Chapter 121: As Expected
The traits Haze displays are far too vast ... it's not about a single ability.
Prophecy, clairvoyance… those are all abilities, yet Haze's Nen power isn't like that.
Since it isn't an ability, it can only be described as a "characteristic."
The only thing Ging could associate such a characteristic with… was the Dark Continent.
After all, that land is filled with the unknown ... everything that defies common sense.
Haze seemed to be endowed with some kind of trait, perhaps innate or acquired… but most likely, it wasn't something a human could possess.
Ging didn't believe it was the Nen abilities of others helping Haze accomplish this. Still, its scale and effects were too immense; if it was a Nen ability, it should have limitations.
Maybe it required contact with the target, or at least collecting personal information about them. If that were the case, they would have noticed it.
The Chairman, Biscuit, Pariston, and himself Haze might deceive one of them silently, but he could never deceive all of them.
He didn't even know Ging personally, and his whereabouts over the years were a complete mystery.
Moreover, a Nen ability connected to foresight and destiny would be unimaginably difficult to develop.
In short, considering all these factors… this wasn't something a human could do.
"Besides… he probably desires power within the Association. We can't let someone like him seize it. He's too unpredictable ... acting solely by his own will, caring about nothing else. The old man must have noticed this too… Luckily, as long as he's around, Haze can still be restrained to some extent. For now, we're safe. I'd rather not make him my enemy ... it'd be too troublesome."
On the central lane of the match, Ging emerged from the river bushes, swiftly eliminating an unsuspecting enemy hero and turning him into a stream of dispersing data. The man's avatar vanished, leaving a ghostly corpse behind.
Ging reloaded his weapon and muttered,
"Amazing."
His teammate, part of Ging's group, was stunned when he saw him appear so suddenly.
Unable to help himself, he gave Ging a thumbs-up in admiration.
But when he noticed the level number above Ging's head, he froze.
"Wait… you're already level 6?! That's higher than me!"
The man was dumbfounded ... he was only level 4.
Ging glanced at him, too lazy to explain, and ran off again.
"Hey, wait! Teach me how to level up ... !"
Unexpectedly, his teammate chased after him, ignoring the flood of enemy minions.
"…"
Ging sighed, speechless, and sent him back to his original lane so he could brief the rest of the team ... via mental communication (in other words, team voice chat) ... on what he'd observed during the match.
Later that evening, Haze waited in the lobby outside the game until nightfall.
Ging still hadn't logged out.
When Haze asked the administrator, he learned that the man had been leading a random team since the first match ... and hadn't lost once, achieving a twelve-game winning streak.
Each match ended quickly ... complete, crushing victories.
"At this rate, he'll be able to start ranked matches in just a few days… This speed exceeds all our initial projections," the admin said in disbelief.
"Let him play," Haze chuckled.
Addicted to video games…
Still, the game focused on competition; crushing weaker players would soon get boring. Ging's excitement wouldn't last long.
What he truly needed were high-level opponents.
The Nen users in Gangster weren't nearly enough to challenge him. They weren't worthy rivals.
Ging's energy was boundless ... he didn't log off until the next morning, then reappeared in the lobby.
"So, what do you think?" Haze asked, watching the smiling man.
"Simple mechanics, easy to learn… but it's not boring. The fun doesn't come from the game itself ... it's from the players. In that sense, it surpasses Greed Island. Of course, it has flaws; many areas could be improved…" Ging chuckled.
"The rest depends on you. The official release is in nine months."
"You don't want me to focus on the game content ... you want me to find ways to increase your profits according to the Player Agreement, right?"
"Don't tell me you'll feel guilty," Haze replied calmly.
"Of course not. Even if your purpose is obvious, I think many players would still be interested. They seek profit, just like you… it's fair," Ging said honestly.
His winning streak had also earned him quite a bit of money.
There was nothing about those mafia Nen users that intrigued him.
Only Jenny had some value…
But what truly fascinated him was the thrill of the game itself.
"However, I have one condition," Ging said suddenly, raising a finger.
Haze smiled and nodded.
"First, during the closed beta, I want the authority to invite non-mafia players into the game."
"You mean Association members, don't you? Pariston?" Haze revealed. "It doesn't matter much… I'm allowing you in because I'm not worried about the consequences. You and Pariston, though ... you both are. Using the game against me is a waste of time. Besides, he's not only watching me ... he's watching you, too. Why risk dragging me in?"
"I just want them to experience your game's fun. I think its content could help develop Nen users," Ging replied evenly.
"So… you think my potential threat is greater than Pariston's," Haze said with an amused smile.
"Fine. I'll have someone contact the Association to bring in the Twelve Zodiacs… and the Chairman as well."
When Ging heard the Chairman's name, his eyes sparkled.
A masterstroke.
Restraining Haze wouldn't be so easy now.
"Second ... I need to know the true purpose of your agreement. If I'm not mistaken, you… shouldn't be able to participate in the game yourself, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't be waiting for me here," Ging said.
"You've already guessed it. Why ask? As you think ... it's for the future expedition to the Dark Continent," Haze replied subtly.
Indeed ... that was the answer.
"As expected," Ging murmured, adjusting his hat and sighing. "It's about power…"
"Deal," Haze said.
"In addition to the game content, I want you to protect the island's safety over the next few months. You've probably realized this island is crucial to me ... I need it for certain objectives. You can use whatever means you want to keep the Association stable, or directly sanction me, even set traps or schemes ... it doesn't matter."
Haze already understood Ging's intent.
He simply wanted to slow Haze's progress.
King believed Haze would reach the Dark Continent faster than anyone anticipated ...
and the resulting chain reaction would be unimaginable.
He couldn't stop Haze directly, so this was the only way.
"If anything goes wrong, you know the consequences," Haze warned.
"I've already signed the agreement. No point backing out now," Ging replied with a wry smile, ignoring the threat.
Both men were threatening each other ... one using the game as leverage, the other his family.
Neither dared to take the first risk.
It was inevitable… Haze had to use Ging to break free of the game faster.
And Ging Freecss ... who didn't even care about Pariston ... suddenly became interested in Hero Island, willing to get personally involved…
All because of Haze.
He sensed how dangerous the man was ... perhaps even more than the Chairman had foreseen.
Ging knew he was at a clear disadvantage.
Because Haze might already know everything about him… while he knew almost nothing in return. The game was the only battlefield where he could strike first.
With the old man still alive, both sides had no choice but to play their cards in the open.
They weren't enemies, nor allies ... just two men preparing a Plan B for themselves… or for the future.
Soon after, Haze left under Ging's watchful gaze.
On the beach, he ordered Morel:
"As I said, send invitations to the Zodiacs in the name of the Field family. But remember ... once Pariston logs in, block his account immediately."
Haze finished speaking with a cold smile.
"Understood," Morel replied.
Heh…
Ging Freecss was doing everything in his power to contain him.
Perhaps for the first time since joining the Association, someone was taking Ging this seriously ... not even Netero had done that.
But it was no surprise.
Ging Freecss, as always.
(End of Chapter)