Chapter 53: A Great Opportunity
Having completed the preparations to face this unexpected meeting, I change out of my training clothes, opting for a casual yet stylish outfit in hopes of making a good impression. Nicholas and Ponzu, ever the supportive friends, wish me good luck as I head out of the penthouse room.
Already outside the tower, minutes before the appointment time, I find myself observing the cafe and its bustling surroundings, hiding among the nearby buildings. "Nicholas, please inform me of the situation." I ask for the hidden earpiece in my right ear.
"I spot 3 men in black suits inside the premises, without any other client or employee around. They must have booked it to attend today's appointment privately." Nicholas says in front of his laptop in Heavens Arena, tapping into the security surveillance system of the cafe and its surroundings and displaying its images on the screen.
'3 ordinary subordinates won't be able to best me in a direct confrontation at this point, but I must remain attentive to the smallest details to avoid falling into a Nen power.' I think to myself.
"Okay, I'm going in now. Stay tuned for anything they say or do and keep me posted. And remember, the key word is "nuisance."" I say to Nicholas as I head to the cafe.
The moment I arrive at the place and knock on the door, I hear a voice telling me to come in, so without waiting I enter and do a quick visual scan of the place, noticing the three men Nicholas mentioned and a laptop on the table they are standing near.
"None of you look like the one who summoned me here. Where is your boss?"
At my question, one of the suited men opens the laptop and turns on the screen, revealing who appears to be in charge of this meeting.
"I must admit I'm a little surprised. Since you were the one who requested an appointment, I expected you to show up in person." I greet taking a seat across from the computer.
Teradein responds in a cordial, composed tone.
Meanwhile, in Heavens Arena, Nicholas is investigating Teradein Neutral in cyberspace and the Hunter Website while continuing to display the images recorded by the cameras.
"Teradein Neutral. A Double-Star Head Hunter and Human Resource specialist of the Hunter Association. He is a highly valued member of the Hunter Association thanks to his many connections to prominent figures and organizations in the business world, and is especially well-liked and appreciated among lower-level Hunters due to his dogmatic and compassionate management policies." Nicholas reads aloud the available information on the Hunter Website.
"The Hunter Website charges so much because it provides reliable information compiled by specialists in the field, and Hacker Hunters would make it very difficult to publish false information or alter already existing information. So it's quite likely that this guy is someone you can trust." Ponzu says pondering over the identity revelation of the mysterious interested party.
"You may be right. But keep in mind that we're talking about a Double-Star Hunter, a big shot at the Hunter Association. With the money and influence he must have, it shouldn't be impossible to manipulate even the Hunter Website without facing legal consequences." Nicholas states, having become more insightful and pragmatic thanks to his experiences and training with Kai and Lippo.
"In any case, let's continue watching and listening before drawing any conclusions."
Back at the cafe, sitting in front of his laptop screen, Kai is also pondering on this revelation. 'So Neutral Teradein, en. A tertiary character with very little relevance and screen time in the original canon.'
'According to my memories and written revisions, Teradein was a kind-hearted man who tried to act fairly and honestly, helping the heroes confront Illumi when Killua was with Alluka. Based on that and the fact that he was one of the Hunters with the most votes in the election arc, I can assume his attitude is positive.'
'However, that naivety is also his greatest flaw, as despite his notable lack of combat ability he intended to reform an old group of super Hunters alongside other equally weak individuals, he did not have it in him to intentionally sacrifice others to achieve his goals, and he was stupid enough to announce that he would reveal all the personal information of 2 Hunters who had already proven to him beyond words how incredibly strong and deadly they were, which ultimately led to his death.'
'Getting acquainted with him may bring benefits, but I must avoid getting too involved with him so that I don't get caught when his plans blow up in his face.'
"Okay, whatever. Can you start explaining what you want with me? Considering we don't know each other and have nothing in common, it's something I'd like you to explain." I ask trying to spark off the conversation.
"What do you mean by that?" I ask.
'I see. So this is a move to gather competent individuals under your personal faction.' I think to myself.
