The RV sped across the boundless wilderness, quickly covering a great distance.
Dust and sand filled the air, but nothing could stop its advance.
Phinks, having driven many times before, maneuvered the vehicle skillfully.
Before long, they had crossed the isolation zone and reached the familiar Bigchira city.
There, Phinks once again wore his trademark friendly smile, while the stationed soldiers at the gate performed a fake inspection with blank faces before letting them through.
Finally, Phinks decided to go all the way out and headed straight for the airport.
After some quick arrangements, it didn't take long for them to board the direct flight to Yorknew City.
On the southwestern edge of the world map lay a vast continent known as the Yorbian Continent, and Yorknew City was situated on its western coast, a massive city famous for its grand auction.
Its design was based on America's New York City, embodying both extravagance and decadence.
It was also the main stage for the Phantom Troupe's activities and a hotspot for underworld dealings.
Every year, from September 1st to 10th, Yorknew hosts the world's largest auction.
During this period, treasures from around the globe gathered there, attracting countless collectors and tourists, making the city's atmosphere reach its peak.
But that's all about the auction.
When Luke and the others arrived in the city by airship, it was already December.
Although three months had passed since the annual grand auction, there wasn't a hint of emptiness or decline in sight.
In fact, quite the opposite, the official auction had ended, but countless private and smaller-scale auctions were still being held regularly.
After disembarking from the airship, Luke and others crossed the desert into the city.
In Yorknew City's central square, a church stood, a symbol of the city and a place for people to relax.
When Luke and others passed by, they saw a group of people gathered in the center of the square.
They were shouting and cheering, livening up the atmosphere.
"What are those guys doing?"
Shalnark, who had been observing his surroundings, asked curiously. Although he had learned a little about the outside world through books and videos over the years, he was still curious about everything when he first experienced it.
"They're holding a conditional auction."
Luke only took a glance and knew what the group was doing.
"Conditional auction?"
On the streets here, a type of auction called a conditional auction is very popular.
The seller sets a condition, and whoever meets that condition can get the item.
For example, in the original story, Gon and the others used gems as bait, planning to make money through arm wrestling.
As long as someone could beat Gon at arm wrestling, they could win a diamond worth 3 million Jenny.
The participation fee was 10,000 Jenny per try. Although Gon thought this was a scam, they still used it to raise funds, which eventually led them to the mafia's underground, conditional-auction-style auctions.
There, the target was capturing members of the Phantom Troupe; catching one member would earn a 2 billion Jenny check.
Besides the conditional auction, there was also the bidding flea market.
This was essentially a regular auction market.
Buyers who liked an item would write their bid on a blank bidding card to compete with others.
Before the deadline, the highest bidder would win the item.
Gon and Killua had used Ren at the bidding flea market to win rare items like Ben's knives.
They also met a first-class antique appraiser named Zepile there.
In addition, there was the dealer's market.
This was a market exclusively for antique intermediaries.
Many high-quality items appeared there, with their value determined by professional judgment.
New products that suddenly appear need to be evaluated in the appraisal market first before being sold.
Therefore, if an outsider came to participate in the auctions, it was highly possible they would end up buying fakes.
You absolutely needed someone trustworthy to guide you!
These were the largest-scale auctions and markets accessible to ordinary people.
As for the other auctions, the mafia-run underground auction or the long-standing Southernpiece Auction, which gathered the rich and famous, these heaven and hell auctions were not ones ordinary people could attend.
"So that's how it is."
The others listened to Luke's introduction, feeling quite enlightened.
Of course, as they learned more, their curiosity grew.
And this curiosity only subsided once they reached the outskirts of Yorknew City, near a desolate abandoned building far from the city center.
"It seems the outside world isn't much different from Meteor City after all…"
Shalnark stood at the boundary between prosperity and desolation, thoughtfully saying.
"It's just that Meteor City is more direct and explicit."
This world was like one giant Meteor City.
Meteor City was what had been cast aside by the world's prosperity and abandoned by society.
Just like the remote and dilapidated areas of Yorknew City.
It's like a place of silence and oblivion, abandoned by the prosperity and extravagance of the distant world.
The relationship between Meteor City and the world mirrored this exactly.
Looking at this stark contrast, Shalnark suddenly gained a new understanding of the world.
"The whole world is like this. There's no need to be surprised."
Feitan, hands in his pockets, walked steadily past Shalnark.
"This is just a corner of the world."
Feitan, having experienced this world for some time and considered a veteran player of the life game, Earth Online, does have a say in this matter.
"Just… A corner?"
Shalnark pursed his lips, his expression shifting constantly. The others didn't react much, simply feeling a moment of nostalgia before following Luke inside.
"Let's go in too."
Someone patted Shalnark's shoulder as he was still deep in thought.
Shalnark raised his head and met Chrollo's eyes.
"We have plenty of time to experience it properly."
Chrollo whispered: "To experience this world."
There was a glimmer in his eyes as well.
Shalnark: "…!"
Shalnark nodded vigorously.
Of all the people present, Chrollo was probably the only one who understood his feelings and thoughts best.
Even Uvogin and Nobunaga, who had already experienced the outside world, couldn't quite resonate with Shalnark.
This was a difference in personality and thinking. Simply put, it was a difference in IQ.
Uvogin and the others had all their intelligence points stacked into combat… Or maybe into other hands-on matters?