From a Brief Life as an Assassin, I Learned One Thing

The next morning, Gelman woke up in the soft velvet bedding. He went straight to the bathroom to wash up, then stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy a refreshing sea breeze. 69Şhนx.¢໐๓

From last night's battle, the "Grudge Bestowal" had granted him another 1 "Stat Point," while forcibly increasing his "Spiritual Vision Pressure" by 1.

He continued to allocate the stat point to "Vitality Constitution."

"Vitality Constitution: 12"

"Stamina Aura: 12"

"Spiritual Vision Pressure: 13"

Being able to see his own changes and progress through the data, Gelman was quite satisfied.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A rhythmic knock came from the door.

Gelman had no choice but to pull himself away from enjoying his alone time and slowly walked over to open the door. Standing outside was, unsurprisingly, Biscuit.

Biscuit extended her right hand, clad in a white glove, toward Gelman and smiled. "Join me for a meal."

"Alright."

Thanks to Biscuit, Gelman was able to stay in this sea-view room and enjoy a free, hearty breakfast. He had no reason to refuse such a small request from her.

He took Biscuit's hand and walked with her toward the restaurant of this luxury hotel.

Hand in hand, they arrived at the opulent restaurant, where quite a few people were already present, eyeing this pair of siblings with curiosity due to their striking looks.

Biscuit had originally intended to project the image of a gentleman and a lady to outsiders, but in reality, it came across more like a silent older brother bringing his clingy little sister to breakfast.

Soon, breakfast was served.

Last night, Gelman had taken down four assassins with a blunderbuss in one hand and a meat saw in the other. Now, he was cutting bread slices with a fork in one hand and a knife in the other—quite the contrast.

Biscuit took a small sip of coffee before starting the conversation.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"Mm. Thanks. I slept very well," Gelman answered honestly.

"Good." Biscuit folded her hands on the table, looking demure, and said, "To be honest, I feel more and more that you're different from the intel and rumors."

Gelman forked a small tomato, brought it to his mouth, and said calmly, "I just want to make a change."

"A change?" Biscuit rested her chin on her hands, like a little girl listening to a story, and asked, "Why change? What do you want to change?"

"A few short years as a killer taught me one thing," Gelman explained. "A killer's life has limits. I can't live just to kill people—that's too boring."

"Boring?" Biscuit took another small sip of coffee.

"Killing alone is increasingly hard to give me pleasure," Gelman said, half-truthfully. "It's just a job. A person can't live only for work."

Biscuit nodded. "Makes sense. And then?"

"I thought joining the Phantom Troupe might be different. But after actually meeting them that night, I could tell—they only live for Meteor City. That's just as boring."

Only a few people knew about the Phantom Troupe's past. Biscuit had never looked into it deliberately, so she only learned now that this group hailed from Meteor City, though it wasn't too surprising.

Biscuit admired the handsome face across the table as she roughly grasped Gelman's meaning.

"You want novelty, excitement, and to meet life's needs, but you don't want to be tied down by an organization or a group—that's what you mean, right?"

Gelman finished his last strip of bacon, wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and looked up. "You summed it up well."

Biscuit laughed. "Then I know exactly what you're after."

She reached into her bosom, fumbled for a moment, and pulled out a hard card, sliding it across to Gelman. "This is a Hunter License. What you want—it's clearly this."

Gelman saw the Hunter Association's "double X" mark on it.

Biscuit put the Hunter License away.

She paused, then continued, "What kind of Hunter you want to become—we'll set that aside for now. But for the life you need, a Hunter License will bring you immense convenience."

"A Hunter License grants you the highest privileges. Wealth, fame, status, freedom—the list goes on."

"Most importantly, no matter who you were before, it won't stop you from obtaining a Hunter License, and afterward, it can't be revoked for any reason."

Gelman was well aware of this.

Shalnark of the Phantom Troupe, Hisoka, Illumi of the Zoldyck Family, Killua—people from the Dark World—had all obtained Hunter Licenses one after another.

No one investigates their backgrounds beforehand to stop them from taking the exam, nor do they revoke their licenses afterward because of who they are.

This is because "Hunter Ten Commandments III" clearly states—

"A Hunter License shall never be invalidated for any reason, and at the same time, a license shall never be reissued for any reason."

However, the Hunter Association doesn't let Hunters run wild with their licenses either, which is why "Hunter Ten Commandments IV" exists.

"Hunters shall not treat fellow Hunters as prey, but Hunters who commit heinous crimes are not protected by this rule."

There are also minor regulations outside the "Hunter Ten Commandments," but they won't be detailed here.

Gelman had personally witnessed Biscuit use her Hunter License to gain access to information, communication, lodging, and other benefits, as well as handle the aftermath of the four assassins. He had long wanted to obtain one for himself.

At the same time, he was also quite interested in the Hunter Exam organized by the Hunter Association.

Because the format of this Hunter Exam was far too similar to the guide-and-gatekeeper model for entering the Dark Continent.

Humanity had come from the Dark Continent to live in the current world, yet they had never completely abandoned the idea of returning to the Dark Continent—it was merely set aside for various reasons.

Did this format of the Hunter Exam mean that the Hunter Association was trying to let every candidate rehearse the guide-and-gatekeeper model for entering the Dark Continent in advance?

"The exam next year is on January 7th, and the registration deadline is December 31st of this year."

Biscuit blinked her big eyes, looking at Gelman, who was clearly tempted.

"If you want to participate, I can help you. Although the exam location changes every year, I can find out where it will be held in advance and take you straight to the venue."

Gelman asked with some confusion, "Isn't that cheating? Won't it affect you?"

"Of course not." Biscuit smiled cheerfully. "I'm just acting as a guide, bringing a promising candidate to the exam site. Do you think the Hunter Association is a bunch of rigid old fogeys?"

"Your Nen ability is very polished, and your on-the-spot combat skills are strong. As long as you don't break the rules yourself, passing the Hunter Exam should be no problem."

"With a Hunter License, you'll gain access to more information and resources, which will fill in your current gaps and let you act without holding back."

Gelman pondered for a moment, then looked at the blonde twin-tailed girl across from him and asked again, "Why?"

"Why what?" Biscuit tilted her head, feigning confusion.

"Why are you urging me to take the Hunter Exam? Aren't you worried that once I get the license, I'll use it to do evil?"

Biscuit shook her head and replied:

"First, you were bound to take the Hunter Exam sooner or later. Second, 'Hunter' is a neutral term—it has nothing to do with good or evil, right or wrong. And finally..."

"Didn't you say it yourself? 'It's impossible to live just for killing—that's too boring.' Once that thought takes root, you can never go back to your old life."

Gelman thought it over and had to admit she was right. Once he possessed the Lantern that could travel back and forth to the Dark Continent at will, it was hard to keep his sights confined to the current world and his present life.