Loki looked up at her. "Where's the Greed Island game?"
Baise pointed to the basement stairs. "Downstairs. Gon and Killua went in a few days ago."
"It's fine; there are still slots available."
Loki stood. "I'm going to rest. You're in charge here."
He glanced at Hisoka. "If you need anything, talk to Baise. Pakunoda, too."
Loki went upstairs. Hisoka watched him leave.
"I have a feeling he's been resting more lately. That fight with the Chairman must have been exhausting."
While Hisoka and Pakunoda talked, Loki reached the largest room upstairs and lay down. But as he settled in, a notification appeared.
'Mission Triggered!' 'Enter Greed Island and conquer the game.' 'Reward based on game completion. Time limit: two months!'
Loki, initially pleased, was immediately disheartened by the reward level: a measly D-rank. A D-rank was practically no reward at all. What was the point of triggering this mission?
Based on the system's usual pattern, he'd probably only get an S-rank reward for collecting all the cards and perfectly clearing the game.
Even an S-rank reward wasn't particularly exciting, but something was better than nothing. The important thing was obtaining a reward and the designated draw.
While Loki drifted off to sleep, Hisoka was building a card house. Suddenly, someone burst in. Hisoka looked up. The person froze, staring at Hisoka, speechless.
"Y-you're... you're the... the killer magician who attacked the Hunter Association, Hisoka!"
Goreinu was shocked to find Hisoka here.
Pakunoda came out. "What's wrong?"
Seeing Pakunoda, Goreinu realized something terrifying. One attacker was bad enough, but two of them being here meant the monstrous kid was probably also...
'No... why are these three here?' Goreinu's forehead beaded with sweat; he dared not move. Hisoka's sharp gaze was fixed on him.
Goreinu wasn't powerless, but Hisoka and Pakunoda's actions were too shocking. He wouldn't dare commit such a heinous crime.
'Baise must have been killed!' Goreinu thought in terror.
High heels clicked. Baise emerged from the lounge, seeing Goreinu.
"I told you not to come here, Goreinu."
Hisoka and Pakunoda understood. This man was likely Loki's subordinate, unaware of his boss's identity.
"You seem to be having a bad day!" Hisoka stood, spinning a playing card. A cold smile appeared on his face. "Since you've seen us, you die!"
Hisoka's killing intent erupted, creating a chilling wind in the room.
"Wait! Baise, why are these two here?"
Baise smiled, arms crossed. "You... always wanted to know who we were, didn't you?" She approached. "The child who turned the Hunter Association upside down... is our boss!!!"
Silence fell. Goreinu's face drastically changed. He never imagined his boss was the monster who had provoked the entire Hunter Association!!!
Whoosh! Hisoka moved, instantly grabbing Goreinu, a playing card at his neck.
"Hee hee hee!" "Anything to say before I kill you?"
Feeling death approaching, Goreinu looked at Baise. "Why? I'm also a hired hand. Aren't we on the same side?"
"Same side?" Hisoka frowned. "Kid, do you understand what that means?" Hisoka grinned. "It means you'll also be hunted by hundreds of Hunter Association professionals, constantly in danger, always on the verge of death."
Even so, Goreinu didn't want to die now!
Pakunoda stepped forward, her finger under Goreinu's chin. "Tell me, will you reveal our location?"
"No! Of course not! If I do, I'll be killed too. I already unknowingly helped you."
"Even if I say I'm not with you, no one will believe me!"
Goreinu nervously watched Pakunoda. After a long moment, Pakunoda withdrew her hand. "Barely acceptable!"
Hisoka, knowing Pakunoda's abilities, released Goreinu. "Congratulations! You've got a second chance!"
The tense atmosphere lifted. Hisoka resumed building his card tower, Pakunoda went to the study, and Baise casually approached.
"So, why did you barge in?"
Goreinu looked at Hisoka. "I was going to tell you about the Hunter Association incident. But you seem to know more."
Baise smiled. "I don't know everything. He doesn't report his whereabouts to me."
"Tell me anyway. You're already here."
Goreinu rubbed his shoulder, looking at Hisoka.
"The Hunter Association has gathered fifty strong Hunters to form a hunting party against... our boss."
This wasn't a big deal; fifty strong Hunters were nothing to Hisoka. The number of Hunters who could threaten Loki was probably in the single digits.
"Hunter Restriction lifted!"
"Hunters are permitted to use any means necessary."
Crash! Hisoka's card tower collapsed. He looked at Goreinu.
Fifty strong Hunters posed no threat to Loki. But lifting the Hunter Restriction, allowing any means necessary... that was different.
Professional Hunters, with their Nen abilities and superior combat skills, were usually restricted from using special weapons—nuclear weapons, the Poor Man's Rose—weapons of mass destruction.
Nen was powerful, but human ingenuity was even more powerful. Nuclear weapons in the hands of ordinary people posed a significant threat, even to someone like Loki.
Hisoka hadn't expected the Hunter Association to resort to this to deal with Loki. This was unprecedented! They were willing to lift the restriction to deal with a single child.
"Now we really could die at any moment if our identities are revealed," Hisoka said calmly.
Goreinu and Baise's faces turned pale. They realized the implications. The lifted restriction meant they could attack freely, even if it harmed civilians, as long as the casualties weren't excessive.
Loki woke up, rubbing his temples. After washing, he...
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