I Refuse! (Double Chapter)

One month later at the ruins.

Long was working with the Sori Group inside the site, excavating and protecting some artifacts.

Of the three groups within the restricted area, he wiped out two. The last one, which also yielded the most, left immediately after noticing Oboro's arrival.

Oboro did not stop her.

Or rather... it's hard to stop.

The last group consisted of five members, each with exceptional abilities... Two of them were national-level Nen user, so it would be difficult for Oboro to handle the entire team on her own.

Nen are rather tricky...

He could try using Ekko's ultimate ability, Chronobreak.

However, one of the opposing members possessed the Nen of teleportation, which resulted in the two sides only exchanging a single glance before the latter disappeared under Oboro's gaze.

They even prepared a backup plan in advance.

Overall, the progress made by Oboro and his team has far exceeded the expectations of the Sori Group.

After purging the rebels around the ruins, Oboro officially Sori Group and used his expertise in ancient texts to help them translate some texts.

There are no books in this ancient site... All the text and images are carved on stone and wood artifacts, but because of the long time that has passed, many of the wood carvings have rotted away and are no longer legible.

However, Oboro's joining was still a great help to the Sori Group.

The earlier the ancient site, the closer it is to the truth of how humans migrated from the Dark Continent to the Lake Island... Before the human world formed a true social system, many writings were closer to depictions of pictures, such as the portraits passed down by the Kurta Clan and Botswa Tribe.

"Is it Magical Beasts..."

The following day, Long parted the dense vines that covered the outer wall of the ruins, looked at the blurry murals on the wall, and murmured softly.

Not far away, groups of people were carrying things out of the ruins.

Some of them are valuable treasures, and many are highly collectible antiques... including long-forgotten coffins.

This site appears to have been a small royal palace in the past, belonging to a human race that fled from the Dark Continent. Judging from the scattered translated texts and images on the stone statues, this race seems to have had a close relationship with Magical Beasts... as if they had experience and customs of raising or keeping Magical Beasts.

In the earliest days, besides the human ancestors who came from the Dark Continent, there were also many Magical Beasts... Some weak creatures, which were like reptiles on the Dark Continent, could not live on that land and eventually had to come to the Lake Island.

In a sense, they are just like humans, eliminated by that land.

This also applies to the Chimera Ant queen of later generations.

Today, there are also quite a few Magical Beasts in the human world, scattered all over the world.

Some of them are even more intelligent than humans. Among the Zoldyck Family's butlers, there is a creature that looks exactly like the magical Magical Beasts called Kiriko, who led Gon and the others to the Hunter Exam venue.

Over the years, Oboro has seen quite a few Magical Beasts.

Magical Beasts are like wild animals living on the Dark Continent, belonging to the lowest group of the food chain. Those that escaped to human land have basically been abandoned by 'that food chain' and cannot even integrate into it.

The creatures of these Dark Continent are far more powerful and diverse than the creatures that exist in the human world itself.

After several generations of bloodline dilution, the danger is probably not as pure as it used to be.

Different environments create different life forms.

"In general... the earliest humans and Magical Beasts that migrated were actually the same..." Long reached out and wiped the dust off the wall, saying calmly.

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly narrowed his eyes.

Magical Beasts...

His passive Nen, Absolution and Damnation, has no effect on ordinary people... but what about Magical Beasts? You know, although there are many Nen user hidden in the human world, he can't just kill indiscriminately. Now that he's joined the Hunter Association, he has to be more restrained by the Association's ten rules and the old man's watchful eye.

Even without the Hunter Association's supervision, it's hard to say whether Nen user he encounters...

His previous plan was to go to a few 'supply stations,' such as the Heavens Arena and Ging Freecss's Greed Island... He couldn't touch his Hero Island, much less cause any killing.

Because they're still counting on those players to 'maintain the game'...

However, even if these places are thoroughly ravaged, the number of souls and black mist that can be collected is very limited... There are only a few with the strength to do so!

Judging from the passive effects of the two skills, the stronger the target, the greater the value of killing them... His attack range has now increased to 20 centimeters, his critical hit rate is 7%, and based on his magic power, the quality of his Nen power has increased by one-tenth compared to before, and his physical defense has also been significantly enhanced...

All of this is based on the Association's two-star missions, which are based on the enemy's strength level... but such missions are not always available, and the targets of the hunt cannot always remain within this range.

So...

The effects of the soul and the black mist increase or decrease based on the target's strength; in other words, they are linked to their life force. Ordinary humans, including ferocious beasts, are not included in this range. So... what about Magical Beasts?

Magical Beasts should be able to...

Even if they can't compare to Nen user, their numbers are enormous... and with gradual accumulation, they will eventually lead to a qualitative change.

