Chapter 414: Episode 71

I wake up quietly. A plush toy squeezed onto the bed falls to the floor.

"Good morning..."

There is no one in the room besides me, but Biscuit's guidance has made my morning greeting a habit, or more precisely, a conditioned reflex. Facing the void, I bow once.

I usually wake up very early, but I rub my sleepy eyes because I was tired yesterday. I almost exhausted my Aura in the match against Razor. Still, I rested well, so my physical condition is not that bad.

After that, we were able to obtain the long-awaited "One-Pyeong Coastline." Gon seems to be able to talk to Razor about his father. In the end, Gon does not know where his father is, but he is not discouraged, possibly because he did not expect it in the first place. He seems satisfied to have heard news of Razor.

"One-Pyeong Coastline" is increased and emitted with the Mana of "Copy." As agreed, Gon, Goreinu, and Tsezgera will possess it. Gon received the original card.

Cards increased by "Copy" can be placed in the designated pocket just like the original, but these copied cards have the potential to have their changes canceled by certain Spell cards or items. Additionally, among the cards on the market, there are also "fake" copied cards without a collection, so the original cards are more valuable.

There was no disagreement over which group would receive the original. Thanks to the Tsezgera group and Goreinu acknowledging the Gon group as the biggest contributors this time.

It would be great if the story ended perfectly here, but...

Just after leaving the pirates' hideout, Genthru contacted him using "Contact," as if he had a clear goal. The information seems to have leaked from the group of captives who fought side-by-side earlier. When I checked the Binder, some names were blacked out. It seems they were killed by the Genthru group.

This is the worst-case scenario. As a result, the surprise strategy prepared for the anti-Genthru battle is almost useless. However, fortunately in the misfortune, Genthru misunderstood that the original card was in Tsezgera's hands and narrowed his first target down to Tsezgera.

With the sudden change in strategy, the Tsezgera group will buy time by attracting the Genthru group's attention. It looks like he will get away from the Genthru group as much as possible, but this seems difficult. The possibility of retaliation is high. Such a powerful enemy.

Tsezgera said he would buy me three weeks. By then, Gon and his friends will find a way to defeat the Genthru group and be prepared.

99 cards collected. Who will get it all first? A fierce competition is about to begin. This game might end in less than three weeks.

Although it is an imminent situation, for some reason my actions are different from Gon and the others. Due to the Move Spell card, I am now in Aiai. This is the town I visited when I first met Hisoka.

This means it is time to fulfill your promise to that man. I would love to prioritize Gon and the others, but Hisoka will not allow it. At the end of the game, it might explode at any time.

I did not let Gon and the others fight Hisoka so they would not worry. I am leaving for a while, but I told you I would join you soon with "Magnetic."

I get out of bed and walk around the room, sent off by a plush toy. It is a beautifully designed room. Last night, due to extreme fatigue, I did not have time to carefully choose an Inn, so I just stayed at a random one and slept like a log.

Standing in front of the washbasin, comb your curly hair. With a light stroke of the golden hair, the comb untangles it without resistance. This is a matter of course for me, but I remember I was often scolded by Biscuit for being unfair.

Arrange the hair into the usual bun shape. This is the bun Biscuit taught me. Now I can tie it myself. The faces of the friends I met through this game float into my mind, as if it were a prime mover.

I regret my arbitrary actions in this emergency. Gon and the others allowed me to act alone without prying into the situation. It shakes my heart too much.

I am not lying. I will come back after I finish my business. Even if I tell myself this, I still doubt whether things will really go as I wish.

The opponent is that Hisoka. Beyond his abilities, what is truly terrifying is his spirit. I certainly do not intend to lose, but I cannot predict the outcome of the match.

Wouldn't it be better to go back to Gon and the others now and talk to them? I believe everyone will provide me with strength. You should rely on them without worrying about causing trouble. Those are my friends.

I am sure it would be better to do so. Just look at Six's expression in the mirror and you will know. If I leave it to someone with "a face like this," I feel that no matter who wins, the result will not be fragile.

But this is unreasonable. Gon and the others played a major role in preparing for the battle against the higher-level player Genthru. Here, pushing away the threat of Hisoka at the same time is not allowed. All the more so because we are friends.

This is my struggle.

