The Chimera Ants developed at an astonishing speed.
The armed forces of NGL couldn't hold back the Chimera Ant army at all, and were quickly devoured completely.
Those Hunter teams that continuously entered NGL for biological investigations would inevitably directly face the ever-present Chimera Ant soldiers.
Even the quite famous Kite led a team to NGL due to a commission.
—--
On the other side, regarding Kurapika's request, Morrow naturally couldn't oppose it.
He stood at the entrance of the Unexplored Land, watching as Kurapika walked toward the cave exit.
The cloth bag filled with Scarlet Eyes remained so heavy it felt like it might crush his shoulders at any moment.
But this time, Kurapika's steps were light, a sense of relief after being unburdened.
The sun in the sky, the green trees on the ground, our bodies born from the earth, our souls from the heavens. Sunlight and moonlight shine upon our limbs, the green earth nourishes our bodies, we entrust these bodies to the wind blowing across the land. We give thanks for the miracles bestowed upon the Kurta Clan's land by the heavens, may our spirits remain forever peaceful and healthy, may we share joy with all our brethren, may we share their sorrows. May those I cherish be forever free from calamity. Witnessed by these scarlet eyes.
Embarking on his final journey home, Kurapika looked ahead, silently offering a devout prayer in his heart for Morrow and his departed clansmen.
For the remaining time, he would continue like this.
After Kurapika left the cave, Morrow lowered his gaze and began making plans for his next actions.
"Since it's a promise, it must be properly kept, Kurapika."
Morrow murmured to himself.
Currently, he had two clear goals.
First, to continue enhancing his strength until he could rival Beyond.
Second, to accept Ging's earlier overt and covert invitations and find a way to travel together to the Dark Continent.
As long as he could reach that boundless continent full of hope and disaster, he would have a chance to obtain the legendary ultimate longevity food, Nitro Rice.
While Morrow was deep in thought, the surface of the mural suddenly glowed faintly with Nen.
Two beams of white light separated from the mural and landed gently on the ground.
After the light faded, Biscuit and Kalluto's figures were revealed.
As soon as Kalluto emerged from the Unexplored Land, he immediately looked at Morrow and asked, "Are you really leaving Chimera in the Unexplored Land?"
"Only temporarily."
Morrow turned his face slightly, his gaze falling on the floating Top Mountain within the mural, and said, "Once I find the 'method,' I'll return immediately to retrieve it."
In fact, he already knew how to revive Chimera.
Just like during its initial hatching, it only needed to absorb Tree Rings energy.
This, Morrow had already confirmed.
The only difference was that during the initial hatching, Chimera actively absorbed the Tree Rings energy.
But now, after dying and regressing into a hard, stone-like egg form, Morrow needed to actively transfer Tree Rings energy into it.
However, even after Morrow injected 11% of the fourth Tree Ring's energy into it, the stone egg showed no movement, with no signs of hatching or birth.
Faced with this situation, Morrow could only temporarily give up.
After all, as long as he continued collecting Tree Rings energy, he could return to the Unexplored Land at any time to replenish Chimera's energy again. No matter if it ultimately required 15%, 30%, or even 50%... Morrow would not stop.
However, since this matter involved the secret of Tree Rings, he could only use the excuse of "finding a method first" to brush it off.
Hearing Morrow's words, Kalluto nodded.
Though he felt sorry for leaving Chimera alone in the Unexplored Land, it was an unavoidable situation.
Morrow looked at Kalluto, who seemed to have grown a bit taller, and asked, "What about you? Don't plan on going home?"
"I've run away from home, why would I go back?"
Kalluto stared into Morrow's eyes, suddenly intensifying his tone as he questioned, "You're not thinking of sending me back again, are you?"
"No."
Morrow shook his head calmly. "This time, it was your own decision to leave home. When to return should naturally be your own decision too."
"Hmph, it better be."
Kalluto had just recalled the previous time Morrow sent him home.
Back then, he had clearly wanted to spend more time playing outside with Morrow, yet no one had considered his thoughts or wishes.
Seeing the faint trace of grievance in Kalluto's expression, Morrow couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Out of concern for his condition, Kalluto had defied Kikyo's orders and run away from home to find him.
If not for Kurapika's ability... Kalluto might even have considered using the 'wishing machine.'
