Hunter x Hunter : Germain Joins The Hunt

On the night of September 26, 1998, the "Bloodthirsty Apostle of Pain" was defeated, marking an incredible achievement. In just two days, the Germain team had completed their exploration of the "Ancient Labyrinth City."

This was undoubtedly a remarkable feat.

They had surpassed the elite forces of the United States of Saherta and were now on the right track to catch up to the legendary figure, Don Freecss.

As for their reward—they obtained the "Herb for All-illnesses," a plant that looked like ordinary grass but emitted a strong, pleasant aroma.

Germain couldn't help but think that, rather than a medicinal herb, it seemed more like a flavorful ingredient for cooking.

After Shizuku finished harvesting the "Herb for All-illnesses," the four members of the Germain team approached an ancient, towering structure.

The high tower was constructed from countless stones, now weathered and covered with vines and moss, giving it a worn and aged appearance.

At the very top of the tower was a sphere resembling a "Brion," though from their vantage point, it was clear it was made of stone.

The base of the tower had only one large entrance, with no door. From the open stone doorway, they could see a spiraling, railing-less staircase leading upward.

Ging went in first to inspect the tower's ground floor. After ensuring there were no traps or hidden mechanisms, he stepped out and spoke to Germain, who had regained some strength and no longer needed support.

"We can head up now… Don Freecss didn't find anything important here. Do you think we might uncover something he missed?"

Ging had started to value Germain's opinions more and more.

Part of the reason was that he recognized Germain's capabilities, but it was also because there were still many mysteries surrounding him—like the "Transport Lantern." These might hold the key to their success.

Germain tilted his head back, studying the tower carefully. "Don Freecss probably searched this place inside and out more than once. If we want to find something new, we'll need a bit of luck."

Ging nodded. "Luck, huh… Makes sense. Alright, let's go. We'll take our chances as we climb—it's all we can do now."

Despite saying this, once they entered the tower, Ging stopped frequently. Almost every time he came across a brick or section of stone that seemed the least bit suspicious, he would pause to inspect it closely.

Ging was a "Ruins Hunter," skilled in protective and meticulous archaeology. His specialty was working patiently and carefully, often pausing to gently tap and examine the surroundings.

Bisky was busy taking photos, and Ging joined her with his "3D Camera," freshly unsealed from its card state. Together, they explored the interior of the tower, capturing images from various angles.

However, their approaches differed. Ging conducted himself like a diligent archaeologist, while Bisky seemed more like a journalist, focused only on capturing unique highlights.

The Germain squad had plenty of time, so no one disturbed Ging and Bisky as they slowly climbed the tower, studying it along the way.

But some things were beyond their control.

When they reached the middle of the tower, the side effects of the "Sanbica's Extreme Recovery Potion" kicked in—they would feel utterly exhausted for about half a day.

One by one, everyone was overwhelmed by a full-body fatigue they couldn't resist. Eventually, they had no choice but to abandon their leisurely pace and hasten to the top of the tower.

Resting on the spiral stone stairs wasn't practical, and the middle section of the tower lacked any halls or rooms.

Once they finally hurried up the spiral staircase and arrived inside the spherical structure at the top, they found an empty platform. Open balconies surrounded the space, and the night wind howled through the area.

Fatigue crashed over them like a wave, and their eyelids grew unbearably heavy. They decided to have a quick dinner here before resting for the night.

However, halfway through the meal, Germain felt a bump on his shoulder. Turning to look, he saw Shizuku's head slumped against him.

Shizuku had fallen asleep with her knife, fork, and plate still in hand. Her plate of curry rice was unfinished, and she even had a small bite of food in her mouth, which she hadn't swallowed.

Completely unbothered, she stayed in this awkward position, sound asleep.

Germain had no choice but to ask Bisky for help. Together, they set aside Shizuku's utensils and plate and gently moved her into a sleeping bag. They even had to remove the bite of food from her mouth and throw it away.

Throughout the process, Shizuku only furrowed her brow slightly but didn't wake up. Instead, she snuggled trustingly against them, as though they were caring for a peacefully sleeping baby.

Afterward, the remaining three quickly finished their dinner, tidied up, and went to sleep one after another.

On this tower, they didn't need to keep watch, only maintain a certain level of vigilance.

According to the incomplete New World Chronicles: Eastern Volume, this tower was considered a true "safe house."

Neither the "Bloodthirsty Apostles of Pain," the "Night Stalker Beasts," nor the "Brion Parasites" would dare to act against it—for reasons unknown.

Perhaps this place truly held something extraordinary.

