With no leads to follow on Biscuit's whereabouts or the requirements to fulfill in the quest, I spend the next few hours questioning the NPCs and players in the city once again about the main points of interest, and subsequently go sightseeing around them.
There are several places oriented towards providing couples with a pleasant evening, such as beautiful street performances with dance and fireworks, streets and corners decorated with flowers to create ambiance, portrait artists, dessert cafes, and many, many benches in attractive locations.
Despite having to bear the sight of several players having lovely dates and not finding any help with what I need right now, I still enjoy these quality services. If only it weren't for...
"Excuse me, would you mind helping me? I have a job with an art gallery, and you're a perfect fit for the model I'm looking to draw!"
"Snif. Sniif. Dad. Why did you have to pass before I got back to the city? Snif. I miss you."
"Hey, you. This bakery has a special offer on an new dessert exclusive for couples, so you have to pretend to be my boyfriend so I can try it. Got it?!"
Ever since I said goodbye to Hana, the female NPCs have been interacting with me more directly, trying to get me involved in more romantic events non-stop. With short hair, long hair, and hair of different colors. Dressed modestly or more casually. With shy, cheerful, harsh, or gentle personalities—there was everything. Getting over it has been hell.
'Ignore temptations! Ignore temptations! Ignore temptations!'
I had to keep repeating this phrase in my head and isolate myself to avoid paying attention to all the beautiful NPC girls who would approach me during the next couple of hours.
Ignoring the distractions while sightseeing, I arrive at a dessert shop that looks good, so I decide to take a short break for the time being, and after waiting at the counter for a while, I sit down at one of the tables on the terrace with a raw strawberry cheesecake and a roasted coffee while ignoring the prying eyes of the couples around me.
'Hmm, it's pretty good for being made in a video game. I should bring Ponzu here for a date when she has time. Or maybe I could surprise her by making a dessert like this myself.'
'The problem is... that I haven't touched the desserts in the kitchen yet, and it's difficult to make them well, especially having gone several years without tasting them. Would it be better to just buy them? I don't think Ponzu would mind, and it would be a good excuse for us to go out together.'
'That reminds me I still owe Menchi a meal. Without any confidence or experience with desserts, it's best not to risk it and play it safe, so I'll put the baking aside for now.'
As I continue to mull things over in my head while enjoying my slice of cake, an old lady suddenly falls near to my table without warning, so I get up to try to help her.
"Ma'am, are you alright? That was quite a fall. Did you hurt your knees or your head?" I ask, lifting her up while inspecting her for scratches or painful areas.
"No, young man, it's fine. It was just a silly stumble. At my age, it's normal to lose it now and then." The old lady says with a kind smile, trying to dismiss the incident.
"Anyway, let me check you out. It's best to make sure you don't have anything broken or any internal injuries that aren't visible." I insist to her, convinced that this circumstance is not accidental.
"I really appreciate the thought, but seriously I'm..." The old lady stops when she looks at my pendant. "You know, you're right. How about I order a coffee here while you check?"
'Just as I thought, it's part of the quest.' I think as I sit the old woman in the chair in front of mine.
For the next few minutes, after verifying the condition of what is surely an elderly-looking NPC, chat a bit about uncompromising things like the weather, the shop desserts and our role in this city, with the unnamed elderly woman seeming delighted to chat with me while sipping his coffee cup.
"You remind me of my grandson, so full of life and adventure, and so full of kindness. I'm sure girls are all around you." She says, patting my hand with a warming aura.
However, despite her big smile and friendly treatment, I take notice that she has been staring intently at my pendant from the moment we sat down.
"Huh, excuse me? You've been looking at me quite intensely for some time now. Is there a problem, good lady?" I ask, trying to be bolder.
At my question the lady stands up, close the distance and starts carefully tracing the jewel still around my neck with her fingers before asking; "Young man, can I ask where you got this pendant?"
Obviously this makes me somewhat uncomfortable, and in a normal situation I wouldn't just not respond, but I would also have moved her away and dismissed the encounter. However, this is the Greed Island video game, and since this pendant caught her attention, it means she must be part of the quest, so I'm going to answer.
"A girl I helped gave it to me a few hours ago. Does it have any special meaning for you?"
"You could say something like that. If she truly gave it to you voluntarily, then there is an opportunity for you in the near future. Here, take this." She says, handing me a small piece of paper with a password written on it.
"Go to the shop located at the end of the Rose Street, give this password to the shopkeeper, and you will receive something special. You'll probably need it when the time comes."
I accept the paper, thanking the old lady for her insight, and as she says goodbye while walking away from me at the end of our little "date", I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation about what lays ahead of this new track.
After I finish my little snack in peace, I follow the directions given by the old lady through the bustling streets of Aiai until I make my way to the Rose Street. Despite being quieter than other streets and squares I've seen around the city, the narrow alleyway is still lined with quaint shops and cafes, just like the rest.
