The following contains spoilers for Hunter X Hunter, manga by Yosihiro Tagashi licensed in English by Viz Media.The Dark Continent was a really exciting addition to the already amazing world of Hunter x Hunter. Yosihiro Tagashi shocked everyone when he expanded the limits of his series in numerous ways with this introduction. An unmatched power level, huge unexplored land and with a lot of history even involving the Freecss family. Once again he showcased his excellent world-building skills offering the fans a great future to look forward to for the story.
Hunter x Hunter anime adaptation comeback is not even in sight and the manga is back in a hiatus, so it's really hard to tell when the story will come to an end. Some even wonder if Gon and Killua will be relevant from now on or if they need a massive time-skip to match the current power level. What is clear is the Dark Continent aims to be the best story thus far. But before they went on this adventure, many others tried to seek what awaits in this mysterious part of the world.
All The Known Trips To The Dark Continent
After the shocking reveal Ging made about the world outside the World's maps, what fans didn't expect is that many trips had already been made, including some well-known characters like Chairman Netero. But let's start chronologically from what has been told thus far about the rather gruesome and challenging trips to the Dark Continent.
The unknown and mysterious always has a gravity that attracts thousands of intrepid adventurers to discover what may lie ahead. It seems like a part of human nature, and in the Hunter X Hunter world is a key topic, perfectly reflected with the world beyond the maps. The oldest attempt to travel was mentioned by Ging. A certain individual tried to go by himself 300 years prior to the current timeline. He is the author of the travel journal Journey to the New World, divided in two editions, East and West. Only East was found, and according to Ging this is because he is still writing the West. His name? Don Freecss.
After this story, the next thing known is the Inviolability Treaty established by the V5 to prohibit any kind of expedition to the Dark Continent. Nonetheless, said treaty wasn't respected forever, and only in the last few decades a total of 149 expeditions were recorded. Of those, only 5 had survivors, 28 between all the voyages. From this 28 survivors, a few were able to return to their normal lives, the rest being traumatized or injured, and in consequence, not being able to pass the post-evaluation test.
Most of these 5 unofficial expeditions to the Dark Continent haven't been explained yet. One that has been talked about is the one involving Chairman Isaac Netero, although it was an undocumented trip. At some point during his youth he traveled there with his friends Linne Hordoeuvre, the now oldest member of the Hunter Association, and Zigg Zoldyck. As told by Ging, they went back after feeling dwarfed by how huge and powerful every creature was. The fifth and last attempt was made by Beyond Netero, Isaac's son, and a group of Hunters.
The Life-Changing Resources
Before getting into the dramatic consequences of the trips to the Dark Continent, it's not a bad idea to take a look at the things that pushed them to travel there again and again. As it's often said, the bigger the risk the bigger the reward. One special item was brought back in each of the five completed expeditions.
The first one was the Unmanned Rock. A mineral capable of generating electricity when submerged underwater. 20 megawatts per day with just a small one. A big enough supply of this rock would put an end to the energy production issues throughout the world. It was found in the North-Eastern shores of Lake Mobius. The second was the Herb for All-ilnesses. As its name indicates, is a herb capable of curing all diseases, found in the ruins of an ancient city in North Shore of Lake Mobius. This is an even bigger discovery, an unlimited production of this plant would virtually eradicate all diseases saving countless lives.
The third unbelievable resource is also the one that makes Ging believe that Don is somehow still alive after 300 years. The Nitro Rice, a cereal from the swamps in the south of Lake Mobius which is said to be able to extend your life beyond what is known to men. The Trinity Elixir came next. Described as the mother solution for all sorts of liquids, could potentially solve any water supply problems. Located in the South-East. And last but not less, the Metallion or Alchemy plant. Found by Beyond Netero in the South shore.
The Five Threats
Five apocalyptic events came with the only five successful trips to the Dark Continent. Ancient artifacts talk about the disasters which occurred every time and expedition went there, even before the times of Don Freecss. However, this has only been mentioned briefly. The Five Threats, on the other hand, are the vivid consequences of the five trips that managed to come back in recent times.
It started out with the Pap, some short of beast that feeds on humans and keeps them as pets. Despite living in a mountain in the North-East of the Dark Continent some of its victims have been found in the known world, as a consequence of the creature tasting the humans that went on expeditions. Where the Herb for All-ilnesses was found, resides a being (or species) called Brion, the botanical weapon. They act as guardians of the ruins and wiped out the intruders effortlessly leaving only two survivors. It's a sphere on top of a human body.
In the swamps in the south, lives the twin-tailed snake or "Hellbell", a snake with a unique power. With its bite, inflicts the prey with homicidal desire, turning everyone against it each other. It, single-handedly, wiped out 99% of the expedition leaving only 11 survivors. In the 4th trip, they encountered Ai, a gaseous life-form. It's said to be directly connected with Killua's sister power, as their victims are also squashed or wrung to death. Like with Pap, victims have been found in the known world.
Last on the list is Zobae, the threat that returned to the known world. The Zobae disease it's a mysterious sickness with a high fatality rate. Only one of the contractors survived, and it turned him into self-sufficient immortal being that had lost any shred of sanity. This self-sufficient quality is granted by feeding on his own flesh, given that the Zobae dramatically improves the regeneration of tissue. It's unknown how it can be contracted. In addition, the Chimera Ants are also from the Dark Continent, although they are considered a smaller threat.