Chapter 118: Sell Myself?
The moment the Firth Family's maritime patrol spotted him, they'd likely already notified their superiors.
Even if Ging knocked them out or drove them off, it would be pointless he knew that much.
He had already discovered aboard the ship that the Firth Family's mafia members were far above your average thug.
As expected of one of the Ten Mafia Families.
They must have been trained deliberately… and they took this "game" very seriously.
So Ging didn't resist and allowed himself to be brought aboard.
Killing people… was never something Ging particularly enjoyed.
Meanwhile, Haze was leading several new Association members, helping them grow and complete missions.
That's when he received a call from Mondel.
This surprised Haze he'd clearly told them not to contact him unless it was something important.
The missions he handled with the new recruits were relatively simple. Each time he arrived at a new zone, he'd take the chance to hunt down the magical beasts that roamed the area.
"Hello?" Haze answered the call.
"Sir, we've captured a stowaway who entered restricted waters trying to reach the island. His name's Ging Freecss a Hunter Association member. He claims to know you."
On a ship, Mondel eyed the bound man sitting on the floor with a defiant look.
" Ging Freecss?" Haze's heart skipped a beat though he wasn't exactly surprised.
The original novel made it clear that Ging was curious and adventurous since childhood. Given the uniqueness of Hero Island, his presence here wasn't unexpected.
He just hadn't expected Ging to sneak in during the closed beta. Haze had assumed he'd only appear during the public phase.
"Interesting…" Haze smiled.
With Ging's strength, it would've been easy for him to escape or eliminate Firth's Nen users yet he hadn't. Was it guilt? Or perhaps intentional restraint?
"Give him the phone," Haze ordered.
"Yes, sir." Mondel turned, handed the phone to Ging, and signaled his men to untie him.
Freed, Ging Freecss stood up slowly, staring at the phone before him. He hesitated, reluctant to take it.
Mondel frowned coldly. After a moment of silence, Ging finally took the phone and said, "This is Ging Freecss."
"You sound a little nervous…" Haze teased.
"..." Ging remained silent.
"I just wanted to try your game. I don't have any other intentions," Ging said awkwardly, scratching his head.
"I see," Haze smiled. "But you could've easily found my contact info why not just reach out directly?"
"…" Ging went quiet again, slightly irritated by Haze's tone. Then he changed the subject. "If that's all, could you ask your men to let me go now?"
"Don't worry. We'll talk soon," said Haze.
"Talk? In person?" Ging's eyes widened slightly. "You should be far away, shouldn't you?"
"The power of Nen holds infinite possibilities," Haze replied casually then hung up.
Ging stared at the phone, curiosity growing.
Haze, far away, slipped his phone into his pocket, then used his summoner ability Teleportation.
A beam of light descended from the sky, wrapping around him as a countdown began.
Seconds later, he vanished, scattering into glowing particles.
Outside the covered bridge of Hero Island's main section, a flash of light fell from the sky.
When it faded, Haze stood on the ground once more.
He hadn't entered the game himself instead, he asked Mondel to bring Ging to meet him.
Ten minutes later, a speedboat burst out of the sea, racing toward the shore.
Haze stood on the beach, hands in pockets, smiling faintly.
At that same moment, Ging Freecss saw the lone figure waiting on land.
Their eyes met though miles apart, it felt like they stood face to face.
Moments later, escorted by the gang members, Ging stepped across the rubble-strewn beach until he stood before Haze.
Behind his sunglasses, Haze's gaze burned with intensity as he studied Ging.
Ging stared back a divorced, homeless man estranged from his family, worn down by life.
Seeing Ging's messy hair and slightly shabby clothes, Haze realized he fit exactly the type of character he'd envisioned.
Even the mafia suit he wore couldn't hide that innate carelessness.
His aura was normal even ordinary making him harder to read.
Mondel and the others bowed to Haze before dismissing their men, leaving the two alone.
