Hello everyone, this is Gon Freecss, who successfully outmaneuvered Mr. Tsezguerra. I'm slightly taken aback that things unfolded exactly as Biscuit and Hisoka predicted.
While many couldn't cope with the rapid developments—Hisoka's appearance, Genthru's team's defeat, and Gon's game clear—Greed Island entered its final event as if none of it mattered.
『We will now conduct a quiz about specified slot cards. The highest scorer will receive specified slot card No.000, "Ruler's Blessing." All players may participate, so please join us enthusiastically!』
Just as the quiz competition was about to begin while confusion still reigned, many players teleported to Gon's location using spell cards.
Not only Team Kazsule and Team Asta, but players whose names they didn't even know—those they'd only passed by—came one after another, praising the achievement and negotiating to buy cards if they won the quiz.
Abengane also casually touched Genthru, successfully performing complete Nen removal of Countdown, then called out to several groups to cooperatively tackle the quiz competition.
『Is everyone ready? Then, here's the first question!』
This quiz competition was a test of how thoroughly one had played the game called Greed Island.
Though cards could be stolen through violence or spell cards, it was a small wish from the developers that those who had truly engaged with the game would be the ones to clear it.
Against Genthru's team, who inherited the legacy of Team Hame and collected most cards through spell card theft, Tsezguerra's team and Gon's group—who had continued their conquest legitimately through Nen abilities and skill—possessed an enormous advantage.
How much was within the expectations of chief director Jin, no one but him could know, but at the very end, the player who correctly answered the most questions was indeed one who had played legitimately.
『Tallying complete. Highest score: 96 points. Player name: Goreinu!!』
After more than ten years, it was the moment Greed Island was finally completely cleared.
Having received the card "Invitation from the Ruler" from Goreinu, who won the quiz competition, Gon visited the castle where the game developers awaited, alone.
Following the directions, he was greeted by a slovenly man with disheveled black hair and an unkempt beard, and a small, well-groomed man with blonde hair.
"You really do look just like Jin, like we heard! Congrats on clearing the game, Gon. I'm Dwun, one of the game developers."
"I'm List, also one of the developers. Jin probably predicted you'd come here too."
After receiving the final specified slot card "Ruler's Blessing," Gon was once again congratulated by the two on clearing the game, then listened to anecdotes and funny stories about Jin.
While it was understandable that Dwun, who clearly seemed easygoing and lively, would be talkative, even List, who gave the impression of being polite and quiet, spoke remarkably volubly.
"Elena and the others told us too—you're supposed to punch him for us, right? It'll be good medicine for that malicious guy, so give it everything you've got!"
"We're counting on you, Gon. Please deliver a blow strong enough to send him flying all the way here to Greed Island."
After roughly two hours of conversation that felt both long and short, Gon received a special binder.
The binder, which could store only three cards, was a clear bonus that could be summoned in the real world just once.
Finally, a grand parade was held in the castle town, and Greed Island welcomed a major, major milestone.
Having safely received the clear bonus, Gon's group was setting cards into the special binder for Battera's request, with Tsezguerra acting as intermediary.
"'Breath of the Archangel' and 'Witch's Rejuvenation Potion' for Mr. Battera, and 'Blue Planet' for Biscuit. Even Leorio couldn't help Mr. Battera's girlfriend."
"She'd been in a coma too long, and since the affected area was her brain, there was no way to treat it. He looked frustrated."
Since Gon would be bringing the cards out, he remained on Greed Island, while the rest of the members, including intermediary Tsezguerra, had already escaped outside the game to make their report.
When Leorio, having learned about the cards Battera wanted and the reason, first examined Battera's girlfriend Oboro, his inability to help meant the card reward quota didn't increase.
"But it was close. According to Leorio's examination, she wouldn't have lasted another month. If we'd struggled with Genthru, it would have been too late."
Though Oboro in her coma appeared merely to be sleeping, her too-long slumber was slowly heading toward destruction and had truly reached its limit.
The fact that Gon's team cleared the game in time, and that Leorio and Kurapika could administer life-prolonging measures, was the greatest fortune for Battera.
"I'll return to Mr. Battera first. You and the Game Masters probably have much to discuss. I'll have preparations ready, so take your time talking."
Following those words from Tsezguerra, Gon also looked back on Greed Island, where he'd stayed for half a year, and took a step toward the real world while thinking about what lay ahead.
