"Looking at you, you don't seem like a wanderer who just washed ashore here. You must have come with a purpose. If you're truly intent on being on this island, you should follow the normal gameplay process~"
Greed Island... A game?
Chrollo glanced at the plaque marking the town, deliberated briefly, then walked in.
After securing a hotel room with a computer, he began researching Greed Island online.
"A game where people die... and only Nen users can enter?"
Chrollo pressed his hand to his mouth as he scanned the information on several secretive websites.
Nen... I can't use Nen anymore. Kalluto should have joined Shalnark by now and become part of the Phantom Troupe. It's harder to reach them these days.
"Then, should I turn to someone more... reliable? Illumi? No, he's busy with other assignments. That leaves only one option."
Chrollo retrieved his phone and, after hesitating for a few seconds over a specific number in his contact list, dialed.
"Hello, Hisoka? Still interested in fighting the normal me?"
...
Meanwhile, in Yorknew City, the abandoned building serving as the Phantom Troupe's base was as lively as ever.
"So, the leader has agreed to let you join the Phantom Troupe?"
Shalnark examined the sapphire in his hand carefully before nodding.
They were indeed the earrings Chrollo had worn.
He turned his attention to Kalluto, who stood quietly nearby.
Shalnark frequently exited Greed Island to connect with Feitan and the others, but this time, someone had been waiting for him upon his return.
Initially startled enough to consider immediately switching to offline mode, he calmed down once he recognized Kalluto—an ally, not a threat. The Zoldyck family member brought news of Chrollo and an unexpected lead.
"So, the specialist Nen exorcist is on an island to the east?"
"Yes. My search ability has never failed," Kalluto said evenly.
Perhaps it was the arrogance born of being a Zoldyck, but Kalluto carried himself with an air of superiority—second only to Chrollo, in his own estimation. Of course, he hadn't officially joined the Phantom Troupe, viewing them instead as a stepping stone to bringing Killua home.
While he avoided outright disrespect, his attitude toward Shalnark remained detached.
"The Nen exorcist is on that island as well? If so, they must have entered the game as a player," Shalnark mused aloud.
"Between magic cards and the Nen exorcist, both options could help resolve the leader's issue. Machi and Franklin are monitoring the card progress. As for the Nen exorcist..."
He turned to Kalluto. "Can you locate someone specifically?"
"With the information provided by Chrollo, I've already narrowed it down. As long as the target doesn't move far, I can track them with my paper cranes."
"Perfect. There's an open slot on the game console. It's yours next time."
Within Greed Island, Shalnark guided Kalluto through the nuances of the game.
...
On Greed Island
Between the bounty city Antokiba and the magic city Masadora, Gon and Killua nursed lumps on their heads.
Both glared at the two women responsible: one, a girl in a red princess dress with her hands on her hips, the other, wearing black-rimmed glasses and wielding a bizarre vacuum cleaner.
"Why did you attack us?!"
Killua tensed, glaring daggers at Bisky and Shizuku.
"We don't even know you, and we've already been robbed by bandits! What could we possibly have that's worth stealing?!"
Their journey had been rough. After waiting half a month in Antokiba for the routine competition, they had finally obtained the designated pocket card Sword of Truth. But before they could even savor their success, it was stolen by professional players.
As if that weren't enough, they were captured by bandits, stripped down to their vests, and left humiliated. Fleeing into the canyon to escape their pursuers, they'd thought they'd finally lost them—only to be ambushed again.
Bisky and Shizuku hadn't bothered chasing them through the canyon at all. Instead, they simply waited at the exit.
"Originally, we just wanted to ask you a few questions," Bisky said matter-of-factly, hands on her hips. "But you had to make it difficult by running off and mocking us. If you weren't so young and cute, I'd have left you with swollen faces instead of just lumps~"
Killua growled in frustration. If it weren't for the strangers' overwhelming strength and strange abilities, they would've bolted.
Gon, rubbing his sore head, asked weakly, "So, what do you want to ask?"
"We overheard something at the bandits' hideout. You mentioned the Yorknew City riots and the Phantom Troupe..."
"The Phantom Troupe?"
Gon's expression darkened as memories of their previous misfortune returned.
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