Cursed Grudge X Grudge Ability

Oboro originally wanted to visit Greed Island, but not to experience the game created by Ging Freecss.

He wanted to find someone.

Abengane is the person who helped Chrollo Exorcism in the original work; he is a Conjuration Exorcism.

In the original work, this character's Nen development and application are at an "extreme" level, indicating that his Nen, the methods he constructs for Exorcism, and the potential for future development are all almost perfect.

However, Oboro's team has always lacked a member who Exorcism.

He had always wanted to find Exorcism...

So, a long time ago, Oboro had his eye on Abengane... and the only time he could be sure of appearing on Greed Island was when Gon and Killua entered the game. Going to Greed Island at that time would definitely lead to finding him.

Throughout the entire Hunter World, the only Exorcism exorcist who left an impression on Oboro was the human Abengane, because he was involved with the Phantom Troupe.

Another one is the ant girl Hirin Shirin, one of the two squad leaders under Squadron Leader Haggya in the Chimera Ant, who also has the ability to Exorcism.

Squadron Leader Haggya was the ant who looked like a lion but was ultimately defeated by Morel.

Another captain under its command, an ant that looks like a dragonfly, is named Flutter.

Oboro decided to talk to Abengane because Abengane was ranked in the 'extreme' position in the relevant settings.

However, Oboro no longer has this idea.

Judging from the Greed Island storyline, while Abengane is undoubtedly a top-tier Exorcism, perhaps even reaching a very high level in Exorcism alone, his actual strength is not that great... If he were to join the team and set foot on the Dark Continent, he would definitely be the fastest to die among them.

The other team members also need to spare energy to protect him... It's too late to train him again now, while Menchi and the others have been training for several years.

Therefore, Oboro did not go to Greed Island, nor did he intend to interfere.

Every player who enters Greed Island has a different purpose. Some want to break records and become the first to complete the game. Others want certain in-game items or abilities, such as Biscuit and Battera the Millionaire.

In general, Greed Island and Hero Island have different game characteristics... After creating a game himself, Oboro's interest in Greed Island plummeted.

Moreover, the open-ended gameplay of Greed Island was already outdated and antiquated for him, a transmigrator.

Didn't Ging Freecss get that addicted after he came across his Hero Island...?

Oboro prefers competitive game modes.

Since we can't find a qualified Exorcism readily available... we'll just have to develop one ourselves.

Fortunately, the Nen of the soul type are quite compatible with the concept of Exorcism, so there is something that can be done about it.

There should be enough time before heading to the Dark Continent.

As for Captain Hirin, judging from her abilities, Exorcism skills are average... There are quite a few of that level in the Hunter World, so she's not worth Oboro's attention.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Killua has temporarily left Greed Island.

They found the Foxbear Clan and, using Gon's name, got them to take him to the 288th Hunter Exam venue.

The new year is clearly a big year for the Hunter Exam, with over 1,400 participants, more than three times the number from the 287th exam he and Gon participated in last year.

Killua also saw many familiar faces.

For example, the Tonpa deity...

There are also the Amori Brothers, etc.

These people were also surprised to see Killua. They didn't know that Killua had failed to be selected in the previous competition and thought that he had already become Hunter x Hunter.

The Amori Brothers also made some threats to Killua, but the white-haired boy completely ignored them.

As for Tonpa ... after seeing Killua, he secretly took a detour and left.

The first exam was very simple... it was just a free-for-all among more than a thousand candidates, and whoever got five number plates passed.

Killua's number is 1219.

Ultimately, three hundred people will be selected to go to the destination for the second exam. Although it's said to be three hundred people, there are some uncertainties; it's likely that less than two hundred will pass the exam.

In other words, the elimination rate is nearly one in eight.

It was particularly cruel.

As expected, more than an hour into the battle, the Hunter x Hunter examiner for the first round smoked several cigarettes and was getting drowsy when Killua woke him up with all the number plates he had collected.

Except for Killua, all the examinees had been knocked unconscious by him.

"Is a second round of the competition still necessary?"

Killua looked at the examiner with a smile on his lips.

