Chapter Summaries

Micenei Strome administered Chairman Netero’s unusual final Hunter Exam, in which candidates fought until one surrendered and nearly everyone passed. After Killua left with his brother Illumi, Kurapika and Leorio were left with Gon unconscious and the exam completed.

• Micenei Strome announced Netero’s one-on-one exam rules, with killing forbidden and surrender determining the winner.
• Gon refused to surrender against Hanzo, who eventually conceded, allowing Gon to pass; Kurapika then defeated Killua, and Hanzo defeated Pokkle.
• Killua defeated Bodoro, the needle-faced man defeated Pokkle, and Leorio beat Bodoro before Bodoro lost again to Pokkle and became the only candidate eliminated.
• At the license distribution, the needle-faced man revealed himself as Illumi and confronted Killua, while Kurapika recognized him as an attacker of Gelman.
• Illumi said Killua was his younger brother and that he was taking him home; Killua and Illumi left with their Hunter Licenses as Kurapika and Leorio refrained from intervening.

Micenei Strome gave Kurapika the five remaining pairs of his clan’s Hokage Eyes, explaining that the Hunter Association had recovered them to repay Gelman for his service in the Chimera Ant Extermination War. Kurapika accepted Micenei Strome’s suggestion to aim for a One-Star Hunter and planned to gather the eyes for his clan’s long-delayed funeral.

• After Killua’s interruption ended, Micenei Strome stopped Kurapika and led him to a secret room.
• Micenei Strome showed Kurapika five pairs of Hokage Eyes and explained that Chairman Netero had tasked him with recovering them.
• Kurapika learned the Hunter Association had acted to repay Gelman for his decisive contributions to the Chimera Ant Extermination War.
• Micenei Strome encouraged Kurapika to aim to become a One-Star Hunter, and Kurapika accepted the goal.
• Kurapika planned to find Melody, gather all the recovered Hokage Eyes, and hold a funeral for his clan.

Gelman and his squad waited for the Disease Spreader to revive, then attacked it at its weakest and defeated it again. Gelman acquired another Teleport Lantern, leaving two corners of the Silver White Triangle lit.

• Gelman brought Shizuku, Biscuit, and Buhara to the Dark Continent to watch the Disease Spreader's rebirth site and wait for it to revive.
• Gelman discovered that his Hunter Badge showed a Silver White Triangle with three Teleport Lantern symbols, one of which was glowing.
• On January 22, the Disease Spreader emerged from underground before forming its barrier or gathering an army of infected Walking Dead.
• Gelman and his squad attacked, with Gelman fighting the Disease Spreader while Shizuku, Biscuit, and Buhara supported him.
• Gelman cut down the Disease Spreader, acquired a new Teleport Lantern, and saw that two corners of the Silver White Triangle were glowing.

Gelman's squad returned to the Ancient Labyrinth after recovering Alchemy Plants, and Gelman and Shizuku discussed Biscuit realizing they were together. Ging then gathered Gelman, Shizuku, and Biscuit to decide on their next target.

• Gelman's squad recovered 30 Alchemy Plants, returned to the Ancient Labyrinth, and checked in after their mission.
• Gelman found that he had gained Wilderness Phobia and Shoulder Injury, while Shizuku told him Biscuit had recognized his pocket watch and suspected their relationship.
• Gelman and Shizuku agreed they did not mind Biscuit knowing, and believed she was keeping quiet out of consideration for them.
• Gelman and Shizuku descended from the tower and saw Ging and Scylla's Moose Centaur warriors building a fortress around it.
• Ging told Gelman and Shizuku that their return came at the right time, then called them and Biscuit inside to choose their next target.

Ging, Gelman, Shizuku, and Biscuit met to choose which of the three unexplored Five Great Disasters to pursue next. Biscuit and Ging both chose Man-Raising Beast Pap, and Ging began explaining why his reasoning differed from hers.

• Ging presented the three remaining A-rank disasters and compared their evaluations with Plant Weapon Gold Bar, Undead Disease Zobae, and Chimera Ant Chimera.
• Ging proposed that the four participants explain their choices and vote to reach a decision together.
• Biscuit chose Man-Raising Beast Pap, citing its lower aggressiveness and destructive power compared with the other unexplored disasters.
• Ging challenged Biscuit's reliance on the written rankings and argued that they should also consider the disasters' descriptions.
• Ging also chose Man-Raising Beast Pap, insisting his reasoning was more complete than Biscuit's.