Incidentally, Elena and Eta, who confirmed the cards Gon was bringing back to the real world, laughed while saying Jin had confidently predicted he would bring out a card that would teleport to him, and were enthusiastically declaring it a GM meeting to somehow convey this to Jin so they could make fun of him.
Battera's girlfriend Oboro, who had been in a coma for over ten years, continued sleeping with a peaceful face that didn't at all suggest there was no way to help her, in a patient room with surprisingly few instruments for someone in her condition.
In the room, too spacious for a private chamber, Battera and Tsezguerra, along with Gon's entire group, listened to Leorio's explanation as he held a medical chart like an attending physician.
"Brain death from hitting a bad spot. The troublesome thing is that even knowing the cause, the treatment location and method are unknown. If someone could cure this, it would mean they completely understand the human brain, which is still full of mysteries."
The reason no one had been able to treat it until now was the limitation of Nen users rather than Nen abilities themselves.
Treating the brain, which remains a black box to this day, is fundamentally impossible with the Nen abilities available to combatants.
"That's why 'Breath of the Archangel' might work. If the effect of completely healing a vague target functions properly, it should work."
Leorio was tormented by a strong sense of powerlessness at meeting another patient he could do nothing for, and seeing his pained expression, Kurapika also showed a sorrowful face.
"Mr. Battera, I think it would be better if you used the card rather than me. Nen responds to strong feelings."
Receiving the card from Gon with trembling hands, Battera knelt beside the bed where Oboro slept and poured his feelings into the card as if praying to God.
Then an archangel full of compassion materialized, and Battera put all his emotions into words.
"Please, I want to live with Oboro, the person I love!"
『That's easy. I shall heal all of her.』
When the archangel breathed upon Oboro, her body shone brilliantly, and changes occurred in the device measuring brain waves that hadn't moved at all.
Truly divine work healed the brain where the problem couldn't even be identified, raising not only her weakened internal organs but even muscles that would have required long rehabilitation back to a healthy state.
Leorio, who burned all of this into his eyes without blinking, guided Battera's stiffly tense hand—as he looked around anxiously after the angel and light disappeared—to Oboro's hand.
"Mr. Battera, call out to her. I'm sure this time, your voice will reach her."
Still looking anxious, Battera was surprised that Oboro's hand, which he took as if handling something fragile, had returned from its emaciated state to the soft hand he used to hold long ago.
"...Oboro?"
As if responding to Battera, who gripped her hand gently yet with determination never to let go and called to her, her eyelids trembled and she stirred while groaning softly.
"—!? Oboro!?"
Under Battera's watchful gaze as he called out strongly despite himself, her trembling eyelids opened and Oboro stared at the ceiling.
When the speechless Battera gripped her hand tightly, her gaze moved from the ceiling to Battera while still unfocused.
"What's wrong, Mr. Battera? That hurts a little."
"Ah! S-sorry. Um, do you recognize me, Oboro?"
"I just called you Mr. Battera, didn't I? You seem to have aged quite a bit—did something happen? Does it have to do with what you said about disposing of your assets?"
"This is, well, sorry. I still, I still haven't been able to dispose of my assets."
Having waited over ten years for this interaction with his girlfriend, Battera continued the conversation still feeling dreamlike and unreal.
Perhaps affected by her long coma despite the Breath of the Archangel, Oboro also smiled softly with unclear consciousness like someone just waking up.
"Really, I always tell you not to overdo it. If you're not healthy, I'll end up with a very long widowhood."
Oboro's words, having just been hovering between life and death, mixed the despair he would have felt if they hadn't made it in time with the joy of the reality that they had, bursting Battera's tear ducts.
"Don't, don't be foolish. I, I will, with Oboro, Obo—"
"Did something that painful happen? It's okay. I'll be by your side no matter what. Did you make debts? Together, we'll surely be happy even if we're poor."
Gon's group considerately left the room, leaving only Battera and Oboro in the spacious patient room.
Battera, unable to speak and continuing to cry, and Oboro, rising from the bed with a compassionate smile.
Though they looked like parent and child to outsiders, there was certain love between them, and the archangel who should have vanished blessed the future they would walk together that originally shouldn't have existed.
The day after Oboro awoke, Battera brought her—already discharged thanks to the Breath of the Archangel's effects—and invited Gon's group and Tsezguerra to his mansion.
