"Where to next?"
As they left the V5 office building specifically dedicated to handling dangerous organisms, Hisoka couldn't resist asking.
It was clear that the pervert was itching for a fight to satisfy the dark cravings of his heart.
"Is that even a question? The NGL Autonomous Region, obviously. While we were busy dealing with that island, the Chimera Ants over there have likely been breeding like crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if Squadron Leaders and even Royal Guards have been born. It's the perfect time for a hunt," Allen answered without hesitation.
Although he had used nuclear weapons to annihilate the island and the unknown creature to save time, the round trip had still eaten up nearly half a month. That was followed by being dragged into hearings and scientific symposiums, which delayed them for another fifteen days.
It wasn't until yesterday that the mission was officially declared over. A massive sum of money had been transferred into the accounts of all hired participants, accompanied by a mandatory non-disclosure agreement.
One had to admit, while the V5 was incredibly bureaucratic with their procedures, they were surprisingly generous with their payouts. To a man, every participant was satisfied with the long string of zeros on their balance.
This was especially true for the Emitter mercenaries. The first thing they did upon receiving their pay was to storm the nearest nightclub to discuss the "meaning of life" with scantily-clad hostesses—a brutally honest display of human nature.
"Oh? Is it finally starting? How exciting," Hisoka's eyes shimmered with a manic light.
"Don't be in such a rush. Before we go, I need to call one more person to join the team."
Allen pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
After about seven or eight seconds, Illumi's toneless, emotionless voice came through the receiver: "Hello? You finally called. You know, I've turned down several big jobs waiting for you."
"Sorry, there was a slight complication. If you don't mind, could you head directly to NGL? We'll meet you there. Also, your good friend Hisoka is on the team," Allen said, getting straight to the point.
It was now late April. He estimated they wouldn't land in the Mitene Union until early May; he didn't have any more time to waste waiting for people.
"Hisoka is there too?" There was a rare, slight tremor in Illumi's voice. "It sounds like you're planning something very dangerous. OK, no problem. But the payment..."
"Don't worry about the payment. Whether you want money or potions, it's not an issue," Allen promised generously.
"Do you need me to bring my father and grandfather along?" Illumi tested the waters meaningfully.
Allen hesitated for a moment before declining. "No need. If it's convenient, bring your brother Kalluto. His ability should be useful."
"Understood. See you in NGL."
"See you there."
The moment he hung up, Hisoka chuckled mockingly. "My, my! I didn't expect you to invite Illumi. It looks like some people are about to have a very bad day."
"No. This time isn't primarily about causing trouble for the masterminds. It's about a war, a war between humanity and the Chimera Ants. Besides, do you know the biggest difference between me and Chairman Netero or most other Hunters?" Allen looked up, staring into the pervert's eyes.
"What is it?" Hisoka asked with interest.
"I never feel sympathy or pity for my enemies. I firmly believe that the only good enemy is a dead one. As for their emotions, be it anger, hatred, sorrow, or regret and pain, they have nothing to do with me. I won't try to understand them, and I won't regret my killings. For me, hunting is simply killing the prey and taking everything they have to empower myself. It has no other meaning beyond that."
After saying this, Allen rented a small private airship and headed for their destination.
Because NGL was inhabited by the world's most extreme environmentalists, they rejected all forms of technology. Travelers had to land in the neighboring country, Rokario, and pass through rigorous inspections to ensure no "contraband" was carried before being allowed entry.
Of course, this policy was merely a lie concocted by the NGL leadership to hide their illicit production of drugs and firearms. Whether the leaders used environmentalism as a cover from the start, or if they were environmentalists who corrupted into drug lords after gaining power, remained unknown.
Regardless, under this policy, NGL was almost entirely cut off from the outside world. Whatever happened inside rarely reached the public in a timely manner.
This was likely why the Kakin Empire and Beyond Netero chose NGL as the initial drop point for the Chimera Ants. Even if the initial attacks were discovered, the NGL leadership would likely suppress the news to protect their drug operations. By the time they realized they needed help from the outside world, it would be too late.
After several days of flight, the small airship finally landed on the border of Rokario.
The moment his feet hit the ground, Allen saw a dense, primordial forest and rolling mountains and valleys. Though NGL wasn't large in area, the terrain was incredibly complex. With its crisscrossing rivers and waterways, it was a natural dead zone for transportation and communication.
At a nearby border station, the guards responsible for searching travelers' belongings watched them with wary, hostile eyes.
"The way those guys look at us is quite uncomfortable. Should I kill them?" Hisoka asked, fiddling with a playing card.
"Go ahead. These guys definitely know about the high-level drug operations; they're likely beneficiaries and accomplices. In my eyes, they're already as good as dead," Allen shrugged indifferently.
"Hehe, that's what I like about you, you never hide who you despise."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Hisoka vanished. In less than three minutes, he had slaughtered everyone at the NGL checkpoint. Two men tried to raise their rifles, but their reactions were far too slow. Their throats were slit by soft, thin playing cards, and they slumped to the ground, gasping their final, agonizing breaths.
"How did you know they were connected to the drug trade?" Baise asked, glancing at the mangled corpses.
"Simple. If you were an NGL leader producing drugs, would you put people who knew nothing in charge of vital border security? Most of the civilians inside might be ignorant, but these people are definitely in the know. Besides, I have no intention of following the ridiculous laws of extreme environmentalists, nor will I give up the convenience of technology for horses."
With that, Allen released a monster-wheeled off-road vehicle from his Fun Fun Cloth onto the clearing.
Sometimes he truly felt that the author created NGL to satirize extreme environmentalists. In the real world, such people are often manipulated by those with ulterior motives, lacking the discernment to realize they are being used.
As the saying goes: extreme environmentalists and extreme animal rights activists are either purely stupid or purely evil.
Looking at it now, that saying seemed quite accurate.
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