HxH : Pokemon Master

So that's how it is...

Akira gave the claw bone a long look before pocketing it. Not only was it blindingly white, but its texture was also strange—brittle, as if weathered over years, as though it might crumble with a firm grip.

According to Marshadow senses, aside from this stone, there were no traces of Death Aura left in the area.

As evening approached, the two decided to stay overnight in Flame Rock City before heading to Karst Mine Valley the next day.

As the largest town on Flame Rock Island, most tourists from the six continents visited here, so accommodations like hotels and guesthouses were plentiful.

Being well-off, the two opted for the most luxurious hotel, which reportedly offered private hot springs in every room.

Located in the heart of Flame Rock City, their upscale hotel stood tallest among all the others, towering over neighboring buildings and drawing immediate attention.

***

Inside the hotel room, a spacious hot spring pool awaited.

As the most expensive suite, Akira had access to the largest and most luxurious hot spring in the hotel. The pool was divided into two sections—one for soaking and another for scrubbing.

The water was infused with medicinal powders to enhance the bathing experience.

The spring water thus appeared emerald green, with the aroma of medicinal herbs permeating the entire hot spring pool as steam rose.

This was what made the Flame Rock Island hot springs famous.

Unlike hot springs in places like Mount Kila, they possessed unique advantages.

Namely, medicinal baths.

The abundant local herbal resources were successfully integrated with the hot springs. With the addition of numerous medicinal ingredients, the local hot springs had effects such as soothing nerves, relieving soreness and even beautifying the skin.

"Uu~" Lapras swam leisurely in the spacious hot spring pool, finding the warm waters quite enjoyable in their own way.

Slowly gliding over to Akira, who was enjoying the hot spring, Lapras fixed its gentle eyes intently on him.

"Want to be petted again?" Seeing Lapras expression, Akira sighed helplessly.

For some reason, his Lapras was like a little puppy, especially fond of having its head petted.

The moment it was let out, it would demand head pats. It wasn't just like a dog anymore—it had surpassed even dogs.

"Uu~" Impatient, Lapras pressed its head against Akira shoulder, urging him to hurry up and pet it.

"Alright, alright." Akira placed his hand on Lapras' head and began stroking it gently.

Judging by Lapras' expression, it was clearly enjoying it.

Lapras didn't have fur—its skin was smooth, almost as if coated in a layer of lubricant. It also felt a bit like touching a giant blob of jelly.

While petting Lapras, Akira observed the other Pokemon around him.

The entire hot spring pool was filled with Pokemon, creating a scene of chaotic revelry.

Beside him was a Dragonite resting with its eyes closed, a towel draped over its head. Occasionally, it exhaled two puffs of white smoke from its nostrils, clearly relishing the hot spring.

Opposite him was Gardevoir, also soaking in the spring.

"Blissey?" A large pink-and-white egg swam up to Akira, bringing along a tray of delicious food.

"Thank you, Blissey." As praise, Akira used his free hand to pat Blissey head.

Unlike Lapras, Blissey had a thick layer of downy fur, offering a completely different sensation.

"Blissey~" Seeing Akira happy, Blissey was delighted too.

The hot spring pool was peaceful, with everyone enjoying the warmth—but the scrubbing area next to it was a different story.

"Roo!" "Woof!"

The most eye-catching were Lucario and Arcanine, the two Pokemon currently reenacting "The Aura Hero and His Steed."

Lucario was like a knight, and Arcanine its warhorse, the two "galloping" across the scrubbing area.

Even though both were dog-like, Arcanine was the mount while Lucario played the knight... It couldn't help but remind Akira of Disney cartoons back on Earth.

In them, Goofy was clearly a dog, yet he walked Pluto, who was also a dog. But seeing how much fun the two Pokemon were having, Akira didn't react.

"Snor~lax~" Snorlax, freshly scrubbed by Gengar, was about to enter the hot spring.

The moment its massive body stepped into the water, the spring surface surged violently, rising rapidly.

In an instant, it overflowed the barrier, sending a tsunami-like wave crashing toward the scrubbing area.

"Roo?" Seeing the sudden "tidal wave" Lucario expression shifted slightly as it let out a confused sound.

Weren't they inside a hot spring room? Where had this tsunami come from?

But Lucario confusion didn't last long—it was quickly replaced by excitement.

It had been finding the usual running boring, and now here was a challenge!

"Roo!" "Woof!"

They would take on this "tsunami"!

BOOM!

With a loud splash, the two canine figures emerged from the "tsunami," landing squarely in the hot spring and sending another tall spray into the air.

Moments later, Lucario and Arcanine resurfaced, their faces brimming with exhilaration.

***

Night fell. After bathing and dinner, Akira prepared to go to bed.

Ding-dong.

A sudden chime rang out—someone had pressed the doorbell.

Was it Pyon?

When Akira opened the door, a graceful figure stood before him.

"Hey, were you asleep?" Pyon looked slightly uneasy, her fair cheeks inexplicably tinged with pink.

"Just about to" Akira answered honestly.

"Then... maybe I could come in for a chat? Or you could offer me some tea? I heard the tea here is really good." Her words stumbled out, her eyes darting around as if she couldn't quite bring herself to meet Akira gaze.

Akira didn't respond, silently studying her instead.

He wasn't a fool. Pyon behavior made her intentions painfully clear.

After a long pause, Akira finally spoke.

"Menchi and I already..."

"I know." Pyon cut him off before he could finish.

Her previously wandering gaze now locked firmly onto his. Her pale pink pupils reflected Akira own image back at him, crystal clear.

"Akira, do you know what the most fundamental trait of a Hunter is?" She abruptly changed the subject, her question seemingly unrelated.

"Strength?" Akira thought for a moment before answering uncertainly. In his mind, a Hunter needed formidable power above all else.

"Strength is important, but it's not the core of what makes a Hunter." Pyon shook her head. His answer wasn't wrong—just incomplete.

"A true Hunter doesn't just need strength. They need unwavering determination—the resolve to pursue their goals without hesitation!"

With that, she took a sudden step forward, forcing Akira to retreat two paces.

The movement gave her enough space to slip inside. The first thing she did was shut the door behind her.

Leaning against it, Pyon advanced on Akira like a predator, backing him into a corner.

Rising slightly on her toes, she brought her lips close to his ear and whispered.

"I don't care about you and Menchi. If anything, I'm the one intruding."

"It might be unfair to her, but too bad—I'm a Hunter."

"And as a Hunter, I seize what I treasure with both hands!"

"I never let go of my prey!"

"That's what it means to be a Hunter!"

What she did might not be right, but Pyon only knew one thing.

If she gave up because of these concerns, it would likely become something she regretted for the rest of her life.

Living in this world, she couldn't do something she would regret. Just like when she chose to become a Hunter, tonight's decision was her own.

This was her choice—one without regrets!

***

At the Gourmet Paradise, inside Menchi small shop.

Menchi sat at the table, a blank sheet of paper laid out before her, her face illuminated by the warm yellow light.

She was pondering what improvements could still be made for the Gourmet Competition that she might have overlooked.

Her main responsibility since returning to the Gourmet Paradise was to oversee the planning of the competition, and she wanted to refine it wherever possible.

After a long while, she finally turned off the light and went to bed.

In the pitch-black room, Menchi bright eyes stood out vividly.

Having grown accustomed to being with Akira, she found it a little hard to adjust to sleeping alone and couldn't fall asleep right away.

I wonder what Akira is doing now?

Deep down, she had a vague premonition. When she learned that Pyon had invited Akira, this thought had crossed her mind. But she wouldn't deliberately interfere—she would let things take their course.

In her eyes, Akira was the most outstanding person in the world and it was only natural for someone like him to be pursued by others.

If no one else liked Akira, that would be the real surprise...

Now that Akira reputation had spread across the Six Continents, countless female fans dreamed of marrying him.

Menchi felt that wanting to monopolize Akira would be unreasonable.

She was already incredibly fortunate to have him—she didn't dare ask for more.

To put it bluntly, being with Akira was already a stroke of luck beyond her station. There were probably countless people across the Six Continents who wished they were in her position.