After getting dressed, change clothes. The "Warrior Woman's Clothes" that were torn in the match against Razor have been repaired. Damaged equipment can be repaired for a fee at repair shops in town. Except for completely broken items and some rare items, they can be repaired on the spot.

The design is similar to a Chinese-style dress, but the color is soft and sturdy. This is a top-tier item among the equipment sold in stores. Even the fabric has a certain level of defense. I closed the collar in front of the mirror.

Finally, I picked up the insect's corpse. I tried to put it in my backpack as usual, but I stopped. I left the room with my right hand.

"Hey, it's still early."

Arrived at the meeting place. Just a plain on the outskirts of the city. At first, Hisoka said it would be fun to duel in the city, but as expected, he refused. Although NPCs are created like a game, I don't want to do anything that would hurt the residents.

"I can't wait either."

There are two hours left until the agreed time. I wanted to focus my mind while waiting, but it seems unnecessary.

"Don't you think today is a good day for a date?"

The sky is cloudy. Come rain or shine, this is perfect for this man. An ominous aura spreads, as if invading the atmosphere. I adjusted the Aura of my coat to repel the bloodlust.

"Then let's do it."

Hisoka's body bends like a drawn bow. As I stood my ground, the surging bloodlust reached its climax and erupted.

It shifts from normal Coagulation to "Double Coagulation." The visual information consisting of Six and the main body, the eyes of the human and the insect overlap. This is an opponent that does not allow for any carelessness. Use all your strength to keep a close eye on the enemy's movements.

The distance between them is about 10 meters. Hisoka closed the distance without even blinking. Six took an interception stance.

Hisoka only has a card tucked between the fingers of his right hand. This is not a GI card; it is an ordinary Playing Card. However, you can never underestimate it just because it is a piece of paper. The card, supported by Hisoka's Nen, can even easily split an iron pipe in two.

Observe the trajectory of the approaching attack. The enemy's movement speed is shockingly fast. I saw its power in the Razor battle, but I only understood it after actually fighting like this. Every movement has no waste. Even actions that look like gaps have meaning. He not only possesses superb physical ability but also the skill to bloom it into combat power.

I was able to avoid the first attack with "Double Stiffness." He seemed to dodge the sharp flash of the swung card.

A Playing Card popped out of Hisoka's hand. With a flick of the wrist, a card flew toward Six's face with the sharpness of a Shuriken. This was an unexpected blow, but handled in time. Tilt your head to avoid the card.

I should have kept my "Ken," but a card grazed my cheek. I managed to avoid the card at the last moment, but Hisoka's attack did not end there. My eyes saw Hisoka's Aura sticking to my cheek.

It is "Bungee Gum." The rubber and gum Aura attached to the card was rubbed in the moment it made light contact with Six's body. The end of the Aura connected to the cheek is held in Hisoka's hand. With just a single will, this rubber Aura will shrink rapidly, and I will be pulled helplessly.

But I already know Hisoka's ability. I have known him for a week, but I have not been without measures during that time. In an instant, he pulled a weapon from his pocket and swung it.

This is the iron fan I got with Biscuit when she bought me clothes. Its official name is "Eight Trigrams Four Symbols Fan," and it is a weapon equivalent to D-rank. It can be used as a blunt weapon when closed, and cut with blades embedded in the bones when opened.

Slash Hisoka's Aura with the iron fan reinforced with "Shu." The Aura-enhanced blade is even sharper. Hisoka's Aura has the properties of rubber, which is strong against strikes but weak against slashes.

However, the plan failed; although the iron fan bit into the rubber, it failed to cut it. Only half, no, only about a third was cut off. Stronger than expected. That is how high the enemy's ability performance is.

If I had used this iron fan as a weapon for a long time, I might have been able to cut it. The effect of the Material using Aura increases with the weapon's usage time. But as far as I am concerned, this is just a scorched blade I started using only in the last few days.

Failing to cut it, I immediately jumped backward to put some distance between me and Hisoka. This was a bad move. The stretched Aura shrank, pulling Six's body back.

The longer the rubber stretches, the greater the elastic energy that tries to return it to its original state. The more you try to keep your distance, the greater the momentum you gain when it shrinks. Six was pulled into the air and floated. Waiting for him was Hisoka with his fist raised.

