Point of View Switch: Kai
After saying goodbye to my friends, I head to the waiting car (a black limousine), putting my large bag in the trunk and opening the rear door. Inside, I find Tsezqguerra sitting in the seat next to me, his arms crossed and his eyes wide open, glancing in my direction. Ignoring this behavior, I settle into my seat and close the door.
"Start the car." Tsezguerra tells the driver, and immediately the car starts moving. "It was quite moving to see you say goodbye to your colleagues. Just to confirm, have you really settled all your pending issues?"
"Everything I had left to discuss has been resolved, and I've also accomplished all the objectives I had for this city. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked you to take me to Battera Castle to begin my journey as a Greed Island player under Battera's patronage." I answer him with some caution and suspicion.
"Considering you're in a startup company with this guy named Nicholas, and the way you said goodbye to him, it would make anyone think you're not that committed to the job as you say."
Faced with Tsezguerra's unpleasant accusation, I began to exert my aura tinged with aggression, with just the right intensity of power and malicious intent to threaten but not to make him collapse and twist.
"Please, don't take this the wrong way. I agreed to form an alliance with you to clear the game and fulfill the contract, so it's only natural that I want to be sure of your willingness to undertake this task, since otherwise it would be detrimental to me."
"And I'm also saying this for your own good. This game isn't just entertainment like others; it's a treacherous and strange environment unlike any you've ever seen before. There are even individuals with malicious intent who will employ dishonest tactics to try to harm you, not to complete the game, but for their own amusement."
"Having your head in the sand could end up costing you your life. Or something worse."
Listening to Tsezguerra's explanation, I stop emitting my aggresive aura outside my body and relax, letting out a sigh.
"You shouldn't worry, Tsezguerra. I'm very clear about my current goals. I may find myself in situations where you can't reach me in-game, but I assure you that I will meet the expectations you have of me." I answer him while wondering if what I have planned will actually work.
"I'll take your word for it. Okay, here's the new contract we drafted especially for you. If you look it over, you'll see we've included all the points you requested last time." Tsezguerra says, handing me the sheet in question.
After a couple of minutes of careful review, I confirm that the contract is properly drafted according to Battera's interests and requirements for the work, and that the three points I discussed with Battera and Tsezguerra last time have been successfully implemented.
"Good. Looks like everything's in order for signing. Have you also prepared the contracts for Biscuit Krueger and Nicholas?" I ask, trying to get further confirmation.
"We have the contract prepared that we will give to Mr. Nicholas in the near future, and Miss Biscuit Krueger has already signed hers and set off for Battera Castle a few days ago. Although in both cases they were standard contracts that we give to anyone who is recruited as a player, not a specially designed terms like yours." Tsezguerra answers.
With this final confirmation, I sign the contract and hand it to Tsezguerra, who provides me with a copy. The rest of the drive to the airport is spent in silence, and upon arrival, we are escorted to a private blimp where Battera welcomes us in a private and elegant lounge before the flight departs for our destination.
The next days came and went, with the three of us enjoying the food and entertainment provided by Battera's private aircraft, including television, live shows, and high-quality food.
Furthermore, it seems that, although not in person, Battera and Tsezguerra had watched my last fight at Heavens Arena against Hisoka live, and they repeatedly urged me to give them statements and comments about the fight.
Feeling somewhat coerced by their requests, I gave them details about how that fight went: the excitement and intensity I felt during the exchanges, my motivation to save the spectators, the anxiety and desperation during Hisoka's unexpected dirty tricks, the new powers I used for the first time in the fight (not giving away any important details), etc.
I continued recounting my experience under the watchful eye of my employer and my future ally, and enjoying the luxuries aboard the blimp for the next few days until we finally landed.
Date: July 28th, 2011
After a two-hour drive from the airstrip, we finally arrive at Battera Castle, Battera's residence and the place where all the players he hires must report. Climbing the slope to the fortress atop a rocky cliff formation, the driver presses the intercom to announce our arrival, and immediately afterward, the big gates creak open and we are allowed to drive inside.
After parking and leaving the car outside with the rest, Tsezguerra guides me and Battera through the corridors of the castle, which, although old, is renovated with luxurious details and decorations:
The hallways and reception rooms have beautiful, soft golden-brown finishes that are enhanced by the light from the numerous lamps, and the whole place is decorated with paintings, vases and plants, with several leather armchairs that seem to give a feeling of class and comfort, and carpets in the main halls.
"Fiuu. My apartment at Heavens Arena is undoubtedly luxurious, but this place is really on another level. It makes one want to look around the place more." I comment whistling, genuinely impressed.
"I advise you not to. Although the castle is old, it's equipped with a state of the art security system. Even someone as strong as you can be seriously harmed if you wander carelessly around here." Tsezguerra warns, turning his head to look at me behind him.