"Let me thank you again. Words leave no tangible form, but I want to convey even a little of this gratitude. Thank you so much!"
"Let me also express my thanks. Thanks to all of you, I didn't have to leave this person behind. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."
Battera spoke with puffy eyes yet a clear expression, while Oboro, now fully conscious, expressed her gratitude with a gentle yet strong-willed smile.
Having heard the full story from Battera the previous evening after he'd finally calmed down, Oboro was briefly distraught, but the humanity that had captivated Battera, who was already a capable businessman back then, wasn't for show—she properly accepted everything.
Though they didn't have nearly enough time to fill the blank years between them, they agreed to prioritize clearing up all miscellaneous matters first.
"I'm glad we made it just in time, even though we didn't know. This is the 'Witch's Rejuvenation Potion' Mr. Battera specified. Be careful—apparently if you take more than your age, you'll vanish."
"It's fine. I've already decided how many years younger to become."
Receiving the bottle of pills from Gon, Battera took out 15 pills for Oboro and 35 for himself, then took the medicine while being examined by Leorio.
True to its claim of rejuvenating by the number taken, Battera and Oboro successfully grew younger without any health problems.
"Do we look a bit more like lovers now?"
"I told you I don't care. But I'm honestly happy we can be together longer."
After confirming each other's rejuvenated faces, they held out the half-empty bottle toward Gon.
"If we keep it, it'll only invite unnecessary trouble. I want you to do as you please with the rest."
"Lucky you, Biscuit—now you can become seven years old."
"I'm in my prime right now! As a martial artist, there's no way I'd do something to make myself weaker! ...Well, I'll take responsibility for managing this."
((...Seven years old?))
Though Battera and Tsezguerra wondered about Biscuit as she hurriedly put away the bottle, they collected themselves and moved on to paying the rewards.
"First, Gon, who cleared the game. The contract was for 50 billion in compensation, but I ended up with more money than expected when disposing of my assets. Including my gratitude, I'll pay you 100 billion in compensation."
Leorio and Biscuit cheered at the unexpected doubling of the reward, while Kurapika and Goreinu stiffened at the unimaginable sum.
Battera, who had been prepared to dispose of his assets at any time, acted swiftly—he'd already processed all rights and properties beyond personal assets and minimum holdings the previous night, and had already transferred the reward to Gon's account.
Watching Gon's group flustered over distribution and such matters at this fact, Battera smiled warmly and called out to Tsezguerra, who stood there looking lost.
"Tsezguerra, I'm most grateful to you. Thanks to you, the clear was hastened, and Gon's group participated in the game. This result wouldn't have been possible without you."
"Thank you very much. However, that was ultimately just carrying out my mission as requested. It's only natural, having received wages beyond the reward."
Battera smiled wryly at the modest Tsezguerra, pulled out several documents, and as Tsezguerra tilted his head, handed them over and announced:
"Same as the rejuvenation potion—I have no use for it anymore. I want to transfer ownership of the 31 copies of Greed Island I possess to you."
What was written in the documents handed to Tsezguerra was an inventory of the Greed Island copies Battera owned.
Tsezguerra's eyes widened at frankly an even greater reward than Gon's group received, and he groaned while considering the risks and returns of accepting this.
With Battera, who'd been collecting Greed Island at high prices, withdrawing, the market price would certainly drop, and having cleared it once and understanding the procedure, he didn't need this many copies.
However, even with depreciation, they wouldn't drop below 10 billion per copy, and considering the possibility of monopolizing the three clear reward cards themselves, there was no reason not to accept.
"...Are you truly certain? If you don't give them to me and instead put them in the proper place, they'll generate enormous wealth."
"I've had no interest in wealth since meeting Oboro. The proper place—that's none other than with you, who sincerely aimed to clear Greed Island."
Confirming Battera's resolve was firm, Tsezguerra nodded and signed to accept ownership of Greed Island.
Though not cash, he'd obtained compensation with a market value far exceeding Gon's group, but they raised no objection and purely congratulated Tsezguerra.
"However, what to do about this many copies and players—even with clearers already emerged, being able to bring cards back is attractive. Plus, whether to leave those who can't escape or make the effort to help them."
To Tsezguerra, who immediately began considering future game management, Gon conveyed what he'd predicted from talking with the Game Masters.
