The time is mid-October.
Greed Island, Love City - Aiai.
Sunlight spilled over this colorful town; the flowerbeds on both sides of the street were filled with roses and lavender of various colors, and the air was permeated with sweet floral scents and a faint smell of perfume.
Couples walked hand in hand along the street, their faces beaming with happy smiles.
"Whoosh — pop!"
A ball of light fell from the sky, landing precisely in the middle of the town's main street.
The light retracted instantly, revealing three figures.
Kastro stood at the very front, dressed in a sharp white martial arts uniform, his gaze scanning the surroundings vigilantly.
Goreinu stood to his right, his brows tightly furrowed, his expression looking rather unpleasant.
Nico stood on the left, holding a laptop in his right hand.
Goreinu looked around, and not seeing that red-haired figure, he muttered in a low voice, "Where is that pervert Hisoka?"
"Hmm-hmm ~ ♦"
A seductive voice came from behind them, carrying a trill that made people get goosebumps.
"Speaking ill behind someone's back is not a good thing, you know!"
As soon as the words fell, "Swish —!"
A cold glint flashed by, and a playing card flew past Goreinu's ear, taking a strand of hair with it, and stuck straight into the ground ahead.
The card body vibrated slightly, emitting a buzzing hum.
Goreinu was startled and turned around abruptly.
Kastro and Nico also turned around at the same time.
High up in a lush tree by the street, Hisoka sat on a thick branch with his legs crossed.
He had one hand on his waist and the other raised above his head, his fingers holding a playing card, the surface of which glinted coldly in the sunlight.
He was wearing a deep purple bodysuit, his mouth curved into that semi-smiling arc, his golden pupils squinting at the three of them.
He leaned against the tree trunk, his posture seductive and lazy.
Kastro stared at Hisoka, his gaze sinking.
"Hisoka, are you trying to start a war? I don't mind fighting you again right here!"
His body leaned forward slightly, and Nen flowed slowly within his body.
Having experienced his previous victory, he had deeper confidence in himself.
If Hisoka really made a move here, he wouldn't mind teaching him another lesson.
Hisoka's eyes lit up.
He straightened up from the branch, leaned forward, and licked his lips.
"Ooh — fighting you again right here? This is a very good proposal ~ ♦"
His fingers moved slightly, and the playing card between his fingers flipped once.
Nico hurriedly stepped forward, blocking in front of Kastro.
"Mr. Kastro, don't be impulsive."
Goreinu also nodded and said, "Nico is right, don't be impulsive. We still have important business to attend to; let's proceed according to the plan."
Before coming, they had discussed it with Tsezgala; they would deal with Genthru's group, while Tsezgala would continue to collect cards.
If Tsezgala were to deal with Genthru, they would definitely be very cautious and wouldn't take the bait.
Hisoka looked at Nico's nervous expression, smiled, and leaned back against the tree trunk.
He spun the playing card between his fingers twice, then put it away.
"Although I really want to fight you again, forget it."
His gaze shifted from Kastro's face to Nico's, then to Goreinu's.
"Speak, what exactly do you want from me?"
At this moment, he wanted to find the administrator Leo mentioned even more.
That was his true purpose for coming to this game — an opponent stronger than him, one who could make him "feel good to the point of explosion."
He didn't want to bully the weak anymore; he wanted the thrill of life-and-death combat, to push himself; he had fallen too far behind.
As for Kastro, the memory of his previous defeat still left a scar in his heart, but not now.
Nico walked forward, looking up at Hisoka in the tree.
"Hisoka, Grandmaster Leo should have mentioned that game administrator to you, right?"
Hisoka's eyes narrowed slightly, and he jumped down from the tree.
He landed silently, stood in front of Nico, and looked down at him.
"Hmm-hmm ~ ♦, he did mention it."
Nico took a deep breath and continued, "We came here to ask you to deal with a group. That group's strength is very troublesome. After the matter is settled, we can tell you where that game administrator is. How about it?"
Hisoka tilted his head, his golden pupils lingering on Nico's face for a few seconds, then turned to Kastro, and then to Goreinu.
He thought for a moment, stepped forward, and reached out his hand.
"Deal ~ ♦"
Nico shook his hand and gripped it firmly.
Goreinu also breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Hisoka agree.
His back had been soaked with cold sweat just now — not because he was afraid of Hisoka's strength, but because he was afraid this guy would suddenly go crazy.
Kastro's expression didn't change, but his fingers loosened.
The four of them came to an open-air plaza and sat down at a white round table.
Sunlight spilled through the gaps in the parasol, casting dappled light and shadows on the tabletop.
In the distance, there were couples taking photos, street performers playing the violin, and laughter was constant.
But around this table, the atmosphere was as cold as an ice cellar.
Nico tapped on the keyboard and said, "The group we are dealing with this time is called 'The Bomber.' There are three of them in total. The leader is named Genthru, a Conjurer ability user. His appearance is characterized by wearing a pair of glasses, looking refined, liking to wear a long white trench coat, and having a tall and thin build."
He paused, raised his head, and looked at Hisoka.
"His abilities are divided into two types — 'Countdown' and 'Little Flower'."
Hisoka's fingers were playing with the playing cards, signaling him to continue.
"'Countdown' — once his palm touches someone's body, he can silently 'plant' a timed Nen bomb on them. As long as he says the three words 'The Bomber', he can successfully plant the bomb. And the condition for activating the bomb is that he must explain his ability in detail to the person who has been planted with the timed bomb, and only then will the timed bomb officially activate and take effect. Therefore, its power is extremely terrifying; even if you defend with all your might using 'Ken', you will either die or be maimed."
Hisoka's eyes became brighter than before.
"And 'Little Flower' is covering his palm with Nen, and it detonates immediately upon touching the target. Although its power is not as great as 'Countdown', it is still enough to cause serious damage."
Nico's expression became extremely serious.
"Remember, absolutely do not let him touch our bodies easily!"
Hisoka smiled and spoke, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement.
"Sounds very interesting ~ ♦ Then leave this Genthru to me."
Goreinu nodded, his tone straightforward.
"Hmm, then we'll leave Genthru to you, we won't fight you for it."
Kastro didn't mind either; he glanced at Hisoka and said in a deep voice, "Hisoka, I hope you don't mess this up again."
Hisoka licked the corner of his mouth, his golden pupils burning with irrepressible Battle Intent.
"Hmm-hmm Don't worry! ♦ "
Nico began to arrange the tactics.
"Then let's arrange it like this: Hisoka will deal with Genthru, and the three of us will deal with the remaining two. If there are no problems, then we will proceed according to the plan. I will make an appointment for them to come out for a card trade; the location will be in the outskirts of this town. It just so happens that we have obtained the No. 75 designated card, which they don't have yet."
Kastro and Goreinu nodded.
Hisoka stood up and stretched.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go ~ ♦"
The four of them stood up and walked toward the outskirts.
Meanwhile, in the outside world, at the Hunter Association Headquarters.
Mizaistom's office.
The office was very quiet, with only the ticking of the wall clock and the occasional sound of traffic from outside the window.
Mizaistom sat at the desk, with a thick document spread out in front of him, his brows tightly furrowed, and he was marking it with a red pen.
"Buzz —"
A pale blue light screen slowly unfolded in the small room on the left side of the office.
The light became brighter and brighter, finally forming a light door.
Leo walked out of the light door with his hands in his pockets.
He pushed the door open and walked out, his gaze sweeping across the office and landing on Mizaistom.
Mizaistom looked up, not surprised at all.
"You're here?"
"Yeah."
Leo walked to the sofa and sat down.
"I have something to ask of you."