Giving in to Tsezquerra's veiled threat, I continue following him and Battera for a couple of minutes until we reach the basement door.
Unlike the rest of the castle's interiors, this underground dungeon looks more neglected and rough, as befits of an ancient castle, but when Tsezquerra opens the wooden door adjacent to the stairs, what appears before us is a room with smooth, well-maintained walls and tables filled with consoles connected to screens displaying the players' playing data.
"Okay, I know you've somehow managed to get hold of some highly classified information about the game, but would you still like me to explain the inner workings of the system?" Tsezguerra asks me.
"No, I'm fine. All I need is for you to hand over the memory card and the ring to enter the game. I'll handle the rest from within and keep you updated when you get in too." I reply, not interested in his short explanation.
Tsezguerra then nods, handing me the two requeted items, and I can't help but smile as I analyse the ring and see some Nen Inscriptions on the inside of it. 'I hadn't seen these symbols since I left Gu Island. I must say, this is some complicated stuff. I can't help but wonder how many talented people and how long it took to create Greed Island.'
"These are your ticket to Greed Island. Follow the steps, and they will take you there. Once you're inside, don't wait for me." Tsezguerra states.
"I need to meet with my team to retrieve the cards I left with them, and I'd prefer you not know our whereabouts for the time being. We'll get in contact when you're more advanced."
Putting the ring on, I feel a surge of excitement and anticipation for the fantasy adventure I'm about to begin.
"Mr. Kai Ikeda. Before we begin the game, I want to remind you that I've gone to great lengths and effort to fulfill all your requests, and I therefore hope to see results as soon as possible." Battera comments.
"Don't worry, I won't let you down. I'm not just doing this for myself, but also for the reputation of my agency. As long as you keep your promises, I'll do the same. See you."
With these last words, I insert the card into one of the multi-taps, and right when I exert my aura over the console, I feel a strange sensation as my body is transported into a digital-style room with a four panels door.
When I approach it, the door opens to a hallway that I walk down until I reach another room that is identical to the previous one, except for the presence of a woman sitting in a floating mechanism.
"Welcome to Greed Island. As your ring doesn't have a saved file, I can assume it's your first playing. Before your adventure begins, I will now explain the game. Do you want to hear it?" Eta, the Game Master in charge of welcoming new players, asks me.
"No, thank you. I've already received a thorough explanation of the game's elements, so I don't need to be told again." I answer.
"I would really advise you to listen to the explanation. As a new player, it would be advisable to listen to the explanation, even if you think you already know about it." Eta insists, but without ever losing her monotonous, almost machine-like voice and attitude.
"I appreciate the advice, but I stand by my decision." I reply.
"Okay. Then I wish you good luck on your journey." With these words, a part of the floor is divided into several segments that descend to form stairs. "Please take these stairs."
I start down the stairs, and when I reach the last step I am amazed by the landscape presented before me: a huge, grassy plain stretching to the horizon while a gentle breeze carrying the aromas of spring caresses my skin and my sense of smell.
It would be a perfect image if it weren't for the tingling sensation I feel as several eyes are watching me from the distance. Anyway, ignoring the obvious attention of these low-level Nen users, my first step isn't to head towards where I sense their presence, but to try climbing the stairs I came down to see if I can exit the game through there.
To my expected disappointment, you can't return to Eta's room. It seems that at a certain point in the entrance hole, space, reality, or your perception folds, forcing you to go back down the stairs without you even realizing it.
'I can see why no one else tried it in canon. Anyway, one less question to answer. Time to start walking toward the sightseers to reach my first town.'
'I wonder if I'll end up in Antokiba or Rubicuta? I'd rather it be Rubicuta, since there's almost no information about it because so little has appeared, and there's still quite a while until the monthly Antokiba contest. Although maybe I could get something if I go to Antokiba.'
'Hmmm, I'm torn between the two! I don't know which is better!'
I mull over this and other game-related topics to no avail until I hear the sound of wind resistance and look up to see an energy sphere descending to the ground. Oddly enough, it's not the same guy who confronted Gon and Killua upon their arrival.
The man who presents before me is a tall, moderately muscular man with ice-blue hair separated into two horns that swirl inwards, brown leather pants, a yellow shirt with red lines ending in arrows that go inwards diagonally, and brown sandals.
"Well, well, well. But we have a rookie here wandering aimlessly like a lost child. What's going on? Did you get into a fight with mom because she threw away something important to you?" The stranger says with his binder floating in front of him, obviously trying to make me let my guard down with his moquering.
"You seem very confident that I'm a newcomer. I see you have a binder, so why would you want to get involved with another player?" I ask, feigning ignorance to make him lower his guard instead.
It seems to work, as the subject displays a smile and mischievous looks as he picks up a card and prepares to activate it. Unfortunately for him, using my superhuman speed, I move next to him and knock him unconscious with a chop to the back of the head before he can react.
