Chapter Summaries

Kevin joined Pakunoda and Pons to investigate reports of a Phoenix near an extinct volcanic region, where legends linked the creature to disasters. Meanwhile, Environmental Disaster Hunter Tell and An investigated a volcanic cluster, and Tell concluded that an outside force might be causing a future eruption.

• Kevin met Pakunoda and Pons at the airport, then joined them and their guides at a rented house to review their Phoenix investigation.
• Pakunoda and Pons described a recent sighting of a huge, fiery red bird and shared legends and Ruins murals connecting Phoenixes with fires and disasters.
• Pakunoda explained that he wanted to investigate the Phoenix but feared its danger and possible threat to nearby settlements, while Men Qi connected the disaster legends to a nearby extinct Volcano.
• Kevin and the others rested, then set out toward the forested region where the Phoenix had been spotted.
• An told Tell that his survey found no signs of an eruption, despite the region containing a volcanic cluster rather than a single Volcano.
• Tell said his Nen ability predicted a disaster and suggested an outside force might be causing the volcanic eruption, leaving An to consider that possibility.

Kevin and his companions arrived at Giant Wood Town, where he explained the Dark Continent to Pakunoda and Pons. There, Kevin noticed two unfamiliar Nen users watching them, while the pair discussed whether the newcomers might be connected to a looming volcanic disaster.

• Men Qi admired the towering trees, and Kevin explained that similar trees on the Dark Continent grew hundreds of meters tall and sheltered giant Beasts.
• Pons asked about the Dark Continent, and Kevin and Men Qi described it as the vast real world beyond humanity’s known region and explained that its dangers had led to a public Blockade.
• Kevin’s group reached Giant Wood Town, where the two Guides had arranged rooms for them.
• Kevin sensed two unusual Nen users watching from a second-floor window, then continued through town with his companions.
• An and Tell identified Men Qi and Buhaci as One-star Gourmet Hunters and considered whether the newcomers might be connected to the possible volcanic eruption.
• Men Qi asked about Kevin’s glance back, and he told her that the two watchers were outsiders who had arrived before them.

Kevin and the Gourmet Hunters searched for the Phoenix and used his Nen to trace the lingering Aura and Resentment it had left behind. The trail led them onward, but they remained unsure whether the Phoenix was alive, a Nen construct, or a trap.

• Men Qi, Pakunoda, Pons, Buhaci, and Kevin searched the forest where the Phoenix had reportedly flown, but found no obvious clues.
• Kevin released colorless Nen Aura to investigate and discovered that the Phoenix's Aura had altered it into a faint red ribbon.
• Kevin examined the Aura and concluded that its traces had lasted too long for an ordinary creature merely flying overhead; he found a strand of Resentment within it.
• Kevin used Nen Aura to extend the Resentment into a path, and the group followed it through the forest.
• Pakunoda asked what the Phoenix was, and Kevin listed several possibilities, while Buhaci warned that it could be a trap.

Volcano Hunter An and Disaster Investigation Hunter Tell investigated the cause of possible eruptions and concluded that a legendary Phoenix might be involved. After the enormous Bird flew over them, they encountered a camouflage-clad group searching for it.

• An and Tell discussed their investigation and suspected an external force was behind the volcanoes’ future eruptions.
• An identified Kevin Carpenberg and his team as Hunters who might have been drawn to the area by reports of a legendary Phoenix.
• Tell connected the Phoenix legend of destructive flames to volcanic eruptions, and he and An decided to contact Kevin’s group.
• An earthquake shook the volcano, and a fiery Giant Bird trailing black smoke rose into the sky and flew over An and Tell.
• A camouflage-clad group climbed the mountain, and their leader asked An and Tell whether they were interested in the Bird.

Kevin and his companions tracked the Phoenix to an unmapped volcano and discovered a concealed passage into a man-made space inside it. After Pons's insects confirmed the passage was safe, the group prepared to explore while Buhaci stayed outside because he could not fit through the entrance.

• Tell and An met a disguised Kakin Empire special operations team whose captain claimed they had been hired to capture the Phoenix.
• Kevin spotted the Phoenix flying across the sky and concluded it was a Nen construct mixed with Resentment, not a living creature.
• Kevin led his companions on a pursuit lasting a day and two nights until they reached an unmapped volcano.
• Kevin extended his En ten kilometers and detected a man-made space carved inside the volcano.
• Kevin found a concealed passage at the volcano's base, and Pons's insects reported that it was safe to enter.
• Buhaci stayed outside to guard the group's retreat because he was too large to fit through the passage.

Kevin and his companions explored an ancient altar built inside a volcano and studied murals depicting sacrifices to a fiery undying bird. They found Resentment in the air but no trace of the phoenix, leaving Kevin to suspect that an unknown object or force had absorbed or concealed much of the accumulated Resentment.

