Targeted by Little Black X Curse-Breaking Strategy

After making the decision, Kevin and his companion quickly packed their things and left without hesitation.

Kevin, carrying a small birdcage, began his journey home.

Come here~

The sound rang out again.

Kevin was somewhat helpless. Although he had gradually gotten used to it, the sound rang in his ears every hour without fail, which was really too "dedicated".

As they continued walking back, the [Coming sound] sounds grew stronger and more frequent, no longer once an hour, but shortened to once every five minutes.

After the two passed through a grove of trees, the [Coming sound] kept echoing in his ears, severely interfering with Kevin's perception of his surroundings.

He stood at the edge of the woods, his brow furrowed.

The change in sound was clearly wrong; something was approaching.

"What's wrong?"

Gowen remained vigilant and asked.

"[The Coming sound] is becoming more and more frequent."

The information they obtained about the Secret Realm only mentioned the existence of such a sound, but did not explain what the changes in the sound meant.

So, when the sounds around him continued incessantly, Kevin sensed that trouble was about to break.

"Run!"

A sense of crisis welled up inside Kevin, and he shouted without hesitation.

The two immediately sprinted out, desperately fleeing. A chilling aura surged from behind them, spreading like the tentacles of shadow.

"Resentment."

Kevin muttered to himself, "This is so bizarre. Why is the post-mortem Nen?"

Although he dared not claim to have a deep understanding of the post-mortem Nen, he did know the basics.

Typically, the post-mortem Nen are usually targeted and closely related to the deceased's grievances and ideas during their lifetime.

This [Coming sound] has existed in this Secret Realm for countless years; it probably appeared as early as the time the villagers were sealed here and could no longer leave.

Over the years, countless Hunter x Hunter have come and gone, so why did they specifically target me?

And then, suddenly, things changed.

Kevin simply couldn't understand it.

"Etc."

Kevin suddenly realized something, stopped running, and turned to look behind him.

Invisible tendrils of Resentment instantly wrapped around his body, but Kevin paid no attention to them.

Gowen also stopped, but he didn't feel any Resentment. After all, he had never had this experience before, and the training didn't cover this aspect.

The two looked together toward the edge of the woods they had just left, but saw nothing.

However, after Kevin was possessed by the Resentment, he could vaguely see a dark figure.

The sounds around me grew louder and louder.

"He's calling me over. Do you think I should go?" Kevin suddenly turned to ask Gowen beside him.

Upon hearing this strange question, Gowen almost lost his Knight composure, staring at Kevin as if he were an idiot. Was there even a need to ask?

"Okay, it seems you also think we shouldn't have gone."

Kevin muttered a helpless complaint.

What should have been a peaceful adventure of exploring Secret Realm and gathering materials turned into a horror story. How did it happen?

He simply couldn't understand why he was the one to encounter this kind of thing.

Of course, he also has to admit that he does have some differences.

However, the dark figure formed by Resentment seemed to have no intention of chasing after them, but simply stood quietly at the edge of the forest, as if it were watching them intently.

"Never mind, let's go back first."

Kevin said.

Gowen nodded.

The two turned and walked back.

The moment Kevin turned his head, the Resentment tentacles that had been wrapped around him disappeared, which surprised Kevin greatly.

This behavior gives the illusion that the other party is extending goodwill, as if to say that if he doesn't want to go over, then forget it.

It's quite humane and respectful.

"This godforsaken place has so many secrets."

Kevin muttered something under his breath, then the two quickened their pace.

As night fell, they finally saw the sign marking the Village's Boundary.

Stepping over the sign and into the Village, Kevin felt at ease with the familiar, slightly chilly feeling in the air.

In this place permeated with Resentment, I suddenly feel like I'm home.

The old man, shaped like a beggar's bow, was sitting in his camp, sipping his wine.

Perhaps because he was drunk, he wasn't as irritable as before when he saw Kevin and the other person.

By the moonlight, one could see his slightly flushed face and a drunken smile.

The old man raised the wine jug and gestured in their direction, as if offering them a toast.

It was already late, and there were few villagers on the streets. The two went straight back to the inn.

Hearing someone come in, Bianluoke, who had been dozing off on the counter, looked up.

"It's the two of you! I thought you weren't coming back."

Including the day they traveled, the two were away for a full six days.

This Secret Realm is actually not as large as one might imagine; generally speaking, three or four days is the maximum for an expedition.

"Something came up and I was delayed."

Kevin waved his hand casually and said.

Bianluoke nodded. "You guys don't smell very good."

"That was truly rude of me."

Gowen looked at himself, nodded silently, and then walked upstairs.

Kevin waved and ran upstairs after him.

After being out for so many days, I'm definitely looking a bit disheveled; I should probably clean myself up properly.

Although they could have cleaned up the riverbank, well, this is a rather dangerous environment in the Secret Realm.

Even the laziest person wouldn't be that lazy.

"Kevin?" Men Qi's voice came from outside the door.

"It's me."

"You're finally back. I thought you'd died out there."

