Chapter 404: Episode 61

"Welcome to GI."

At the end of a space filled with geometric patterns, there was a lonely woman. As she manipulated the device in her hand, the floor in front of me rose, and something resembling a console appeared.

"Please tell me your name."

Apparently, I was supposed to input it into this machine. During the Hunter Exam, I called myself Chocolobov, but just in case, it was better not to use that name. It was a name I had given myself, but when I thought about it again, it was a terrible name. I didn't think I wanted to use it. I suppose this might be why Hunter names are registered...

I operated the keyboard and typed "Nine." The "Six" in Six turned over to become "Nine" Nine. I felt better than with Chocolobov.

When you press the name confirmation button, the cover on the side of the device opens. Inside was something resembling a ring.

"Then, I will explain the game next. Master Nine, would you like to hear the explanation of the game?"

Players in the game can use magic called "Book" and "Gain" by equipping this ring. In this world, when you defeat monsters or obtain items, these items turn into cards. Cards can only be restored once through the "Gain" magic.

Cards disappear after a certain period of time. To save them, they must be stored in the pocket of the book summoned by the "Book" magic. Cards are numbered, and cards from No. 000 to No. 099 can be placed one by one into the Specified Pocket. There is also a free pocket where you can put as many as you want.

If you can place cards into all 100 Specified Pockets, the game is cleared.

"Please note that if a player dies, the book and ring will be destroyed, and all the cards inside will disappear."

There were some other detailed rules, but they were explained all at once, so I didn't really understand them. I wasn't planning on clearing the game from the start, so a rough understanding was fine. If needed, I would ask Killua later.

"Then I wish you good luck. Take the stairs over there."

I followed the instructions, walked down the stairs, and exited the building. The grassland was endless. Even using the latest VR technology (such as when fighting with Milky), this reality could not be reproduced. It was like reality. After all, thought is a mysterious power.

"You finally came? Couldn't wait..."

Killua, who was waiting for me, looked at me and froze. He stared at me intently. I know what you mean, but I'm not wearing this because I like it.

My previous clothes were damaged in the battle with Netero, so I had to change them. I was happy about that, but the problem was the person who was looking for the new clothes.

DickSakura is truly a crazy clerk. He is a Professional Hunter arranged and infiltrated by Pariston. He seems to be a Hunter who pursues something called "cute" day and night. Moreover, there seem to be quite a few of the cute Hunter's compatriots. That's too bad.

Of course, this time I resisted. I didn't want to dress like that again. Anything that stands out is not good. I wanted clothes that a six-year-old child would wear, and that were easy to put on.

Therefore. A short-sleeved T-shirt, shorts (hot pants), sneakers, and knee-high socks were decided upon. Everything from the hairpins to the popular children's brands was unified and gathered in a cute design.

Of course, it could be called an elementary school student's outfit. As requested, there was no problem moving my body. However, when I finally checked my appearance in the full-length mirror, I didn't know how to express the feeling of having crossed a line that shouldn't have been crossed. He even prepared a school bag, but as expected, I fought back.

I also changed my hair color for a disguise. I prepared a special hair dye; I didn't dye it, but rather dyed it in a way more like a coating, and now I have blonde hair. Also, to change the impression of my face, he had me wear large glasses, but I couldn't help but feel that this added a mysterious scent of crime.

Well, I didn't have any complaints because I wasn't wearing strange clothes. They were all ordinary brand-name products, actually clothes that six-year-old girls often wear. I think it's just my imagination, but it looked worse than my previous cosplay outfits. I was also prepared with a backpack to put the main body in.

But Netero, you are no good. Like tights, I don't like the feeling of them tightening my whole leg. Especially the part that bites tightly into these thighs, it's useless. Just imagining it makes me itch.

When I tried to take off the clothes, he would keep screaming about "the preciousness of the Absolute boundary created by hot pants and knee-high socks," so I had to endure it until now because the noise was too loud. However, if you go this far, you can't even see him. I took off my thigh-high socks.

However, when I sat on the ground to take off my socks, I felt someone staring at me. Not Killua. I felt someone watching me from very far away, and I couldn't see myself from here.

As if attached to that gaze, and the moisture peculiar to humans that this beast could not produce. Who exactly are you? When I threw away the two socks I had taken off and curled up, I felt my gaze shift over there. Aren't you watching me? I can't understand your opponent's intentions.