Ging, Biscuit, Gelman, and Shizuku chose Man-Raising Beast Papu and Manless Stone as their target, weighing its risks against the usefulness of the resource. They agreed on next steps: Gelman and Shizuku would prepare supplies on Greed Island while the others built ties with the Moose Centaur Tribe and other demi-humans.

• Ging argued that Man-Raising Beast Papu seemed more manageable than Mist-like Creature Ai or Two-Tailed Snake Hell Chime because its territory could be identified.
• Gelman chose Man-Raising Beast Papu, explaining that Manless Stone's straightforward, powerful electricity generation would support both their secret expeditions and open colonization plans.
• Gelman privately avoided choosing Three-Origin Water partly because he suspected Mist-like Creature Ai might be connected to Nanika, whose wishes and prices he wanted to understand first.
• Shizuku chose Man-Raising Beast Papu and Manless Stone, and the group unanimously confirmed the target.
• Ging assigned Gelman and Shizuku to return to Greed Island to gather resources, equipment, and members while the others strengthened relations with the Moose Centaur Tribe and sought contact with more demi-humans.

Abengane described his work as Greed Island’s Shaman NPC, his training of Shina, and his duty at Rimuru Castle’s teleport point. Gelman and Shizuku returned from the Dark Continent, leaving Abengane relieved that Gelman was alive.

• Abengane reflected on Greed Island’s closed beta and his role as the Shaman NPC, who removed card curses and exorcised Nen abilities.
• Abengane thought about training Shina, whose mischievous Witch NPC had become more popular with beta testers than his own character.
• Abengane considered his guard duty and his decision to stay on Greed Island rather than travel to the dangerous Dark Continent.
• A Teleport Lantern appeared in the basement, and Abengane hurried over as Gelman and Shizuku returned.

Gelman returned to Greed Island with Shizuku, removed the Gray Mold disease, and reunited with the Chimera Ant Extermination Team. Doon explained that Netero and Granny Lin Nie had told Morel, Nobunaga, and the others about the Dark Continent expedition, and Nobunaga reflected on the expedition’s danger and significance.

• Gelman checked his new traits and disease, then used an All-Curing Herb Injection to cure Gray Mold.
• Abengane told Gelman that Doon and the others knew he was back, while a group of familiar visitors arrived to greet him.
• Knuckle hugged Gelman and praised Shizuku for accompanying him to the Dark Continent, and Gelman reassured Shizuku that she did not know the group.
• Doon explained that Netero and Granny Lin Nie had shared the truth with Morel, Nobunaga, Shoto, and Pam so they could help with the expedition.
• Nobunaga said that he and Morel had underestimated the danger and praised Gelman and his companions for bringing back two hopes from the Dark Continent.

Gelman’s group returned to Rimuru Castle and learned that Chairman Netero and Morel were sparring for the younger Hunters to watch. Gelman discovered Kurapika had earned his Hunter License and left his future involvement in their affairs up to him.

• Knuckle and Shoto described their recent work studying Gelman’s research, while Doon complained that List had ruined the staircase’s candlelit atmosphere.
• List explained that Leol was keeping Welfin and the pirates under control in Coastal City Shufurabi, and said Granny Lin Nie was napping while Chairman Netero and Morel were in the Training Room.
• Nobunaga said Chairman Netero and Morel were demonstrating their abilities to younger Hunters in a sparring match.
• List told Gelman that Kurapika and Melody had arrived on the island and that Kurapika had earned his Hunter License; Meleoron and Ikalgo still did not know about the Dark Continent.
• Gelman said Kurapika could choose whether to work on Greed Island or take Hunter commissions, and suggested Kurapika might soon pass his final test as a student.

Gelman returned to Greed Island after a successful mission and reunited with Kurapika, Melody, Morel, and the others. He showed Netero scrolls left by Don Freecss that they could not read, and Netero said he knew someone who might decipher them.

• Gelman entered the Training Room with Shizuku, Nobunaga, Knuckle, Shoto, and Abengane, where Meleoron and Ikalgo asked about the mission.
• Gelman told Meleoron and Ikalgo that the mission had gone smoothly, while Buhara and Shubika stayed behind to handle the follow-up.
• Kurapika introduced Melody to Gelman, and Gelman thanked her for helping his student.
• Morel welcomed Gelman back and praised Kurapika's potential after having him spar with Knuckle.
• Netero took Gelman aside and asked about the mission's results, so Gelman showed him Don Freecss's unreadable scrolls.
• Netero examined the scrolls and told Gelman he had already thought of someone who could decipher them.