The inspiration for the "safe houses" Don Freecss designed inside various "cuboid stone pillars" actually came from this very tower. He had spent countless safe nights here.

Regardless, after two grueling and exhausting days, the Germain team could finally get a good, relaxing sleep.

In fact, Ging, Bisky, and Shizuku all managed to enjoy a rather pleasant rest on the tower platform. Especially after the night breeze subsided, the air became refreshingly cool.

However, Germain had a terrible sleep. His poor rest wasn't due to his surroundings but because of his dreams.

Once again, he had a nightmare.

Germain found himself back on the night he first arrived in this world. In a daze, he walked through a dilapidated courtyard, with a crumbling clock tower looming before him.

But this time, there was a difference: there were no members of the Phantom Troupe nearby—only him, alone.

He wandered aimlessly for what felt like a long time before finally leaving the courtyard. Its size shouldn't have been so vast, yet in the dream, it felt endless. Eventually, he emerged outside.

But beyond the courtyard wasn't a wilderness or forest. It was pitch-black, like an unfinished game map where nothing had been loaded.

Germain wasn't sure why he stood there. Dreams often compel people to act in ways that defy reality's logic.

After some time, he finally saw something.

He approached it, crouching down. There on the ground was a pot, its surface adorned with a human face. The face's eyes were closed, but its mouth was open.

He stared at it for a while. Even in the dream, this pot with a human face gave him a strange sense of familiarity.

Just as this feeling surfaced, the face on the pot opened its eyes and locked gazes with Germain.

The next moment, its mouth exhaled a thick black smoke.

Black smoke surged onto Germain's face.

Instinctively, Germain stepped back. It was only then he realized that at some point, he had already stood up. Around him, the dim glow of light barely lingered, illuminating his immediate surroundings.

The human-faced urn was gone. In its place, the black smoke in midair twisted and transformed into sheets of curled white paper.

They swirled around Germain like startled bats fleeing a cave, brushing past him in a rush.

Germain reflexively raised his hands to shield his face. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something—on the white paper, distorted musical notes seemed to flicker and dance briefly before disappearing.

The white paper vanished into the darkness.

Germain's dream, however, was far from over. He noticed a large door floating toward him from the distance. Before long, it loomed right in front of him.

The door was majestic and imposing, carved with an emblem of rolling waves that radiated an eerie, otherworldly power.

Unconsciously, Germain reached out, wanting to touch it. But in the blink of an eye, the door vanished.

In its place appeared a pale object resting on the ground.

As Germain moved closer, it became unmistakably clear—it was the torso of a human body, stripped of its head and limbs.

The torso seemed alive, pulsing faintly. Its pallid skin cracked open, revealing vibrant red flesh underneath, as if it were a bursting pomegranate. The sight consumed Germain's vision in an instant.

He instinctively shut his eyes. When he realized he hadn't been attacked, he cautiously opened them again.

The scene had changed once more.

This time, he stood on a slope blanketed with white flowers.

In the distance, a full moon was slowly rising. It resembled an enormous eye, staring directly at Germain. Crimson streaks, like blood, filled the eye, making it both eerie and oppressive.

What is all this…?

The overwhelming knowledge Germain had absorbed didn't bring him clarity or ease—it only brought pain. His thoughts grew more chaotic, his mind spiraling out of control.

The entire world around him began to shatter. The darkness peeled away like flaking paint, consuming everything in sight, including Germain himself…

At last, after what felt like an eternity, Germain heard a voice calling out to him from afar.

"Germain… Germain… Germain?"

Like a drowning man breaking through the water's surface, Germain snapped his eyes open, gasping for air.

Gentle hands supported his back as he sat up. Someone used a towel to wipe the sweat from his face and neck. Another person spoke softly, asking him questions, but their words were muffled, barely reaching his ears.

After a while, his human senses gradually returned, allowing him to perceive reality correctly.

Sunlight streamed into the top of the tall tower, brightening the area. The darkness of night had long departed—it was now the daytime of September 27th, nearly noon.

He was still atop the Tower of the Ancient Labyrinth City, never having left.

Supporting his back was Bisky, while Shizuku wiped the sweat from his face. Squatting nearby, Ging asked questions about his condition.

Their eyes were filled with concern as they gazed at Germain.

Two hours earlier, they had all woken up one after another and started preparing breakfast. It was then they noticed something unusual—Germain was sleeping far too deeply, an unusual behavior for him.

They tried various ways to wake him, both rough and gentle, but all their efforts proved futile.

********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.

https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer