Chapter 122: Promotion to Two-Star × One Year
The Field family acted swiftly.
Not long after, the Twelve Zodiac members arrived one by one on Hero Island.
They didn't all come together ... some were still on missions.
Even the Guild Master appeared, since the invitation from the Field family had been orchestrated by Haze himself.
When Haze personally extended the invitation, Netero gladly took the chance to get on his good side.
Of course, the old man wasn't foolish. Once he understood the situation, he deduced that Ging was temporarily trapped inside the game and unable to leave.
The fact that Pariston was brought along meant this was part of Ging's plan.
Haze would never have invited Pariston on his own.
Ging had personally intervened, bringing Pariston in to restrain Haze.
He did it because, as Guild Master, he believed he had made a "mistake."
Netero found that amusing. He didn't think of himself as old or in need of help.
More likely, Ging simply regarded Haze as too dangerous.
When the Twelve Zodiacs learned that the creator of Hero Island was Haze, and after experiencing the game's mechanics and entertainment for themselves, they were left in disbelief. Their impression of him shifted completely.
It's worth noting that inside the game, regardless of one's real-world strength, everyone starts on equal ground ... the rules make no exception.
Even the Guild Master could be defeated ... or killed ... though revival was always possible.
Thus, the Twelve Zodiacs dove headfirst into the game's mechanics, forming five-member teams to challenge the Guild Master himself.
Naturally, they all noticed the trap hidden within the "Player Agreement," but it didn't worry them much ... because Ging had already found the one loophole in the seemingly perfect contract, minimizing its cost.
The game drew energy based on the ratio of rewards earned after victories.
In other words, as long as players kept their wagers before each match low ... or nonexistent ... they could avoid being exploited, at least to a great extent. But it couldn't be avoided completely.
Since the system was designed by Haze himself, it was remarkable that Ging managed to find even such a small gap in it.
Naturally, he wouldn't publicize this discovery. Only the Twelve Zodiacs (except Pariston) knew.
And even if it were revealed, it wouldn't matter ... human nature is greedy.
Most people don't have such pure willpower.
Once inside the game, aside from personal growth, the thrill of gambling was the greatest temptation. For the sake of victory, players would go to any extreme.
As for Pariston ... he couldn't even participate.
His account had been banned.
The moment he registered and was teleported to the resting zone, before he could even enter the game map or explore, a ray of light enveloped him ... forcefully ejecting him to the island's edge.
There, a squad of enhanced Nen users from the Field family surrounded him.
Several speedboats waited by the shore.
"For reasons unknown, you've been permanently expelled from the game and forbidden from approaching this island," said Morel, the leader, coldly. He gestured politely. "Please, this way."
They would personally escort Pariston back to the Republic of Padokia.
He'd been outplayed.
Pariston smiled faintly.
Why ban him after he'd already entered the game?
Because he had already signed the "Player Agreement." From that moment on, no matter how he tried to appear on the island, the game system would immediately detect him.
Pariston was convinced this wasn't a joint scheme by Ging and Haze ... it was Haze's doing alone.
"My intuition was right… He knows me too well."
His smile didn't fade.
From the very first time he'd met Haze, he had sensed that man's distrust and disgust toward him ...
and that feeling… was thrilling.
"Ging must've paid quite the price for this…"
"Since you've involved yourself, then so will I," Pariston murmured as he narrowed his eyes toward the island. "Let's work together to drive out the most dangerous man of all…"
He glanced once more at the coastline, then obediently boarded the boat.
With Ging nearby, approaching Hero Island would be much harder ... and Netero's presence showed a clear stance.
So, for now, the only move was against Haze.
Meanwhile, Haze resumed his training ... guiding rookie Hunters while hunting magical beasts.
Time passed slowly.
A month later, news reached him ...
the Guild Master and Twelve Zodiacs had all departed.
There were still countless duties awaiting them in the Association, and even if the game was fascinating, they couldn't stay immersed forever.
After all, a game is a game, and reality is reality.
No matter how many victories or levels one achieved in-game, it held little meaning in real life ... beyond improving teamwork and coordination.
However, after this event, Netero got an idea: when Hero Island officially launched, letting Association Hunters play could enhance team synergy.
It might just strengthen the organization overall.
And with that, Ging's objective was fulfilled.
He had brought the Twelve Zodiacs so everyone could see the truth ...