"Don't worry, you're just a pervert."

I decided to ignore it because it didn't look like it would do anything more. We left the grassland behind Killua, who started running.

After receiving a blow from Netero, I fainted and lost my memory for a while. At that moment, I only remembered the feeling of Six being crushed. Until now, he had recovered from serious injuries and stopped his life activities, but he had never experienced being crushed to the point of losing his original form.

However, he seemed to have recovered somewhat. His body was broken, but that was not death for Six. Still, I didn't want to have that experience again.

I confirmed what happened afterward by listening to other people's opinions. Netero died. It seems I did it. Threatened by the Almeiza Machine, they called it the power of Disaster.

This disaster seems to have come from a place called the Dark Continent. I don't know if Six came from there, but I was indeed considered dangerous by humans, possessing such great power.

I didn't have the courage to tell you everything I knew. I didn't know anything, I passed a point I didn't remember. Pariston, who was on the phone with me, might not have believed my story, but he didn't pursue it.

Then I would be under Pariston's protection. I didn't have time to understand if he was truly trustworthy. After things happened, I also felt shocked immediately, and a large part of it was that I succumbed to the Flow of the moment.

However, even if I think about it calmly now, I can only rely on Pariston. I killed the Chairman of the Hunter Association. Even if you don't realize it, this is an unshakable fact. There is no turning back. I had no choice but to believe Pariston's words, that he would intercede so that my punishment could be reduced in some way.

Pariston is still working for me. All I can do is hide until things cool down. That's why I decided to play a game called Greed Island.

This is a game world created by Nen Users. By setting the GI software on a JoyStation Game Console popular in ordinary households for practice, players can enter the game and experience the world of "Greed Island" just like the real world. It is an MMORPG-style game where all players gather on this island.

At that time, the things you are wearing will also be transferred, and you won't be thrown out naked. As for me, I was a little worried that Six or the main body would be left behind, but I was able to be with them safely.

There seems to be a wish to create a space that exists in another dimension just in case, but the idea of creating an entire island is too unusual. It seems that the game system where Magic can be used and items turn into cards is all just in case. I can't even imagine what kind of psychic could create it.

To play, you must use Kneading, so inevitably all players are Nen Users. And if you die in this game, only your corpse will return to the real world. Convenience is impossible. Moreover, once you start playing, you can't even return to the real world unless you have the ability to advance the game to a certain point.

It is such a terrifying game, but there are many people who want to get it. Only 100 copies were released, with a sky-high price of 5.8 billion Jenny, but now there is a 17 billion bounty. It has been sold at an Auction for over 300 million dollars.

As for me, Pariston has the game, so I can play, but it is usually difficult to get. Only 100 games exist, and even using the JoyStation Memory Card expansion plug-in, it can hold at most 800 people. Since many players have already entered, there is no room for newcomers to play unless there is a "vacancy."

A vacancy means a player's death. No one wants to die, so it seems there are many people who have given up on returning to the real world and continue to live in the game. The strong who can get out are few and far between. This is also a harsh world that is difficult to conquer.

Therefore, it is convenient for me. Greed Island is in an environment where human entry is extremely restricted. Pariston said that if I stay here, my true identity will never be discovered.

"Leave the rest to me, play with your friends when you have time."

Even if he says that, I cannot honestly accept his favor. Pariston has a lot of trouble. Even now, they must be busy with post-processing for me. I feel sorry.

Of course, I know this is not a free charity event. Pariston should maintain a friendly relationship with me, hoping that I can somehow harness the power of the Disaster. Otherwise, there is no way to show an attitude of cooperation.

I cannot say that I can meet Pariston's expectations at this stage, but I intend to cooperate as much as possible. He won't make unreasonable demands.

Not only Pariston, but also Killua. It seems he was ordered by Pariston to go with me.

"Don't get me wrong, this is an order, so I'm just handling it. Not for you..."

Killua, a rookie Hunter who just passed the exam, could not refuse the order of Pariston, who is the Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association and effectively the highest level now that there is no Chairman.

Killua was forced to play a role that wasn't worth it. Perhaps because of that, I felt his attitude had become cold since the exam started. This is natural, as they are dating reluctantly. I refused, saying it would be fine even if I were alone, but I was told I didn't need to worry. Perhaps, Pariston gave him the task of supervision.