The answer is self-evident.

He was the only winner this year.

Just as the examiners were hesitating, Chairman Netero suddenly appeared with a smile... affirming Killua's abilities and personally announcing that the Hunter Exam would end early, and Killua would obtain his Hunter License.

The old man seemed to have guessed that Killua would participate in this year's exam, and given that this year was an extremely rare year, he personally came forward... Although it was a year of great fortune, it ended so quickly, there was nothing he could do about it.

Netero realized that Killua was already a decent Nen user, which meant that further testing was unnecessary.

"I was worried that someone like me would appear in this year's exam..." Killua twirled his still-warm Hunter License between his fingers, smiling smugly.

He is Nen user.

After all, in previous exams, there were some people who were simply there to get a license.

With so many people this year, it's amazing that none of them... I'm very lucky.

"Hehe... that's not what you're worried about, is it?"

Standing to the side, Netero stroked his beard and winked Killua.

"You're worried... about the examiner for the first round, right?"

"..."

After being exposed, Killua blushed and stubbornly said, "Hmph! Even if he comes, I will still pass."

That's right, Killua is afraid of Oboro.

Because if that guy were there, who would know how difficult the exam content would be?

Even if he learns to read it, he might not be able to pass.

Moreover, Killua always felt very uncomfortable when facing Oboro alone.

Just thinking about Oboro's face made Killua feel uneasy.

"Even with competitors who have mastered Nen, with your current abilities, getting the license shouldn't be a problem," Netero said.

The old man noticed Killua's astonishing growth; compared to last year, he had undergone a complete transformation... but this didn't bring Netero any comfort. What pleased the old man was that he sensed a change in Killua's character, seemingly due to becoming friends with Gon.

They did not follow the trend of the Zoldyck Family.

Netero had long observed Gon and Killua's talents.

Looking at Killua in front of him, the old man couldn't help but think of Oboro... Although there was a significant age gap between them, they were both incredibly talented. If Oboro had had a friend like Gon in his life when he was younger, would things have changed? Netero couldn't help but think... A hint of melancholy flashed across his eyes.

The answer is... no! Netero has already received information about the Kakin Empire... gangs are not under the jurisdiction of the Hunter Association, and he has no obligation to intervene or issue any orders.

Actually, he has had some influence on Oboro over the years. At least, given Oboro's personality, he has already given this old man a lot of face... He did not go to the Dark Continent without permission and ignore his existence.

Unfortunately... it only affected a small part, not the whole thing.

This result is already quite good.

But Netero desperately wished he could completely change Oboro, at least get him on his side.

"Of course, even if there are other Nen user, they are nothing to fear... But I'm in a hurry, so the sooner the exam ends, the better." Killua's words pulled Netero back to reality. Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw the little guy already walking away with his hands in his pockets. "I'm going back to find Gon. I'll come see you again when I have the chance."

They were quite polite...

Netero smiled slightly as he watched Killua's retreating figure.

Things are different now...

"Um?"

Suddenly, Netero vanished, as if he had sensed something, and he was about to rush towards Killua's side.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of the examiner beside me, who was suddenly pressed against his back by a dark figure that appeared out of nowhere. The figure reached out a hand and covered the examiner's mouth.

At the same time, a dagger was held to the examiner's neck.

This forced the old man to turn back and prioritize saving the person.

However, another petite figure, as if anticipating his actions, darted out from the open doorway of the stairwell and blocked his way.

Netero tried to swing his hand to attack, but his movements were somewhat sluggish... This would never have happened to him.

But then, it happened! A familiar aura...

Although the enemy was weak, Netero sensed the energy emanating from him... It was this energy that caused him to momentarily lose his senses.

The next second, Netero's eyes turned solemn, his aura turned cold, and without further hesitation, he prepared to knock down the enemy who was blocking his way.

But... his move stopped after he extended it.

The petite, mysterious figure had her cloak fall off, revealing her face—a young girl in the prime of her life.

With the force of his strike, the girl would surely die! In that brief moment, the girl pulled a dagger from her sleeve and stabbed herself in the abdomen without hesitation, collapsing to her knees.

