In the blink of an eye, ten days passed.
During these ten days, Leo answered every question asked. From the Secret Realm's climate to the distribution of organisms, from terrain features to resource locations, he provided as much information as the Satz team needed.
He also took the initiative to help wherever he could—moving equipment, cleaning up survey areas, and even helping analyze the origins of certain traces.
Serena's attitude toward Leo had softened significantly. Although she remained vigilant, she was no longer as guarded as she had been at the beginning.
She would discuss hunting techniques with Leo and share her own survival experiences in the wild.
Once, when Leo brought back a medicinal herb she hadn't seen before, she carefully recorded its characteristics and said she would help him identify it after leaving the Secret Realm.
Caspar, on the other hand, was very enthusiastic about Leo. This young scholar treated Leo almost like a part-time guide and consultant, having countless questions every day.
What are the uses of this plant? What is the composition of that rock? Why is there no biological activity in a certain area? Leo's patient answers gave him a great harvest.
Leo himself took time out every day to hunt, continuing to accumulate life energy.
Taking advantage of the fact that he was about to leave, Leo no longer restrained his hunting. Over the ten days, he leveled up to level 24, just one step away from his target of level 25.
On the seventh day, Leo remembered the animal skin map. After much consideration, he decided to give it to Satz.
"I found this in the palace storeroom," Leo said, handing the rolled-up animal skin to Satz.
"I can't understand the text on it, but it should be helpful to you."
Satz took the map. The moment he unfolded it, this usually calm Hunter showed a rare expression of surprise.
He leaned over to carefully examine the ancient text and markings, his fingers hovering above the animal skin without touching it.
"This is..." Satz's voice was deeper than usual, "a variant of ancient Capet language, and it's sacrificial text exclusive to the royal family."
He raised his head, his gaze towards Leo becoming exceptionally serious: "This map is very valuable, Mr. Leo. What is recorded on it may not just be information from within the Secret Realm."
Leo's heart stirred: "You mean..."
"I need to go back and consult relevant materials to fully decipher it."
Satz carefully rolled up the map, his movements extremely gentle, "But I suspect this map might be related to 'that place'."
He didn't explain where "that place" was, but Leo understood—the Dark Continent.
Serena and Caspar obviously understood too. The two looked at each other, seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
"After successfully deciphering it," Satz continued, "I will organize the information recorded on it and return it to you along with the map. This is your discovery; you have the right to know the content."
"No problem." Leo nodded. He really needed the information from this map, but he didn't understand ancient languages at all, so handing it over to professionals was the best choice.
Over the next three days, the survey work entered the finishing stage.
The Satz team collected enough samples and recorded every detail of the palace.
On the evening of the tenth day, Satz announced that the preliminary survey was over.
"We will return to the Hunter Association first to publish the report on this operation."
Satz said to the team members.
"There might be protective repairs to this ruin later, after all, it is the most complete Capet Kingdom ruin discovered so far."
He turned to Leo, his tone much gentler than before: "Mr. Leo, come with us. There is no point in staying here any longer."
This sentence was an active invitation and also an acknowledgment of Leo's help over these days.
Leo did not hesitate: "Okay."
The four of them packed their gear. The Satz team's professional equipment was packed one by one, while Leo's luggage was much simpler; he specifically brought the stone knife, which was the witness of his more than half a year in the Secret Realm.
The next morning, they headed to the Secret Realm exit at the eastern end of the forest.
Inside the cave, the patterns on the rock wall lit up one by one under the activation of Satz's Nen, and a light gate slowly took shape.
Leo stood at the cave entrance, taking one last look at the forest behind him and the faintly visible palace in the distance.
Half a year, from an ignorant Transmigrator to a survivor of the Secret Realm, this experience had changed him too much.
Finally leaving.
After seven months of hardship, he could finally head to the real hunter world.
He couldn't help but feel excited.
"Hey, it's time to go!" Serena looked back and waved, a smile on her face, "You wouldn't be reluctant to leave, would you?"
Leo turned around, smiling brightly: "Coming!"
The four of them crossed the light gate one by one, their figures disappearing into the swirling light.
Southern Urubian Continent, offshore of Blue Wave City.
Inside a hidden cave on the Azure Coast, the air rippled, and a light gate slowly emerged.
Satz stepped out first, his suit still crisp. Then came Serena, Caspar, and finally Leo.
The moment he stepped out of the light gate, Leo took a deep breath.
Different air—salty and damp with the sea breeze, mixed with the scent of human habitation, completely different from the pure natural smell in the Secret Realm.
Sunlight slanted into the cave entrance, brighter and more direct than in the Secret Realm.
"Phew, finally out!" Serena stretched, her joints making a slight cracking sound.
"I can finally take a hot bath! I almost forgot what a shower felt like during these ten days in the Secret Realm."
