Chapter 103: Netero's Call
After transferring the assets, Battera went into seclusion with his young girlfriend. This May-December couple finally began living the life they desired, no longer caring about the judgment of the world.
All those ill-gotten gains were taken over by Mord.
As for Tsezguerra, he handed leadership of his bounty hunter team to his deputy and made a decision to restart his Nen training from the beginning. Everything that happened on Greed Island had a profound impact on him—that feeling of powerlessness watching his subordinates die before his eyes was something he never wanted to experience again.
Bisky needed to take Gon and Killua to complete their unfinished training, and also bid farewell to Mord.
"Miss Bisky, didn't you say your purpose in coming to Greed Island was for the Blue Planet gem? If you ask Mord, he might give it to you," Killua asked during their departure.
Bisky looked up at the distant starry sky, a slight smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
"I've already seen the most dazzling gem in this world. The Blue Planet doesn't matter anymore."
"For the next few months, no slacking off. I'm going to put you two through the most brutal hell training."
Gon clenched his fists and declared loudly: "I will surpass him someday."
...
Mord sat alone in the empty castle, contemplating his next plans.
Time was tight.
Because of him, Greed Island was cleared about half a year earlier than originally. At this point, he didn't know if the Chimera Ants had already been brought to the human continent by people with ulterior motives.
In the original storyline, the Chimera Ant Queen first appeared at the southern end of the Balsa Islands in the Yorbian Continent.
But that was after it had escaped from someone's control.
The figure of that man surfaced in Mord's mind.
Everything in the Chimera Ant arc was paving the way for the eventual journey to the Dark Continent. Logically, Mord's goals should align with theirs.
However, Mord didn't want to use that method.
Although trying to locate the Chimera Ant Queen now was like searching for a needle in a haystack, there was still a general direction to follow.
Just as Mord picked up the phone to have the butler arrange for a private jet tomorrow, his mobile phone rang first.
"Is this Mord?"
The voice was familiar.
"It's me, Netero."
"Hello, Chairman." Mord glanced at the clock—it was already late at night. For Netero to personally call at this hour meant the matter wasn't simple.
"I have a mission request for you..."
As expected, nothing good.
"Can I refuse?" Mord directly interrupted.
Netero's signature laughter came from the other end of the phone. "Don't be so cold. I had some part in you becoming a One-Star Hunter so quickly."
"I'm truly grateful!"
Remembering the forced Japan mission from before, Mord still felt angry.
"Chairman, I'm a professional hunter with my own work. Shouldn't these Hunter Association missions be handled by the Association's specialized hunters?"
"Precisely because this mission can't be handled by ordinary specialized hunters, and it involves top-level confidentiality. Pariston couldn't find anyone suitable and came to me."
"You're the most suitable candidate."
Pariston!
Is he making his move?
Mord's expression turned serious as this thought instinctively flashed through his mind.
But when had he come under Pariston's notice? This was troublesome.
Though it appeared to be Netero's recommendation, in Mord's view, this might have been Pariston's desired outcome all along.
If that were truly the case, then it was troublesome.
This meant Mord had already been noticed. Even if he refused this mission, his plan to eliminate the Chimera Ant Queen in advance would likely face numerous difficulties.
His strength should be sufficient against the non-combat members of the Zodiac Twelve. Even without using Bankai, he should be able to retreat safely.
But if the opponent were Pariston, he basically stood no chance.
"The mission involves the lives of civilians in an entire city. I'm leaving everything to you." After saying this, Netero hung up without waiting for Mord's response.
Mord detected the gravity in Netero's words.
Even if this was Pariston's trap, it was an open conspiracy.
The importance of this mission was predictable.
The next day, Mord's private plane flew directly to the Southeast Continent.
Two-thirds of the Southeast Continent belonged to the Federation of Ochima, one of the V5 nations. However, Mord's destination wasn't there, but rather the small kingdom of Khongyon at the southernmost tip of the continent.
"Are you Mr. Mord?" The contact person was named Thor, a specialized hunter dispatched by the Hunter Association to investigate, working in the medical field.
Mord nodded and got into the other's car.
"Given the urgency, let's talk while we drive. What's the current situation?"
From the driver's seat, Thor glanced at Mord through the rearview mirror. Though Mord looked young, anyone recognized by Chairman Netero must be extraordinary, even a fool could figure that out.
"About half a month ago, some citizens in the Khongyon Kingdom suddenly contracted a strange disease."
"Strange disease?"
"Yes, infected people lose their rationality, become extremely aggressive, and crave fresh flesh and blood." Thor nodded while speaking.
If that were all, it wouldn't have given the Hunter Association such headaches. Sure enough, Thor continued.
"That's not the worst part. The most terrifying aspect is the disease's contagious nature—anyone bitten by an infected person will contract it."
Mord found the description increasingly familiar.
As they spoke.
The car had arrived at Thor's residence in the Khongyon Kingdom.
It was an unremarkable suburban courtyard.
The vehicle parked in the yard.
Thor walked to a spot on the lawn, brushed away the soil, and forcefully pulled a revealed iron ring with his right hand.
A passage leading to a basement appeared before Mord and the others.
Seems like I've been fated to encounter basements lately.
Of course, unlike the underground ruins on Greed Island, this basement was entirely man-made.
The moment the passage opened, a foul, putrid stench emanated from below, accompanied by low, guttural growls from the dark depths.
"Mr. Mord, you'll understand once you see it with your own eyes," Thor said, taking the lead into the underground passage.
Mord followed behind.
The passage ended at a room where a person was bound tightly with chains as thick as a forearm.
If one could still call it a person, that is, even though it no longer resembled one. Mord looked up and saw that half of the creature's face was missing, revealing blackened, congealed brain matter, with a single eyeball dangling beside the remaining half of its face.
Despite being completely restrained by chains, it continued to struggle and roar.
With each roar, its mouth—split like a broken bowl—emitted a nauseating stench...