Point of View Switch: Reader
The group of five players has Kai surrounded, their binders open in preparation to draw spell cards to besiege him.
Kai, for his part, hasn't opened his binder, and the only card he has at his disposal is the "Staff of Judgment", so he remains still, inspecting his surroundings without making any sudden movements. And amidst that reconnaissance, he recognizes a familiar face.
"Hey, I remember you! You're that player I ran into near the starting point when I first came here! How has life been treating you?" Kai asks, seeming friendly but obviously making a slight of him.
"Shut up, you wretch! How's life been treating me?! Ever since you stole all my spell cards and all my restricted card insurance, I've had to stoop to taking missions from Antokiba's prize posters!" The man begins to tell his story pretty enraged.
"I spent several days doing odd jobs and enduring the mocks of other players for my failed attempt at looting in order to save money for spell cards, and when I finally headed to Masadora I had to cross the long stretch for 3 days and 3 nights, enduring sleeping in the open and fleeing from monster attacks until I finally arrived!"
"I've had to go through very hard times because you stole my cards with underhanded means, and now you're gonna pay for that!"
"Underhanded means, huh? Well, yeah, you could say it was like that, but weren't you the one who tried to rob me first when I arrived?" Kai ask, justifying himself with a smile and a relaxed attitude.
"I didn't like having to do things so forcefully, but I'd just started playing and you came out of nowhere trying to steal from me, so it was justified that I responded. Therefore, you're really the one wrong here, not me. You should be grateful I didn't kill you and leave you with a few cards for the road ahead."
"Shut up, I don't want to hear your babble anymore! This is my moment I get back at you." The player threatens while extending his arms as a way of drawing attention to his teammates.
"With the experience of last time in mind, I brought some friends with me this time, and we've bought the cards necessary in Masadora to surpass you in both numbers and playing ability."
"So you are coming to steal my new treasure. I can see that you think you are smart by getting a group of people to come against me. But you do realize it's only one card and you are 5 people?" Kai asks, waving "Staff of Judgment" in his hand.
"If I give up you this card, all of you're just going to fight against each other to get it. So either you're going to get the card or someone in your group is going to get the card, but in the end it leads to no one really winning, right?"
"Forget the card! As far as I'm concerned, my colleagues can fight to the death over that. The only thing I really care about is getting back at you. You should've thought about that before stealing from me." The man states, looking increasingly unstable.
"It's just like Blakio said. Besides, who says we only want that one card? We know you also stole several cards from his restricted slots and that you've made quite a few visits to Masadora's Spell Card Shop, so your repertoire must be pretty substantial." Another player says, with greed shining in his eyes.
"We have several "Thief", "Pickpocket", and "Clone" spells prepared, so it's pretty safe to assume we'll all benefit in one way or another from your cards. We've even decided the order in which we'll use them so there won't be any problems." A third one brazenly states.
"I see. And you really think you stand a chance against me? I mean, I incapacitated you last time without any trouble. Why do you think you'll succeed this time?" Kai asks, appearing confident.
"That time I was alone, but this time there are 5 of us against you, so it won't be such an easy fight. And we also have several copies of "Accompany", "Return" and "Magnetic Force", so even if you try to run away, you won't be able to escape us." Blakio declares confidently.
"Whether you're a weak or strong player, Greed Island is designed to be a team game. Idiots who think they look cool with their lone wolf act like you are the easiest targets. Because they can't do anything when they're attacked in groups." One of the players who hadn't spoken yet says with a sadistic smile.
"All things are fair in Greed Island. You're just a snot-nosed newbie who still doesn't understand how this game works, so you should remember that from now on." Blakio takes over the conversation once again as the other 4 players begin to surround Kai.
"Now, I'll give you a last warning: Give up all your important cards, walk away from here and we won't have to hurt you. Simple as that. You're outnumbered, mad, and surely outgunned. You won't get away this time, so be sensible and give us all your cards without resisting."
With this demand launched, observing his surroundings, Kai notices how he has the 5 players surrounding him, each one with a card ready to cast a spell as soon as they notice him springing into action. Kai, for his part, remains still with an unreadable expression as he thinks about his next moves.
"Book." Kai says, making his binder appear and taking out 2 cards. "Ok gentlemen, enough of this. I've played with you guys long enough with this farce, but the time has come for us to resolve this problem. Levy on!"
Activating the spell in his hand, a beam of light shoots out from each of the other players' binders, swiftly landing on Kai's.
"You punk. Thief on! Attack on Kai!" The brazen player yells and the spell is cast against Kai, scattering upon collision.
<
"Origin on!" Kai yells before the player can complain, blasting off in a beam of light.
"He tries to escape!" Blakio shouts.
"Damn it. We don't have any "Origin" cards, and we can't use "Return" to go back to the starting point. In that case... Accompany! To Kai!" One of the players yells, propelling the 5 if them in a beam of light and appearing shortly afterwards at the Shiso Tree.
With a quick glance around, the players soon spot Kai on the plain, fleeing the scene while using the last "Defensive Wall" he has available.
"There he is! After him!" One of them yells, prompting them to pursue Kai.
