Chapter 144 : The Choice!!

On the night of July 2, Germain, Kurapika, and Abengane met successfully and soon started the "Exorcism."

The bonfire flickered, and smoke rolled as if fighting against the darkness closing in from all sides.

The bamboo forest rustled. Dark-skinned Abengane held a cursed doll and chanted a spell softly. It looked more like a voodoo ritual.

"Forest Spirit, please hear my prayer..."

After a while, the dry wood in the fire began to move, and sparks flew out in all directions like plant spores, scattering brilliant lights.

Abengane, experienced and unafraid, calmly wove a few branches onto the doll as if decorating it with a flower wreath.

When he finished, he threw the doll into the fire. As it burned quickly to ashes, he saw the shadows of many "cursed Nen beasts."

Here they come.

Abengane looked at the "Nen beasts," which hadn't decreased in number since the last exorcism. They crowded the flames and slowly emerged, and he felt a bit relieved.

When his bad feeling turned out to be true, he felt a sense of relief.

Without needing Abengane's reminder, Germain, who stood beside him, made a sound through his bird-beak mask.

"That one." He pointed to the "Scarlet Nen Beast" that his spiritual intuition had singled out.

"As you wish." Abengane seemed like a loyal servant to Germain at that moment, turning his fierce gaze toward the "Nen beast."

After finishing everything, Abengane poured several buckets of water on the fire to put it out, making sure no sparks remained. The bamboo forest was now completely dark.

Germain gently held the piece of the "Hunter Badge" and looked at the projected text. When he saw that the "Pressure-Induced Bulimia" had disappeared from the "Negative Traits," he nodded in satisfaction.

"Abengane, thank you for the exorcism."

This time, Germain didn't just pay and leave like before. Instead, he stood in front of Abengane with a clear purpose.

Abengane was so nervous that his thick lips were pressed tightly together.

"Mr. Germain, is there anything else?"

Germain's eyes were calm and reassuring.

"Don't be nervous. I understand that as a 'Nen Exorcist,' you've taken on a lot of physical and mental stress from removing my thoughts."

"It's not fair for you to be constantly on call worldwide and to avoid getting involved in the conflicts between me, the Phantom Troupe, and the Ten Dons."

"I've thought of a more reasonable long-term arrangement. If you're interested, you know how to contact me, and I'll take you to a place where you can stay with my companions."

"This will make our cooperation smoother and also protect your well-being. My companions should be able to help with the physical and mental strain from 'Nen Exorcism.'"

"I've discussed your situation with my companions, and they are willing to accept you. Take your time to consider it and contact me when you've made a decision."

Abengane listened, standing there in a daze. Germain didn't push him for an immediate decision, making him hesitate.

After informing the concerned "Exorcist" of the decision reached by his group, Germain nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Abengane remained silent, still in shock.

Germain walked out of the bamboo forest, crunching on the fallen leaves that covered the ground, and then saw Kurapika nearby striking a peculiar pose.

The icy chain coiled around Kurapika's neck like a silver snake. He bit down on one of the links, as if targeting a vital point of a serpent.

Kurapika extended his right hand forward and gripped his right wrist with his left hand, as if he was trying to control something.

For a moment, Germain almost expected Kurapika to shout something like "My King's Power," but he remained silent.

Kurapika was so absorbed in his task that sweat beaded on his forehead. He didn't notice Germain approaching and was completely immersed in his work. If Germain were an enemy, Kurapika might have been in danger.

Germain understood why Kurapika was so focused: he had reached a crucial point in conjuring the chain.

Kurapika followed Germain's advice, reviewed the "Vows and Limitations" of the "chain," and planned to fulfill them one step at a time.

His first goal was to materialize the "Ring Finger's Dowsing Chain," which his teacher had acknowledged.

Soon, a chain flickered on Kurapika's arms, wrists, and fingers, like a brief flash. It would vanish as soon as he relaxed.

He had to stay concentrated. Finally, the chain wrapped around his finger. A chain extended from his ring finger, ending in a silver-gray ball.