Don't say such unlucky things.

Are you injured?

"No, don't you know my medicine?"

"Alright." The voice at the door gradually faded away.

When Kevin and Gowen came out after showering, Xiahara and Men Qi were already waiting in the living room for a while.

There was also a late-night snack on the table.

Very nice.

Kevin walked over with a smile, picked up the late-night snack and started eating, saying, "It's delicious. Without you guys around, eating feels like something's missing."

However, neither of them paid him any attention; their eyes were fixed on the small cage hanging on the clothes rack next to them.

The captured Red Sparrow was now fast asleep, finally quiet after a whole day of commotion.

"This thing—is it Red Sparrow?"

Men Qi had reviewed the relevant materials and recognized the Red Sparrow.

Kevin nodded.

"This little guy gave us a lot of trouble; it was so hard to catch this one."

Gowen, who was eating a late-night snack nearby, nodded in agreement.

It really wasn't easy.

I didn't expect her to be so cute.

"What a pity, this stuff doesn't taste good."

Buhaci muttered to himself.

Besides, even if it tastes good, it's too small; it's not even enough to fill his teeth.

Although Red Sparrow were once bred, they were not intended for consumption.

In fact, the Red Sparrow and the [Burning Fruit] have a symbiotic relationship.

The droppings of the Red Sparrow and its unique habits help the [Burning Fruit] grow strong and produce higher quality fruit.

When Red Sparrow eat this fruit, they can raise their body temperature. The higher the temperature, the faster they move and the stronger their attacks become, thus protecting the ecological environment of the entire Red Maple Forest.

[Traveling Chef] once simulated such an environment.

According to the literature Kevin had previously reviewed, they were able to harvest a batch of high-quality fruit every year using this method, and then use advanced processing techniques to turn it into top-quality seasoning.

Back then, they would capture all the Red Sparrow during a specific season each year, harvest their fruit, leave a certain number behind, and then release the Red Sparrow back into the wild.

If this cycle continues for two or three years, the Red Sparrow's speed and impact will be greatly reduced.

In this way, apart from the first few years being relatively troublesome, catching Red Sparrow and harvesting fruit became much easier afterward.

Of course, this definitely affected the growth of the Red Sparrow, but they wanted the fruit, not the Red Sparrow, so they didn't care about that.

For Kevin, however, the Red Sparrow are the focus.

However, no one has used this method for centuries, and naturally, the Red Sparrow have returned to their best condition.

"So this Little Bird is the material you need?"

Kevin nodded.

"Fruit is also an ingredient I need," he emphasized.

Men Qi pouted.

"Once the potion is properly prepared, I'll definitely catch a few more, and we can do it all together then," Kevin said.

He has already gained some experience and can deduce which medicines might be used in his studies and which materials are suitable for them.

"Is this bird difficult to catch?" Xiahara asked curiously.

After all, the two of them had been gone for so long, they must have encountered quite a bit of trouble.

Furthermore, they are aware of Kevin's abilities; the fact that they can make Kevin feel troubled suggests that Red Sparrow are no ordinary person.

Kevin nodded.

"It really won't be easy, but you'll see when the time comes; it will definitely surprise you."

"It seems it's not that simple after all."

Buhaci patted his head. Hearing this, Men Qi's competitive spirit was ignited.

"Alright, tell me, how have you been doing in the Village these past few days?" Kevin asked.

They had been away from the Village for several days, after all.

They certainly weren't the only ones who benefited.

Men Qi simply shrugged when asked the question.

"It's pretty ordinary. Every day, we just learn the skills from the teachers we've chosen. To be honest, they teach us almost everything without holding back."

Upon hearing this, Xiahara added, "Because they are trapped here and cannot get out, and fewer and fewer people in the Village are willing to be cooks."

"Isn't Uncle Robur's son always Pai Nao Ju Dun? Judging from his attitude, he has no intention of inheriting Pai's father's mantle."

"You know, that brat is really annoying," Men Qi said with a slight nod of agreement.

Listening to their conversation, Kevin roughly understood the reason behind it.

Simply put, this village is not only a hometown of chefs, but also a place where Nen user gather.

However, the pies were Curse and unable to leave the Village.

These chefs uphold the philosophy of passing on their skills from generation to generation. Like the former "Traveling Chef," they welcome anyone who wants to learn, are happy to exchange ideas, share experiences, and hope to improve together.

This is why the village has attracted people from all over the country and from all ethnic groups.

Those chefs who return here after learning the skills will leave behind their deeper understanding and insights. Therefore, they maintain an open attitude towards passing on their skills.

But after the Village was sealed off, the chefs who held these beliefs began to feel anxious.

Therefore, the villagers unreservedly taught their skills to the Hunter x Hunter from outside the village, not wanting their skills to be forever buried here due to the Village's isolation.

Although Hunter x Hunter later brought in some techniques and ideas from outside, the village's technology gradually stagnated and ceased to develop due to Village isolation.

"Isn't there any way to lift the Curse on the factions?"

Gowen couldn't help but ask from the side.

