We are the Hunter Association

The Hunter Association reacted to Nico Swain's death faster and more fiercely than Brad had expected.

On February 6, Shack Yak, president of the Hunter Association's West Blue branch, arrived.

Just three days later, at noon on February 9, Hunter Association Chairman Isaac Netero arrived in person aboard an airship after traveling through the night.

Ohara Island became a gathering place amid the storm, drawing more than half of the Hunter Association's senior core members.

"On the surface, Swain did indeed commit 'suicide.' He even left a note explaining why he killed himself. The Crime Hunters joined forces to search thoroughly, yet they still haven't found any suspicious points." Shack Yak's expression was grim. "Who would believe that? They're treating everyone like idiots! With his daughter about to be born and his wife needing him most, what father would casually choose to end his own life?"

Netero had changed into a black kimono and walked at the head of the funeral procession. "How is Olvia?"

"She's keeping her mouth shut. Her silence is maddening... and heartbreaking." Shack Yak looked despondent.

Netero nodded. "For her daughter's sake, she has reason to keep her mouth closed."

"The World Government has made its move. If there's one Swain, there'll be another." Shack Yak lit one cigarette after another. "The Association has never had a precedent for forcibly intervening in a hunter's affairs, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. After attending Swain's funeral, I suggest you convene a general meeting. We need to speak with the History Hunters, Ancient Ruins Hunters, and Ancient Script Hunters about the future—make sure there won't be another Swain among them—and put some pressure on the World Government as well."

Netero stopped and turned around. "What is the first of the Ten Hunter Rules?"

"A hunter must possess a hunting target." Caught off guard by the question, Shack Yak froze for several seconds before answering.

Netero continued, "What is hunting?"

"Hunting is a contest in which both hunter and prey are fully prepared to fight one another. When both sides fight with resolve, and a victor is decided, that is hunting." Shack Yak still answered truthfully.

Netero added for her, "But the process of a hunt changes in an instant. The relationship between hunter and prey is never absolute; it is mutual. And in the end, the loser must abide by the winner's rules." He even sounded cold. "In my view, since Swain and the others chose the historical texts and the Void Century as their hunting targets, they had to be prepared to fight the World Government. They lost, so they must follow the World Government's rules and pay with their lives. I have no reason to protect them. They were professional Hunters."

"But the World Government harbors evil intentions! Their past actions have already made it clear: they don't merely want to crush 'the Swains.' They mean to crush the entire Association!" Shack Yak said heatedly. "If we don't show a hard-line stance from the start, they'll only see us as weak and continue escalating their persecution of the Association!"

Netero smiled. "No one ever said the Association was prey."

"..." Shack Yak bit through her cigarette butt. After a while, she said with no small amount of sarcasm, "Then what did you come to Ohara Island for? After all, Swain died perfectly normally!"

Netero tucked both hands into his sleeves. "I am the chairman of the Hunter Association and the Review Committee, and I bear the duty of safeguarding the Association. If Swain had simply died at the hands of the World Government, I wouldn't interfere. But the suspect who drove him to his death is also a Hunter. I need to investigate whether that suspect violated the fourth of the Ten Hunter Rules: 'Hunters may not hunt fellow Hunters, though those who commit heinous crimes are not protected by this rule.'"

"Investigate? You're still investigating?! Brad Hyman did it! That venomous snake wearing the skin of a cute little devil did it!" Shack Yak was beside herself with agitation.

Netero said, "We need evidence."

"To hell with your evidence! I've had enough!" Shack Yak could no longer suppress the fiery temper of her warrior race. "Pedantic! Clinging to outdated ways! Times have changed—those old-fashioned Ten Hunter Rules should have changed long ago!"

"Shack Yak!"

"That's far too disrespectful, hey~"

"..."

Quite a few Hunters were displeased by Shack Yak's disrespect.

Netero remained as calm as ever. "Shack Yak, we are not the World Government, not a pirate crew, and not a kingdom. We are the Hunter Association."

"I quit!" Shack Yak angrily tore apart her Hunter license and left without hesitation.

Netero sighed. He did not stop or try to keep Shack Yak, because he knew that differences in ideals were contradictions that could never be reconciled.

After attending Swain's funeral.

Having shaken off his attendants, Netero accurately found Brad, who was holding Altair, accompanied by Mosquito Girl, and preparing to board a ship out of Ohara Island.

"Long time no see, Chairman Netero." Brad greeted him calmly.

Netero scratched his head and said casually, "Swain died unfortunately. Have you heard?"

"I have. I deeply regret that an outstanding History Hunter and a great scholar of ancient scripts died so young," Brad said with perfect solemnity.

As if merely making conversation, Netero said, "You're not attending Swain's funeral? Your dream was to become a History Hunter, and there were even rumors that you once planned to ask Swain to guide you onto that path."

"Unfortunately, we weren't close," Brad said.

Netero clicked his tongue, then suddenly smiled. "My hands are itching. Shall we spar? It looks like you're out on an excursion. No rush, right?"

"So you can pretend to make a mistake and kill me by accident?" Brad snorted.

Netero's eyes widened, wearing an expression of shock. "Kill you? Me?! Brad, why would you think that?"

"My apologies. It's not that I doubt your character, Chairman, but I have always been unafraid to judge any human being with the worst possible malice. After all, humans are the creatures closest to demons," Brad replied philosophically.

Netero was left speechless.

There was too much unspoken understanding between them, yet neither dared expose it. Once everything disgraceful was laid bare, the ultimate result might be a complete confrontation between the World Government and the Hunter Association—a war would break out.

"You're still a child~" Netero sighed, though it was unclear whether he was lamenting Brad's almost monstrous maturity or the cruel role Brad had played in Swain's death.

Brad went along with it. "That's right, I'm still a child. Many things aren't for me to decide, and there's nothing I can decide. I only want to live."

"You only want to live? At any cost, by any means?" Netero questioned.

Brad paused for a long while. "I neither deny nor admit it. Living—that's all! You can't point at a child who wants to live and expect him, while desperately struggling to survive, to also understand concepts of good and evil, benevolence and righteousness. There is no 'while.' Food, clothes, shelter, and the strength to protect myself from harm are already more than enough to leave me exhausted."

"Keep your communications open. The Review Committee may summon you for questioning at any time." Netero left as abruptly as he had arrived.

Brad let out a long breath. Cold sweat had soaked his back.

A supermonster qualified to contend for the title of the world's strongest had descended upon him with an implicit accusation in tow. Brad would have been lying if he said he wasn't afraid. Fortunately, he had shifted the contradiction away from himself and emphasized that he had merely obeyed and carried out the World Government's orders.

After remaining still for several minutes, Brad gently kissed Altair on the forehead. "Let's go, Joanna."

PS1: Please vote with recommendation tickets. I rewrote this chapter two or three times, and it still doesn't feel quite right.

PS: Thanks to readers [Qianjinzhe], [That Rain Poured Through the First Night], [Reader15060714***], and [You Poor Bastard] (bro~ it seems your ID was blocked by the backend, so I didn't see it earlier and forgot to thank you—sorry) for the 100-point donations each. Thank you.