I didn't know being a 2-Star Hunter had so many perks!
If a 1-Star Hunter was comfortably middle-class, a 2-Star Hunter was straight-up wealthy elite. No need to work again.
Huge monthly stipends from the Association. The only cost was answering the call when the Association needed help.
"According to the Hunter Manual, don't you need to complete specific missions and gain seniority to be promoted? I haven't done any of that," Ryker asked, surprised.
"Special circumstances, special handling. I authorized it myself. I'm the Chairman, after all. If I can't even do this much, what's the point of being in charge? Don't worry, your license is genuine. With your strength, you're more than qualified."
"I'm just giving it to you a little early."
Netero chuckled mischievously.
"Oh. Then I thank the Chairman for his kindness. Since it's a gift, I won't refuse."
Ryker didn't hesitate.
The 2-Star License was basically a Super VIP pass. Bound to him for life. Valid worldwide.
Why refuse? It would make everything easier. It had way more authority than a regular license.
"You're welcome. By the way, Ryker-kun... what's with the lightning ability?"
Netero beamed, but his question left Beans confused.
Lightning? What lightning?
Beans was stressed. He was the head statistician. He didn't know about any lightning user named Ryker.
He was already worrying about how to cover for Netero. The V5 was always looking for excuses to oust the Chairman.
Arbitrarily handing out a 2-Star License was nepotism. It wasn't enough to fire Netero, but it would cause political headaches.
"This Ryker-kun here... is Examiner Kenpachi! Hahahaha! Go on, show him, or he'll nag me to death!"
Netero laughed at the bewildered Beans.
"Makes sense. Hello, little Bean! At your height, you can only jump up to hit my knees!"
Kenpachi Ryker materialized.
Massive frame. Beastly eyes. A giant shadow fell over Beans.
Beans trembled in terror before realizing what was happening.
"You! You?! You... You're Examiner Kenpachi?! Candidate Ryker?! HUH?! What is going on?!"
Beans finally processed it.
Now he understood why the usually prudent Chairman was acting so reckless.
If this was Examiner Kenpachi... then a 2-Star License was totally justified.
But he never dreamed the terrifying Examiner was this harmless-looking teenage boy. It was shocking.
"See? Now you can relax, Beans. My decision was brilliant, wasn't it? HAHAHAHA!!"
Netero boasted.
"Chairman Netero, regarding the Lightning Nen..."
Ryker reverted to his normal form. Netero interrupted him.
"I'm not prying into your secrets. You don't have to explain. I just wanted to warn you. Lightning Nen is unique. It will attract the Zoldyck family's attention. I have some friendship with them, but they take contracts. Be careful..."
Netero rambled on like a doting grandfather.
He knew Zeno. He watched Zeno grow up. But if another Zoldyck took a contract on Ryker, it could be trouble. He didn't want his precious successor to die young.
Assassins didn't always fight fair. Poison, accidents... there were many ways to kill a monster.
"Thank you, Chairman. I understand. I'll take the license. By the way, I found this card at the hotel. Can you check it?"
Ryker handed over the black card.
"Oh? A Zoldyck marker card! Looks like you've been tagged. Just log into the Association website and input the code. I'll help you."
"Uh, I'm bad with computers. Beans, you do it."
Netero awkwardly handed the card to Beans.
Beans typed rapidly and accessed a secure page.
"I saw you."
"If you want your secret kept, come find me."
Two sentences.
Then the page dissolved. Data burned.
Interesting. I'm being targeted.
Who else but Illumi?
Top-tier assassin. He must have deduced Kenpachi was Ryker during yesterday's fight. Otherwise, he wouldn't leave a card.
So, I have to go to the Zoldyck estate.
He was planning to go anyway since Gon was shouting about saving Killua.
Plus... The Zoldyck family was a goldmine of traits.
It was basically a top-tier raid dungeon. Loot galore.
His strength was good now, but the Chimera Ants were coming. That was the real crisis.
Netero was a stubborn old mule, but Ryker didn't want to see him die. The old man had been good to him. Ryker wasn't ungrateful.
I can consider saving him.
"Don't worry, Ryker-kun. I'll contact Zeno. I'll ask him who in the family has a grudge against you. I'll settle it. But be careful of other assassin families," Netero offered.
He was the strongest human, but not everyone listened to him.
"No need, Chairman. Gon wants to find Killua. I'm interested in the Zoldycks too. Besides, their Nen techniques are world-famous. I plan to 'exchange pointers' with them. Don't trouble yourself."
"Ah? HAHAHAHA!! Good, good! HAHAHAHA! But please, since the Zoldycks haven't broken Association rules... if one of them offended you, please spare their life for my sake. I would be grateful!"
Netero laughed loudly.
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