Hunter x Hunter : Germain Joins The Hunt

In the intentionally antiquated and classical hall of Limeiro Castle, the oldest, Granny Linne, sat at the head of the long table.

Germain and Bisky were seated on either side, with other relevant individuals taking their places as well.

Granny Linne's emaciated hands rested on the tabletop, her drooping eyelids casting shadows over her aged face. The sagging folds of her skin resembled melting wax, making her appearance rather unsettling.

She had maintained this posture for nearly five minutes, and the awkward silence at the table had stretched just as long.

Whispers, like water simmering in a heated pot, gradually rose in intensity. Soon, it was as though the pot began to boil over, steam hissing and bubbles frothing, filling the hall with noise.

Even so, Granny Linne remained motionless, as if she had fallen into a deep slumber, not uttering a single word.

"Did she fall asleep again?" Shizuku leaned toward Germain and whispered, her voice uncertain for what seemed like the nth time. "Are we really okay doing this?"

If Granny Linne needed five minutes of sleep for every three minutes of speech, this meeting would be endless.

Germain closed his eyes, nodded slightly to calm Shizuku, and then looked across the long table at Bisky. Their gazes met—Bisky's youthful appearance belying her fifty-plus years of age.

Your turn, Germain's eyes seemed to say.

Got it, Bisky's gaze replied.

Sighing in resignation, Bisky pressed her hands against the table, leaning her upper body toward Granny Linne.

Not daring to raise her voice too much, she softly called, "Granny Linne, wake up. Granny Linne?"

She repeated herself several times, but Granny Linne showed no response. Just as Bisky was considering raising her volume a notch, Granny Linne suddenly lifted her chin slightly, smacking her lips together.

"Hmm…" Granny Linne still didn't open her eyes or make any effort to look directly at anyone, but at least she had woken up. "Where was I just now?"

"You haven't started yet," Bisky reminded her.

"Really? I could've sworn I said a lot. My lips feel dry," Granny Linne muttered, her tone that of a typical old woman's rambling.

Someone immediately brought her a cup of tea as she continued her complaints.

She began to sip her tea slowly.

"Getting older has made my memory fuzzy. Perhaps I mentioned it in a dream..."

Her voice trailed off midway, her movements slowed, and her lips smacked less frequently. Gradually, she lowered her head, set the teacup on the table, and looked as if she was about to doze off again.

Bisky, genuinely worried she would fall asleep for a few minutes, had no choice but to cough loudly a few times.

Granny Linne's drowsiness was startled away.

She flinched, lifted her head, her lips twitching for a moment, and said, "Bisky, you're coughing so much. Are you feeling unwell? Should I have my personal physician take a look at you?"

"I'm fine, Granny Linne," Bisky replied awkwardly.

"Oh..." Granny Linne misunderstood. "That's right. You've already obtained the 'Herb for All-illnesses.' You probably don't need my physician anymore."

"Human medicine is grounded in science, but the 'Herb for All-illnesses' possesses a mysterious power beyond that."

The 'Herb for All-illnesses' can only be described as having "mystical powers." Otherwise, it would be hard to explain how it can treat such a vast array of illnesses—up to hundreds of different conditions.

For once, Bisky's face turned red.

She was always the most senior and respected expert in front of the likes of Germain and the others.

But now, here was someone nearly twice her age parachuting in, giving her a lecture in front of so many people. All she could do was obediently listen, a situation she found quite difficult to adapt to.

Fortunately, from that moment, Granny Linne seemed to regain much of her energy and began addressing the main topic.

"Do you know why Isaac chose to protect you?"

Granny Linne was one of the few remaining individuals on the Six Continents who could call Chairman Netero by his first name.

Silence fell across the long table. The group exchanged glances, but no one spoke.

"There are three reasons," she said. Despite her words, Granny Linne closed her eyes and raised four fingers. "First, it was because of what this girl Bisky said that moved Isaac's heart."

Granny Linne was also one of the few people left on the Six Continents who could refer to Bisky as "this girl."

"You've done it. You are the only team in the history of 'V5' to successfully bring 'hope' back to the Six Continents. This is undoubtedly an incredible achievement. You will surely be remembered in history."

"Isaac may not say it, but deep down, he must be really proud, especially since most of the team members are from the 'Hunter Association,' not from his foolish son's side."

"'Fastest One-Star Hunter' Germain."

"'Isaac's Disciple' Bisky."

"'Virus Hunter' Sanbica."

"'Gourmet Hunter' Menchi and Buhara."

"The Game Masters of 'Greed Island.'"

"'Nen Exorcist' Abengane."

Granny Linne personally named and praised these individuals, which made most of them feel proud, even those who stayed behind to support and didn't go to the Dark Continent.

Finally, her gaze landed on the young woman with a black bob haircut, wearing new black-frame glasses, and a beautiful figure: Shizuku.

"'Cleaner of the Dark Continent' Shizuku... If you're willing, how about you take the 'Professional Hunter Exam' next year?"

"I dare say you are talented, and your future achievements will definitely be at least 'One-Star.'"

"I'm not interested in that." Shizuku instinctively adjusted her glasses, even though they wouldn't easily slip off her nose anymore.

"I did consider taking the 'Hunter License Exam' before. Then I thought about making more money. But now I realize, none of that will save Meteor City"

"You want to save Meteor City?" Granny Linne asked in surprise, then sighed.

"That place... you've chosen a very difficult problem. Let me put it directly: perhaps saving it will be even harder than solving an A-class 'disaster' or retrieving hope."

"What you'll have to face is the malice of almost all of humanity."

"I don't care," Shizuku blinked her big eyes. "As long as more than half of the people born there can have a normal life, even if it means destroying Meteor City, I'm willing."

Granny Linne shook her head, temporarily suppressing the overly young girl's extreme thoughts.

********

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

https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer