Clack, clack...
From dawn to dusk, and from dusk to dawn again.
Inside the simple house, the crisp sound of Gungi pieces being placed never ceased.
Komugi, who had awakened her Nen during their game, not only used her brilliant, rainbow-like aura to hold onto Meruem's fading consciousness but also gained energy and focus far beyond what she had before.
And so, one game followed another. The two on opposite ends of the board seemed as if they would never tire.
And facing Komugi, who had now truly awakened and whose Gungi skill was constantly rising... Meruem's performance in their games was not the series of defeats one might expect.
He was also very strong. There was no doubt about that.
If that weren't the case, how could he have been the catalyst for Komugi's Nen awakening?
A game of Gungi, after all, requires two people.
A good game, even more so, is inseparable from a well-matched opponent.
Meruem and Komugi poured their entire hearts and minds into every single game before them.
Just like that, it felt as if they could continue until the end of time.
—--
Outside the house, Morrow turned and walked away.
The hazy morning light shone on him, and on the quiet house behind him.
Nen, in itself, is the power of the heart and will...
Morrow walked toward the morning light, a touch of emotion welling up in his heart.
Meruem, who should have been heading toward his end, had his trajectory of fate quietly altered by Komugi's plea to "play another game."
And for Morrow, this had become an unexpected delight.
He had stopped here, watching Meruem and Komugi play Gungi for a day and a night, and had also confirmed one thing... the mass of aura carrying Meruem's consciousness would grow stronger with each game they played.
Therefore, his act of separating his aura output to fulfill Meruem's obsession had, in fact, planted a seed deep within this place.
He just needed to wait for time to pass... the seed would eventually sprout and grow strong.
When the time came, he could pluck this fruit at any moment, reclaiming the aura output level that would have accumulated an unknown amount of experience.
However, for Morrow, who had long since surpassed human limits, an increase in his aura output level was not an urgent need at the moment.
At least for the time being, he would not disturb Meruem and Komugi.
—--
Leaving the town, Morrow met up with the Chimera in a deserted area.
A moment later, spreading its massive wings covered in dark red scales, the Chimera carried Morrow into the sky, soon disappearing into the clouds.
Before coming to East Gorteau, Morrow had already arranged a time and place to meet with Sanbica.
But besides Sanbica, he had also contacted Ging.
As expected, Ging's reaction was enthusiastic the moment he heard it concerned the Dark Continent, but... the guy completely disregarded Morrow and Sanbica's schedule and feelings, single-handedly deciding to set the meeting place at the town of Basadca, where the World Tree was located.
And because Morrow had spent a day and a night here watching Meruem and Komugi play Gungi, his schedule was delayed, and now he had to rush to Basadca.
Although he had the Chimera's flight speed, with all this rushing, he would probably still be late.
In fact, Morrow had originally set the meeting place within East Gorteau.
That way, after settling Meruem's obsession, he could seamlessly meet with Ging and Sanbica.
But who would have thought that Ging, citing the need for "atmosphere," would insist on holding the conversation at the top of the World Tree.
Perhaps that guy... whenever it came to matters concerning the Dark Continent, he would always set the meeting place at the top of the World Tree.
Besides the so-called atmosphere, this practice probably also contained a tiny bit of showing off.
—--
Two days later, Basadca City.
A World Tree, 1784 meters tall, was rooted here, standing like a pillar holding up the sky.
Because of its astonishing height, it had been developed into a major for-profit scenic spot by the local tourism department.
Ordinary tourists could simply buy a ticket to take an elevator or climb the stairs to the observation deck at five hundred meters.
If one wanted to go any higher, it was a life-risking endeavor.
Although the local authorities did not prohibit climbing, challengers had to pay a fee and sign a liability waiver.
Every year, about three thousand people challenged the World Tree, and ninety-eight percent of them gave up midway without reaching the summit.
Of the remaining two percent, half fell to their deaths, and half reached the top.
In a sense, climbing the World Tree was not just an extreme challenge, but also a direct dialogue between man and nature.
Although the local authorities had been striving to enhance their rescue capabilities, fatalities could not be completely avoided.
However, the blatant threat of death could not deter those challengers filled with an adventurous spirit.
They continued to climb, one after another.
In essence, this was no different from the obsession human adventurers had for the Dark Continent.
It was just that Netero, through his own strenuous efforts back then, had ultimately snuffed out the aspirations of this group of challengers who lived for adventure to go to the Dark Continent.
"Crunch."
