Chapter 21: Seizing Every Opportunity
"Not bad, Osren. These rice balls look great." Leorio spoke with a full mouth, already biting into one while holding another in each hand.
"Thanks." Kurapika replied politely, though he immediately began devouring the food like a starved beast—it was clear he was famished.
"Osren, you should eat too." Gon grabbed a rice ball and handed it to Osren.
Within minutes, the dozen or so rice balls were completely gone. The four of them truly had strong appetites—and the battle strength to match.
Burp—
Leorio let out a long, satisfied burp and sprawled out lazily on the grass, looking utterly relaxed.
"Look over there, a boat." Osren pointed toward a patch of reeds in the distance, where the edge of a small boat peeked through.
"Huh? You're right, there is a boat!" Gon darted over, pushed aside the tall grass, and found a small, weathered vessel resting quietly by the shore.
Though dusty and worn, the boat looked sturdy enough. It might be a tight fit, but four people could probably squeeze in.
"Gon, you and Kurapika row. Leorio, keep an eye on our surroundings. I'll take rear support." Osren pushed the boat into the water and swiftly hopped on board.
"Got it, Osren!" Gon answered enthusiastically and leapt aboard as well.
Kurapika didn't argue. He silently climbed in and picked up an oar, ready to row.
If Leorio had said the same thing, Kurapika might've assumed he was just trying to slack off—"rear support" often meant doing nothing. But coming from Osren, the suggestion seemed completely reasonable.
Leorio glanced around. Besides rowing, there was clearly no other way to cross the lake. The far shore was nowhere in sight, shrouded in mist and night. There was no telling how wide the lake actually was.
"He really told me to keep watch..." Leorio muttered.
Though he sounded annoyed, he didn't slack off. This was where his long limbs came in handy. While Gon and Kurapika had only taken a few strokes, Leorio took one big step and planted himself at the stern in a single bound.
"Not a big deal—just gotta stay alert and watch the surroundings," Osren said calmly from the bow of the boat.
"Don't tell me… even this boat ride is part of the test?" Leorio grumbled.
Suddenly, something floated toward them across the water—a wooden sign.
In the Hunter world, there's a unique written language—much like how Tolkien created Elvish, Togashi invented a whole script.
"That's a warning sign—beware of magical beasts." Leorio said seriously.
"Yeah, looks like we need to stay on guard," Osren added.
"Magical beasts?" Gon blinked. He had no idea what that meant.
When Osren recalled that in the original storyline, Gon had figured out that magical beasts could communicate with humans, speak their language, and even transform into human form—his exaggerated attempt to stop that vicious fox was honestly hilarious.
"I've been thinking since earlier—how exactly do we get the guide to acknowledge us? Osren, any ideas? I've racked my brain and still got nothing," Gon said.
"We could—" Osren was about to answer when Leorio suddenly cut in. Like rain that can't be stopped, when Leorio's in a self-destructive mood, there's just no saving him.
"We can use manly charm!" Leorio declared, laughing heartily. "Kurapika doesn't have the stature. Osren and Gon? Definitely not. That just leaves me. Clearly, I'm the one who can convince the guide."
Leorio laughed loudly, bursting with confidence.
Leorio, does your medical kit know how much trouble you're getting into? Have you even packed your meds?
Smack.
Osren felt like he'd been shot in the heart. He was even shorter than Gon—just by a bit, but still a deadly blow to his ego. And now, with Killua not here to make him look taller, not even Feitan around… no comparison meant no buffer.
"If Killua were here to offset things, I wouldn't look this short…" Osren told himself with conviction.
"Really?" Gon turned to him, eyes wide.
"Absolutely not," Osren shot back flatly.
Kurapika also nodded in agreement, his face grim. He clearly didn't approve of Leorio's nonsense.
"What? I think—" Leorio started, rolling up his sleeves, about to flex his muscles.
"What's needed isn't brute strength, but something else entirely," Osren interjected. "Not any special abilities either. Gon, you have some qualities that could work."
"Qualities?" Gon asked, puzzled.
"You might not have noticed it yourself, but you've got a lot of strengths—definitely more than Leorio," Osren said with certainty.
Kurapika agreed. It aligned with his own thoughts exactly.
"My strength is courage," Leorio said proudly. "No matter what kind of monster shows up, I—"
Splash!
A loud splash rang out—exceptionally sharp in the silence of the night. Even as Leorio boasted loudly, they could all hear it clearly.
"It's here," Osren muttered, eyes narrowing.
He stared fixedly at the rippling water behind Leorio, where a massive disturbance had just occurred. He was already calculating: if Leorio didn't react quickly and row the boat like he did in the original story, what should he do to ensure everyone's safety?
After all, this was a dangerous water beast, and the lake wasn't exactly home turf. The key issue? The monster hadn't even eaten his bait—so it had a grudge. If Nen had to be used, then maybe… sacrifice Leorio as bait?
That plan sounded a little too evil, even in his own head. Osren shook it off and scanned the surroundings warily, as if searching for something.
Gon and Kurapika's eyes were fixed on the space behind Leorio.
"Leorio, behind you," Osren warned.
"Uh…" Gon also pointed behind him, motioning for Leorio to turn around quickly.
Even Kurapika, who rarely spoke, urged him to take a look.
"Behind me?" Leorio blinked, in the middle of bragging about his impressive build. But with everyone urging him...
He turned around—
A massive, serpent-like water beast loomed behind him, its entire body a deep green, with glowing yellow eyes like lanterns. Its huge maw gaped open as it let out a deafening roar. The part above water was at least four or five meters long, and who knew how much more was still hidden beneath the surface.
"AAAAAAAH—!" Leorio let out a strangled scream, instinctively grabbing the oar from Gon and paddling with all his might.
Before the snake-like creature could even react, their little boat, powered by Leorio's panicked strength, shot forward like an arrow from a bow.
The once-calm lake now surged like a storm was rolling in. White-capped waves broke furiously, growing larger and rougher. Say what you want about Leorio—when he says he's got strength, he's not bluffing.
A few minutes of frantic rowing later, Osren finally spotted something and said, "Gon, use your fishing rod to hook those eggs over there."
That's right. Ever since the journey began, Osren had already started plotting. If there were monster eggs, they were going to steal them. Why? Because they were rare delicacies, rich in Nen potential. In the Hunter world, you grab every opportunity you get.
Yes—you seize every chance.
Now, dear readers, if you're enjoying this, maybe consider "seizing" those power stones in your pocket and tossing it this way?