Chapter 181: Chapter Nine

A head of cherry-colored hair quickly left the entrance of the Association Headquarters.

After breathing the outside air, my footsteps gradually slowed down.

──I know my ears are still red. My whole body is hot, so hot.

Why did I say that...

This is almost the first time I've met someone, and, for a child... I'm imitating all my tendencies, my heart is pounding.

"Hagu..."

I cannot stop my body from trembling. Even tears are coming out. I still can't believe I actually took the initiative to say such embarrassing words.

... There must be something going on with that girl and that poster...

I can tell you are really shy about that poster. When I saw that poster, I was really jealous.... So feminine, an ideal physique is a bit rare.

After actually seeing her body, I knew my intuition was correct.

But how could she...

You might have a masculine air.... Looking back, the clothes I wore before were men's sportswear, very plain.

Did you think you would understand...

No, now you understand, I don't know what it is...

Bewildered, I don't know where I'm going, walking on and on until the heat cools down.

────When I came to my senses, I was wandering around an unknown, empty shopping street.

That...? How far did I walk?

I look around. The geography of Suwanda City is not very detailed. At least I don't know where I am now.

I am a lost child, disqualified as a Hunter...

The Professional Hunter license I got four years ago was not for hunting. It was for the Divine Rune I studied, to make money. Although he was honing his skills so he could fend off any pursuers, he realized he lacked the qualities needed for hunting.

I sighed and headed back the way I came.... In general, why did you leave the Association? I must consider recruiting other Hunters. Even if I treat that girl as a friend, there is nothing we can do.

Zawa...

A chill. I recognized that something had entered my field of vision, and the Aura all over my body vibrated for an instant.

Immediately calm down. The footsteps remain the same, but only the consciousness sharpens drastically. What is going on with such an ordinary shopping street...

A little further ahead──

Two people wearing brown jumpsuits walk toward us. The hoods are pulled deep over their eyes, and exposed skin is barely visible. The two are holding hands, approaching quickly.

If both are on this trajectory, they will have a Collision. Gradually adjust the walking trajectory to a degree that won't be noticed, correcting it to the degree of passing by the side.

I knew it once we got close. Whether it is vitality or Spirit Power, it is not that of an ordinary person. Especially one who has a considerable amount of energy, not even a mediocre Professional Hunter level.

Just before we brushed past each other—

By accident or something, I tried to pull my arm out of my suit pocket. It looked like it would hit me, so I avoided it.

Then he looked at me in surprise. ──With non-human eyes.

"... Puhah!!"

Suddenly, he took a deep breath. I grabbed this arm.

"Ha, ha... Hey you.

Come here!"

I gave a sharp tug. Powerful force—Aura volume. It wasn't irresistible, but it seemed there was no hostility, so I'll leave it to you for now. The other party's jumpsuit also followed me, panicked.

I was dragged into the back alley just like that.

Grab the collar of your clothes, and put it on! Push me against the Wall.

"... This is painful.

If this is a pickup, I refuse."

I tried to play it off lightly, but it was a strength that wouldn't joke around. It seems I should prepare well for a serious "Kneading".

"What are you saying, you...

Yes? Are you a man?

Just for the record, I am a woman."

"...

Sonanpa

"Ah! Whether man or woman!

Anta, why!?"

I can understand well that I can put my face so close. Not human is not just your face, but your whole body.

It looks like a hybrid of a reptile and a human. As far as I know, this is not a Nen Ability. It is definitely alive. Could it be a demi-human monster? In such a small town?

"... Wait a minute.

If you have any questions, answer them. So let go.

Why are you so excited? What did I do?"

When I told him that, he finally calmed down a little and let me go. I wish it would stop completely. My favorite clothes are stretched out.

"Yes, I want to hear what you did.

I will answer your questions, so answer honestly."

Since he is looking at me with sincere eyes, I also face him very seriously.

"You... how did you know about my 【God Absence Proof/Perfect Plan】?"

Even after noon, I haven't received a message from Netero.

"This might be a protracted war..."

I reluctantly walked outside the Association Headquarters to have lunch. I could eat Gohan there, but the story of Uranus is a bit chaotic, and I want to eat something delicious to change my mood.

As I walked along the corridor leading to the entrance hall, I saw a man wearing a rhododendron standing with his back against the Wall, watching me.

You are quite skilled...

It is much faster to count from the top. You can feel it from the Ren you are wearing and the way you stand.

As I tried to pass in front of the man who did not try to take his eyes off me,

"Hey... Gon owes you."

