First-Mover Advantage X One Old Man, One Treasure

In the living room.

Netero looked at Kevin.

You want me to go to the Dark Continent too?

Upon hearing this, Kevin stared at him and looked him up and down.

"What are you pretending for, old man? You came here for this very reason, didn't you? For you, seeing the summit but not climbing it is no different from death!"

Hahahaha...

Upon hearing this, Netero burst into hearty laughter.

He laughed for a while before nodding.

"That's right. I once thought I had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, and at that pinnacle, I gained Nen ability."

That's right, Netero awakened his Nen ability spontaneously through his own willpower and inhuman training during his martial arts practice.

"After gaining Nen ability, I took it as a gift and continued to climb higher until I reached the limits of humanity and was limited by lifespan." Netero's peak was probably when he was in his sixties or seventies.

That's right, this is when humans enter old age.

Unfortunately, Netero reached his absolute peak during this period due to his Nen ability.

Subsequently, his strength inevitably declined rapidly due to physical aging.

Even after he turned over a hundred, his strength was only about half of what it was at his peak.

When he resigned himself to his fate and chose to end his life in a battle.

Kevin's arrival opened new the Gate for him.

A single drug broke through the limits of human capabilities.

Then comes a road whose summit is nowhere in sight.

During Kevin and his companions' exploration of the Dark Continent, Netero reverted to his former mindset.

It takes time to get back to the top and start moving forward again.

But at that moment, he had already seen the trap Kevin had set.

"Energy"

The amount of energy that humans can obtain and digest is ultimately limited.

The stomach is only so big, and a person is only so small.

Even if you eat constantly, keeping your body's digestive system running non-stop.

The energy gained is far from sufficient for the current level of improvement.

Only on the Dark Continent, only on the Dark Continent can one find suitable food.

Therefore, if you want to reach the limits, going to the Dark Continent is the only option.

Therefore, this is a must-have option for Netero.

Even with the Thick White Milk Kevin brought back, Netero could still continue climbing.

But then what?

Kevin did not conceal or cover up anything in the information.

It's clearly written out how I broke through to my current strength.

With the limitations on energy acquisition resolved, training limitations reappeared when the energy level reached Ninety-Nine.

How can I increase my exercise and push my body to its limits at this time?

You need Gravity Zone, which applies pressure to the body from all directions, to train effectively.

Ultimately, we still have to go to the Dark Continent; there's no such place in the human realm.

Even with Nen ability, it's not certain that one could achieve such exaggerated pressure.

It's important to know that the immense pressure in the Gravity Zone was enough to make it impossible for the members of the Dark Continent, who had reached their limits, to move an inch.

To put it bluntly...

Kevin explicitly wrote these things in the documents, clearly telling those who wanted to strengthen themselves and truly look at the world that their only choice was to go to the Dark Continent.

This is the ultimate destination for ambition.

This is also a new starting point for ambition.

"Hmph, kid, aren't you afraid that my strength will catch up with yours, and then you'll lose your current status?"

Netero crossed his arms and asked with ill intent.

Not Netero brag, but he has a natural advantage in this area.

The Hunter Association is now working closely with Kevin, which is a major reason why the Six Great Nations have no choice but to cooperate with Kevin.

Kevin has Forward Base.

This is a stable rear area, extremely valuable in the Dark Continent, with no other options.

Therefore, the only option is to collaborate with Kevin.

Netero himself is a genius of unparalleled martial arts skill, and now he has the conditions and ability.

Let's not even talk about someone as exaggerated as Kevin.

But given about ten years, Netero felt very confident that Netero could break through to the Lord level within that timeframe.

Does it even need to be explained who the Hunter Association is cooperating with?

With new options available for V6, it's no wonder it started causing trouble.

After all, while the current terms were beneficial to them, they didn't give them any real control, which was unacceptable to them. Hearing this, Kevin gave a disdainful laugh.

"Stop looking down on me, old man."

"The Dark Continent so vast, do you think I would want to dominate it all and conquer it?"

The Dark Continent too vast; it can satisfy at least all of humanity's current ambitions.

To put it bluntly, the key reason Kevin collaborates with human society lies in his talent.

As for the various supplies, those are things that are needed in the early stages.

Over the past decade, the Forward Base has long since completed its initial preparations, and its dependence on human society for material resources will decrease dramatically.

To put it bluntly, the key is still talent.

Humans are the main force in exploring the Dark Continent.

The variety of Nen ability is the most important condition.

"You think the Hunter Association is yours alone? Do you think all Nen user respect you? You overestimate yourself." Although it was true, Netero was still somewhat displeased.

