Chapter 300: Auren’s Self-Imposed Challenge—Dark Cloud, Endless Rain

With the rookies now attending their presentation and license explanation, Auren’s group is sitting nearby in the small outdoor garden in the middle of the hotel, relaxing peacefully and choosing not to join, as they are not interested in the content of the presentation. The sun is shining down on them, the temperature extremely warm for January.

Menchi, however, is already back on the airship, cooking with Marsha, leaving only Auren, Neffi, Vanessa, and Leroute, who awkwardly stare at Auren, who’s fending off an increasingly frantic Vanessa.

Finally, Vanessa grabs Auren’s entire arm, defeating the purpose of her actions, as he can’t even move it now, making it impossible to pat her head, like he briefly did with Neffi.

“Uhm... Master, you are acting a little silly,” Leroute comments. “That’s so childish.”

“Shut up! It’s his fault for not treating us fairly... and I get to be as childish as I want... after all... I’ve got an Eternity of time in front of me. There is no reason why I shouldn’t act a little childish in the first century of my life,” Vanessa replies.

“You are crazy,” Neffi mutters. “Do you really think we’ll become immortals?”

“Yes, that’s just insane...” Leroute states. “So unrealistic.”

However, Auren’s eyes widen after hearing her reply.

“... You are not wrong. That’s a good attitude to have. I agree... not with your behavior, but with your confidence, foresight, and ambition. We should go all out, do whatever we want to do, and aim for the very top this world has to offer... a hundred years... that’s just a start, indeed,” Auren acknowledges her opinion, shocking the other two girls.

Letting go of his arm, Auren places his hand on her head just for a few short seconds and pats her, before retracting his arm, as someone is approaching.

“Hunter Auren...” a male voice addresses him directly.

What does he want?

“Satotz... what is it?” Auren asks, while Vanessa glares at him, her frustration bubbling over. “You are bothering us! Damn you, weird mustache man! You ruined it! I hate you!”

“I am... quite sorry,” Satotz replies, a little confused by Vanessa’s anger. “I... wanted to talk to you. In the last few days... I’ve learned a lot about you. In the end, your philosophy of protecting the examinees has convinced me of the need for reforms. While I respect the chairman and owe a great deal to him... the Hunter Exam needs changes. I guess I was wrong in my attitude.”

Is this real? Now that’s unexpected.

“You are misunderstanding me entirely,” Auren comments. “I’m just an advocate of basic fairness. I will never accept Nen users being allowed to slaughter non-Nen users without consequences, at least not in a Hunter Exam. Of course, such a step would inevitably lead to fewer casualties... but that was my main complaint about this exam. Though generally... yes, other reforms are required as well.”

“So does Pariston... you are part of his faction, despite being the chairman’s student?” Satotz asks him.

“He’s merely a business partner,” Auren replies, not bothering to explain further. “If you’re interested in his positions... ask him directly. Though I doubt you’ll see eye to eye with him. Maybe you can just partially support him on the exam issue.”

“I’ll think about it. If you ever need my help...” Satotz says, grabbing a card and politely presenting it to Auren. “Contact me at any time.”

Fine... more friends and fewer enemies can’t hurt.

Returning the gesture, Auren accepts the card and hands him one of his own.

Satotz also hands one of his cards to the other three girls, who, except for Leroute, just like Auren, return the gesture with one of their own.

“I need to get one for myself...” Leroute says, crossing her arms.

“What will you write on it? Leroute... ex-con?” Vanessa asks.

“Hmph, I’m a woman of many talents,” Leroute states confidently. “You’ll find out soon, Master! I’ve got a feeling the goddess of luck will soon reward me for my efforts.”

“Without a doubt...” Satotz says. “It has been an interesting exam. I wish you well... also... please take care of the rookies.”

He then quickly walks away.

“Why is he telling me to do that... if he cares about them, he should do it himself...” Auren mutters.

