Over the next stretch of time, Xiang Nan slipped back into his old life on the base.
The only real change was that, at his suggestion, the Pandora's Box organization had begun preparing to move from the Kotaki City garrison to an area near Zerta City, where an independent military zone would be built as its headquarters. Work had already started.
He also had to keep an eye on the Zatobi family's "Artificial Human Project."
Aside from those two things, his main day-to-day task was gradually increasing his Altana intake to amplify the vitality of his flesh and blood.
In a sense, after absorbing the Dragon Vein's power from Gintama, it could help him—as a human—break through his life tier and stop being "just" human in the ordinary sense.
That would, in turn, transform both the "quality" of his Nen and the size of his aura reserves.
Time flowed on… and before he knew it, it was December.
The Hunter world settled into a relatively calm, quiet phase.
The underworld's balance had stabilized, a new slate of Ten Dons had been chosen, and they'd reached a "tacit understanding" with V5. The big public push by various countries to recruit players was also easing off… After all, there are only so many players in the whole world, and for the native powers—especially nation-states—finding and hiring them isn't hard.
Right now the liveliest topic was the upcoming Hunter Exam.
This would be the one Killua takes.
For many players who want to become Hunters, this year's exam would be much easier than the one Xiang Nan went through.
So a flood of players was guaranteed.
But…
"The numbers are up."
Xiang Nan opened his system panel and checked the player count. In past waves, after each Extinction Games concluded, only around three hundred survived. This time, the number had cracked five hundred. That showed that as the plot advanced and the world grew more accepting of players, the environment was changing… and survival rates were rising.
Before the story kicks off, everything is unknown.
Once the main plot starts, players can leverage their meta-knowledge… more usable information means higher survival.
On top of that, plenty of players had already thrown in with various countries.
Backed by state resources, player strength would make a qualitative leap in the near term… which also meant the "Hunter" server had officially entered its mid-to-late game, with individual power levels trending up.
Gone were the days, when he first arrived, of a world full of newbies.
Also… as players joined national camps, information about the Multiverse—that is, the system—would gradually become known in this world, peeling back the veil of mystery.
Of course, the core mechanics and functions of the system—and the essence of what a player is—couldn't be disclosed.
But around the theme of "Multiverse," the expansion would be rapid…
On his panel, the highest-level player was still Orban. The Ninth Stage of the Reincarnation Dimension had wounded him too badly; even now he hadn't fully recovered.
Despite a string of seemingly dramatic events, the Hunter world's overall combat strength hadn't changed much; its world power level was still above 80,000.
Even so, its ranking on the Multiverse battlefield had slipped again—
Down to 79th.
At this rate, it might drop out of the top 100.
Beep, beep, beep…
Just then, Xiang Nan's phone rang.
He closed the panel and picked up.
"Hello?"
"Xiang Nan…"
A familiar voice came through.
It was Orban.
"What is it?"
Xiang Nan had a hunch.
"I've thought it over… I'm not joining the tenth round of the Extinction Games. I'm taking off the 'player' tag and becoming a native of this world." Orban sounded out of sorts; after a pause, his voice turned hoarse.
"Mm. I respect your choice."
Xiang Nan had expected this.
Back in the hospital, when he talked Orban through it, this was exactly what he'd meant.
Every player has died once. The system gave them a second life, brought them to another world, and they've gained strength, status, fame, money… A lot of people aren't afraid of death, but once you've built something good, it's hard to throw it all away.
Not everyone has the resolve, awareness, and drive… to carry out the system's mission.
Orban's reaction and decision are actually what most ordinary players would feel—and a smart conclusion.
Besides, for Orban, clearing the Extinction Games and becoming the Hunter world's representative player… his odds were basically near zero.
He isn't stupid. He knows that if he forces the tenth round, he'll end up like Pigeon.
Betting on a sliver of hope… isn't worth more than cherishing the life he has.
But once Orban shed his player identity, it meant he and Xiang Nan would part ways.
The First-Kill Squad can only accept players and canon characters—not ordinary people.
"Don't rush to answer the system… Go through one more Extinction Games stage with me—the eighth round. You should come away with some growth and resources, which will help you put down roots in the Hunter world… As for the Altana, I'll leave it to you. Take your time strengthening your body. Even without being a player, being part of this world—as a capable Nen user with real fighting power—still matters…"
"Thank you."