Gelman woke late beside Shizuku, then had Abengane and Shina exorcise three of his Nen traits. He went to find Melody, Kurapika, and Komugi after the exorcisms, arriving as Melody finished playing her flute for the grieving Komugi.

• Knuckle and Shoto knocked on Gelman's room and discussed his training and the Dark Continent, unaware he was still in bed with Shizuku.
• Gelman soothed Shizuku, promised to spend more time with her, and eventually left her room.
• Abengane used his Forest Spirit to remove Gelman's "Shoulder Injury" and "Perfectionism" traits.
• Shina exorcised Gelman's "Amorous" trait, while the "Never-Born Demon Child" left her with a temporary pregnant appearance; Gelman gave her paid leave.
• Gelman visited Melody, Kurapika, and Komugi, who was being comforted by Melody's flute performance.

Gelman visited Melody to test whether her flute music could reduce his pressure, then privately asked her about the Dark Sonata. After learning how it had scarred her and given her Nen, he supported her mission to destroy every copy and invited her to join his companions, warning that the choice would be irreversible.

• Gelman asked Melody to play her flute and found that her music reduced his pressure.
• Gelman took Melody to the castle garden and asked about the Demon King and the Dark Sonata.
• Melody revealed that the Dark Sonata had killed her friends, disfigured her, and given her the ability to hear thoughts.
• Gelman said he wanted to use the Dark Sonata to confirm his suspicions, not to play it.
• Gelman supported Melody's plan to destroy every copy and told her to find Doon and List if she was ready to join them.

Kurapika asked Gelman whether he could join the Dark Continent expedition, but Gelman said he needed to become stronger and earn recognition first. After Kurapika explained his unfinished pursuit of Chrollo and his concerns about the Zoldyck Family, Gelman received a call and announced they would leave Greed Island to handle two problems at once.

• Kurapika asked whether Gelman planned to invite Melody to the Dark Continent, and Gelman confirmed he had invited her to consider joining.
• Kurapika asked if becoming a One-Star Hunter would qualify him to explore the Dark Continent, and Gelman said it would meet his standards but questioned whether Kurapika was ready to leave his ties behind.
• Kurapika said he had recovered the Kurta Clan’s Hokage Eyes and would not pursue their former holders, but he still intended to find Chrollo, whom he blamed for the clan’s tragedy.
• Kurapika explained that Gon and Leorio planned to visit the Zoldyck Family at Mt. Kukurou to see Killua, but he had declined because of the danger posed by Illumi and the family.
• Gelman took a call from Shizuku and then told Kurapika they needed to leave Greed Island, inviting him along to resolve two problems on the trip.

Sheila returned to Meteor City to help defend its last quarter from Zaiiro's Chimera Ant forces, but the demons overran her district and nearly killed her. Gelman arrived just in time to save her with the Moonlight Greatsword.

• Sheila reflected on Meteor City's desperate war against Zaiiro and worried that the people might reject the help she had called in.
• Demons attacked the district in the rain, driving Meteor City's defenders back with superior weapons and strength.
• Sheila hid beneath garbage bags as the demons killed and ate people nearby.
• A demon found Sheila, grabbed her by the throat, and prepared to kill her.
• Gelman appeared and destroyed the demon with the holy light of his Moonlight Greatsword.

Gelman, Shizuku, and Kurapika rescued Shira and wiped out the Demons attacking her, but their arrival brought them into confrontation with Machi, Pakunoda, and the Meteor City combat unit. As both sides faced off, a huge Demon force armed with rocket launchers and tanks appeared.

• Kurapika pulled Shira out of danger while Shizuku swallowed the Demons’ gunfire with her Evil Tenderfoot.
• Gelman unleashed a powerful crescent slash that destroyed most of the attacking Demons, and he, Shizuku, and Kurapika killed the survivors.
• Shira wept with relief and told Gelman, Shizuku, and Kurapika that she had called them to Meteor City.
• Machi and Pakunoda arrived with the Meteor City combat unit and accused Shira and the others of being traitors.
• Shira denied revealing the Phantom Troupe’s Nen abilities, but Kurapika warned that the conflict between their groups would not stop.
• A vast Demon force emerged among the garbage, carrying rocket launchers and bringing three tanks aimed at the humans.

