Chapter 408: Episode 65

A few days after the final exam, Biscuit and I arrived at the Magic City of Masadora. It is about 70 kilometers away from the rocky area where I usually practice. I have been to this small town several times to buy food and other items.

By the way, it seems there are Spell Cards in this town that allow you to use magic in the game, but I have never bought any. When I asked Biscuit, it seemed convenient because you can teleport to various places. She doesn't seem to know much about them either.

Today, to celebrate passing my exam, I received permission from Biscuit to shop as I please. If you have enough money, you can purchase things you deem necessary for your game strategy.

I passed the practice final exam smoothly, and I thought this would allow me to graduate as a Beginner, but Biscuit told me something unexpected. Surprisingly, it is said that all the basics of Nen are taught using this. This was actually the final exam, and I was told to learn the rest on my own.

This is the end of the stage where you can become stronger just by being taught. After following what you have learned so far and training your basics firmly, you will accumulate real combat experience against various types of enemies. There is no other way to become stronger.

Regarding the Shingen-ryu martial arts, there is nothing I cannot teach you, but according to Biscuit, a certain "pattern" has already appeared in my movements. I was never aware of it, but if it appears unconsciously, it can be said that it is like a memory deeply rooted in the body.

It is extremely familiar with its movements, so if you touch it poorly, it is very likely to have an adverse effect on you. Learning Shingen-ryu is one of the ways to become stronger, but it is only one method and not a power suitable for everyone. As for me, I feel there is no need for correction, so I was told to continue.

In other words, there is nothing left to teach. After hearing this, I wasn't happy. I was more shocked. I was sure that from now on I would enter full-scale training.

Biscuit initially stated that the training period would take at least half a year. Only about a month and a half has passed. Perhaps I should be happy that my training is progressing well, but this is not the end.

I asked Biscuit if he could give me more guidance. For a while, I will be able to keep in touch with Kumite and others. Somehow, Biscuit is strong. Although he should be weakened by poison, he shows an overwhelmingly high level of ability. By imitating real combat through Kumite, you can learn a lot.

"You cried like an abandoned puppy, so I reluctantly took care of you, but... your growth rate is terrifying."

Once again, even if you just ignore me because I said so. But I feel like I'm starting to see the possibility of eating a little more from Biscuit. I will give Biscuit trouble, but I will make him keep his promise to make me stronger.

Besides that, it's time to go shopping. I am at a large Department Store in Masadora. The building is large, but the products they sell are compact. Because all products are sold in the form of cards. Use a Buff to restore them after purchase.

This takes up less space, and shipping costs will be cheaper. However, it is as inconvenient as mail order because you cannot pick up the actual product and look at it. This is especially true for the clothing corner we are in now.

Biscuit told me to buy clothes for Six first. After hard training, the clothes I am wearing now are already tattered. If it weren't for being reinforced in "Ren", it would have lost its shape long ago.

Originally, the exposure was high, and now the damage sensation has increased by about 40%. Walking around, I feel I can't call it fashionable, but I'll buy a new one anyway.

There are many damaged parts, mainly due to Kumite and Biscuit. Feeling that responsibility, he said to earn money if there is no money, but he didn't want to buy such expensive clothes. I prepared some money by selling the cards I got from defeating rock monsters.

"After all, you have to look at the actual item before buying. When restoring, it seems the size will be adjusted according to the owner, but I don't know the texture of the fabric or the fineness of the workmanship."

Even while doing this, I continued light training. Training to quickly turn the Qi gathered at my fingertips into the shape of numbers from 0 to 9. Recently, besides numbers, Biscuit has been unreasonably forcing me to improvise animal drawings.

'1! 9! 4! Rabbit!'

"Rabbit!?"

If the perfection is low or it takes more than 0.1 seconds, I will be tied up. Occasionally, Fugura feints will also come.

Browsing the card rack while practicing forming the picture of a rabbit. In my training, I don't need or want any decorations. Easy to move, cheap price, if you can hold this area, then it's no problem.

【Cloth Clothes】 H-300

Cheap clothes worn by travelers.