"The players who can't escape will probably be fine. And I think the initial problem will be how to decide on players."
"Hmm? What do you mean by..."
『Ding dong ding dong~♪ To all who play Greed Island! We will now make an important announcement from management, so please listen carefully!』
As if to restrain Tsezguerra from asking why, audio rang out from the Greed Island ring Gon still wore.
『You all should freshly remember that Player Gon cleared the game. Accordingly, Greed Island will implement a major update!』
The update contents listed included map changes and new event implementation, plus a renewal of specified slot cards and addition of new spell cards—an enormous amount.
The update period for what must have been meticulously prepared over many years would be one month, so all players would be temporarily expelled outside the game.
『Of course, there are also bonuses based on cards possessed and achievements made in the current version. New events, new enemies—we sincerely look forward to meeting you all again in "Greed Island 2"!
This concludes the announcement from management. Please forgive us as we will forcibly eject all players at the end of this broadcast. Ding dong ding dong~♪』
As Gon's group stood dumbfounded, reports came in that great chaos had erupted with the mass return of players.
Tsezguerra let out a big sigh at the problem arising immediately after becoming the person in charge, then turned on his heel with a fearless smile as if he'd found something to do.
"Things are going to get busy. But there's also worthwhile work, and it'll definitely be profitable! Plus, I've gained another chance to be the first clearer. Mr. Battera, I'll excuse myself here. Let me consult with you about some things later."
The Single-Star Hunter whose spirit had been broken by muscles found a new challenge and rallied.
A different kind of strength as a Hunter than simple violence—the star that had re-recognized what should be cultivated stood up again to gain even more brilliance.
With the sun set and no one around, in the spacious interior where the operating sounds of the JoyStation containing Greed Island echoed.
In one corner, alone, was Motarike, barely breathing as he continued performing Ren on the JoyStation.
Like other players, Motarike was ejected outside the game and learned that ownership of Greed Island had gone to Tsezguerra, and that a selection meeting would be held for those wishing to play after the update.
"Why? Damn it, why now of all times!?"
A bottom-tier ability user like Motarike couldn't possibly pass the selection meeting, and of course he had no connections to obtain another Greed Island.
More than anything, what drove Motarike to despair was the word "renewal" announced by management.
"Please, don't, don't take my family from me."
No matter how many times he performed Ren, nothing happened. Motarike, who lacked aptitude and had neglected training, quickly reached his limit.
In Motarike's hands as he sobbed weakly were two rings—the ring containing his save data and the ring he'd splurged on when marrying in-game.
"So it was no good after all. I really can't obtain anything."
From despair, everything became meaningless to Motarike, and he tried to throw away the two rings in his hands but simply couldn't let them go.
Cupping the unbreakable connection to his family with both hands, Motarike spoke words as if in final resistance.
"Management, if you can hear me, please. Please, please let my wife and son exist even after the update. Even if they're NPCs, them disappearing—that's too painful."
Shedding large tears, he wished with all his love.
"Their happiness, please, I beg you."
Motarike thought there was no way they'd answer, that the wish of a bottom-tier ability user who'd given up clearing couldn't possibly come true, but suddenly the two tear-dampened rings emitted light.
『Player Motarike has obtained the trophy "Those Who Wait for Return." NPCs "Ally" and "Stark" will continue waiting for their husband and father in Greed Island 2 as well.』
On the palm of the surprised, frozen Motarike, the two rings fused into one.
Inside the unified ring, the names Motarike, Ally, and Stark were engraved.
『The NPCs have evolved through Player Motarike's achievements. We sincerely look forward to your participation in Greed Island 2.』
The sorrowful man who had lost everything was no longer there.
A man with something to protect had wiped away his tears and stood up to meet his family once more.
***
Author's Note:
I'll provide supplementary explanation about Hisoka's Panic Card ♠.
While he can now cut aura and Nen, the range he can cut naturally changes based on the card's number. To cut Gon's aura requires at minimum a Jack or higher.
Additionally, since cards disappear once used, when cutting aura, he cannot simultaneously cut the physical body. In other words, two consecutive strikes are necessary.
Hisoka himself understands this, so this evolution serves as a foothold for further evolution.
I didn't think I'd empathize so much with Hisoka until writing this story, but now I'm happy that readers seem to love him too.
The Chimera Ant arc is finally beginning, but I hope you'll stay with me until the end.