Gourmet Hunter (HxH Fanfic)

The merchant caravan's armed forces were formidable, but the sand bandits had greater numbers and strength.

This was a battle for survival in the desert… there was no avoiding it.

The hundred sand bandits charged like rolling thunder, and in moments, the caravan fell beneath their assault, screams echoing as blood soaked the yellow sand.

In less than five minutes, not a single member of the merchant group remained alive, as all were killed by the sword.

On the other hand, only a few of the sand bandits were injured.

The leader of the sand bandits is the man with the braided beard named Geralt. He had dark skin and sharp, hawk-like eyes.

He guided his mount to the top of a dune, gazing toward the direction of Elba Oasis. Below, his men were already looting the spoils.

"Boss, what should we do with the leftover armored bulls?" A burly man with thick body hair approached Geralt from behind.

Geralt replied coolly: "Slaughter them. Take the stomach sacs."

"Understood."

Hearing this, the man drove his blood-eyed armored bull down the dune.

In addition to the stomach that holds water, the meat of the armored bull can also be used as food. The sand bandits all understand this, but since Geralt had ordered only the stomach sacs, they abandoned any thought of butchering the carcasses.

People in the desert are all trying to survive, but sand bandits are different. They are like locusts, leaving nothing alive in their wake.

After dealing with the spoils with super-fast efficiency, the hundred-strong sand bandits continued to wander aimlessly around the oasis. Any team that wanted to go to the oasis or any team that came out of the oasis was their target.

…

The Third Prince's Palace.

Fatima sat with her head down with her ears slightly red. She like an ostrich with its head retracted.

William's expression remained unreadable. He had accepted Law's explanation, especially since Fatima hadn't objected.

"Fatima, Father has summoned you."

William looked at Fatima, who was unsettled.

"Has the Sixth Prince of Goro arrived?" Fatima abrubtly looked up.

"He won't reach Alvada for another three days. Father must have already made his decision since he summoned you." William replied.

Fatima's face darkened, her feet seemed to have taken root… she had no intention of getting up, nor did she want to move a step.

She didn't want to marry into another kingdom, nor did she want to be the unlucky one among the seven princesses.

"As a member of the royal family, you don't have a choice." William said bluntly, unconcerned with Law's presence.

"Then why do you get one?" Fatima suddenly slammed her hands on the table, her chair toppling backward with a crash.

William looked at the agitated Fatima and said calmly, "Because I have no interest in that position."

Fatima fell silent after hearing this, and her agitation gradually calmed down. She stared at William's composed expression for a long moment before finally stepping past him and Law without another word, heading for the door.

William didn't turn to watch her leave.

"My apologies for the scene." William said, glancing at Law.

"Ah, no need." Law replied awkwardly.

William nodded, then got straight to the point: "I'll be ready to depart in two days. I'll handle the supplies."

"I might need to bring someone with me." Law said at this time.

"A Nen User?" William asked.

Law nodded.

"Okay, I'll send someone to inform you when I'm ready." Upon hearing that it was a Nen User, William simply agreed. Since they were going to the Forbidden Zone, it would be better to have fewer, but stronger people in the team.

"Got it." Law stood up and was about to leave. He looked at William and asked, "Why do you want to go to the Forbidden Zone?"

William looked at Law with calm eyes, and answered after a moment: "There's someone whose bones shouldn't remain there. She needs to come home."

"Understood."

Law didn't ask who she was. He left the palace.

Goro Oasis is a must-go place, and the Forbidden Zone is also a must-go place.

…

After returning to Sabro's house, Law went to Linne's room and stated his intentions: "I'm heading to Goro."

"Where you go is your own business." Linne replied.

"Still, I thought I'd let you know." Law said with a smile.

Linne fell silent.

"How long will it take for your waist to recover? I'm still waiting for you to teach me everything you know." Law asked.

Linne snorted and said, "I'll let you know when I'm fully recovered."

"Alright, I'm off to eat then." Law gave a casual wave and turned to leave.

Just then, Linne suddenly spoke again: "The danger level in the Forbidden Zone is quite high, be careful."

Law paused mid-step, scratched his head, and said, " Guess I couldn't hide it from you. But don't worry… no matter how dangerous it is, it's nothing compared to the Dark Continent. And I know my limits."

With that, he left without another word.

Linne stared at the door as it swung shut behind him, remaining silent.

Outside, Sabro was leaning against the wall, watching Law as he stepped out.

Seeing Sabro, Law was not surprised at all. His gaze lingered on Sabro for a brief moment before he headed straight for the staircase.

Sabro followed him, and the two of them went downstairs together to the shop below.

"You're going to the Forbidden Zone?" Sabro asked.

Buhara, who had been minding the stall at the entrance, immediately turned his head when he heard Sabro's words.

"Yeah." Law responded.

"Countless people have died there over the past century. With so many examples right in front of you, are you blind or just stupid?" Sabro was so agitated that he spit some saliva while speaking.

Law stepped back slightly, avoiding Sabro's spit, and said seriously: "How will I know the outcome if I don't try?"

"Is it necessary to try? You can't even make it through a sandstorm!" Sabro said coldly.

Law shrugged, then abruptly changed the subject, "Does Salin have anything on her that can prove her identity?"

"What are you implying?" Sabro's face tightened.

"If I make it in, I might be able to bring her out on my way back." Law did not mention the word 'corpse' directly, but the implication was clear.

"And just who the hell do you think you are?"

Sabro's face darkened instantly. He spat out the words before storming out of the shop in a rage.

Law watched Sabro leave, and could probably guess why Sabro had such a reaction.

He looked at Buhara and said, "Come with me the day after tomorrow. We're going somewhere."

"Got it." Buhara agreed without hesitation.

That night, Sabro came back drunk and collapsed right outside the shop entrance. Buhara found him and carried him back to his room.

Two days passed.

At noon, William sent a messenger to inform Law that they were to meet at the northern gate immediately.

Since William had taken care of the supplies, Law and Buhara did not carry much when they left.

When Law and Buhara walked a distance away, Sabro, who was sitting on a low stool, suddenly spoke up, "She wore a locket. Inside was a photo of the two of us."

Law paused for a moment, turned back to look at Sabro, and said, "Got it, please take good care of Linne."

After saying that, he left.

Thirty minutes later, Law and Buhara arrived at the northern gate.

At the edge of the open space, there were three armored cows with many packages hanging on them. Next to them stood a burly man wearing a hat and face covering.

When Law saw the tightly dressed man, he recognized him as William at a glance, so he walked over and asked in surprise, "You're going alone?"

William pulled down his mask slightly and said calmly: "Do you think anyone else would want to go there?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure emerged from the passing crowd, came to them and said, "There's me too."

She was a plain-looking woman and her body was wrapped in a loose robe, so it was impossible to tell what her figure was like.

Law and William looked at the woman and raised their eyebrows almost at the same time.

"Go back!" William's tone was filled with anger.

When Law heard her voice, he felt quite helpless. The woman's voice and the faint trace of perfume gave her away… it was Fatima.

He had no idea how she'd altered her appearance, but there was no mistaking her.

If Law could recognize her, William could naturally recognize her too.

"No." Fatima retorted with a huff.