Haze hadn't created this game just for fun. He had a purpose.
At the same time, the Zodiacs began to pay far closer attention to Haze.
Until now, he had rarely appeared before them. Aside from being raised and mentored by the Guild Master, they knew little about him.
There had been a deliberate underestimation ... except from Pariston.
Now things had changed.
Even without Ging saying a word, the more perceptive Zodiacs ... like Cheadle ... understood his intentions perfectly.
Haze had ambition.
Great ambition.
His purpose for joining the Association was far from simple.
"Honestly, I didn't want you to come," Ging sighed softly atop a seaside cliff, hands in his pockets, gazing at the smiling Netero. "Even if you'd sensed Haze's intentions, you wouldn't have changed your mind, right? He read me perfectly ... brought you here not just to show his stance, but to remind me… that as long as you're still President, nothing I do really matters."
"Hmm…" Netero stroked his beard, eyes on the sea.
The wind fluttered through his long robes.
"There's too much uncertainty surrounding Haze," Netero said calmly. "Perhaps I've underestimated his danger. But control isn't achieved through force. As long as he has something to gain and power to pursue in this world, he'll stay his course. Benefit ... that's the best leash."
"He let me into the game and didn't care what I did. That means he's already achieved his purpose. He's certain I can't destroy or stop him. Tell me, Ging ... how much do you think he's improved through this game?"
"He's just waiting for the right moment," Ging replied. "When the time comes, he'll probably head to the Dark Continent."
"As long as I'm here ... that's impossible," Netero chuckled.
"His current power is beyond comprehension. Beating you is impossible, but your odds of fully controlling him are slim. I'd say he's no weaker than Ginta the Goat among the Zodiacs. And I suspect by the time the game's public beta launches ... six months from now ... his power will rise even further."
"He's forged himself through blood and fire… a true martial artist. This game means a lot to him, yet he still helps newcomers with missions. Is that really his personality? Clearly, he's plotting something more ... something tied to strength. From his actions, it's obvious: he's preparing to infiltrate the Association's leadership and seize power. I think we should prevent him from joining the Zodiacs."
"Pariston probably thinks the same," Ging added.
Netero only smiled.
"Sigh… I knew this was pointless," Ging exhaled. As Haze had predicted, the Guild Master wouldn't be persuaded.
"Kill him, then… what do you say?" Netero joked, winking mischievously.
"Don't joke like that," Ging muttered, shaking his head and turning away. "You're just testing the goodness of his heart. You made up your mind from the start. You believe you can guide him down the right path. But you know as well as I do ... right now, Haze could ignore you, the Association, even defect to the other side, if he wished."
"Permission, qualification, resources, contracts… Of these four, permission is the easiest for someone like him to obtain."
"If you ask me, you'll lose ... and badly. His good and evil depend on himself, not others. Besides me, he's seen through even you."
With that, Ging waved goodbye and left.
His voice lingered on the wind.
"I really hope I'm wrong…"
"But I'm not wrong at all," Netero murmured, eyes fixed on the white surf below the cliff.
He drifted into deep thought.
Ten months later.
Standing atop the World Tree, 1,784 meters high, Haze felt the soft breeze brush against his face as he gazed at the golden sun rising over the horizon.
He removed his sunglasses, revealing a faint smile.
The World Tree stood at the heart of a city on the surface. Elevators reached up to 500 meters ... but beyond that, or reaching the very top, was impossible for ordinary people.
Its majesty and grandeur could be seen from tens of kilometers away. In the human world, it was a colossus… yet on the Dark Continent, this "World Tree" would be little more than a sapling.
The human world was merely an island in a lake; its soil's nutrients couldn't compare to those of the Dark Continent.
One could only imagine how magnificent ... and terrifying ... that land truly was.
Beep, beep, beep.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Haze took it out.
"Mr. Haze, your application for a Two-Star Hunter license has been approved. Congratulations! You are now officially a Two-Star Ancient Texts Hunter."
"Thank you," Haze replied with a small smile, ending the call.
He opened his system panel:
Host: Haze
Age: 25
Profession: Two-Star Ancient Texts Hunter
Combat Rank: Dojo Master / Sub-world-Class Hunter (Upgradeable to World-Class)
Overall Attribute Rating: Second-Tier Superhuman
(End of Chapter)