Caspar was also very excited: "This operation was so rewarding! Those samples, data... I want to go back to the research institute and analyze them as soon as possible."
"Especially that map, Mr. Satz, when do we start the deciphering work?"
"Let's go back to the Association to submit the report first." Satz said calmly, "Deciphering work takes time, maybe a few months, or even longer."
Leo didn't speak; he just stood at the cave entrance, looking at the faint outline of the town in the distance.
Half a year, finally back to the civilized world.
"Finally liberated." He whispered to himself, his voice filled with emotion that could not be concealed.
Satz looked at him: "Let's go, it's still a distance from the town."
The four left the cave and moved along the coastline towards Blue Wave City.
Leo's steps were a bit light at first—accustomed to the high alertness of potential danger in the Secret Realm at any time, suddenly coming to a relatively safe civilized society, he felt a bit unaccustomed.
Along the way, he could see sporadic fishing boats, and cargo ships sailing on the distant sea.
Occasionally seagulls flew by, letting out crisp cries. Everything seemed so... normal.
Half a day later, they arrived at Blue Wave City.
This was a typical coastal city, with clean streets, buildings mostly in white or light tones, and pedestrians dressed differently, some like tourists, some fishermen, and some business people in suits.
The air was filled with the complex scent of a seafood market and cafes.
Standing on the busy street, Satz asked for the last time: "Are you sure you won't come with us?"
Leo shook his head: "Yeah, I've stayed in the Secret Realm for too long, I want to travel around by myself and see the scenery everywhere. And..."
He smiled, "I still have some private matters to deal with."
This was true. He needed to reach level 25 as soon as possible to lift the "Zetsu" and then start systematic training in Nen.
Following the Satz team was safe, but it was not conducive to his free movement.
Caspar was slightly disappointed: "Alright... then Mr. Leo, you can come find me if you have time, I would be very happy to have you visit! Here is my contact information."
He handed out a card with his name, phone number, and a research institute address on it.
Serena also handed over a card and some jenny: "If you have any problems you can't solve—you can call us, don't be shy."
"Also, here is some money, you should need to change your clothes." Her words were direct but sincere.
Leo took the two cards and the money, putting them away carefully: "Thank you."
Satz looked at Leo, and after a moment of silence, said: "Every December, you can sign up for the Hunter Exam on the Hunter Association's official website. Every Hunter is a Nen User."
He didn't say more, but Leo understood—this was Satz's reminder and also a form of recognition.
If Leo wanted to officially step into the world of Nen Users, the Hunter Exam was one way.
"Thank you very much." Leo thanked the three of them solemnly.
"I will keep in mind that you brought me out of the Secret Realm."
Serena stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, smiling brightly: "Don't be so polite, we are already friends!"
Friends. This word warmed Leo's heart.
Since his Transmigration, this was the first time someone had said this word to him.
"Yeah, friends." Leo also smiled; this time the smile had no calculation, no disguise, it was pure happiness.
He waved at the three of them and turned to merge into the crowd. He didn't look back, his steps firm.
Satz, Serena, and Caspar stood in place, watching Leo's figure disappear around the corner of the street.
"Actually, we didn't need to bring him out," Serena said suddenly, her tone calm, "He probably could have left on his own, right?"
Satz nodded: "It seems you all noticed Leo's difference."
Serena said "Yeah." Caspar rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and laughed—he obviously hadn't noticed.
"Vow and Restriction."
Satz continued.
"I think this is probably the reason why Leo cannot use Nen but can keep hunting various powerful creatures."
Caspar was puzzled: "Vow and Restriction? What is that?"
Serena sighed helplessly: "Are you a big idiot? Didn't you listen carefully when you were learning Nen?"
"I really didn't..." Caspar answered honestly. He was a scholar type and not very interested in the combat application of Nen, having only learned the basics before focusing on archaeological work.
Satz explained: "If you impose certain restrictions and vows on yourself during training, the success rate will increase. The stricter the restriction, the higher the success rate. Making rules, swearing in your heart, and sticking to them—the more difficult the rule, the more powerful the explosion of force."
He paused: "If you compare normal Nen Ability to addition, then a Nen Ability that follows rules is multiplication; the power will increase exponentially. But it is also a double-edged sword; breaking the vow will lead to backlash, potentially losing Nen Ability, or in severe cases, losing one's life."
Caspar exclaimed: "That sounds so dangerous..."
Satz said no more. He looked in the direction where Leo had disappeared, his eyes under his purple hair thoughtful.
Satz turned around: "Let's go, it's time to go back to the Association."
The three walked towards the airport. The sunlight stretched their shadows, intertwining with the shadows of the bustling crowd.
And at the other end of the city, Leo was standing outside a bookstore, looking at the world map posted in the window.
Leo whispered.
"hunter world, here I come!"
On the back of his hand, the dark red tattoo shone slightly in the sunlight.
Level 24. One level left.
A new journey, beginning.