Hunter X Hunter: Tombbound Power

The sun slowly ascended into the sky, casting its blinding light and bringing with it a slight warmth—just enough to remind everyone that this was another clear day, perfect for the upcoming phase.

The boat's speed began to decrease, signaling to the examinees that they were nearing their destination.

Through the window, what first caught their eyes was a desolate, wrecked ship—a graveyard of wrecks, sprawled out like the remains of forgotten vessels.

The boat released the examinees, leaving them ashore without any hint of departing. Their attention shifted to the elderly couple standing before them, smiling kindly.

"Welcome to our hotel~"

(T/N: As I understand it, in this fanfic they made a stop on a non-canon island)

"Are they the examiners for this round?" one of the examinees muttered, confused by the warm welcome.

"Doesn't seem like it," Gon said, tilting his head. "I don't feel any tension coming from them."

Ronnel, still scanning his surroundings, muttered quietly,

"Is this Arakuda Island?"

The elderly couple introduced themselves with warm smiles, explaining the details of the island hotel.

"After extensive renovations, this ship now serves as your hotel for the duration of your stay. This very hotel has had the honor of hosting the ...., along with many other distinguished guests. We call it the Baiya Palace, the crown jewel of hotels on the sea."

The hotel owner beamed with pride as he spoke.

Baiya Palace, the world-renowned name that could easily rival establishments like the Hilton from another life.

But even with that grand comparison, could you really claim to be the only place worth staying within a hundred miles? And how often do kings and princesses visit a place as desolate as this?

As the examinees grumbled quietly to themselves, the elderly couple relayed a message from the Hunter Association.

The fourth phase of the exam was set to begin in three days, giving the examinees time to rest and recuperate.

Hearing it was sanctioned by the Hunter Association, most of the 36 examinees—except for Ronnel—breathed a collective sigh of relief, the fatigue from their 72-hour ordeal in the Trick Tower finally catching up to them.

As they prepared to enter the hotel, the couple stepped in front of them with that same smile.

After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch—or a free hotel stay.

When the owner mentioned that a deposit of 10 million Jenny was required for a room, the examinees were furious.

"Ten million Jenny? You could live in a luxury hotel for half a year with that kind of money!" one of them exclaimed.

To give you some perspective The amount they're asking for would be like paying for five fights on the 200th floor of Heavens Arena.

Despite the examinees' outrage, the owner remained cheerful, offering an alternative.

"We're antique dealers, you see. If you collect valuable antiques from the nearby shipwrecks, you can earn yourself a free stay. The rarer the treasure, the more luxurious your room will be."

Ronnel scanned the nearby shipwrecks, casting a knowing glance at the couple.

They were antique dealers, all right. The equipment they carried was top-notch for such a profession. But they likely worked for the Hunter Association, using the examinees to salvage treasures that hadn't yet been recovered. It was a clever, cost-saving scheme.

As the other examinees stripped off their outer layers and dove into the water, ready to scavenge for antiques, Ronnel also began his search. His goal? The shipwreck carrying relics of the Kurta Clan.

The Kurta were unique, possessing "scarlet eyes"—one of the seven most beautiful things in the world. Those eyes, while breathtaking, granted their owners exceptional power.

In their normal state, Kurta Nen-users had abilities of various types. But once their eyes turned scarlet, they would switch to the Enhancement category, gaining even greater abilities.

Kurapika, for instance, was a Manipulator under normal circumstances, with his signature Nen ability being the Judgment Chain. But when his scarlet eyes activated, he could use the terrifying Absolute Time ability, making him a force to be reckoned with.

Ronnel's eyes were set on obtaining a second type of Nen.

Although his current Nen ability Gravekeeper's Grasp had been immensely useful in battle and had bolstered his strength, it was primarily an enhancement technique. His other abilities—Face Changing, Paladin's Glory, and Upgrade Game—had all been acquired through Gravekeeper's Grasp as well.

But while Face Changing had its utility as a support skill, it didn't offer much in terms of sheer combat power. Likewise, Paladin's Glory and Upgrade Game were mainly tools to further boost his already impressive strength.

Ever since his battle with Sparka, Upgrade Game had provided him with a significant power boost. But since then, it had plateaued, offering only minor benefits when he fought weaker opponents like Chirp and Johnny. It seemed that unless Ronnel faced someone as powerful as Sparka—or stronger—Upgrade Game would remain dormant.

Ronnel took a deep breath, diving into the wreckage below. His mind raced with thoughts of the Kurta Clan's power, the scarlet eyes, and the Nen potential they unlocked. This treasure hunt was more than just a test—it was an opportunity to further his journey to true strength.

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