As we all know, the timeline of Hunter x Hunter begins when the protagonist, Gon, embarks on the Hunter Exam, following in the footsteps of his father, Ging Freecss.
But now it's 1983, there are still a full sixteen years before the story officially begins.
"So..."
Luke rubbed his forehead more than once: "Right now, Tonpa is thirty years old, and that old lady who likes diamonds... Hmm, she shouldn't be an old lady yet, only forty-one."
The word only is used very well.
In other words, the current Meteor City outside must be different from what he remembered.
Fifteen hundred years ago, Meteor City was already a dumping ground for the world's trash.
For a long time since then, it has remained a forgotten corner of the world.
It was not until 1989, six years later, that it truly entered the world's view.
At that time, a certain local police officer arrested a homeless man on the charge of murder.
After verifying his identity, it was revealed that the homeless man had no nationality and no proof of social existence.
He claimed to be a resident of Meteor City. The police officers forcibly prosecuted him despite his denial of guilt.
Then the court convicted him without giving him a chance to explain himself.
Three years later, a drug addict was arrested, and his remaining crimes were gradually exposed... Proving the homeless man's innocence.
Following this incident, police officers, judges, prosecutors, eyewitnesses, jurors, and lawyers... the 31 people involved in his wrongful imprisonment were killed.
Regarding the method of the murder, it was said that the killer carried a trigger-type bomb, intended to kill himself and his victim simultaneously, a near-suicide.
According to eyewitness accounts, they smiled and shook hands before the bomb exploded.
Thirty-one people, in different locations, were killed simultaneously.
"We accept anything you leave here, but don't try to take anything from us."
This phrase has become a familiar part of many people's understanding of Meteor City.
As for now…
"Even those famous Phantom Troupe guys are still brats."
Luke shook his head. Best not to dwell on these things. No matter whether he arrived early or late, the priority was to take care of himself.
The most urgent thing was to fill his stomach.
"I need to find someone else who's also hungry, have them give me a commission or request, that way I can obtain food inventions..."
Well, such people are everywhere in Meteor City, as most people are scrambling for food.
But… How many of them can be trusted to issue commissions or requests?
Luke felt that this might be more difficult than even snatching food from them.
"This could be troublesome..."
Luke frowned.
And just then…
A sudden commotion outside his door interrupted his thoughts.
"What's going on?"
He stood up, walked to the door, and opened it slightly.
Before he could see what was happening, he heard an angry shout from outside.
"You bastards, how dare you steal from my turf, you've got some nerve!!"
Atop the hillside of garbage stood a tall, burly man with an afro, wearing a tattered vest and shorts.
"You bastards, I won't let you off this time! Prepare to die!!"
He crossed his arms, his face bared in a ferocious grin. "But if you give me those things, I'll make you die quickly!"
"But if you try to escape..."
He flexed his pitch-black, hulking muscles. "I'll make your life worse than death! I'll kill you ten times in a row!!!"
"..."
Beside the tall man, perched on the garbage pile, was a little girl with pink-purple hair, looking like a wild ape-child.
She held a broken stick in her hands, waving it around pretentiously.
However, the calm expression on her face, whether natural or deliberately forced, made her seem less intimidating.
Under the intimidation of this burly man and girl, the group of people who were threatening them immediately fled.
"That guy is still as foolish as ever!!"
"We're going to die anyway, why would we go over?!"
"And talking about turf in Meteor City? Is that guy really that idiot?"
"If he doesn't die once, he'll never get rid of that stupidity."
As the group scattered, they couldn't help but sneer, mocking the burly man on the hilltop.
Of course, despite the words and mockery, their bodies honestly quickened their pace as they fled.
In a place as dangerous as Meteor City, getting injured made survival nearly impossible.
Going head-on with a guy like Uvogin, who had a slow mind but a strong physique, was clearly not a wise move.
Winning wouldn't be of much benefit, and losing would be even more painful.
Injuries would be even worse.
"Stop right there!"
Seeing so many people fleeing, Uvogin shouted again, no longer standing still. He immediately rolled up his sleeves and rushed towards the crowd below.
"..."
The little girl with pink-purple hair hopped along behind him.
It must be said that Uvogin, at only thirteen years old, already possessed the stature and build of an adult.
Such physical prowess evidently showed him to be a gifted individual.
But when facing so many seasoned old-timers, he was easily strung along.
He struggled mightily but failed to catch up to a few of them, and could only watch helplessly as the group slipped away before his eyes. "Those bastards!"
Uvogin plopped down on the garbage heap, panting heavily and rubbing his hair vigorously in frustration.
"What are you looking at?!"
When he noticed someone behind him looking at him, he immediately turned around and glared at the inconsiderate fellow.
Can't you see how upset he is? And he's still coming up to him at this moment…
If the guy hadn't looked younger than him and empty-handed, a dumb kid by the looks of it, Uvogin would have already punched him.
"I thought he was the idiot who hadn't gotten away, but it turns out he's just a stupid kid. Tsk..."
Uvogin, feeling completely annoyed, snapped impatiently: "Get out of here! Do you want me to beat you up?!"
Luke glanced at the seething, musclebound Uvogin, then at the little girl beside him, Machi, who's still a child, with the stick raised at her chest.
He thought for a moment, then asked: "Are you two hungry?"