How could Morrow bear to send Kalluto home again under such circumstances?
Even though he knew that keeping Kalluto by his side might invite some trouble... Without wasting energy pondering the consequences, Morrow shifted his gaze to Biscuit.
Meeting Morrow's inquiring look, Biscuit placed her hands on her hips and shook her head:
"I won't be going to the Hunter Association. Although Chairman Netero always gives off an unreliable vibe and has plenty of cunning schemes, he never slacks off when it comes to serious matters. I don't think anyone can gain an advantage over him."
She had already learned about Beyond from Morrow.
But she had one hundred percent confidence in Chairman Netero.
Seeing Biscuit refuse to go to Swardani City together, Morrow didn't want to give up and decided to use his trump card.
"Someone as cute and beautiful as you–"
"Stop right there!"
Biscuit crossed her arms, almost pushing them into Morrow's forehead, and said irritably, "If someone else said those words, I might actually consider it. But from you... save it."
"Fine."
Morrow nodded, then turned an expectant gaze toward Kalluto.
Kalluto was taken aback for a moment before instantly understanding Morrow's intention.
Seeing this, Biscuit realized Morrow wanted Kalluto to take on the task of persuading her and couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Under both their stares, Kalluto tried to force out those flattering words against his will, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't bring himself to say them, his eyebrows nearly knitting together.
"Sigh, look at you, forcing a child to do something like this."
Biscuit wasn't really angry, though. She shook her head at Morrow, then turned decisively and headed toward the cave exit.
"I'm leaving."
Waving her hand without looking back, she said, "If you really need my help, you don't have to mediate. Chairman Netero will invite me himself if necessary."
Hearing this, Morrow let out a soft sigh and could only let Biscuit leave.
This unreserved trust in Netero was likely one of the reasons why Biscuit went to the Mitene Union to provide special training for Gon and Killua in the original story, yet didn't participate in the subjugation battle.
"We should get going too."
Morrow withdrew his gaze and looked at Kalluto beside him.
Seeing Morrow's sigh, Kalluto hesitated, "If I had said those things to Biscuit earlier..."
"It's useless. When Biscuit doesn't want to do something, no one can persuade her otherwise."
Morrow smiled faintly.
Kalluto hummed in agreement, also showing a smile.
Subsequently, the two left the Petrus' Eye of Death sinkhole where the Unexplored Land was located and headed for Swardani City, where the Hunter Association was situated.
Now that Chimera was no longer around, they found it quite difficult to adapt to traveling on foot.
For instance, leaving this Evil Enclave; if Chimera were here, it could quickly carry them out by flight.
Now, even when running at full speed, they couldn't maintain their pace due to the numerous obstacles everywhere.
After exiting the Evil Enclave, they still needed to go to the nearest airport and take an airship directly to Swardani City.
—--
Days passed one after another.
By the time Morrow and Kalluto arrived in Swardani City, it was already the fifth day.
Exiting the airport, the two hurried straight to the Hunter Association Headquarters.
Knowing that Pariston was Beyond's mole within the Hunter Association, Morrow had used his Biological Mutation ability to alter his appearance and physique before coming.
Even now, he wasn't sure how Beyond felt about the outcome after his escape that day.
To be safe, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Moreover, Netero was aware of this disguise ability, so it shouldn't be a problem.
After arriving near the Hunter Association Headquarters, Morrow asked Kalluto to wait nearby, then entered alone.
He had already scheduled a meeting with Beans.
Once inside the building, he proceeded unimpeded. With Beans leading the way, they soon arrived at a tea room.
The tea room was decorated in Japanese style, with a raised tatami area at the far end, furnished with a low table and two cushions.
Netero was sitting on one of the cushions. When he saw Morrow's appearance, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.
He had already been somewhat taken aback by Morrow's sudden request for a meeting.
Now, seeing that Morrow had even disguised himself, he immediately sensed something amiss.
In fact, Beans was also puzzled by Morrow's disguise but refrained from asking, keeping his doubts to himself.
After escorting Morrow to the tea room, Beans left.
Only Morrow and Netero remained in the tea room.
Netero stroked his beard with one hand and gestured toward the opposite cushion with the other, saying, "Sit."
Morrow didn't approach immediately. Instead, he carefully scanned the tea room.
