Obtaining the Hunter License

After a refreshing, thorough shower, Gelman dried his messy black hair with a hairdryer and lay down on the soft bed.

He rested his head on the pillow, making up for the sleep he had lost.

It was eight o'clock in the morning on January 8th.

When a "knock, knock, knock" at the door woke Gelman up again, he looked up at the wall clock and confirmed that it was now nine o'clock in the morning.

The Airship had been flying for an hour.

Gelman opened the door to find Beanpaste Man standing outside, dressed in a sharp suit.

He was already able to treat Gelman with a friendly tone.

"Mr. Gelman, the Chairman asked me to inform you that the Airship is about to land."

"I understand," Gelman replied.

Beanpaste Man bowed slightly and then left.

A quarter of an hour later, the Airship slowly descended onto the apron of the Hunter Association's branch in Sofa City.

Gelman was among the last to disembark from the Airship; he didn't like crowding with too many people to get off the ship.

Just as he stepped off the gangway, he heard an argument coming from not far away.

Gelman looked up and saw Netero and Beanpaste Man being blocked by a man and a woman.

The woman had long green hair styled in a peculiar way, tied into five bundles that pointed in different directions.

The man was tall and obese, looking just like a giant bear.

The young woman was shouting something loudly.

Netero listened with his usual expression, nodding from time to time.

Beanpaste Man and the bear-like man, however, stood to the side with awkward expressions on their faces.

The Hunters passing by kept their eyes fixed on their own noses, pretending that the matter had nothing to do with them as they hurried away.

As Gelman walked past, he heard the woman shouting.

"If Buhara and I had presided over this year's exam, such a mistake would never have happened. Chairman, please trust in me and Buhara!"

"Ah... is that so... I understand what you mean. How should I put it? I will prioritize you two when considering the examiners for next year's exam."

Netero scratched his cheek with his fingernail, his eyes drifting toward the white clouds in the sky, looking rather guilty.

"Chairman, you must be trying to brush us off again..."

The young woman was about to argue further.

The man known as Buhara, however, saw Gelman walking past and hurriedly pulled the young woman back.

"Menchi, stop talking. There are outsiders here."

Menchi froze for a moment, noticing Gelman not far away, and reined herself in slightly.

"Buhara, he is no outsider." Netero's eyes lit up as he corrected them with a smile. "He is the only person to pass this term, Gelman."

"He is?"

Both Menchi and Buhara were somewhat surprised.

However, they quickly realized that one should not judge a book by its cover; it was not uncommon for a handsome man to possess great strength.

Netero waved at Gelman and then said to Beanpaste Man, "Beanpaste Man, take Gelman to rest first."

"Yes, Chairman." Beanpaste Man replied and walked toward Gelman. "Mr. Gelman, please follow me this way."

Beanpaste Man led Gelman into the Hunter Association branch building.

From the outside, it looked like a tower, but with countless spikes protruding from it, making it resemble a porcupine.

Menchi watched as Gelman's back disappeared from view.

Distracted by the interruption, she blinked, and when she turned back to look for Netero, she discovered that he had already vanished.

"Buhara, where did the Chairman go?" Menchi asked in surprise.

Buhara rubbed the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

"While you were observing Gelman, the Chairman slipped away quietly. He even made a 'quiet' gesture at me..."

"Ah? Buhara, how could you help the Chairman instead of me? We've been comrades for years!"

While Menchi was complaining and feeling frustrated, Gelman had already been taken by Beanpaste Man to a new room inside the Hunter Association branch.

During the process, Beanpaste Man had taken the opportunity to introduce the layout of the Hunter Association branch.

"...Right outside your room is the back garden. It is usually tended to by Plant Hunters, and it is currently in full bloom."

Beanpaste Man pointed with his short, stubby fingers toward the window as he introduced it.

Gelman listened patiently for a while.

Beanpaste Man finally realized that Gelman was not interested, so he tactfully said his goodbyes and left.

After staying at the Hunter Association branch for two days, on the morning of January 10th, Gelman finally received his Hunter License.

Beanpaste Man explained the uses and precautions of the Hunter License in detail.

First, the Hunter License cannot be forged or duplicated.

Second, the Hunter License allows the holder to enter the vast majority of countries and regions in the world, including some restricted areas.

Third, the Hunter License can be sold or used as collateral, and the amount obtained is astronomical.

Fourth, the Hunter License allows the holder to use most public facilities for free.

However, obtaining information on the Hunter exclusive website still requires payment.

Fifth, for any reason whatsoever, the Hunter License will not be reissued or replaced.

Next were the "Hunter Ten Commandments" that every Hunter should follow; there is no need to go into detail about them here.

After Beanpaste Man finished explaining these things to Gelman, the only examinee to pass the 286th Exam, he noticed that Gelman's eyelids were drooping, and he was about to fall asleep.

He had no choice but to look awkwardly toward Netero.

Netero waved his long sleeves, walked over cheerfully, and stepped in to resolve the situation:

"From today on, Gelman, you are an official Hunter."

"Normally, there is a stage where Apprentice Hunters learn 'Nen ability,' but you certainly don't need it. I believe you have already memorized the Hunter License and the Hunter Ten Commandments."

"However, before you embark on your journey as a Hunter, I must ask: 'A Hunter must have a Hunting Target.' What is yours?"

Netero stared at Gelman as if his eyes were emitting a sharp light.

He already knew that this person was a member of the Phantom Troupe from the Dark World, and he was mentally prepared for something.

However, Gelman did not say the "Hunting Target" he imagined a member of the Phantom Troupe would say—money, treasure, slaughter, torture, and so on.

"My 'Hunting Target' should be beasts, right?" Gelman replied.

"Beasts... I see." Netero quickly masked the surprise in his eyes and nodded, "A Beast Hunter, then?"

"Mm."

Gelman took the Hunter License, packed his things, and prepared to leave.

He had been so idle these past few days that he felt like he was going to mold.

Netero saw through Gelman's intentions and did not ask him to stay, instead encouraging him:

"I hope that when we meet again, you will have achieved great success in the field of Beast Hunters and promoted to a 'One-Star Hunter'."

Hunters have a total of three levels of honorary stars: "One-Star," "Two-Star," and "Three-Star."

Menchi, who appeared on the apron earlier, is a One-Star Hunter.

Biscuit is a Two-Star Hunter.

Netero is a Three-Star Hunter.

Although star ratings do not necessarily represent strength, there are not many Hunters in the world today who have achieved One-Star, Two-Star, or Three-Star status.

They must have made significant contributions in numerous fields, and their strength is definitely not weak.

Gelman listened, but offered no comment.

He nodded, walked out of the Hunter Association branch, bathed in the sunlight, and disappeared shortly after.