Hunter: I'm Really Not a Nen Exorcist - Chapter 19

Their striking resemblance…

And those similarly carved light blue eyes.

He looks so much like her…

Cheadle’s emotions surged, memories cascading one after another.

Her gaze started to lose focus, as the silhouette she longed for, oscillating between clarity and vagueness, began to overlap with the young figure before her.

Fortunately…

He looks nothing like Hawk.

Nothing could be more relieving than this fact.

Caught up in her reverie, Cheadle thought as such.

On the other side of the threshold…

Staring at the suddenly arrived Cheadle, a look of surprise flashed across Moyu’s eyes.

Dressed predominantly in green and white, she has long green hair, wore thin-rimmed black glasses, and sported a pair of dog ears.

Cheadle of the Zodiac’s Dog?

Images of Cheadle from the original series quickly raced through Moyu’s mind. The woman before him looked almost identical.

If there was a difference…

It was that she appeared younger, and her nose was normal, unlike the original where it was intentionally designed as a delicate little dog’s snout.

However, just from those dog ears alone, it could be fairly deduced that Cheadle now belongs to the Hunter Association’s Zodiacs, having changed her appearance to match the title of Zodiac’s Dog.

But…

How on earth did his so-called ‘dad’ get entangled with a member of the Hunter Association’s Zodiacs?

What’s going on?

Even the memories left by his past self couldn’t find related information.

Moreover, Cheadle’s reaction seemed a bit off…

Amidst his perplexity, Moyu masked the surprise in his eyes.

Upon ascertaining that she didn’t recognize his underlying surprise, a warm smile surfaced on his face. Speaking softly, he said, “I’m sorry, but Hawk went on a long journey some time ago and hasn’t returned yet.”

“Mm, oh…”

Cheadle slowly regained her composure.

Realizing her lapse, she quickly adjusted her state of mind and replied as calmly as possible, “I called Hawk before coming here and knew he wasn’t around. However, he mentioned that he would be back soon, so he asked me to come to the temple first.”

“I see.”

Moyu pondered for a moment and asked, “Did he mention how long it would take him to return?”

“Yes, he did.”

As Cheadle spoke, she instinctively lifted her white-gloved right hand, palm facing upwards, and said, “In an uncertain tone, he estimated roughly three days.”

“About three days, huh…”

Moyu’s eyes lowered slightly, counting the days, which amounted to half a month.

However, based on his past self’s memories and his current understanding, Hawk, in any perception, was just a mundane, indulgent monk. How did he come to be associated with Cheadle?

Watching the pondering Moyu, Cheadle’s gaze softened.

Moyu suddenly looked up.

Cheadle quickly masked her emotions, maintaining a neutral expression.

“If I may ask…”

Moyu eyed Cheadle, tentatively inquiring, “Has Hawk borrowed money from you?”

“…”

Forced into silence, Cheadle’s initial thought was about how horribly Hawk, that damned man, must have portrayed himself as a father in Moyu’s eyes.

Worse still…

Speaking of borrowing money, Hawk did indeed owe her a sum.

Cheadle managed a strained smile and responded, “No, Hawk doesn’t owe me any money.”

Pausing briefly, she feigned curiosity and asked, “Why, has he borrowed a lot from others?”

“Not much, just that he likes to buy things on credit.”

Moyu touched his chin and elaborated, “From what I know, he owes some meat from the butcher shop in the village at the foot of the mountain and also took quite a lot of provisions on credit from the grocery store. However, he owes the convenience store more, having taken a significant amount of cigarettes and alcohol on credit. Though, the plump aunty who runs the store is very kind and never…”

“Having such an irresponsible father must’ve been hard on you.”

Unable to bear hearing any more, Cheadle gently interrupted Moyu’s narration.

Moyu smiled and didn’t continue, instead inviting Cheadle in.

Cheadle nodded and followed Moyu.

Her eyes swiftly assessed the aura surrounding Moyu.

“The flow and stability of his Nen are impressive. For an average Nen user, it would take at least six months to achieve this level.”

“And Moyu… It’s already astonishing that he awakened his Nen despite the pressure of the seal. Now, in less than half a month, he’s refined it to this level.”

“Purely in terms of talent, he’s undoubtedly monstrous. However, Light’s guidance during this period must’ve played a crucial role.”

Cheadle reflected silently.

On her journey here, she had conducted some research on the recent happenings in this area.

She was aware that Light had recently dealt with a wanted criminal here and had chosen to stay in the temple for a while before leaving.

That Light had ‘taught’ Moyu was her deduction.

As for the basis of her deduction—

It was the criteria for professional hunters to be promoted to higher ranks.

To progress from a one-star rank to a two-star, one has to personally mentor a one-star professional hunter.

Therefore, many professional hunters who aspire to reach higher star ranks generally don’t miss any potential apprentices during their careers. Taking on apprentices becomes quite customary.

