Under the expert craftsmanship of Mikhael, the master artisan of the Moose Centaur Tribe, Morel's pipe underwent "enchantment" through the ability Enhancement: Ultimate Forging.
"This is… enchantment?"
"That's right. Give it a try. I have full confidence in my craft—I'd never waste even a single Alchemic Plant: Metallion."
Mikhael wiped the sweat off his face with a rough towel.
Morel gripped the long end of his pipe, holding it upright. He adjusted his sunglasses and carefully examined the engraved markings on its surface.
Alchemic Plant: Metallion – Water Element Enchantment.
The symbol resembled flowing waves, and the moment Morel activated his Nen, it began to glow brilliantly.
His Nen now carried the properties of the Water Element.
This was something completely different from his Deep Purple.
His pipe had always functioned by physically igniting tobacco, then amplifying the smoke through his Emission-Type ability before controlling it with his core Manipulation-Type skills.
Now, with the Water Element Enchantment, his ability effectively bridged different Nen Categories, granting him access to Transformation-Type techniques.
This made it his third auxiliary system, alongside Emission and Specialization.
Morel tested his newly enhanced pipe. Combining it with his Deep Purple, he conjured an illusionary scene of swirling mist and water, creating a dreamlike mirage as if he were standing in the middle of a floating oasis.
"Hahaha! This is incredible! Mikhael, I have to thank you for your craftsmanship!"
"It's nothing. I just did what I could. Your people have done far more for our tribe in return."
Mikhael responded humbly, then exchanged a glance with Morel before both men burst into laughter.
For Morel, a Manipulation-Type Nen User and a Sea Hunter, this enchantment was an undeniable boon.
Mist and water—two of his most trusted "partners"—could both be wielded at his command, undoubtedly boosting his combat strength significantly.
Just like Morel, Menchi, who was also a Manipulation-type Nen user, benefited greatly.
Her ability, Twin Blade Rhapsody, combined with Fire Element Enchantment, formed the Blazing Twin Blades, which could deal devastating damage, especially against enemies weak to fire.
It could be said that Alchemic Plant: Metallion was an enchantment-type plant that greatly enhanced weapon users, particularly those with Manipulation-type Nen.
Compared to Morel and Menchi, Shizuku's Wind Element Enchantment on her Inverted Cross didn't improve her abilities as much.
In fact, she often forgot that her Inverted Cross could even be used in battle.
That was just how she was—there was no changing it.
After expressing their gratitude to the old craftsman, Mikhael, and bidding farewell to the old chieftain of the Moose Centaur Tribe, as well as the Scela and Kioris brothers, the group finally set off to return to the Ancient Labyrinth.
By the end of February, they arrived back at the Ancient Labyrinth and regrouped with the others who had stayed behind at the Ancient Labyrinth Castle, completing all their preparations.
On the morning of March 1st, everyone gathered at the top floor of the Ancient Labyrinth Tower as scheduled.
Since Shizuku's memory was unreliable—sometimes sharp, sometimes completely absent—the ones responsible for double-checking the supply list were Bisky, Menchi, and Sanbica.
Ging stood off to the side with his hands in his pockets, while Morel leaned against the wall, puffing on his large pipe. The two battle-hardened men remained as composed as ever.
Compared to them, Knuckle was much livelier. He was warming up, stretching his body, while his pompadour bounced up and down, side to side, with his movements.
Once everything was ready, Germain activated the Special Teleportation Lantern of the Ancient Labyrinth Tower.
Four gaunt, Messenger ghosts crawled out from behind the lantern's base, their cold eyes scanning the group before reluctantly extending their hands.
The first group—Germain, along with Ging, Bisky, and Shizuku—was sent ahead to the "Steep Mountain Range."
Upon arrival, they were greeted by jagged rocks and towering peaks. The four of them stood at a high point on the mountain, with a bottomless abyss right beside them.
The steepness of the cliffs made it feel as if they were balancing on the edge of a blade.
The howling mountain winds roared past, making it seem like they could be blown off the cliff at any moment.
Stretching as far as the eye could see were rolling mountains and vast, lush forests. In the distance, thick clouds obscured the horizon, hiding what lay beyond.
At least for now, Germain and the others didn't sense any immediate danger.
On the surface, this place didn't seem too different from the deep forests and remote mountains of the Six Continents.
"I'm heading back to get the others," Germain said, crouching beside the "Teleport Lantern," accompanied by the "Messenger Imp." "Be careful."
Bisky gave him an OK gesture, while Ging and Shizuku simply nodded.
With that, Germain activated the Teleport Lantern and returned to the "Ancient Labyrinth Tower" to transport the second group—Morel, Menchi, and Sanbica.
Once again, the transfer was a success. Germain repeated the process one last time, bringing the final member—Knuckle.
Buhara waved at Germain and Knuckle as they disappeared. Then, surrounded by the quiet of the "Tower" and "Castle," he adjusted his mindset and began his "solitary gourmet" lifestyle.
After bringing Knuckle to the Steep Mountain Range and regrouping with the others, Germain took the opportunity to check the projection on his "Hunter Badge" while everyone was busy surveying the surroundings.
After five consecutive teleport jumps, Germain had accumulated three types of "negative traits" and two types of "illnesses" as side effects.
--- Three Types of "Negative Traits" ---
"Pale": Slightly reduces resistance to damage such as "bleeding" and "corrosion."
"Contemplative": Slightly reduces the effectiveness of "stress removal."
"Anxious": When outside the "Dark Continent," stress increases by a certain amount each week.
--- Two Types of "Diseases" ---
"Black Death": Significantly reduces resistance to "corrosion" and "disease," while greatly lowering "maximum health" and "speed."
"Tapeworm Infection": Doubles the rate of "food digestion."
After checking his status through the Hunter Badge, Germain wasted no time in taking out an injection refined from Herb for All-illnesses and giving himself a shot.
Hiss—
Everyone turned to look at him, quickly understanding why he had done that.
"You caught a disease?" Shizuku squatted down, wrapping her arms around her knees as she stared at Germain. "Feeling any better?"
Germain checked the Hunter Badge's projection again.
The Black Death was gone, but the Tapeworm Infection remained. He shared the update with the others.
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