Ging smiled confidently.
He turned to look at Pariston, who was sitting on the sofa with his chin resting on his hands, that ever-present warm smile on his face as he silently watched Ging's little performance.
"You like playing games with people from all over the world, but that's never been my thing. Still, within this little team… I don't mind playing with you~"
Ging's confidence was overflowing. On this long journey, he was determined to make everyone truly accept him—accept that he had risen to No. 2, and earned it.
"Do you want me to be history?" Pariston's smile tilted at a curious angle.
"It's been a while since I met someone worth competing with. Let's see who comes out on top."
Without needing to say it aloud, the two had already made up their minds—they were going to beat each other.
Before they even reached the New Continent or rescued Beyond, it was time for Pariston and Ging to test their strengths.
Once Beyond was free and they officially set foot on the Dark Continent, all personal contests would come to an end.
After all, venturing into the Dark Continent wasn't child's play.
There was an unspoken understanding between them—strange, yet perfectly mutual.
...
"Then you can have the No. 2 spot. I've got no objections. This is what I offered on behalf of my account and Beyond."
The man with no chin pulled out a card from his pocket. A number was written on it.
"OK~"
Ging glanced at the card, pulled out his phone, and tapped away.
"Transfer complete. Go ahead and confirm."
"How about it?"
The waiter and chef nearby were more anxious than the man himself.
He checked his phone. A few drops of sweat slid down his face.
"I'll head out for a bit… I'll be back soon," he muttered, his voice trembling.
Then he walked out without looking back.
"Doesn't look like he's coming back," the waiter-chef commented, confused.
"He'll be back~"
Ronnel watched the man's figure disappear into the distance.
He remembered—this guy was the one who needed money the most.
His sister needed urgent treatment. And in a world teeming with magical beasts and poisonous insects, rare and terrifying diseases weren't uncommon.
Treatment wasn't just difficult—it was astronomically expensive. Without money, there was no hope. Even Leorio had decided to study medicine after watching his best friend Piedo die in agony simply because they couldn't afford treatment.
And even money didn't guarantee success. Top-tier tycoon Batra had lost his beloved despite exhausting all modern options. In the end, his only hope was pinned on Greed Island.
This chinless man was prepared to risk the unknown horrors of the Dark Continent, just for his sister. He was even willing to swallow his pride and accept Ging's authority.
He had already sold his Hunter License twice to cover her treatment.
A good man.
He'd gone to wire the money—to the hospital and to the welfare organization that had helped him when he had nothing. And once he returned, there'd be no doubt left: Ging would be his leader, both in name and in spirit.
The hardest part is always getting started. But once the first crab's been eaten, everything that follows becomes a little easier to swallow.
...
"So—anyone else got a problem with me being second-in-command?"
Ging scanned the room.
A brief silence followed. Then—
"I don't object to you being No. 2," the apron-wearing fisherman muttered stubbornly. "But I'll do whatever I damn well please. I'm not taking orders. You can be the bare-assed commander all you like."
"No problem at all. Now, give me your account number and how much you want."
"I don't want any money!"
"That won't do. You're taking it."
"I said I don't want it!"
"Then that doesn't count as you acknowledging me." Ging shrugged. "Once you accept the money, you can donate it or burn it. Let me know when you change your mind~"
Then he turned to Pariston, who was still smiling that infuriating smile.
"So… any objections to me being No. 2, Pariston?"
"No objections at all. " Pariston said, waving a hand nonchalantly.
"Then tell me your account number too… but…"
Ging met Pariston's gaze, eyes narrowing slightly.
"How many times can you double zero before it changes?"
"Exactly."
Pariston smiled and lifted his chin, their eyes locked.
He wasn't in it for the money. That much was obvious.
They exchanged glances with matching half-smiles.
...
The team Beyond had assembled for the Dark Continent totaled about 25 people.
It was the perfect number—any more, and the team would get bloated and unwieldy. But Beyond had spent years preparing. Surely he wasn't putting all his eggs in just this one basket.
Any extra personnel would be added as official participants through the Hunter Association. Among them, Ginta and Mizaistom Nana would be in charge of inspections and approvals.
It's worth noting: since Netero never died, and Gon wasn't seriously injured, the Hunter Association never held a presidential election. Leorio hadn't paid attention to Ging's punch, and Ginta had never met him.
So, unlike in the alternate future, Leorio never recommended Kurapika.
Still, Kurapika had caught wind of the Dark Continent—and Kakin—through the media blitz. Whether he would realize that the fourth prince possessed the Scarlet Eyes and decide to act… that remained to be seen.
...
Then came the reveal—an absolutely massive sum from one of the top Hunters in the world.
1.5 billion Jenny for all official personnel.200 million Jenny for important, yet-to-be-confirmed participants.That was the offer Beyond gave to everyone.
Ging? He doubled that on the spot.
With a grin, he added, "Compared to what's being poured into Dark Continent gear, this is just a drop in the bucket."
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)