Maze Cave: Toxic Insect Surge

Cave entrance.

Darkness surged toward them like a tide.

They had only taken a few steps inside when the light from outside vanished completely.

They could not see their hands in front of their faces.

Gon switched on his flashlight.

A weak beam illuminated the path ahead.

The inside of the cave was even larger than they had imagined.

The passage was wide—more than a dozen meters across.

The ceiling was so high they could not see the top.

The walls were wet, and water droplets kept falling from them.

The air was thick with the damp, musty smell of mold.

There was also... a faint, fishy stench.

"It's so dark..."

Leorio spoke quietly, his voice trembling slightly.

He clutched the Medical Kit tightly and stayed in the middle of the group.

"This place is way too creepy..."

Killua curled his lip.

"What are you afraid of?" he said. "It's just a cave."

That was what he said.

But his gaze had also grown wary.

In the darkness, he could not shake the feeling that something was watching them.

Kurapika walked at the very front.

His Chains had already slid down to his wrists.

He was ready to strike at any moment.

"Everyone, be careful," he said. "The Ancient People's Inscription records that there are many poisonous insects in the cave."

"Their bodily fluids are corrosive. It'll be troublesome if they touch you."

Gon nodded.

"Don't worry," he said. "I'm here."

He clenched his fists, and the aura of Enhancement flickered faintly to life.

The group continued deeper into the cave.

They walked for roughly a dozen minutes.

The passage began to narrow.

There were more and more forks, too.

One to the left, one to the right, and several more ahead.

It was like a massive underground labyrinth.

"There