Soon after, Xiang Nan, Manman, Beishi, and Orban agreed to meet in Kotaki City.
Orban's body had recovered a lot, but it still couldn't compare to his former peak. Bringing him into this Multiverse Matches was also a way to use this "dungeon" to push his strength a bit further before he stopped being a player—so he could survive better in the Hunter × Hunter world.
There was another reason: as a player, Orban had stockpiled quite a stash of Dimensional Coins—i.e., points—which could be used to unlock hidden storylines in other worlds and acquire abilities and resources. It would be a shame to waste them.
Seeing each other again, both Orban and Beishi were startled by Manman's clothes and attitude. The girl had changed so much that it caught them off guard. But since Xiang Nan didn't explain, the two didn't press.
"United States of Saherta… not bad. It's not a small country," Beishi said with a smile to Orban as they sat at their usual spot—an outdoor café in Kotaki City—chatting while they waited for the Kakin Empire's player to arrive before the Extinction Games opened.
They were short one member, so Xiang Nan had extended an olive branch to Kakin. Given Xiang Nan's request, Hui Guo Rou had no reason to refuse; he was eager for Xiang Nan to take "Kakin" along and dig deeper into the secrets of the multiverse. If Kakin's player joined these missions, the beneficiaries would be the nation and the royal house.
Beishi already knew someone had recruited Orban to work for a country, but he hadn't known which one. The United States of Saherta is also on the Yorbia Continent; its economy and national power are decent.
Honestly, if Orban had wanted to, he could have joined one of the V5 member states, but he didn't. Not out of deference to Xiang Nan, but because as an individual player, once you join V5 you inevitably get controlled by them and lose a degree of freedom.
"No matter which world we head to this time, don't fight on the front line. Leave the objectives to us," Xiang Nan said after giving Orban's Nen aura a once-over and forming a judgment of his current strength.
"Got it." Gratitude showed on Orban's face.
"They're really slow… Kakin's Player," Beishi muttered after checking the time, sounding a little annoyed. By now, they were one of the top player squads in Hunter × Hunter—also one of the best-equipped.
"Before the Yorknew incident, the general level of players wasn't high," Orban chimed in. "After being recruited by various nations and getting state backing, I'd guess some players will make a qualitative leap…"
"No matter the boost, the players' environment and background only just changed. It's been too short a time. And with Nen, strength still comes down to the person," Beishi said, propping his chin on his hand. "That said, every era's players get different perks. Back in our day, the plotlines hadn't even kicked off; we were feeling our way across the river, laying groundwork and planning our growth on our own. Now, players enter a world and a nation takes them under its wing… that invisibly avoids a lot of danger, but you also lose out—in unlocking storyline resources, for instance…"
With that, Beishi seemed to remember something and looked at Xiang Nan, letting his gaze deliberately slide toward the silent Manman.
"How's your Pandora's Box organization doing?"
"Omokage and Owl are doing great. The military has already started building a new district and base out by Zerta City. But if we want to relocate, it'll still take some time," Xiang Nan replied.
"That matter… is it done?" Beishi shifted the topic.
"Mm." He meant the virus-antibody issue. From Xiang Nan's answer, Beishi also confirmed that Manman wasn't aware of the truth behind Xiang Nan's earlier "death" and revival.
"Is… something wrong?" Beishi had noticed that something seemed off between Xiang Nan and the girl. The thought flashed through his mind, but he didn't call it out.
"Excuse me… hello…" As they chatted, a woman approached, looking a little nervous. She cleared her throat and stopped nearby.
"Kakin?" Xiang Nan glanced at her and cut in.
"Mm."
"Have a seat." He gestured to an empty chair.
She wore a black suit, orange hair tied in a ponytail. She wasn't tall and looked ordinary at first glance. After she sat, her face was still a bit tense. Kakin's briefing had already made it clear what mission she, as one of Kakin's own, was here to carry out.
These people in front of her were among the highest-ranked, most powerful players currently in Hunter × Hunter—especially the man speaking to her. She knew who Xiang Nan was. For a player to hold that kind of status and power in the main world was, to her, downright unbelievable.
"Kakin's filled you in, right?" Xiang Nan asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes." She nodded.
"Simply put," Xiang Nan said evenly, "because the Extinction Games open at different times for different players, I can bring you along to complete Reincarnation Dimension 'missions' so you can gain resources, points, and growth. The core objectives will be on the three of us… not you. In other words, even though you're a player too, you won't be bound by the system's constraints and requirements; just help the squad achieve its goals."
Within a few seconds, Xiang Nan had already formed a read on this female player's "strength." He'd grown very practiced at sensing the "nature" of a Nen user's energy. From her aura alone he could tell she wasn't a frontline fighter or combat-type Nen user, and her ability didn't look like a battle-oriented one either—most likely support. Her temperament also seemed on the timid side. Nen, to some extent, reflects the user's mental strength and personality.
"Introduce yourself," Xiang Nan said. The others gave their names one by one, then looked to the woman.
"My name is Queenie… I'm King Hui Guo Rou's royal guard. My Extinction Rank is 6—I cleared the sixth stage two months ago. I'm a Specialist. My ability is called 'Love's Laundry Room'; it helps others recover stamina and mental state, easing fatigue…" Queenie stated her details quietly. When she finished, she pressed her lips together and stole an anxious glance at Xiang Nan.
"A Specialist…" Xiang Nan's brows twitched.
"Don't be nervous. The gate won't open for a little while yet," he reassured her.
Off to the side, Beishi and Orban exchanged a look. Royal guard? The Yorknew incident hadn't been over long; it was early January now.
Players had only recently been "divided up" by the various powers; recruitment was a recent thing. Yet this woman had already been promoted to the king's royal guard? And contrary to their expectation that Kakin would send someone formidable, nothing about the woman in front of them projected Kakin's usual muscle or ambition. It didn't match the empire's image or style at all. Still, clearing the sixth round of the Extinction Games meant she couldn't be weak.
"Queenie, can I ask you a personal question?" Xiang Nan suddenly said, drawing everyone's eyes.
"What is it?" Queenie's breathing quickened.
"If it's too intrusive, you don't have to answer," Xiang Nan said with a faint smile. "Besides serving as Hui Guo Rou's guard, have you… gone further with the king?"
At that, everyone at the table understood what he meant.
Beishi and Orban froze and immediately looked at the woman. Queenie's face flushed scarlet in an instant. Her eyes darted in panic, unsure how to respond.
"All right. I understand. Thank you," Xiang Nan said, lowering his gaze and dropping the subject.
"That fat man… really has no bottom line," he sneered inwardly.