After returning to the Hunter Association headquarters from Kante City, Leo settled into a regular cycle of hunting wanted criminals.
The hunter intelligence website became a tool he checked every day. Selecting targets, analyzing their movements, drawing up plans, and heading out to execute them—the entire process grew smoother through repeated practice.
Not every target was as easy to locate as Jerma.
Most wanted criminals were more cautious. They concealed their identities, frequently changed hideouts, and even planted false trails to mislead their pursuers.
Leo spent two full weeks tracking a C-rank target—an Enhancement Type user responsible for several robberies and assaults. His strength was mediocre, but his counter-surveillance skills were excellent.
He finally cornered the man in an alley near a black market he frequented.
The fight held no suspense. Leo ended it with two punches before his opponent could even fully release his Nen aura.
Photograph, upload, confirm, escort—Leo had become thoroughly familiar with the process.
His first successful capture was followed by a second, then a third.
Gradually, Leo began to understand the behavioral patterns of different kinds of criminals.
Violent types tended to return to familiar territory, greedy types were easily lured by high-value targets, and cautious types always left themselves multiple escape routes.
He also learned how to use his Hunter License privileges to access surveillance footage, check communication records, and even pressure local police into cooperating.
But the hunts did not always go smoothly.
A month later, his fourth operation targeted a Transmutation user who specialized in using his ability for fraud and kidnapping.
Following the intelligence, Leo staked out a bar the target frequented for three days before the man finally appeared.
Yet just as Leo prepared to make his move, the target seemed to notice something—perhaps a signal from an informant in the bar, or perhaps an instinct honed by years of crime.
The man suddenly threw a smoke bomb, smashed through a rear window, and escaped.
Leo immediately gave chase.
This wanted criminal excelled at disguise and escape.
The target darted through alleyways, constantly changing his appearance and clothing, even using his ability to mislead Leo.
Leo spent two full days pursuing him across three districts before finally cornering him in an abandoned residential building.
With nowhere left to run, the man chose to fight to the death—charging at Leo with the determination to take him down with him.
There was no room to hold back.
Leo drove a heavy punch reinforced with Ko through the man's chest. The fight ended within ten seconds.
A distinct warmth spread from the tattoo on the back of his hand.
[Level: 42 (28%)]
This was the first time Leo had killed a target during a hunt since becoming a hunter.
He stood beside the body, took a photograph, and submitted his report, adding the note, "Target violently resisted arrest. Killed."
After he returned to the Hunter Association and finished handling the follow-up matters, Leo's communicator rang.
Caller ID: Sophia.
When he answered, that familiar female voice came through, brimming with barely contained excitement and anticipation.
"Master Leo! I've earned three wins! As we agreed..."
Leo raised his eyebrows slightly.
He truly had not expected Sophia to meet his condition so quickly.
He had experienced the brutality of Heaven's Arena's 200th floor firsthand. For a newcomer who had learned Nen only a little over six months ago to win three matches there meant she had both considerable strength and excellent luck.
"You were faster than I expected."
Leo spoke.
"I thought it would take at least another six months."
"I've been training every day these past few months!"
Pride shone through Sophia's voice.
"Other than eating and sleeping, I've spent all my time training! I wanted to prove I was qualified to follow you!"
Leo considered it.
Sophia's rate of growth had indeed exceeded his expectations, and the perseverance and determination she had shown deserved recognition.
Taking her along would let her gain practical experience while giving him an extra pair of hands. She might not count as fighting strength yet, but she could at least handle some support work.
More importantly...
Leo remembered the rules for advancing as a hunter.
Advancing from one star to two required making "significant contributions" in multiple fields.
Training a disciple who became a One-Star Hunter should count as one of them.
He could plan for that in advance and have Sophia take the Hunter License exam when the time came.
"All right."
Leo finally spoke.
"I'll keep my promise. Wait for me at Heaven's Arena. I'll head back within the next couple of days."
The trip back to Heaven's Arena went smoothly.
Leo's record on the 200th floor had simply gained two losses by forfeit—automatic defeats for failing to compete within the ninety-day preparation period.
He had expected that. After all, he had spent most of the past few months out hunting wanted criminals.
He first went to the registration desk to sign up for another match, marking himself as "ready to fight at any time."
Then he headed straight to Sophia's room.
Sophia's eyes lit up the moment she opened the door and saw Leo.
"Master Leo!"
