Currently, the Greed Island game qualifications available on the market have been almost entirely monopolized and purchased by the wealthy Battera. Faced with such a financial barrier, Gon and Killua had no possibility of obtaining Greed Island qualifications through normal channels.
Therefore, the only path for them to enter Greed Island was to participate in Battera's recruitment selection. As for how easily they passed the screening, it was an expected outcome.
After all, they had already built a relatively complete Nen ability system and mastered Nen techniques such as the Four Major Principles. Their main shortcomings lay in the accumulation of "aura amount" and high-level techniques like "Ryū," which require profound experience and talent.
In Nen battles, if the endurance of "Ken" is the most basic requirement, then mastery of "Ryū" truly distinguishes ordinary experts from top-tier ones. Gon and Killua still had a long way to go in this aspect.
But their current level was sufficient to qualify for Greed Island.
Morrow looked at the message from Gon and suddenly thought of Biscuit, wondering if she had followed the original storyline and also attended Battera's recruitment event.
Thinking of this, Morrow first replied to Gon with an "All the best" message, then sent another message asking Biscuit if she had participated in Battera's recruitment event.
After sending the messages, Morrow put away his phone and turned his gaze to the woman curled up in the corner of the wall. Regarding the Eye of Truth organization, what concerned him more was the identity of the card's creator, the organization's founder. As well as the potential conditions or costs of using this card.
Unfortunately, this woman numbered 42 knew nothing about it. She had never even seen the founder's true appearance. Internal communication within the organization was always through old-fashioned, non-electronic messaging methods or some special Nen-based communication means.
Moreover, according to her, the person who originally delivered the card to her was a man numbered 23 within the organization. Therefore, recruiting people into the organization wasn't something the founder worried about; instead, it was those who genuinely joined the organization spontaneously seeking like-minded individuals.
However, these people's "observation criteria" varied. For example, this woman's observation criterion was actually strength... Originally, her observation target was Lopez, but coincidentally, she witnessed the battle between Morrow and Lopez.
Thus, Morrow replaced Lopez's position. After learning the whole story, Morrow found it somewhat amusing and frustrating.
"You can go now." Casually putting the card in his pocket, Morrow looked down at the woman.
Although he didn't plan to use this card, keeping it might come in handy someday. Besides, he now had two cards. If he ever became truly interested in investigating further, he could use one for experimentation.
"R-really?" The woman asked in a trembling voice.
Morrow didn't speak, just looked at her expressionlessly. The woman glanced at the pocket where Morrow had stored the card and didn't dare to say anything more. With difficulty, she supported herself against the wall to stand up.
Then, while cautiously watching Morrow, she moved sideways like a crab, pressing close to the wall as she headed deeper into the alley. Morrow watched her depart just like that.
Before there's any progress on Morena's end, I should head to the Unexplored Land first and research the possibility of integrating "Divine Script" with the "Unexplored Land." If I can fully understand the transfer ability of the "drift bottle" and then transplant it to the entrance of the Unexplored Land, it would be equivalent to indirectly possessing a Hide and Seek ability. At the same time, I can draw from the framework of Greed Island, implant various rule-based abilities into the Unexplored Land, and construct a complete authority system. If everything goes smoothly, with such an authority system in place, the essence of the Unexplored Land would be similar to Greed Island, and I would be like a "GM" with administrative privileges. However, the prerequisite for all this is still to first resolve the most critical transfer ability.
Morrow pondered. The current plan was in progress, and it was unclear how long it would take for Morena to legitimately seize the position of the Heil-Ly Family head. But it probably wouldn't take too long.
After all, the two biggest obstacles, Aibolan and Lopez, were already gone. Moreover, Kurapika was providing some assistance.
Regardless of the progress, what Morrow could do now was wait for news while finding something to occupy himself. Once Morena secured the head position and identified the location where Tserriednich stored the Scarlet Eyes... With coordination from both inside and outside, they could act immediately.
The best outcome, of course, would be to stealthily steal all the Scarlet Eyes without shedding any blood.
Morrow left the city to rendezvous with Chimera. Along the way, Biscuit called.