"Success..."

The silver-gray sphere swayed from side to side, like a pendulum. But before Kurapika could celebrate, the sphere's swinging grew more violent.

Kurapika was startled and quickly looked up. As a figure emerged from the darkness, he felt a cold sweat break out.

An enemy attack?! 

Kurapika, how could you be so careless? You didn't notice someone approaching. If it weren't for the Dowsing Chain, I'd be in trouble!

But when Germain stepped out of the bamboo forest's shadow, his bird-beaked hunter's black robe gleaming in the moonlight, Kurapika felt relieved.

Right, I almost forgot. The teacher is nearby. I'm not alone. The teacher won't let the enemy get so close.

Still, Kurapika reminded himself to be more vigilant and to improve his multitasking skills.

As he thought about this, the Dowsing Chain disappeared.

Kurapika looked at his ring finger, feeling a bit disappointed. The chain lasted less than half a minute, but at least it was still around his wrist and finger.

He straightened up and looked at Germain.

"Teacher…"

Germain gestured to indicate the issue.

"You can't multitask effectively because you don't have enough Nen, your Nen distribution isn't precise, and there's too much wasted effort. You need to improve your 'Ren' and 'Hatsu' training."

Kurapika quickly agreed, "Yes."

"My 'Nen Exorcism' is done. Let's find a hotel in a nearby town."

"What about Mr. Abengane?"

Germain glanced back at the dark bamboo forest before stepping out.

"He has a lot on his mind tonight. Let him be and think things over."

Germain and Kurapika leapt onto the trees, moving between branches like swift antelopes, leaving barely visible afterimages.

The sound of their flight was as quiet as the wind rustling through the trees at night.

In the distance, the lights of the city below the mountain sparkled like stars. They quickly left the cover of the trees and reached the open plain.

As they approached the city, Germain and Kurapika slowed down and walked along the edge of a road that connected the city to the suburbs.

A large sign appeared. Although some of the neon lights were flickering and broken, the city's name was still readable:

"Twin Cities."

The Twin Cities are divided into two main areas, left and right, separated by the Theodore River. The only bridge connecting the two areas is the Twin Cities Bridge.

Germain and Kurapika entered the left side of the city. Less than ten minutes into the busy streets, rain began to fall.

Snap, snap—

The rain grew heavier quickly, with large drops causing pedestrians to panic and shield their heads. Soon, the streets were soaked.

Germain and Kurapika took refuge under the awning of a nearby supermarket.

Standing with other pedestrians, Germain's outfit looked unusual, but with many young people dressing in unique styles these days, people just glanced curiously and then looked away.

"Teacher," Kurapika said, handing Germain a phone with the screen on. "I booked a room at the nearest hotel. It has great reviews, but it's a bit pricey."

Germain glanced at the hotel details and wasn't concerned; he'd stayed in more expensive places before.

"Let's go."

"Okay."

They bought two umbrellas at the supermarket, opened them, and stepped out into the heavy rain.

The road ahead was foggy and slippery, and the street lights were dim, making everything look like a gloomy dream.

As they turned a corner and crossed the street, they saw a tall hotel standing prominently.

Compared to the other buildings around it, it looked like a celebrity among ordinary people.

Black luxury cars were parked out front, and a group of waiters greeted the arriving guests, ignoring Germain and Kurapika as they walked by.

The two of them didn't mind. They put away their umbrellas, walked through the revolving door, crossed the bright lobby, and approached the front desk to check in.

As usual, they used fake names, and the hotel didn't question them. They handed over their names, "Smith" and "Jack," and asked a waiter to show them to their rooms.

Germain didn't use his hunter's license. He understood why most hunter didn't use one either—not just for the authority it didn't provide, but for confidentiality.

Although businesses are supposed to keep records of hunter license use confidential, traces are left behind, which could attract unwanted attention.

Experienced hunters often avoid using their license because of this.

This was probably something Bisky, who had encouraged Germain to take the exam, didn't foresee. She could never have imagined he'd reach his current level in less than a year.

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