The black-and-white maze-like patterns extended in all directions, each line displaying a strict and intricate network.
Morrow wasn't in a hurry to leave, instead carefully examining these complex yet orderly Divine Scripts.
Truly exquisite.
Morrow's gaze swept across the neatly arranged Divine Scripts formations as he marveled:
It's like a hand-assembled precision mechanical watch, every Divine Script structure exists perfectly in place, interlocking with each other, link by link. That's how it achieves flawless operation within such a complex system.
Having discerned the entire room's Divine Script network and its underlying logic, Morrow was genuinely amazed.
The scale of this project... was immense.
One could easily imagine how exceptional Ging and his friends must be.
However, the very act of using Nen to create a massive game was itself an astonishing feat.
In a sense, Ging, who conceived of integrating Nen, Divine Script, and games, was truly a genius among geniuses.
This world... never lacks remarkable people.
With continuous inner admiration, Morrow finally decided to leave the room and headed toward the door engraved with Reinforcement Divine Script.
Beyond this door was a long corridor, where the floors, walls, and ceiling were all covered in black-and-white Divine Script resembling maze blueprints.
The setup here directly connected to the room serving as a teleportation point, offered no useful information.
Morrow walked straight through the corridor and eventually arrived at another room.
Similar to the previous room, all directions here were covered in orderly Divine Script.
Floating in the center of the room was a control panel resembling a half-open shell, also covered in Divine Script.
A girl wearing a sundress sat on the control panel, a technologically styled hat on her head.
The girl was Elena, responsible for explaining the game.
She had finally waited for Morrow to emerge from that teleportation room. Although she had encountered all sorts of players, this was the first time she'd seen such a situation.
"Welcome to the G·L."
Suppressing her confusion, Elena wore a faint smile as she looked at Morrow, who had just emerged from the corridor.
Morrow nodded toward Elena, descended the steps, and his gaze was immediately drawn to the floating control panel.
Elena smiled and said, "Now I'll begin explaining the game's mechanics, Mr. Morrow. Would you like to... Hmm?"
She was following the usual procedure, asking if the player wanted to hear the game explanation, but before she could finish, Morrow vanished into thin air.
However, using her perception ability across the entire game range, she immediately located Morrow's position.
Right there...
Elena lowered her head to look beneath the floating control panel and saw Morrow crouched in front of it, head bowed as if observing something.
"..."
Elena was speechless.
At that moment.
Morrow was half-crouched before the floating control panel, examining the antenna-like rods extending from beneath it.
These rods were inscribed with Divine Script used for recording abilities. So objects can be used as extensions to enable compound applications of Divine Script... Her ability likely leans toward perception-type information retrieval, sharing the same nature as my 'Starlight Convergence'.
Through his understanding of Divine Script, Morrow could discern the thought processes embedded within these script patterns, allowing him to deduce Elena's ability type.
However, he couldn't directly inquire to confirm.
On the control panel.
Elena had already grasped what Morrow was doing.
No wonder he stayed so long in the teleportation room...
Thinking this, Elena sighed helplessly in her heart.
A moment later.
Morrow finally stood up.
Seeing this, Elena smiled like the most professional customer service representative and asked again: "Shall we begin explaining the game rules now, Mr. Morrow?"
"No need, thank you."
Morrow smiled.
Elena was somewhat surprised, though her expression remained unchanged. She raised her hand to point sideways and backward, smiling: "Very well, please proceed down the staircase over there. Good luck."
"Mhm."
Morrow walked directly toward the staircase behind Elena.
Elena glanced sideways at his retreating figure.
Even though it's his first time entering the game...
And those actions just now... they really resemble someone.
Elena thought to herself.
—--
The game's teleportation point building was a conical-roofed thatched hut supported by several stone pillars, exuding distinct tribal aesthetics.
Walking down the steps from the hut, Morrow immediately spotted the team of Gon, Killua, Hisoka, and Tsezguerra who had been waiting, along with Goreinu who bore some resemblance to a gorilla.
"So this is Killua and Gon's teacher... Such calm aura. Hisoka still feels more dangerous though."
Goreinu discreetly observed Morrow.
Morrow subtly glanced at Goreinu, then swept his gaze across the boundless grassland, clearly sensing numerous prying eyes from the shadows.