"Hey! Why do you only ever text? Can't you just call directly?" As soon as the call connected, Biscuit's complaints came through the phone.
Listening to Biscuit's complaints, Morrow explained, "Texting at least won't disturb you. It's not urgent anyway, so you can reply whenever it's convenient for you."
"Hah, should I praise you for being considerate and attentive?" Biscuit retorted irritably.
Without changing his expression, Morrow said, "That's not necessary. So, did you attend Battera's recruitment event?"
"No, I haven't even heard of it." Biscuit replied quickly.
Morrow was surprised by this and said, "You haven't been to Yorknew these past few days?"
"Why would I go to Yorknew?" Biscuit countered, then added, "There aren't any rare gems worth making a trip for."
"..." Morrow fell silent for a moment, thinking it was strange that Biscuit hadn't even gone to Yorknew, and asked again, "Then what have you been busy with lately?"
"Great question!" Biscuit's voice suddenly rose.
Even through the phone, it felt like one could sense her gritting her teeth. Morrow moved the phone slightly away from his ear, feeling that something was off, and hesitated about whether to just hang up.
However, as if she could sense Morrow's thoughts, Biscuit said fiercely, "If you dare hang up, we're through!"
"Huh?" Morrow feigned confusion and said, "I'm just waiting for you to 'explain the situation.' Why would I suddenly hang up?"
"Better be." Biscuit's voice suddenly carried a deep sense of resentment. "Didn't you ask what I've been busy with lately? Let me tell you, it's because you crushed Wing so thoroughly last time that now he's insisting on special training from me."
At this point, Biscuit let out a heavy sigh. "If I'd known your 'quick resolution' meant Wing would lose without even getting to strike, I should've made myself scarce beforehand."
I'm already past the stage of mentoring disciples, yet because of this Morrow guy... First, I spent half a year teaching Kurapika Nen, and now I'm stuck with Wing demanding daily special training. It's utterly annoying!
Morrow detected the thick resentment in Biscuit's words and found himself momentarily at a loss for words. When he'd initially asked Biscuit to teach Kurapika, who had just obtained his Hunter License, she had been quite resistant.
If not for the Corundum Heart and Dome Treasure Box, Biscuit probably wouldn't have agreed at all. Now being pestered by Wing, no wonder her resentment ran so deep.
After all, Wing wasn't some novice just starting out. The so-called special training likely involved endless practical combat drills. In such circumstances, Biscuit probably couldn't even steal a moment to flip through her handsome men magazines.
Morrow remained silent for several seconds before slowly saying, "I never realized Wing had such strong competitive spirit."
"And whose fault is that?"
"Uh..."
Morrow had no response. Biscuit sighed again, then abruptly changed the subject. "Why are you suddenly asking me about that recruitment event?"
"..." Morrow thought for a moment before replying, "Nothing important, just making conversation."
"Hmph." Biscuit snorted coldly.
Morrow could faintly hear Wing's voice from the other end of the line. Then he heard Biscuit say she was hanging up, and the call was immediately disconnected.
Morrow put away his phone, thinking that Biscuit probably wouldn't be going to Greed Island. But given Killua and Gon's current abilities, even without Biscuit's special training, they should be able to handle the Bomber.
In any case, Morrow wouldn't interfere with this matter. In his view, this was just one of the necessary challenges Killua and Gon would face on their growth journey.
Some paths must ultimately be walked alone. Some obstacles can only be overcome by oneself. This was Morrow's attitude toward training, the same for Kalluto and Kurapika as it was for Killua and Gon.
—--
Several days later. Chimera landed in an Evil Enclave in the southern part of the Yorbian continent.
The entrance to the Unexplored Land was located in a cave at the bottom of Petrus' Eye of Death, a massive sinkhole in the central region of the Evil Enclave.
Morrow had once engaged in focused training with Kalluto for some time within this Unexplored Land. After leaving, he had never returned.
However, the entrance to the Unexplored Land was well concealed, and the sinkhole was filled with highly aggressive vines. Unless someone like Kanzai came specifically treasure hunting with clear objectives, discovering the Unexplored Land would be nearly impossible.
