Setting Sail for Dreams

Whale Island was an inconspicuous little island nestled in the middle of the Eurabean Continent. It had earned its name because its shape resembled a whale.

Due to its geographical conditions, it had long remained semi-isolated from the outside world, preserving a relatively primitive natural landscape. Even its technological level lagged about ten years behind developed regions, and most residents made their living through fishing and hunting.

If it had not produced a Hunter at the very pinnacle like Ging Freecss, as well as Gon, one of the protagonists, probably no one would have paid attention to this tiny island.

But perhaps it was precisely this relatively isolated environment that had shaped the father and son's unique personalities, allowing them to shine brightly in this world filled with powerful people.

January 4th, a particularly special day.

Because twelve-year-old Gon had just fulfilled his agreement with his adoptive mother, Aunt Mito. He had successfully caught the enormous "Swamp King" within the allotted time and officially set out to follow in his biological father's footsteps.

At that moment, he stood on the deck of a wooden sailing ship, excitedly chatting with everyone aboard, including the Captain. His entire body radiated a purity of curiosity untouched by any concept of good or evil.

"Because you're pure, you can focus. Because you can focus, once you make a decision, you carry it through without wavering—and at critical moments, you can unleash astonishing potential. Is that your talent? In a sense, it really is terrifying..."

Watching the small yet energetic figure not far ahead, Allen could not help silently sighing.

If he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that someone like Gon could exist in this world, just as pure water completely free of impurities should not exist in nature.

He had also met the other two protagonists, Kurapika and Leorio. They likewise possessed quite outstanding talent and potential.

During his more than two months on Whale Island, Allen had either stayed in the wilderness forests or immersed himself in Dungeons, fighting intense battles. As a result, he looked somewhat bedraggled. His gray trousers and clothes were a little tattered, and some spots had even been scorched black.

There was no need to ask—he had clearly suffered quite a bit at the hands of the monsters and Bosses in high-level Dungeons.

The large number of spellcasting enemies had been especially troublesome. Their attacks were entirely energy-based, making them impossible to defend against with the advanced Nen abilities techniques "Ken," "Ryu," and "Ko." Many of them also came with tracking abilities, leaving him unable to dodge and forcing him to endure them with his health points.

Once his health points reached zero, he could only continue fighting while risking death, or turn around and flee immediately.

Of course, the gains had been enormous as well.

Through those fierce battles, Allen had learned many fighting techniques and accumulated a great deal of experience. He no longer feared close-quarters combat and could skillfully use Enhancement-type Nen abilities to grant different attribute enhancements to melee weapons and armor, then use Mongoose Bite and Raptor Strike to finish off his targets.

Although only a year had passed in the real world, he had spent nearly seven or eight years inside Dungeons. He had basically either been fighting or training his body and Nen abilities.

Combined with the limitless potential brought by his Night Elf bloodline, he was no longer the weak person he had been a year ago. The "Ten" constantly wrapped around his body was like the surface of a bottomless lake.

Calm!

Rounded!

Smooth!

As though it had merged with the surrounding environment!

Anyone who saw such aura would be unable to resist cheering aloud, because it was proof of strength and power, a crystallization earned through countless trials and tempering.

"Ahhh—"

The candidates aboard the ship for the Hunter Exam were too limited in skill to stir his interest. Allen could not help yawning, then lay directly on the deck and closed his eyes to rest. Before long, he fell asleep.

With Lupos guarding beside him, he had no need to worry about being ambushed or set up.

However, he did not sleep for long before he was awakened by flashes of lightning and crashing thunder, along with the Loud Noise of waves slamming against the ship and sea.

"Hmm? Has the storm arrived?"

The moment Allen opened his eyes, he saw the ink-black sky overhead.

The once-calm sea had finally revealed its most savage and terrifying side, repeatedly trying to overturn and Tear! apart the tiny wooden sailing ship.

For safety, all the candidates had already entered the cabin to take shelter. Only Allen and Lupos remained on deck, using Nen abilities to withstand the raging wind and rain.

Suddenly!

The tightly shut cabin door was pushed open, and Kurapika and Leorio emerged one after the other. Completely ignoring the storm's violent rocking, they stood on the deck in fighting stances.

Just as Allen was preparing to enjoy the coming "iconic scene," the Captain suddenly walked between them and came straight to him. "You're Allen, the only candidate Approved by the Association last year, but you ultimately refused to accept the Hunter License for your own reasons, right?"

"That's right, it was me. But there's one misunderstanding—I don't believe I passed last year's exam." Allen raised one finger to correct him.

"What?"

"This Guy passed the exam but refused the Hunter License?"

Kurapika and Leorio immediately stopped their tense confrontation, turning to stare fixedly at Allen, who sat on the deck completely unaffected by the storm, and the enormous wolf beside him.

No matter how heavy the rain and wind became, or how many waves crashed onto the deck, the man and wolf remained clean and tidy. Even their clothes and fur had not gotten wet.

"Eh? You passed last year's Hunter Exam? That's amazing! My name is Gon Freecss. Is this wolf your companion? What's its name?"

At some point, Gon had also run out from the cabin below. With wide eyes and an excited expression, he fired off question after question, even trying to touch Lupos's head—only to nearly get bitten.

If Allen had not reacted quickly enough to stop his pet's attack, Gon's Hunter Exam this year would probably have ended right there, with him being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Facing this little bundle of curiosity, Allen could not help smiling as he warned him, "Don't touch Lupos. It doesn't have a very good temper. Besides, didn't I just say it? I don't believe I passed last year's Hunter Exam, which is why I came to take it again this year."

"Oh, I see."

Gon wore an expression of sudden understanding, but his gaze still did not leave the Shadow Wolf King.

Just as he wanted to say something else, the Captain suddenly cut him off. "All right! I don't care what your reasons are. In any case, you already qualify to enter the examination venue directly, so there's no need to waste time here. I've had someone notify the review committee. Once the ship docks, they'll send someone to pick you up."

"No problem. Thank you."

Allen nodded lightly and readily accepted the arrangement.

In fact, he wanted to reach the venue earlier than anyone else. Ideally, he wanted to settle his grudge with Hisoka before the exam officially began.

Unfortunately, he did not know where this year's Hunter Exam venue had been chosen.

And since he also wanted to take a look at the three protagonists, he had chosen Whale Island as his starting point.

"Wait! That's not fair! Why can he go straight to the venue while we can't?" Leorio demanded indignantly.

"Fair? Hahahaha! You really are naïve and adorable." The Captain showed Leorio no courtesy at all, poking a finger into his chest as he said, "Remember this, kid. The Hunter Exam isn't some fair game. It's a process of eliminating the weak and selecting the strong. As for you, you can't even sense the enormous, insurmountable gap in strength between yourself and others, yet you dare stand here and shamelessly talk about fairness? Ridiculous!"

"Bastard!"

Leorio viciously swung a punch at the air, venting the dissatisfaction in his heart.

But no matter how unwilling he was to accept it, he did not dare oppose the Captain's decision. He could only retreat to a corner by himself and sulk.

Kurapika's attention was also firmly drawn by Allen's sudden appearance. Forgetting his earlier verbal clash with Leorio, he stepped forward to Greeted him, repeatedly probing for specific information about the Hunter Exam.

By the time the ship docked, Allen had already established a fairly friendly relationship with several of the protagonists. Then, alone, he followed the Beast Fox sent by the review committee directly to the examination venue.

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