Even though the man falls unconscious to the ground, just as I imagined, his binder continues to float since he hasn't been able to say the keyword "Book" to close it, giving me access to a juicy assortment of free cards right at the start of the game:
- 1 Map of the Island 'empty'
- 3 J10,000
- 1 Doyen's Hair Restorer
- 2 Risky Dice
- 1 Mood Clock
- 1 Universal Survey
- 2 Return
- 3 Peek
- 1 Accompany
- 1 List
- 1 Cling
- 4 Trace
- 2 Contact
- 2 Thief
- 1 Fluoroscopy
- 2 Defensive Wall
There were other cards from the free spaces as well, but they were more like common ones like food, water, and other amenities (miscellaneous cards that didn't even appear in canon), so I left those along so he could return to a town to resupply.
"You were the one who tried to rob me first, so you can't complain about the outcome. You should be happy I let you live. With the cards you have, you can reach a town to withdraw money from the Tadre Shop and buy more cards. Good luck." I tell the unconscious subject as I leave the place whistling without a care in the world.
I spend about other 40 minutes walking through the peaceful landscape until I glimpse on the horizon the silhouette of the first town I visit on this island. Determined to gather information and resources, I quicken my pace to get to the town as soon as possible. When I get there, I find out which one it's from the welcome sign: Welcome to Antokiba, The Town of Prices!
'So the canon route. Well, I think it's better this way. Let's inspect the place a bit then.'
Upon arriving to the town, I start walking through the bustling streets filled with merchants, players, and NPCs, and I marvel at the reward posters, the varied shops, and the conversations between people I identify as players. Also, taking advantage of the fact that I now know the language of this world, I also review the list of monthly contests and their respective prizes:
1. January - 2-man Tug of War
- Paladin Necklace
2. February - Snowball War
- Golden Scales
3. March - Bean Eating Contest
- Doyen's Hair Restorer
4. April - Kick the Can
- Book of Life
5. May - Baseball
- Favor Cushion
6. June - Bamboo Derby
- Lonely Sapphire
7. July - Watermelon Split
- Mood Clock
8. August - Swimming
- Capricious Remote
9. September - Rock Paper Scissors
- Sword of truth
10. October - Kendama
- Pearl Locusts
11. November - Math with abacus
- Universal Survey
12. December - Reindeer Sled
- Parrot Candy
'Doyen's Hair Restorer, Mood Clock and Universal Survey. Does that mean the guy who assaulted me actually entered and won those contests? Nah, he didn't seem smart enough to win at mathwith an abacus, and besides, he had 2 copies of Risky Dice. Surely he stole some, if not all, of those cards from other winners with spell cards.' I think, looking away from the board and preparing to continue exploring the city.
As I walk excited through the streets alive with activity, my stomach start growling, reminding me that I haven't eaten since since I left the airport, so ask a couple of locals to head towards the quaint restaurant that Gon and Killua would visit the first time they came to this town: Caveau de Riquewihr.
"Welcome!" The anthropomorphic cat-like NPC chef cheerfully says as I enter the restaurant. "We have a special challenge here! If you can eat the meal we present to you in 30 minutes, not only will you not have to pay, but you'll also receive the "Galgaida" card. Would you be interestedin trying?"
"Yeah, of course. I'll take the challenge." I respond immediately with my eyes lit up at the opportunity.
After this, I take a seat, and the chef quickly brings out the meal: spaghetti with tomato sauce seasoned with mushrooms, pieces of meat and some spices. Exactly the same dish that Gon and Killua ate when they arrived here.
The delicious smell fills my nose, and as soon as the chef gives the warning signal, I take a deep breath and start eating, savoring the flavors of the pasta sliding down my throat while keeping an eye on the clock.
I ate quickly but efficiently, not wanting to waste a single bite of the food, and after 8 minutes have passed, I finish the last bite and lean back in the seat, satisfied and full.
"Congratulations! You've completed the challenge. Here is your "Galgaida" card as prize." The chef exclaims, clapping in delight and handing me the card with the ugly fish image printed.
I take the card gratefully and add it to my binder, already knowing what to do with it. With a full stomach and a new card in my collection, I leave the restaurant and I set off for the town's Trade Shop to make my financial transactions.
However, along the way several players start coming out from between the buildings until about 6 of them surround me from all sides with their binders open ready to cast their spells.
"Book." I say instantly, with the binder materializing in front of me.
"Wow, opening the book at the moment we reveal ourselves. You don't seem like just any rookie. No wonder that prepared player ended up getting sacked." A spiky light blond hair man says stepping forward as if he were the leader of the group.
'So they were watching me from a distance, just like the other guy, and they approached me at the most opportune moment to draw cards. This is the kind of challenge I was hoping for from this game!' I think to myself, smiling and unable to shake the thrill that that my start on Greed Island is giving me.