Of course, not all professional hunters follow this approach. Some may take on apprentices or guide juniors based on personal preferences.

However, given Light’s strong utilitarian tendencies and his perception of Moyu’s monstrous talent, he would undoubtedly contact and mentor Moyu in pursuit of star promotion.

Cheadle’s assumptions aligned closely with reality.

However, considering her current position and identity, she naturally wouldn’t casually bring up this matter.

“I forgot to introduce myself.”

Arriving in the courtyard, Moyu suddenly halted and turned back to Cheadle, smiling, “I’m Moyu. But since you know Hawk, you should also know my name.”

“Yes, I… have always known.”

Cheadle also stopped, her gaze flickering briefly.

Yes, she had always known, but she had also chosen to stay ignorant.

Although her motive had been to protect…

Cheadle silently calmed her emotions and then introduced herself in a rather solemn tone, “Cheadle Yorkshire, a two-star Disease Hunter, and also a member of the Hunter Association’s Twelve Zodiacs.”

“Hmm?”

Moyu, who was prepared, displayed a well-timed expression of confusion.

He wouldn’t casually reveal his ‘Prophet’ identity, so he should naturally express puzzlement about Cheadle’s mention of being a two-star Disease Hunter and a member of the Twelve Zodiacs.

As for the identity of a Nen user…

Though it was already exposed to Cheadle, the source of his Nen awakening was his self-discovery…

In this situation, he wouldn’t suddenly act as if he knew everything.

Besides, the other person was a friend of his old man, who likely knew some of his circumstances.

“Moyu, is my introduction too formal?”

Cheadle dropped the formal demeanor and smiled at Moyu.

Meanwhile, she speculated in her heart—

Had Light not mentioned anything about his affiliation with the Hunter Association to Moyu?

“No, it’s just…”

Moyu hesitated, looking at Cheadle. His expression of innocence could only go so far.

“Please have a seat first.”

Cheadle gestured towards the stone table and chairs in the courtyard, smiling, “Let’s consider this a topic for conversation, and I’ll explain it to you gradually.”

“Alright.”

Moyu obediently nodded and went to prepare tea and snacks.

Cheadle watched from the side. So far, Moyu’s words and actions satisfied her, and she once again felt fortunate.

Feeling grateful that her dear friend’s son didn’t resemble his father, and that he hadn’t been corrupted by him.

In this formal interaction—

Both Moyu and Cheadle had things they needed to conceal…

Cheadle temporarily couldn’t reveal her intentions, and wouldn’t voluntarily admit that she had intentionally investigated the temple’s recent situation.

While Moyu’s identity as a ‘Prophet’ was an absolute secret that couldn’t be known to outsiders. Even the slightest hint couldn’t be exposed. Furthermore, given his self-discovery of Nen, he couldn’t appear too knowledgeable.

If Hawk, who knew Cheadle, was also a Nen user, then Moyu wouldn’t need to take such measures.

The need for both to conceal these aspects resulted in a degree of pretense from their respective perspectives.

However, comparatively—

Moyu had more, and more crucial things to hide.

After serving the tea and snacks, Moyu took a seat.

Then, Cheadle gave him a detailed introduction to the existence of the Hunter Association and the significance of the star-ranked professional hunters.

“It’s hard to imagine…”

After hearing Cheadle’s introduction, Moyu couldn’t hide his astonishment, “How could Hawk know someone as important as you? Are you sure he doesn’t owe you money?”

“Heh…”

Hearing Moyu’s words, Cheadle couldn’t help but chuckle, convinced that Hawk’s image in Moyu’s heart had deteriorated to a severe extent.

Even though she despised Hawk, Cheadle felt somewhat reluctant to worsen his image in Moyu’s heart and again reiterated, “Hawk truly doesn’t owe me money.”

“So how do you know Hawk?”

Moyu inquired out of curiosity.

He wasn’t insistent on knowing, but there was no harm in asking.

Upon hearing this, the smile on Cheadle’s face faltered for a moment.

From her arrival to the temple up till now, it hadn’t even been half an hour.

Yet, this brief interaction made her, who tends to care greatly for things related to what she loves, deeply fond of Moyu.

This was because, whether in looks or behavior, Moyu resembled her deceased dear friend too much.

“Actually…”

She hesitated for a moment but finally decided to disclose, “Moyu, your mother and I grew up together.”

Pausing for a moment, she added, “If possible, I wouldn’t want to know Hawk.”

“I see.”

Moyu nodded, pretending not to hear Cheadle’s latter half of the statement which had clear disdain for Hawk.

Regarding his biological mother’s memory…

From the memories he had received, there was no interaction between his past self and her.

He didn’t even know what his mother’s name was or what she looked like.

So, it was understandable that Moyu didn’t have much of a reaction to it.

Seeing Moyu’s indifferent reaction, Cheadle, who knew the truth, subconsciously bit her lip, feeling a sudden urge.

“Moyu, come with me!”

“……”