"Are you sure it's really worth it to partner with someone like me? After all, I've only been a Hunter for half a year, and even though I'm causing quite a stir in Heavens Arena, it's only because the common people don't know that the opponents I'm facing aren't actually that strong." I say trying to downplay my value so I can investigate more.
Listening to Teradein convey his thoughts in a respectful and professional tone, I decide to continue the conversation. "Okay, let's say I accept your reasoning. Then tell me how you plan to help me? Because if it's something like inviting me to somea community that tries to condition my brain to follow them or hiring me to do menial jobs or jobs involving shady dealings, I can tell you right now I won't be interested." I say this critically, knowing that Teradein wouldn't be interested in that.
Bringing my hand to my chin, I consider Teradein's offer for a moment before finally deciding to answer him. "I do have a few things in mind. Are you familiar with the legendary Hunters game Greed Island?"
'I notice he doesn't mention the possibility of stealing and/or killing the owner of the copy to get it. It's obvious he's either honest, stupid, or trying to manipulate this conversation.' I think before answering him with a carefree smile. "No, no, nothing so extreme. I'm well aware that getting the game isn't something that simple, so don't fret so much."
"The mercenary organization I belong to has gathered information that the famous multi-billionaire Battera has been seeking copies of the game and hiring players with a view to completing it. And likewise, I also know that veteran Double-Star Stone Hunter Biscuit Krueger is also interested in participating in said video game." I explain thoroughly to make my next point clear.
"Knowing the nature of the game, I would like you to contact Mr. Battera and convince him to hire me, Biscuit Krueger, and Nicholas Van Rossum, my partner in Heavens Arena and the mercenary agency, as players as soon as possible using three free slots in the game, with special emphasis on "as soon as possible". I don't want us to wait until he offers positions to anyone in official recruitment rounds."
If I am offered help to get something, this is what I want most. The chance to go to Greed Island is something I have always dreamed of since arriving to this new world. As a hardcore fan of the original work, it's a given that I want to explore all the places and big events involved in the story, although I also follow my own path of course.
On top of that, the island is filled with unique creatures and flora that likely can't be found anywhere else in the world. Yes, it's true that most people would argue, "Since they're Nen constructs for a video game, they're not real," but that's a wrong mindset.
The truth is, Nen can do everything, even create life, as several cards you can collect if you win the game are living beings, even people. Also, in the Succession Contest arc, one of the Guardian Beasts could turn into a real person in every sense. So even if those creatures and flora were created with Nen for the game, I'll still consider them real and study them accordingly. Who knows, maybe they'll become real after the game ends.
I'm also very interested in the game's cards, since even though there was a list with all of them, they had almost no relevance to the story, and that's a waste for me. After all, even Battera, who had almost unlimited money and resources, desired the power of these cards, so it's obvious that someone as curious and pragmatic as me also wants to use and profit from them.
It would also give me the opportunity to uncover many of the game's unclarified aspects in canon, such as the location of the save points mentioned at the beginning and what would happen to the game and the island once the game was completed. These topics continue to spark debate among fans to this day.
But above all else, I want to be the one who wins the game. After all, winning would mean great fame and reputation, especially if I do it while fulfilling my role as a mercenary. If the organization I belong to manages to achieve what no one else has yet, it would open the door to many job opportunities with big clients. Also, there's a restricted card I wish to obtain for personal reasons, and while Gon might offer to give it to me, I'd rather earn it on my own.
I feel a little sorry for taking away Gon's glory and trampling on Ging's expectations for him, but if everything goes as planned, then me, Gon, Battera, and even Biscuit will get what we want, and the canon will not be affected.
At first I had resigned myself to waiting for Battera to select new players after buying all the copies of the game at the Southernpiece Auction, but since things have turned out this way, I can't pass up of a golden opportunity like this.
At my request, Teradein ponders for a while with his eyes closed and his hand on his chin before answering.
