Chapter 176

In a dark room.

Only the pale light of a computer monitor flickers on the face of the room's owner.

Rare cherry-colored hair. And unusual brown eyes. A lanky, androgynous person who looks like a teenager, tapping the keyboard rhythmically with their left hand.

Click-click, click-click, click-click, click-click, click-click, click-click, click-click!

By the way, the keyboard cable is not connected to the computer. Playing with a meaningless instrument while waiting for the right moment to click the mouse.

Click—

Hold the left button and release.

The monitor of the computer performing the update suddenly changes.

"……

Huahhh... I'm nervous."

I lower my head. Even though I say I'm nervous, I'm still playing with the keyboard.

On the screen, the product bidding information for the auction house is displayed.

──Product Name: Greed Island (Joystation Game Software *Used, includes box and manual, includes Joystation, Player 1 Sora only)──

──Contract Price: J2,800,000,000──

It starts at 1 billion Jenny each time and ends between 2 and 4 billion Jenny. This is the 7th listing in the past few days. It seems someone has been auctioning a lot of them, and I wanted to see if I could buy one cheaply, but it didn't go well, and I kept losing the auctions.

I don't know when the listings will run out, and the price is still rising steadily, so even though I know my budget will be tight, I'm forcing myself... but this is dangerous. My wallet is really thin.

Greed Island, which hadn't been cleared for over 10 years, was cleared for the first time half a year after its announcement——

A software exclusively for Hunters, which actually involves life-threatening danger. The highest difficulty game in the world to date.

The game is cleared when you collect all 100 types of cards called Specified Pocket Cards. Although a large bounty was placed on the clear reward, no one had cleared it for years...

Finally, it seems someone cleared the game.

Strictly speaking, it was never announced that anyone cleared it.

In late February of this year, an ending event occurred in Greed Island, and around the same time, the clear reward was withdrawn.

And then—I could no longer enter the game.

Even when I tried to gather information, everything went wrong. When I was playing the game, for some reason, Battera changed the bounty payer to Chairman Rockbert. For various reasons, while I was gathering information in reality, the clear bounty was canceled this time.

In other words, someone who finished the game appeared.... Therefore, I couldn't enter Greed Island.

Well, even if I say I can't enter, the game screen seems to display "Please wait until the next version update," so I thought I would be able to enter sooner or later.

There are other problems. ──Battera. For whatever reason, he transferred his assets to Chairman Rockbert, including all the Greed Island game software. This completely eliminated the option of being hired as a player for Battera.

What's more, Chairman Rockbert sold the game software instead of taking it back.

Even if I clear it now, I won't get the bounty, and now I can't even enter the game. Greed Island, which was priced at 5.8 billion Jenny, plummeted to less than 100 million at the auction.

But...

A few days ago, the price started to rise rapidly.

The reason is clear. It's because paid information on the Hunter website shows that the second season of Greed Island has begun. That would be reliable information.

It was a game that originally skyrocketed because Battera blocked the game software. Now that there is no bounty for clearing it, I thought the value wouldn't rise that much, but...

I started to see multiple rewards for clearing the game. The amounts range from hundreds of millions to billions, far from Battera's 50 billion.

... However, the price of the game software is gradually rising in a way that is tempting.

Assuming it's dangerous, I participated in the auction and finally won the bid early.

"Come on.

It's good to have the game software, but I'm alone..."

I patted the back of the chair, deep in thought. Last time I played, I was uneasy because of the team situation. I could have handled more things than just having my cards stolen, but most of my Spells were monopolized, which was terrible. Because of that, I ended up in a situation where I couldn't play properly alone.

There was no help for it, so I had to turn to researching how to obtain Specified Pocket Cards, but since there weren't many effective Magic Cards, I ended up in this situation while playing around. I don't care about the clear bounty, but not being able to enter the game was a complete miscalculation. A total waste of my time.

Yes. It's time. If you don't have friends you can trust, it takes a long time to clear. Perhaps one person can collect at most 85 Specified Pocket Cards. Beyond that, interference from other players is sure to intensify. I don't feel like I can collect all 100 types.

... No, that's the ideal. In the worst case, you don't have to be able to clear it. As long as the situation in the game allows you to achieve your goals with peace of mind, that's fine. Time is running out. I can't trade my back for my belly.