More than 20 minutes pass, and although the enemy players continue running after Kai, they are unable to close the 20-meter distance needed to cast their attack spells on him, just as Kai planned.
If he wanted, he could have easily left them behind and disappear over the horizon with his speed, but instead he maintained their same pace at the same time he inspected with "Peek" and "Fluoroscopy" the cards they have and organized the strategy he woul use against them.
Meanwhile, the group pursuing him used the same strategy. Despite not being able to close the distance to use short-range spells like "Thief" or "Trace," they could still use "Peek" and "Fluoroscopy" to see which cards they could steal or which spells he might use.
Kai could, of course, use his multiple copies of "Blackout Curtain" to try and block them, but being more players, he knows it's a pointless expense, so after his pre-activated "Blackout Curtain" blocks one of their spells, he simply lets them watch as they please.
Even with this extra information at their disposal, frustration is the inevitable result of the group's futile efforts to catch up to him by running.
"Ugh! There's no way to catch that idiot like this, he's too fast! According to the map, going in this direction, he will eventually arrive to Rubicuta." One of them comments.
"That makes sense. The last time I saw him, he was heading towards Antokiba, so he must think I don't know the other town and will try to use its geography to hide. We'll use that to our advantage." Blakio declares.
"Belpher. Chet. You two have Rubicuta included on your maps, right? Then use "Return" to get ahead of him. We'll approach him from both sides and ambush him."
The two players nod behind him, and using "Return" they disappear in beams of light in the sky ahead of the group.
'Great! Now's the time!' Kai thinks as he sees the beams of light in the sky, taking out 2 cards and jumping back against the shocked group of players. "Thief on! Attack on Elio!"
Before they can react to his sudden dash, Kai activates the spell and manages to steal a card from the restricted slots of the player named Elio; No. 11 Golden Scales.
"You bastard! Thief on! Attack on Kai!" Elio activates in response.
"Thanks for the card. Drift on!" Kai spells arrogantly, disappearing in a beam of light.
"Damn, he's escaped again. And on top of that, he's using "Drift" so we don't know where he's going and can only use "Accompany" or "Magnetic Force" to reach him." The player, who is neither Blakio nor Elio, says.
"That son of a bitch! He stole my "Golden Scales"! It took me 3 years to win that prize in Antokiba! I really want to beat him up!" Elio adds, quite infuriated.
"What do you say, Blakio? Should we notify the others with "Contact"?" The other player asks.
"No, not yet. We mustn't give him time to breathe and prepare. Take out your cards." He answers, by taking out an "Accompany" card. "Accompany! To Kai!"
The three players are transported to the beautiful beaches of the port town of Soufrabi, where Kai is waiting for them, completely still.
"Drift on!" Kai yells, disappearing again.
"The same strategy again. This time he only has one shot left. Accompany! To Kai!" Blakio activates the spell again, and this time they are transported to Bunzen, the city of gossip.
"Drift on!" Kai yells one more time.
"We're all out of "Accompany" cards. We'll have to use our "Magnetic Force" ones." The third player, whose name is unknown, states.
Meanwhile, when Kai lands at his destination, he is surprised to find himself facing Belpher and Chet with their binders and cards ready.
'Oh, damn. What bad luck.' That's all Kai can think about before one of the two players uses a "Trace" spell against him, knocking out the last defense spell at his disposal.
Meanwhile, behind him lands the other group of three pursuers led by Blakio.
"He he he. I admit you're a very slippery jerk, and your tactic of using "Origin" and "Drift" was good, but your luck runs out here." Blakio arrogantly says.
"You have run out of those and only have 4 "Return" left. Now you can't escape us, so surrender and give us all your cards. Including the "Golden Scales" you stole from me." Elio demands, obviously wanting a confrontation rather than a surrender.
Kai, for his part, continues to smile confidently as he takes a card from his binder. "I'm not going to give up. I still have aces up my sleeve. Return! To Masadora!" He yells, flying the place.
"Masadora?! Does he intend to buy more cards to defend himself and steal from us?!" Elio asks confused.
"I don't think so. If he's proven anything, it's that he's no fool, so he should know that going to Masadora is only counterproductive since we outnumber him. It's safer for him to try to escape to the real world through the dock in the west." One of the other players deduces.
"That would be troublesome. We've used up a lot of spells trying to catch him, and if he manages to escape the game, we'll have to wait up to 10 days for him to return. We must stop him at all cost. Quick, bring out your "Return" cards." Blakio says, bringing out the spell from his binder.
Following his instructions, each member of the group uses the "Return" spell and they quickly land in the woods outside the magic city. Only this time, Kai is nowhere to be seen.
"He's nowhere to be found. I don't understand. The "Return" spell is supposed to transport all players to the same coordinates in a city when used, so Kai should be here. Do you think he used another one of his copies of "Return" before we arrived?" Chet asks.
"I don't think he had time. Besides, he doesn't have any other cards he can use, so Masadora shops and the dock in Rosemuri are his only options. He's most likely using Zetsu to conceal his presence and hide around the area." Blakio begins to ponder.
