Hunter x Hunter : Germain Joins The Hunt

On the morning of September 25th at 7:20 (originally planned for a midnight departure, now changed to an 8:00 A.M. departure), everything was gradually awakening in the light of dawn.

The room was quiet. After a moment, the tall and upright Germain stepped in front of a wide, full-length mirror, examining his new outfit—a black Tomb Raider Hunter's suit.

A few days prior, Ging had arranged for a talented tailor to rush the completion of this attire. Germain found it fitting during his initial try-on and had kept it in his wardrobe until now. This morning, he finally brought it out and put it on.

He removed the attached hood, revealing his short, tousled hair, dark as ink, and eyes just as black. Clad entirely in black, he seemed to embody darkness itself.

In the past, being an assassin was indeed an excellent choice, allowing him to better merge into the shadows and complete his missions and objectives with ease.

Feeling that everything was ready, Germain turned and opened the door. The outside still carried the dim, gray hue of early morning, and the faint light embraced him as he stepped out.

He switched off the room's light and walked through the corridor, where candle flames flickered, then descended the spiral stone staircase.

Before long, he arrived at the dungeon hall deep within the Limiru Castle. The entrance was not only illuminated but filled with the sound of people talking loudly.

It seemed that everyone else had already gathered.

As Germain entered, the debating atmosphere briefly paused. When the group noticed it was him, the discussion resumed with renewed energy.

However, it was clear that despite the arguments, everyone remained composed, without any signs of genuine anger.

"Germain," said the petite Bisky, lifting the hem of her dress with both hands as though handling a precious treasure, "It's so like you to arrive half an hour early."

Germain glanced around the room, observing the others before asking with mild curiosity, "What's the argument about?"

"Just debating whether we've missed anything," Bisky replied, spreading her gloved hands in exasperation. "I'm quite sure they forgot to give me the 'Blue Planet,' but no one else seems to care about it… Germain, I feel so mistreated."

Leaning his back against the stone wall, Germain said calmly, "Didn't Ging say he'd hand over the 'Blue Planet' as long as you completed the 'Greed Island' game?"

In fact, Ging had also promised that after they returned from the Dark Continent, he would gift Bisky a 'Blue Planet' outright.

However, as this seemed too much like a death flag, Bisky had interrupted him before he could finish.

"Stingy," Bisky puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel hoarding seeds. "You and Ging are both so stingy, not siding with me at all…"

In reality, Ging wasn't being stingy. It was just that the 'Blue Planet'...

It was one of a kind, and it was precisely this unique beauty that had caught Bisky's eye among the many "gem" cards sealed in Greed Island.

Other gem cards included "Dark Emerald," "Sage's Aquamarine," "Fortunate Alexandrite," "Wandering Ruby," and "Summoning Emerald," among others.

However, none of them could capture Bisky's affection as much as "Blue Planet."

No matter how many "Blue Planet" cards existed in Greed Island, they all pointed to the same sapphire. 

Players who completed the game could only take one "Blue Planet" out of the island; any duplicates were mere replicas and could not be taken outside.

Although no one had ever cleared the game over all these years, and there were no signs of it happening now, Ging couldn't completely rule out the possibility that someone might complete it soon.

Therefore, until he crafted a new "Blue Planet" or a suitable substitute, Ging wouldn't simply hand it over—unless Bisky was the player who reached the game's end.

Offering to give Bisky a "Blue Planet" after this Dark Continent expedition was already a generous promise.

As if responding to Bisky's complaints, Ging—with his ragged hat and worn-out coat, despite being a billionaire—strode over quickly.

"Alright, alright," Ging muttered with a hint of annoyance. He glanced at Bisky and said, "The 'Blue Planet' is made from meteorite, and it's incredibly rare. You'll have to give me a bit more time to make a second or third one. Once I do, giving you one won't be an issue."

"Really?" Bisky's mood lightened, and she playfully nudged Ging's arm. "You should've prepared more 'Blue Planets' earlier so I could already have one."

"Scarcity adds value. If there were too many, how would it be special?" Ging explained, pointing to Dwun and the others in the distance as he deflected responsibility. 