I stopped.

"..."

I don't know the reason, but it gave off an unsettling sign.

I glared at him, the disgust emerging without concealment.

"... Ging freak, huh?"

"That's it.

I have business with you. Aisha=koza"

It is Gon's father...

Gon, who became a Hunter, has been looking for him.

Mito's cousin on Whale Island.

"What do you want?

... Ah, I also chatted with you for a bit."

"What"

After saying that, he stood with his back against the Wall.

... He didn't take his hands out of his pockets, but I could tell he was wary of us. Even looking at your standing posture, one can tell this is an extraordinary skill.

"Why are you running away from Gon?

"Gon wants to see you."

"Come see me, hoping I can find you."

"... Why are you running away?"

"Because Gon will come looking for you."

I didn't want to answer this person.

"..."

Please return to Whale Island and apologize to Mito."

"Why should I go home? What exactly am I supposed to apologize for?"

When it came to Ging, Mito-san's face flashed through my mind.

This is not something I should interfere with.... I know.

"You must be Gon's father.

Please do not abandon your child."

To Gon, Mito is his mother. I know that too.

But... she is not his biological mother.

"This has nothing to do with Mom.

It was Mito who wanted to raise Gon."

"... You just need to go back to Whale Island."

"For what?"

The man before my eyes is...

Do you not understand how Mito-san raised Gon?

How did she feel seeing Gon off when he left Whale Island to follow him?

What were you thinking about while Gon was away...

I...

"Did Mito send you to see me?"

At that blatant sound of contempt.

────Somewhere in my mind, I heard a cracking sound.

Released from the Angel Veil that had disappeared without me noticing, a massive, ominous aura instantly engulfed Ging.

Use all my strength to smash this man's face. ──A hallucination.

When he grabbed his collar and clenched his fist—he stopped right in front of him for an instant.

"Aaaaaaaaah...!!"

Other than that, I had nothing to say...

My heart is boiling, to the point where I want to defeat him right now.... To a degree I don't understand.

Ging, hit by my aura, had his expression change. One corner of his mouth curled into a smile,

"This guy is truly amazing...

Leaving behind that old man Netero, I could go hunt the giant Chimera Ants all by myself."

Giri...

Grinding teeth. I accepted the provocation.... Just the roar from a moment ago. Cannot forgive...

"... Next."

If you say something insulting about her...

I will definitely send you to the hospital.

I will have Xiao En see you in the form of a visit."

I let go of the breastplate in my hand and wiped my blurred vision with my Finger. 【Angel's Veil】 has been reactivated.... Meaningless, this kind of aura shouldn't be displayed in a place like this. It seems best not to stay too long.

"Ha... In the best-case scenario, you should Escape from Xiao En.

Someday he will surpass you and find you easily."

"Yes, I am looking forward to it.

If he has many friends like you, he won't need my help."

"..."

Pariston is the same, but Ging has something immeasurable. If I continue this conversation, I feel the danger that my true identity will be discovered.

I finally ended my uneasy breathing.

"... Then, what do you need from me? Please finish quickly."

"Then don't sell a fight...

Here."

Ging reached out from his pocket—

The familiar Ring and Joystation Memory Card.

"... What is that?"

"You know?

It is for entering Greed Island.

My friend asked me to give it to you. I don't even know what is inside."

"..."

Greed Island is a game created by Gon's father, Ging, and his friends.

It might be to make Gon stronger.... Although, the part where Gon trained by clearing the game was probably just a little bit of practical experience. Gon had already trained with us before participating in the competition and had already acquired considerable ability. That level of monster is not enough to be Gon's opponent.

"What I want to ask is, why are you handing these things over?

... I won't necessarily enter Greed Island again.

Gon and the others and I cleared the game and got a clear reward. Even if you give me that kind of thing now..."

"Don't know about that.

My friend asked me to give it to you.

I just want to hand this over to you.

Whether to accept it or not is up to you."

"..."

The timing is too perfect—that is what I am worried about. Eavesdropping on our conversation before? No, I don't think it's possible to have such preparation... It's hard to think this is entirely a Coincidence.

"... Fine. I will accept it.

But even if I enter the game, I don't know if I will use it."

"Either way is fine.

The fact that my friend gave this to me means the Game Master of Greed Island is trying to tell you something.

Even so, if you Stick to not using it when you enter the game, then do as you please."

I certainly don't think this is information that can be ignored. But.

I don't like it because it looks like this man is moving me around conveniently...