This should be fine. The price is also the cheapest. However, Six's hand reaching for the card was blocked by Biscuit.

"Wait, buy something better anyway. If it breaks immediately, it's useless to buy it."

Of course, is this true? If you consider durability, being too picky about cheapness is not good. In the end, the more durable, the better.

"Isn't this good?"

【Female Fighter Outfit】 D-20

Combat suit of an exotic fighter.

The letters written on the card represent the rank, from SS rank to H rank. The number next to it is the maximum number of cards that can be made, and items of the same type in the game cannot have more cards made than this number. Since this limit has a lot to do with the difficulty of obtaining it, generally, the smaller the number, the rarer it is.

The card recommended by Biscuit is quite expensive. I don't think what I have is enough. I refused and instead forcibly took the card to the checkout counter.

I bought some other cards and finished the checkout. In the end, it was 578,230 Jenny. For the time being, I gave all my money, and Biscuit made up for the shortfall. It seems it was to celebrate passing the exam, so I accepted it gratefully.

Unless it is a card banknote or coin, this payment cannot be used. Even coins received as change will be returned one by one in the form of cards, so if you receive them all, the Free Pocket of the Binder will soon be filled. If you don't put it into the Binder, this card will be canceled, and you won't be able to make it again, so at that moment, it will lose its value. Although it is a realistic worldview, this kind of place feels like game-like unnaturalness.

"That's good, change your clothes immediately."

That's why I changed into the clothes restored by the Buff in the fitting space. The appearance image is close to Chinese clothing. The skirt has a large slit, which is convenient for movement. Underneath, she wears loose trousers. Because it is expensive, it is comfortable to wear, and the workmanship is good. It won't break easily.

When I left the fitting room, Biscuit messed up my hair. Both left and right sides can be wrapped into buns. It looks like a hair bun. In addition, an iron fan was sent. This was also bought earlier. It looks like a weapon, but you may not have a chance to use it.

I feel like I'm just being amused, but let's do our best. After that, I didn't intend to buy anything in particular, but I looked around for a while. Because there are only cards, window shopping is not fun at all.

Afterward, I entered a cafe inside the Department Store. The clerk here is handsome and seems to be Biscuit's favorite shop. Since there was space, Six kept his balance on the iron fan he just received and entered the shop like that.

Place your order at a four-person table. Because I am penniless, water is fine, but Biscuit decided to treat me. Or rather, it was ordered by chance. Coffee and tapioca milk tea were brought.

It seems tapioca drinks are popular. I have never drunk them. According to Biscuit's introduction, the common way to drink tapioca is to suck the tapioca from the bottom of the cup with a straw. When I tried it, a black granule ran out from inside the straw and hit my throat. I choked with satisfaction. The fan above my head shook. Young people nowadays seem to prefer stimulating drinks.

Biscuit observed the handsome clerk while covering a smirk on the menu. While I was sucking the tapioca pearls, two new customers came in.

"Ah, Biscuit! Nine! Long time no see!"

It's Gon and Killua. Actually, this morning, the two of them contacted me using communication magic and decided to meet at this shop. Shopping was like an afterthought.

"I haven't heard from you guys lately, but how is your card collection going?"

"Of course! I want to say, but..."

Since then, the two of them have come to the training ground to see me many times, but I haven't heard from them lately. At first, they seemed to be mainly active in Masadora, where Spell Cards are easy to obtain, but if you want to collect various cards, you naturally need to explore everywhere on the island. There are Spell Cards that can teleport to distant towns, but they are not things you can use casually.

"I intended to collect the cards back immediately, but the designated pocket is still only half full."

"I think I can reach A rank somehow, but other than that, the difficulty level is different."

"I don't know much about the game, but if you collected half in such a short time, isn't that a success?"

People themselves don't seem to believe it. Originally, they intended to continue looking for cards, but suddenly another problem appeared, so they interrupted the search and returned.

"I received a call from Goreinu, there is a player who seems to be about to clear the game immediately."

