The long, deep blast of a steam whistle tore through the early morning mist at the harbor.
The "Yanyun"—a medium-sized passenger-cargo ship that appeared slightly aged yet possessed a sturdy frame—slowly pulled away from the pier.
The wooden deck, polished smooth by seawater and countless footsteps, emitted a faint creak when stepped upon.
The air was thick with a mixture of salty brine, rust, and the scent of paint.
Several dark-skinned sailors, wearing oil-stained overalls, were retracting the mooring lines at the stern with practiced, silent movements.
Last night, at Hunter Association Headquarters.
When Leo appeared in the meeting room with Hisoka, Machi Komacine's gaze lingered on Hisoka for a moment, but his expression remained unchanged.
The self-restraint of this "Ushi" had long since been honed to the point of being unflappable.
"Leo, thank you for coming."
Machi Komacine stepped forward and handed over a sealed document bag.
"This contains all known information on Aistan Island. The mission briefing and contact codes are also inside."
Leo took the bag and smiled.
"Brother Micael is too polite. You've helped me plenty; mutual assistance is exactly what a Hunter should do."
He gestured to his side.
"For this operation, I'm bringing an extra person. That's not a problem, is it?"
"His name is Hisoka. His strength is decent, and he'll be useful for this mission."
Hisoka stood to the side, wearing his trademark smile, as quiet as a doll.
Machi Komacine nodded. He had recognized him the moment he saw Hisoka—a murderous maniac of considerable strength who was quite famous in the Association's records. He wondered why Leo was associated with him, but he didn't pry; everyone has their own social circles.
"It's fine. You have the right to make your own decisions."
His expression turned serious.
"But I must warn you, the danger rating for this mission is B+. If you encounter a situation you can't handle, prioritize evacuation and contact the Association. Don't push yourself."
"Understood."
"Then I'll leave it to you. If I weren't busy dealing with the hearings and unable to get away, I would have gone along. Association staff will lead you to the harbor shortly. A ship and all necessary supplies will be arranged there. If you have any requests, you can raise them with them."
Leo nodded.
"Alright, Brother Micael, leave it to me. I'll act with caution."
Machi Komacine patted Leo's shoulder and turned to leave.
What followed was the procedural handover.
The Association staff were highly efficient, arranging the ship, supplies, and route permits in less than two hours.
After a brief rest at the headquarters, Leo and Hisoka arrived at the harbor in the early morning and boarded the "Yanyun."
On the deck, at the stern.
The waves rhythmically slapped against the hull, making a splashing sound.
The sea breeze swept past the masts and rigging, creating a low moan.
The ship swayed slightly as it sailed, giving a sense of steady progress.
Leo leaned against the cold metal railing, letting the salty, damp sea breeze brush against his cheeks and ruffle the hair on his forehead.
He closed his eyes, organizing the information he had just finished reading in his mind.
Aistan Island—an isolated island located about six hundred nautical miles east of the Urubian Continent, with an area of about six hundred square kilometers.
There is an active volcano in the center of the island, and it is inhabited by the Qilajie Clan, a minority group isolated from the world.
The tribespeople average over two meters in height, are burly in stature, and are said to possess a unique Physique.
The tribe has a "Guardian" role, passing down Nen Ability through generations, responsible for negotiating with the outside world and protecting the clan.
Furthermore, the documents highlighted two types of native Demonic Beasts.
The first is the Dragon.
Social creatures, they inhabit the area around the island's central lake.
Resembling giant lizards, they are three to five meters long and covered in rock-like scales.
They possess incredible strength, extremely acute hearing, and a very strong sense of territory.
The documents noted in red: "Advised to avoid direct conflict."
The second is the Shadow-Winged Bee.
Inhabiting the dense forests in the south of the island, their hives are usually built in the hollows of century-old trees.
They are about three times the size of an ordinary honeybee, and their wings appear as blurred shadows when vibrating at high speeds, hence the name.
They are ill-tempered; once provoked, the entire hive will swarm out to attack any moving target.
However, the "shadow honey" they produce is labeled as a "Special Grade Rare Resource"—it has a rich, extraordinary fragrance and a significant strengthening effect on the consumer's physical fitness.
Acquisition Difficulty: B.
The island also holds some rare plants and animals, making it a resource-rich island of extremely high value. Records show that a nation in the V5 once planned to seize the island, but after Chairman Netero of the Association found out and visited the V5, the matter was dropped.
As for the core of this mission, the Association sends living supplies to the Qilajie Clan once a year in exchange for shadow honey and several rare medicinal herbs found only on the island.
This cooperation has lasted for over fifty years and had never encountered a problem.
Until now—the transport team led by One-Star Hunter Karm lost contact a week after their scheduled return date.
All communication attempts have gone unanswered.
"They weren't even able to send out a distress signal..."
Leo opened his eyes and looked toward the distant horizon.
This meant either they encountered a disaster that wiped them out instantly, or... something on the island is jamming communications.
"It seems this journey will be very interesting~"
Hisoka's voice came from his side, interrupting Leo's thoughts.
Leo turned his head.
At some point, Hisoka had walked to the nearby railing and lightly flipped himself up to sit on it, his feet dangling over the side of the ship.
The sea breeze blew his red hair back, and his made-up face looked exceptionally eerie in the morning light.
"Isn't this exactly what you want, Hisoka?"
Leo said flatly.
"Hmm—"
Hisoka drawled, tilting his head to look at Leo.
"If you could fight me right now, I'd be even more satisfied."
"Don't worry, I won't back out of what I promised you."
Leo's tone was calm.
"Once this operation is over, you can fight however you want. As for now, just follow the arrangements."
Hisoka stared at Leo for a few seconds.
Then, the corners of his mouth began to slowly curl upward.
The curve grew wider and wider, finally forming a smile full of twisted interest and morbid pleasure. His teeth were blindingly white in the morning light.
"Heh... hehehe..."
A low chuckle rolled from deep in his throat, scattering in the sea breeze.
"Of course, no problem, my dear Captain."
He lightly swung his dangling feet, looking toward the horizon where the sea met the sky, a glimmer of anticipation flashing in his golden pupils.
"I'm already starting to look forward to it... what kind of'surprises' will be waiting for us on that island~"
Leo didn't respond.
He turned back and looked at the sea once more.
The bow of the ship broke through the waves, leaving a long white wake stretching straight toward the misty distance.
Aistan Island. Still two days of sailing to go.