It must be intending to deal a powerful blow to the prey that jumped in unprotected. This is what I wanted. I deliberately invited Hisoka to attack, even though I knew it was a bad move.

Collect the Aura on the back of the right hand, the main body of the insect. If you can deliberately lead me to the enemy, that is convenient. I use the momentum of the rubber to approach Hisoka and deliver a fatal blow. Even if Hisoka is waiting for you, you can still attack desperately, so you don't have to worry about defense.

"Oops."

However, perhaps sensing my goal, Hisoka turned around. After being dodged, I fell to the ground with great momentum. Releasing the limiter, the fist reinforced beyond the limit collapsed the landing point, kicking up a large amount of mud.

Since our surprise attack was seen through, continuing to be bound by Hisoka's Aura is actually disadvantageous. Waving the iron fan, I slashed the rubber Aura. Instead of Hisoka's Aura, I cut off the flesh on Six's cheek that was connected to it.

The rubber Aura returned to its owner. The only thing pulled into his hand was the flesh cut from Six. Wondering what he is thinking, Hisoka let his Tongue wiggle.

"This is interesting. I am curious how far you can break your body."

I took a guarded stance in front of the magician, who let out a hair-raising laugh. But Six's expression was stiffer than ever. I tried to remain calm, but thinking this way already showed signs of turmoil.

Anxiety pushed my feet forward. Challenging a higher-ranked opponent to a reckless melee. I managed to handle one or two attacks. However, my body could not keep up with the continuous attacks that surged together. I couldn't see any gaps at all. It looked as if they knew how they would act from the very beginning.

Hisoka knew the truth. Predicting a human's next move in battle from momentum and body movements. In reality, even Hisoka could not foresee everything, so he might choose based on the situation, but I couldn't even tell the difference between them.

If I, whose base ability is overwhelmingly low, were to turn this predicament around, it would be through Nen Ability. When Hisoka fired at Six's abdomen, he activated his ability. Another form of "JamBlock" absorbed the impact of Hisoka's fist and bound Hisoka's arm.

This strategy also applied to that Biscuit. No matter how powerful the enemy is, they cannot be as free and easy as before with one arm bound. If you throw yourself away, the attack will reach you. If you cause damage, even if it means sharing the pain, you will definitely gain an advantage as much as possible.

However, this speculation was shattered when he saw Hisoka's arm pull out of the JamBlock without any resistance. I couldn't suppress Hisoka. I don't know why, my thoughts were sluggish. The blankness of mind exposed to the enemy was truly foolish.

Hisoka launched a roundhouse kick. When I focused on activating "JamBlock," I couldn't react to the attack. The scene reflected in Six's eyes ended with Hisoka's kick approaching at high speed. I lost consciousness in one hit. No, his neck was broken.

Hisoka is a battle maniac. Even if I brought up this match, it was just to enjoy the fight. In that case, I thought he wouldn't launch an attack that would easily kill Six. This fatal blow was unexpected for me, or so I thought.

Or perhaps the magician's sense of smell perceived it. That Six would not die at this speed. I think this person can see where the Death Line is.

With a cervical spine injury, an ordinary person would certainly know they were already dead. Six's neck was bent at a right angle, but Hisoka did not stop. He immediately used a roundhouse kick from a half-turned position to hit the back fist. Six's current body, the nerves in the brain had been severed, and he couldn't even defend his breath, let alone respond.

Instantly reconnecting consciousness with the main body, replacing the brain's function. I blocked Hisoka's back fist with my arm. Seeing Six's reaction to his twisted neck, Hisoka showed a crazy smile, seeming truly happy.

Perhaps because I was convinced that I wouldn't die easily, my hesitation disappeared from Hisoka's attacks. Although I was already at a disadvantage, there was no room for a counterattack.

Attacks like surging waves pierced through. Hisoka's excellent "Ryu" could block everything even when attacking desperately. Wounds can heal, but Aura will be consumed. Of course, if you take a series of fatal injuries, the consumed Aura will jump. Infinite recovery is impossible. One day it will hit bottom.

Defeat. Its shadow keeps climbing up.