Ging stood at the edge of the giant bird's nest at the top of the World Tree, holding a half-eaten apple.
As far as the eye could see, the sea and sky met in a vast expanse of blue.
It was a magnificent sight one could never tire of, no matter how many times one saw it.
He slowly swallowed the crisp apple flesh, his thoughts drifting. He thought of the challengers who, year after year, were denied this view, and also of Netero's decision to strictly forbid the Hunter Association from setting foot in the Dark Continent.
As a victim who had been blocked, Ging did not think Netero's actions were wrong.
There was nothing wrong with challengers wanting to follow their spirit of adventure, nor should it be easily forbidden.
But if such behavior endangered others, the nature of it was entirely different.
Just like the people who climbed the World Tree every year... no one could strip them of their Spiritual Will in pursuit of freedom.
But if their fall would implicate innocent people below, that was another matter entirely.
"Here, want some?"
Facing the sea and sky, Ging passed the half-eaten apple behind him without turning his head.
On the other side of the nest, Sanbica and Tessa had just reached the top and saw the apple Ging was offering, along with the clear bite mark on it.
"Get lost."
As an old acquaintance, Tessa made no effort to hide her disgust and cursed out loud.
The introverted Sanbica glanced cautiously at her master, wringing her hands nervously.
She had come to see Morrow, but unexpectedly, Ging had appeared and unilaterally changed the meeting place.
And when her master, Tessa, learned that she was going to meet Morrow and Ging alone, she had voiced all sorts of worries and simply tagged along.
"Tessa, what are you doing here?"
Ging pulled the apple back and turned to look at the displeased Tessa.
"Can't I be here?" Tessa retorted irritably.
"..."
Ging didn't reply, merely raising a hand to scratch his messy hair, his eyes not bothering to hide his "what a pain" expression.
He knew Morrow had taken a liking to Sanbica's professional ability.
In fact, to challenge the Dark Continent, a professional Virus Hunter was indeed indispensable.
After all, if one encountered an unknown deadly virus or bacteria there, no amount of personal strength would be of any use.
Just like that patient with the immortal disease locked in the basement of the immigration bureau; he himself was a Nen master capable of keeping pace with Beyond.
Yet after being infected, his formidable strength offered not the slightest defense or protection.
This was precisely what made the unknown viruses and bacteria of the Dark Continent so terrifying.
But now Tessa was here too.
With her extreme protectiveness, if she found out Morrow wanted to invite Sanbica to challenge the Dark Continent with him, she would surely do everything in her power to stop it.
Tessa noticed the undisguised look in Ging's eyes, and a vein bulged on her forehead.
Just as she was about to lose her temper, Ging suddenly tossed something at her.
Tessa caught it instinctively. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, like jade.
"Hm?"
She looked down and saw a small flute carved from green jade in her hand. The body was covered in regular patterns, and the mouthpiece was curved like a flat leaf, giving it a very distinctive look.
This was the ancient artifact from the Kukan'yu Kingdom that she had been searching for for a long time.
"Crunch."
Ging took another bite of his apple and said while chewing, "The Jade Insect Flute from Kukan'yu. The one you've always wanted. It took me quite a bit of effort to find it."
"Is this a 'bribe'?"
Tessa couldn't put down the age-old jade flute, but when she looked up at Ging, her expression was still unfriendly.
Seeing this, Ging couldn't help but sigh softly. "I'm your boss, no matter how you slice it. I'm just rewarding an outstanding employee. How is that a bribe? I think I'm a pretty competent boss, don't you?"
The subtext was: There are other people here, so give your boss some face.
"Tch."
Tessa rolled her eyes irritably, but for the sake of the insect flute, she couldn't be bothered to argue with Ging anymore.
Seeing her stand down, Ging's eyes flickered as he thought of Morrow, who had yet to arrive.
If I can't handle Tessa, then there's no way we can convince Sanbica to go to the Dark Continent... This is going to be a real headache for you, Morrow.
Ging thought to himself.
—--
Atop the bird's nest on the summit, Ging, Tessa, and Sanbica had been waiting for several hours.
It wasn't until evening, when the sunset dyed the sky, that the three saw a dark shadow appear in the distant sky.
The shadow grew larger as it approached, revealing itself to be the Chimera carrying Morrow.
Morrow stood on the Chimera's back, aura gathering in his eyes. With his enhanced vision, he could clearly see the three people standing at the edge of the bird's nest on the summit.
"Chimera, you must be hungry. You can drop me off here."
