The Kiriko Family's Shock × Two Silent Old Men

Humans are humans, Magic Beast are Magic Beast... each has their own territory.

Land cities belong to humans, and jungles and swamps belong to Magic Beast. But since when, humans have been multiplying faster and faster, and have begun to encroach on the territory of Magic Beast Magic Beast, hunting them for meat to eat, hides to wear, and heads to collect... forcing the Magic Beast to have nowhere to go, and their living space to shrink.

The Kiriko, a magical Magic Beast capable of transforming into a human, once fantasized about being "half-human, half-fox."

Their unique status might be able to mediate the conflict between the two sides and buy more living space for the Magic Beast side, even if it's just a small, enclosed habitat...

However, reality is often cruel... In the eyes of humans, this "half-human" creature is no different from Magic Beast. On the contrary, it suffered because of its "mediation," and was hunted in large numbers, once nearing extinction.

Fortunately, some "Beast Protection Hunter" stood up for them and spoke up for them. Now, under the protection of the Hunter Association, they have been able to find some habitat and live a good life. They can also do some work for the Hunter Association and earn some extra money.

Beneath the towering cedar tree that pierces the clouds at the mountaintop.

The family of Kiriko were rehearsing their "script" in a cabin under a cedar tree; it was time for the annual Hunter Exam.

The daughter of the Kiriko acts as a scout, monitoring the candidates' movements; the father of the Kiriko plays the Magic Beast; the son plays the kidnapped human; and the mother lies in ambush in the mountains to draw attention away from the candidates.

We wait patiently for the candidates to arrive.

They will be tested in their "observation skills", "character", "adaptability", and "combat effectiveness".

"Ever since that guy named Jin recognized us, several years have passed, and still no interesting candidates have come to our door..." The Kiriko's son, with bandages wrapped around his head, was sharpening a knife by the fire.

I recalled the Sun-Earring Boy with a tattered hood and a fishing rod slung over his shoulder. Not only did he recognize them at a glance, but he was also incredibly strong... Any attack that hit him would be countered with a counterattack, making him virtually unbeatable.

"Stop complaining." The Kiriko mom was simmering a pot of curry in the kitchen, instructing the Kiriko dad to add some firewood to the stove. His dad silently stood up, adding firewood as he said, "Jin was the only candidate in that batch to pass the test."

"His abilities are not surprising, but why hasn't Yin Yin returned after being gone for so long?"

"Son, go out and take a look..."

"Okay, Mom."

The Kiriko son grabbed a knife, opened the door, and a gust of mountain wind carrying a burnt smell rushed in. The knife in his hand clattered to the ground.

"What's wrong?"

"It's... it's on fire..."

"?!"

The Kiriko father poked his head out, followed closely by the Kiriko mother... The whole family stood dumbfounded at the doorway, watching the distant forest ablaze with towering fire, faintly reddening half the sky... They even forgot about the curry in the pot, transforming into their original forms and rushing madly towards the forest.

"Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh..."

The branches swayed as they were stepped on. Soon, the foxes' nostrils twitched as they caught the scent of the Kiriko's daughter. Slightly relieved, they darted to her side and stood side by side with her, each on a large tree branch, perched on the treetop, gazing into the distance... The foxes' small, narrow eyes immediately narrowed, and they opened their mouths in shock!

"What is that?"

"It looks like a... bird? It's huge!"

The Gilded Bird spread its wings, stirring up a fierce wind... and then soared straight into the sky, its wings wreathed in gilded flames. Wherever it passed, the wind was torn apart, the clouds burned through, until it merged with the blazing sun overhead...

It turned around and flew down towards the Sun-Earring Boy in the middle of the lake!

"Daughter, what exactly happened?" The Kiriko father looked closely for a while, his expression grave. He turned to his Kiriko daughter and asked, "Don't tell your father that the Sun-Earring Boy in the lake is the candidate we're going to test today."

"What if...?" The Kiriko daughter swallowed hard, on the verge of tears. "I don't know what happened. That guy noticed I was spying, so he grabbed me and asked me some questions... I took advantage of his inattention and jumped into the lake to escape... and then he turned around and got angry..."

A family of Kiriko:

A sudden sense of impending doom washed over him, and even... the usually composed Kiriko father began to consider whether he should call the Hunter Association in advance and pack his bags to get out of there...

A colossal bird wreathed in gilded flames, its wingspan so vast it could blot out the sky... That creature was terrifying enough; just how dreadful must its master be?

The Kiriko family was beyond imagination.

"Sizzle..." Finally, one of the hidden cameras in the woods gave way and burned out.