She looked sharper than she had a few months ago. Her blue hair was a little shorter, her skin had taken on a healthy tan from prolonged training, and her gaze held a new measure of composure.
"I'm glad you managed to earn three wins."
Leo stepped into the room and looked around. The training equipment was neatly arranged, and a homemade training schedule hung on the wall. Everything reflected its owner's dedication.
"It proves your efforts during this time weren't wasted. Very good."
Sophia nodded vigorously.
"Since you're so eager to follow me."
Leo turned to face her, his expression growing serious.
"I can agree to your request. But there are a few conditions."
"Please, tell me!"
"First, you must follow my orders in every operation. During combat, infiltration, or retreat—at all times, my instructions take the highest priority. You can ask questions, but only after the operation is over."
"No problem!"
Sophia stood ramrod straight.
"I'll do whatever you tell me to!"
"Second, you're not strong enough yet to handle dangerous targets alone. At first, you'll mainly be responsible for gathering intelligence, keeping watch on the perimeter, and logistical support. I'll only let you join a fight once I've confirmed it's safe."
"I understand!"
"Third."
Leo paused.
"About developing your ability... have you made any progress?"
At the mention of this, excitement spread across Sophia's face.
"Yes! I've already started figuring it out! Give me a few more months, and I should be able to finish creating my personal ability!"
Leo was somewhat surprised.
Developing Specialist abilities was inherently difficult. Many people spent a very long time without finding a direction that suited them.
For Sophia to have found her path so quickly, she must have put in an unimaginable amount of effort.
"Good."
Leo nodded.
"I don't have any experience with Specialist abilities to guide you. You'll have to figure it out on your own."
"But remember, the core of your ability needs to suit your true nature. Don't force a design just to pursue power."
"I'll remember!"
Leo stayed at Heaven's Arena for ten days.
During that time, he met with Wing once, and they briefly caught up on how each had been doing.
He spent the rest of his time guiding Sophia—helping her organize the knowledge she had already mastered, correcting minor mistakes, and strengthening her foundations.
On the tenth day, it was Leo's turn to compete.
His opponent specialized in Emission Type abilities. The moment the match began, he unleashed a frenzied barrage of Nen projectiles, trying to suppress Leo with firepower and prevent him from closing in. He had clearly studied footage of Leo's previous fights.
But Leo was no longer the man he had been.
He did not even bother dodging. Maintaining Ken, he advanced steadily through the dense rain of Nen projectiles.
Those projectiles could shatter concrete, yet when they struck him, they could not even make him pause.
The Emission Type fighter's expression shifted from confidence to shock, then from shock to despair.
Leo walked up to his opponent and threw one punch.
The match was over.
It was clean and decisive, almost enough to seem perfunctory.
But that was the gap in their strength—once the difference in raw physical capability became overwhelming enough, techniques and tactics meant next to nothing.
Leo secured his third win.
He still needed seven more to reach his goal of ten, but he was in no hurry.
The morning of February 28 arrived.
Leo and Sophia met outside Heaven's Arena.
Both carried only light luggage—a few changes of clothes and essential equipment.
Sophia looked a little nervous, but anticipation outweighed it.
She checked her backpack three times to make sure she had forgotten nothing.
"Ready?"
Leo asked.
"Ready!"
Sophia nodded.
"Then let's go."
The two walked toward the airship station across the street.
The morning light stretched the shadow of Heaven's Arena's enormous tower far across the ground. The countless windows covering its walls resembled countless eyes, watching the ambitions and dreams of everyone who came and went.
Leo did not look back.
He now had a disciple at his side who needed his guidance and protection.
Countless wanted criminals still awaited him on the road ahead.
And it was time to put his one-star hunter evaluation on the agenda.
The airship slowly rose into the sky, leaving Heaven's Arena below.
Sophia leaned against the window, watching the enormous tower shrink into the distance, and asked softly.
"Master Leo, who's our first target?"
Leo opened his computer and pulled up a file.
"Hollen City, Republic of Padokea."
"Target: Schickum. Suspected Nen user, implicated in multiple human trafficking cases, with over fifty confirmed victims. Wanted threat rating: B-minus."
He turned the screen toward Sophia.
"Your first assignment: before I make my move, identify every possible hiding place he has in Hollen City and draw up at least three surveillance plans."
Sophia immediately sat up straight and took the tablet Leo handed her, her gaze turning focused.
"Yes! I'll get it done!"
The airship cut through the clouds, heading toward the Republic of Padokea.
Leo leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
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