Machi and Pakunoda’s forces were overwhelmed by a surprise Demon assault, while the Royal Guard attacked Meteor City’s base. Gelman, Shizuku, and Kurapika turned the battle around, and Gelman destroyed Pakku, but the base remained under attack.

• The Demons ambushed Meteor City’s combat unit with tanks, rockets, and firearms, and Machi and Pakunoda organized a desperate defense.
• Pakku transformed into a giant spider after taking the Ant King’s medicine and blocked Machi and Pakunoda from retreating to their base.
• Machi and Pakunoda realized the main assault had reached the base, where Shalnark was the only one defending it.
• Gelman, Shizuku, and Kurapika joined the fight, destroyed the remaining tanks, and cut down the Demons.
• Gelman pierced Pakku with the Sacred Moonlight Greatsword, and its explosion reduced the giant spider to dust.

Shalnark led Meteor City’s dwindling forces in a desperate defense of the stronghold as Zaiiro’s army and three transformed Royal Guards overwhelmed them. With the last defenders falling and his plan to control a Royal Guard failing, Shalnark considered using his final antenna.

• Meteor City’s forces fought the Chimera Ant army at the third line of defense while Shalnark coordinated the battle and the last Elder oversaw the front.
• Shalnark recalled how an earlier infiltration mission had failed against Zaiiro, Zazan, and the Royal Guards, killing most of the squad and leaving him, Machi, and Pakunoda to carry on.
• Shalnark recognized that Zaiiro had trapped Meteor City’s forces into defending territory they could not hold, while escape and retreat were also impossible.
• Shalnark activated Black Voice to command two captured demons, former Meteor City fighters transformed by Zazan’s ability, as shields and enforcers.
• Three Royal Guards—two transformed Elders and an Old Priest—broke through the third defense line and killed the Elder at the front.
• Shalnark tried to control one Royal Guard with his antenna, but the guards stayed united, destroyed his Division Leader shields, and left him eyeing his last antenna.

Shalnark and Meteor City’s defenders nearly fell to Zaiiro’s Demons, but Gelman, Shizuku, and Kurapika arrived and turned the battle around. Zaiiro and Zazan then appeared with reinforcements, setting their sights on the newcomers and the wounded survivors.

• Shalnark used Autopilot Mode, killed one Royal Guard, then was gravely wounded when the Elder removed his antenna and the Old Priest struck him with an axe.
• Machi and Pakunoda returned with Shila, and Shila revealed that reinforcements had arrived.
• Gelman helped Kurapika fight off Demons while Shizuku killed the Old Priest and prayed over his body.
• Machi and Pakunoda led the survivors in a counterattack, but a new Demon army forced them back.
• Zaiiro and Zazan arrived, and Zazan said they could create more Royal Guards and identified six people as candidates.
• Zaiiro sensed danger from Gelman and stared at him.

Gelman cut through Zaiiro’s Demon army with the Sacred Moonlight Greatsword, reversing the battle for Meteor City’s main base. Zaiiro and Zazan took the DD Demon Drug to gain power, but Gelman killed Zazan and continued advancing.

• Gelman charged into the Demons and a single swing of his greatsword erased a swath of their forces.
• Zaiiro recognized Gelman as the man who had killed the Ant King and Royal Guards, and realized his plan to take Meteor City was collapsing.
• Zaiiro ordered Zazan to take the DD Demon Drug, then swallowed more than a dozen pills himself.
• The drug transformed Zazan into a more powerful monster, and she charged Gelman with renewed confidence.
• Gelman destroyed Zazan’s upper body with a Nen-powered strike and continued cutting through the remaining Demons.

Gelman defeated Zaiiro after Zaiiro transformed into his ultimate Demon form and challenged him to prove who was stronger. Zaiiro died without gaining Gelman’s recognition, and the months-long Chimera Ant invasion of Meteor City ended that night.

• Zaiiro completed his Enhancement while Zazan’s death briefly stalled the Demon army, and Gelman cut through the Demons as Shizuku, Kurapika, Machi, and Pakunoda held the others back.
• Zaiiro transformed into his ultimate Demon form and asked Gelman whether he was stronger than the other Ant King.
• Gelman struck Zaiiro, then explained that the blow had only been a test and compared Zaiiro’s physical strength to Menthuthuyoupi or Youpi before they went berserk.
• Gelman unleashed a massive blast from the Sacred Moonlight Greatsword, destroying Zaiiro’s body beyond the reach of Super Regeneration.
• Zaiiro died while reaching toward Gelman, and the Chimera Ant invasion of Meteor City ended that night.