Cloud-Sea Secrets · Beyond's Plans

The twilight pressed down on the temporary camp at the landing point.

The lights in the main tent were still burning.

Beyond stood before an unfurled ancient map, his fingertip hovering over an area on the western shore marked by clouds and mist. A thick stack of stone tablet fragments lay piled at the corner of the table, their patterns mottled and covered in ancient symbols no one could decipher.

The tent flap was lifted.

Lorne entered carrying a dossier, his expression grave.

"Leader, reports from all three scouting teams have come in." He placed the dossier on the table. "The anomalies over the Thunderstorm Cloud Sea are becoming increasingly obvious. The Sacred Fruit that ripens once every century should be nearly mature."

"What about the people?" Beyond asked without looking up.

"None of the three teams managed to reach the core region." Lorne's tone grew heavier. "The Four-Armed Diamond Gang Tribe guarding the outskirts was too strict. One team suffered four injuries, while the other two retreated before they even reached the edge of the forest region."

Silence settled over the tent for several seconds.

Beyond's fingertip lightly tapped the mark at the center of the clouds and mist on the map.

Four words were written there: Rainbow Sacred Fruit.

"Just as expected." His tone was flat, revealing no emotion. "Four-Armed Earth-Rending Diamond Gangs are social creatures with an extremely strong sense of territory. It's perfectly normal for ordinary hunter teams to be unable to break through."

Footsteps sounded outside the tent.

A guard's voice rang out: "Leader, Gon and the others request an audience."

Beyond raised his chin slightly.

"Let them in."

The tent flap was lifted again.

The six-person team filed inside.

Gon walked at the front, his eyes shining. The moment he entered, he spoke excitedly: