As one of the Twelve Zodiacs, Pariston's disheveled appearance was well known. If he truly cared about his image, he wouldn't have met Ronnel wearing such a rumpled suit.
Ging, on the other hand, had a peculiar way of deciding the distribution of the spoils during their journey. If Ronnel showed no interest in an item, Ging would keep it without hesitation. But if Ronnel wanted something, Ging would step aside, even if he coveted it too. After all, without Ronnel, Ging wouldn't have been able to explore the deeper, more dangerous areas.
It was clear Ging understood his limitations. He was content with the extra gains, valuing relationships and teamwork above personal greed. In this, Ging demonstrated his peculiar charm—even in his human flaws.
After taking a brief rest, the two pressed on toward their next destination: the heart of Braga Canyon.
"The road ahead is long," Ging remarked. "Last time, I barely reached the central region before the resentment and death energy became overwhelming."
Ging explained that death energy originates from decaying corpses and fades over time. However, resentment—born of intense emotions left behind by those who perished with unfulfilled desires—lingered far longer. The warriors who died in the depths of the Grand Canyon had been so close to achieving their goals that their sheer unwillingness transformed their Nen into concentrated resentment.
"That level of emotion," Ging continued, "turns into what we call Death's Thoughts—a lingering manifestation of willpower after death. It comes in two forms. One is resentment, the most potent example being Jed, the former captain of the Shadow. Betrayed by the Hunter Association, he sold his soul to the devil, gaining a younger body and greater power, only to return for revenge against Netero during the movie The Last Mission."
Ronnel listened silently as Ging recounted the tale.
"The other form," Ging added, "occurs when a Nen user dies without resentment. In that case, their Nen doesn't dissipate but grows stronger, clinging to the living world. For instance, Chrollo's The Sun and Moon still exists in his book, even though its creator has long since passed."
And let's not forget Hisoka—the man who clawed his way back to life after suffocating to death in that infamous bathroom showdown.
The resentment saturating Braga Canyon resembled Jed's—a concentrated manifestation of death-tainted Nen. As they ventured deeper, Ronnel began to understand the risk. Ging had admitted that even with all his Nen focused on self-protection, he couldn't handle the dead bone monsters that roamed the central areas.
"These monsters," Ging elaborated, "operate on a primitive hierarchy. The stronger ones inhabit regions of more intense resentment. Luckily, the truly powerful dead bone monsters are rare, much like treasures hidden within a pyramid."
They encountered fewer monsters the closer they came to the canyon's core. But each one they fought grew more dangerous.
"Boom!"
With a loud crash, Ronnel shattered the last of a dead bone monster's defenses. Ging inspected the remains, pulling a gleaming white central bone from the debris.
"It's been a while since I found one this pristine," Ging murmured, stowing the bone in a cloth bag. The quality and value of central bones, often sought for medical purposes, increased with the strength of the monster they came from.
Ronnel silently surveyed their surroundings, ensuring there were no more threats.
"Thanks to you, Ronnel, this trip has already been worth it. Between the central bones and the relics we've gathered, I'm already planning to call on you for the next expedition," Ging said with a grin.
"And if we ever make it to the Dark Continent, your Nen will be invaluable."
Ronnel's gaze shifted to the dense fog ahead, a wall of gray that seemed to divide their world from another.
"Is this the central region?" he asked.
Ging nodded. "Yes. This fog marks the boundary. Every time I've tried to enter, I couldn't take more than a few steps before the resentment drained my energy shield too quickly. I retreated before finding anything significant."
His tone grew lighter, betraying an underlying excitement.
"What could be hiding in there? A monstrous bone demon? An artifact from the Dark Continent? Who knows?"
"The Sonata of Darkness we're looking for," Ronnel interjected, "is it in there?"
"Most likely," Ging replied. "We've scoured the rest of the canyon and found no trace. The last time I encountered the Sonata of Darkness was in the ferry hall. Its aura was unforgettable. Once I see it again, I'll know."
Ging's anticipation was palpable, and Ronnel could sense it too. They were on the brink of uncovering a mystery—one that could hold unparalleled danger and untold rewards.
As they stepped closer to the fog, Ronnel's resolve hardened. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on.
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