In the future, use sparingly unless necessary.
"No matter what, you've finally arrived here." Botobai lowered his composure and extended his right hand to Roy, saying solemnly, "Roy Zoldyck... Congratulations on passing this round of the Hunter Exam."
"Thank you." The two hands, one big and one small, clasped together. Roy looked earnestly at Botobai and said, "May I boldly ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
The young man squinted slightly, "How much of your strength did you use in the test just now?"
"Twenty percent."
Straightforwardly, Botobai looked down at the young man and said, "At your age, I wasn't as good as you, but right now... you're still too immature."
Roy nodded, "Thank you for telling me."
Botobai waved his hand indifferently, "Turn right as you exit, there's a small room five kilometers away."
"Go there to retrieve your Hunter's License."
"Alright," the young man turned and walked away,
Just before he left, Botobai suddenly called out to him, "Young man, I look forward to your growth!"
Roy smiled, lifted his foot, and walked out the door.
A breeze blew by, separating the two silhouettes, one large and one small, into two different worlds.
Botobai leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, watching the young man leave: for a moment, he seemed to see that youthful boy from the past, wearing a turban, just as young, brimming with endless potential... truly enviable....
"Knock... Knock... Knock..."
About ten minutes passed.
Roy leisurely admired the unique geographical landscape of the Lost Melian Swamp along the way. Hidden within a patch of woodland, he found a small wooden house and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Creak~"
The door opened.
Before him, Netero sat behind a rough wooden table, waiting; a quick glance around revealed no sign of Grandpa Zeno.
"No need to look, he's gone."
Netero pointed to a chair in front of him, "Sit."
The Mamen Beans served both him and Roy a cup of black tea each.
As the tea's steam rose... Roy, unreserved, sat down boldly.
Seeing Netero giving the Mamen Beans a look... "Beans, give him the license."
"Yes." The Mamen Beans cleared his throat, took out the pre-prepared Hunter's License, handed it over, and as per procedure, read out the rules and notes of the Hunter Association to every candidate who passed the Hunter Exam, known as the "Ten Hunter Rules"!
"One, as a Hunter, one must hunt a certain target."
"Two, as a Hunter, one must learn basic martial arts."
"Three, once a Hunter's License is obtained, for whatever reason, the qualification will not be revoked. Similarly, for whatever reason, the license will not be reissued."
"Four...."
Roy took the license from the Mamen Beans, listening quietly; to him, these rules weren't important, only one thing was worth noting — strength!
With "absolute strength," not only can one ignore any rules, but even set the rules according to one's will.
Just like Netero, because he is the "strongest human," the Hunter Association holds huge influence in the world... is granted various privileges... and every time a "recruitment" is held, it can attract a large number of elites to sign up eagerly.
Of course, it's also undeniable that over the years, the Hunter Association has indeed absorbed many outstanding talents, supporting and growing this "endeavor."
Such as, Galu... such as, Botobai... such as, Ging!
"Ten, all unresolved matters are decided by the council formed by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and advisory members. Also, the Chairman has the right to appoint the Vice-Chairman and advisory members."
With the ten rules concluded, the Mamen Beans retired to the side, leaving the space to Roy and Netero.
The old man, with his trendy upward ponytail, wearing earrings on his Buddha-like ears, sipped his black tea, smiled at Roy, and said, "Little Roy, you heard it just now, are you interested in becoming my advisor?"
As "advisor" or as your "toy" during your idle time?
Roy did not deny that the future Zodiac Twelve would have a superior status in the Hunter Association, but status also corresponds to responsibility, corresponds to "work," corresponds to "never-ending meetings," corresponds to "complicated and tangled colleague relationships"...
The young man revealed his hand, for a long time, the mark reminded him that his life had shortened by nearly eight hours again, so... without a second thought, he rejected Netero's offer, saying, "I'll focus on staying alive first."
Netero nodded, as if he had expected Roy would answer like this, and with a flick of his sleeve, tossed over a "round object,"
Roy caught it with one hand, examining it closely; it seemed to be a "medallion," with a portrait on the front and two crossed axes engraved on the back!
"This is your grandfather Jager's belonging; here it only gathers dust, better let you take it."
Roy weighed the medallion in his hand, it was quite heavy, puzzled he asked, "Does this thing have any special significance?"
Netero sipped his tea, "He said it's the 'Knight's Medallion' awarded by the Giant King Domir. With this, you can enter and exit the Giant's Palace freely, without the need to pay respects, it's precious...."
The old man mimicked Jager's tone, chuckling, "Your grandfather was also a bragging guy back then, the truth is uncertain; after all, I haven't been to Dragun myself back then...."
Wait a minute... wasn't Grandpa Jager with Netero and Linne back in the expedition to the Dark Continent?
Could they have gotten separated midway?
However, not midway... Netero, insightful and astute, seemed to notice Roy's confusion and gave him a sidelong glance, saying, "Your grandfather said you had already honored Jager, and have seen that 'Sand Worm,'"
The old man said somberly, "Thanks to it, we were 'spread' apart right from the start..."
No wonder.
Roy recalled that 'Sand Worm' could suppress a person with just its Sense, making them unable to lift their head, and wondered what kind of creature it was!
The young man pondered, carefully putting away the "medallion."
Seeing this, Netero lowered his tea cup, his gaze piercing while looking at the young man, "Alright, let's talk business... child,"
"What kind of Hunter do you want to be?"
"First of the 'Ten Hunter Rules': as a Hunter, one must hunt a certain target."
"Professional Hunters" are also divided by "profession" and "rank."
There are Bounty Hunters responsible for "capturing criminals," Gourmet Hunters who pursue ingredients, Phantom Beast Hunters collecting various strange 'Magical Beasts', 'Rare Beasts', and 'Mythical creatures'... and like Ging, a Relic Hunter who enjoys exploring ruins...
In life, one's energy is limited, paths chosen differ, and so do the ensuing encounters.
Netero quietly awaited the young man's answer.
Roy gazed into his reflection in the black tea, rubbed the mark on his hand, and calmly raised his head, saying, "Seems like I have no choice but to slay a god for fun....."
"Then a God-slaying Hunter it is."
The Mamen Beans: "....."
Listen to that, does that make sense? What does "slay a god for fun" even mean? Come on... there's no such "profession."
"What, no?"
"Ho ho ho....
Netero laughed heartily, scattering a flock of birds resting on the wooden house's roof, squinting at Roy and said, "It's possible!"
The old man's eyes sparkled, recalling the conversation at the riverbank yesterday with the young man, who aimed to pursue freedom, spoke earnestly, "If that day truly comes, and I'm still alive, please, allow me to be a witness!"
"Tick-tock... Tick-tock....", the "curse" like a countdown timer, counting down every moment...
Roy took the license, tucked it into his pocket, stood up, and directly pulled open the door.
"I hope, not to keep you waiting too long."
"Bang~" the door closed.
"Step... Step...."
The young man's footsteps gradually receded....
Netero, just like Botobai, sat behind the table, watching through the glass window, seeing the young man off into the distance, raised his head, and in one go drank up the black tea...
And said, "Good tea!"