He felt impatient, but he didn't know a reliable, capable comrade. Although unavoidable, it must be the price of living alone.... Of course, there are people I know who possess Nen Ability, but they won't come even if I invite them.

Will you hire Hunters for money? But the budget is already a little over 200 million. How many people can you hire, and what kind of people can you hire? First of all, if you run out, you're in trouble. I have to leave a little bit.

It's fine to distinguish the reward application recruitment, but it's on the condition of clearing the game. Moreover, you can only get three types of Specified Pocket Cards by clearing it. Then there are three people including me. Honestly, it's difficult. Anyway, with the software I won this time, I can save at most 4 people.

────Recruiting Greed Island cooperative players, reward negotiable. There is a job interview.

Well, it's like this. Somehow, owning the game software is a big deal. In the worst case, I don't care if I give up or sell the game. If you bring it to a situation where it doesn't matter even if you do that.

However, the interview seems a bit difficult. Not to mention his lack of ability, I can't even bring in opponents whose rewards are problematic. First of all, the premise is that both sides know about Nen Ability. Even professional Hunters cannot be trusted.

"What's wrong?"

Even if I don't recruit people, I should go find powerful Hunters myself and recruit them.... Then there is only one place to go.

The city where the most Hunters gather is Suwanda City, where the Hunter Association Headquarters is located.

I stayed up late at the Joy Station I brought with me yesterday and had a late breakfast at the inn. I remember playing a game last night that was both delicious and slippery.

... Hmm. Fighting games are good, but Doka*n is not. The Demon man of the CPU is not bad. You can still beat it. But the Demon Lake, you can't. There's no way one person can beat it, no joke! It's fun... but I don't want to do that for now. For the sake of friendship.

Drink up all the soup, Tang! And put down the bowl.

"Puh-ha."

Wipe the mouth. Right in front of Gon, he is eating a hearty breakfast that is on par with a sumptuous dinner. Yes, yes. Eat well, train well. I'm impressed.

──Even though the portion of food is strange, the surrounding customers are staring at them, while the two of them are fully focused on their own food and don't notice.

"Uncle.

Jumbotonkotsu salt double pork ramen refill. Ah, lots of green onions."

"Yeah!"

Uncle! It's the same to me.

Furthermore, there are signs that the surrounding environment will move one step further forward. Huh, this is a menu for gluttony; people are talking about some kind of giant beast, what kind of Wind is this exactly?

"... Aisha, how can you eat so much and not get fat?"

Even Gon doesn't know how to speak human language, but Aisha puffed out her chest and said something.

"I will practice Ren as much as I eat."

"Hearing that makes me an idiot."

I don't understand.

Although I am very dissatisfied with Gon's reaction, I wonder if he will return soon.

Finished a super-sized breakfast.

Around noon, the two of them went sightseeing while strolling through the streets.

Gon and Aisha were carrying their luggage because they intended to go home. Although Aisha had already been told by Gon not to go home to the Association Headquarters.

Smiling while queuing up to take a commemorative photo.

Aisha stared happily at the 2-person photo with a friend that was printed out on the spot.

Watching Aisha happily looking at the souvenirs displayed on the stall, Gon suddenly remembered.

"Speaking of which, Aisha."

"Yes?"

"I discovered a cute Aisha Poster."

"... Yes?"

--A Poster? What is that.

"It's like that one in the election."

"... No, no, you didn't take a photo of the election Poster, did you?

I took a video of the speech."

In the 13th presidential election, there was a rumor about filming the introductory speech videos of the top 16 candidates before the primary results.

It was just paperwork, just a photo of me speaking softly while I was still wearing my tracksuit. I'm not the type to be called cute or anything like that.

"First of all, during that election, I didn't see any Posters anywhere.

When only Hunters vote, election Posters are meaningless."

"... Yes.

Then what is this?"

"..."

Gon, wait a moment.

What kind of Poster is that?"

"Um...

It's small, but I have a photo on my Mobile Phone, so please wait a moment...

Yes, this one."

I took the Mobile Phone Gon handed to me and brought my face close to the screen.

"..."

Hmm.... What do you mean?"

There is definitely a photo of me there.... I don't remember it at all.