Blood immediately covered the ground...

Immediately, an astonishing surge of negative energy erupted from his body, instantly engulfing Netero who was standing right next to him... With the old man's abilities, he could have easily dodged it.

However, Netero heard a familiar laugh from the person standing behind the examiner, who was also wearing a cloak.

That voice... made him somewhat lost in thought.

All of this was planned.

Netero has been infected.

His limbs were bound by the burst of energy, and he was slammed into the stone wall beside him, his body embedded in the cold cement, unable to move.

It also cannot activate the mind's energy.

"I really am getting old."

Netero sighed inwardly, his gaze fixed on the enemy who was about to slit the examiner's throat.

The fact that he made such a mistake is enough to show that the visitor could influence his state of mind and was someone of considerable importance in his life.

If he hadn't stopped and had killed or knocked the girl away, he could have completely turned the situation around... but the other party had a very good grasp of his thoughts, or rather, his personality.

Meanwhile, Killua hadn't left the venue yet.

Suddenly, the door in front was pushed open, and a group of mysterious people wearing cloaks and uniform clothing filed in, numbering in the dozens.

They quickly surrounded the exit, making it completely blocked.

Killua's relaxed expression suddenly turned murderous, and he instinctively jumped back several times to cleverly create distance.

This is a conditioned reflex.

Because... these intruders clearly had ill intentions.

Killua landed from mid-air and turned to look at the chairman. He originally thought that with Netero around, even if some changes occurred, it wouldn't be a big problem.

But when Killua saw Netero's predicament, his pupils contracted in disbelief.

Something terrible is about to happen! "What... is that?"

He saw a kind of energy similar to 'Nen' in the dying girl, but it was clearly not the Nen he was familiar with.

This energy is full of negative emotions... Just glancing at it makes me feel nauseous.

Killua was a little confused.

The Cursed Grudge.

Or rather, the opposite of Nen, the power of resentment.

This energy has existed in the human world for a long time, but because of its properties, as well as the different opportunities and thoughts that lead to its appearance or awakening, it has been intentionally hidden all along.

The harm and side effects are too great.

But resentment has one thing in common with longing.

All are influenced by the 'heart'.

There are also oaths and constraints.

The Cursed Grudge ability of the girl in front of him was clearly prepared purely for Netero.

"Jed, is that you?"

Netero was hung on the wall, his limbs seemingly chained. He looked at the tall figure standing on the ground and said in a deep voice.

"It's an honor that you still remember me."

A face beneath the cloak slowly rose, and a mocking tone rang out.

Then, under Netero's watchful eye, this man used a knife to slit the examiner's throat.

"It hasn't been that long, Netero ...you haven't changed at all..."

As the cloak was removed, revealing the man's face, Netero could no longer remain calm.

It really is him, Jed! The leader of the Shadow Organization, hidden in the shadows back then, from the Hunter Association.

He is also one of Netero's old friends and close friends.

They are solely responsible to V5, cleaning up the messes for those in power and doing all the dirty work.

Assassination, kidnapping, annihilation...

All the shady things were done by the members of the Shadow.

Later, as the Hunter Association grew stronger and gradually stabilized, V5 got what they wanted. Fearing that the existence of the Shadow Organization would be exposed, causing negative public opinion and Omokage, they... without the Shadow Organization's knowledge, sent people to silently kill all their members and bloodlines.

It was as if this group of people had never existed.

Even now, the number of people in the Association who still know anything about the traces related to 'Shadow' is very small.

The Shadow Organization is not a glorious thing... It's a past that the Association and V5 are reluctant to talk about.

Netero had to admit that without Jed and his Shadow Organization, the Hunter Association wouldn't be what it is today...

Back then, the Hunter Association was insignificant and had no social recognition or status.

To Netero's surprise, Jed was killed by his own hands... How could he have been resurrected after so many years? Moreover, it was obvious that he was eyeing this year's Hunter Exam... He had set up a grand scheme in advance.

"Surprised? The glamorous and renowned student council president..."

"Some retribution... must eventually be paid!"

"Jed said coldly."