The countermeasures I designed against Hisoka for this day were of little use. The best strategy was "JamBlock." I thought that even against a high-level opponent, as long as I could block its movement and cause damage little by little, I could defeat it.

Only now did I understand how Hisoka got rid of these restraints. I coated my hands with "Bungee Gum." He broke free from the restraints and threw the Aura that was wrapped around him like rubber gloves into the "JamBlock."

Just as I knew Hisoka's ability, Hisoka also saw my ability. There should have been enough time to consider strategies. I didn't want to incorporate the "JamBlock" that I couldn't even use properly into my tactics.

"I don't know what's wrong, haven't your movements slowed down? This is a great date, so we need to enjoy it more."

The dimension as a warrior is different. The power Biscuit gave me, just as she said, was "taught to become stronger." I am just standing at the starting point.

To continue moving forward from there, there is no choice but to accumulate actual combat. Only by repeatedly exchanging lives, neither dying nor being destroyed, can one obtain true power. With a decent spirit, walking the path of Shura that one cannot get out of. I deeply understand that Hisoka has accumulated countless fatal battles.

"I said it before, but you have power that cannot be graded, charm that cannot be measured by numbers. I want you not to be shy and show it to me, I will accept everything."

I knew this would happen. I reformulated countermeasures against Hisoka many times, telling myself it would be fine. I was distracted by some things I should have thought about more deeply and carefully.

My greatest fear is neither loss nor death, but obtaining power that transcends this.

＊＊＊

"Some people are called 'Possessors'."

I once asked Biscuit to teach me the techniques of Shingen-ryu. However, it was refused. I was told that there was an unconscious "form" in my movements that could not be corrected by another martial art.

But this is an interesting story. It is very unnatural for the body to remember forms from the beginning without anyone teaching it, which should usually be learned by studying martial arts. When I asked Biscuit this question, she gave me an example.

"Of course, there are countless Martial Arts in the world besides Shingen-ryu. Among them, there are also schools that fall into evil thoughts and deviate from the right path in pursuit of power."

One of them seems to be those called Possessors. He uses secret techniques passed down from generation to generation to teach his successor all the martial arts he mastered during his lifetime. This is not a teaching, but an act rooted in the soul.

"Most of the time it doesn't produce good results and ends in bankruptcy, but occasionally a 'true' user is born. I fought him once, but he was strong."

The inheritance of martial arts is usually the end of fighting and training, directly implanted into the body through rituals. This secret technique that transcends human knowledge is definitely not a decent technique. It seems to be an evil method using "Post-Mortem Nen."

The Aura of a Nen user, when dying in this world, carries strong regret, and even if they die, they may leave their shape in this world. Normally it cannot be aimed to function, but the clansmen sacrificed the lives of several generations through blood relations, spending decades or hundreds of years of massive time, aiming for the afterlife. An example of a rotation technique that can be manifested.

Using that evil method, it is possible to create a person who acquires martial arts from birth. If that were true, it would definitely be powerful. Essentially, he stands where the training of an ordinary person ends.

"But if power could be obtained so easily, everyone should try to do it. In fact, you are not a little bit of power, but a lunatic who has lost his mind."

Thoughts that become stronger after death are products of strong negative emotions such as human regret, pain, fear, and hatred. A person filled with evil thoughts accumulated over generations cannot maintain a normal mind. Therefore, this is an evil method.

"I was thinking about whether to talk to you, but the existence of Parasitic Nen Beast, commonly known as Guardian Spirit Beast, can also be counted as one of the evil methods."

Parasitic Nen Beast does not generate naturally. It is said to be created by accumulating thoughts to protect the family after death. The process and results are different, but the essence is the same as the source of the Possessor. Among the Guardian Spirit Beast, there are also some evil ones that abandoned the reason for their own existence and killed the Possessor they should have protected.

Even if it didn't go that far, it is said that the possessed person is more or less affected by the Nen Bead. And the parasitic Nen Bead is also mixed with various human intentions, turning into a complex existence that even the possessor cannot control.

"The form movements you handle unknowingly must have been influenced by the Nen Bead. So far, I haven't seen any signs as heartbreaking as Favrotskies, but be careful. Because the essence of the parasitic Nen Bead is derived from the Nen after death, strong evil thoughts."