Likely players closely monitoring Tsezguerra's team's card collection progress, probably intending to reap benefits later.
But Tsezguerra was experienced and had likely taken precautions already.
Withdrawing his gaze, Morrow looked toward Killua and Gon approaching quickly and said: "Time is precious. Let's head directly to the lighthouse."
"Mhm."
Killua and Gon naturally had no objections.
But Goreinu spoke up: "Wait, before challenging Razor, there's something I need to say."
Everyone turned to look at the serious-faced Goreinu.
Tsezguerra glanced toward the distant grassland and said: "Let's change locations first."
He summoned his book and retrieved an Accompany card from the free slots.
The group soon arrived at a forest.
Some distance from the lighthouse.
Goreinu stated directly: "My ability 'Black & White Goreinu' can materialize two gorilla Nen beasts, one black, one white. You've already seen the white gorilla's ability to instantly swap positions with me. Now I'll explain the black gorilla's ability."
"Oh?"
Tsezguerra and the others showed slight surprise but vaguely understood Goreinu's intention in revealing his ability before the challenge.
This must be closely related to the upcoming match.
With a serious expression, Goreinu continued: "According to dodgeball rules, each team gets one revival opportunity. My black gorilla can forcibly exchange positions with others."
"!!!"
Upon hearing this, Gon and Killua might not have fully grasped the implications, but Tsezguerra's team and Hisoka both showed unusual expressions.
The ability to forcibly swap positions with others using a Nen Beast...
This ability could be considered rare and possessed immense tactical value.
In other words, by skillfully utilizing this ability, they could at least eliminate Razor's team's revival opportunity.
Goreinu, observing Tsezguerra and the others' reactions, spoke gravely:
"I don't think I need to elaborate further on the tactical value of this ability. Considering we're still short on personnel, I believe it's necessary for Black Goreinu to occupy one spot in the dodgeball match. This would give us a chance to directly eliminate Razor's team's revival opportunity."
"Absolutely no problem!"
Tsezguerra immediately understood and quickly added:
"Actually, your White Goreinu can also take the field. Since we can't be sure if Razor will give us another chance, if he insists on appearing only at the last moment, we might not even be able to form a full team of eight."
"Alright, then I have no further questions."
Goreinu nodded.
Kess, a member of Tsezguerra's team, looked at Goreinu and remarked, "I didn't realize you had such a strong competitive spirit."
Revealing such precious ability information for the sake of victory wasn't something an ordinary person would do.
It deserved everyone's respect.
Goreinu subconsciously raised his hand to touch his cheek, his mind flashing back to the first time he challenged Razor.
Back then, he had faced the shadow of death head-on, and the memory remained vivid to this day.
It wasn't so much about competitive spirit...
Rather, it was his desire to unilaterally overcome this deeply ingrained shadow.
"Razor's serve has lethal power. Since we're all stepping onto the field with resolve, I can't afford to hold everyone back anymore."
Goreinu lowered his hand, clenching it into a fist.
Morrow glanced at Goreinu. If there was one ability that left the deepest impression on him throughout the Greed Island arc, it was this man's Black & White Goreinu.
Just then, Hisoka asked with keen interest, "Could you briefly explain the rules of dodgeball?"
Since entering the game, he had been like a ghost, barely noticeable.
But upon hearing Goreinu mention that Razor's serve could kill, his interest was immediately piqued.
"Of course."
Tsezguerra turned to Hisoka and quickly took over: "Although Razor will likely explain the rules again before the match starts, it's better for you to understand them in advance so you can prepare."
The dodgeball match is eight versus eight.
It follows the rule of seven players inside the court and one outside.
The general gameplay is similar to conventional dodgeball.
Players inside and outside the court can freely pass the ball to seek opportunities to attack the opponent.
If a player inside the court is hit by a ball thrown by the opponent, they are ruled out and must move to the outer court.
However, both teams have one revival opportunity to bring eliminated players back into the inner court.
The victory condition is to clear all players from the opponent's inner court.
The most noteworthy aspect of these rules is the implementation of the 'body rebound system.'
If a single ball, under the rebound mechanism, can consecutively hit seven opposing players...
Then theoretically, the moment the ball touches the ground, the opponent would be cleared and lose the match.