“You seem like the type to seek peaceful solutions and help people,” Leroute says. “Though your words come across as harsh, it isn’t hard to figure out what kind of a man you are.”

“How would you describe him then?” Vanessa asks, curiously looking at Leroute.

“Decisive, yet flexible,” Leroute points out. “Always going for what he wants, yet not above seeking a better path, should the one he desires look thorny.”

“Nonsense on top of nonsense...” Vanessa says, shaking her head.

She isn’t wrong. It’s also a compliment I’m willing to accept.

As the bickering continues, Auren briefly closes his eyes, the sunlight falling onto his face.

“Such nice weather...” Leroute says. “Trick Tower was a dark and moist hellhole... I’m glad I’m out of there.”

“I agree...” Neffi says, reminiscing. “Though I was only there for a short time.”

“I hate the sun... lately, I can’t stand it,” Auren mutters, his sudden comment confusing the girls. “Despite a lot of meditation which I’ve done during my last seclusion... I feel like I’ve grown quite extreme in the strangest ways. Just looking at the sun makes my blood boil. I feel almost angry enough to kill the next person walking past me. It creates a deep anger inside me; I can’t explain it well....”

“Well... you can’t do much against the sun,” Leroute says, only for Auren to clench his fist, spike his Aura, and send a colossal amount of it into the air.

Heavy Rain...!

After just a few seconds, a large, mysterious cloud forms overhead, the moisture in the air noticeably increasing, the formerly sunny day gone without a trace, replaced by clouds and a dim light barely able to penetrate them.

A few seconds later, it begins to rain, large raindrops descending in a storm.

Immediately, Neffi, Vanessa, and Leroute leave the garden and seek shelter, rushing to the covered area nearby, beneath the concrete overhang of the hotel.

Auren takes a few breaths, and as the rain falls onto his body, his body screams out in pleasure, his mood improving instantly.

Much better... somehow. For some reason, I’ve got a feeling I’ll need this little Hatsu in the future. It calms me down... it feels strangely natural to me. In the past, I’ve always used it in a violent and short-lived fashion. 

I should get used to keeping it up instead... I couldn’t really train it during my seclusion, since the rain would have frozen before reaching the ground. I need to remedy that.

How about a little bet with myself... a challenge... with some real stakes.

We have January 22nd....

I’ll bet that I’m able to keep up Heavy Rain for at least a month.

Should I fail... I won’t use it again. Ever! I’m betting the Hatsu itself.

Of course, despite Auren’s plea and small declaration, nothing large happens.

A while later, the meeting ends, and the familiar group of four, now reunited, exits the meeting room and walks towards the garden, where Auren is sitting on a decorative stone, rain pouring down onto him.

Noticing them, he gets up and approaches them, together with the girls.

“Had your fun?” Auren jests.

“So boring...” Killua mutters, holding his Hunter license in his hand. “Though the advantages of the license are quite useful.”

“Uhm... Auren,” Gon says, holding up a small card. “Can you tell me what this is? I thought it was a Hunter license, but as soon as we got our own, I noticed it looks different.”

Is that Ging’s license?

“He probably doesn’t know,” Killua says, grinning.

“I know everything,” Auren states, gathering a bit of water from his wet body around him and manipulating it in the air, using Limitless Waters in conjunction with Manipulation, spinning it around Killua before splashing him with it.

“You bastard... what are you doing?!” Killua complains, now drenched in water. “How is that even possible?! What kind of trick are you using?!”

Turning to Gon, Auren takes out his own license. “Does it look familiar?”

“That’s... the same one!” Gon points out. “It looks the same!”

“It’s a Double-Star Hunter license. Though you probably haven’t been told, a Hunter can achieve different ranks. Vanessa...” Auren explains, glancing at Vanessa.

Nodding, Vanessa pulls out her own license. “This is a Single-Star Hunter license...” she says awkwardly. “Guess I should be grateful to Beans for taking care of me all this time.”

