Chapter 175: The Gatekeepers  

.........

Chapter 175: The Gatekeepers  

..........

It wasn't long before Beyond appeared running towards them across the shore, from the black whale's direction. He seems to want to keep his ability hidden for a bit more.

His running speed was definitely one of the fastest Yasuo has ever seen. Though he appeared to make small leaps as if just strolling around but with his physical strength and Nen proficiency, those dashes allow him to move at an incredible speed.

The cloak that was flying behind him with the wind only calmed down once he stopped in the middle of the team with a large smile on his face.

"It appears that almost everyone is here." He remarked looking around. He already knows the members that aren't here. The people from the Kakin empire.

He made a deal with the empire as they funded the whole operation and Beyond was requested to take the Kakin's specialized team with him, basically whoever wants to go by that point.

However, Beyond was able to get a few pieces of information while in his cell. The Kakin empire has a new King or queen, the previous King is dead and the new ruler doesn't seem to be interested in the dark continent as much.

She allowed a few people to go to the dark continent with the hunter association's team but otherwise, she decided to go back to the empire and get used to ruling instead of risking her life, understandable.

That didn't matter much to Beyond as he focused on the extremely talented people standing before him. A perfect team to conquer what he previously couldn't.

Beyond started stroking his beard as he said, "Let's get on the ship first and be on our way." He turned his gleaming eyes looking at few new people in the team. "We'll also need to familiarize each other with our abilities but let's discuss that inside."

That was directed specifically towards two special members of the team, Yasuo and Ging. The moment they mounted the ship, it started sailing in a certain direction, their next destination.

Beyond already prepared the plan as well as their exploration direction. All he had to do is to explain everything to the new members as well as talk about everyone's abilities to coordinate their work in the battle. Of course, not everyone will know everyone else's abilities as some really wouldn't like that but they have to tell two people specifically, Beyond and Muherr.

Strangely, Yasuo and Ging both cooperated and explained how their abilities work, each of them showed how their three abilities work. However, both Beyond and Muherr know they likely are hiding other abilities, possibly their main ones as well.

The trip only continued for less than a month before they reached their destination. A small Island east of the New continent, quite close to it actually.

Yasuo went out of the ship once the ship stopped. Only a few people went out of the ship including Yasuo and Beyond who are walking together. "This is your first time meeting them right?"

Yasuo nodded, "I've seen drawings of them and the known description but this is the first time."

A wide smile surface on Beyond's face as appeared to be reminiscing the past. "I remember my first time seeing them, it has been a long time yet I remember that day vividly. No matter how much one prepared for their appearance, It will always be a strange sight... Where do you think are they from?"

"The dark continent most likely, perhaps they're even our ancestors. Or perhaps they're just cursed humans that have lived in the dark long ago." Yasuo gave a general answer as he needs to take a closer look and study them a bit to really know.

That smile receded from Beyond's face as he spoke with a tone of solemnity. "I think so as well. I think they're ill-fated. They have no choice but to remain prisoners around this land, not able to leave for eternity. Their fate is to punish as well as serve and live confined. It makes you think what kind of thing was able to curse them."

"It's interesting indeed." Yasuo agreed as their vision came upon something. Beyond explained. "They have several tribes across the Nen continent and in several Island around it. This is just one of them, a small tribe. The main ones are all in the Nen continent."

What lies before them is a massive gate and a wall circling around the settlement. The walls and the gate were too massive considering the size of the tribe and it probably took them a long time to fully build it.

They walked towards the Gate with curiosity apparent in Yasuo's eyes, and the same could be said for Ging who is following closely behind them. From now on, all they will see is the unknown.

Their curious soul will feast upon what enters their vision and in the dark continent, everything is interesting. They are of course not in the dark continent yet but they're not far off.

The tribe before them is what'll guide them there. The gatekeepers, they're called. Gatekeepers are a clan of Magical beasts that control the New Continent and its surroundings and act as the guardians of the Dark Continent.

They are said to be the only ones capable of guiding humans to the Dark Continent. The reality however begs a difference, because there is someone who can travel there without the need for them or so Yasuo theorized, that person is Don Freecss.

Yasuo believes he can easily go there if he so wished, he was in the dark continent for about fifteen seconds after all. However, to do so, he will need to collect some debs so he decided against that.

Going the normal way seems more interesting and he is interested in seeing why humans can only go if guided by the guide.

The guide which is some kind of construct that manifests by the gatekeepers and this is the first time Yasuo lay his eyes on them.

The massive gate before them started opening once they were near it. Beyond warned everyone at that point.

"Just like I told you, it's better to remain silent. If any of you wish to say anything, then just don't be rude. They don't like that and in certain cases, that could ruin our expedition." Everyone nodded already understanding that. This is why Beyond only brought few people here with him, Yasuo, Muherr, and Pariston. He knows they'll not try anything to ruin this, even Pariston.

Pariston looked at the view his eyes can pick with stars surrounding him, even for someone who isn't truly that interested in the dark continent, this still is a fascinating scene.

What appeared from the now opened gate is about 7 humanoid creatures. They were judged as such because none of the people here could call them humans.

Slightly blue skin like an old bruise's color, a light shade of blue. Not consistent throughout their bodies but different shades of blues. Limbs similar to humans albeit some look a bit disfigured.

Some of their limbs are swelled like balloons. They looked deformed especially their faces. Disfigured faces that explain why even the females of their race don't seem to wear any upper clothes.

They're so damned that some have their eyes or mouth, ears on their upper body. A strange sight indeed especially once one notices that those organs are functioning.

Everyone in the team can see their eyes blinking. Whether the ones on their faces or their upper bodies and the same could be said for their mouth which are clearly moving and producing discernable sounds.

They're wearing well-made clothes on their lower bodies showing that they're relatively civilized. However, no weapons could be seen in their hands or in their vicinity.

Weapons aren't just for conquering and hunting preys, they're also for protection yet they brought nothing with them as if they don't consider the monstrous humans before them as a threat... They don't.

The group walked towards the gatekeepers in slow steps, taking their time seizing up the strange humanoid creatures.

The creatures however didn't make a move, they remained waiting for them to reach them without going out of the gate.

"They aren't dangerous at all," Remarked Beyond. "But it's impossible to harm them as no attack could reach them. If not for their lifespans which is actually higher than ours, they would be invulnerable."

'Interesting,' Thought Yasuo as he observed them with his domain. 'Truly wondrous creatures. Their organs are structured strangely yet they function perfectly, the eyes on their chest are just like normal human eyes, veins and their optic nerves are long enough to be connected to their brains.'

'Their mouths are also put together perfectly to allow them to move and talk albeit at the cost of their upper bodies looking extremely weird. And so is their face which looks just like a batch of skin in the place of the misplaced organs.'

Beyond slightly leaned his head once he deemed he was near enough and introduced himself. "Beyond Netero in your presence, I'd much appreciate it if you can help us reach the dark place like you always have and grant us your grace."

He seemed extremely polite while making his request. He knows they don't like to waste time so he asked them for what he wants directly, and he also knows they can understand him, they were proven to understand all that comes of the tongue.

They don't seem to want to refuse at all as one of them started running far inside the settlement and it wasn't long before a loud sound reverberated throughout the Island, clanging a bell makes.

That was a signal for all the tribe's people to gather afront the gate. This is where everyone noticed something, their clothes are all extremely similar and there is no distinctive feature that signals a leader among them.

"Follow." Every gatekeeper uttered at the same time then they walked...