"This isn't good! Even though it's unlikely, if he manages to get hold of a "Leave" card, we'll be in serious trouble! Let's go check the Spell Card Shop!"
The group obediently follows him, running into the colorful city and going inside to ask the NPC shopkeeper and the few players who happen to be there at that time. However, to their surprise, they haven't seen anyone matching Kai's description pass by recently.
"If he hasn't come here, then that means he's gone to the dock to try and escape! We have to follow him quickly!" Elio shouts impatiently.
"No, he could still be hiding nearby, waiting for us to leave so he can go into the shop to restock. Some of us should stay behind and keep watch, and warn each other using "Contact" if either group spots him." Berver explains the plan they should follow.
"Okay, we'll follow that plan. Elio and Berver will come with me, Orfeo and Chet will stay here to keep watch. Come on Berver, use the "Accompany" card." Blakio commands.
"It's the last "Accompany" card we have left, so you two should take advantage of it and buy more cards too." Berver comments as his group of three takes some distance.
Contrary to their expectations, this time they are not transported, but instead hear the alert coming from Berver binder as the card crumbles. <
"What?! He's already out of the game?! But how?! Even if he used "Return" to go to the dock, he didn't have time to defeat the Harbormaster and take the ship to the tower to get out, no matter how fast he was." Blakio shouts, not understanding the situation in front of him.
"That's true! And he didn't have a "Leave" card either when we checked him on the way to Rubicota. It doesn't make sense!" Elio adds, also confused.
"Wait. I remember that among his spell cards he had several copies of "Fake," and also some of "Purify." Could it be that..." Chet begins to hypothesize.
And it is Orpheus who completes the deduction. "... he had hidden a "Leave" card transformed into another card and used "Purify" to be able to use it and escape.
"He's been making us chase him around to make us waste cards and steal ours before deciding to escape to the real world. He fooled us, and quite well, and now we can only wait for him to return." Berver states with a irked expression, just like his teammates.
Blakio, for his part, clenches his teeth and fists tightly as the anger over his failure begins to built up inside him until it explodes like a loud cry to the sky. "ROT IN THE FUCKING HELL, KAIIIIII!!!"
While he and his group resignedly enter the Spell Card Shop to replenish their spell cards, many miles away, in a building widely recognized throughout the world for housing extraordinary individuals who have captured the attention of numerous media outlets and organizations, Kai is enjoying a nice shower in a luxurious room exclusively for him.
That's right. Just as he arrived at the forest outside Masadora, he quickly used Zetsu to hide in the bushes, just like Gon's group did in the canon. And shortly after Blakio's group arrived to the scene, knowing they would think he would go either to the Spell Card Shop or the port to try to escape, Kai opened a portal to his private apartment in Heavens Arena.
In this way, they couldn't follow him anymore, and with his status as a player being not available, they'd have to resign themselves to heading to the Shisho Tree to wait for him to return, completely unaware Kai can come back anytime and anywhere on the island with his spatial ability.
Basically, he's given them the slip without them even noticing.
"Wow! That was pretty intense. They were really pushing me into a corner, and I even had to use my trump card to get out. I honestly didn't expect to have to use it so soon, but it was worth it. It was a lot of fun, and since I'm out of the game, I probably won't run into them again for at least 10 days." Kai thinks aloud as he steps out of the shower, relaxed, and lies down on his bed.
'Now that I've managed to escape, I should take a quick look back at my situation.'
'First things first: cards. With this latest quest, my total number of restricted slot cards has risen to 5. I still have 2 more cards to find, and there's also this month's prize in Antokiba: Capricious Remote. I also want to get the "Paladin's Necklace" as soon as possible, but for that, I'll need the right card.'
'With my sights set on the cards I want to acquire, the next step is to outline the steps I need to take. Obviously, I'll want to use the copies of the cards I've earned to my advantage, so having more "Clone" spells will be useful, and I'll also want to cover the rest of the island map.'
'I had previously avoided it in order to use the "Drift" spell strategy, but now that I have used this strategy, the information about my playing skills and that I can leave the game, the groups of players who will come will be larger and more prepared, so I don't think it will work for me again.'
'I also want to explore more the island and meet more players so I can find Biscuit and another good player like Goreinu to add to my team. After all, what that enemy player said was true: Greed Island is designed to be a team game, so I need to recruit the best teammates I can find.'
'And bringing Biscuit into the equation brings me to my final point: training. I've been procrastinating, but I really need to start training, both to improve my existing Nen abilities and to develop new ones.'
'Meeting with Biscuit would also be a good idea to improve my training and martial arts skills, but that will have to wait at least until I finish the assignment in Glam Gas Land with Nicholas.'
'After that, I'll have to ask him about his negotiations with the Nostrade family about the conditions for the bodyguard position and handle various matters related to the agency's management.'
"It looks like I'm going to be under a crushing workload in the near future." Kai sighs with a gloomy mood. "But right now I'm free and nobody knows I'm here, so let's take a break and enjoy some TV after a long time."
Deciding to take a good rest, Kai gets comfortable in bed, turns on his large 60-inch HDMI flat screen television with over 200 channels available, and starts looking for the best program to spend his leisure time with.