Three hours after leaving Mel Shop, Arin stood near the east gate of Blue Tree Town, a small leather satchel over his shoulder and the parchment ticket to Fallenerdes tucked securely inside his coat.
The departure area was nothing more than a cleared stretch of ground near the guard post, the dirt well-trodden from carts and livestock.
He wasn't alone.
Four others waited nearby: a young woman with a wrapped staff across her back and a quiet, observant demeanor; an elderly man hunched over with a cane; a wiry teenager with twitchy hands and wandering eyes; and a large, silent man who stood with arms crossed, glaring at nothing in particular.
Arin took his place a few meters apart from them, saying nothing.
Then they arrived.
Three men walked toward them, coming down the path from the eastern tree line.
The one in the middle was clearly in charge, lean, middle-aged, his black coat hanging loose over a gray uniform shirt.
Flanking him were two younger men, both muscular, both armed with short blades strapped across their chests.
The leader stopped a few feet in front of the group and spoke, voice rough and practiced.
"Tickets."
Each of the five passengers, including Arin, pulled out their paper tickets and raised them.
"Alright," he said, "follow me."
No further words.
The group fell into a loose line behind him, and they began walking.
The path they took wasn't through the main road but a smaller trail that curved eastward, then opened up into a wide dirt road that stretched far into the hills.
And parked just ahead, at the side of the road, was a large, yellow bus.
Its design was bulky, more industrial than stylish. Not a modern Earth-style bus, but something like a reinforced off-road transport.
The driver sat casually in the front seat, smoking a long pipe.
"This is it," the lead man said, stopping beside the vehicle. "This ride'll take you to Fallenerdes. One day's journey. Three stops for rest and supplies. You get off anywhere other than the stops or the city; that's your business, but don't expect a refund."
He turned and opened the side door.
"Board," he said.
The group moved wordlessly. Arin followed behind the large man and stepped up into the bus.
Inside, the interior was spartan. Two rows of heavy seats bolted to the metal floor, each with faded padding and frayed harness belts.
Arin chose a seat midway down on the right side and sat by the window.
He placed his satchel between his legs and let his eyes drift to the road outside.
The other passengers settled into their places.
The doors hissed shut behind them.
A few seconds later, the engine roared to life with a deep mechanical growl.
The road to Fallenerdes had begun.
Arin leaned against the window as the trees passed in a blur of green and gold.
He didn't miss it.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He opened the map in his lap and unrolled it enough to trace the road east.
The three stops marked were small outposts, refueling stations, and supply depots. No towns. No guards. No Hunter presence.
He folded the map back and turned his gaze subtly to the others.
The woman with the staff was the most collected. Her eyes were calm and focused.
Not once had she looked around nervously. That meant awareness. Training.
Arin would remember her.
As for the large man up front… He hadn't spoken.
Everyone had a story. And if Arin knew anything, it was that in a world like this anyone could be deadly.
But that was fine.
Arin didn't need to trust them. He just needed to reach the city.
Once he arrived in Fallenerdes, he'd have access to better resources.
Then he'd take what he needed, like he always had.
The bus bounced slightly over a rough patch of road.
Arin closed his eyes for a moment and rested his head against the window.
One day to Fallenerdes.
"Now, there is time, I suppose; I can try to meditate."
Arin thought.
He remembers from the show itself that the usual way of Nen training was to meditate and open the aura nodes in the body.
After the aura nodes are open, especially the ones in the eyes.
One can see their own aura and others' auras as long as others are not hiding it with "In" or using zetsu to hide their presence.
"The road is bumpy, but it is best to just try and calm my mind."
"I will have my time to train more."
After deciding on what he wants to do while on the bus.
He closed his eyes and focused to increase his awareness and mind power to open his nodes.
It is not like there was anything to do here in the bus.