In the blink of an eye, ten days passed.
During those ten days, Leo answered every question the team had. From the hidden realm's climate and wildlife to its terrain and resources, he shared everything he knew.
He pitched in wherever he could—carrying equipment, clearing survey sites, and even helping identify the source of certain traces.
Selena's attitude toward Leo softened noticeably. She remained cautious, but she no longer watched him as closely as she had at first.
She discussed hunting techniques with Leo and shared her wilderness survival experience.
Once, Leo brought back a herb she had never seen. She carefully recorded its properties and said she would help him identify it after they left the hidden realm.
Kaspar, meanwhile, was enthusiastic about Leo. The young scholar practically treated him as half guide, half consultant, with countless questions every day.
What was this plant used for? What was that rock made of? Why was there no wildlife in a particular area? Leo's patient answers taught him a great deal.
Leo still made time to hunt each day, continuing to accumulate life energy.
With his departure approaching, Leo stopped holding back. After ten days of hunting, he reached level 24, just one step short of his goal of level 25.
On the seventh day, Leo remembered the animal-hide map. After thinking it over, he decided to give it to Satotz.
"I found this in the palace storeroom." Leo handed Satotz the rolled-up hide.
"I can't read the writing, but I think it might help you."
Satotz took the map. The moment he unrolled it, the usually composed Hunter showed a rare look of surprise.
He bent closer to examine the ancient writing and markings. His fingers hovered above the hide without touching it.
"This is..." Satotz's voice dropped. "A variant of the Old Kape language, written in ceremonial script reserved for royalty."
He looked up at Leo, his expression unusually grave. "This map is extremely valuable, Mr. Leo. It may contain more than information about the hidden realm."
Leo's heart stirred. "You mean..."
"I'll need to consult some references when I get back before I can fully decipher it."
Satotz rolled up the map with the utmost care. "But I suspect this map may be connected to 'that place.'"
He did not explain where "that place" was, but Leo understood—the Dark Continent.
Selena and Kaspar clearly understood too. They exchanged a glance, each seeing the shock in the other's eyes.
"Once I've deciphered it," Satotz continued, "I'll compile the information it contains and return it to you along with the map. You discovered it, so you have a right to know what it says."
"Sounds good." Leo nodded. He needed the information on the map, but he could not read ancient writing at all. Giving it to a specialist was his best option.
Besides, Satotz could be trusted. In the original story, this examiner was known for his rigor and fairness.
Over the next three days, the survey entered its final stage.
Satotz's team collected enough samples and documented every detail of the palace.
On the evening of the tenth day, Satotz announced that the preliminary survey was complete.
"We'll return to the Hunter Association first and publish a report on this expedition."
Satotz addressed the team.
"There may be conservation work on the ruins later. After all, these are the best-preserved Cape Kingdom ruins discovered so far."
He turned to Leo, his tone much warmer than before. "Mr. Leo, come with us. There's no reason for you to stay here."
It was an invitation, and an acknowledgment of Leo's help over the past ten days.
Leo did not hesitate. "All right."
The four of them packed. Satotz's team stowed their professional equipment piece by piece, while Leo had much less to carry. He made sure to bring his stone knife—a reminder of his more than six months in the hidden realm.
Early the next morning, they headed for the hidden realm's exit at the eastern edge of the forest.
Inside the cave, patterns on the rock walls lit up one by one as Satotz activated them with his Nen Aura. A gate of light slowly took shape.
Leo stood at the cave entrance and looked back one last time at the forest and the faint outline of the palace beyond it.
In half a year, he had gone from a bewildered stranger in another world to someone who could survive in the hidden realm. The experience had changed him in countless ways.
At last, he was leaving.
After seven months, he could finally enter the real Hunter world.
He could hardly contain his excitement.
"Hey, time to go!" Selena turned and beckoned, smiling. "Don't tell me you don't want to leave."
Leo turned toward her with a broad grin. "Coming!"
The four stepped through the gate one after another, their figures vanishing into the swirling light.
Southern Ulubian Continent, off the coast of Lambo City.
Inside a secluded cave on the Azure Coast, the air rippled, and a gate of light slowly appeared.
Satotz emerged first, his suit still immaculate. Selena followed, then Kaspar, with Leo last.
The instant Leo stepped through, he took a deep breath.
The air was different—salty and damp with the sea breeze, mingled with the scent of human habitation. It was nothing like the pure, natural smell of the hidden realm.
Sunlight slanted in through the cave mouth, brighter and more direct than it had been in the hidden realm.
"Ah, we're finally out!" Selena stretched, her joints giving a few soft pops.
"I can finally take a proper hot shower! After ten days in there, I'd nearly forgotten what one felt like."
Kaspar was excited too. "We got so much out of this expedition! Those samples, that data... I can't wait to get back to the institute and analyze them."