He crouched down, patting the Chimera's back. Nen surged, and the phantom of Terpsichora appeared on his shoulders.
Without having the Chimera carry him any further, Morrow rose into the air, suspended by Terpsichora, and flew straight toward the top of the World Tree.
"Roar, roar!"
The Chimera let out two low roars at his retreating back, then flipped over in mid-air and dived toward the vast sea below.
It was indeed starving.
And the entire ocean was its endless buffet.
Soon, Morrow flew through the air and landed on the summit.
Ging glanced at the phantom of Terpsichora that had suspended Morrow, a flicker of an unreadable emotion passing through his eyes.
Tessa's attention, however, was on the scale of Morrow's aura output, and she couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.
She hadn't expected Morrow to have become so powerful. It was truly incredible to her.
Among the three, only Sanbica didn't pay much attention to these displays of ability. She simply gave a small nod to Morrow, who had landed steadily on the edge of the nest.
She had actually smiled, but it was hidden by her mask.
Morrow nodded back at her, then greeted Ging and Tessa.
He was a little surprised by Tessa's presence, yet not entirely.
He had always been well aware of how protective the veteran Exorcist was of Sanbica.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this overprotectiveness that Sanbica's personality had remained so introverted.
Of course, this was also related to the practice of Nen.
Once one became a Nen user, their personality and cognition were difficult to change easily.
The Zoldyck Family had operated on this principle when they had Illumi stick a Nen needle in Killua's head.
"You're late, Morrow."
Ging quickly concealed the strange look in his eyes, his eyelids drooping lazily.
Morrow, however, felt no guilt. "Isn't that because you insisted on changing the location?"
"But Sanbica arrived on time."
Ging grinned, feeling that his jab had landed beautifully.
Before Morrow could respond, Sanbica suddenly mustered her courage and said in a low voice, "Forcibly changing the location by being unreasonable... only causes trouble for others."
"Tsk."
Hearing Sanbica say this, Ging looked at her with great interest.
He was familiar with Tessa, so naturally, he had some interactions with Sanbica as well.
Although he had noticed some signs when they were working at the ruins before, but to see Sanbica now muster the courage to criticize him in order to defend Morrow... it was still a little surprising.
Or perhaps he had underestimated Morrow's importance in Sanbica's heart.
Tessa immediately glared at Ging.
Ging pretended not to see it.
Morrow smiled at Sanbica, then got straight to the point. "Have you made your decision, Sanbica?"
"Yes."
Sanbica nodded lightly.
During her journey to the meeting, she had thought a lot.
Perhaps even the Dark Continent, a place filled with both hope and disaster, might not be able to help her create the panacea she dreamed of, but... she knew very well how dangerous it was there, and she also understood that Morrow's determination to go to the Dark Continent was unshakable.
For that reason, she believed Morrow's team needed her ability, and she couldn't help but imagine, again and again, the crises Morrow might face in that unknown land.
So, she had finally made her decision.
Seeing Sanbica accept the invitation, Morrow's smile deepened.
"Thank you."
He didn't say "welcome," but "thank you."
Because he had guessed the real reason Sanbica had agreed to his invitation.
It wasn't for her own pursuits, but purely out of concern for him.
"What are you two talking about?"
Tessa, who had been left in the dark, looked confused and immediately turned to Sanbica.
Facing her master's questioning gaze, Sanbica gathered her courage and said in a low voice, "Morrow invited me to join his team to go to the Dark Continent together... I accepted."
"What!?"
Tessa's expression changed drastically upon hearing this, and she objected without a second thought. "No! Sanbica, you have no idea how dangerous the Dark Continent is!"
"I know... It's because I know that I can't refuse. Master, this is a decision I've made after careful consideration."
Sanbica looked at the anxious Tessa, her voice soft but exceptionally firm.
This was not an impulsive act, but a choice she had made after repeated deliberation.
Tessa was momentarily stunned, unable to understand the deeper meaning in her words.
"Still don't get it?"
Ging glanced at Tessa, a corner of his mouth lifting. "Right, you're not getting any younger, after all, Tessa."
"?!"
Tessa swung a punch at him.
Thwack!
Ging took the hit right in the eye socket and let out a miserable howl.
This is as far as I can help you, brother...
He wailed dramatically for a few moments. When he lowered his hand, a dark bruise had already formed around his eye, making him look quite pitiful.
As one of the five greatest Nen users in the world, how could he possibly fail to dodge Tessa's punch, let alone get injured by a single blow?
But in this situation, he had to draw her fire.