The scorching hot rain caught the exploration team off guard.
Raindrops as big as beans fell onto their skin, causing slight red rash-like burns.
If they kept getting soaked like this, their skin might soon blister and rot.
But in the end, it was just rain.
An "Elite-class and above" Nen user's "Nen defense" could withstand even ordinary bullets, let alone the rain, which lacked penetration.
However, no one wanted to waste their Nen on something as trivial as blocking the rain. So, with a direction pointed out by Germain, the group quickly ran toward it.
They took shelter under the vast, intertwined canopy of trees in the giant rainforest.
The hot raindrops hit the branches and leaves before sliding down, already turning into a misty steam halfway through their fall.
Shizuku applied "Sanbica's ointment" to Bisky's minor burns while listening to Bisky's complaints.
"It feels like my skin's been getting worse after spending almost a year in the Dark Continent. If I get a scar from this burn, I'm going to be so upset…"
"Luckily, I have 'Magical Beautician Miss Cookie.' She can moisturize and hydrate my delicate skin, lock in moisture long-term, and remove scars…"
Ging couldn't help but laugh, "Bisky, are you some kind of beauty product spokesperson?"
"Shut up! Shizuku, don't listen to him. Feel for yourself, take a close feel, is my skin not perfect?"
"I'll get 'Cookie' to give you a beauty treatment later. You'll be so impressed, Germain will fall head over heels!"
Shizuku nodded and, after finishing the ointment on Bisky, left her and went to find Germain to apply the ointment for her instead.
Germain and Ging didn't need the ointment, thanks to their monstrous "Champion Physique."
Even when they were suddenly drenched by the scalding rain, there was no noticeable change in their appearance, as though their bodies were made of steel.
The rain fell heavily, the sound of it akin to the beating of drums.
The rising steam made the rainforest even more stifling, a gray mist covering the entire view.
But this hot, scalding rain came quickly and left just as fast. In less than ten minutes, the rain stopped, as if it had been nothing more than a nightmare on a scorching summer day.
The steam gradually dissipated, and the muddy paths in all directions reappeared.
"Let's go." After applying ointment to the red spots on Shizuku's neck and shoulder blades, Germain said, "If we couldn't find the swamp during the day, at least we need to find a proper campsite for the night."
The station exploration team moved swiftly again.
However, less than fifteen minutes into their journey, the familiar hot, scalding rain returned.
The group had no choice but to seek shelter under some trees, waiting for five or six minutes until the rain stopped.
But when they resumed their journey, the annoying hot rain fell again just ten minutes later.
It was then that they realized this was the normal weather pattern in the rainforest.
The rain came and went as it pleased, like the emotions of a person who could easily be ignited.
If it weren't for the lingering steam and puddles everywhere, there would be almost no trace left.
The station exploration team didn't know how many times they had stopped and started. Luckily, they were experienced and battle-hardened "Hunters"; otherwise, they might have started to get frustrated.
"Shizuku." Once again, while waiting for the rain to stop, Bisji even squatted beside a bush, cupping his face in his hands as he calmly chatted, "I remember you said before that you were interested in getting a Hunter's License, right?"
"Did I say that?"
"Yeah, of course you did. I think it was when we first teamed up. After we came back from the Dark Continent, you said it would be easy for Germain to get the Hunter's License, and that you might try for one too. Something like that."
"Oh." Shizuku replied emotionlessly, not sure whether she had just remembered or was simply brushing off Bisky.
Bisky nudged Shizuku's arm with his elbow, grinning slyly. "You're going to take the exam? Isn't that just a one-sided blow?"
"I think you should let Germain go find the old man, have him directly help you apply for a Hunter License. He can really use Germain's influence and take advantage of some backdoor deals."
"From top to bottom, no one in the Hunter Association would dare disrespect Germain. Add your achievements to that, and you might just break Germain's 'fastest One-Star Hunter' record."
"Huh? What would I even do with a Hunter License and a 'One-Star Hunter' title?" Shizuku suddenly perked up, always sharp in the most unusual ways.
She blinked her big eyes.
"Through them, I can get what I need, and maybe more, from Germain, right?"
Bisky was taken aback, because Shizuku was actually right.
Leaning against a tree, Ging couldn't help but laugh loudly.
"Exactly... What use are a Hunter License and star rank after a certain point?"
Ging had every right to say this. He had once thrown away his Hunter License to his disciple, Kite, who left it with Gon.
Despite having more than enough achievements, Ging was too lazy to apply for 'Three-Star Hunter'.
Now, his situation was such that without either of those, he could still roam freely across the Six Continents and even travel with Germain to the Dark Continent.
What did he rely on? A sea of deep, unspoken connections.
Wherever he went, he knew someone, and could always assemble a team.
In the past year, Germain had accumulated similar resources, and his network was powerful enough to cover all the key points of the Six Continents.
When Ging heard Shizuku's honest words, said without hesitation, he couldn't stop laughing.
However, the next moment, he was caught off guard by a sudden attack.
Rustle, rustle, rustle—
Several thick vines suddenly wrapped around him, their thorn-like growths scraping against his arms, trying to tear open wounds.
Ging felt something unusual and looked down. He saw the vines tightening around him and immediately stopped smiling.
His golden Nen surged, bursting out with a loud crash, and the vines were blown apart.
At the same time, Bisky and Shizuku got to their feet, ready for action.
Germain acted faster. He pulled out his Firearm and fired with a loud bang towards Ging's side.
More thick vines, as large as giant serpents, were shattered by the blast, turning into a tangled mess.
Ging knew exactly what Germain was doing the moment he raised his hand, so he didn't make any unnecessary moves.
After the explosion, Ging turned around and, with a swing of his arm, launched a golden arc deep into the jungle.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
The golden arc sliced through the vines that were wrapped around them like a city wall, briefly lighting up the dark depths of the rainforest.
Through the misty steam created by the burning rain, a large, blood-stained, spiked mouth shaped like a vortex emerged.
A thunderous rumble followed, shaking the ground beneath their feet. The earth split open!
The massive skin layer, hidden deep under the layers of rock and soil for so long, suddenly snapped shut like a trap, pulling everyone toward the center, toward the massive blood-red mouth!
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