekeeper knew how to use Nen, as the [Guide] was likely a Nen Beast summoned by the Gatekeeper.