This solved the immediate problem.

Otherwise, Oboro might have to find a way to provoke international disputes, causing V5 to clash with some countries and deploy a large number of troops, so that he can take advantage of the situation.

Doing this is difficult... but it's not without hope.

The Fills Family has been infiltrating government agencies in various countries and has also made contact with some royal families. As their cultivated people rise to power in the political arena, they gradually become members of the radical faction, capable of manipulating the government to stir up trouble and achieve their goals.

On the mainland, there are more than one country like East Gorteau.

Moreover, V5's relationship with the United Nations is not solid... This incident at the ruins clearly shows that while things appear harmonious on the surface, conflicts still exist behind the scenes. In addition, although V5's resources are unfathomable, it has many means to indirectly restrain such organizations.

For example, the later Kakin Empire... and Beyond's actions, which guided international public opinion and trends, forced V5 to compromise.

Sometimes, having force alone is not enough to just take action.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the combination of the elements of "national war machine" and "international".

Individuals, small factions, including the Hunter Association, cannot compete with V5 or even have the right to engage in dialogue.

The Hunter Association's operating model also dictates that it is a subordinate civilian organization, and the people inside all have their own agendas... The factional backgrounds are quite complex.

Only the government can rival the official authorities... at the very least, it's the level of a single country.

From this point of view, it is not difficult to see that he is smarter Beyond.

He has hit V5 where it hurts.

"I'll find an opportunity to give it a try..."

Long smiled.

If Magical Beasts can serve as the 'raw materials' for his growth, then he will be one step closer to his ultimate goal.

Two weeks later, Oboro finished his investigation in cooperation with the Sori Group and set off back to the Association.

Once again, he led the team to complete a two-star mission, and unsurprisingly, just like the first time, it caused quite a stir.

In just two months, an extremely difficult task was completed, an astonishingly efficient effort.

In particular, during the mission, they apparently dealt with a two-star Crime Hunter had violated the Association's rules.

The entire team consisted of six people, none of whom had earned a star, and two of them were newcomers who had just joined the Association ... Most importantly, the feedback from the client was perfect! Long and the others reported to the relevant departments of the Association, explaining the details of the mission process, which was recorded by the management, who then evaluated each person's contribution.

Oboro undoubtedly had the highest contribution rate and also received professional credit.

After several years, he returned to the public eye and once again made a stunning debut.

This battle made Oboro famous throughout the Association.

This also reinforced other Hunter x Hunter's belief in an unspoken rule within the Association.

That is... those who are identified as 'privileged' by the chairman, none of them are simple.

Then, without stopping, Long accepted a one-star mission, and Menchi, Rita, and Anthony, they began their work.

Fante and Gabe Vich are still recovering from their injuries and won't be back anytime soon.

One day, in the Hunter Association's conference room.

Zodiacs gather...

There were only ten people, one missing Ging Freecss and the other being Tiger who had just sacrificed himself.

The reason it's described as a gathering is because Ging Freecss' absence is a common occurrence.

"I called you all here because of a vacancy among you, Yin Hu... What are your thoughts, or rather, do you have any good candidates?" Inside the room, the old man crossed one leg, held a teacup, and calmly sipped his tea.

"Aren't our positions always appointed by you, Chairman? When did you start caring about our opinions?"

With his chin resting on one hand and wearing wing ornaments on his back, the Rooster Cluck raised an eyebrow and asked in surprise.

"Hehe..."

The old man took another sip of tea and laughed, "After all, you'll be working together from now on... so new people need to be compatible in personality, and your opinions are naturally very important."

The Zodiacs hold considerable status and power within the Association, genuinely participating in its management. Sometimes, when the old man was feeling lazy, he would directly entrust them with the operation and handling of the Association's affairs.

"President, you don't need to ask us. Your decision is our decision."

"I don't care," said Rabbit Pyon, playing his handheld game console.

Everyone understands that the old man already has a plan... he's just calling them here as a formality.

"Let's begin then..."

After Netero finished speaking, the Beans had been standing obediently turned on the television screen, which displayed photos of the two people.

The person on the left, dressed in a suit and wearing sunglasses, with a cold gaze, is none other than Long.

On the right is a blond boy who seems to have a bad temper; his expression is full of impatience...

Both of these photos were taken secretly.

The blond boy on the right is Kangzai, one of the Zodiacs Branches in later generations, Kanzai Yin Hu, a treasure Hunter x Hunter.

It was indeed the two of them! The people at the table were not surprised when these two appeared on the screen.

Kanzai is quite capable and talented. At a young age, he has already achieved a certain level of success in his professional field. His personality is also very similar to that of Yin Hu. It is only natural that he was chosen by the old man.