Ging's mind drifted back to a few months earlier.
He'd received a casual call from the Chairman. Back then, the old man's words had left a deep impression.
He'd mentioned Haze.
"Why not try befriending him?"
"I think you and Haze would get along… you speak a similar language."
"You both share a deep understanding of Nen deeper than most people could ever grasp. Haze's like you he can comprehend any ability he sees. He might even replicate some techniques within the same category… if he wanted to. But knowing him, he probably doesn't care to learn. What he already has is enough for him."
"Even though your personalities differ, the realms of Nen thought you two explore are remarkably similar."
"You're older, so reach out first there's no harm in making a new friend."
Those words echoed in Ging's mind.
For the Guild Leader himself to say that it was quite the compliment.
Ambition and power always came first.
And now, seeing Haze in person, Ging could feel the undiluted aura radiating from him.
"Video game ability?" Ging finally asked, smiling faintly.
He wasn't curious about Haze but about the game behind him.
Specifically, how Haze had teleported from such a distance.
"Indeed," Haze replied lightly.
Pretending around Ging was useless. Despite his laziness, Ging's mind was razor-sharp, capable of perceiving the truth behind any façade.
A gift beyond compare.
Whether it was Nen or human nature Ging could see straight through it.
Maybe that was the Fulishi bloodline's influence.
That's why he could make accurate judgments and even predict outcomes almost prophetic in nature.
A true monster.
In skill, he had no weaknesses.
But personality and family… those were another story.
"I visited Whale Island… many years ago," Haze suddenly said.
"Oh?" Ging chuckled. "You even looked into me."
"Aren't you afraid I'll kill Gon?" Haze removed his sunglasses, staring straight at him.
"Killing always needs a reason. Besides, he has his own destiny." Ging smiled faintly then his tone darkened.
"But saying you'll kill a man's son right in front of his father… I can't pretend I didn't hear that."
Silence fell.
Their gazes locked no Nen energy, just tension.
The rising tide nearby seemed to swallow their overlapping auras.
Mondel and the others, who'd been idly smoking nearby, suddenly shivered.
"Mitt was right… you really are a scoundrel," Haze muttered softly.
He slid his sunglasses back on and turned away.
Ging's eyelids twitched. He knew he was a failure as a father, as a man. But hearing it from a stranger, especially a subordinate, stung deeply.
Yet Haze walked off, completely indifferent to his feelings.
He'd already won this exchange.
Ging exhaled slowly, watching him leave.
He wanted to tell the old man that those "friends" he'd talked about… didn't exist.
A while later, Haze led Ging to the gaming room beneath the bridge walkway.
He recorded Ging's player profile and began explaining the rules.
"A 5v5 battle mode. This isn't an open world or level-based game it's a single 'briefcase space' that emphasizes confrontation and teamwork. Useful for real combat training."
Hearing that, Ging's earlier gloom lifted his interest sparked.
"Let's put that aside for now. Let's make a deal," Haze said casually.
"Go on… you didn't come all this way just to see me," Ging smiled.
"That's right there's not much worth seeing," Haze murmured dryly.
"..." Ging sighed.
"I'll give you a position in the internal beta. In return, you'll help me refine this game world. You've got experience from Greed Island, after all a veteran in this field."
"…" Ging's pupils tightened.
The confidential data about Greed Island had never leaked not even to outsiders or fellow players.
Even someone with Haze's connections shouldn't have been able to learn it.
Ging's expression shifted subtly.
Piecing together what he'd heard, he analyzed Haze carefully.
The information he has… it's not from research.
It involved things tied to the Dark Continent itself.
The Guild Leader's judgment may have been wrong…
"Surprised?" Haze asked, looking straight at him.
"No." Ging shook his head calmly. "But your 'deal' sounds more like a slave contract."
"Hmm… you're right."
Haze snapped his fingers arrogantly. "You can always refuse."
"…" Ging said nothing.
(End of Chapter)