After being tricked by bandits, Killua—the self-proclaimed game strategy master—felt his pride take a significant blow. His sharp intellect had been outmaneuvered, leaving him both frustrated and introspective. To distract himself, he began talking about his second brother, whom he'd encountered at an auction, and the Phantom Troupe, who also made an appearance there.
Unbeknownst to him, his musings were overheard by two nearby individuals.
Killua's eyes twitched, a sense of unease settling over him. "Do these two have something to do with the Phantom Troupe?" he wondered.
"Phantom Troupe?" Gon echoed hesitantly, his thoughts drifting to Kurapika. The mere mention of the group brought up memories of his close friend, and Gon felt reluctant to share too much with outsiders.
Initially, Bisky assumed the boys had only heard of the Troupe in passing and were merely curious. But when she noticed Gon's hesitation, her years of experience kicked in. She quickly realized there might be more to their connection with the infamous group.
"Did you know there's a member named Ronnel in the Phantom Troupe?" she asked, her tone casual yet probing.
"Ronnel?!!" Gon and Killua exclaimed in unison, their reactions betraying their familiarity.
Bisky's sharp instincts lit up. "Well, well! These two aren't just acquainted with the Phantom Troupe; they even know Ronnel! What a stroke of luck!"
A sly grin briefly flickered across her face before she masked it with a warm, approachable smile that sent shivers down both boys' spines.
"It seems you know him quite well. Since we're friends of Ronnel too, could you share something about him? Especially… his private life~?" Bisky's voice took on a sweet, almost saccharine tone, her charm fully deployed.
"Private life?" Gon and Killua exchanged uneasy glances. They suddenly felt as though they were being dragged into a whirlwind of gossip.
As they processed Bisky's words, the image of Machi—a cold and beautiful member of the Phantom Troupe who often worked alongside Ronnel—flashed in their minds. They couldn't help but be reminded of her enigmatic demeanor.
"Ronnel… he's really something," both thought simultaneously. Killua, in particular, admired Ronnel's abilities. Having been thrown into Heavens Arena by Silva at the tender age of six, he was no stranger to combat and strategy, yet he found Ronnel's skills impressive.
Bisky and Shizuku—polar opposites in personality and demeanor—stood before them, both oddly invested in Ronnel. Bisky exuded a deceptive cuteness, while Shizuku's quiet intensity made her seem unapproachable. Adding Machi's aloofness to the mix, Killua couldn't help but smirk at the thought of Ronnel being surrounded by such striking personalities.
"What's so funny?" Bisky's sharp gaze cut through his musings, sensing something off.
"This kid's thinking about something… inappropriate," she concluded, her instincts honed by years of experience. She narrowed her eyes, though her tone remained light. "So, go ahead and tell us everything you know~!"
Bisky's sweet, coaxing tone unsettled Gon. Her claim of being Ronnel's friend didn't seem entirely implausible, and besides, they didn't know any critical details about Ronnel's Nen or abilities. Sharing harmless anecdotes about his private life wouldn't hurt… right?
With that rationale, Gon and Killua began recounting their encounters with Ronnel, inadvertently drawing Bisky's attention even further.
...
Meanwhile, in Dorias
Dorias, the largest casino city on Greed Island, was a bustling hub of activity. Known for its vibrant nightlife and gambling culture, it was second only to Limeiro Castle in terms of prosperity and excitement. In the city's northeastern quarter, within its most renowned restaurant, an unusual scene was unfolding.
"Ding-ding! Ding-ding!" A waiter in a black tuxedo enthusiastically rang a bell.
"Congratulations to the guest at Table 12! Once again, you've broken our restaurant's eating record! You've earned a beautiful commemorative gift from our establishment!"
As applause erupted from the surrounding diners, a maid gracefully approached the table carrying an ornate gift box. She set it down with a bow and stepped back respectfully.
"Just leave it there," Milluki Zoldyck muttered, casually wiping his mouth with a napkin.
Once alone, he reached for the box. As his fingers brushed against it, a card materialized in a puff of smoke, accompanied by strange sound effects.
"So this is the 'Virtual Restaurant' card Ronnel mentioned," Milluki mused, inspecting the item with a satisfied nod. He opened his card collection book and carefully slotted the new acquisition into its designated pocket.
Over the past two weeks, Milluki had collected a variety of rare cards in Dorias, including 'Risky Dice,' 'Club King.' His strategic mind and understanding of the game had allowed him to thrive in the competitive environment.
"This game is incredible," he muttered to himself. "Not only does it enhance advanced Nen techniques, but it's also perfectly structured for growth and development. By the time I'm done here, I'll be a whole new person—a true player."
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