Author Note:
No further Chapters this week, I am planning on stacking them for a while.
Still waiting for feedback on my writing.
ps?
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Drip.
The drop fell onto the cocoon—but instead of sliding down to the ground, it hovered for a brief moment before being absorbed.
The effect was almost immediate.
A ripple of green energy swept across the entire forest. For a split second, the forest shone with an almost blinding brilliance; even Jons and Tsubone had to shield their eyes. The wilting plants sprang back to life, and new grass and flowers burst forth from the soil. The energy was so intense that the trees closest to Serik grew nearly a head taller.
But that was not the most surprising part.
Immediately after the surge of growth came an even stronger wilting. This time, the entire outer periphery died. Every flower, blade of grass, and plant vanished without a trace. Around the forest formed a blackened border, roughly thirty centimeters wide, as if life itself had been cut away.
Seeing this, Jons turned to Tsubone.
"You were right," he said quietly. "It seems he's recalling his Nen. He's using the forest as a refinery. The energy I gave him passed through the forest first… and then returned to him."
He had reached this conclusion because the aura radiating from the cocoon had clearly grown stronger.
Tsubone looked around in wonder. "He never fails to surprise. If we continue feeding him like this… could he become the next Netero?"
Jons, trying to stand, replied shakily, "No. I don't believe this transformation is about power. He must be in his subconscious right now—slumbering, reliving the events that led to this ability."
He walked slowly to a nearby tree and gently ran his hand along its bark.
"I believe this forest was created by his Nen to protect him while he's in a fragile state. If I hadn't fed him that drop of life, I'd say he wouldn't grow stronger physically. But now… his Nen will continue to grow."
Noticing how pale and weakened Jons looked, Tsubone asked, "How many more times can you do this?"
Jons, slowly regaining his breath, answered, "Once per day. Each time requires at least three liters of poison—enduring the pain and fully understanding its properties. I could do more… but only by sacrificing my lifespan."
What Tsubone didn't know was that Jons had already done exactly that. He had sacrificed an entire week of his lifespan at once. That was the true reason for his current weakness; otherwise, poison of this level wouldn't have fazed him at all.
Honk.
The sound made Tsubone turn her head. The fertilizer had arrived.
"You recover," she said. "I'll handle the rest."
And she did.
She spread all one hundred bags in half an hour. The forest began to stink, but the fertilizer clearly had some effect. It sank into the soil visibly. The water, however, showed no effect yet—the dried-out perimeter still formed a barrier.
This became their routine for a full week.
Each day, Jons would provide a single drop of life, then sit down to recover. Tsubone would take over, spreading fertilizer and monitoring the forest.
At the end of the week, an unexpected guest arrived.
Knock. Knock.
Tsubone went to answer the door. When she opened it, she was surprised to find Gel—the famous Zodiac known as the Snake—standing before her. Outwardly, however, she showed nothing but a calm, composed expression.
"Hello," Gel said, her voice even and unhurried. "I'm here regarding the request for a poison expert."
"I know," Tsubone replied, inclining her head slightly as she stepped aside to invite her in.
Gel entered without hesitation. She was a slender woman with sharp, narrow eyes that seemed to observe everything without lingering on any single detail. Her movements were quiet and deliberate, each step measured—like a serpent gliding across the ground. There was nothing overtly threatening about her presence, yet it carried a subtle pressure that made it clear she was no ordinary Hunter.
She glanced around. All she saw was a spacious living room, a large kitchen visible from the entrance, and a single door at the back of the house—presumably leading to the garden.
Her gaze lingered there for a moment before she turned back to Tsubone, waiting.
Tsubone led the way. Gel, ever the professional, asked no questions. She waited until the other party chose to disclose the job.
When Tsubone opened the door to the garden, Gel froze.
All she could see was a forest.
She had noticed the greenery from outside, but she hadn't expected this house to lack even a proper garden. They continued walking until they reached the cocoon, where Jons sat, still recovering.
Jons opened his eyes. Upon seeing their guest, he stood, bowed slightly, and said, "Welcome. We are in need of your help."
Both are Nen users, Gel thought as she observed them. Neither tried to hide it—on the contrary, they openly displayed their aura as a sign of goodwill. She relaxed slightly.
"So," she asked, resting one hand on her hip, "who's poisoned?"
Jons shook his head. "Nobody. What I need is poison. I want you to administer it to me."
Gel's eyes widened in surprise. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if this was some strange fetish—or a suicidal request. She quickly dismissed the thought.
"I assume you don't want to die," she said flatly. "So why?"
"You don't need to know," Jons replied. "All I need is poison so I can use my ability."
Gel studied him for a moment, then nodded. She didn't ask further questions about the request.
"When do we start?"
"You arrived a little late," Jons answered. "We're already finished for today. We'll resume tomorrow. You're welcome to stay, if you want."
Gel shook her head. "I need to return to headquarters tomorrow. I only accepted this job because it was close by."
"Then can you come here every day at noon?" Jons asked. "You may leave immediately after administering the poison."
Gel considered it briefly, then nodded. Without another word, she turned and left.
Tsubone accompanied her out.
From that day on, a new addition joined their routine.
Nothing else changed.
Gel arrived every day at exactly noon and left as soon as her task was done. She was curious—but chose not to stay. Too much knowledge could become a liability if this matter was meant to remain secret.
Neither Jons nor Tsubone stopped her.
This continued for a full month.