“The one I got is a Double-Star one... I haven’t seen a Triple-Star one myself, as there are only a handful of Hunters who’ve reached that level. The condition for achieving that rank is not based on strength or talent, but on accomplishing something notable. It’s highly situational and biased. In a way, it’s just an honorary rank you can attain by achieving something truly special,” Auren clarifies.

“In your case... it probably belongs to Ging. He’s a famous Ruins Hunter, having discovered multiple Ruins in the past. Similar to Satotz, whom you met earlier. In a way, I suppose they’re making an important contribution to science, culture, and history. Some, not me, would argue.” Auren narrates.

“That’s awesome...” Gon says. “Double-Star Hunter...”

“So what do I have to do to get the Single-Star and Double-Star ones?” Leorio wonders.

“Start by becoming a true Hunter. For now... you’re nothing yet,” Auren states. “I’m sure you’ll get there... someday.”

“...” Looking demotivated, Leorio nods. “After watching your battle with the chairman... I can’t even disagree... especially after my pathetic fight with Tonpa. The difference... it’s insurmountable.”

“I wish I could have seen it...” Gon says, smiling. “Killua was totally impressed!”

“Gon... shut up!” Killua says, punching his arm.

“Stop it! It just magically healed... I don’t want to break it again!” Gon complains.

“Your body is so weird...” Killua states, his eyes full of suspicion, briefly meeting Auren’s, who remains silent.

“This weather... it’s dreadful...” Kurapika suddenly points out. “But according to the forecast, it should have stayed sunny for a couple of days,” Kurapika mutters, staring at the cloudy sky. “It’s not the best condition for goodbyes.”

“Goodbyes?” Gon wonders.

“We’ve become Hunters... we each have our own ambitions and goals, right? Leorio wants to become a doctor... I need to... get a job to learn more about my targets. You want to find your father, right? Also, Killua... you need to return home, but with Auren here, you should be fine, I hope?”

“Sure,” Auren replies. “By the way, Gon, the license you’re holding. In a way, he failed as a Hunter by losing his license. You could keep it for him... or sell it; it’s your call. You’re owed special compensation, I’d say... for having an ultra-rich, yet absent father. I’ll pay you 5 billion for it. Just hand me the license in return.”

“Five... five billion?!” Leorio yells, the others also looking shocked.

“I can’t... I’ll return it to him personally. I... don’t need any compensation,” Gon says with determination, not even a hint of greed in his clear eyes.

“Well... at least you three still get the reward I promised you, right?” Auren asks, causing the three of them to perk up.

“I’ll give you a choice... ask me any question, and I’ll swear to answer it fully and honestly. If I don’t know, you get an additional question. Or alternatively... follow me around for a month or so; I’ll probably have a nice training method for you. That way, you can also stay together for a short while,” Auren offers them.

“Questions... that’s weak, I guess... I should... train a little? I still have some time before entering university. I can also study a little,” Leorio reasons, while Gon instantly nods. 

“Yes, I’d love to stay together... and since Killua is leaving... that seems to be the only choice. I am also worried about your family, Killua. I’ll come along! Let’s solve your issues with your family together, and then let’s leave.” Gon says, smiling at him.

“Gon...” Killua replies solemnly.

Only Kurapika hesitates. His eyes waver, and he opens his mouth, only to shake his head and smile weakly.

“After what I’ve witnessed during this exam... I suppose training couldn’t hurt,” Kurapika says.

“Interesting choices...” Auren says.

Didn’t quite expect that.

“I just hope my brother leaves us alone,” Killua points out, looking worried.

Just a second later, Auren spots Illumi in the distance, briefly looking at him before leaving.

A few seconds later, his phone vibrates.

“I’m expecting you and Kill back at home,” Illumi messages.

“Well... our destination... Kukuroo Mountain lies in the Republic of Padokea,” Auren announces. “That’s where we headed.”