"Hmm?"
"Is that kid not finishing the Hunter Exam?"
Watching Lan Fei board the airship alongside Beans, Hisoka stood with his hands on his hips, a faint smirk dancing at the corner of his lips. His eyes glinted with interest and confusion.
"He gave up the exam?"
Illumi, still in disguise as Gittarackur, narrowed his eyes. The needle in his face glinted as he turned his gaze from the departing airship to Hisoka.
"That child was clearly hooked by Hisoka's presence… and still left?" he murmured internally. "I thought he'd be eliminated in the Numere Wetlands. A shame—he was promising prey."
"Tch, to let him go like this…"
Hisoka licked the corner of his lips as he turned toward Gon, an unsettling gleam in his eyes.
"Well, I still have this one. And it'll be more fun when he grows stronger…"
"Gon…"
He strode toward Gon, laughing in his signature eerie, singsong tone.
"Hisoka?!"
Killua stepped in front of Gon instinctively, eyes alert. Kurapika and Leorio flanked him as tension thickened.
"Do you need something?"
Gon stared back at Hisoka, his expression serious.
He remembered vividly: back in the Numere Wetlands, if Lan Fei hadn't intercepted, Leorio would've been killed.
"Where's that kid—Lan Fei?" Hisoka asked, eyes narrowing.
"He was granted early qualification by Chairman Netero," Gon replied. "He doesn't need to take the rest of the exam."
"He's a licensed Hunter now."
"Oh?"
For a split second, Hisoka's expression sharpened. A cold glint of predatory desire shimmered in his gaze.
"So he had that much power hidden…"
He chuckled.
"Good. That means my future playthings will be even more entertaining. Prey is best enjoyed after it ripens."
Meanwhile, aboard the airship—
A low table had been set in the lounge. Chairman Isaac Netero sat cross-legged, sipping from a small porcelain cup. Across from him, Lan Fei sat casually, hands resting in his lap.
"You're heading to the Sky Arena just for money?" Netero asked, stroking his beard with interest.
"Well… I'm pretty broke right now," Lan Fei admitted with a wry smile.
"Do you know much about it?"
"A bit. It's great for both money and training."
"Heh…"
Netero nodded and refilled his cup before pouring tea for Lan Fei.
"The Sky Arena is a haven for combat fanatics. The structure has 251 floors and stands 991 meters tall—fourth tallest in the world. Each floor is a battlefield."
"From the 1st to the 200th floor, advancement depends on victories. You lose, you drop. You win, you rise."
"It draws over a billion spectators annually. Around 4,000 challengers register every single day. In terms of difficulty, it's second only to the Hunter Exam."
Lan Fei accepted the cup with both hands and took a sip.
"Chairman, how many people have ever cleared it?"
"Very, very few," Netero replied slowly. "To ascend from floor one to 251 without resting or dropping out… there have been no more than five individuals in history. And each of them is a world-renowned fighter."
He raised a hand and counted on his fingers.
"Zushi's master, Wing, almost reached it. Others like Uvogin, Phinks, even Biscuit Krueger—all stopped around the 200th floor."
"What if I managed to do it?" Lan Fei asked, eyes twinkling.
Netero's brows rose, amused.
"Then fame and fortune would be at your feet. You're only thirteen, so families, dark continent associations—even the Hunter Association—would try to recruit you."
He chuckled and refilled the cups.
"With your strength, based on our match last night… I'd say you've got an 80% chance. But it depends on what you're really after."
Lan Fei took the second cup and sipped again.
"Right now? Just money. But if fame comes too… I'll work a little harder."
"Hm. The 100th floor offers prize money around one million Jenny. The 150th—upward of ten million. Reaching the 190th can net you over 200 million total. However, past the 200th floor, fights are restricted to Nen users, and the reward becomes reputation—not cash."
"After 200, you fight only for your name."
Netero smiled, observing him.
To him, Lan Fei was an uncut gem. If guided properly, he could become a beacon of power—or a harbinger of chaos.
But Netero had seen too many talented youths go astray. What he sought in Hunters wasn't just strength, but moral clarity—right over wrong.
Lan Fei, however, was a mystery. As a transmigrator, his values weren't shaped by this world's principles.
He didn't think in terms of justice or evil. To him, there was only interest—like or dislike. There was no right or wrong.
And that—was exactly what troubled Netero.
"Chairman… thank you."
Lan Fei raised the third cup Netero poured and drank it slowly.
"Not many in the world get three cups of tea from me," Netero chuckled. "You've joined a rare circle."
"We're nearing our destination. We've crossed into the Republic of Batokia's airspace."
Netero set his cup down, then fixed Lan Fei with a solemn look.
"Let's part here. When we meet again, I hope to witness your full strength."
Lan Fei rose from his seat, smirking.
"Maybe I'll make you show yours instead."
"Oh?" Netero arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah… your strongest er… technique."
Lan Fei leaned closer with a mysterious air.
"Like… Hyakushiki Kannon."
The porcelain teapot in Netero's hand trembled. His pupils shrank.
"What…?"
Lan Fei didn't answer. He turned, hands tucked in his pockets, and strolled toward the exit of the airship.
"Hyakushiki Kannon…"
Netero repeated in a whisper.
How could this child know about 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, his most sacred—and secret—Nen ability?
His hand froze mid-pour. His expression darkened slightly as he watched Lan Fei disappear toward the exit.
What are you…?