Everyone, hello. I'm Gon Freecss, and my excitement's exploding at seeing Razor in person. I asked if Gin could participate in the matches, but as expected, that was impossible.
The matches against the pirates ended anticlimactically with Gon's group losing in a straight sweep.
This was because Kazsule and the others, who'd nearly been left out, rushed to challenge first and lost spectacularly—a perfect demonstration of cannon fodder.
Since Leorio and Kurapika quickly healed all injuries, everyone except Gon's group properly understood the difference in strength.
"Not even worth discussing. We win, so we're staying here. If there's a next time, come properly prepared."
Though Razor appeared to be warning everyone as he surveyed them all, he was actually looking only at Gon's group, who hadn't participated.
(Six people clearly in a class far beyond these nobodies. If they'd been motivated, would I have gotten my turn?)
Watching Gon's group already discussing their next challenge, Razor rejoiced that his boredom would be relieved since they'd surely return for a rematch soon.
Seeing especially the notably small Gon, he felt tremendous dissonance at the size while nostalgically sensing Ging's presence.
(Way too small for Gon. Could it be a second kid? Elena didn't mention anything at the recent Game Master meeting, but that's definitely Ging's brat.)
As Razor watched Gon's group following the dispirited, departing members, Gon—who'd noticed he was being watched—turned only his face and moved his lips.
We'll come again, so wait for us—
Though he couldn't hear it, Razor was certain that's what he said. The frustration accumulated from over ten years of idleness vanished like a lie.
"...Ging, I can finally meet your expectations."
At the final moment Gon left, the aura rising from that far-too-small back was more than enough to awaken Razor's fighting instinct.
His gentle expression transformed into a fearsome smile. The rough pirate men, struck by his boiling aura, staggered back in fear.
"This fires me up. Feels good for the first time in ages."
Though knowing the next challenge wouldn't be long coming, Razor newly scheduled a shift from recent training to maintain his strength to training to grow stronger.
Returning to Soufrabi's entrance, Gon's group gazed somewhat pitifully at Kazsule and the others searching desperately for some way to beat the pirates.
Given the event's trigger conditions and victory requirements, the Bomber team's chances of obtaining the card had decreased nearly to zero. However, since Tsezguerra's team couldn't be underestimated, this was a desperate struggle to monopolize it somehow.
"To somehow get eight wins, we must professionally learn each sport. Goreinu's team, which sports do you have a chance at?"
"About that—we're pulling out here. We're thinking of collecting cards we can gather starting now."
While Kazsule and the others stood aghast at the strongest force suddenly declaring withdrawal, Killua pointed out somewhat teasingly:
"Say we get six wins—isn't it a bit shameless for you guys to demand cards too? Plus one team definitely won't get any, and besides, if anyone holds cards no one else has, the Bomber will definitely come after them."
Though slightly provocative, Killua's accurate observation finally made Kazsule and the others consider this, their faces paling at hearing the Bomber's name.
Confirming no one tried stopping them, Gon's group thanked them again for game system and card information, then used Accompany to return to their Masadora base.
After Gon's group disappeared, the remaining three teams stood around aimlessly for a while. Then Kazsule, wearing a resigned expression, announced disbandment and they scattered.
Though no one voiced it, the three teams' future course was decided.
With just Tsezguerra's team, Genthru's team, and Gon's group absent, these three teams had been ranked high enough. Here they finally completely gave up on clearing the game.
"Well, we've definitely brought clearing within range, but the final obstacle is absurdly high. How can we outmaneuver Tsezguerra and Genthru?"
The discussion they immediately began upon returning to Masadora focused on exactly what Goreinu said—how to break through the top two teams.
Gon's group's advantages were monopolizing "Plot of Beach" and undoubtedly superior pure combat strength.
Conversely, they were completely outmatched otherwise, and that wouldn't change even if they monopolized "Strip of Beach."
Rather, opponents who knew the game system far better were certainly more advantageous. The conclusion was that their only chance was now, while the enemy was probably still complacent.
"The problem is that even if we gather two more strong fighters besides us, obtaining 'Strip of Beach' will be difficult."
"Right. The last beach volleyball match said two people's wins were at stake. Meaning even with seven wins, if they pull out an eight-person sport, it's over."
Biscuit and Leorio said Kurapika and Killua's concerns were overthinking, but Gon's words suddenly made the concerns feel real.
"The event name is 'Razor and the 14 Devils.' There were more than fourteen pirates there."
A basic mistake overlooked because their abilities weren't particularly noteworthy—if there were fewer, you could say some happened to be absent, but more meant the numbers didn't match at all.
"Wait, seriously? Meaning the real deal is hiding, or Razor can increase numbers with his Hatsu?! Even quiz shows don't pull one-shot reversals like that—that'd be cheating!"
"We'll need at least ten people minimum, and strong ones within two teams at that. There are no candidates among players we've met."
"Hisoka's one. Don't know what he's doing, but he'd fly here if Gon called."
"That's important, but what happens after we get it is the problem. We need to properly establish means to protect and steal cards, or we'll get tripped up at the end."
Among members discussing this and that, only Gon was quietly organizing his thoughts.
From Abengane's words, Genthru's movements, and above all his cheat-level source knowledge, the path to clearing the game emerged in Gon's mind.
"For now, we start by obtaining obtainable cards, right? Meanwhile, there's something I want to confirm. Could Biscuit and I act separately for a bit?"