• Kevin led the group through a volcanic tunnel into a vast cavern containing a stone bridge and an enormous altar suspended above boiling magma.
• Kevin and the others examined murals showing an ancient people offering valuables and humans to a flaming bird in exchange for peace.
• Kevin identified a deep pit and channels on the altar as the place where offerings had been melted down.
• Kevin stirred visible threads of Resentment in the air and explained that the phoenix might be a living Aura-based creature rather than a Nen Beast created by the sacrifices.
• Kevin searched the altar and reasoned that the unusually low amount of Resentment meant the phoenix or some hidden object had absorbed it, or someone had cleared it away long ago.

Kevin and his companions discovered that the Phoenix was stirring Magma and triggering volcanic eruptions, then pursued it as it emerged from a mountain fissure. Kevin caught up to the blazing Phoenix and bound its claws with Nen Aura.

• Kevin considered searching the Magma for the Phoenix, while Men Qi summoned a Nen Griffin to help him scout.
• Kevin sensed an approaching group, and he and the others met Iffal and the Kakin Empire's Special Operations Team at the tunnel entrance.
• The Phoenix stirred the Magma, causing the volcano to shake, and An confirmed that eruptions threatened the area.
• Kevin had Men Qi summon the Griffin and rode it after the Phoenix when it burst from a mountain fissure.
• Kevin launched himself from the Griffin, caught up to the Phoenix, and restrained its claws with Nen Aura whips.

Kevin subdued a Phoenix made of Nen Aura and Resentment, then learned from Jin that an ancient sacrificial ritual had shackled it during its rebirth process. Kevin let it return to the Volcano with a locator attached, planning to capture it intact, and called Begel for help with the Phoenix's egg.

• Kevin pinned the Phoenix in the burning forest while Men Qi, Buhaci, Tell, and the others built firebreaks to contain the flames.
• Kevin examined the Phoenix and found that it combined Resentment with Nen Aura carrying powerful Life Force.
• Jin told Men Qi that the Phoenix came from an ancient Totoville Empire ritual and was trapped in a Rebirth Nirvana process by a Shackle created through sacrifices.
• Kevin decided to let the Phoenix return to the Volcano with a Resentment locator, hoping to remove its Shackle and capture it intact later.
• Kevin told Tell that the Phoenix was his prey, then borrowed Men Qi's phone and called Begel about using the special egg.

Kurapika and Pairo attended a Kakin Empire dinner party after the Fourth and Fifth Princes invited them, hoping to learn their motives and approach the Fourth Prince about the Scarlet Eyes. They left the reception wary of Tserriednich and wondering why Tsubepa wanted to meet the owner of the Pharmacy.

• Kurapika and Pairo discussed the Kakin Empire’s bloody Succession War and agreed to avoid getting drawn into its politics.
• Kurapika reviewed Tserriednich’s file, learned of his collection of Scarlet Eyes and links to hundreds of missing women, and agreed to meet him while Pairo spoke with Tsubepa.
• Kurapika and Pairo arrived at the manor and smoothly handled greetings from businessmen interested in Red Stone Pharmaceuticals.
• Tserriednich and Tsubepa approached the pair at the same time and exchanged remarks about the company’s medicines.
• Kurapika sensed something venomous in Tserriednich’s gaze while Pairo found Tsubepa friendly and discussed the Pharmacy’s medicines with her.
• Tsubepa asked Pairo to arrange a meeting with the Pharmacy’s owner, and Pairo suspected she wanted to contact the Potion Master.

Melusina negotiated a talent-supply deal with Meteor City's Council of Elders, offering Red Stone Pharmaceutical Group's resources in exchange for a list of suitable recruits. Meanwhile, Kevin's group investigated the Phoenix's former Ash Urn and discovered its flames could cook food with an unusual flavor.

• Melusina discussed Meteor City's people and living conditions with Mona, then explained to a priest that she wanted curious, adventurous recruits without cruel personalities.
• Melusina offered the Council of Elders fair-priced material purchases, low-cost medicines, possible hospital services, and an opportunity for Meteor City to connect with the outside world.
• Melusina and the priest drafted a talent-supply contract, with the Council agreeing to find willing candidates for Nen training.
• Kevin's group reported that the area around the volcano had stayed calm since Phoenix stopped moving, while An continued checking its data.
• Kevin explained that an earthquake or a weakened seal had let Phoenix escape its Ash Urn, and that dwindling Resentment had driven it to become more aggressive.
• Men Qi and Buhaci used the Ash Urn's flames to barbecue, and the group found that the food tasted unusually hot and carried hints of bird flavor.

