Ending the Chimeric Ants

The Kakin Empire.

Inside a primeval forest.

Kite, an Unknown Creature Investigation Hunter, sat cross-legged in the camp.

Organizing the documents in my hand.

"Starting tomorrow, our commission will be officially concluded."

He looked at the documents in his hand and muttered to himself.

Upon hearing this, his companion couldn't help but stand up and stretch vigorously.

"Ah, have I been here for this long already?"

The stylish-looking young woman, wearing a baseball cap at an angle, said this.

Her name is Spip, one of Kite's companions.

Looking around, there were seven people in the camp.

Kite was one of them, and could be considered the leader of the team.

However, apart from Kite, the others can only be considered Amateur Hunter.

The Amateur Hunter actually encompasses a wide range of individuals. Anyone who aspires to become Hunter x Hunter and works towards that goal can be considered Amateur Hunter.

A non- Hunter x Hunter teammate led by Professional Hunter can also be called Amateur Hunter.

Even those who are highly skilled and work as Hunter x Hunter, but are not yet Hunter x Hunter, can be called Amateur Hunter. Of course, this also includes those who have Nen ability but are not yet Hunter x Hunter.

In short, the term "Amateur Hunter" doesn't mean much.

Interestingly, none of these six companions were Nen user.

"Have we been here for so long? Three years have passed already. Time really flies when we're doing things that interest us in the wild."

One of them sighed.

Three years ago, Kite began her Hunter x Hunter career and signed a contract with the Kakin Empire.

The Kakin Empire has a considerable territory.

But they only began their transition to modern civilization thirty years ago.

Naturally, we began to align with international standards.

They will also begin large-scale surveys of organisms within their own country.

Such investigations are naturally entrusted to professional Hunter x Hunter like Kite.

All major powers are very clear on one point.

That is, unless it involves state secrets, it is always the easiest and most convenient way to leave professional matters to Hunter x Hunter.

They can exert an astonishing amount of power and efficiency with a very small number of individuals.

Naturally, the fees aren't cheap either.

However, for a behemoth like the nation, paying a small individual or team is perfectly acceptable.

"Let me see, after all these years, you're the one who's found the most unknown creatures, Lin."

The short, bespectacled young man, known as Lin, scratched the back of his head with a hint of iodine.

"Only 1,079 kinds? That's already quite an exaggeration."

Spip tilted her head to look at the data on her Notebook and burst into laughter.

"Kite, you've only found sixty-eight, the fewest among us."

Hearing this, Kite was somewhat displeased and retorted, "I'm not interested in those little bugs, I like big creatures!"

Indeed, the vast majority of the more than one thousand creatures Lin discovered were various kinds of insects.

Insects are among the most numerous unknown organisms discovered worldwide each year.

Because insects evolve and regenerate at an extremely rapid pace.

In this world brimming with Life Energy, the pace of evolution is even faster.

A single type of insect may diverge into many different subclasses over a decade or so due to changes in the surrounding environment and climate.

Correspondingly, Kite's preference for large creatures is different.

These large creatures can easily live for decades, and their rate of renewal and evolution is extremely slow.

If a new unknown creature is discovered, it may be a truly unknown creature that has existed for thousands of years, but has never been registered.

Correspondingly, it is also more valuable for research.

Therefore, although there are only 68 types, each one is of considerable value.

His companions around him smiled; they understood, of course.

"Then let's go back tomorrow and finish the contract."

The next day.

Kite and her companions arrived at the biological research facility of the Kakin Empire.

I chatted with the person in charge of the organization.

Looking at the information on new species collected by Kite's team over the past three years, the person in charge couldn't help but sigh.

"As expected of the Hunter x Hunter's team, their results are truly amazing."

He shook his head and chuckled, "If our country's research agencies were to conduct this kind of work, it might take two hundred years to achieve the same amount of results."

Sometimes you have to admire the efficiency of Professional Hunter.

After praising him, he gave a somewhat awkward laugh.

"I'm sorry, but although there are many more species than stipulated in the contract, we are unable to pay the related fees according to the contract."

It was originally just a small department, and the funds it could access were limited.

Kite had anticipated this, and remained unfazed, smiling as she spoke.

"It's alright, we're having a great time at work."

Hunter x Hunter are such a group.

If you like money, you would have already gone to a more lucrative industry.

People work in these industries because of their own hobbies, interests, and dreams; money is just a pastime along the way.

Rather than the primary objective.

Without this attitude, such high efficiency would not be possible.

"I will recommend you to relevant institutions in other countries."

The person in charge stated this.

Thank you so much.

After signing your name and completing the contract.

The person in charge suddenly said.

"Oh, right, it's just some personal news."

"Someone delivered a limb from some strange creature to Nanpis. Because it's an unregistered mission that might violate regulations, it can't be listed."

"However, the person who found it said that it would be better to sell it to a licensed Hunter x Hunter at a high price than to let those stingy government agencies take it for free."

Upon hearing this news, Kite pondered for a moment.

It's good to be noticed by someone in charge like that.

This suggests that the unknown creature's limbs must have something special about them.

"Thank you for your information. We will investigate."

"Not at all, you've been a great help to me. This is just hearsay from a few individuals. If we can investigate this unknown creature, it will be a good thing for us."

The person in charge said politely.

Kite then led her team away from there, heading straight for Nanpis.

After all, this was an unknown creature, within his work scope, and he was also curious about it.

On the road.

Spip suddenly asked, "How's the investigation you conducted on the Phoenix a few months ago?"

Kite went in a hurry and returned just as quickly.

Since it seemed like there was nothing to be gained, no one paid much attention to it.