"Playing mysterious, huh? Can you decide our future course depending on what you confirm?"
Gon's proposal after thinking silently was arguably the next-best option given the current lack of effective strategies. More than that, Killua tested him with a question, sensing a certain conviction in Gon's expression.
Receiving expectant gazes from Killua and other members, Gon said he still lacked certainty but wore a confident smile:
"If my prediction's right, we can surpass both Genthru and Tsezguerra and clear the game!"
Without anyone doubting those words, Gon's group made their final sprint toward clearing the game.
***
It was mid-February when Tsezguerra, engaged in a fruitless standoff and information war with Genthru's team, received contact from an unknown player.
Though wary of the mysterious contact, when he connected, he heard Leorio's voice—memorable despite only meeting months ago.
The business was simple: a proposal to trade designated cards and exchange information. If he'd at least hear them out, they wanted to meet at Masadora, their base.
"I think we should at least hear them out. What do you three think?"
Tsezguerra asked for opinions from his long-working team of three: Barry, Doppel, and Rodriot.
They were extremely interested in Gon's group, who seemed to be the catalyst for Tsezguerra—who'd shown some arrogance after becoming a Single-Star Hunter—regaining his initial motivation and humility from when they first teamed up.
Trading monopolized cards wasn't bad for clearing the game. If they had no personality problems unlike Genthru's team, they unanimously decided to definitely respond.
"Hmm, then how far should we go with trading? How many designated cards have they filled?"
"As of this morning's check, probably ninety types. They collected them at an astonishing speed, but beyond this, they can't obtain more through ability alone. That's probably why they contacted us through other players."
"Then there's someone smart besides just ability in game systems. If it's not just strength, we should proceed carefully."
"I agree. Can't say until we hear them out, but at most we'd give two designated cards we don't have, wouldn't we?"
Originally a team bound by strong trust, they'd recently regained their initial passion, maintaining an even better atmosphere and high motivation.
Having thoroughly unified opinions on tradeable cards versus those they shouldn't relinquish, Tsezguerra's team had no openings whatsoever.
The strengthened Tsezguerra team would stand blocking Gon's group—inadvertently their catalyst.
***
After Gon's group and Tsezguerra's team met near Masadora and finished trading one monopolized designated card each, Goreinu as representative proposed negotiations to Tsezguerra.
"I'll be direct. We discovered an event leading to 'Strip of Beach.' How many designated cards will you pay for this information?"
At this sudden straight punch without any jabs, even Tsezguerra's eyes widened. After a moment's eye contact with his companions, he carefully chose words.
"If that information's accurate, we'd give two more cards you don't have—that's our maximum. Since we're also aiming to clear, if that's impossible, we'll give up the information."
After Goreinu had them list those two cards, he turned to Gon's group once, confirmed it was fine, then confirmed once more with Tsezguerra.
"Alright. If our information's correct, we get those two designated cards you mentioned—no mistake. Then let me tell you about the event 'Razor and the 14 Devils.'"
From Gon's group not having obtained it, Tsezguerra predicted either terrifying difficulty or severe game system constraints.
Otherwise, even trading for two designated cards they didn't possess, the merit of deliberately teaching them would be too small.
However, hearing the event's trigger conditions, he realized they'd fallen into a trap.
"...I see. That information is accurate. And we must not only give two cards but cooperate further as fighting force."
Smiling wryly, Tsezguerra received two designated cards from the similarly wry-smiling Doppel's binder. After Goreinu thoroughly confirmed them, he stored the cards in his binder.
"So? Do you have prospects besides us and your group? Considering card limit numbers, there's only room for one more team."
"We plan to challenge once with numbers filled in with this group. If they're committed to winning, we'd need fifteen strong fighters, but since they advertise it as a game, we figure they won't go that far."
Hearing Gon's group's prediction, Tsezguerra agreed with that thinking and decided to set about five days for obtaining number-fillers and light practice of assigned sports.
To obtain the final card no one had acquired since Greed Island's release, two of the three teams closest to clearing had joined hands.
***
Rewinding time slightly, to when Killua and the others were rushing toward ninety types.
In a certain cave deep in the forest, Hisoka was muttering to himself happily.
"Kufufu, I've been found out ♥ No one noticed until now. I wanted to surprise everyone at the very end—how disappointing ♠"
Spending most of these months devoted to precise manipulation of Bungee Gum had borne fruit. Now his Nen left hand combined power surpassing his right with dexterity.
Texture Surprise had also evolved further. Though not explosive growth like Gon's group, he'd definitely grown stronger.
Rather, unlike Gon's group—unpolished gems still worth polishing in Biscuit's view—Hisoka was already a polished jewel at the stage of deciding how to decorate it. His growth speed was abnormal.
"This arm's gotten quite familiar. Should I do it again soon? Or wait more? Ahh, even this anguish is so delightful ♥"
About half a year since Hisoka separated from Gon—undoubtedly the longest separation while retaining memories—had corroded his psyche like a drug-dependent patient.
And the high-pitched voice of Gon—still seemingly weakened—that he'd heard after so long, plus the growth he sensed in every phrase, was finally enough to reach the limit of his patience.
"Gon, I wonder if you'll break ♥"
When the jester lurking in darkness appears, Greed Island will face gathering storm clouds.
***
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