"Besides, I haven't been to Greed Island for years. The replenishment of the game's physical cards isn't my call."

Compared to "Blue Planet," consumable cards like "Angel's Breath," "Spell Cards," and "Free Cards" had a higher priority for restocking.

Additionally, due to the high craftsmanship required for making "Blue Planet," Dwun and the others hadn't gone out of their way to produce a stockpile of them.

At that moment, Germain took out his pocket watch and checked the time. It was almost 7:50. He spoke up, "It's about time. We should get going."

With that announcement, Ging's eyes lit up with anticipation, while Bisky's expression grew serious.

Both nodded at Germain, who then moved to the center of the dungeon hall.

As he stood in the middle of everyone's gaze, the crowd gradually fell silent. Each person glanced at their wristwatches or pocket watches to confirm the time—they all knew the moment had come...

Germain looked in Shizuku's direction and asked, "Did you bring everything?"

"Everything on the list is packed," Shizuku replied, standing with a slight tilt and her hands clasped behind her back like an innocent girl next door. "They just added a few extra cards at the last minute."

Dwun stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and explained, "That's what we were arguing about earlier. In the end, we decided it was best to include some cards that might not seem immediately useful."

"Right," List said, brushing his blond hair away from his forehead. "Like the 'Designated Card: Dark Emerald.' This gem can transfer impending misfortune from oneself to someone nearby."

Germain was taken aback.

List quickly added, "We're not giving you tools for mutual harm or betrayal. We just thought that, in rare cases, this card might be needed, so we decided to add it."

Germain nodded, understanding Dwun and List's reasoning. He glanced around at everyone in the hall and asked, "Does anyone have anything else to add?"

"No… oh, right! Safe travels and come back in one piece," Menchi said with a smile, her hands resting on the sides of her short shorts.

The others followed suit, offering their best wishes. Even Sanbica timidly raised a sign with a message of support.

"Then we're ready to go," Germain said.

Ging, Bisky, and Shizuku gathered around and stood by his side.

Germain gently touched the conjured 'Hunter Badge,' then pressed his hand against the cold floor. A soft glow spread across the surface, and a 'Transport Lantern' emerged, rippling into existence.

Four hideous, emaciated ghosts crawled out from the lantern's base, shrieking with unsettling cries that evoked an eerie discomfort.

Those witnessing the scene and hearing the sounds for the first time felt a chill run down their spines.

Germain stared intently at the 'Transport Lantern Projection.'

'Destination: Greed Island, Limeiro Castle'

'Cooldown Time: 32 hours (Cooled Down)'

After confirming the cooldown was complete, he turned to the three beside him and asked, "Are you all ready? If so, take the 'Messenger Ghosts' hand."

"No problem." Ging showed an excitement not typical for his age, more like a child who had just gotten a new toy. He eagerly grabbed the hand of one of the "Messenger Ghosts." "Wow, this hand is so cold. I thought I was touching an ice pop."

The "Messenger Ghost" was quite different from its icy appearance, gazing at Ging with enthusiastic surprise for choosing to hold its hand.

Ging scratched the back of his head with his other hand, frowning. "Is it just me, or does it seem like it's... into me?"

"It's definitely into you." Bisky laughed and grabbed another "Messenger Ghost"'s hand, teasing.

Ging knew it was just a joke, so he helplessly shook his head.

Germain and Shizuku also grabbed the hands of their respective "Messenger Ghosts," and with that, everything was ready.

Razor, with his massive, tower-like body, stepped forward, giving off a strong sense of security.

"Don't worry, at least two people will always be on duty here. As soon as you return, we'll gather here as quickly as possible."

Ging gave Razor an "OK" gesture and then turned to Germain. "Let's go."

With that, Germain activated the "Teleportation Lantern."

A dizzying, disorienting feeling overtook them, like being on the most dangerous and intense rollercoaster or giant swing. They spun through a bizarre, colorful world.

In the blink of an eye, they, along with the "Teleportation Lantern" and "Messenger Ghosts," vanished, like bubbles bursting under sunlight.

In the dungeon hall, everyone except for Menchi and Buhara, who had already experienced it once, watched in amazement. It took them a while to snap out of it.

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