Two Realms: Hunters and Pirates

The Republic of Batokia is not too far from the hotel where the final test will take place.

After disembarking in an airship, Zane and his companions successfully arrived in the Dentora region, where Kukuroo Mountain is located, on the third day.

Because of the Zoldyck family's indulgence, Kukuroo Mountain, despite being a family of assassins, has become a famous tourist attraction in the Republic of Padokia.

Therefore, after disembarking from the airship, the four of them boarded a sightseeing bus heading to Kukuroo Mountain.

The allure of money is indeed powerful enough to easily cloud one's judgment.

Once aboard the sightseeing bus, Zain immediately noticed something amiss.

The bus was already more than half full before they boarded.

To put it simply, if you didn't know better, Zain would have thought he was riding in a military vehicle.

The reason was that everyone on the bus was wearing camouflage combat uniforms and even openly carrying various firearms.

Given this situation, Xiao Jie and his two companions certainly couldn't ignore it.

The four of them exchanged a glance.

What's going on?

"Who knows?"

"It's probably something like hiring mercenaries."

"Zane, should we get off and switch to another car?"

"No need. They don't seem prepared to attack us. Let's wait and see."

『.......』

After exchanging glances, Zain and his three companions seemed oblivious to the unusual situation on the bus and found empty seats to sit down.

kindness.....

The main reason why Zane and his companions remained so calm was their own strength.

Let's not even mention Zain.

Having grasped the basics of Nian, Xiao Jie and his two friends are now in a state of mind similar to someone playing in the wild who has found a long, straight stick and wants to swing it at anything they see.

Filled with a mix of unease, tension, and excitement, the bus slowly started moving forward.

"Welcome, everyone, to our tour. Our destination is the home of the infamous Zoldyck family—yes, the one widely recognized as the world's number one assassin organization..."

Not only were Zain and his three companions calm, but the bus driver and tour guide were also composed.

Both ignored the unusual situation on the bus; one drove silently while the other enthusiastically continued his explanation as usual.

This made Xiao Jie and his two companions look at the female tour guide with amazement.

In the dramatic turn of events, the tour bus unknowingly and smoothly arrived at Kukuroku Mountain.

Crunch~!

Step on the brakes.

As soon as the sightseeing bus stopped, the mercenaries inside, who had been silent like statues, suddenly came to life.

"Brothers, let's move!"

"We've finally arrived. The Zoldyck family. It's said that even just taking a picture of this family can fetch 100 million Jenny on the black market."

"Stop talking nonsense and get to work!"

"......."

The suspected mercenaries quickly jumped off the bus and ran to the other side.

Opposite the sightseeing bus is the gate of the Zoldyck family, also known as the Trial Gate or the Gate of the Underworld.

The Trial Gate towers like a cliff, and the walls on both sides completely enclose the entire Kukuro Mountain.

Seeing the mercenaries rushing towards the trial gate, Zane and the other two got off the bus.

"Are these people trying to climb over this gate?"

Leorio exclaimed in surprise as he saw the mercenaries seemingly prepared to take out retractable grappling hooks from their backpacks.

"These people are probably here for the bounty," Kurapika deduced.

When he was researching the Zoldyck family, he saw their exorbitant bounty.

Seeing the mercenaries' actions, he was surprised, but not too surprised.

Xiao Jie stared blankly at the Trial Gate.

Is this Killua's house? I wonder how Killua is doing now.

Zane calmly watched the mercenaries climb.

Although these people seem to have done some research beforehand, it is clearly very superficial.

Furthermore, the absence of any Nen users among them undoubtedly proves that this group was simply there to be eliminated.

Hmm... This is truly delivering food.

"ah!!!"

Although the Gate of Trials is towering, it is clearly not too difficult for well-prepared mercenaries.

Soon, one mercenary after another successfully climbed up the Trial Gate, and then descended by rope to enter the interior of the Trial Gate.

But success and failure are separated by a fine line.

A piercing scream suddenly rang out from inside the trial stone gate.

"Monster, monster!!!"

"Don't come any closer, please spare me!"

"Aaaaaah!!! I'll fight you to the death, you monster!"

"......"

Terrified screams, bursts of gunfire, and even the sound of bombs echoed throughout the Trial Gate.

After a moment, the sound returned to silence.

"Hey? Why is it that some people always seem to be courting death? Hey Sanmao, if you get fat, I won't be responsible for you!"

A guardhouse was set up next to the Gate of Trials.

After the screams stopped, a middle-aged man with an overweight build and a bald head walked leisurely out of the guardhouse.

He led several iron buckets and skillfully used a key to open the small door next to the trial stone door.

The next second, a pale giant claw reached out from the small door and threw out a pile of white bones.

Some of the skeletons still had strips of camouflage clothing remaining, making it easy to identify that these skeletons belonged to the mercenaries who had just broken in.

hiss~~

A gasp came from Leorio beside him.

Without even turning his head, Zane knew that Leorio was definitely terrified.

"This must be some kind of magical beast, and the fact that it was able to take down that group of mercenaries so quickly means it's definitely not simple." Kurapika stared intently at the skeletons that the guards were collecting, his face serious.

A group of heavily armed mercenaries would be difficult for ordinary magical beasts to resist.

"Hey old man, do you know Killua?"

While Leorio and Kurapika were distracted by the death of the mercenary, Gon had already run towards the guards.

"Young Master Killua?" The guard turned around quickly, looking at Gon in surprise as he approached.

He couldn't help but ask, "Do you know Young Master Killua?"

"Yes, I met Killua during the Hunter Exams. I came here to find him. Could you help me contact him?" Gon nodded repeatedly, asking without any hesitation.

"This..." The guard hesitated.

If it were anyone else, the guards certainly wouldn't have paid them any attention.

But when it comes to Killua...

To put it another way, Killua is not only the recognized next head of the Zoldyck family, but also the darling of everyone.

"Alright, I'll give it a try." The guard finally agreed to Xiao Jie's request.

Soon, inside the guard room, under the watchful eyes of Zain and the other three, the guard made a call using the internal phone.

"Is this Butler Wutong? I'm Jiebu Rong. Well, I have some people visiting. They say they're Killua's friends, so... yes, yes, I understand."

The call was quickly connected, and as Jie Burong spoke cautiously, he quickly apologized repeatedly, his forehead covered in sweat.