The text is written in a mess, but the name "aishakoza" and the mysterious phrase "I won't let the Hunter Association become Netero's toy" are clearly legible, perhaps because the screen is too small.

Well, that's that. I have my own thoughts about this, but it's fine.

There I am wearing a sharp swimsuit, happily posing in an impossible position.... By the way, who is this? Her large breasts are emphasized, with melted ice cream wedged between her cleavage. The background is a beach. I have never worn a swimsuit in the sea, have I?

... Yeah, I think she is a very cute girl.

Yes, but it's a kind of sauce and this slut...

As I stared at the screen trembling, Gon seemed truly frightened.

"A-Aisha... do you have any thoughts?"

Ahhh...

----Do I?

It was Dong Guang who almost hit the innocent Gon. To the point that I had to use all my strength to cover my mouth and stop screaming.

I feel like I'm going to smash Gon's Mobile Phone without realizing it, and then I will be awakened by some kind of killing intent. Woo woo woo.

"Gon."

"Yes, yes, yes, yes."

When I handed the phone back to him, Gon definitely felt the *nanika* in my voice. No way. I'm not angry at Gon at all.

"Where is this?"

Hahaha. I can't control my emotions, you know.

"Uh... well, in the paid information on the Hunter website.

The back-side Poster of the presidential election, right?"

I feel like I was about to say someone's name just now, but it's fine. I didn't ask.

Paid information? I don't understand the back-side Poster at all. Who is so useful...

... That guy.

Perhaps only Pariston would commit such elaborate Harassment. I can only consider this Harassment toward myself and Netero.

... I once doubted Netero, but since "Netero" is written on the Poster, I believe he would not do such a thing to desecrate his own name.... You wouldn't.

"I have an urgent matter.

See you here. From now on, I am going to run to the Association Headquarters for 'Training'."

"Are you going to run?"

——When you say "exercise" instead of "Training" as usual, it can only serve as a warm-up.

"If you run, you will arrive there faster.

Goodbye, Gon. It was great talking to you."

"Yeah, sure. Aisha, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate.

You are best friends."

Hearing the words "best friends," Aisha smiled slightly,

"Yes, of course. Alright then."

"Goodbye, Aisha!"

Gon waved at the girl who had her back to him. A killing intent that could even pierce through the 【Angel Veil】 on her body made Gon's body tremble incessantly.

Sure enough, even Gon knew. Pariston was very likely to do such a thing. After the election, Aisha also warned her acquaintances to be wary of him.

The young girl was inexplicably awakened by the vibration, and after getting far enough away, her body was still trembling as she redialed Netero.

"... Ah, Netero? Sorry again."

"It is nothing.

What is wrong, Gon?"

He seemed to notice something strange from her tone. Her speech was fast and helpful.

"Netero.

Do you know about Aisha's campaign Poster?"

"... It is not about that.

I know... Aisha, did you notice just now"

"Yeah, just now.

Right now, Aisha is heading from the World Tree to the Association Headquarters. I am angry...

That...

It wasn't made by Netero, was it?"

"..."

"Why would I make such a thing? Deciding to go to Paris.

Besides, come on.

Even if I did, would Aisha find out?

... I would collapse, right?"

Even with my consent, I was annoyed. Gu Jin made an Ambiguity sound: "Hmm?"

"Okay, Dad, Miss Pariston, run quickly."

To be honest, I don't even want to think about what Aisha would do if she met Pariston.

"I think I deserve it, but...

In your state, maybe it's something you can't get back..."

"..."

"I know what you are doing.

I don't think I will run away honestly, but I will give you a warning. Don't worry, Your Majesty."

"Yes, thank you! Netero."

"Hehehe.

... If anything happens to me, the gift will come in handy."

"Netero..."

Buy a map and find the shortest walking route.

Target, Swodan. Hunter Association Headquarters.

Aisha adjusted her shoes with an expressionless face, standing before the empty natural plain.

Charge. Hmm. Charge. Hmm.

"... Yes."

Full throttle!!

【Angel Veil】 was released. Emitting a sound that made space creak, a massive amount of malice gushed out from Aisha's body—!!

"Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!"

The young girl's first step kicked down, emitting a thunderous roar impossible in the natural world.