Chapter 117: Are You Selling Yourself or Not?

Ging understood the situation clearly: even if he managed to overpower or escape from this group, the Fells family's marine patrol would have already reported his presence to their superiors. After observing the family's Nen users during his time on the ship, he had to admit that they were a cut above ordinary mafia members. 'As you would expect from one of the Dons' families,' he thought. They take this game very seriously.

So instead of resisting, he let himself be taken aboard their ship. After all, killing wasn't really his style.

---

Meanwhile, Oboro had mentored several newcomers to the Hunters' Association, helping them develop their skills through various tasks. The tasks were relatively simple: whenever they reached a new area, they would search for and hunt nearby magical beasts. His routine was interrupted by an unexpected call from Mondel, which caught his attention since he had instructed her to contact him only for important matters.

"Hello?" Oboro answered.

"Sir, we've apprehended a stowaway in the private waters attempting to reach the island," Mondel reported, looking at the bound man sitting on the deck with an indignant expression. "He claims to be a member of the Hunters' Association named Ging Freecs and says he knows you."

"Ging Freecs?" The name immediately sparked recognition in Oboro's mind, though he wasn't particularly surprised. From what he knew of the man's history, Ging had always possessed an insatiable curiosity and spirit of adventure. Given the unique nature of Greed Island, it was only natural that he would be drawn here. Oboro had expected him to show up during the public beta test, not at this early stage.

"Interesting," Oboro smiled to himself. Something didn't add up with Ging's abilities, overpowering or evading the Nen users of the Fells family would have been trivial. The fact that he allowed himself to be captured suggested ulterior motives. Was it guilt? Or perhaps something to do with Oboro himself?

"Put him on the phone," Oboro ordered.

Mondel complied and signaled her men to untie their prisoner. Ging slowly rose to his feet, eyeing the offered phone with obvious reluctance. His hesitation drew a cold stare from Mondel, but he finally took the device.

"This is Ging Freecs," he said flatly.

"Well, this is rather embarrassing," Oboro's tone carried a hint of amusement.

Ging remained silent.

"Look, I just wanted to check out your game. Nothing more," he finally explained, scratching his head with an uncomfortable stiffness.

"I see," Oboro replied. "You could have easily gotten my contact information. Why didn't you contact me directly?"

Another stretch of silence followed as Ging's expression grew impatient, clearly recognizing the mockery in Oboro's voice.

"If there's nothing else, can you tell your people to let me go?" Ging tried to change the subject.

"Don't worry about that. Let's meet and talk," Oboro suggested.

"Meet?" Ging's eyes brightened with interest. "Aren't you far away right now?"

"The power of thought holds infinite possibilities, doesn't it?" Oboro replied cryptically before hanging up.

Ging stared at the phone, his interest clearly piqued.

Miles away, Oboro pocketed the phone and activated his summoning ability. A beam of light descended from above and enveloped him as a countdown began. Seconds later, both he and the scattered fluorescent light vanished from the scene.

The same beam of light materialized on the main island of Greed Island, near the covered bridge, revealing Oboro's figure. Instead of entering the game system, he had arranged for Mondel to bring Ging to him directly.

Ten minutes later, a speedboat approached rapidly across the water. Oboro stood at the edge of the island with his hands in his pockets and a slight smile on his face. As Ging's boat approached, their gazes met across the distance.

Soon Ging stepped onto the gravelly beach, surrounded by Mondel's men. Oboro studied him through his tinted sunglasses, while Ging returned the scrutiny.

A divorced homeless man, separated from his wife and child, living in desperate circumstances,' Oboro categorized his first impression. Even the gangster's neat clothes showed Ging's disheveled appearance and unkempt nature. His aura was deceptively ordinary, the mark of someone truly difficult to read.

After Mondel and her subordinates bowed to Oboro, they withdrew to give the two men space.

Ging's mind wandered to a conversation from months ago, a casual call from Chairman Netero that had stuck with him.

"Why not try to make friends?" the old man had suggested. "I think you and Oboro would get along well, you have a lot in common."

"Your understanding of Nen and your ability to analyze it, you both possess insight far beyond the ordinary. Oboro is just like you, he can 'read' any ability demonstrated in front of him. As for whether he could copy and replicate abilities within the same Nen system, I believe he could if he wanted to. But knowing his personality, he considers it beneath him. This boy believes that what he has is more than enough."

"Though your personalities are different, the areas you explore and the heights of your thinking are the same."

"Shall I give you his number? You're the older one, take the initiative. Another friend never hurts."

Coming from the chairman, such praise carried considerable weight.

Ambition and strength come first," Ging thought. Now that he was face to face with Oboro, he immediately understood the unconcealed aura the younger man projected.

"An ability to play?" Ging broke the silence with a smile, more interested in the game itself than its creator. He was referring to the teleportation technique Oboro had used to return.

"That's right." Oboro's lips curved slightly upward. There was no point in pretending with Ging; though lazy by nature, the man possessed an uncanny ability to see through to the essence of things. It was an enviable talent, probably tied to the Freecs family bloodline. This perception extended beyond mere Nen into matters of thought and human nature, explaining Ging's seemingly prophetic insights in certain situations.

A true monster in terms of raw ability, with no apparent weaknesses. His only flaws were in his personality and family affairs.

"I visited Whale Island many years ago," Oboro suddenly mentioned.

"Oh?" Ging's answer was casual, almost amused. "So you've done your research about me, too"

"Aren't you afraid that I might kill Gon?" Oboro took off his sunglasses and met Ging's gaze directly.

"Killing always needs a reason, doesn't it? Besides, he has his own destiny," Ging smiled before his tone changed. "Though I have to say, threatening to kill someone's son to their face, I can't just ignore that."

The air between them grew quiet. They locked eyes, creating a strange atmosphere without releasing any hostile aura. The waves crashing nearby only increased the tension, making Mondel and her companions shiver despite their distance.

"Mito was right, you really are scum," Oboro said quietly, replacing his sunglasses and turning away.

Ging's eye twitched, his mouth tightening. He knew of his failures as a father and family member, but being lectured by a younger outsider was decidedly unpleasant. Yet Oboro just walked away, completely indifferent to his feelings.

I lost that one,' Ging admitted to himself with a deep breath as he followed. He wanted to tell Netero how impossible his proposed friendship would be.

---

A short time later, Oboro led Ging into the arcade under the bridge. As they registered Ging's player profile and information, Oboro explained the mechanics of the game.

"A 5v5 combat mode, not open world or level based, but a separate 'instance space' focused on confrontation and teamwork," Ging mused, his earlier irritation forgotten as genuine interest took over. "Could be useful for actual combat training."

"Let's put that aside for now. I have a suggestion," Oboro said casually.

"Tell me you didn't come all this way just to see me," Ging smiled knowingly.

"Of course not. You're hardly worth the trip."

"I will give you access to the internal beta test in exchange for your help in improving this game world. With your experience on Greed Island, you're something of a veteran in this area," Oboro offered.

Ging's pupils contracted slightly. The behind-the-scenes details of Greed Island had never leaked beyond his direct partners, not even to the players. He was sure that this wasn't information Oboro could have obtained through his Mafia connections.

His assessment of the younger man shifted as he combined the various clues he'd gathered. This information definitely didn't come from a normal investigation," Ging concluded. It probably extended to knowledge of the Dark Continent as well.

The chairman's judgment might have been wrong.

"Surprised?" Oboro asked, studying him through tinted lenses.

"No," Ging replied calmly. "Though your proposal sounds more like a sales pitch than a deal."

"Hmm, astute observation." Oboro snapped his fingers, a hint of pride in his voice. "You're free to refuse."