064 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

"Is there an A-level disaster—something like a gaseous lifeform?"

"According to the records, the Republic of Mimbo once requested the Hunter Association's help in searching for the Trinity Elixir, but they came up empty. Only three survivors returned... and they seemed to have fallen out over the mist factor. Did they all go insane afterward?"

"Sounds like a particularly troublesome disaster. Our abilities aren't well-suited to handle that kind of thing. We'll see if we can reroute once we land. Nitro Rice and Vanilla—that treasure trove of hope—still aligns best with our expectations."

"I wonder what happened to Ronnel and his group. The hopes they've uncovered since landing... and the disasters they've encountered..."

While Chrollo was deep in thought, someone interrupted him.

"...What is it?"

He turned his head toward Kortopi, who was walking over.

"Phinks caught a giant king crab. Its claw smashed part of the cabin—we need you to fix it with your ability."

"I figured~"

Throughout their journey, they'd encountered one giant sea creature after another, plus a slew of weather disasters. Combined with Phinks' reckless tendencies, their small vessel had been barely holding together.

If not for Chrollo's convenient repair ability, their voyage would've ended long ago.

After one more round of patchwork, they continued their slow trek, finally nearing the shoreline of their destination.

...

As the Hunter Association and Phantom Troupe approached the Dark Continent, Beyond and the others had already set out for the ancient labyrinth city.

Ronnel and the three exploration teams had landed together and were now heading north, tracing the outer edge of the previous sea of trees from the coastline.

After some distance, the scenery changed dramatically.

The first thing they noticed was the sky.

A burnt-orange sky hung overhead, with thick fire clouds hovering motionless on the horizon. The blood-red sunset stained everything with a deep crimson glow, drawing a stark line across the world like a cursed 38th parallel.

Compared to the skies at their original landing site, this was another world entirely.

And the land was just as alien.

From a higher vantage point, the terrain ahead revealed itself: blood-red soil stretching to the horizon. It looked like a scar across the earth, mirroring the fiery clouds above, separating this region from the rest of the continent like it was cut from another reality.

"This color always gives me a bad association~"

Beyond stroked his beard, stopping where the normal soil gave way to red. His gaze turned serious.

The landscape reminded him too much of the high-temperature Chidi zone from his previous expedition.

"With how hostile the Dark Continent is, there shouldn't be two areas with environments this similar and equally dangerous, right?"

"Hard to say~"

Ging rubbed his chin, eyes drifting toward the next sea of trees that stretched out from the red soil ahead.

Massive crimson trees towered in the distance. Unlike the lush forest at their initial landing, these were far larger—each trunk over a hundred meters wide, their bark the same red as the soil. Some trees reached hundreds of meters high, others tens. Vein-like branches sprouted from the tops like vascular systems.

Each branch bore blood-colored, maple-shaped leaves.

"So... this is the sea of trees? Can we reach the labyrinth city through here?"

Someone in the team finally voiced the question.

"Nope. We came north from the southeast. The route's completely different from the previous expedition that went straight north," Pariston said with a carefree smile. "This red forest likely isn't the same one mentioned in the reports."

"Right," Beyond added, voice low. "The forest noted in the last expedition's files resembled the one we landed in to find Nitro Rice. There was no abnormality like this."

"Which means there are even more unknowns ahead," he continued. "No one can predict what kind of disasters might emerge here. Stay alert."

Everyone turned quiet, their eyes fixed on the windless orange sky and the red earth beneath it. Tension crept in.

...

"No matter how bizarre this place looks, we still have to move forward, don't we?"

Breaking the silence, Ronnel stood up and met Beyond's gaze. He took a slow breath.

"We face it head-on. Understand what makes it dangerous, and then figure out how to deal with it."

He exhaled—and three puffs of white smoke flowed from his mouth, swirling and shifting as they took humanoid form.

"The Deep Purple Mobile Soldier is perfect for exploration in a place like this."

Beyond let out a rare grin. Around them, the others visibly relaxed.

Under their watchful eyes, the lead Purple Smoke soldier took a cautious step onto the red earth.

One second... two... three... Nothing happened.

Hm?

Everyone frowned, question marks practically floating above their heads. This wasn't what they'd expected.

Had the Dark Continent suddenly become... safe?

Or maybe this place was just all bark and no bite.

"If the temperature was extreme, the Purple Smoke Soldier would react by releasing steam," Ronnel said calmly.

He then directed the other two smoke soldiers to step forward as well.

Still no reaction.

"Maybe the land doesn't respond to creatures without life force? It could be that only living beings trigger whatever danger's here."

Someone in the group suggested the idea.

At Beyond's nod, one of the Beast Hunters summoned two strange conjured animals—a chicken and a dog.

"Woof!" "Cackle!"

The two Nen beasts scanned their surroundings, barking and clucking when they spotted their master.