"Especially that map. Mr. Satotz, when can we start deciphering it?"
"We'll submit our report to the Hunter Association first," Satotz said calmly. "Deciphering it will take time—perhaps months, perhaps longer."
Leo said nothing. He stood at the cave mouth, gazing at the faint outline of a town in the distance.
After half a year, he was finally back in the civilized world.
"Finally free," he murmured, unable to hide the emotion in his voice.
Satotz looked at him. "Let's go. The town is still some distance away."
The four left the cave and followed the coastline toward Lambo City.
At first, Leo felt oddly light on his feet. After growing used to staying alert for danger at every moment in the hidden realm, he found it strange to be somewhere relatively safe.
They passed the occasional fishing boat, while cargo ships sailed farther out at sea.
Now and then, a gull swept past with a clear cry. Everything seemed so... normal.
Half a day later, they reached Lambo City.
It was a typical seaside city, with clean streets and mostly white or pale-colored buildings. The pedestrians wore all kinds of clothes: some looked like tourists, others were fishermen, and still others were businesspeople in sharp suits.
A complex blend of smells from seafood markets and cafés hung in the air.
Standing on a busy street, Satotz asked him one last time, "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"
Leo shook his head. "Yeah. I spent too long in the hidden realm. I want to travel on my own for a while and see what different places are like. Besides..."
He smiled. "I have a few personal matters to take care of."
It was the truth. He needed to reach level 25 as soon as possible, break free of Zetsu, and then begin systematic Nen training.
Traveling with Satotz's team would be safer, but it would limit his freedom.
Kaspar looked a little disappointed. "All right... Mr. Leo, you're welcome to visit me anytime! Here's how to reach me."
He handed over a card with his name, phone number, and the address of a research institute.
Selena offered a card and some Jenny too. "If you run into trouble you can't handle, call us. Don't hesitate."
"And you'll probably need a change of clothes, so here's some money." She was blunt, but sincere.
Leo accepted the two cards and the money, then put them away carefully. "Thank you."
Satotz watched Leo in silence for a moment before speaking. "You can register for the Hunter Exam on the Hunter Association's website every December. Every Hunter is a Nen user."
He said no more, but Leo understood. It was a hint from Satotz, and a sign of respect.
If Leo wanted to formally enter the world of Nen users, the Hunter Exam was one way in.
"Thank you, all of you." Leo bowed deeply to the three of them. "I'll never forget that you helped me leave the hidden realm."
Selena stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder, smiling brightly. "No need to be so formal. We're friends now!"
Friends. Warmth spread through Leo's chest.
Since arriving in this world, it was the first time anyone had said that to him.
"Yeah. Friends." Leo smiled too. This time there was no calculation or pretense in it, only genuine happiness.
He waved to the three of them, then turned and disappeared into the crowd. He did not look back, and his steps were steady.
Satotz, Selena, and Kaspar stayed where they were, watching until Leo vanished around a street corner.
"He didn't actually need us to take him out," Selena said suddenly, her tone calm. "He could've left on his own, couldn't he?"
Satotz nodded. "So you noticed something unusual about Leo too."
"Mm," Selena replied. Kaspar scratched the back of his head with an awkward grin—he clearly had not noticed.
"Vows and Limitations." Satotz adjusted his glasses, their reflected glare concealing his eyes. "I suspect that's why Leo couldn't use Nen, yet could keep hunting all kinds of powerful creatures."
Kaspar looked puzzled. "Vows and Limitations? What are those?"
Selena sighed. "Are you an idiot? Weren't you listening when you learned Nen?"
"I really wasn't..." Kaspar admitted. As a scholar, he had little interest in using Nen for combat. He had learned the basics and then devoted himself to archaeology.
Satotz explained, "Placing limitations and vows on yourself during training can improve your chances of success. The stricter the limitations, the greater those chances. You set rules, swear to follow them, and hold yourself to that oath. The harder the rules are to keep, the greater the power they can bring forth."
He paused. "If ordinary Nen Ability is addition, Nen Ability bound by rules is multiplication. Its power can increase many times over. But it's a double-edged sword. Break the oath, and the backlash may cost you your Nen Ability—or, in severe cases, your life."
Kaspar stared. "That sounds dangerous..."
Satotz said nothing more. He looked toward the street where Leo had disappeared, thoughtful beneath his purple hair.
Satotz turned. "Let's go. It's time to return to the Hunter Association."
The three headed toward the airport. Sunlight stretched their shadows across the ground, mingling them with those of the bustling crowd.
On the other side of the city, Leo stood outside a bookstore, studying the world map displayed in its window.
Leo spoke under his breath.
"Hunter world, here I come!"
On the back of his hand, the dark-red tattoo glimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Level 24. One more to go.
A new journey had begun.
Before you continue