"The entire Hunter Association has a certain number of supporters in the Chairman's faction, the Neutral Faction, and the opposition. There are many who are dissatisfied with you but remain neutral. Moreover, this is a new era. I have ushered in a new era. Among those who become Hunter x Hunter in the next decade, whose prestige is higher, yours or mine?"

Kevin gave a smug smile, the meaning of which was self-evident.

In the next decade, the most prestigious figures will undoubtedly be Kevin and his [Dark Probe].

This is a huge first-mover advantage.

"Besides, there are quite a few scoundrels in the Hunter Association now, and there are countless people who don't meet my standards. Isn't your recent reform also about reforming this aspect?"

The biggest problem with the Hunter Association is that it places almost no moral demands on individual Hunter x Hunter.

As long as nothing outrageous like a massacre is committed, there shouldn't be any major problems.

Although he may be hunted down by various countries for murder or other crimes, the Hunter Association will essentially not do anything to him. In fact, the Hunter Association's license will provide him with considerable convenience.

If you pass the Hunter License exam, you're Hunter x Hunter, regardless of your previous status or what you've done.

It has angered both heaven and man, and naturally, Professional Hunter from the Hunter Association will hunt it down.

The Hunter Association is essentially a collection of platform organizations, rather than a tightly knit organization.

This is also a point of contention for many in the opposition.

However, now that the Hunter License has acquired new and important powers, restrictions will begin to be imposed in this area.

Because going to the Dark Continent means an increase in strength.

What if someone gets some opportunity?

Imagine a powerful guy like Kevin returning to human society, but he's actually a complete villain.

The damage it causes will be considerable.

Therefore, screening should begin from the very beginning.

Kevin's philosophy and actions will naturally attract a group of like-minded people, and these are all the people Kevin needs. If there is a fundamental disagreement in their beliefs, no matter how talented the other person is, they will not be on the same path.

"And old man, you think too highly of yourself. Even if you break through to the Lord, it doesn't necessarily mean you can establish your own Forward Base."

"This also requires opportunity, and you can't possibly establish your Forward Base near our base, that would be a waste." The best approach is to establish bases at landing points in other directions, which is something I hope to promote later. Having an ally is certainly beneficial.

"Even if the Forward Base isn't under our control, it doesn't matter. Ultimately, it will still need our resources for funding, so the new Forward Base will naturally have a share for us."

Kevin chuckled, "That's the snowball effect of first-mover advantage."

The Forward Base would find it difficult to escape the assistance of the Dark Probe, and since the Dark Probe have cooperated, they should also have a share in the new bases. They can't work for free, can they?

It's also impossible for anyone to afford enough resources to simply hire Dark Probe.

Ultimately, they still need to obtain the right to a new Forward Base.

The snowball will only get bigger and bigger.

This will only further strengthen the Dark Probe.

The Dark Continent is so vast that even the most important hopes we have now are scattered in different directions.

"And ultimately, strength is always the most important factor."

Kevin said, waving his fist.

"I don't think anyone can improve their strength as quickly as I can."

Netero really couldn't refute that.

Kevin's improvement in strength can only be described as rapid.

Perhaps at that time his mental energy exceeded one million, reaching the Lord Level.

But Kevin's power at that time was likely already two or three million, several times that of him.

Even a powerful brick can gain an advantage.

"And most importantly, the most stable way to break through the limits is now in my hands."

As he spoke, Medicine Tripod appeared in Kevin's hand.

This is the most important thing.

This ability would be extremely advantageous in the Dark Continent.

The potion is the shortcut for the Dark Probe.

With this Nen ability, the Dark Probe will maintain an absolute advantage.

However, the number of potions that can break through the limits is indeed very small.

But this doesn't mean there are no alternative materials; the Dark Continent is full of wonders.

"Without the potion, you'll have to face a near-death experience in the Trial of Wind; the probability of death is very high."

The second known breakthrough to break the limit is the Trial of Wind in the Gale Grassland, where the individual was torn to pieces amidst the Pure White Wind during the process of Goldification.

Without Kevin's medicine to guarantee survival after being subjected to a thousand cuts, the mortality rate would be quite high.

Moreover, this area is still nominally within Kevin's sphere of influence internationally.

"So, given so many advantages, if I still don't have the upper hand, then so be it."

"Hmph, it seems you've thought about it quite a bit."

Netero smiled.

Of course, although Kevin always found these things troublesome, it didn't mean he would completely shirk them and do nothing. After chatting about some other things, Netero nodded in satisfaction and left the Manor.