At the very end of the road, just like the elder woman said, I find a small, unassuming shop with a sign that read "Heart's Desire", and clearing my head for whatever may come, I push open the door and step inside accompanied by the tinkling of a bell.
The place appears to be a kind of Zen shop, filled with an array of items from delicate jewelry to intricate decorative trinkets, aromatic incense and relaxing oils, all seemingly tied to the themes of love and affection. The air itself is thick with the scent of roses and lavender, creating a calming and enchanting atmosphere as I walk through the place.
"Welcome, Heart's Desire, where we offer quality products to ensure rewarding and pleasurable experiences for you and your partner. How can I help you today?" A middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a gentle smile says with a soft voice from behind the counter.
"Hi. I have come here because I was given this password from an old lady I met by chance." I say, bringing the piece of paper out of my pocket. "I'm not exactly sure what this is about, but I was told to bring it here to receive something special, so here I am."
Taking the paper and reading the password, the shopkeeper's eyes lit up with recognition.
"Ah, I see. You have been recognized. Follow me. I have exactly what you need." She says leading me to the back room of the store, which is filled with even more unique and rare items.
She then reaches for a small, ornate box on a high shelf and opens it to reveal what appears to be a kind of guide titled "Love is born, but it must also be nurtured. Do it in Aiai".
"This is what you seek; The ultimate tourist guide explaining the history, commerce and sights of the city of love, Aiai. With it you can delve into our rich culture to learn important things for the future and enhance the bonds of love and friendship with your important ones. Since you've been recommended, I'll let you have it and for free." The shopkeeper says handing it to me, much to my bewilderment.
I examine the brochure thoroughly, trying see or feel something that catches my eye, but nothing resonates, and as I grasp it, the brochure in my hands turns into a card with the next description:
<
It's just a typical, disappointing tourist guide.
"Is this really all? Isn't there anything else you should give me, or anything you need to tell me?" I inquire.
"That's all I had to do. If you're not interested in buying any of my products, you can leave. Remember to use it wisely. It will help you." The shopkeeper replies with with a business smile.
Understanding that I won't get anything more here, I thank the shopkeeper for her service and place the card in my binder before leaving the shop feeling scammed.
I had followed the old lady's guidance in hopes of getting a valuable item. Of course I didn't expect getting the S-rank card I was looking for, but I was at least hoping to get a card with some special effect or a clue to guide me. Instead, all I got was a guide on how to have a nice date.
'It feels a bit demotivating, but I'll still take a look at the brochure while I'm out and about in the city. Who knows, maybe fortune will smile on me and I'll find something interesting.' I think as I walk along the cobblestone street and bring out my binder.
Left wondering what to do next, I decide to put my luck to the test by interacting with various NPCs around the city. My first stop is a bustling market, where vendors shout out their wares, and I approach a stall selling exotic fruits, greeted by a friendly merchant.
"Hello there! Your fruits look amazing. Do you have any recommendations?" I say, smiling warmly.
The merchant, a burly man with a grizzled beard, beams at me before replying in a jovial demeanor. "Ah, young man! You've got a good eye. Try these golden apples. They're rare and sweet fruits which are said to grow only from the legendary Tree of Plenty."
I chuckle, looking at my pendant with the fleeting thought that it could give some kind of charm for the NPCs in this city.
"Thank you! By the way, have you heard any rumors about restricted cards? I'm looking to collect them." I ask, testing the charm's effectiveness.
"Restricted cards? What's that?" The merchant ask in a monotonous and clueless way.
'I expected as much; it won't be that easy. Okay, let's try the other option.' I think before asking: "You say these golden apples grow from the Tree of Plenty. What do you know about it?"
Unlike with the previous question, the merchant leans in, his eyes twinkling with intrigue. "Oh well, I'm no expert on the subject, but it is said to be a legendary tree from which all kinds of fruits known and unknown to man sprout, and that it can provide unlimited sustenance for those who get hold of it."
"And do you have any idea where it could be?" I ask.
"According to rumors, somewhere in the island's highest mountains, there is a hidden clearing where the unique air and soil conditions supposedly allow this mysterious tree to grow. But be wary, because they say it's guarded by a creature that ferociously engage anyone who gets close, subjecting its prey to a prolonged, hellish experience. Although, well, at the end of the day, it's just rumors." The merchant says, changing from a focused and disturbing attitude to a cheerful and easygoing one.
Intrigued, I thank the merchant and make a mental note to verify those rumors later. After that, I spend the rest of the day reading the city's tourist guide in search of any useful information, and asking everyone I meet along the way about a cute blonde girl in town.
The brochure doesn't seem to contain anything out of the ordinary, just made-up stories about the city's past and tips on how to charm women and men (for each interest). As for my search for Biscuit Krueger...
"If you're looking for cute blonde girl, why don't you try visiting the fountain in the main square? I've heard there are girls with that description passing by there from time to time." One of the players I asked said.
I decided to follow the player's tip and head to the city square, but Biscuit was nowhere to be found. Only cute, blond females NPC, but not Biscuit, and as dusk approaches, I decide to call it a day and head out to the outskirts of the city to set up a settlement.