'Well, that's to be expected. You can't always get everything.' I think before answering. "I'll understand if you don't get it in the end, but still try to include him in the deal as well."
"The mercenary agency I belong to has special means and channels for obtaining information not accessible to the public, but of course the details of how we do it are... you know, secret." I reply with a cocky attitude, falsifying the fact that I know all this from the canon.
With that we settle in for today, agreeing to get back in touch when he has managed to get in touch with Biscuit Krueger and Battera and ensures that they are willing to negotiate before he disconnect from the laptop. With the meeting over, I and Teradein lackeys get out of the cafe, with me walking back to Heavens Arena and they disappearing into the crowd by the opposite side.
Once I return to my private room, I am forced to face the retaliation of Ponzu and Nicholas for my unexpected negotation with Teradein.
"Working as contract players for Greed Island?! Boss, why didn't you tell me about that?! I thought you trusted me to run our mercenary agency together!" Nicholas yells, seeming to be almost on the verge of tears from being ostracized.
"If you were planning on leaving the Heavens Arena as soon as the opportunity presented itself and leaving my Nen training unfinished, it would have been nice if you had informed me beforehand. I told you that I would eventually have to leave to complete my forestation project, but I still don't want to part ways so suddenly, idiot." Ponzu says, pouting a bit angry and annoyed.
"Please calm down, both of you. If you let me talk, I'll explain it properly." I say a little nervously trying to calm the waters.
"For me it isn't necessary, I know exactly what's going on: Even with all the encouragement you've given me and the experiences we've been through together, it's all just dust in the wind. The truth is, you think I'm not up to the task of working side by side with you, and that's why you keep the ins and outs of the agency to yourself without sharing them with me. Just as I've always thought." Nicholas states changing to a depressed tone and behavior.
"It's not that, Nicholas. I swear it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that this was a plan for the more distant future, so I planned to tell you about it once we'd accomplished our objectives at Heavens Arena and officially established our mercenary agency." I say trying to clarify it for him.
"And Ponzu, I did inform you that I was only staying with Nicholas at Heavens Arena until mid-July. I didn't lie to you or keep it a secret, and you knew from the start we couldn't stay like this forever." I try to clarify it for her.
"Even so, you could have prepared me for when that moment came, talking me more about it instead of just mentioning it in passing so that it wouldn't crash into me so strong. I've been really enjoying the time we've spent together, and I don't like the idea of ending it in such an abrupt and tactless manner." Ponzu says still pouting, but now looking sad instead of angry.
"Yes, boss. You should trust us more and share things instead of trying to keep them all inside. Didn't we promise to become the best Blacklist Hunters in the world together?" Nicholas says also looking sad.
Hearing and seeing them all saddened because I kept things from them, I finally understand the harm I have done to them, making me feel pretty bad.
"You're right, I should have talked to you more openly about this. It's just... I've always been someone who got used to doing everything on my own. Unless it was something I absolutely needed to discuss with others, I kept things to myself. But now you're making me see that I can't continue acting that way, and that I have to try to be more open and approachable with my true friends. Guys, I'm really sorry for not taking your feelings into account." I apologize from the bottom of my heart, bowing in front of them.
At my show of regret, Nicholas and Ponzu exchange somewhat distressed and guilty glances about my current attitude.
"Well, it's okay, you don't have to take it so seriously. Really." Ponzu says trying to comfort me.
"We've also taken it a bit too far. I think we've forgotten that the boss is also a person who can make mistakes." Nicholas adds.
"So everything is okay?" I ask trying to confirm it.
"Of course, boss! Don't beat yourself up any longer, and let's move on!" Nicholas yells cheering up.
"As long as you've learned from this and try to be a bit more open with us, everything will be fine." Ponzu adds giving me a warm smile.
At this, I also show a pleased and happy smile. "Okay, then let's get on with the schedule and head to the mountains for our evening Nen training. Since I have to try to be more open with you, I'll explain several new concepts while we practice using the aura." I say opening a portal to the mountains with the Wormhole Orb, much to Ponzu and Nicholas's surprise.