As Auren stares at Ging, not hiding his interest at all, Ging stays calm, clearly enjoying the reaction.
Ging nods. "I did some research… and I discovered that island after a few months of hard work and countless calls. Apparently, the species of snake from that particular forest was brought there by mistake. It snuck onto a ship that delivered a certain kind of… cargo back to the mainland of the Federation."
He speaks casually, but adds a weirdly long pause before the word cargo.
What is he hinting at?
"According to my research, the island I've shown you has a few tiny islands nearby. I didn't even include them, since they are not noteworthy at all. A few bare rocky islands on the north-western coast, the main island is even in view. I didn't bother to sketch them into the map I gave you. That area was used for some very dark business in the past. Human slaves were raised there… outside of the known world, with no chance of being discovered."
"Human slaves? Are you talking about history now?" Auren asks, casually.
"It's been a long time since it started," Ging continues, "a gang of criminals working for rich people from all over the world had a little outpost on one of those tiny islands. They groomed children and created some really subservient servants, without a will of their own, unable to live autonomously. Afterwards, they got sold to the highest bidder. Apparently, they even took in special children from various rivals of their clients, raised to be humiliated and serve their own needs. It's honestly some disgusting stuff—even I have rarely seen things like that. Usually, I keep my eyes closed, but when I stumble upon them, I help. It's fate giving me a sign. More importantly, the gang of slavers tried to explore the larger island too, but according to a few diaries I found, everyone who tried just died. They launched several expeditions and lost over a dozen people. Finally, nobody was willing to risk it anymore, so they stopped."
"So… you're talking about the past?" Auren asks, making sure he understands. "They tried to explore the island, but everyone who went in died—so they stayed on the smaller islands?"
Ging nods.
He looks back down at the parchment, then at Ging again.
"How long ago are we talking about?"
"Well, the operation is permanently shut down now," Ging says. "How long ago… a few months? It was a real hassle transporting all the hostages back."
He shrugs, like moving human lives around is just logistics.
"Wait... so you stopped that organisation?!" Auren asks, confused. "You made it sound like it happened in the far-off past."
"The world is a cruel place," Ging says, shrugging. "Their home state takes care of them now, while I took care of their captors. I also set up a fund for them. As for the larger organisation… I don't think I need to tell you about it, since it's been eradicated. Let's just say, I, with the help of a few friends, created an example out of them. If you are interested, just check the press over a few months ago. I might, or I might not, have found some clues about poachers and a few business contacts coincidentally."
So he told Kite about it... Then Kite took a job from the Kakin empire, got an official mission, and arrived here. Not that I particularly care about poachers or people trading that sort of good.
"Why… didn't you tell anyone?" Auren says, still watching him. "That sounds almost like a heroic tale. Don't you want to take credit?"
"I don't care about fame," Ging replies instantly, looking slightly offended. "I was going there for my own curiosity. As I said, I just helped some people I stumbled across."
He takes out another copy of the map and lightly taps with two fingers.
"Finally, the important part, I explored the island. It's on the very edge of our known world. A little further out, and things would get extremely dangerous. The island itself is quite large. If you travel on foot, you'd need a few weeks to get from one end to the other. Large parts are covered in thick jungle."
He gestures to the paper again.
"That's why the map in your hands is nothing more than a rough sketch. It was made by a good friend of mine who accompanied me."
"You… you really went there?" Auren says, the implication sinking in. "While the criminals all died, you yourself survived, so I'm guessing for a veteran Nen user, the dangers weren't quite that exaggerated."
Pausing for a few seconds, Auren finally asks. "So… what did you find?"
Ging smirks. "Why would I tell you?"
"… Because you're implying I should go there, aren't you?" Auren questions him, slightly annoyed. "Otherwise, why hand me the map?"
"Heh," Ging says. "I won't tell you. If you want to know, find out yourself! I gave you the map because you, specifically the snake you voluntarily handed me, led me there. However... If you ever want to go to the Dark Continent… a little island off the coast of it shouldn't be much of a problem for you. Still… if you're not careful, it could become your grave. It's your choice. There is just one thing I can tell you. I am done with that island, and my motivation to go to the real Dark Continent couldn't be stronger."
So he is saying... that that island can't compare. He also lost interest.
His face then returns to one looking slightly tired, the talk seemingly too much of a hassle for him. "Anyway, I handed the map to you. You deserved that much. I couldn't care less what you do with it."
Then he smiles again and sits down on the roof, relaxing.
"If you're bored and want to play it safe, you can always visit another, more fun island. It starts with a G and then—"
"Yeah, yeah. Enough about that already," Auren says, waving his hand dismissively. "Thank you for trying to send me to a dangerous, extremely deadly island that only you managed to survive so far… I'll think about it."
Without looking back, Auren jumps off the building and slides down the wall into the alley below.
Edge of the known world… connected to that snake I encountered… interesting. South East of the Federation... that's where the Dark Continent expedition encountered Hellbell, that can't be a coincidence.
Might actually be worth a visit... though it also could kill me. If I go there, I need to be extremely well prepared. However, the potential gains might be enormous.
Auren then calmly walks back to the hotel, now blocked off by various police officers.