But the unpredictable nature of life meant one couldn't rule out the possibility of someone accidentally reaching that cave via the underground river system.
Considering this possibility, it might be necessary to set up some Divine Script around the Unexplored Land's entrance. This consideration stemmed mainly from the fact that the mural serving as the Unexplored Land's entrance required no activation conditions, even ordinary people could enter by simply touching the mural.
Setting up Divine Script might not be able to block professional Hunter Nen users, but it could at least keep out ordinary people who don't understand Nen.
"Roar!" After Chimera delivered Morrow to the edge of the sinkhole, it grew somewhat impatient and began scanning the surrounding forest, as if patrolling a new territory. More accurately, it seemed to be scouting a new buffet location.
"Go ahead." Morrow noticed Chimera's eagerness and nodded with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Chimera let out an excited roar, rubbed its bird-like head against Morrow's cheek a few times, then hurriedly dashed into the forest on its short legs. With its bull-like charge, the nearby forest instantly descended into chaos.
Seeing this, Morrow shook his head with a wry smile, lit a pre-prepared smoke stick, and leaped into the sinkhole. Driven by the smoke, the dense, dark mass of vines inside the pit seemed alive, abruptly retreating like a receding tide.
Morrow, familiar with the route, entered a tunnel and made his way to the deep cave. Just like the first time he came, a few scattered porcelain fragments still lay on the ground, and near the rock wall stood a set of stone-carved table and chairs.
Not far from the table and chairs, on the rock wall, were vivid murals. One of the murals depicted a levitating, top-shaped island. This mural was the entrance to the Unexplored Land.
Revisiting this place, Morrow felt quite sentimental. He sat down cross-legged, arms folded, slightly tilting his head back as he gazed at the mural of the top-shaped floating island, carefully recalling the intricate Divine Script structure of the "drift bottle."
This thing... is just so time-consuming and labor-intensive. I really wonder how much time Ging spent back then to create Greed Island.
Morrow thought to himself. Regarding the setup for spatial transfer, he still had no clear ideas for now. This kind of thing could only be figured out step by step through trial and error.
However, according to the Divine Script Codex left behind by Don Freecss, the most basic structure for Divine Script used in spatial transfer was a circular ring. So, in theory, Morrow's first step was to draw a circular ring, then fill it with the necessary Divine Script structures.
It was like inserting precise components one by one, ensuring each piece could interlock with the others. From its appearance, this circular Divine Script structure should resemble a magic circle.
Greed Island seemed to have similar Divine Script. And when Knov used his ability to set up the Hide and Seek passages, such rings also seemed to appear.
As for the transfer Divine Script of the drift bottle, it started from inside the bottle's mouth, spiraling inward toward the body, with countless layers of transfer Divine Script hidden in the shadows.
Take it slow. Morrow stood up, took out an ink stone, and drew a hollow ring around the mural.
After completing the first step, Morrow paused, lowered his head slightly, and once again searched his memory for that drift bottle. Then, holding the ink stone, he drew the first Divine Script structure right in the center of the ring.
This project might take a very long time. But it wouldn't interfere with Morrow's training. In fact, while creating and designing this spatial transfer Divine Script, he might even gain insights during the process, potentially overcoming the Limitation of the "Insidious Shooting Star" ability.
Days passed one after another. Soon, it was October.
—--
Greed Island. Every year, Battera would recruit Nen users. Upon entering the game, these Nen users quickly realized that collecting all one hundred specified cards was an almost impossible task.
This was by no means something an individual could accomplish alone. Thus, they spontaneously formed a clearing team with a reasonable distribution of rewards, consciously inviting and absorbing new players recently recruited by Battera.
The terrifying Bomber was actually a member of this team. Though Gon and Killua were newcomers with limited understanding of Greed Island's game mechanics, they declined the invitation. They chose to explore the game in their own way, enjoying the pure pleasure of card collection.
That was a month ago. Now. The two had completely immersed themselves in the game, collecting various specified cards with remarkable efficiency.
However, the Bomber, who had lain dormant for over five years, finally bared his fangs when he deemed the time was right. The number of victims in Greed Island surged rapidly within just a few days...