As for Long... needless to say, although he is still relatively inexperienced, he has accomplished something that most of the Zodiacs present could not do.

Two and a half stars once, two stars once... almost all of these were achieved through individual ability.

Those with this level of skill... are like the Ging Freecss from back then.

If we choose solely based on strength, Oboro would definitely win with an overwhelming advantage.

Moreover, everyone knows perfectly well how well the president takes care of Oboro.

"I don't need to say much about these two... Although I was the one who made the final decision, I still want to see your choice," the old man said with a smile.

"Then... let's begin the voting."

Pariston interlaced his fingers, added, and raised one hand. "I vote for Oboro!"

The old man glanced at his vice president out of the corner of his eye, his smile unchanged, as if he was not surprised by Pariston's choice.

"My choice is Kanzai."

Yorkshire explained his reasoning, "I acknowledge Oboro's strength, but I've heard some things about his work style. Moreover, I think that in addition to strength, seniority is also very important for this position... otherwise it will be difficult to gain the respect of the masses and the recognition of the Accompany. From a compatibility perspective, Kanzai is more suitable."

"I know that with your personality, Chairman, you would never care about these things and would still choose whoever you want. But I have to remind you that if Oboro becomes one of us, I think he will be like Ging Freecss, disrupting the stability of the team... Even if he can quickly meet the requirements in terms of seniority and performance, it will still have some impact on your personal reputation during this period."

Yorkshire adjusted his glasses, speaking politely and offering a plausible explanation.

"I agree with Yorkshire."

Cluck also raised his hand.

As for Dragon Botobai, who was considered by others to be the closest to the president in terms of reputation and strength among the Zodiacs, and was also the most senior, he said in a deep voice, "Long!"

He uttered only one word.

"Since our choices are useless, we might as well go with the flow and do someone a favor. President, your preference is for that Long, right?" Shenhou Saiyu yawned. "Then I'll choose him! Anyway, it's all the same... there's no difference."

Smack

As soon as he finished speaking, Yorkshire slammed his hands on the table and said seriously, "I hope everyone takes this matter seriously. The new people who have joined us are the ones who will be working with us from now on, and this is very important!"

"Uh... I think Yorkshire has a point, I choose Kanzai."

Yinda said naively with an afro.

"Kanzai!"

"Hazy!"

The others also gave their answers one after another.

The final result was 4 to 6, with Kanzai 4 votes and Oboro getting 6 votes! Yorkshire's expression was a little unpleasant... With her sharp mind, she had even guessed in advance why the chairman had called them here, so she had already given them a pep talk.

According to her prediction, it was 7 to 3... Oboro only had Pariston, Saiyu, and Botobai as her three votes.

The current outcome has completely exceeded her expectations.

With that thought in mind, she immediately turned and stared at the smiling man, Pariston! It must be this guy who did it!

"You and Oboro have a good relationship?" Yorkshire asked coldly.

She felt that Pariston had made some dirty deal with Oboro.

If the two form an alliance and it affects future management decisions, Pariston will be able to seize the power he desires, which would be very detrimental to the Association's future development.

"No, actually, since Oboro joined the Association, he hasn't said a single word to me... I really wanted to be friends with him, but he... seems to hate me." Pariston smiled casually.

Yorkshire looked incredulous, sat down in her chair, and stared at the president.

It all depends on what the president chooses...

The chairman must have realized Pariston's thoughts.

"Well..." Under everyone's watchful eyes, Netero took a leisurely sip of tea.

The old man stroked his beard, looked at the younger generation on the table, and instead of giving them names, he had the Beans make a phone call.

Communication was established quickly.

"Hello..."

A calm voice came from the other end of the phone.

Hazy.

"Here's the thing... After discussion and decision at the meeting, I'm going to appoint you as the Tiger of the Zodiacs. What do you think?" Netero said with a smile.

"I refuse!"

Without even thinking, Long immediately refused.

This made Pariston squint.

Yorkshire breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why?"

Netero seemed completely unsurprised by the answer, and instead asked with a smile.

"A waste of time... If you insist on appointing me, I naturally cannot refuse, but I cannot guarantee what the consequences will be," Oboro said calmly.

"Hehe..."

The old man burst into laughter.

Then, the call ended.

"Um... my decision is... Kanzai."

Yin Hu Kanzai.

Upon hearing this, Pariston immediately stood up from his chair and waved his hand, saying, "Since there's a result, the discussion is over. I'll take my leave now."

He always had a smile on his face.

After speaking, he walked out of the conference room in front of the old man.

However, before pushing open the door and leaving, Pariston glanced back at the president's figure, a smile playing on his lips.

Then, he strode away.

I worked overtime yesterday and got home late... Sorry.

I'm making up for the missed update today.