Anyway, I snatched the Ring and Memory Card from Ging's hand.

"I only heard that the player name on the Ring and Memory Card is Aisa."

"... You know what's inside, don't you? What on earth are you thinking..."

"I really don't know.

It doesn't matter how much you ask me."

The aura and demeanor of Ging I see clearly indicate that he is lying. I think you deliberately made it look like that.

"... Please tell me your opinion. What is the intention of this thing?

At this rate, I feel sick and unable to use it."

"Oh?

You have a strange ability, don't you?"

"..."

It must be 【Boss Attribute】. It has been triggered many times in the game, no wonder Ging would know.

"What's the problem with that?"

"That must be very inconvenient.

I only knew this after I quit game management, but if you mess up, there is a possibility of ruining the game."

... Inconvenient?

To me, Boss Attribute is nothing more than a negative factor that hinders game strategy. Without Leorio, even moving in the game or trying to Escape from the game...

──Escape?

"You know this game exists in the real world, right?"

"... Greed Island is an island somewhere in this world.

I know."

"Some people look for the island, and sometimes they board a ship directly.

The Game Master can eliminate those who enter the island illegally through special Movement Spells."

"────!!"

True. Even if I enter the island illegally, they cannot get rid of me using special Movement Spells. Even doing so would render the Boss Attribute ineffective.

In that case, they would only be able to remove me by force...

If I cannot eliminate them, I can occupy Greed Island. Coordinating with Leorio's 【High-speed Flight Ability/Ruler】, it might be possible to travel freely in and out of the island and obtain an infinite number of Specified Pocket Card items.

However, the Game Masters would never just let things stay as they are.

As a result...

The entire game would very likely be broken.

"Ha.

Even if you aren't worried, I don't think a sweetheart like you would do something to ruin the game."

This guy always says things that annoy me...

"Who is a sweetheart? A mouth that seems to know."

"... In order to minimize the number of victims as much as possible, what if the person who went alone to hunt the giant Chimera Ants wasn't a sweetheart?"

"..."

"What are you talking about, I—"

"It was a quick move, as if they knew how much damage it would cause.

I find it strange; I can't help it.

When you moved for the 'first time,' how did you know the giant Chimera Ants were a Disaster-level danger?"

────!?

This guy...!!

"..."

"I have no obligation to answer."

"I understand. For me, that's fine.

If your friend asked you the same question, would you answer like that?"

"...!"

"That is all I can tell you.

... Then think about it yourself. Are you a Hunter?"

After saying this, Jin turned and walked away.

I glanced at the Memory Card and Ring in my hand, then put them into my pocket.

... I should prepare an excuse. This is a person who reads too much, to the point of being irritating...

Hasn't my true identity been exposed again? What is he...

Ha... Let's go eat some rice.

Walking outward, Jin recalled the aura from before, and his body trembled.

The hand in my pocket is sweating now.

... She really is a crazy girl...

I was pushed to the point where my heart could have shattered in an instant. I barely restrained myself.

... Well, what you are thinking is too easy to understand, so it's not worth reading...

For some reason, it reminds me of Mito, who is also a difficult opponent.

... Is that the most powerful person among humans? Hell, there's even more...

While I was eating a hearty lunch, I received a call from Netero. Come to the airport immediately.

I shouted for a moment: "Bad timing!"

Aisha's 【Boss Attribute】 and the "Eliminate/Eliminate" problem

"-003: Eliminate/Eliminate"

Game Master's remote special spell

Aisha's Boss Attribute, which has no rank or card restrictions, sent her to a certain place on the continent, even negating the effect of the Game Master's exclusive spell "Eliminate/Eliminate," sending those who illegally invaded Greed Island to the A-Ken Continent. The Game Masters argued about how to deal with those non-standard creatures who used Movement Spells and broke through the no-entry procedures, rather than reorganizing the Specified Pocket Card events after clearing them.... Originally, the reorganization after clearing a Specified Pocket Card event was already prepared in their own way before the clear, so the delay in Greed Island's restart was mostly caused by Aisha. Even Lina, who was attacked by the Eliminate spell. As expected, the cheating will be picked up. They are two very annoying people. No matter what you put, Boss Attribute, you are really careless. Boss Attribute: "Hard to understand." By the way, the problem of Leorio's 【High-speed Flight Ability/Ruler】 being able to take items out by escaping the island already has a countermeasure. "-010: Recapture/Recapture" Game Master's remote special spell, no rank or card quantity limit.