Currently, we are heading north from the starting point under Killua's guidance. Moving forward without hesitation in the deep forest. I saw some monsters and figures on the road, but didn't have time to stop. Because Killua cut in at an amazing speed.

All I could do was follow him so he wouldn't be left behind. After traveling for several hours on a road without a path, we passed through the forest and came to a Rock Area where the rock surface was exposed. As I ran between the Rocky Mountains, I saw two figures approaching me.

"Killua! Welcome back!"

One was a black-haired boy, and the other was a girl with a ponytail. Both of them looked about the same age as me and Killua. The girl was dressed like the doll I used to wear... but perhaps this is a more popular fashion than I imagined.

"Sorry, I wanted to pick you up at the starting point, but I didn't know when you would be back."

"It's okay, there was a lot of trouble here too, and it took much longer than planned, I would have finished the exam myself."

"I passed the exam! Congratulations!"

I had heard about this from Killua before. The boy's name is Gon, and he is Killua's friend. They came here together to clear Greed Island. The other girl is named Biscuit, and they seem to have met in the game.

"Killua, who is that person?"

Faced with a foreign object mixed in with a circle of acquaintances, people naturally become suspicious. I couldn't find a suitable moment to step forward, so as I observed the situation from behind a rock in the distance, I was beckoned over by Killua.

"I met him during the Hunter Exam, and I had to take care of him. Right, introduce yourself."

"That... it's already nine o'clock."

"Haha, that's right. I'm Gon! Nice to meet you."

Killua never explained my identity in detail. I was unwilling to introduce myself as a Disaster or anything else, so I will leave the disclosure of relevant information to Killua.

"And Biscuit, you don't need to wear the cat, I've already told you about your personality."

Gon reached out his hand without any suspicion, so I accepted the handshake. However, Biscuit swept her gaze over my entire body with a suspicious look.

"Hey you, bring that woman you picked up while you were doing your Cultivation..."

"Wrong!"

"Hmm, although you are creating an atmosphere that seems popular with girls, because you are a latecomer, it is impossible to take you in."

"This old lady...!"

Compared to the gentle impression she showed at the beginning, Biscuit speaks frankly. She is a Professional Hunter and seems to be quite a strong person as a Nen user; it is said that Killua and Gon are also training hard under her guidance.

I am also very interested in Ren training. For the time being, I have nothing to do in this game other than staying within Killua's line of sight, so if there is a chance to learn with them, I want to ask them. Killua should talk to Biscuit.

"Then, can Number Nine also participate in the training?"

"What's the reason? I'm not running a cram school, why don't you increase the number of students? You might not realize it, but I might spend time training with you for free. You're really lucky."

It seems I can't train. Even if I wanted to pay tuition, I have no money right now. My Smart Phone is also broken, so I am truly penniless. Hiring a Professional Hunter would cost a lot of money. Although it's not unreasonable, I feel disappointed because I had high hopes. I feel frustrated.

"Don't say stingy things."

"If you say no, you can't. I don't like certain things. I'm not particularly fond of the fact that she is a sickeningly beautiful girl."

"This is just a lonely place."

The next moment, Killua soared into the air. It was only for a moment, but I could see Killua's uppercut. Killua, who prides himself on such speed, shuddered at the blow that could not be completed. It seems he is indeed very talented.

"Hey, little Biscuit, since there's a big deal, let's all train together. It's just a pity that one person is missing, I think it's better for me and Killua to train with various types of Nen users."

"... Hmm, Killua brought him here, he must have some skills, but that doesn't mean I can accept him unconditionally. No way, let's do a little test."

With Gon's help, I was able to be judged. Biscuit ordered Gon to fight me.

"Hmm? Me?"

"Since you said so, then cooperate with us. The time limit is five minutes. If you can defeat Gon by then, I will train you."

Speaking of this, Biscuit revealed an ugly smile. As for Gon, his expression was different from before.

"Another troublesome situation..."

"He is still serving you; if Gon can't clean him up, then he's not worth mentioning."

Gon was obviously angry. There were blue stripes on my forehead. I recoiled a bit at the level of enthusiasm, but I couldn't help but lose. Gon and I faced each other in an open ring of rocks.

