Chapter 8: Hunter World, Here I Come!
In the blink of an eye, ten days passed.
During these ten days, Leo answered every question asked of him. From the climate of the dimensional rift to the distribution of creatures, from terrain features to resource locations, he provided as much information as the Satotz team needed.
He also proactively helped wherever he could—carrying equipment, clearing survey areas, and even assisting in analyzing the origins of certain traces.
Selena's attitude toward Leo had noticeably softened. Although she remained vigilant, she no longer maintained the same level of constant wariness as she had initially.
She would discuss hunting techniques with Leo and share her own experiences of surviving in the wild.
Once, when Leo brought back a medicinal herb she hadn't seen before, she carefully recorded its characteristics and promised to help him identify it after leaving the Capet Ruins.
Casper, on the other hand, was very enthusiastic about Leo. The young scholar almost treated Leo as half a guide and half an advisor, asking countless questions every day.
What was the use of this plant? What was the composition of that rock? Why was there no creature activity in a certain area? Leo's patient answers provided him with a wealth of knowledge.
As for Leo himself, he took time each day to go out hunting, continuing to accumulate Aura.
With their departure imminent, Leo no longer restrained himself from hunting. Over the ten days, he reached level 24, just one step away from his target of level 25.
On the seventh day, Leo remembered the animal hide map. After careful consideration, he decided to hand it over to Satotz.
"I found this in the palace storeroom," Leo said, handing the rolled-up hide to Satotz. "I can't read the text on it, but it might be helpful to you."
Satotz took the map, and as he unrolled it, the usually composed hunter showed a rare look of surprise.
He leaned in to examine the ancient script and markings closely, his fingers hovering above the hide without touching it.
"This is…" Satotz's voice was slightly lower than usual. "A variant of ancient Capetian, and specifically the ritual script used by the royal family."
He looked up, his gaze toward Leo turning unusually serious. "This map is very valuable, Mr. Leo. What it records might not just be information about the Capet Ruins."
Leo's heart stirred. "You mean…"
"I'll need to return and consult relevant materials to fully decipher it."
Satotz carefully rolled up the map, his movements extremely gentle. "But I suspect this map might be related to 'there.'"
He didn't explain where "there" was, but Leo understood—the Dark Continent.
Selena and Casper clearly understood as well. The two exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
"Once I successfully decipher it," Satotz continued, "I'll compile the recorded information and return it to you along with the map. This is your discovery, and you have the right to know its contents."
"No problem," Leo nodded. He did need the information on the map, but since he couldn't understand the ancient script at all, entrusting it to a professional was the best choice.
Over the next three days, the survey work entered its final stages.
The Satotz team collected enough samples and recorded every detail of the palace.
On the evening of the tenth day, Satotz announced the preliminary survey was complete.
"We'll return to the Hunter Association first and publish a report on this operation externally," Satotz told his team members.
"Afterward, protective restoration of this ruin may be carried out, as it's currently the most well-preserved Capet Kingdom ruin discovered to date."
He turned to Leo, his tone much gentler than before: "Mr. Leo, come with us. There's no point in staying here any longer."
This was an active invitation and also recognition of Leo's help over these past days.
Leo didn't hesitate: "Alright."
The four of them packed their belongings. Satotz's team's professional equipment was packed one by one, while Leo's luggage was much simpler. He specifically brought along that stone knife—a testament to his more than half a year in the dimensional rift.
Early the next morning, they headed to the dimensional rift's exit at the eastern edge of the forest.
Inside the cave, the patterns on the rock walls lit up one by one under the activation of Satotz's Nen, and a light gate slowly took shape.
Leo stood at the cave entrance, taking one last look at the forest behind him and the palace faintly visible in the distance.
Half a year—from a clueless transmigrator to a survivor of the dimensional rift—this experience had changed him profoundly.
Finally, it was time to leave.
After enduring seven months, he could finally venture into the real Hunter world.
He couldn't help but feel excited.
"Hey, time to go!" Selena turned back and waved, a smile on her face. "You're not reluctant to leave, are you?"
Leo turned around, his smile bright. "Coming!"
The four of them stepped through the light gate one after another, their figures disappearing into the swirling radiance.
Off the coast of Rambault City, southern Yorbian Continent.
In a hidden cave along the azure coastline, the air rippled as a light gate slowly materialized.
Satotz stepped out first, his suit still impeccably crisp. Following him were Selena, Casper, and finally Leo.
The moment Leo stepped out of the light gate, he took a deep breath.
Different air—carrying the salty dampness of the sea breeze, mixed with the scent of human activity—completely unlike the pure, natural fragrance of the Capet Ruins.
Sunlight slanted in through the cave entrance, brighter and more direct than in the dimensional rift.
"Ah, finally out!" Selena stretched, her joints emitting faint cracking sounds. "I can finally take a proper hot shower! After ten days in the dimensional rift, I almost forgot what a shower feels like."