As he approaches, they immediately walk toward him. "The hotel is closed! Stay awa—" But before they can finish, Auren flashes his Hunter licence. They shut up instantly and step aside.
It's only been what… twenty minutes? Maybe thirty?
He quickly makes his way back to the dining room and finds the same group still there—only now, with a few more bodyguards mixed in.
As Auren enters the room, he sees Spinner and Stick tied to chairs, tight tablecloths wrapped around them. Goreinu and Neffi stand next to them, watching the collectors closely.
Part of the ceiling is still destroyed. But apart from a hole, a shattered pillar, and a decent stack of rubble, the damage isn't all that extensive.
A few angry collectors and their bodyguards try to approach them, knives and other weapons in their hands, but Goreinu and Neffi merely glance at them, causing them to stop.
However, the moment Auren steps forward, they all stare at him and instinctively take a step back.
Auren draws Eternity and cuts the cloth bindings cleanly. Then he grabs Spinner and Stick by the hands and drags them away to a corner before anyone can interfere.
"Visit the building at nine o'clock when leaving, you can get up there from the nearby back alley; there is a ladder," Auren says in a low voice. "He is safe… his master is currently taking care of him."
Spinner's eyes widen, and Stick looks ready to cry.
Then Auren turns to the guards.
"Let them leave now," he says, voice flat. "If anyone does anything to them, you'll regret it."
"Of… of course, sir," one of the employees stammers, glancing toward the boss Auren met earlier. The man doesn't protest—he just looks tense, like he'd rather swallow the situation than challenge Auren again.
Spinner and Stick stare at Auren in shock.
"Thank you," Spinner whispers quietly, then pulls Stick along and hurries out, disappearing before anyone finds the courage to stop them.
Rather trusting… Icould have killed Kite and lured them into a trap.Well, I guess they're lucky that I am not doing that.
Finally, Auren returns to the few collectors and Ganu, who are doing their best to remain patient, but are clearly nervous.
He tells them Ging interfered, but declares the issue resolved. "He, his students, or his contacts won't bother you anymore. Let them leave, and this issue is dealt with... forever."
"I also wouldn't suggest seeking revenge," Auren adds. "You'll die trying."
"I… I see," Ganu says, swallowing. "It's fine… I'm afraid I have bad news. Not for you personally, but it seems someone—someone I suspect… the Hunter you named—has stolen some items. I should have never invited Hunter Kite... it was clearly a trap... however, I simply couldn't refuse the hunter backing him. Ging Freecs is a man with enormous contacts. Refusing him would have been insane. Countless people vouched for him and more or less forced me to accept Kite's participation."
He hesitates, choosing his words carefully.
"However, the only items missing are related to said… poachers. Not that we usually condone or accept that type of item in the first place, but who are we to deny private deals?"
"I don't care," Auren replies. "If anyone has a problem, they can go after Ging and Kite themselves—but they'll simply die."
He glances around the room, expression indifferent. "What happens to the meeting now?"
Ganu sighs. "It will continue. Though I don't know how many people are still in a good mood. I'll gather everyone and announce it. Please sit down and relax—it may take a while."
Auren, Neffi, and Goreinu sit down at the same table. Surprisingly, Biscuit and the Zoldycks are already sitting there, as if nothing happened.
"Done fooling around?" Biscuit asks, sounding annoyed. "You men are so silly! Fighting like monkeys."
"Excuse me?" Auren replies. "Fooling around? I just saved a lot of lives… and fulfilled an official Hunter mission. What were you doing, Miss Double-Star Hunter?"
"Hmph. Who am I to interfere?" Biscuit mutters, looking a little embarrassed.
"Mama… that man scared me. If they return, kill them, please," Milluki says, still stuffing food into his mouth. "Auren... why didn't you kill him?
Where did he even get that? Already stuffing himself again.
Kikyo Zoldyck ignores her son, but glances at Auren instead. "An impressive display. Your enemy was quite accomplished. I dare to say only my dear husband, my elder son Illumi, or Grandfather Zeno are capable of fighting a foe on that level."
"It was nothing," Auren says simply. "As for why I didn't kill him. I can't take on someone like Ging. Also, I don't gain anything by killing Kite. You yourself should know that killing someone for no gain is not a worthwhile thing to do."
Milluki nods, but focuses more on his food, causing his mother to twist his cheek.
"Behave yourself!" She demands.
Meanwhile, Neffi pulls her chair closer and rests her head on Auren's shoulder.
"I was worried…" she mutters, looking melancholic.
Auren rubs her head and says, "Trust me. I don't plan to die anytime soon."
"Do you promise?" she whispers.
Auren nods.
"Then I have a present for you," she says with a grin, presenting him with a Ben's Knife. "When that collector took that girl hostage, and you kicked him away… he dropped his knife. After you left, I took it."
Auren inspects it. It's a relatively thick, somewhat dull-looking Ben's Knife—except for the tip, which looks viciously sharp.
Looks deadly… if it's used to stab the opponent.
"Thank you," Auren says, genuinely appreciating the gesture. "I consider this my payment for saving his life."
Meanwhile, Ganu and the other collectors return. Ganu steps onto the stage again, preparing to speak.
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