Orban gave a self-mocking laugh.
"Oh, one more thing: a country's leadership reached out to me. They want me to join… I said yes. But don't worry—about us, especially your secrets—I won't say a word."
"Because of the news reports about me treating you, right…"
"Probably… They know there's something between us, but not how close. And this is the kind of thing I can always make up."
"Picking a country is the right move. I'm a good example—when the state's got your back, everything gets easier, and you don't have to stress about daily life…" Xiang Nan chuckled. "In the past it wasn't easy for players to hitch themselves to a nation's power—I was a special case. But now that Multiverse has the world on alert… players are key for every country, both for intelligence and for the future. The landscape's different. Going forward, players backed by states will be the default—just like those 'Fairy Tail' and 'Black Clover' players we met; they were backed by countries and guilds too."
"That's thanks to you…"
Orban sighed.
"No… Even if it wasn't me, anyone trying to represent the Hunter world would have to do this. It's a necessary step. Changing the environment and context players live in is the foundation for facing Multiverse. If this world can't form a unified force, it'll get swallowed by other worlds sooner or later," Xiang Nan said evenly. "But because of the Multiverse—and knowing how the people in power here think—everything has to stay controllable. So even if players join national factions, they probably won't rise that high. They'll be tools… with limited power and freedom. Different from my era."
"…I'm sorry."
Out of the blue, Orban said three words.
Then the grown man actually choked up. "I'm too weak… This game isn't for someone like me."
Frustration.
Xiang Nan heard it right away—the dignity and pride of a player had been hit hard.
For players, admitting their own "mediocrity" is difficult.
Most believe they're the one with the halo—the protagonist meant for center stage.
"…"
Xiang Nan fell silent.
"Don't apologize… Just being alive in this world is already a redemption. There's no right or wrong—what matters is you. Getting this far already means you're strong." The image of the deceased Pigeon flashed through Xiang Nan's mind as he spoke, and he offered comfort almost on reflex.
As soon as he said it, he froze.
That wasn't quite like him… He'd always been a lone wolf.
Other people's life or death didn't really matter to him… Everything was about reaching his goals and executing his plans.
Whether as a mercenary in his past life or through his growth in the Hunter world, he'd held to one absolute: your own strength is what counts. Only when you're strong yourself are you truly strong. After two lives and too much experience, his heart had long gone numb.
When he learned Pigeon was dead, he felt no ripple—just a touch of pity… but it was the outcome he'd already foreseen.
"If… back then I'd done everything to stop the two of them from starting the ninth round… would—" An absurd thought even flickered through Xiang Nan's mind.
Now, Orban's words and emotion seemed to press a button somewhere inside him.
For a moment, he felt a little sentimental.
But that feeling… he quickly and deliberately "muted," returning to normal.
He didn't like it.
Fortunately, on the other end Orban noticed nothing, and his voice steadied again.
"Xiang Nan… you have to succeed. If it's you, I believe the Hunter world you lead will stand firm on the Multiverse stage. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't be at ease."
"You have to do it! I can't follow you anymore, but I'll watch with my own eyes as you reach the summit."
"…"
Xiang Nan's lips moved, but he didn't speak.
"It's just leaving the system, not cutting contact…"
After a few seconds' pause, he deliberately teased.
"Promise me…"
Orban's tone turned pleading. "I finally understand what you meant back then—and why you've done what you've done… If the Hunter world isn't united, no one escapes. We… are one."
Xiang Nan fell silent again.
"Promise me… You can definitely clear the ninth round. But even if the ninth round hits you with the worst setbacks and upheavals, don't lose heart—don't give up like I did… You have to try for the final round! I know I'm being selfish… asking you to risk your life, but I… I…"
Orban began to stammer.
"Okay."
Before he could finish, a firm voice came through the phone.
"I promise you—carrying your dream with me—I will clear the Tenth Round."
A breeze brushed Xiang Nan's face. With a faint smile, he spoke calmly, but his words had weight.
"Thank you! …Uhh… Xiang Nan… thank you! Thank you so much!…"
After a few seconds of silence, Orban didn't just choke up—he broke down crying, repeating his thanks, and by the end was nearly shouting in collapse.
Xiang Nan didn't respond. He lowered the phone from his ear and hung up.
Then he looked up quietly at the sky.
His figure seemed a little solitary… and for a moment, even he didn't know what he was thinking.