Sure, I could pay for lodging in the city to handle the quest myself, but it's better for my training and study with the Memory Helmet in my luggage if I go to a secluded area with no one around. I don't think the mission will be canceled since the anime didn't show that problem with cards No. 75 and No. 2.
And besides that, for some time now, I've felt eyes on me. Due to my living conditions and rigorous training, I have a sixth sense for noticing if someone has their eye on me, even when they are in Zetsu and I can't locate them, just like the Phantom Troupe.
If they were just mere weaklings, I could have opted to pay for lodging, but unfortunately, I'm not able to pinpoint their location, so they're not weak novices. Using En to pinpoint them would alert them, and wouldn't help me gauge their level, so it's better to bait them where we don't involve anyone else and strike when they get overconfident.
After setting up a small camp, I spend the next few hours training and memorizing while wearing the Memory Helmet to intensify the workout until nightfall. Despite opening several windows to attack, my stalker doesn't seem confident enough to act, so after finishing dinner, I crawl under my covers and fall asleep.
Finally, the figure hidden among the leaves and branches prepares to act and launches an attack on me, but unfortunately for it, I had trained with Satotz to have a part of my brain awake and attentive even when I sleep, so opening my eyes I jump out of the spot to dodge the punch.
To my surprise, however, the punch is so powerful that it generates a strong shock wave that shakes the place and wrecks the ground several meters in diameter from the point of impact. Stunned by this monstrous display of strength, I inspect my attacker amidst the debris and the dust.
I cannot discern their appearance or face because they are fully covered by blankets and loose clothing that conceal their body, but I recognize that they are tall and big, no less than 2 meters, implying that they are a man, and also their aura is calm and concentrated, which indicates to me that they are an experienced fighter.
"So you were the one who'd been following me around city ever since I went to the dessert shop. Who are you? And why are you attacking me?" My question hangs in the air as the stranger lunges towards me at astounding speed and tries to punch me right.
I narrowly dodge it by moving my head to a side, and try to counterattack with a punch packed with Ryu, but my opponent stops it by grabbing my wrist tightly and manages to land an instant knee strike to my stomach.
Despite shifting my aura's concentration in time, the blow was strong enough to knock the wind out of me, but I quickly recover and take advantage of their momentary distraction to dislocate the arm they're holding and leap into the air to deliver a kick to their head that they can't block.
My opponent has quick reflexes and manages to protect their head with Ko to avoid damage, but it still stuns them enough for me to escape their grip and create distance. Without taking my eyes off the mute individual, I readjust the joints of my arm and shoulder and assume a fighting stance.
'What a beast. They wiped out my punches like they were nothing, and that knee strike almost made me cough up my guts. They're stronger than Hisoka or Wing. I need to stay on high alert or I'm going to be in trouble.' I think to flaring my Ren at full power.
My rival does the same with an overwhelming presence and we both launch ourselves this time to engage in a brutal combat.
The intensity of our auras and our efficiency in applying them aren't that different in the fight, but our physical abilities and styles are vastly different.
Beneath that thick clothing, the mysterious invader possesses large, well-developed muscles that grant them disproportionate strength, even greater than mine, and despite their immense size, they have a mastery of martial arts that allows them to counter my attacks.
On the other hand, my agility proves to be superior than theirs, and by relying on my sharp instincts and quick reflexes, I manage to outmaneuver their heavy punches and kicks and maintain the pace of the confrontation.
We separate from each other several times, and then close the distance again, destroying everything around us with our chaotic frenzy. I admit that during this fight, my breathing quickened, my mind sharpened, my chest heated up, and I couldn't help but smile as we risked everything exchanging blows with Ko to try overcoming our opponent.
Simply put, I've never fought such a powerful opponent, not even when I faced Hisoka in Heaven's Arena. This battle is incredibly instense and thrilling, and I'd really like to continue like this to test and improve my body's limits, but I must not underestimate an opponent of this level, so I can no longer limit myself.
Using my superior agility and strategy, I deftly dodge one of their punches packed with aura by leaping into the air, and using one of my Nen platforms, I launch myself against my oponent to deliver a punch charged with all the aura I can exert.
Although my opponent manages to block it with their arms crossed and enveloped in aura, the blow sends his enormous body flying backward, and materializing my Barrage Orb, I begin firing several aura projectiles in his direction.
After about 5 seconds of relentlessly bombarding him, I notice that the cloud of dust raised among the trees is obstructing my vision, so I quickly expand my En in a 150-meter diameter to survey the terrain, and I realize that the stranger is not a short distance in front of me, but several tens of meters away to one side.
I immediately set out to pursue them, but then I notice that their presence vanishes from my radar, and looking up, I see the beam of light characteristic of teleportation spells. Seeing this, my weariness, disappointment, and relief combine in a heavy sigh.
"So in the end, they decided to flee. That was a really intense battle though, and I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other again." I think out loud while wiping away the sweat and looking at the starry sky.