Especially Pyon—she had noticed it during the last meeting.

Pyon definitely had feelings for Akira!

It was a woman intuition!

As fellow Hunters, Menchi also understood what kind of decision Pyon would make. But she wouldn't say anything, because if their roles were reversed, she would have made the same choice.

All to avoid regret!

As Akira woman and his most devoted fan, Menchi was very open-minded about this sort of thing.

In fact, if Akira ever expressed such an interest, she might even help him find someone herself.

But no matter what Pyon did, Menchi position as the first would never be shaken—Pyon could only be the second, while she remained the main wife!

***

The next morning, Akira woke up first, quietly gazing at the disheveled bed, feeling an inexplicable sense of unreality.

But seeing Pyon still sleeping soundly, he accepted everything.

Menchi and Pyon were two very different types. Menchi had a mature, big-sister aura—broad-minded, usually impatient, but gentle as water when it mattered.

Pyon was the cute type, also generous in her own way.

Normally quirky and playful, she took a cute approach, but in crucial moments, she became completely wild—like a different person.

Pyon words from yesterday had truly shaken him.

It was the first time he had seen a Hunter so fiercely determined about their goal!

Pyon wasn't wrong.

Looking at the various characters in Hunter x Hunter, every Hunter relentlessly pursued their objectives without hesitation.

Gon chased after Ging relentlessly for most of the story just to meet him, never once entertaining the thought of giving up along the way.

Kurapika, driven by vengeance, dared to establish a brutal Restriction and Vow, staking his very life with the sole purpose of killing his enemies.

Chairman Netero, in pursuit of martial arts, carried the heart of a child from youth to old age, never wavering in his resolve.

After a brief moment of reflection, Pyon also woke up.

The two shared breakfast and then spent some intimate time together.

Afterward, they decided to move forward toward their goal. That being—Karst Mine Valley!

***

Karst Mine Valley—one of the largest mining valleys on Flame Rock Island, located south of Flame Rock City.

Since Karst Mine Valley wasn't far from Flame Rock City, many miners and archaeologists chose to live in Flame Rock City.

They would head to the mining valley in the morning and return to Flame Rock City to rest at night.

As a result, many also chose to dig up goods in the valley and then immediately sell them in the nearby Flame Rock City.

The middle-aged man they encountered yesterday was one such example. Instead of cutting the stones on-site in Karst Mine Valley, he transported them to the marketplace in Flame Rock City to sell as "gambling stones."

This was one of the primary sources of income for many miners.

Miners here could generally be divided into two types: The first were those who received fixed wages.

These were usually employed by local mining companies, which provided them with mining equipment—some even covered food and lodging.

In exchange, they had daily quotas to meet, such as working a set number of hours. Failing to meet these would result in wage deductions.

The second were freelancers, unaffiliated with any mining company.

They purchased all their own equipment, and how much they mined depended entirely on their own skills. However, to dig inside the valley, they had to pay the local government.

Every mining valley had checkpoints, and freelancers had to pay before they could enter and mine.

This was charged on a daily basis.

"So, do we have to pay to get in too?" Akira looked at the crowded checkpoint with a long queue and turned to Pyon beside him for an answer.

After last night events, the two had grown much closer—something evident in the distance between them.

Previously, they had maintained a certain space as friends, but now that distance had noticeably shrunk.

"No need. This is part of the Hunter benefits—we can enter for free." Pyon shook her head lightly.

As Hunters, they didn't have to pay to enter.

Hunters enjoyed numerous privileges, granting them free access to many locations. Even some restricted areas could be entered with a Hunter License.

It was said that Hunters could enter 90% of generally prohibited countries and 75% of restricted zones.

They could also use public facilities for free—95% of them—and access web pages without spending a single Jenny.

The mining valleys of Flame Rock Island were also included in these Hunter benefits.

One could say that becoming a Hunter made earning money incredibly easy.

The license could also be used as collateral.

Selling it could ensure seven generations of descendants lived comfortably, while using it as collateral could secure high-value loans.

Simply pawning a Hunter License could fetch hundreds of millions of Jenny.

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