On the airship bearing the huge logo of the "Hunter Association".

Netero and Zeno remained silent, watching the surveillance footage, which was now a static screen with a missing corner, for a long time without uttering a sound.

When they remembered what they wanted to say, they both looked at each other and asked, "Have you seen them before?"

What species is that?

The two old men were stunned, not expecting to run into each other. They remained silent for a long time, desperately digging into their own experiences, trying to find even a trace of information about the "Gilded Bird"... Unfortunately, they couldn't find even a single feather of it.

"It can only be a product of the Dark Continent." Netero finally concluded. In his experience, if the corresponding species could not be found in the real world, it could only be found on the Dark Continent or in some unknown ruins that had not yet been explored by humans.

Zeno frowned. "Impossible. Forget about going... even if he wanted to, if the old man found out, he'd break his legs."

Thanks to his father Jager, the "Dark Continent" has become a taboo subject that the Zoldyck cannot mention.

unless...

Zeno suddenly thought of a possibility, and his voice gradually weakened...

"Unless the ' The Game ' this kid is playing is a different 'version' from the ' The Game ' I and Silva play..."

Netero raised an eyebrow, clearly knowing something, and asked casually, "Did the old man send him to contact Jager?"

Zeno silent.

Netero thought to himself, "As expected, now that I see, the unknown ' Nen Beast ' giant bird makes sense."

Netero, using the remaining camera footage to his advantage, watched as the giant bird disappeared above the Sun-Earring Boy's head, shrinking in the blink of an eye into a fat raven with a single golden ahoge sticking up on its forehead. He squinted and said, "[re:

Game of Kings] is far more than just the Game; even the old man probably doesn't know whether Jager is dead or not.

"Roy has probably been chosen by Jager. It's a different version from the one you and Silva played, so don't be surprised, Bi."

The supreme human being sighed softly, his voice filled with Infinite memories, "He was just that kind of unconventional person."

"Sizzle--" The surveillance footage disappeared completely.

Having lost sight of the Sun-Earring Boy, the training room fell into a long silence once again...

Beside the sofa, the Beans, his toes digging into the ground, was sandwiched between them, not daring to speak loudly. He wanted to go out for some fresh air, but was afraid of "startling" the two deep in thought. For a moment, he was unsure whether to leave or stay, so he simply stood there like a decoration.

"Whoosh~" The propellers shredded the air, propelling the airship closer and closer to the venue.

The hideout of a family of Kiriko.

In the middle of the lake.

The giant, gilded bird shrank in the blink of an eye into a small, tufted raven, perched atop Roy's head. The Sun-Earring Boy, with a thought, withdrew his Nen Qi...

The crimson tide of "Nen Qi" then receded...

The area revealed forests and mountains within a ten-mile radius that had been scorched by raging flames, as well as... a dried-up lakebed.

"Young Master..." came Gotoh concerned greeting from the shore.

The young butler adjusted his glasses and rushed to his side, followed by Kurajing, who was still unable to hide her shock.

"This is 'Nen'... this is Nen user..."

If she possessed that kind of power, even if the Kurta Clan were active throughout the world, probably no one would dare to covet her!

The girl couldn't help but think about it, and she followed Gotoh's footsteps with even greater determination.

"Whoosh~" As the "Nen Qi" that had been floating outside returned to his body, Roy suddenly felt as if his body had been hollowed out in an instant. His legs went weak, and he quickly grabbed Gotoh's shoulder.

Just then, a panel popped up, reminding him—

[Hint: "Nen Qi" is excessively depleted and urgently needs replenishment]

[Note: The "Nen Beast" panel is now activated]

[Three-Legged Golden Crow (Unnamed)]

[Status: Juvenile (100/100000)]

[Position: S+]

[Manifested Aura: D+(964/10000)]

[Potential Aura:?]

[Racial Trait: Sun Chasing (to be activated)... Solar Flame Control: 1v1 (25/1000)... Chariot Driving (to be activated)]

[Evaluation: A growth-type Nen Beast with Infinite potential]

What does that matter? Because it's "Infinite"...

So you almost drained him dry?

Roy leaned against the Gotoh, catching his breath, and reached out to pat the crow's little head. "From now on, I'll call you ' Little Gold '."

OK?"

The golden-haired, Fat Crow snatched his finger in its beak, as if expressing its displeasure.

Roy insisted, "Let's call him ' Little Gold '."

Then came a sharp pain in her head, followed by a peck from the Fat Crow... which amused Kurajing, who covered her mouth and chuckled to herself.