A Narrow Escape?

Chrollo rubbed his chin and thought for a moment before speaking.

"Then how did you tie that man up earlier?"

Cordis shook his head helplessly.

"Didn't I already explain? I control anything that flows, including water, blood, and air, and turn it into any shape. That's my Nen."

Chrollo exchanged a puzzled glance with the others, then asked Cordis,

"What category are you?"

The question left Cordis stumped.

Right, what category am I?

It had been over a week since he gained Nen, yet he apparently still didn't know even something as basic as his own category.

Facing Chrollo's questioning gaze, he scratched his head sheepishly.

"I honestly don't know."

After all, he had acquired his Nen Ability as soon as his Nen awakened, and he had been so busy every day that he had completely forgotten about it.

Seeing this, Chrollo pulled a goblet out of his book.

Then he filled it to the brim with the bloody liquid Cordis had drawn from those people.

He handed it to Cordis and said,

"Perfect timing, then. Let's find out now."

Cordis set the goblet on a counter and placed his hands on either side of it.

As his aura steadily increased, large chunks of crystal began forming in the cup.

Cordis exclaimed in surprise,

"This is... Specialization?"

Then he looked at Chrollo, who was also a Specialist, seeking his confirmation.

Chrollo nodded at his words.

"Incredible. To think you're actually a Specialist. This is truly amazing."

Cordis hadn't expected to be a Specialist either. He had originally thought he would be a Manipulator at most. Apparently, he had underestimated himself.

After that battle, the sky gradually grew dark.

Shalnark checked his phone and said regretfully,

"Looks like we won't make it to the Computer Expo. What a shame."

As the saying went, one person's sorrow was another's joy.

And the one rejoicing was Feitan.

Upon hearing that they wouldn't be going to the Computer Expo, Feitan's perpetually fierce expression seemed to soften a little.

Then he headed toward the Arcade without looking back.

Seeing this, Cordis turned to Shalnark apologetically.

"Sorry. You must have really been looking forward to the Computer Expo."

Shalnark smiled faintly and shook his head.

"You're not the one who should apologize. I really was looking forward to this Computer Expo, but after watching your fight, I suddenly feel like the expo doesn't matter that much."

Shalnark was probably the easiest person to get along with in the Spider.

After hearing those words, Cordis instinctively grew reserved. Even his usually carefree personality became much more restrained around Shalnark.

As agreed, the group arrived at their final stop.

The Arcade.

Chrollo and Machi weren't particularly interested in the Arcade.

The two headed together to a large library nearby.

Hisoka, on the other hand, seemed to thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere inside the Arcade and was having a wonderful time at a slot machine.

Shizuku watched some artist's street performance outside the Arcade.

At this point, practically everyone except Cordis had something to do.

This was Cordis's first visit to an arcade.

In the past, he had rarely even played games, let alone visited an arcade. Someone like him hadn't even been eligible to go inside.

He looked at the rows of game machines before him.

Under the glow of all those colored lights, Cordis felt a little dizzy.

"Hey! What's-your-name-dis!"

At some point, Feitan had suddenly appeared in front of him.

Cordis looked around, then pointed at himself after confirming no one else was there, utterly confused.

"What are you looking around for? I'm talking to you."

"Hey, brat. Can you play games?"

Brat?

Cordis hadn't really paid attention before.

Feitan seemed to have been calling him "brat" the entire way.

Although Feitan was indeed a full twelve years older than him, that was no reason to call him a brat.

"My name is Cordis! I'm not a brat!"

Feitan waved a hand dismissively.

"I don't care what your name is. I asked if you can play games."

Seeing that his correction had done nothing, Cordis answered bluntly,

"No!"

"Too bad. Come with me."

With that, Feitan grabbed Cordis by the collar and dragged him toward a game machine.

Cordis tried to struggle, but who would have guessed that Feitan, small as he looked, was stronger than anyone?

He struggled for ages, and it didn't do a damn thing.

Helpless, Cordis was dragged by the collar to a game machine.

After letting go, Feitan picked up a controller sitting beside it and began playing.

Only when Cordis saw the two-player mode displayed on the screen did he finally understand.

No wonder Feitan suddenly came looking for me.

He had thought Feitan was lonely and wanted some company.

Who knew he had only been looking for someone to use?

And as luck would have it, Cordis was that unfortunate pawn.

Feitan glanced up at Cordis, who was still standing there blankly, and frowned in displeasure.

"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and sit down."

Cordis didn't dare say anything more.

After all, Feitan was stronger than him.

The weak had to obey the strong. That was what his father had taught him.

Cordis sat down beside Feitan and awkwardly picked up the controller in front of him.

"Just follow me. As long as you don't die, we're good."

Cordis nodded.

The game machine sounded its starting chime.

Cordis embarked on his first gaming adventure.

"What are you doing? Get back here!"

"Are you an idiot? Don't you know there's a trap there?"

"How did you die again? Are you an airdrop, falling out of the sky straight into the enemy's mouth?"

Listening to Feitan roaring beside him, Cordis didn't dare move a muscle.

Apparently, his first gaming experience wasn't going very well.

Feitan threw his controller to the floor once again.

And this was already Cordis's fifth death.

"I must have lost my mind to come looking for you."

Those words left Cordis feeling deeply wronged.

"I told you I didn't know how to play. You're the one who insisted on dragging me here."

Feitan glared furiously at Cordis.

He raised his fist but couldn't quite bring himself to swing it.

Cordis had already braced himself, closing his eyes and shielding his face with his hands.

But in the end, through sheer force of will, Feitan lowered his fist.

And Cordis could count that as a narrow escape from death.

"Oh my~ You're still playing~"

Suddenly, Hisoka's voice sounded behind them.

Feitan snorted upon seeing Hisoka. His mood, already far from pleasant, hit its absolute worst at the sight of him.

After rolling his eyes at Hisoka, he headed toward another game machine.

Speaking of which.

Hisoka really wasn't very popular.

Almost everyone in the Spider disliked him.

Hisoka-chan wasn't hated~