"Even after I warned you… you know how the system operates. The final stage is definitely harder than Round 9. And that one already almost killed you. So just imagine what the last one's like…"

Xiang Nan didn't need to say more—his message was loud and clear.

But under those words, there was a deeper implication.

He didn't say it outright.

Still, both Orban and Beishi understood.

What Xiang Nan was really getting at… was that Orban wasn't good enough—not just in terms of raw strength, but in strategy, foresight, decision-making, and overall potential as a player. Honestly, if it hadn't been for Xiang Nan's help, Orban and Pigeon wouldn't have made it past Extinction Level 8. That was their ceiling.

It was Xiang Nan who accelerated their understanding of the Reincarnation Dimension. Xiang Nan who provided the intel. Xiang Nan who even cured Orban's blindness. That alone gave Orban a massive boost. And now he had Altana energy too.

"So this is where it ends?"

Orban clenched his jaw, clearly frustrated.

He was this close—just one stage away from finishing the entire Extinction Game.

He could've become the representative player for the Hunter x Hunter world.

That's the kind of thing players dream of. But to reach that dream, he'd have to jump off a cliff that would easily shatter him to pieces.

"Use the same type of Altana from now on to recover—don't switch it up," Xiang Nan warned. "Your body can't handle different strains right now. And you've probably noticed… your Nen's regressed. That's from the transplants. You'll need to retrain from the ground up. Slowly."

He was making it clear—this last mission left some serious damage.

Orban's strength? Nowhere near what it was.

Trying to clear Round 10 like this? Practically suicide.

"I'm heading out."

Xiang Nan turned and left without looking back.

"I'll walk you out."

Beishi glanced at the dazed Orban, then followed after him.

Outside the hospital, Beishi hesitated. "You sure you don't need backup? I'm the only one left… and going after Pariston alone? That just doesn't sit right with me."

"No need," Xiang Nan replied calmly. "I'm not the only one who wants him dead."

Beishi blinked. "Huh? Who else?"

Sure, Pariston had a long list of people who hated him. But actually trying to kill the guy? That list was short.

He was the Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association. One of the Zodiacs. Anyone who went after him publicly would basically be going to war with the entire Association.

And Netero would never sit that out.

"Someone targeting him alone? Hard to find," Xiang Nan said with a faint smile. "But enemies of the Hunter Association? Yeah… they're out there."

He left that mystery hanging, flagged down a cab, and told Beishi to stay in touch before disappearing into the city.

"…Wait."

Beishi's eyes lit up. "Ohhh… clever. Why didn't I think of that?"

…

Onboard the airship back to Yorknew City, Xiang Nan scrolled through the news—and saw something familiar.

A report from the hospital about Orban's condition, published in an academic journal, was blowing up in the industry. His and Orban's photos were plastered all over the article.

Guess that was his official debut as a pro Hunter.

But honestly, at this point, he didn't even need the Hunter Association anymore. He'd already gotten training from Linne, reached a new level of understanding with Nen, and hit every goal he'd set. Even if the Padokea military exposed him or V5 found out the truth, Xiang Nan wouldn't care.

Sure, the Association couldn't revoke his license—not officially. But V5 was another story. If they really wanted, they could make an exception and kick him out.

They could just stop recognizing him as a Hunter altogether.

But that didn't matter anymore.

Being a Hunter? It didn't threaten him in any way now.

That said, the title still had its perks. First, it gave him the freedom to go after Pariston without drawing too much attention. Second, it helped with his professional image.

The Association had been around for years, with major social influence, thanks in part to V5's unofficial support. The Hunter ID could open doors, save him from wasting time and resources.

With it, he could skip red tape—without pulling rank as someone high up in the Republic of Padokea.

Plus, in terms of career development? The Hunter Association was still a solid platform.

So yeah. It still had some value.

Not much—but better than nothing.

Beep beep beep.

His phone buzzed.

"What is it?"

"We found the group you mentioned," said Mia on the other end. "But everyone we sent got killed."

"They're clearly not interested in talking."

"Oh?" Xiang Nan raised an eyebrow. "You're basically a Ten Don already, and even you couldn't get through to them?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, makes sense. To him, the Ten Dons are just noise."

"Did the people you sent deliver the message like I told them to?"

"…Not sure."

Mia sounded awkward.

"All right, I'll handle it. How are things on your end?"

"Going well. With their help, the Zatobi family's taken control of nearly all local forces."

"Not bad. Let's leave it there, then."

After a bit more chatting, Xiang Nan hung up.

He thought for a moment… then dialed another number.

"Hello?"

It was Illumi.

"I've got a job," Xiang Nan said. "Dangerous. But I'm not paying you."

"…You're skipping out on payment? Not happening. I don't care how long we've worked together—a job's a job."

Illumi sounded surprised, but quickly defaulted to his usual flat tone, like he was ready to hang up.

Then something clicked, and his tone shifted.

"The Zoldycks don't do credit. You know that. And I doubt you're calling just to waste my time. That's not your style. You only reach out when it matters."

"If someone like you is calling it dangerous… then this must be serious."

"No money, huh? You must be offering something else instead."

"Heh… bingo."

Xiang Nan grinned. "Illumi… wanna board my ship, same as Hisoka did?"