Clearing the game means completing 100 designated pocket cards. Many players have been hired by the millionaire Battera, and the first player to clear the game will receive a huge reward. In any case, I don't want to let him get away.

This is no longer the time to collect cards aimlessly. It is necessary to take all possible means and prioritize capture. Because of this, I think they cannot leave me and Biscuit, with our strength, idle.

"However, Nine's training is also important, I cannot force you to invite me."

"There is no problem there."

Gon and Killua were provoked by this sentence. Comparing my current ability with the two's ability, I am curious about how much stronger they are than before, but I don't intend to deliberately provoke them. I guess Biscuit will cheer for them after understanding everyone's personality.

I don't object to participating in the game's strategy. I am not interested in clearing the game, but if it helps Gon and the others, it is definitely worth it.

"Currently, it has been decided that several capture groups will gather under Goreinu's summons to hold an emergency countermeasures meeting."

That night, a large group of players gathered on a rock two kilometers northeast of Masadora.

Kazusur group, 3 people.

Asta group, 3 people.

Goran.

Abibi group, 2 people.

Hanze group, 3 people.

Gon group, 4 people.

A total of 16 people. Compared to the total number of players, this seems like a very small fraction, but in reality, it is not such a light number. Most players are those who have given up on capturing and have no choice but to live without being able to escape the game. It is said that there are fewer than 30 groups that are truly continuing to move to capture.

Originally, rivals competing for captives would never have the chance to face each other like this. In other words, the situation is so tense that it is imperative.

"Everyone is gathered. As I said in the communication, it seems the Genthru Group could clear it after a while."

In other words, this is a place to discuss sabotage to prevent top players from escaping. It might sound bad to say you are pulling each other's legs, but how to outsmart your opponent is part of the game. Moreover, it seems the Genthru Group has used some terrible means to earn a lot of cards.

"Their current complete status is 96 types, and we need to take measures as soon as possible."

"How did you get this information?"

When Killua asked, it seems the information can be heard at the Trade Shop where you can exchange for cash. At that time, you can know the ranking of how many types of cards all players have obtained. By paying an extra fee, you can even get the card numbers that person possesses.

"How dare you come all this way without knowing that."

The Asta group complained. As far as the progress of capturing is concerned, other groups are a step or two ahead of us. There is no helping it if there are things you don't know. For me, all I can do is keep up with the rhythm of the story. I pacified the sulking Killua.

To prevent Genthru from being captured, you must steal cards or monopolize the cards that have not yet been obtained. However, it is said that the means of taking them are not realistic.

There are Spell Cards for stealing other people's cards, but it seems there are counter-cards to prevent it. Through the process of elimination, we concluded that we have no choice but to monopolize the unobtained cards through human wave tactics.

"This seems to be the only way. But I object to the members forming a united front."

The leader of Asta, Asta, showed reluctance again. Apparently, from the previous exchange, they did not see me as an equal collaborator. All members of the team (present) are children, and they might be suspected of lacking ability.

"Aren't you the duo of Gon and Killua? Are those two girls transcendent powers or something? You can't take strategies against people like that."

Just as we know Genthru's cards, we can also see the cards we possess. The capture group should grasp as much information about other groups as possible, and the Gon group must have investigated in advance.

In fact, the condition for the invitation group to participate in this meeting was based on the premise of possessing more than 50 types of cards. In this regard, Biscuit and I were immersed in Training all day and did not participate in the capture of the game, so it can be said that we did not meet the conditions.

"Uh, sorry. We are in the same team, but we are not good at fighting, so we acted separately..."

Biscuit, who probably wouldn't be an enemy even if everyone present gathered to attack her, was talking about the world.

"Don't be arrogant and interfere with the formation of this team."

"No one wants to drag a stumbling block to their comrades, not even those rude brats who have no sense of cooperation."

"It's a pity you won't cooperate!"

Gon and I calmed down the arguing Asta and Killua. There were some harsh claims, but if you look at it from someone else's perspective, it's not impossible to understand what you are saying. Also, thanks to Killua's anger, I wasn't that angry.

"Anyway, building a mutually beneficial relationship is a prerequisite for cooperation."

