Old Ging turned to face them.
He had the face of a middle-aged man, deeply lined but calm, his eyes like a bottomless pool. He wore a Hunter Association uniform from thirty years ago. It was badly worn, but clean.
"You've... finally come."
His voice was hoarse, as though he hadn't spoken in a long time.
The group watched him warily. Gon stepped forward, clenching his fists.
"Who are you?"
Old Ging took a Hunter badge from his pocket and tossed it to Gon.
"My name is Iwa. I was a One-Star Hunter thirty years ago, specializing in the creatures of the Dark Continent."
Gon caught the badge and turned it over. His eyes widened.
"It's exactly like the one in the Dunkleosteus's stomach!"
"That belonged to my teammate," Old Ging said calmly. "The Dunkleosteus ate him. His badge stayed in its stomach."
The group fell silent for a few seconds.
Leorio swallowed and glanced between the enormous honey lake and the sleeping Queen Bee.
"You... you've been in this godforsaken place for thirty years?"
"Thirty years." Old Ging nodded. "Waiting for you."
"For us?" Killua raised an eyebrow. "How did you know we'd come?"
"I didn't know you would," Old Ging said. "I only knew someone would, eventually. The murals foretold that those destined to come would awaken the queen. I waited thirty years, and at last, you arrived."
He paused and looked at them.
"I watched you the whole way here. Through the Hive's Nen senses, I saw everything you did."
"I saw that you didn't slaughter the guards. I saw that you didn't eat the Triceratops after defeating him. And I saw that boy—"
He pointed at Gon.
"I saw you hesitate for a long time before placing your hand on the bedchamber door. You were wondering