Unless the sole remaining outer court player can shout 'BACK' when the ball hits the ground, using the revival opportunity to directly enter the inner court from the outer court.
This way, as long as there are still players in the inner court, the game can continue.
However, what's interesting is that if the ball that consecutively hits seven players bounces toward the opposing court and strikes one player on the opposing side before landing successfully, then the one eliminated would instead be that player from the opposing court.
If that player can catch the ball, the result would remain unchanged.
In simple terms, the core of winning this game lies in either dodging or catching the ball while gradually clearing out the players in the opponent's inner court.
"Razor is using his Nen Beasts to make up the numbers. Although it's said to be eight versus eight, in reality, the only one we have to deal with is Razor himself."
After hearing the rules and the information related to Razor's ability, the interest that had just welled up in Hisoka's heart immediately faded by more than half.
Tsezguerra nodded and said:
"That's correct, but Razor's strength is extremely formidable. His Nen Beasts are physically conjured, undoubtedly involving Conjuration. However, judging from the power of his serves, it seems more like Emission or Enhancement. It's hard to imagine to what extent he has developed his Nen."
At this point, Tsezguerra's tone gradually grew solemn:
"Looking at the rules of the dodgeball game, Emission and Enhancement types clearly have a greater advantage. Razor's Nen is very powerful. If we aren't fast enough in mobilizing our aura, even if we catch the ball, we'll likely be severely injured or knocked flying."
"Is that so~"
Hisoka responded casually, but his gaze drifted toward Morrow.
When it comes to comprehensive mastery of the Nen System, there's another monster here as well.
Hisoka thought of Morrow's Starlight Convergence ability.
Also an Emission type, but deeply developed with characteristics of Enhancement, Manipulation, and Conjuration.
Although Emission is far from Conjuration, as long as one can integrate the characteristics into the ability system, it can still bring value.
For example, that conjured golden chain within Morrow's ability system.
In Hisoka's view, although its strength is weak, it plays a key role in Morrow's ability and tactical system.
However, based on Tsezguerra's description, Razor's Nen Beasts don't seem to have anything special, they're just there to fill the numbers.
It's only because Razor's Nen is so strong that he manages to hold up the situation.
But if it's Razor at full strength, he's still worth a little anticipation.
Hisoka thought to himself while looking at Morrow's face, unconsciously sticking out his tongue to lick his lips.
"…"
Gon, Killua, and Goreinu seemed to sense something, as they all shuddered and quietly distanced themselves from Hisoka.
Morrow noticed Hisoka's gaze but pretended not to see it.
—--
The entire team made preparations and contacted the players who came to make up the numbers.
Soon after, a large group of fifteen people arrived at Razor's lighthouse base.
Razor looked at this new lineup, his eyes first sweeping over Gon before settling on the newly joined Hisoka and Morrow.
"Oh?"
Razor's eyes, narrowed into slits, widened slightly as his gaze shifted between Hisoka and Morrow.
Hiding their abilities?
But it's precisely this exquisite control that's more problematic.
These two are both rare experts.
Especially... Razor's gaze fixed on Morrow.
Just by sensing his presence, one could tell this man was anything but ordinary.
Under these circumstances, handling the aftermath alone would be quite strenuous.
Perhaps he should have Bopobo and the others engage casually first to wear down some of the opponent's key personnel.
Razor's eyes shifted toward the players who were brought in merely to fill the ranks, calculating in his mind.
Morrow's appearance forced him to carefully consider his countermeasures, unlike last time when he had casually given the opponent an opportunity.
Tsezguerra and Goreinu both noticed Razor's earlier reaction of staring at Morrow for a while, and their hearts tightened involuntarily.
Even though they had made Morrow suppress his aura as much as possible...
Had Razor still detected Morrow's true strength?
While Tsezguerra and the others grew increasingly tense, Hisoka's focus was elsewhere.
My 'control' isn't bad either, is it? To so easily conclude that I'm inferior to Morrow...
Hisoka narrowed his eyes slightly.
-----------------
I'm translating a new story: "Monster Hunter:The Wilderness Compass." I'll drop the link in the chapter comments for anyone who wants to check it out.
Chimera Ant Arc started on patreon.
Bonus chapter @600 power stones, ty all for your support