Chapter 30: License

As Auren exits the room, he notices a small figure standing beside Goreinu and Candidate No. 175.Beans… I don’t remember much, but I can’t forget that name. Is he a magical beast? A Nen user who made himself look like a bean? Either way, I shouldn’t dismiss him as a joke—he’s Netero’s secretary, one of the most influential Hunters in the Association.

The small man—almost comically round, green, and bean-like, with stubby limbs—begins to speak:

“Welcome back, Candidate No. 123! Congratulations on making it this far. I’m Beans, Secretary to Chairman Isaac Netero of the Hunter Association.”

“We’re just waiting for the last examiner to deliver the results and th—”

Suddenly, the door swings open, and a small piece of paper flies out, flying towards a bookshelf, the paper making a hard impact, getting stuck in the wood.

Beans sighs but hops over awkwardly and plucks the paper out in one motion.

“Let me now announce the results of the final exam,” he says. “Candidate No. 95 and Candidate No. 123, you pass! I’m sorry, Candidate No. 175—you’ve failed this time. However, you’ll be allowed to participate again next year without going through any prelims or trials. You’ll immediately get notified about the exam location.”

“WHY?!” the angry veteran shouts. “He just asked me some stupid questions! I told him I wanted to be a Blacklist Hunter! Should I have lied?!”

“I’m sorry,” Beans says with a sympathetic tone. “Each examiner has their own standards. We do consider physical and mental strength, along with knowledge and decision-making. I don’t think you were especially weak in any category… it simply seems the examiner didn’t believe you were suited to be a Hunter.”

Tightening his fists, the man sighs heavily, then storms out of the library, visibly frustrated.

I can feel his frustration. What a stupid exam! He just didn’t like him and failed him because of that?!

“Well… that’s always unpleasant. Let me congratulate you two again! Auren and Goreinu, right? I think you’ll both make wonderful Hunters. Please follow me!”

They follow Beans down to a small office on the ground floor and take their seats.

“It looks like both of you are Nen users,” Beans notes. “Usually, we assign a Hunter to help new licensees learn the basics. If either of you still needs help with Nen, I can request someone to teach you, even if you’re already familiar with it.”

“No need,” Auren replies immediately.

“I think we’re well past the basics by now,” Goreinu adds, looking slightly smug.

“Perfect!” Beans says cheerfully. “Your licenses are being printed as we speak. It might take a bit of time, so I’ll walk you through what you need to know to be a successful Hunter.”

This might be fun… I’ll let him talk. I might even learn something useful.

Beans spends the next two hours explaining the rights and privileges now available to them. He covers travel benefits, visa waivers, and how their license grants them free access to most paid services—among many other things.

What interests me most is our ‘license to kill.’ As Hunters, we’re legally allowed to kill. I’ll refrain from asking—no need to put him on guard. He might share something with someone else.

“Looks like we still have some time. Do either of you have questions?” Beans asks, visibly pleased with his explanation so far.

“Tell us more about the special site for Hunters,” Auren asks without hesitation.

I need the URL. I’ve got the license, but without that address, I’d have to rely on others. I could ask Buno and Bunu, but they’d likely have to cash in a favor just to get it.

“You’ve heard about it? I suppose I can tell you.” Beans scribbles the URL on a small piece of paper—it’s long and nonsensical, a mess of random letters and numbers.

He hands one copy each to Auren and Goreinu.

“Thank you,” Auren says with a smile. Goreinu also looks quite satisfied.

“Now, since we’ve still got time, how about we go over the Hunter bylaws—”

Just then, the receptionist enters, holding two small boxes.

“Excuse me, Secretary Beans. The licenses are ready,” she says, handing them over.

“Thank you, dear, that’ll be all,” Beans replies kindly.

“Now, let’s go over the bylaws befo—”

“We already know them. Right, Auren?” Goreinu says, his face twitching slightly.

Auren shrugs. “Yes, indeed.”

“I see… Well then—congratulations on officially becoming Hunters!” Beans says, opening the boxes and handing the licenses over—first to Auren, then to Goreinu.

Auren stares at his new Hunter License. He notices the final three digits—283—signifying the year of the exam.

“Follow me. You can either leave now, or maybe stay a little longer and spend some time with a special group of people,” he says, opening the door.

As they exit the room and follow Beans toward the lobby, they see Mizaistom, Cluck, Kanzai, and Pariston waiting for them.

They all clap and smile—except for Cluck and Kanzai, who look bored out of their minds.

“Congratulations!” Pariston says with a grin.

Beans then turns around and adds, “If you're interested, please have dinner with us. We'd love to get to know our new colleagues! Only one person passed on the offer and left immediately. Everyone else involved in the exam wants to congratulate you.”

I guess I'd better go.

“I’d love to,” Auren says, while Goreinu gets a bit nervous and simply responds, “Yes.”

They leave the Association branch and walk toward a restaurant directly across the street.

After quickly stepping inside, they’re led to a private room. A waitress swiftly brings them menus and takes down their orders. Within minutes, their drinks are served.

“A toast to our two new Hunters. Cheers!” Pariston says with a kind smile.

“Cheers,” everyone echoes.

Aside from Kanzai, who orders a beer, nobody else is drinking alcohol.

“So, you're really aiming to become a Treasure Hunter like me, Auren? Good choice! Knives, right?” Kanzai asks, chugging down his beer.

“I’m not limiting myself to knives. Let’s just say my former master sparked my interest in weapons. As long as it’s a true masterpiece and not just some overpriced collectible junk, I’m curious about all kinds of weapons and rare items,” Auren explains.

“Boring! Stupid! Useless!” Cluck blurts, clearly not impressed with Auren’s answer. “What about you, Eyebrow dude?” she asks, turning to Goreinu.

“Not so sure... maybe a Jackpot Hunter?” he replies vaguely.

“That’s rather vague, money is not a worthy goal in my opinion,” Mizaistom says, clearly unimpressed.

I’d love to cooperate with Pariston and show him what I can really do, but right now, it’s too risky. I need a bit longer. Only once I’ve reached the necessary strength can I go into business with Azure Restoration. It’s not like I don’t have other ways to get rich in the meantime. Revealing that ability out of greed would be the dumbest mistake ever. I can show off Limitless Waters all I want, but Azure Restoration has to stay a secret!

“So, what are your next steps, you two?” Pariston asks with a smile.

Goreinu shrugs. “No idea. I’ll head home for a while.”

Everyone turns to Auren.

“I had a rather... restrictive upbringing. Now that I have my freedom, my license, and plenty of time, I want to gain some experience. For that reason, I plan to head to Heaven’s Arena,” Auren explains.

“Are you sure? Revealing your ability like that?” Mizaistom questions.

“My ability is so versatile that even if someone knows it, nothing really changes. It’s low-risk, reliable, and depends entirely on training. There’s nothing to hide. I don’t expect I’ll have to rely on it, but even if I must, I’ll be fine,” Auren adds with a grin.

“If you’re looking for experience... I have a few pending requests that need attention,” Pariston offers with another grin.

“Excuse me, Pariston, but please don’t recruit the rookies. The chairman wouldn’t approve,” Beans interjects.

“I’m merely offering them safe options for a successful career,” Pariston replies with a shrug.

“Stupid Rat! Liar!” Cluck snaps.

“Only losers become Temp Hunters,” Kanzai chimes in.

“A clear goal is required, as per the Hunter bylaws. Temp Hunters shouldn’t be a career. It should be, as the name implies, temporary.”

The discussion continues endlessly, and after a few hours, everyone parts ways.

“Goreinu, if you ever need help, just contact me,” Auren says, shaking his hand.

“Same goes for you,” Goreinu replies.

Finally, Auren contacts Konrad, and they meet at the airport.

“Congratulations,” Konrad says, shaking Auren’s hand.

“Thank you. You’ll get it next year,” Auren replies.

“So what are your plans now, Auren? I've arranged secure transportation for the Copperleaves. My father and his associates will handle everything.”

“I’m thinking of visiting Heaven’s Arena. I need the experience, and a bit of cash never hurts. After that, I have a certain plan that should make me rich. But I want to be more prepared before starting it.”

“What kind of plan?”

“It involves a certain billionaire. If everything works out, I can expect a reward of 50 billion Jenny,” Auren says with a grin.

“Are you serious?” Konrad asks, surprised.

Auren just nods mysteriously.

“Can I come with you to Heaven’s Arena? A bit of training would be good for me, too. I’d also like to request... that training we talked about. I’ll repay you for it, Auren,” Konrad says.

“Sure, let’s go then.”

The two book the next flight to Heaven’s Arena.