The enormous airship cruised steadily above the clouds.
Its destination: an uninhabited island.
ZIBI Sweat Island.
The atmosphere inside the cabin was nowhere near as calm as it was outside.
Twenty-four applicants had survived Trick Tower.
Now, they had all been crammed into this tin can.
A pack of caged beasts.
On guard against one another.
Sizing each other up.
The air reeked of gunpowder.
Among the survivors was the twisted magician, Hisoka.
Beside him sat a strange man covered in needles, Gittarackur.
There was also the bald ninja, Hanzo.
And Pokkle, the archer whose face had changed dramatically when he saw Luo Ye's number badge.
The rest were either lucky or cautious enough to survive.
Here, everyone was a hunter.
And everyone was prey.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Twenty-four unlucky bastards, about to kick off one hell of a party."
Luo Ye leaned back in his seat, his lazy gaze sweeping over everyone as the running commentary in his head cascaded like a waterfall.
Free-for-all mode. My favorite.
Simple, brutal rules: just go at it.
This ZIBI Sweat Island is practically an evolution paradise tailor-made for me.
His gaze lingered on several premium EXP packs.
That freak Hisoka will definitely go after Gon.
It's the main storyline. Better keep an eye on it.
When it counts, I'll jump in, get some damage in, and protect our ADC.
That needlehead is all mysterious, and he's no pushover. A high-level sparring partner.
The bald ninja is probably an agility build. Fast.
Perfect for training my reflexes and dynamic vision.
Finally, his gaze settled on a corner.
On the restless archer, Pokkle.
"As for my lucky winner..."
"Look at how distracted he is. Probably figuring out how to survive these seven days, huh?"
"What a disappointment."
"He hit the jackpot by drawing me, and instead of thinking up a little surprise, all he wants to do is run?"
"That's some low-grade entertainment."
As he was figuring out how to give his lucky winner a little shock, Killua nudged him with an elbow.
"Hey, look at Gon. Something's wrong with him."
Luo Ye turned.
Gon was staring fixedly at the card in his hand, his forehead slick with cold sweat.
The number on the card was [44].
Hisoka's number.
"I'm screwed."
Gon's voice trembled.
He wasn't afraid of dying. He was afraid of the gap in their strength.
Of that terrifying presence in the Numere Wetlands that had left him utterly helpless.
"Don't panic."
Luo Ye patted his shoulder, his tone relaxed.
"It's just Hisoka. What's the big deal?"
"Remember what he sees you as? A piece of unripe fruit."
"What fruit grower cuts down a tree before its fruit is ripe?"
The bizarre comparison made Gon pause.
"He won't actually kill you. At most, he'll toy with you, enjoying himself like a cat teasing a mouse."
"Just think of him as a free, high-level sparring partner who doesn't charge a thing."
"If you grab his number badge, that's a huge win."
"If you can't, but you survive and pick up some experience along the way, you still haven't lost anything."
"Besides," Luo Ye lowered his voice, flashing a wicked grin, "if he takes things too far, I'll help you 'talk some sense' into him."
"I'm already looking forward to seeing what shape that twisted face of his takes under my fists."
Gon's heart settled.
He nodded firmly, fighting spirit rekindling in his eyes.
"Yeah! I get it!"
"What about you two?"
Gon looked at Kurapika and Leorio.
"Who did you draw?"
Leorio nervously opened his hand. His target was some minor applicant he didn't know.
Kurapika's target was also some minor applicant he didn't know.
"Oh? You two got pretty lucky."
Luo Ye smiled.
"But watch yourselves. Don't trip up over something easy."
Kurapika nodded.
"Luo Ye, who's your target?"
Luo Ye held up his card.
[404]
Kurapika's number.
"Well, that's no fun."
Luo Ye yawned.
"How about we just swap badges? Or you give me yours, and I'll get you through this round. What do you say?"
Kurapika shook his head, ignoring his nonsense.
The airship's PA system crackled to life.
[Applicants, we will soon arrive at ZIBI Sweat Island. Please prepare yourselves. In two minutes, we will begin dropping you off in order at different locations on the island. Happy hunting.]
As soon as the cabin door opened, the sea breeze came rushing in.
One after another, the applicants jumped from the airship under the crew's guidance.
When Luo Ye's turn came, he stood in the doorway and looked back at Pokkle with a radiant smile.
"My lucky winner, don't keep me waiting too long."
With that, he leaped out.
The wind howled past his ears.
The dense, primeval jungle rapidly expanded in his vision.
Luo Ye adjusted his posture and landed lightly in the crown of a towering tree.
He breathed in the air, mingled with the scent of vegetation and wild beasts.
"Hmm. Nice place."
"Full of primal, untamed fun."
He was in no hurry to find his target, Kurapika, nor did he conceal his whereabouts.
Instead, he sat brazenly on a branch.
He pulled an apple from his pocket and munched on it as he surveyed the enormous hunting ground.
"Well, let the games begin."
"Step one: lure out my timid hunter."
He finished the apple in a few bites, tossed the core aside, and cleared his throat.
Nen enveloped his voice, carrying it outward.
"Number badge 104!"
"A freshly minted jackpot!"
"Your three-point ticket to passing!"
"Where's the lucky winner who drew me?"
"Come find me within the next hour, and I'll give you a surprise!"
"Offer expires after that! All terms are mine to interpret!"
Brazen.
Arrogant.
His voice echoed endlessly through the silent jungle.
Before you continue