The next day, Heavens Arena Room 2079.
Leo sat cross-legged on the floor, his eyes slightly closed.
Faint, mist-like Nen swirled around his body, slowly rising, falling, contracting, and expanding with his breath—he was performing 'Ren' cultivation, constantly refining the total amount of Qi and his control precision.
Sunlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright spots of light on the floor.
"Ring, ring, ring—"
The phone in the room rang.
Leo slowly opened his eyes, and the Nen around him receded into his body like a tide.
He stood up, walked to the desk, and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Leo, it's me, Machi Komacine."
The gentle voice of 'Ushi' came from the other end of the line.
"Sorry, hope I'm not disturbing you."
"No, it's fine."
Leo leaned against the wall.
"Is something the matter?"
"Indeed, there is."
Machi Komacine's tone became serious.
"The Association has a commission here, but we currently can't find a suitable candidate. I've considered it for a long time and wanted to ask if you're free to take it."
Leo raised an eyebrow, suddenly interested.
"What kind of commission?"
"In the open sea to the east of the Urubian Continent, there is an island called 'Aistan Island.' A secluded minority group lives there, and they are very xenophobic. However, the island produces several rare medicinal herbs and minerals that are scarce in the outside world, as well as some... powerful Demonic Beast populations."
Machi Komacine paused and continued.
"Every year, the Association sends people to deliver living supplies and exchange them for those resources. This has been a tradition for decades. But this time, something went wrong—the transport team, which was supposed to return seven days ago, has lost contact."
"We tried to contact our liaison on the island, but there was no response. Preliminary judgment suggests that something might have happened on the island."
Leo's eyes flickered slightly.
"Minority group? Demonic Beasts?"
"Yes. Those Demonic Beasts are very special; they only inhabit Aistan Island, are extremely aggressive, and seem to have some kind of... purpose."
Machi Komacine's voice carried a sense of gravity.
"Previously, every shipment was led by an experienced Hunter to ensure safety. But this time, the leader was the One-Star Hunter Karm. I know his strength well, and even he has lost contact..."
"So you want me to investigate?"
Leo asked.
"Yes. Currently, all the Zodiacs have missions, and I have to attend a V5 joint hearing for the next two weeks, so I can't get away. If I send anyone else, I'm worried their strength won't be enough and it will only result in more casualties."
Machi Komacine's tone was sincere.
"Of course, this isn't a mandatory commission. You can refuse, and I completely understand."
Leo remained silent for a few seconds.
Demonic Beasts. Rare resources. Unknown changes.
And—a chance to get away from Hisoka.
"I'll take it."
He said.
"I don't have much going on lately anyway."
On the other end of the line, Machi Komacine clearly breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's great. The Association will arrange for someone to coordinate with you, providing all known intelligence and the route. The ship and equipment will all be prepared."
"Got it. When do I leave?"
"The sooner the better. How about in three days?"
"That works."
After discussing a few more details, Leo hung up the phone.
He walked to the window, looking at the bustling streets below, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Demonic Beasts... I wonder how much Life Energy they can provide.
A knock sounded at the door at that moment.
It was rhythmic, brisk, and had a familiar cadence.
Leo sighed, turned to the door, and pulled it open.
Hisoka stood outside with a beaming smile, his makeup exquisite as if yesterday's battle had never happened.
"Mr. Leo~"
He drawled out the name.
"Can we have another match?"
"No."
Leo refused flatly.
Hisoka's smile remained unchanged, but a dangerous glint flashed deep within his eyes.
"I see..."
He tilted his head, his tone still flippant.
"That's truly a shame~ However, if I remain unsatisfied, I can't guarantee I won't do something irrational."
He paused and added.
"For example... going to have a 'chat' with your cute little apprentice or something~"
Leo's gaze suddenly turned cold.
The air in the room seemed to freeze.
But in the next second, Leo's expression suddenly relaxed, and he even showed a trace of a smile.
"If you want to fight again, fine."
He said.
Hisoka's eyes lit up. "Hmm?"
"But there's a condition."
Leo leaned against the doorframe.
"Accompany me to a place and do me a favor. Once it's done, we'll set a time and have a proper fight. How about it?"
Hisoka did not answer immediately.
His golden eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized Leo, as if trying to pierce through his skin to see the intentions behind his words.
Beneath the facade of madness was an extremely shrewd and calculating mind.
"A place? A favor?"
Hisoka licked his lips.
"Sounds very mysterious~ Is it dangerous?"
"There's definitely danger involved."
Leo admitted frankly.
"But with your strength and your knack for escaping, it shouldn't be hard for you to get away."
He paused and threw out the bait.
"Besides, that place... you might even encounter 'things' that interest you."
This sentence hit Hisoka's sweet spot perfectly.
Danger? He was never afraid of danger, only of boredom.
An unknown 'place,' the potential existence of 'interesting things,' and Leo's personal promise of a match...
Hisoka's grin widened further and further, eventually blooming into a brilliant yet twisted smile.
"Deal~!"
He agreed readily, as if the threat from just now had never happened.
"Alright, you can leave now."
Leo waved him off.
"Wait for me at the entrance of the Heavens Arena building the day after tomorrow morning. We'll discuss the details on the way."
Hisoka nodded with a smile and turned to leave, his steps as light as if he were going on a picnic.
Leo closed the door, leaned his back against the panel, and slowly let out a breath.
A free thug, found.
Leo closed his eyes again, and the Nen around him began to flow once more as he sank back into his own world of cultivation.
Silence returned to the room, with only Luo Li's steady breathing and the faint hum of Nen circulation.
After Hisoka returned to his room, he also became uncharacteristically serious, no longer building card pyramids to pass the time.
He sat cross-legged on the floor, licked his lips, and suppressed his surging killing intent and excitement.
For once, he actually began to think about how to further improve his strength to deal with that unknown, lethal temptation.
During this time, after Leo gave Sophia some instructions, he denied her request to come along, telling her to focus on her cultivation. Seeing Leo's firm attitude, Sophia had no choice but to nod in agreement.
The days passed in this calm and efficient atmosphere until the appointed time.
Leo packed his things and walked out of the Heavens Arena entrance, where he saw Hisoka standing under a lamp post.
Hisoka gave a smiling greeting, and Leo spoke to him.
"Let's go. We're going to the Hunter Association first."
Hisoka shrugged and said,
"No problem. I'll go wherever you go."
The two of them then boarded the Airship heading to the Hunter Association.