"Are you two ready?"

"Ossu!"

"... Oh my..."

"Then the training camp entrance exam, begin!"

They entered a state of mutual training and jumped forward. A head-on Collision, neither side took a step back. I directly grabbed Gon's fist.

Heavy. It was as if a car had crashed into it. I gritted my teeth and stepped a few times before I wasn't blown away. For a moment, Gon seemed a bit uneasy.

He seemed to be expressing his anger, but I guess he still had a part of him cutting corners on Six's appearance. I feel like I am taking advantage of this kindness, but I will take this opportunity to solve the problem immediately.

I removed the limiter and increased the output of Ren, while hitting a counter. Gon's body lifted slightly and was pushed backward.

But he didn't fall. Just before the blow struck, the power was weakened by the frost guard. I thought I had seized a perfect opening, but it seems he is not an opponent who would let me win so easily.

"Amazing, your punch...!"

Gon, who was attacked by me, turned from his stern expression, his eyes shining, and his face shattered. The change in his face made him look like a little boy, but the Aura emanating from his petite body was radiating incomparably powerful strength.

Biscuit let me defeat him in 5 minutes, so I thought he wasn't that strong, but I was wrong. This is an opponent who must be considered to be at the same level or higher.

Not a single second can be wasted. First, Analysis of the opponent's fighting style. Continue to attack without hesitation. One of the advantages of this body is the ease of using special attacks that utilize its high regeneration ability. The unique repair ability attracts the enemy's attention when the enemy is seriously injured, but internal injuries such as bruises and fractures are not obvious, so it can be disguised as sturdy.

The match had just begun, and I had roughly guessed Gon's fighting style. Even if you observe carefully, you won't feel that he is hiding any tools or weapons. He is probably the same type as Six, a power fighter who makes his own body stronger.

Gon's blow was an Explosion. Until now, I haven't made any adjustments. It teased us with flexible movements and aimed at our blind spots while changing standing positions. When you pass each other, a kicked kick sinks into your side.

Enduring a blow that felt like it would burst the air in his lungs, he swung a hammer at Gon, who had exposed his opening. I tried to catch up to the fallen Gon, but he rolled over and avoided me while I was passive.

Even I could hit Gon, because his speed is not as good as Killua's. However, it didn't cause much damage. Because it is sturdy and fully protected by Ken.

If you defend with a technique that concentrates your Aura in one place, you can temporarily increase the defense of that part many times over, so you can greatly reduce the enemy's attack power. And that defense can be converted into attack power.

However, condensing Aura means that the defense other than the part protected by Ken is reduced. Although it is convenient, if used carelessly, you will eventually be forced into a disadvantage.

This is an advanced technique that won't work unless you can accurately read the enemy's attack and move your Aura quickly. In other words, my attacks were completely read by Gon. In terms of Aura movement technology, I am also at an overwhelming disadvantage.

The fight I am doing is just pushing and shoving. It is nothing more than strengthening beyond the body's limits and bringing the recovery power to the extreme. When I fought Killua, I didn't quite understand it, but now fighting Gon, I can feel the difference in technology more than ever.

Nevertheless, I have no choice but to continue the way I can fight now. I have no choice but to remember what I lack and acquire it. Continue to attack while imprinting Gon's Aura and movements into your eyes. Due to the fierce exchange of punches and kicks, the fancy glasses that Six was wearing were blown away somewhere.

"Wow..."

Biscuit was shocked by my fighting style. Gon took advantage of the gap when my line of sight moved away and received a blow. I spat out the bloody taste spreading in my mouth.

Gon kept increasing the intensity of his Aura as if he were upgrading his equipment. I am sure that I have not put all my strength into it yet. In response, I also suppressed the collapse of my body and increased the enhancement rate of my Aura.

"Right, 30 seconds left. No matter how you struggle, the conditions of the exam will not change. If you can't beat Gon, you lose! By the way, if Gon can't beat Number Nine, you have to do 5000 push-ups as punishment."

The remaining time is limited. Even if we continue to fight like this, it won't disappear. Gon must be thinking the same thing, so he temporarily opened up the distance as if to start over.

"Sorry, I can't let you lose. I'm afraid Nine won't be convinced by a victory like this."

