This is the Boundary Wall, a ring-shaped upwelling current that divides Mobius Lake into the inner and outer circles.
Humans have always lived at the core of the inner circle — on the Six Continents.
At the end of the outer circle lies the Dark Continent.
No matter which direction human ships travel, they are blocked by the Boundary Wall and must seek help from the Gatekeepers.
The two Gatekeepers guard the east and west gates of the boundary, which are the only routes humans can take by sea to reach the Dark Continent.
Everyone gathered at the bow of the research ship, captivated by the strange sight before them and filled with awe.
Soon, they saw the silhouette of an island in the distance.
That island was the only place without the upwelling current, making it especially noticeable.
Clearly, that was their destination.
"Bring the ship closer," Germain ordered.
Muehlu and the other mercenaries agreed and adjusted the ship's course.
The voyage over the past two weeks had not been smooth; they were frequently attacked by giant beasts from the sky and the deep sea.
Once, Muehlu happened to look toward the surface and saw their research ship sailing directly above a giant eyeball.
The ship wasn't even as large as the creature's pupil.
Even the mercenaries, hardened by life-and-death battles, were terrified and gripped by deep-sea phobia at the sight.
Just as he thought they would be swallowed by the ocean, he felt Germain release his aura.
A powerful and overwhelming aura of Nen wrapped tightly around Muherr's entire body.
Yet, instead of fear, he felt his panic slowly fade, replaced by a firm clarity in his mind.
Muherr had never experienced such a unique and extraordinary Nen before.
Not even Beyond could match this strange and strong aura.
It was at this moment that Muherr and the other mercenaries finally gave up any thought of rebellion.
They once hoped to collaborate secretly with Beyond, but that idea was now completely shattered.
"Germain is not an opponent we and Beyond can handle," became an unshakable truth stamped in their minds.
Even more incredible was that huge eyeball—it had disappeared.
Muherr rubbed his eyes, looking down several times to confirm that the deep-sea beast had truly left...
Most likely, it was driven away by Germain's Nen.
In other words, Germain's Nen had a dual nature: warm and protective toward his allies, but sharp and intimidating toward enemies.
A man like that—when he gave orders—Muherr and the others could think of no reason to refuse, unless they didn't want to live anymore.
The research ship was drawing closer to the island, and everyone noticed it looked much larger than when they first saw it.
As the ship entered a harbor, the entire island now made the ship seem as small as an ant.
"Look over there," Muherr said, fully siding with Germain now and determined to commit completely.
"There's a ship docked over there."
Following the silver-haired elf-like man's finger, Germain looked and saw a vessel hidden between two rocky pillars along the shore.
"That's Beyond's exploration team's ship," Muherr said, now clearly on Germain's side and beginning to think strategically.
"They must have landed long ago."
Carrying a large smoking pipe, Morel lifted his thick thigh and placed one foot on the ship's railing, saying, "This was expected. They might have already left."
What Morel meant was that the Beyond exploration team should have reached the Boundary Gate many days ahead of them.
If everything went smoothly, they had likely already passed the Gatekeeper's test, and with the guide's help, proceeded toward the Dark Continent.
"Let's land first, then talk," Germain said.
The exploration ship circled past jagged reefs that looked like the fangs of a giant beast, finally docking along a narrow stretch of coastline. Everyone disembarked.
They first went to the Beyond exploration team's ship and scavenged it, but as expected, found no one and no usable supplies left behind.
After leaving that ship, Germain turned and looked at Muherr.
"We have to go to the Gatekeeper, pass through the Boundary Gate, and catch up to Beyond's team. We can't take you all with us."
Muherr had already sensed this and just shrugged helplessly.
"We'll leave some supplies here — enough for you to survive on the ship or the shore for about half a month. When we return, we'll bring you back to the New Continent."
Muherr was somewhat dumbfounded. He noticed that Germain's expression and tone were serious — this wasn't a joke.
He realized Germain was already far stronger than Beyond's Nen users but hadn't expected Germain to be so arrogant.
To say they would go to the Dark Continent and back within half a month, while also dealing with Beyond's whole exploration team — even the usually bold Beyond wouldn't dare say such things.
But Germain said it openly.
The key was, Muherr found himself strangely trusting Germain. He truly believed that this person could accomplish such a feat.
"Alright," Muherr took a deep breath and said, "My brothers and I will wait here for your return."
In truth, they had no other choice. Even if their weapons hadn't been disarmed, they were unlikely to commandeer the exploration ship to turn back.
The group of mercenaries all witnessed who had dealt with the giant beasts they encountered along the way.
Whether they could safely return to the human world — even if it meant going back to prison — all depended on Germain and his team.
Shizuku left a batch of supplies from the "Blinky" with Muherr and the others, and then Germain's group set off immediately, leaving this place behind.
They climbed steadily up the slope, soon spotting a narrow, winding set of bluestone stairs — clearly built specially for humans and other small species.
As they ascended the stairs, before reaching the top, they already saw from afar the upper edge of the Boundary Gate crowning the mountain peak.
After walking a little further, they finally arrived directly in front of the Boundary Gate.
Before them stood a towering and majestic wall with a large gate — large enough for the bigger species to pass through.
At each of the gate's four corners were wave-like sea ripple patterns, confirming they had indeed found the right place.
"The Gatekeeper's first trial is to push open the Trial Gate, which weighs 256 tons."
"This is the beginning of the ordeal that certain families must overcome to pass through the Boundary Gate and Trials..."
From the knowledge obtained, the so-called "certain family" became quite clear.
It seems that after Zigg returned to the Zoldyck family back then, the tradition of having to push open the Trial Doors to enter or leave the family territory was established.
To push open all the Zoldyck family's doors—that is, the seven doors—their total weight happens to be 256 tons.
Zigg probably never completely gave up on returning to the Dark Continent.
Though it would be difficult for him to make the journey again himself, it didn't mean his descendants couldn't.
Zigg wanted Killua, Silva, Illumi, Milluki, Kalluto, and others to start adapting from pushing open a single door weighing 4 tons, then two doors weighing 8 tons, three doors weighing 16 tons.
Then move on to four doors weighing 32 tons, five doors at 64 tons, six doors at 128 tons, until finally reaching the ultimate seven doors weighing 256 tons...
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