Bisky clapped her hands on the table, trying to change the mood in the room.
It was a little forced, but she still managed to steer the conversation in a new direction.
"Beyond, Pariston, and Saiyu took advantage of the chaos," she said. "They boarded a ship ahead of time and already set off for the relay base island."
"Should we try to catch up to them?" she asked, eyes sharp. "If we reach the Gatekeeper in time, we might be able to cut them off and teach those guys a lesson!"
When Beyond was mentioned, everyone glanced at Netero with strange expressions, unsure whether to blame him or stay silent.
After all, Beyond was Netero's son, and Pariston and Saiyu were both vice-chairmen and members of the Twelve Zodiacs—positions Netero had personally valued and promoted.
Many of Beyond's subordinates were specialist hunters that these people had gathered over the years and placed inside the Hunter Association.
In other words, Beyond's faction had become influential, and Netero couldn't deny his involvement.
If people didn't know Netero well, they might even think he was the mastermind behind everything.
Not to mention the chaos this time—Beyond and his group had also played a role in stirring the turmoil.
Netero himself was aware of all this, but he had no regrets about his choices, nor would he shield his own son.
At times like these, things had to be handled strictly according to official business.
"It's true they need to be taught a lesson. But for now, our primary focus must remain on the survivors on this continent."
Netero said this without selfishness.
Outside the fortress, many survivors were scattered and missing.
How to manage those inside the fortress and ensure their future lives were secure—these were serious problems.
Beyond that, this incident could be blamed on the monster attacks from the Dark Continent.
However, most of the members of the Kakin royal family, nobles, military and political officials, and the thirteen mafia groups had perished.
What would happen to all the problems they left behind?
This didn't even mention the numerous monster nests scattered across the continent—most notably the ferocious man-eating Chimera Ants...
The Hunter Association couldn't just abandon all these survivors here while chasing after Beyond Netero.
In fact, Beyond and Pariston had calculated this carefully when they devised the current chain of schemes.
Fortunately, the new continent was relatively rich in resources.
Also, a shipment of supplies had arrived thanks to Germain's teleportation lantern, so shortages wouldn't become too severe for now.
Otherwise, the chaos here would be even more terrifying.
The Hunter Association members had fully realized over these past few days that when the population grows, problems multiply exponentially.
They were not feeling relaxed at all.
Netero leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.
"Also, I have a rough idea where they went."
"Where?"
Everyone looked at Netero in surprise.
Netero paused, then faced the group and said, "I've been to the Dark Continent twice—no written records remain, as both trips were private expeditions."
"The first time, when I was young, Linne, Zigg from the Zoldyck family, and I went together to the place where the 'Gaseous Lifeform Ai' was found, but in the end, we fled in disgrace."
"The second time was when I was in my fifties, just reaching the peak of martial arts. I once again ventured to the Dark Continent, challenging the 'Unrecorded Sixth Disaster and Hope.' But the result was still a crushing defeat."
Here, 'unrecorded' means it was not a primary target of the original V5 expedition team. In other words, the 'Hope' here was ranked lower in priority than the 'Big Five Hopes.'
Germain knew about Netero's first journey to the Dark Continent but was not familiar with the second. He listened carefully.
The others were also very interested; none had ever heard Netero mention his second expedition.
Netero tilted his head back and continued recalling, "That was a volcanic mountain range inhabited by giant dragons. The danger level was B+. They guarded many beautiful and rare crystal gems…"
Hearing this, Bisky suddenly slammed the table and widened her eyes.
"Crystal gems?!"
She stared hard at Netero. "You said crystal gems?! Why are you only telling me now about something this important?"
Netero poked his little finger into his ear and moved away from the very excited Bisky, playing dumb. "Uh… didn't I tell you before?"
"Of course not! Unbelievable! You know I'm a gem hunter, and yet you've kept this from me all these years!"
Actually, Bisky understood why Netero had kept it a secret, but she was still very angry and excited.
She was over fifty, unmarried, no children, and these were her hobbies. Her own teacher clearly knew, but he still hid it from her for so long!
"In any case," Netero ignored Bisky's murderous glare and scratched his cheek with his finger, "before Beyond knew where I had been, not long after I failed and returned, he set off on his own Dark Continent journey."
"This time, Beyond probably won't choose one of the 'Big Five Hopes and Disasters' recorded by the International Permit Agency. Instead, he'll seek out a new challenge."
"I know him well. Having suppressed and trapped him on the Six Continents for decades, it's impossible for him to hold no resentment. He will definitely try to take revenge on me in many ways."
"This massive chaos is one thing, but what's even more—he successfully explored that volcanic area, took the crystal from beneath the dragon's body, and came back showing off to me. That's another."
When Netero said this, everyone understood immediately.
"Got it!" Bisky immediately grabbed Germain next to her and stood up anxiously.
"Our team will set off right away. We must reach there before Beyond and seize all the crystal gems!"
Everyone looked at Bisky and saw only shining greed in her eyes, as if the crystals were already within her reach.
Many people rubbed their foreheads, but after seeing Germain being pulled up by Bisky, they suddenly felt that this plan was quite feasible.
The danger level of B+ is among the worst disasters for the Hunter Association and the Six Continents.
However, before Germain, who has already surpassed the demi-god disaster level, it's not so threatening.
If anyone is sure to succeed in gaining 'hope' from the newly appeared "Sixth Disaster," it has to be Germain.
Germain himself was willing: "I do have some unsettled scores to settle with Beyond, Pariston, and Saiyu."
"In that case, I'm coming too." Shizuku raised her hand like a student.
"Good, Shizuku!" Bisky smiled brightly. "I've always cared for you well."
Shizuku tilted her head slightly. She only followed because Germain went, but she didn't understand why Bisky said what she did.
So, everyone turned to look at the last member of the fixed small team.
Ging waved his hand dismissively. "I want to stay here and investigate the collapsed Curse of Resentment ruins. I hope to discover more about the ancient era."
"What?!" Bisky angrily crossed her hands on her hips. "Which is more important—my jewels or those ruins?!"
"If we're late, those damn idiots might snatch my jewels!"
Even before arriving, Bisky had already declared her ownership over those crystal jewels.
"Of course the ruins are more important," Ging said without hesitation, shrugging.
Bisky stomped her foot in frustration but quickly gave a sly glance and said, "But we have to pass through the Gatekeeper's gate—that's part of the ruins too, right?"
Ging didn't even respond to that.
"I can go next time. That boundary gate has been there for who knows how long… but the Curse of Resentment ruins are fresh. I want to investigate there as soon as possible."
"You…"
Just as Bisky was about to lose her temper and argue with Ging, Morel suddenly spoke up.
"Let me go with you," he said. "I need to get familiar with this route. It will be useful for future voyages when I lead expeditions from here to the Dark Continent."
"I have a feeling that for the rest of my life, I'll be the 'captain' of this dangerous sea."
"I should take a look now at the deep-sea monsters I might encounter in the future."
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