It had been almost two months since Bisky and Menchi last met, and both had undergone slight changes in appearance.
They had brought spare clothes with them, more than just one or two sets. However, the clothes they wore now still bore noticeable signs of damage.
These marks were likely left from battles against the parasitic Botanical Weapons.
Over the past two months, they hadn't stopped their efforts to exterminate the parasitic Botanical Weapons. Thanks to the safe haven of the tower, their operations had been relatively relaxed.
Bisky, who had cut her hair short earlier, now had it grown out a bit. The ends barely reached past her earlobes, making her look neat and refreshed.
Menchi, on the other hand, still wore her five braids.
During her time living in the tower, she had considered the braids a hassle and even thought about cutting her hair short like Bisky.
However, Bisky insisted on maintaining her image and strongly advised against cutting it, so the five braids remained.
Of course, this came with a price.
Menchi had to become Bisky's "makeup doll" during her idle moments—or more accurately, her "Barbie doll" to experiment on.
Bisky's Nen ability, Magic Beautician Cookie-chan, was closely tied to her personality.
Loving beauty as much as she did, Bisky not only made sure to keep herself looking stunning but also wanted Menchi to be beautiful and adorable—at the very least, pleasant to look at.
With her portable makeup kit and the assistance of Magic Beautician Cookie-chan, Bisky made it a point to do Menchi's makeup every day.
Although Magic Beautician Cookie-chan alone could achieve excellent results, Bisky insisted on doing it herself for the sense of accomplishment.
This was probably Bisky's unique way of relieving stress.
At this moment, everyone could see that Menchi's lips were glossy and moisturized, her cheeks lightly flushed, making her look like a radiant young woman.
When Menchi noticed everyone's gaze fixed on her face, she couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. She lowered her head and gently rubbed her lips with the back of her hand to remove the lipstick.
Bisky, seemingly unaware of Menchi's subtle move behind her, would have surely stopped her if she had seen it. There was no way she'd let Menchi waste the masterpiece she spent nearly half an hour on.
When Bisky saw the arrival of Germain, Shizuku, Buhara, and Sanbica, her face lit up with surprise and joy. But soon after, her expression turned serious.
"Germain, was that En just now released by you?"
Germain nodded.
"Yes, it's me. What's going on?"
Bisky frowned, her crimson eyes scanning Germain up and down, meticulously, like a printing machine processing an image.
"I thought this Nen felt familiar, like yours. But it's so much stronger than it was two months ago, and that made me doubt myself…"
She stared at Germain suspiciously.
"What exactly happened to you in these past two months?"
Germain pressed his lips together, deciding not to explain just yet.
"We can discuss about me later. Right now, we need to focus on the current situation. Where is Ging? And what's with the whirlpool outside?"
Bisky and Menchi were curious about what had happened to Germain over the past two months. They also wanted to know about Shizuku, Buhara, and Sanbica.
But Ging's absence and the bloody whirlpool outside the tower were clearly more pressing matters.
So, the conversation shifted.
"Over the past two months, we've expanded our exploration area," Bisky explained.
"The number of parasitic Botanical Weapons Brion in the Ancient Labyrinth has decreased significantly. We managed to open a passage from here to the outside world."
"After that, we started exploring beyond the Ancient Labyrinth, recording new and unusual lifeforms with our equipment."
"But Ging's ambition wouldn't let him stop there."
"A few days ago, he gathered the necessary supplies, said his goodbyes, and headed west, promising to return by December 15th."
"We tried to stop him from taking such a risky adventure, but he was stubborn. He assured us he wouldn't do anything reckless. In the end, we had no choice but to let him go."
So that's what happened.
Ging was never one to follow orders. Otherwise, he wouldn't have earned the nickname "The Reckless Idiot" in the Zodiac.
He was a maverick through and through. Even Netero or Germain couldn't always control him.
And with ancestors like Don Freecss, it was no surprise that Ging's bloodline wouldn't allow him to settle down in a place like the Ancient Labyrinth.
Ancient Labyrinth City, situated near the "Mobius Lake" on the edge of the Dark Continent, is just one small piece of a vast, unexplored land in at least three other directions.
However... Ging chose to head west. It seems he's still brooding over the lead he had last time—a clue possibly related to Don Freecss—which ultimately ended in disappointment.
Bisky pointed to the bloody whirlpool beyond the towering structure and said to Germain: "You've probably figured it out, right? The reason why the number of parasitic Botanical Weapons in the Ancient Labyrinth City is dwindling... it's because they all selflessly sacrificed themselves."
"The bloody whirlpool only appeared today. We just noticed it and came straight to the base of this tower to observe it closely. That's when you all suddenly teleported here."
"As for why the whirlpool exists, I believe the answer lies in the fragmented version of Journey to the New World: East Edition."
"The Bloodthirsty Apostle of Pain revives periodically, and right now, this is its revival ritual. You teleported here just in time to witness it."
As if to affirm Bisky's words, the already dim sky outside turned a sinister shade of blood red, making the atmosphere even more foreboding.
The group peered out of the high tower's windows and saw a swirling tornado of dark clouds in the sky. It twisted violently downward, plunging directly into the bloody whirlpool below.
In an instant, a red beam of light shot into the sky.
The tornado of clouds dissipated with a deafening boom, and from within the bloody whirlpool emerged massive, writhing vines. These vines lifted a spherical object up from the sea's surface.
The sphere glimmered with a metallic sheen, but the next moment, cracks formed on its surface. Slowly, it began to bloom, like a flower unfurling its petals.
A thick, overpowering fragrance wafted through the air, overwhelming everyone's senses.
The Bloodthirsty Apostle, resembling a giant jellyfish, slowly ascended into the sky, writhing its numerous tentacles in a mesmerizing yet ominous dance.
It had truly been reborn...
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