＊＊＊

Stop Hisoka's fist from hitting him and hit him with a counterattack. This is the thrust using a folding Iron fan.

"Oh!"

This stab easily slipped past Hisoka's seemingly impenetrable defense. Immediately after, an Iron-like blow pierced my chest, aiming for my heart.

However, just before the attack hit, Hisoka flew back, killing the force. While pulling away with a backflip, he skillfully shot a trump card Shuriken to control it.

Two cards flew at high speed. Accompanied by a high-pitched sound, the Iron fan was opened. Two cards were torn to pieces in just one hit. Also cut off the attached rubber Aura. Seeing this scene, Hisoka gave a round of applause.

"Isn't it amazing, what are you doing now, are you finally ready to get serious? I'm so happy!"

I opened about three doors, but I found that Hisoka's power, which I had never seen before, became distant as I became stronger. If I were to be strong enough to defeat him, how many more doors would I need to open?

Power from I don't know where. It is a state that connects Six's consciousness and the main body more deeply. Accompanied by the feeling of opening the door born in the state of concentration becoming stronger, but it is an irreversible effect. Once opened, the door cannot be closed.

When I knew nothing about it, I used it without any resistance, but after I met Biscuit, I didn't use it. Looking back, this might not be a door, but a Wall. It is an Obstacle to prevent influence.

Is my current feeling pointing to an existence trapped behind the Wall, or pointing to me trying to open it with my own hands?

Too silly. I am sure that if Biscuit were around, if Killua and Gon were around, I wouldn't think of using this unfair power. The appearance of his friends became an Obstacle.

However, he could not avoid the battle with Hisoka. If you refuse, Hisoka will try to get Gon and others involved. He knows this is what I hate the most.

No, this is also an excuse. I am the one who accepted Hisoka's invitation. In the end, it was his own will that caused this situation.

I put it first. Instead of being Together with his companions, he sought to obtain his own power. Only after obtaining superficial power did you realize the conclusion for the first time. And felt surprised.

I should have sworn in front of Biscuit. I will never use the power of Disaster again. Isn't the root of desire that he wants to change himself, someone who only relies on power and is Snatched by others? Isn't it that he doesn't want his existence to be affected again?

One step did not grow. The days of Training with Biscuit, the time we challenged the Razor Team Together, and the weakness that left them with nothing. I am no different from before I played this game. Even after making a decision, nothing changed.

Blood flowed from the head. I felt my feet were about to fall off.

"Oh, what's wrong? This is my favorite expression, but I have to share that fun with my partner, don't go by yourself!"

I want to escape. Hisoka would never allow it. Even if I could escape, where could I go?

There is nowhere to escape. I have no place to return to.

Even if I do not fight Hisoka here, one day I will seek power and eventually become something I am not. Risking my life or making vows is useless. It feels weak.

"I'm a bit troubled; I thought it would be very interesting later... Hmm?"

Hisoka interrupted his words and turned his gaze toward the sky. I looked vaguely in that direction, but I did not make any Discovery of anything unusual.

However, it did not take long before I felt something descending from the sky. Two glowing Shadows were falling toward us at a very close range. It seemed to be players using Mobile Magic to fly toward us.

There was no help for it; I had prepared for Gon and the others, but I did not recognize the two players who had moved here at all.

"Hey, Hisoka! You didn't reply to the contact, so I was wondering what happened... What is that?"

"I found you, Elimination Master. Without you, I couldn't contact the Leader. I'll be over as soon as possible."

"Ah, sorry, I forgot my Binder at the Hotel. My work will be finished soon, so please wait a moment."

Do you know Hisoka? Regardless, I was relieved that this was not Gon's group. Now I don't know what kind of face I should make. However, that fleeting moment of relief was blown away.

"Oh?

Of the two who arrived, one erupted with terrifying bloodlust. I had relaxed my guard and ignored the opponent's ability. It was unbelievable that both of these people possessed strength approaching Hisoka's.

"Even if it's only for a second, there is no reason to go with you. I am going to kill you."

"I think that person would be in trouble if I died."

"Then it's fine if you beat him half to death."

What, aren't you friends? Although I was completely unable to understand the situation, the bloodlust contained in the aura of the three people interfered with each other like sparks, and the Heavy pressure weighed on my back, making me unable to stand.