After all, Kite only went there briefly when she went back to buy supplies, and since the wasted time was only a day or two, no one cared.

Upon hearing this...

Kite thought for a moment and said, "I saw another incredible scene. If you're interested, there are related videos on the computer."

"However, after watching it, please don't spread it; just take a look."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the car gathered around.

It suddenly became crowded.

"Hey, don't push!"

The crowd gathered around, watching the screen.

It was a previously recorded scene of the Phoenix reborn and entering the egg.

Since none of them were Nen user, they didn't see the phantom of the Phoenix. They only saw a ball of fire pour into the egg, and then the egg began to change.

But this scene was equally shocking.

Even if it was recorded by a camera.

"Damn it, I should have gone with you. We ended up seeing something like this."

Just looking at this scene, I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to see it in person.

"That's right, that's right."

Several people began to criticize Kite for eating alone.

Faced with everyone's words, Kite felt somewhat helpless. He had only gone there casually when he left, and had not intended to bring everyone with him.

The main reason was that none of them were Nen user, and such a situation would be very dangerous. He had no intention of bringing his companions into danger.

Especially the issues among Nen user.

Thinking about this, Kite suddenly fell silent.

The people here have been together for many years, and we all know each other very well.

He had considered teaching his companions Nen ability.

For Nen user, the direct transmission of Nen ability is neither restricted nor encouraged.

But that doesn't mean there are no channels.

Just like some Nen user or martial artists would open dojos.

It's just that Nen user have a certain level of tacit understanding, so it doesn't spread widely.

Even if it spreads widely, they won't be given access.

But it's perfectly fine to teach this kind of guidance to your own family and friends.

He did it too.

But how should I put it, although my companions are excellent at investigating unknown creatures and engaging in wilderness activities.

However, not everyone has the talent for Nen ability.

They each have their own dreams.

We want them to dedicate several years to focused training so they can develop Nen ability.

That's still too much to ask.

Not to mention there's no guarantee of any success.

Knowing that her companions didn't have much talent, Kite couldn't force them to Initiation.

That's no different from harming your own friends.

These companions had tried it once before, but then all gave up.

But this time is different.

Thinking about myself, I might go to even more dangerous places to investigate unknown creatures.

Does that mean they won't be allowed to go then?

The possibility is very low.

Did they part ways back then?

He couldn't help but think of Kevin.

And Kevin's medicine.

He remembered there were new products available, and perhaps he could buy them for his companions.

However, he needs to ask his companions for their opinions.

We traveled all the way to Nanpis.

After learning the purpose of their visit.

The staff member nodded.

They were led to a collection room.

In front of a large glass display case, the crowd saw the limbs of the so-called unknown creature.

The limb of a certain arthropod has been broken off, and three extending joint structures can be seen at the front end of the limb.

At the tip of each joint structure, two parallel claws can be seen.

It looks like an enlarged version of an insect's amputated limb that has been forcibly removed.

"How are you, Lin?"

Kite asked.

Lin, among the team members, had the most comprehensive understanding of this information, and the computer storing all sorts of data was also in his possession.

"This—this is very obvious, it's an unregistered organism."

"They look like insect legs. We've never seen an insect with such large legs before."

The other companions also spoke up.

"The claws also possess other features not found in other insects."

"Yes. Usually there are only two, but this one has six."

"Could it be the metatarsal joint, which, in the end, will evolve to resemble a human finger?"

"That makes sense. The lower part also has thorns, it looks like a tibia."

"A more detailed sampling investigation should yield more information."

Hearing her companions talking, Kite nodded and looked at the person in charge, asking, "Would you be willing to sell us a portion?"

The person in charge nodded and said with a smile, "Mr. Weng introduced you, how could I refuse?"

"If you find the Pony-tail Cat, please let me know."

Kite smiled and nodded, then traded for the two sharp claws at the front.

After obtaining the information, the team split up and began to work separately.

Wentai took the samples.

"Leave the sample survey to us."

Kite nodded and said to her teammates, "Let's go investigate the place where we found it."

Perhaps the injured, unknown creature is nearby, or perhaps it died nearby.

Investigating directly at the discovery site is the easiest approach.

A few days later.

Kite and the others arrived at the location where the discovery was made.

To be honest, it's not a short distance.

On the beach south of Youkexin, we have already crossed the continent.

They arrived here and found the discoverer.

The exact location of the discovery has been determined.

Ahead lies a beach, behind which stretches a cliff and a lush, dense Dense Forest.

They began their search.

He also carried hunting dogs with him, which could smell his surroundings.

After searching all the way.

"It seems I can't find it?"

"That means it's not here."

They searched a large area of the beach and surrounding area where the discovery was made, but found nothing.

"It might have been swept quite far by the waves. Which direction does the tide flow from here?"

"The currents here are very complex; the flow is completely different during the day and at night, and it also varies depending on the time of day, the weather, and so on."

Upon receiving this answer, everyone's expressions became troubled.

This is going to be incredibly difficult to find.

"It's hard to pinpoint the location."

Moreover, it had rained recently, which would have dispersed the scent, so their hunting dogs couldn't find any useful information. As they continued to inquire, the area they searched expanded, and they split up to investigate.

They searched until the sun set.

Still no results.

The group reunited, feeling somewhat helpless.

Is it possible that he/she isn't actually here?

"The trail has gone cold; it won't be easy to keep searching like this."

Just then, Kite's phone rang.

I picked up my phone and saw that it was the other team investigating bioinformatics.

The phone is connected.

"How's it going? Any results yet?"

A voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Let me state the result first: he looks very much like the Ant Queen of the Chimeric Ant."

"Chimeric Ant."