Beyond learned that Kevin had taken the Phoenix Ash Urn and decided against recruiting him because of his connection to Jin. At the camp near Giant Wood Town, Kevin removed the Resentment bound to Phoenix and brought the weakened bird beside the Giant Egg to begin its rebirth.

• Beyond explained that his father, Isaac Netero, would accept a deadly challenge, and said he was preparing to explore the Dark Continent after Netero's death.
• Beyond learned that Kevin had taken the Ash Urn containing Phoenix, reviewed reports about Kevin, and ordered his team to return without pursuing him.
• Kevin met Beget and Kite outside Giant Wood Town, and they joined the others at the camp beside the giant tree.
• Kevin explained Phoenix's history to the Hunters and tore the Resentment from the Ash Urn, summoning Phoenix from its flames.
• Kevin pulled the Resentment Chains off Phoenix, weakened him, compressed the removed Resentment into a Nen Bead, and placed the Giant Egg beside him.

The Phoenix returned to the Giant Egg and began its Nirvana, surrounding it with powerful flames as Kevin learned more about its life cycle. The group decided to leave the egg in the Magma Chamber and celebrated with a camp barbecue while Kevin discussed his preparations with Kite.

• The Phoenix's soul entered the Giant Egg, awakening intricate patterns and enveloping it in orange-gold flames as its Nirvana began.
• Beg concluded that the Phoenix needed time to rebuild its strength, and Kevin used his Biological Chip to learn that it would refine its life essence before emerging in adult form.
• Kevin proposed moving the egg to the Magma Chamber, and Tell confirmed that doing so would not trigger further wildfires.
• Men Qi suggested a barbecue, and the group cooked near the egg's flames, which seemed to make their food taste unusually fresh.
• Kite told Kevin about his ecological research contract with the Kakin Empire, and Kevin explained that Tell might not join his preparations because their goals differed.

After the Phoenix Egg began adapting to the Volcano, Kevin arranged to stay nearby with An and Beget while Men Qi and Buhaci explored the forest for food. Meanwhile, Melusina recruited four distinctive teenagers in Meteor City, and she set off with them for the Volcano to join Kevin.

• Tell confirmed the disaster was resolved and left to report that Kevin had prevented it, while An stayed to study the Phoenix Egg and Pakunoda and Pons departed after Kevin promised to notify them when it neared hatching.
• Kite left after discussing his plans to investigate unknown creatures, and Beget warned him and Kevin about rumors of strange activity in the Kakin Empire's Nen ability circles involving Beyond.
• Kevin placed the Phoenix Egg on the Volcano's Altar, where its flames intensified and raised the temperature throughout the Ruins; Men Qi and Buhaci went into the forest to gather food and plan to use the egg's heat for drying it.
• Kevin agreed to provide Beget with a greenhouse and experimental chamber and An with testing equipment, while An offered to compile ecological data and build a Data Center.
• In Meteor City, Melusina recruited four teenagers by having them sign contracts to learn Nen and work with her team, including possible missions to the Dark Continent.
• After learning Kevin was still at the Volcano, Melusina decided to take the four recruits there.

Kevin welcomed Melusina and the four youths she had selected from Meteor City to Volcano Camp. After interviewing them about the Phantom Troupe, he began the next stage of their recruitment by giving them medicine to drink.

• Kevin and Men Qi discussed how the egg's flames were drying meat inside the Altar, while Beget and Kevin criticized Men Qi for hanging whole animals throughout the sacrificial site.
• Melusina arrived at camp, greeted Kevin affectionately, and introduced Jie Mei, Berorais, Ce, and Quan Delai as the recruits she had chosen.
• Kevin reviewed the four youths' backgrounds and abilities, including Jie Mei's sharp perception, Berorais's mechanical talent, Ce's memory and composure, and Quan Delai's extraordinary physical strength.
• Kevin asked the recruits what they thought of the Phantom Troupe, and each shared a different view based on their experiences in Meteor City.
• Kevin told the four they had passed the first interview stage, handed each a vial of medicine, and instructed them to drink it.

Kevin trained four young people in Nen and discussed the nearing hatching of the Phoenix Egg. The next morning, An learned that his friend Tell had been murdered and decided to investigate the death and the meaning of Tell’s final message, despite Ce warning that he might die too.

• Kevin gave Jie Mei, Berorais, Quan Delai, and the others a potion that awakened their Nen and explained the basics of Aura and Nen training.
• Three months later, the young people trained at the camp and discussed their Nen abilities and the possibility of forming an exploration team.
• Kevin and his companions discussed the Nen Awakening Potion, Gon’s volleyball quest, and signs that the Phoenix Egg was nearing hatching.
• An told Kevin that Tell had been murdered in his office after sending the encrypted message “Bug.”
• An said he would leave to investigate Tell’s death, and Ce warned him that going back might get him killed.

