On a sprawling airship cutting through the skies between the Yorbian Continent and the Republic of Padokea, Cade sat quietly among the other passengers. The vessel hummed with a faint mechanical rhythm, its engines purring like a well-fed beast as it soared above the cloud layer.

Cade had chosen a window seat far from the bustling lounge area, where boisterous merchants and adventurers exchanged stories. He preferred solitude, blending seamlessly into the crowd with his reserved demeanor. Outside the window, the sprawling expanse of blue skies and drifting clouds stretched endlessly, interrupted only by the vast expense of the blue sea below.

His thoughts churned as he gazed out at the horizon, the faint murmur of conversation around him fading into the background.

' It's been almost five months since I arrived in this world. In that time, I've mastered Nen, developed a complex Hatsu, trained a few students, and even secured a high-paying job—one I'm on my way to right now.'

The waitress approached with a tray of drinks, offering one to Cade. He shook his head in polite decline, his focus elsewhere.

He turned his attention to the magical Rubik’s Cube in his hand, idly twisting its sides while his thoughts drifted.

'Before setting out, I made sure to replenish my stock of bioserums. Can’t risk running out mid-mission. And then there’s the Genetic Source Codex… I can’t wait to test the new functionality I unlocked.'

His lips curled into a subtle smile as his grip tightened on the cube.

'Once this job is done, my Nen capacity will grow even further. That’s when I’ll upgrade my Hatsu—perfect timing.'

For a moment, his thoughts shifted.

'I wonder how the orphanage and the MARTIAL CLUB are doing. I'll just call them when I off the ship'.

' let's look at the target profile again.'

Target Profile: Rin Kazeki

Alias: Night Artist

Age: 42~

Nen Type: Emitter

Hatsu: Ghostly Hands

Description:

Rin Kazeki, known by the alias "Night Artist," is a notorious criminal with exceptional combat expertise. His Hatsu, Ghostly Hands, allows him to emit dark, spectral hands made of Nen that can materialize up to 20 meters away. These ghostly appendages are highly versatile and capable of attacking, defending, or stealing objects from enemies. Stolen items vanish and reappear instantly beside Rin, giving him a significant tactical advantage in combat.

Rin has been linked to thirteen confirmed murders, showcasing his ruthlessness and lethality. No known family or close associates are tied to him, suggesting a solitary lifestyle that makes tracking him particularly challenging.

Current Status:

Rin was last seen a week ago at the Oakwood Hotel in the central district of the Padokea Republic but his current location remains unknown.

Cade stared at the file in front of him, deep in thought, as he analyzed the details of the elusive killer.

"People like Rin are always troublesome to track," he muttered, his tone low and annoyed. The report only listed Rin’s last known location—a week-old lead. "He’s probably switched locations by now. This is going to take forever. If only I had a Hunter's License, I’d have more options. Now I’m stuck piecing together his trail. Maybe this is some sort of test, too."

He closed the file.

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The airship touched down at the bustling Padokea airport. Cade disembarked quickly, stepping into the humid air as the noise of the city hit him. Navigating through the crowd, he flagged down a taxi waiting by the curb. He slid into the back seat and spoke firmly to the driver.

“Take me to Central City.”

The driver nodded and merged onto the main road. The city’s landscape began to blur past as Cade pulled out his phone. He tapped a number from his contacts and held the device to his ear.

The line rang twice before a male voice answered. “Who’s this?”

“It’s me, Cade. How’s your training going, Ezra?”

The voice on the other end immediately lightened, breaking into a chuckle. “Boss! You still remember us small-timers, even after heading to the big cities. Thanks for calling. Training’s... well, it’s going. I’ve been working on my Hatsu, but that visualization training you told me about—it’s hard. My mind keeps wandering.”

Cade leaned back against the seat, his tone shifting to something more encouraging. “You’re smart, Ezra. You’ll figure it out. But you have five, maybe six months at most. You need to be ready by then, or you’ll be left behind. That goes for everyone listening, too.”

There was a pause before Ezra spoke again, his voice sheepish. “How’d you know, boss? I put the phone on speaker. Vigil and Martin are here too.”

“I just know,” Cade replied, a faint smirk forming. “Listen, I’m out here hunting A-class criminals making hundreds of millions. If you want an easy life, keep slacking off and forget about these big cities. Got it?”

On the other end of the call, the three voices erupted in unison. “We’ll give it our all, boss! We won’t disappoint you!”

The enthusiasm made Cade hold the phone away from his ear, the loudspeaker almost unbearable. “Alright, calm down. Stop yelling. How’s the orphanage? Are you helping sister Yuno with the small jobs I told you to?”

Ezra’s voice returned, filled with pride. “Everything’s fine, boss. The kids are happy, going to school, and Sis Yuno doesn’t even have to shop anymore. Groceries are delivered right to their doorstep.”

Cade’s expression softened, though his voice remained steady. “Good. Keep it that way. I’m hanging up now. Take care, all of you.”

“You too, boss,” Ezra replied.

Cade ended the call, slipping his phone back into his pocket. His gaze turned to the window as the city skyline drew closer.