Stepping into Greed Island

With help from Tockino and the technicians, Ryan inserted the memory card into the JoyStation console's slot. A loading indicator appeared on the screen. Before long, the game's title screen lit up: the words "Greed Island" leaped into view against the silhouette of a mysterious island.

Ryan sat cross-legged on the cushion in front of the console and put on his G.I. ring as instructed. Beside him, Tockino checked on him one last time. "Is your ring on properly? I'll start the game in a moment. Just focus on sensing the ring and establish a Nen connection with the game. Then, when the screen says you can enter, shout 'In.' Remember, once you're inside... take care of yourself."

Ryan gave Tockino a solemn nod. "I'll be careful." He rested his hands lightly on his knees, relaxing his body as much as possible while feeding thin threads of Nen into the ring to maintain the connection. The ring seemed to respond, growing faintly warm and luminous.

A technician pressed the start button. The JoyStation console gave a soft hum, and the screen flickered. The patterns on the ring suddenly glowed with a gentle white light. Ryan felt warm energy spread from his finger through his entire body, as though some sort of resonance had taken hold.

Just then, a prompt appeared on the screen: "Player [Ryan] — Ready to enter. Say 'In' to start." (Player Ryan—ready. Shout "In" to begin.) Ryan hesitated no longer. He drew a deep breath and said firmly, "In!"

The instant he spoke, the ring erupted with dazzling white light, enveloping him completely. A brilliant glare filled his vision, and a tremendous force seemed to yank his body forward. The world spun around him! In that instant, his sight blurred and a roar filled his ears, as