Netero, wise with age, saw through Morrow's thoughts at a glance and chuckled, "Don't worry, there are no surveillance devices here, and no one is eavesdropping."
Morrow fell silent for a moment, then ultimately trusted Netero's words and refrained from unnecessarily using En to investigate.
Biological Mutation, withdraw.
With a slight thought, Morrow reverted to his original appearance and physique. He then removed his shoes, stepped onto the tatami, and sat opposite Netero.
"About half a month ago, I encountered a man named Beyond."
After sitting down, Morrow got straight to the point, directly mentioning Beyond's name.
Upon hearing this, Netero immediately stopped stroking his beard, revealing a surprised expression.
He didn't press further, merely looking at Morrow, waiting for him to continue.
Morrow met Netero's gaze, omitting any mention of the so-called father-son relationship and skipping all previous context, getting straight to the point: "He has planted two moles in the Hunter Association; one is Pariston, and the other is Saiyu."
"Oh?"
Netero narrowed his eyes slightly, a flicker of surprise in his expression, yet with a hint of something he had already anticipated.
Regarding Pariston... He had indeed sensed it long ago.
But Saiyu was also Beyond's man?
That was beyond his expectations.
Or rather, he had hidden himself quite deeply.
So how did Morrow come to know these secrets?
Given Beyond's cautious nature, such information shouldn't have leaked so easily.
Netero was curious but ultimately refrained from asking Morrow about the source of his intelligence. Instead, he slowly stroked his beard and said, "Thank you for taking the trouble to come and inform me of this."
Seeing Netero so composed, Morrow frowned slightly and asked, "Did you already know that Pariston and Saiyu are Beyond's people?"
"I only had a rough guess about Pariston's identity."
Netero looked into Morrow's eyes and smiled. "But Saiyu... that truly surprised me."
"Since you already know about this..."
Morrow stared intently into Netero's eyes and said calmly, "What does the Chairman plan to do?"
"Hohoh."
A glint of amusement flashed in Netero's eyes as he countered, "Then what would you have me do?"
Under normal circumstances, when someone responds with a question like this, they would usually say something like, "What do you think I should do?"
But with Netero, he directly asked others what they wanted him to do.
However, Morrow seemed to have anticipated Netero's mischievous retort and answered without hesitation:
"Immediately start diminishing Pariston's influence within the Association. As for Saiyu, use your methods to verify the truth, then find a way to expel him from the Zodiac Twelve."
There was another half of the sentence Morrow didn't voice aloud.
Once Saiyu lost his position in the Zodiac Twelve, he would decide, depending on the situation, whether to secretly plunder this guy's experience points.
Seeing Morrow's unusually composed reaction, Netero was once again taken aback and vaguely sensed that Morrow seemed to have his eyes on a position in the Zodiac Twelve.
Thinking this, Netero fell into a rare moment of contemplation.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the tearoom.
Both Morrow and Netero's eyes shifted slightly toward the closed tearoom door.
With their keen hearing, they could easily recognize it as Beans' footsteps.
Whoosh!
The sliding door of the tearoom was abruptly pushed open.
Beans rushed in, panting heavily.
He rarely lost his composure like this, so Netero immediately knew something major must have happened.
"It's terrible, Chairman!"
Beans' forehead was beaded with sweat as he urgently reported, "We just received an emergency communication from Kite's team. A biological disaster rated Level A has occurred in the NGL Autonomous Nation. There are... giant Chimera Ants that eat people!"
"Oh?"
Chimera Ants are a Level 1 designated quarantine species, so Netero was naturally familiar with them. He raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Across from him, Morrow's expression shifted slightly.
So soon?!
Morrow subtly furrowed his brow.
The original plan was to have Netero first weaken Pariston's influence and voice within the association, so that no matter what situation Netero might face later, he wouldn't be constrained by Pariston.
But has the Chimera Ant incident already begun... During the time he was unconscious?
If that's the case, then the plan must be temporarily changed; find a way to convince Netero to let him join the extermination team.
—--
Rewind to two days earlier.
In the forest, over a dozen black-bellied hornets hovered around, emitting buzzing sounds.
Within a dense thicket, Ponzu trembled like a leaf, her face filled with terror and panic.
Wh-why are there such terrifying creatures...!