When do you plan to return to the Dark Continent?

Biscuit, who had been listening to the two's conversation, finally spoke up and asked a question.

Upon hearing this, Kevin pondered for a moment.

"About a year or two. Morel and Berolete need to build a new exploration ship, which will take a considerable amount of time. They only recently completed the overall design."

"Red Stone Group also needs to be restructured. They need to be directly transferred to the Dark Probe, no longer subject to the restrictions of various countries. Furthermore, when the Dark Probe's spoils are transported back to the human world, they will also be sold under the Red Stone Group's name."

Kevin's most important asset in human society naturally needs to be put into operation.

After all, the group has been operating in human society for so long, and all kinds of connections and sales channels are readily available.

Providing them with supplies or acting as Dark Probe within human society are both extremely important.

It is perfectly suited to fulfill this role.

"We need to reassemble the exploration team and continue training them. This time, Accompany willing to go is welcome."

"And we also need to train Light's bodyguards to ensure his safety after we leave."

These things all take time.

It should take about a year or two, but thankfully nothing too troublesome.

Pairo, Kurapika, Biscuit, and the others can handle these things.

Moreover, factional issues are quite troublesome.

Each of the V6 nations has ten slots available. These individuals will be licensed Hunter x Hunter and will join Kevin and his team in their journey to Moon Bay.

The Hunter Association will also send ten of its own members to join the team.

However, Netero likes to exploit loopholes, and he's still arguing with V6.

The main issue lies with Qiduo and a few others.

Because they now belong to the Dark Probe, but are also part of the Hunter Association's Twelve Zodiacs.

If they represent the Hunter Association, then they are occupying a spot in the Hunter Association.

There is no limit to the number of Dark Probe.

Now Netero insists that they have no connection with the Hunter Association, so they can't be counted among the ten people.

Representatives from other countries were naturally unhappy.

After all, the overall plan is that the total number of humans on the Dark Continent should ideally not exceed six hundred.

Therefore, every single spot is extremely precious.

It definitely requires a lot of pulling and tugging.

However, their tug-of-war didn't affect Kevin much.

Regardless of faction, once they arrive in the Dark Continent, they must operate under the name of the Dark Probe.

These elite talents hidden in various countries can also be used by Dark Probe.

"Sigh, Nion is quite troublesome too."

Suddenly remembering something, Kevin scratched his head in frustration.

"Nion Light is willing to send her precious daughter to the Dark Continent?"

Biscuit asked.

"What can he do if he doesn't want to? When Nion gets willful, he can't handle it. This time, Nion is determined to go to the Dark Continent, you know."

Thinking of Kurapika, Biscuit nodded; she understood.

"Then let's go to the Dark Continent. The camp has already been established, and our safety is fully guaranteed. What's there to worry about?"

Furthermore, Nion's Nen ability is incredibly useful in the Dark Continent.

"It's precisely because Nion's Nen ability is so useful that she's hesitant to use it. Prophecy is fine if it doesn't involve certain beings, but if it does, it might be discovered that she's inexplicably provoked some undesirable entity."

Having reached the level of Lord, Kevin's horizons broadened considerably.

It makes it easier to understand the existence of the spirit and soul.

I also gained a better understanding of how prophecies are achieved.

Through training in dream entry.

Kevin also began to improve his control over his mental state.

He tried it.

Normally it's fine, but if Nion's prophecy happens to affect him while he's dreaming, he'll have that vague feeling. It's an instinctive, ethereal feeling.

A feeling that's hard to grasp.

It won't actually harm Nion, nor will it target her.

The problem is that Kevin is only Lord, or rather, he has just become Lord.

A more powerful Lord, or Overlord, or some level in between.

Perhaps they will be influenced by such prophetic implications and then pay attention.

Such a powerful presence, once noticed...

Kevin didn't think it was a good thing.

"Idiot, Nion can get stronger too. As her strength grows, her powerful Nen ability will definitely become more malleable." Then, wouldn't it be better to make her prophecies focus more on predicting dangers for individual people? Instead of affecting specific individuals, she could confirm the possibility of danger.

Biscuit has more expertise in Nen ability, provided a better answer directly.

Upon hearing this idea, Kevin stroked his chin.

"You're right, I was getting stuck on this."

In terms of overall understanding and deeper exploration of Nen ability, Kevin is indeed not among the top performers.

"Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure."

Kevin just sighed.

Broken.

A pillow slammed into his face, knocking him to the ground before he could react.

"You brat, what did you say?!"

The shadow of his massive body loomed over him.