Casper was equally excited. "This mission's gains are huge! Those samples, the data... I want to get back to the research institute for analysis as soon as possible. Especially that map—Mr. Satotz, when do we start the decryption work?"
"First, we return to the Association to submit the report," Satotz said calmly. "Decryption work takes time—it could be months, or even longer."
Leo remained silent, simply standing at the cave entrance, gazing at the faint outline of a town in the distance.
Half a year had passed. Finally, he was back in the civilized world.
"Finally free," he murmured to himself, his voice tinged with undeniable emotion.
Satotz looked at him. "Let's go. There's still some distance to the town."
The four of them left the cave and proceeded along the coastline toward Rambault City.
Leo's steps felt somewhat light at first—accustomed to the high alertness required in the dimensional rift, where danger could strike at any moment, he felt oddly unsettled suddenly arriving in the relatively safe civilized society.
Along the way, they could see scattered fishing boats, and cargo ships sailing on the distant sea.
Occasionally, seagulls swooped by, emitting crisp cries. Everything felt so... normal.
Half a day later, they arrived at Rambault City.
It was a typical coastal city—streets clean, buildings mostly white or light-toned, pedestrians dressed in various styles: tourists, fishermen, and businesspeople in suits and ties.
The air carried a complex blend of scents from seafood markets and coffee shops.
Standing on the bustling street, Satotz asked one last time, "Are you sure you won't come with us?"
Leo shook his head. "No, I've been in the dimensional rift for too long. I want to travel around alone and see the sights of different places. And..." He smiled, "I also have some personal matters to attend to."
This was the truth. He needed to reach level 25 as soon as possible to lift the "Zetsu" and then begin systematic Nen training.
Although traveling with Satotz's team was safe, it wouldn't allow him the freedom to act independently.
Casper looked slightly disappointed. "Alright... Well, Mr. Leo, if you have time, you can come find me. I'd be very happy to have you! Here's my contact information."
He handed over a card with his name, phone number, and the address of a research institute.
Selena also offered a card and some Jenny. "If you encounter any trouble you can't handle—feel free to call us. Don't hesitate."
"And here's some money. You probably need to change into some new clothes," she said bluntly, but with sincerity.
Leo accepted the two cards and the money, carefully storing them away. "Thank you."
Satotz looked at Leo and, after a moment of silence, said, "Every December, you can register for the Hunter Exam on the Hunter Association's official website. Every Hunter is a Nen user."
He didn't say more, but Leo understood—this was Satotz's reminder and a form of acknowledgment.
If Leo wanted to officially step into the world of Nen users, the Hunter Exam was one path.
"Thank you all very much," Leo said sincerely to the three of them. "I'll always remember that you helped me leave the dimensional rift."
Selena stepped forward and patted his shoulder with a bright smile. "No need to be so formal. We're already friends!"
Friends. The word warmed Leo's heart.
Since crossing over, this was the first time someone had said that word to him.
"Yes, friends," Leo smiled back. This time, his smile held no calculation, no pretense—it was purely happy.
He waved to the three of them, turned, and merged into the crowd. He didn't look back, his steps firm.
Satotz, Selena, and Casper stood where they were, watching Leo's figure disappear around the street corner.
"Actually, we didn't really need to help him leave," Selena suddenly spoke, her tone calm. "He probably could have left on his own, right?"
Satotz nodded. "It seems you've also noticed Leo's uniqueness."
Selena hummed in agreement. Casper, however, awkwardly scratched the back of his head and chuckled sheepishly—he clearly hadn't noticed.
"Vows and Limitations."
Satotz continued.
"I think that's likely the reason why Leo can't use Nen but can continuously hunt various powerful creatures."
Casper was puzzled. "Vows and Limitations? What's that?"
Selena sighed helplessly. "Are you an idiot? Weren't you paying attention when you were learning Nen?"
"Not really..." Casper answered honestly. He was more of a scholar type, with little interest in the combat applications of Nen. He only learned the basics before focusing on his archaeological work.
Satotz explained, "If you impose certain limitations and vows on yourself during training, the success rate increases. The stricter the limitations, the higher the success rate. Setting rules, making an inner vow, and adhering to them—the more difficult the rules, the greater the power unleashed."
He paused: "If ordinary Nen abilities are like addition, then Nen abilities bound by rules are like multiplication—their power increases exponentially. But it's also a double-edged sword. Breaking the vow leads to backlash, possibly losing one's Nen abilities, or in severe cases, even one's life."
Casper exclaimed, "That sounds incredibly dangerous..."
Satotz didn't continue. He gazed in the direction Leo had disappeared, his eyes thoughtful beneath his purple hair.
Satotz turned around. "Let's go. It's time to return to the Association."
The three of them headed toward the airport. The sunlight stretched their shadows, intertwining them with the bustling crowd's silhouettes.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Leo stood outside a bookstore, staring at the world map displayed in the window.
Leo murmured softly.
"Hunter World, here I come!"
On the back of his hand, a dark red tattoo glimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Level 24. Just one more to go.
A new journey had begun.