Starry Sky Gazing

Moyu had used up the Exorcism opportunity granted by Perception.

However, all the knowledge related to Exorcism had already become part of Moyu's understanding.

Thus, the instant he touched the bead, he realized that the bead Rat Treasure had left behind was not a Post-Mortem Relic, which also proved one thing.

Hawk was still alive.

The other life forms within the scenic area should have been the same as Hawk.

The phenomenon had definitely not been caused by "Balance," but by the Starry Sky Curtain covering the entire scenic area.

That was Elena's Post-Mortem Nen, and it was also the only explanation that made sense at the moment.

That was why Moyu wanted to learn more about Elena from Cheadle.

If there was still a chance to save Hawk...

Moyu clenched the bead tightly.

No matter how unreliable Hawk was.

Over the past year since crossing into this world, from his initial helpless confusion to fully integrating into this world, Moyu had relied on Hawk's meticulous care.

It was also Hawk who had given him a carefree, free, and stable environment, allowing him to take the steadiest possible first step into this world.

Over the past year, although Moyu, who had inherited part of the original owner's memories, always called Hawk by name, he had long since regarded Hawk as family in his heart.

An Exorcism opportunity...

Moyu murmured inwardly.

If he wanted to break open this Nen Space and enter it to investigate, he would need at least two Exorcism opportunities.

One to open the space, and one to deal with the threat posed by "Balance."

But—

Aside from the requirement of obtaining an Exorcism opportunity through exceptional looks, what kind of "highlight moment" would it take to earn Perception's favor again?

More importantly, there was no way to determine whether Perception would grant him another Exorcism opportunity in the future...

No.

He did not necessarily have to rely on the Exorcism opportunities granted by Perception. With enough money and connections, he could hire Nen Exorcists to dispel the Post-Mortem Nen Space and the unknown ability of "Balance."

If one Nen Exorcist was not enough, then he could hire two. Three.

Moyu did not limit his thoughts to the Exorcism opportunities full of unknowns, instead thinking of those highly capable Nen Exorcists.

As long as he could bring them here, he would not have to place all his hopes on Exorcism opportunities.

Watching Moyu suddenly fall silent, Cheadle slowly calmed herself and said coolly, "Moyu, I will tell you everything you want to know afterward. Right now, I need you to leave this place first."

"Hm?"

Moyu snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Cheadle in confusion.

He did not understand why Cheadle wanted him to leave now.

Facing Moyu's questioning gaze, Cheadle did not explain immediately.

She took out a palm-sized notebook and wrote down an address, a name, and a phone number on one page. Then she tore it out and handed it to Moyu along with all the cash she had on her.

"Go to this address and find someone named Liz. She will explain the reason to you."

"I refuse."

Moyu did not take the slip of paper Cheadle offered.

He suddenly realized—

The curtain covering the entire scenic area before them, as well as the extremely dangerous "Balance" within it, were both massive threats that could not be ignored.

To properly resolve this threat, it would likely have to be handled by the Hunter Association in the end.

If that guess was correct, then perhaps he would not need to do anything at all. The Hunter Association, seeking to eliminate the threat, would naturally help him break open the Nen Space.

With that possibility in mind, how could he leave so easily?

He wanted to wait here for an outcome.

"Moyu, please believe me..."

Holding the slip of paper before Moyu, Cheadle said solemnly, "Believe in what I am doing, and believe in my arrangements."

"..."

Moyu fell silent for a moment.

He still did not take the paper. Instead, he laid out his thoughts frankly. "Cheadle, when it comes to a threat of this scale, the local authorities won't simply stand by. So I want to wait here..."

"Yes, just as you thought. To eliminate potential risks and threats, the local authorities will most likely submit a commission to the Hunter Association. It may even alert international organizations specifically tasked with handling such phenomena."

Cheadle sighed softly, her tone carrying a trace of helplessness.

Moyu's brow furrowed slightly as he said in a low voice, "If that's the case, why are you so desperate to make me leave?"

"That's exactly the problem."

Cheadle gazed into Moyu's light-blue eyes. "The potential threats aren't limited to Elena's Nen Space and Balance, who is trapped inside. They also include... you, who died once before."

"What do you mean?"

Moyu's eyes narrowed.

Cheadle took a deep breath. Rather than explain, she said seriously, "Find Liz. She will explain the reason to you."

She repeated what she had just said and pushed the slip of paper and cash slightly closer to him.

"..."

Moyu still did not take the paper or the cash, silently meeting Cheadle's gaze.

He read her resolve in her eyes and could not help letting out a soft breath. He took the slip of paper and cash, then immediately asked a question.

"What is Elena's ability?"

"A Conjurer ability leaning toward the spatial type. It can only be used for Exorcism. Elena named it Starry Sky Gazing."

Seeing Moyu accept the paper, Cheadle relaxed slightly and readily explained the ability of Elena that Moyu had asked about.

"Elena loved looking up at night skies filled with stars. She believed that stars always moved extremely slowly, making it feel as though time itself had become very slow. So she incorporated that understanding into the principles of her ability and created Starry Sky Gazing, a spatial ability specifically used to contain and elevate Nen. In her own words... hmm."

Halfway through her explanation, Cheadle seemed to think of something and suddenly froze.

Although Cheadle had not finished speaking, Moyu already understood the effect of Elena's ability.

He lowered his head to look at the bead in his hand and said softly, "So that was it."

With that, he decisively turned and left.

"Cheadle, Hawk is still alive."

As he stepped forward, Moyu left behind those words.

Cheadle came back to herself, but Moyu had already gone far away.

"Moyu, don't reveal your origins to anyone!"

She called out a reminder, then watched as Moyu's figure vanished into the night.

Several dozen seconds later, Cheadle finally withdrew her gaze and turned toward the curtain where the stars were frozen in place.

"Time Stasis..."

She murmured softly.

The mention of Exorcism suddenly reminded her of something else. She immediately took out her phone and dialed Mr. Arieser's number.

However, the call would not go through.

Clearly, Mr. Arieser, who had exhausted himself helping Hawk and Moyu remove the Post-Mortem Nen, had also been trapped within the space of Starry Sky Gazing.

When Hawk had made his decision, he should have considered Mr. Arieser's situation, as well as the possibility of affecting the nearby residents.

But as a father, he had still made his choice.

Though Cheadle felt guilty over what had happened to Mr. Arieser, she was also silently grateful for his efforts. At the same time, she was willing to believe that not only Hawk, but Mr. Arieser as well, would be all right.

After that,

Cheadle dialed another number.

This time, she had to report the matter to the Hunter Association.

It was originally going to be called: Looking Up at the Night Sky of a Half Moon...