I don't know much about parties, so I'd like to hear what the three of you think about this.

After all, he has only been learning the Nen ability for less than a year, and he has not yet truly mastered the Six Diagnostic Systems and their deeper applications.

Furthermore, Pai felt that since this was called a "Curse," there must be a way to break it, right?

Men Qi, in order to explain, said, "Generally speaking, these so-called Curse are nothing more than restrictions imposed by Nen ability."

"You can see it as a kind of Bargain and Vow, only with a broader scope and restrictions based on bloodline." Buhaci sat to the side, saying with distress, "Although that's the theory, I've never heard of such Curse targeting a group in my lifetime."

"The target group is not a single individual, but an entire group. Given the scale of this case, it's hard to imagine how such conditions were met in the first place, or what price was paid."

While Nen ability are not strictly equivalent exchanges, one must always give something in order to gain something.

"Under normal circumstances, if an individual is Curse, finding an Exorcist can usually resolve the issue," Men Qi said.

"Exorcist?" Gowen asked curiously, this was the first time the sect had ever heard of this title.

Men Qi nodded and explained slightly, "Some Nen user's Nen ability are very troublesome; once certain conditions are met, they will remain attached to the target."

"In this situation, the target needs to find a way to eliminate this Nen ability."

"But if it's Nen ability imposed by an enemy, they definitely won't help to remove it, so you'll need an Exorcist to help remove the Nen ability attached to you."

"To some extent, the Curse, consequences, and other problems caused by Nen ability fall within the scope of Exorcist's duties."

Gowen nodded slightly, indicating that he understood the meaning behind the diagnosis.

"But even Exorcist are human, and their abilities have limits."

Buhaci spoke, he helplessly opened his hands.

The implication is clear: this is Curse targeting an entire race, and obviously not something that just any Exorcist can easily resolve.

"So, it's actually feasible to free just one person from the Curse here," Kevin suddenly said with a smile.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Kevin realized what he was thinking and thought of Bianluoke.

If one has enough wealth, is it possible to commission the Hunter Association to remove Curse from someone?

It should be possible. It's essentially a normal transaction, only the amount of money required varies.

However, Village have limited ways to make money, and not everyone necessarily knows this method.

Kevin believed that if everyone in the Village knew about this, it would likely not end well.

But there are definitely some people who know about such channels and are working towards them; Bianluoke is likely one of them.

Of course, this was just Kevin's measurement, and Pai had no interest in finding out more, as it would be impolite and pointless to do so.

Clearly, Kevin wasn't the only one who thought of this; Men Qi and Xiahara also did.

"Based on my understanding of Nen ability, there should actually be another way to lift the Curse," Kevin suddenly said with a smile.

The group turned to look at him.

"First, we need to determine how this Curse came about. Is it Curse imposed on a group by an individual, or Curse caused by some kind of post-mortem Nen?" Kevin said, holding up two fingers.

"If it's the former, then this Curse must have certain conditions, and perhaps it can be lifted directly by meeting those conditions."

Gowen frowned slightly and said, "That possibility should be very low, right? After all, hundreds of years have passed."

"I never said that this individual must be a person," Kevin replied with a smile.

"What did you find on this trip?" Men Qi pressed.

Kevin shook his head. "I'm just exploring possibilities. Everything needs to be considered carefully. It's not that I've discovered anything."

Hearing this, Men Qi couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"The second type of emotion is the Post-mortem Nen. I'm quite familiar with this aspect and have some understanding of it. If the Resentment is strong enough, or if the deceased's past karma was powerful enough, and they made appropriate Restriction and vows, it's possible to cast Curse on an entire clan."

Hearing this, Xiahara nodded slightly and said, "Under these circumstances, our only option is to find the vessel for the post-mortem Nen."

"By eliminating the negative thoughts associated with it, the problem can be solved, right?"

Kevin nodded in agreement.

This is indeed a solution that gets to the heart of the problem. Although it is equally difficult to implement at first and may not be able to completely remove the Curse, it is obviously easier than removing the curse from the entire clan one by one.

"It sounds incredibly difficult; no wonder no one has been able to solve this Village's problem for hundreds of years." Although the Men Qi faction didn't have a solution immediately, a little thought was enough to understand the arduousness of the task.

At this moment, Xiahara laughed and said, "Haven't you always wanted to make a name for yourself? So, if you can solve this problem..."

He could definitely become a Hunter x Hunter.

Such achievements are indeed enough to earn Men Qi the title of a Hunter x Hunter.

To everyone's surprise, Men Qi rolled her eyes. "That doesn't appeal to me at all." With that, she dropped the subject.

Men Qi looked at Kevin and asked, "You just got back, you won't be leaving anytime soon, will you?"

Kevin nodded. "Not so fast, we'll definitely be staying in the Village for a few days."

The sect leader wanted to try to concoct a human potion.

[Red Sparrow] and [Burning Fruit] are undoubtedly excellent ingredients to pair together; now the pie needs to find a suitable synergist.

I'd like to consult some more literature.