"Then you know the abilities of the Genthru Group. This information is useful, isn't it?"

"And I also have a card they haven't gotten yet. Still not happy."

By providing information, they seemed to be able to gain their trust in some way, but Killua asked Asta for two S-Rank Cards in return. It was impossible for Asta not to speak to this accusation, and the conversation naturally became complicated.

The negotiations almost broke down, but Gon seemed to have a reason for wanting to convey information about Genthru and the others, so in the end, it was decided to talk. The other two members of the Asta group accepted the transfer of two S-Rank Cards, so the story ended like that.

Genthru seems to be a fearsome player hunter known as the "Bomber." For years, he hid his true identity, recruited allies, and when the captive group grew into a major force, he betrayed them. Since the beginning of the game, he has been the culprit behind the genocide. With the cards he stole from that incident, he has reached the top of the list.

Its ability, "Little Flower," is a skill that uses the Hatsu gathered in the hand to cause a small Explosion, which, combined with Genthru's own high combat ability, shows cruel power. In addition, it has another ability called "Countdown," which can manifest a time bomb on the target and then blow them to death.

Gon seemed to have met a victim of this "Countdown" and was asked to spread the information to stop his cruel behavior. Until I heard about this, I had considered slapping the Genthru group and using force to steal their cards, but everyone knows that such a hand is disadvantageous to them.

Gon's sincerity in trying to convey the threat of Genthru without calculating or bargaining was conveyed, and Asta seemed to realize this, and he provided me with various information about game strategies. It can be said that the hatred has been resolved. Other groups also provided information in return. Gon and Killua listened to the story with wide eyes.

By the way, I didn't understand what he was saying at all, but I didn't want to be underestimated, so I nodded knowingly.

"Then, now, we end the information exchange meeting and discuss the topic, Genthru Group measures. The cards they haven't obtained are No. 000, No. 2, No. 9, and No. 75. These are our joint teams. Get it first, then monopolize it."

With so many players, it is easy to collect cards that are difficult to obtain. Ideally, I want to collect the maximum number of cards that have not been obtained by anyone yet.

The Spell Card that plays an active role in the investigation is "List." You can see how many cards of the specified item there are and how many people possess that card.

One is to grasp the ownership of the Four of a Kind players with the "List." However, regarding No. 000, no matter what Spell Card you use, you cannot know the information in it. This is excluded from the target of this operation because it believes that a collection event will occur when the player completes 99 species.

That is to say, there are actually 3 objects: No. 2 "OneTsubo Coastline," No. 9 "Harvest Tree," and No. 75 "Jewel of Luck." After checking the "List," there are already several owners of "Harvest Tree" and "Jewel of Luck." Even if you work hard to monopolize from now on, you cannot say that it will definitely hinder the Genthru Group.

"'OneTsubo Coastline'... no owner! No one has gotten it yet."

When I checked the Spell Card "Analysis" that can see the description of the specified item, "The entrance to the underwater cave, called 'Residence of the Sea God.' This cave changes its appearance every time you enter, causing intruders to lose their way."

However, its rank is the highest rank SS, and the card limit is only 3. It is difficult to get because no one has ever gotten it, but if you can get one, you can use the "Clone" Spell Card to increase it. If that happens, the limit is only 3, so you can easily monopolize it.

"This place is Sufravi, does anyone have 'Companion'?"

You can find out where you can get the item specified by the "Compass" spell. Apparently, it is in a small town called Sufravi. There are many types of Spell Cards, which is convenient, but it is a bit tiring to organize the memory effect when so many cards appear at the same time.

"Use 'Companion'! Go to Sufravi!"

When I was wondering what the effect of "Accompaniment" was, I was struck by the feeling of my body being wrapped in light and my feet floating. If I remember correctly, this card is a movement-type spell. It is a Magic that teleports the user and everyone around them together.

I have heard of spells that move, but this is my first time actually experiencing or seeing it. I thought my vision would switch instantly like entering the game from the real world, but my body rushed high into the sky.

"Woo woo woo..."

I didn't expect to be blown away physically.