Gon lowered his hips and assumed a posture with his right hand open. I simply said that from now on, I would unleash some techniques.

"I don't think I can defeat you with half-baked attacks. That is why I will do my best."

At first, Jajanken.

This was a shout that did not match the tense atmosphere of the battle. However, immediately following it, a massive amount of Aura gathered on Gon's right arm, making him feel a chill.

It was very similar to Gyu, only the amount of condensed Aura was vastly different, making it look like a completely different technique. An abnormal sense of oppression erupted, as if all the Aura in his body had been squeezed and collected.

If you were struck by this power, you would not be safe. However, conversely, such a massive convergence of Aura meant that, except for his right fist, almost his entire body had dropped to the level of Absolute defense.

Indeed, if it were Gon, he might be able to attack someone like me who has poor mixed martial arts ability. Up until now, I haven't been able to dodge Gon's attacks, so I often take the opportunity to counterattack. The result is punches and kicks.

Abandoning defense for an all-out strike, the goal is a one-hit KO with no room for a counterattack.

"Ja-"

Gon walked in. He took the step without hesitation. In his deep black eyes, I felt a madness that pierced through innocence.

He was full of confidence in his skill. Looking at the amount and density of the Aura contained within it, one knew he wasn't foolish. However, I felt an obsession that transcended this confidence.

Gon was only thinking about hitting me with his fist. How could you defeat me within the remaining ten seconds? I dedicated my entire body and soul to this.

I ignored the fact that I would be attacked. Being able to defeat me in one hit is not something to be easily overconfident about. No matter what happens, even if he is unarmed and receives my counterattack, his fist will not stop. There is a terrifying flavor that makes you think so.

An all-out strike that knows everything. Even if you know this is not a life-or-death battle, just a match, you wouldn't normally think of it. He concentrated all his Aura and spirit into this one strike.

Avoiding it is not good. Even if one wanted to defend, if one endured such great power, the burden on the body would be immense. Considering the time required for regeneration, a counterattack cannot be launched immediately. Even if I don't lose, I won't be able to defeat Gon within the time limit.

I will take him as an example and think about what the best way to win is.

"Ken."

On the second step, Gon caught me within range. The star-like Aura on his right hand grew larger and stronger. In response, I walked forward without dodging or avoiding.

Using my left hand to gather Aura to the limit, I kept a low posture and stuck my head out. I generously exposed my vital point where the Aura protection was weak. Gon's right straight would reach my head without any Obstacle.

I said it was an all-out attack, but Gon probably adjusted the power to the level where Six was seriously defending; it wouldn't be fatal, but it would make him lose the ability to act. However, the part where defense drops due to stiffness is naturally unacceptable. The flesh would Explosion.

But it doesn't matter. It turns out that even if his head is completely crushed, Six will not die. When fighting Netero, I couldn't stand the feedback of the feeling of my whole body being crushed in an instant and my consciousness dropping, but this time I endured it.

Even if the head is crushed, the main body acts as Six's brain and moves the body. I didn't know if I could do it before I tried.

"Sticky stuff!"

The right straight hit the target. The fist radiated a terrifying Aura, and no matter where it hit, it would cause fatal damage to Six's body.

This was a battle of the mind, not a battle of the body. No matter what happened, Gon wanted to throw his full-power punch, and even if Six caught and stopped it, he tried to counterattack. I won that match.

Gon's eyes shifted. The last bit of restraint against killing caused the trajectory of his fist to bend slightly. An earth-shattering blow grazed Six's cheek.

Should I say I took advantage of Gon's Conscience rather than winning the psychological game? I just applied my power from the position of being the only one who was safe. If I said this was part of the tactic, it would end there, but there is some guilt. But I won't cut corners here.

Six was throwing a right hook to match Gon's right straight. The one gathering Aura with the left hand was a feint. The favorite is the right hook. Because it was stuck in a different place, there was no Aura, but Gon's current defense was close to zero, possessing the power of a one-hit kill.

The two right arms crossed. The cross-counter was successful, and Six's fist hit Gon's head. No matter how tough a person with a Nen Ability is, as long as they are human, as long as you shake their brain, they will lose consciousness. After a brief stalemate, Gon's body tilted violently and fell down.

"That's it! Nine wins!"

Just in time. I took a deep breath and bowed.