The fissure was deeper than it had been last time.
Looking down from the edge, they saw nothing but darkness. There was no telling where the bottom lay; only a few faint lights flickered in the distance like stars underground.
Wind rushed up from the fissure, damp and tinged with rust and sulfur.
"This is the place." Gon hitched up his backpack, eyes shining. "We went down here last time."
Killua pushed off on his skateboard and circled the edge of the fissure.
"It's quieter than last time," he said. "When we came before, we could hear monsters roaring down there. Now I can't hear a thing."
Kurapika took out the Weather Shell. It was closed.
"There's no wind down there," he said. "The air isn't circulating. Watch out for poisonous gas."
Leorio fastened the buckles on his Scale Armor and rolled his shoulders.
"What's there to be afraid of? We've got the mosquito-repellent incense." He patted his backpack. "It's meant for mosquitoes, but it should block some poisonous mist too."
Beside him, Leib checked the food supplies and made sure everything was in order.
Genos's optical sensors scanned the depths of the fissure, data scrolling across his vision.
"Estimated depth: three thousand meters. A large cavern lies at the bottom. Life signs... numerous," he said. "They're all moving, but they're some distance away."
Saitama yawned, pulled a strip of jerky from the snack bag, and started chewing.
"Let's go. The sooner we finish fighting, the sooner we can get back for dinner."
Everyone: "..."
Could he show the Forbidden Land a little respect?
"I'll go first."
With that, Gon leaped into the fissure.
Killua followed on his skateboard. He kicked off the rock wall to accelerate and shot past Gon.
"Race you!"
"You're cheating!" Gon shouted after him, speeding