Appetite of the Anorexic

If measured in millennia.

This vast world had once embraced countless nations.

And each nation represented a distinctly different civilization.

Like flowers of vivid and varied hues, they bloomed and vied for splendor in the river of history, only to wither one after another in the cruel, prolonged competition, then bury themselves underground as unknown ruins and tombs.

Only those who have kissed the earth...

can understand how precious these relics of history truly are.

Hawk was one such person, passionate about exploring ruins and tombs.

To that end, he had even developed an ability called "Rat's Way," which allowed him unimpeded passage through ruins and tombs.

Because he had visited so many unknown tombs, Cheadle regarded him as a "tomb raider."

As for this label from Cheadle...

Hawk never refuted it, nor did he have the right to.

He had indeed visited many ruins and tombs, and he had indeed taken things from them.

Though he only took one item each time and never damaged any ruin or tomb...

it still couldn't deny the fact that he was a "tomb raider."

But if Cheadle were willing to set aside her prejudice, with her intelligence, she would surely see Hawk's character and nature from the traits of "Rat Treasure."

A person willing to impose harsh restrictions in exchange for unimpeded passage through ruins and tombs might also intend to avoid damaging them.

Adding the concept of "Red Light Stop Green Light Go" to the traits of his "Nen Beast" somewhat indicated that the ability user was someone willing to follow rules and uphold principles.

This also explained—

why Hawk only took one item each time he entered ruins and tombs.

That was his bottom line, always upheld, never changed.

But even taking just one item shouldn't have left him in such a destitute state.

The problem lay in—

others who transported mountain spring water or wild plants were affectionately called "nature's movers."

But this guy Hawk, every time he brought something out from ruins or tombs, it was almost always an antique carrying "resentment."

These antiques still had value, but they were attached to resentment. If sold to ordinary collectors, it was no different from selling misfortune.

If he hired a "Nen Exorcist" to remove the resentment from the antiques...

not to mention whether he could even find one, the antiques and resentment had coexisted for so long that they had become one.

That is, if the resentment was removed, the antique would be destroyed as well.

Even so, Hawk still reveled in it.

Every time he painstakingly found a new ruin or tomb, he would always bring out an antique attached with resentment as a souvenir.

From this perspective, he was truly a diligent mover in the world of resentment.

But it was also because of this habit that he later came to know Elena, a "Nen Exorcist."

As for the fates of those resentment-laden antiques he brought out, there was no need to elaborate.

Moreover, from the time Moyu was born until now, Hawk, out of regret, had never again descended into ruins or tombs.

It could only be said—

some people are poor for a reason.

Cheadle and Moyu didn't know the inside story.

So Cheadle couldn't understand Hawk's ridiculous behavior of fishing coins out of the Wishing Well, while Moyu didn't care how much inheritance he could get from Hawk, but was just puzzled how a top-tier tomb raider from the Hunter world could end up in such a state.

As for the Nen Exorcist Cheadle had invited...

"Cheadle, it's only out of respect for you that I didn't demand a deposit upfront. Now, I can't help but doubt whether this employer actually has the means to pay the fee."

The Bamboo Pole Man Nen Exorcist wore a zombie-like face utterly devoid of emotion, his gaze at Hawk laced with suspicion.

A pile of coins from the Wishing Well?

What a joke.

The fee for his exorcism work started in the hundreds of millions.

Not to mention work involving "Post-Mortem Nen"...

You see, Nen users who could use "Nen Exorcism" were already a tiny minority in the world, and among them, those capable of removing "Post-Mortem Nen" numbered fewer than ten.

If not for Cheadle personally asking him, he swore he would never have a work-related encounter with someone like Hawk, who tried to pay with Wishing Well coins.

"Mr. Arieser."

Cheadle wearily withdrew her gaze from Hawk and turned to the Bamboo Pole Man Nen Exorcist beside her, speaking earnestly: "Please don't worry about the payment. We can pay the deposit for the exorcism work right now, and we can also sign a contract on the spot."

"No objections from me."

Arieser looked at Cheadle, a two-star professional Hunter, trying to force a faint smile onto his gaunt, pallid face, but the result was clearly far from satisfactory.

The strain in managing his expression, along with his skeletal frame, was likely a side effect of his long-term work as a Nen Exorcist.

Cheadle gestured for Arieser to wait, then walked over to Hawk.

"The deposit."

"Uh, how much was the deposit again?"

"100 million."

"Oh, that's fine. But the subsequent fee... Cheadle, can you give me a rough estimate?"

Hawk pulled out his phone and lowered his voice to ask.

Cheadle frowned slightly and said coldly, "The fee is determined by the intensity of the exorcism. With the strength of that 'Balance,' it wouldn't be surprising if it starts at 1 billion."

"..."

Hawk opened his mouth, speechless.

Seeing Hawk's reaction, Cheadle wasn't surprised.

She had never expected Hawk to have the means to pay the exorcism fee in the first place, and she had already mentally prepared herself to spend her entire fortune. But...

"Problems that can be solved with money aren't really problems. I don't expect Mr. Arieser to be able to remove the Post-Mortem Nen on 'Balance,' but as long as he can lift the 'Price' that Balance has placed on you, the threat will be eliminated. The prerequisite is... that Mr. Arieser can do it."

"..."

Listening to Cheadle's words, Hawk's expression gradually turned serious. He said in a low voice, "What's the bank account number? I'll transfer the deposit first."

Cheadle nodded, gave him Arieser's bank account number, and then quickly drafted a contract.

The money arrived, and the contract was signed.

The entire process was efficient.

Moyu watched from the sidelines, remaining silent the whole time.

Just as Cheadle had said, problems that could be solved with money weren't really problems.

If this Bamboo Pole Man Nen Exorcist could successfully remove the "Price" from Hawk, then Moyu certainly wouldn't use his only available exorcism opportunity.

This was essentially a one-time "Purification" skill, extremely precious.

"So, where is the 'target' I need to remove?"

After confirming the deposit had arrived, Arieser glanced toward the direction of the main hall. He could sense the fluctuation of Post-Mortem Nen inside, but he wasn't naive enough to think Cheadle had brought him here just to remove those weak remnants.

Cheadle looked at Hawk.

Meeting Cheadle's gaze, Hawk hesitated for a moment, then said, "Mr. Arieser, could you please prepare for the 'exorcism' first?"

"..."

Arieser's face was expressionless.

Ignorant fool. The most troublesome part of exorcism work wasn't the preparation, but how to "digest" it...

Still, he didn't waste words.

"Appetite of the Anorexic."

Arieser's entire body surged with powerful Nen.

Everyone present looked at Arieser, watching as his mouth visibly shrank...