After Tell’s murder, An investigated the cryptic message [Bug] but found no useful leads, while an enormous injured ant Queen reached the NGL coast. At the camp, Kevin predicted the Phoenix Egg would hatch within a month and began evaluating the Nen abilities Jie Mei and the others had developed.

• Ce reasoned that Tell had been killed to suppress information about a likely man-made insect disaster, and An resolved to investigate despite the danger.
• A month later, An’s ordinary investigation had produced no answers, and the group wondered whether [Bug] concerned a disaster that had not yet occurred.
• An enormous, injured ant Queen washed ashore in the NGL Autonomous Region and searched for food so she could survive and fulfill her mission to give birth to the King.
• Kevin and Beget concluded that the Phoenix Egg was nearing its hatching stage and might hatch within a month.
• Kevin gathered Jie Mei and the others on the Training Ground to demonstrate and assess their newly developed Nen abilities.

Kevin watched Jie Mei, Berorais, and Ce introduce their Nen abilities, then helped Quan Delai recognize the passive Enhancement Type ability he had developed without noticing. The chapter left Quan Delai with a suggested name for his ability: Gluttony.

• Jie Mei demonstrated her ability to transform Nen Aura into silk, brocade, satin, and damask, and Kevin approved of its potential.
• Berorais used Ten Thousand Machines One Heart to assemble mechanical gloves and a cannon from scrap parts, impressing Kevin with the ability’s potential for prepared defense.
• Ce explained Deep Dive, which let him precisely control his own body and reset its adjusted states when he stopped using the ability.
• Quan Delai said he had not created a Nen ability, but Men Qi and Buhaci explained that his constant ability converted food into energy to strengthen and maintain his body.
• Kevin suggested that Quan Delai name his ability Gluttony.

After completing their three-year creature survey in the Kakin Empire, Kite and his team followed a lead about an unknown creature to Nanpis and began searching for where its severed limb had been found. The chapter ended when the team’s researchers reported that the creature closely resembled a Chimeric Ant Queen.

• Kite and his companions finished their contract with the Kakin Empire’s biological investigation agency, and the director told them about a strange creature’s body part in Nanpis.
• On the journey, Spip asked Kite about the Phoenix he had investigated, and the team watched a recording of it being reborn into an egg.
• Kite’s team bought two sharp claws from the creature’s forelimb and split up to study the samples and search the discovery site.
• Kite and his companions searched the beach and nearby forest but found no trace of the creature, as rain and changing currents had obscured the clues.
• Kite received a call from the team examining the samples, and they reported that the creature closely resembled a Chimeric Ant Queen.

Kevin learned that Kite was tracking a giant Chimeric Ant in the NGL Autonomous Region and realized it might be part of a deliberate insect disaster linked to Tell’s final message. He stayed to guard the Phoenix Egg until it hatched, planning to investigate afterward and warn Pakunoda to be careful.

• Kevin learned from Beget that the Phoenix Egg was expected to hatch within ten days and left to rest while Beget took over watching it.
• Kevin called Pakunoda, who said she and Pons could not attend because they were investigating unknown creatures on an Association commission.
• Kite told Kevin he was tracking a highly dangerous insect species, likely a giant Chimeric Ant, and was already heading toward it.
• Kevin connected Kite’s investigation to Tell’s murder and his final message, “Bug,” and warned Kite that the ants might be part of a deliberately orchestrated disaster.
• Kite revealed that the Ant Queen was likely in the NGL Autonomous Region and that the Kakin Empire’s Biological Investigation Bureau had deliberately supplied him with information.
• Kevin decided to wait for the Phoenix Egg to hatch before traveling to the NGL and called Pakunoda again to warn her.

Pakunoda’s team entered the NGL Autonomous Region after receiving Kevin’s warning, while Kite sent his companions to support him from the border and went in alone. On Greed Island, Gon and Kiy cleared the game, celebrated with their friends, and set out to use their reward to find Jin.

• Pakunoda told her companions that Kevin’s information suggested the danger in the NGL might be man-made and far worse than they had expected, but the team proceeded into the region after passing its inspection.
• Kite arranged for his companions and their messenger eagles to remain at the NGL border, then entered the region alone.
• Kiy and Gon defeated the final enemy and collected the last card, clearing Greed Island after more than half a year of training under Biscuit.
• Gon, Kiy, and Biscuit claimed their rewards and left the game, then joined a celebration at the manor, where Gowen said he had been ordered to prepare for the NGL border.
• Gon and Kiy said goodbye to the others and used Accompany, targeting Nico, to begin their search for Jin.