Taking the cooking equipment out of my backpack and converting a couple of food cards, together with the food I have stored in my backpack I get to work preparing a breakfast worthy of my hungry companion.
Meanwhile, Biscuit pulls a table out of her binder and sits down to wait, occasionally glancing over with curious eyes as the aroma of fresh food gradually fills the air.
About twenty minutes later, I set two trays on the table with the breakfast ready.
Breakfast consists of a fluffy spinach omelet topped with grated cheese, accompanied by whole-wheat toast spread with grated tomato, a drizzle of olive oil, and slices of avocado. To drink, I serve a cup of decaffeinated coffee for each of us.
"Delicious!" Biscuit exclaims, her eyes sparkling while her cheeks puff out with delight as she happily chews another eager bite. "Everything is perfectly balanced. The seasoning, the texture, the way each ingredient complements the others... it's pure bliss. And it's light enough that you don't feel weighed down afterward. This is a splendid breakfast."
'Looks like buying that 101 Original Dishes book is already paying off. If good food helps me get along a little better with Biscuit, then it was worth every jenny.'
"Handsome, strong, considerate... and you can cook, too. Biscuit rests her chin on one hand, studying me with an amused smile. "You really do have everything, Kai. So... what do you say? Want to marry me?"
The question catches me completely off guard, and I nearly choke with the bite of omelet I was chewing.
"Cough! Cough!" After hastily wiping my mouth with a napkin and finally catching my breath, I shake my head.
"Sorry, Bisky but I don't think you should be saying things like that to someone you just met, even if you're only joking."
"Besides, I'll tell you that I already have a girlfriend. She is someone I care about very much, so marrying someone else isn't even something I'd ever consider."
"Why not?" Biscuit casually asks, catching my attention.
"...What?" I ask in response.
"What does having a girlfriend have to do with marrying me?"
I stare at her, convinced I must have misheard.
"What do you mean, 'what does it have to do with it'? If I have a girlfriend, I can't betray her by pursuing another woman. Isn't that obvious?" I ask hoping for confirmation.
Instead of agreeing, Biscuit blinks saying something that leaves me in shock.
"Don't you know that polygamy is socially and legally accepted throughout most of the world?" She asks, oblivious to the fact that it completely clashes with my own common sense.
"...Excuse me?"
"It isn't especially common," she explains matter-of-factly, "but it's perfectly legal to have multiple spouses officially recognized by the government. Most countries have civil registries that allow plural marriages, inheritance laws that account for them, and family courts that handle disputes exactly the same way they do for monogamous couples."
"The world is full of deadly dangers. Magical beasts, criminals, natural disasters... people die unexpectedly all the time. If everyone insisted on having only one partner, entire family lines could disappear after a single accident."
"Hunters have it even worse. They're constantly traveling and face dangers that ordinary people can't even imagine. Building a traditional household is difficult when you might disappear for months on a job, or when your loved ones could become targets for kidnapping and blackmail."
"That's one of the reasons the Hunter Association recognizes those family structures as well. Survivor benefits, legal compensation, and next-of-kin status can all extend to multiple legally recognized spouses. It simply reflects the reality of the profession."
She shrugs as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Some Hunters spend their whole lives drifting from one relationship to another. Others eventually marry multiple partners. The society and the Hunter Association simply adapted long ago to the lives they lead."
Her explanation leaves me speechless.
I had already seen examples of polygamous relationships before in the series with Bizeff's employees and King Nasubi wives, but I'd always assumed those were isolated exceptions born from political power, wealth, or the traditions of specific countries.
It had never crossed my mind that polygamy was broadly accepted both socially and legally in this world.
That revelation alone is enough to completely overturn a piece of common sense I'd carried with me since my previous life.
Then, something Biscuit said finally clicks.
"Hold on..." I narrow my eyes and look directly at her. "Biscuit... why are you bringing Hunters into this conversation?"
'Despite popular belief, not everyone playing Greed Island is a professional Hunter. Some are simply Nen users, like Genthru, his companions Sub and Bara, or the members of Nickes' alliance.'
'Furthermore, at this point, Biscuit has never told me she's a Hunter, and I haven't told her that I am one either. Even if she recognized me from Heavens Arena, that alone wouldn't explain why she'd bring Hunters into the conversation. And knowing how shrewd she is, I find it hard to believe that was a slip of the tongue.'
'So that leaves three possibilities.'
1.She's deliberately bringing up Hunters to see how I react, using my response to determine whether I'm one myself.
2. She's subtly revealing that she's a Hunter to see whether I'll respond with the same honesty.
3. She already knows I was the one who convinced Teradein to grant her early access to Greed Island, and she's subtly letting me know she isn't as uninformed as I might think.
'Considering her position within the Hunter Association and her decades of experience, the third option feels the most likely, followed by the second. Still, assumptions alone won't get me anywhere. If I want to understand what she's really after, I need to hear how she answers to decide how handle the situation.'
However, contrary to my expectations, Biscuit doesn't seem at all bothered by my timely question. She simply picks up her coffee cup again for another sip, and after letting it settle, she meets my gaze, placing a hand lightly against her chest.
"I bring them up because I am a Hunter, and that's why I know about the association's policies on various matters."
Her answer catches me off guard. I'd expected her to dodge the question or wrap the truth in half a dozen layers of misdirection. Instead, she chooses the most straightforward response possible.
Before I can process what that means, she calmly continues.
"To be more specific, I'm a Stone Hunter. I travel the world to search for rare stones and gems and that's the main reason I came to Greed Island."
Since I already know her motivation, I feign ignorance and ask, "What do you mean by that?"
"Apparently, this game contains a unique jewel that exists nowhere else in the world. It's card number 81 in the specified slot: Blue Planet. As a Stone Hunter, I can't resist the urge to obtain it and bring it back to the real world, no matter the cost." She explains.
"Of course, I also intend to clear the game and claim Battera's reward, like everyone else."
Once Biscuit finishes speaking, I begin to consider the implications of everything she has just revealed.
'By telling me the real reason she's on Greed Island, Biscuit has effectively laid all her cards on the table. This means that at the very least, she considers me someone worth trusting enough to pursue an alliance with.'
'However, she still hasn't revealed her true age or the full extent of her Nen abilities. While she's clearly beginning to open up, she's not ready to place complete trust in me yet. That could mean she won't be willing to support my own objectives in the future, or, in the worst-case scenario, that she'll leave if a better opportunity presents itself.'
'I doubt she'd abandon me for Genthru or Nickes' alliance, but Gon and Killua are a different matter. Once they enter the game, she may decide they're a better investment than me.'
'After all, Gon and I both intend to clear Greed Island, which means we're ultimately destined to become rivals, and in the original timeline, Biscuit chose to travel with them because she recognized their extraordinary potential.'
'There is no guarantee that will happen this time too, but the possibility is real. It's not certain to happen, but is there. For now, all I can do is continue proving my worth as an ally and give her every reason to stay by my side until the end of the game... and hopefully beyond.'
Meeting her expectant gaze after she finishes speaking, I decide to return her honesty with some of my own.
"I am Hunter as well. More specifically, I work as both a Blacklist Hunter and a Beast Hunter." I reply.
Biscuit arches an eyebrow at my words. "Seeking to cover two specialties? That's quite unusual."
"I've been told that before." I let out a small chuckle. "As part of my work as a Blacklist Hunter, my partner and I run a mercenary company. Mr. Battera hired us to clear Greed Island on his behalf."
"Naturally, I'm interested in the reward money, and there's also a specified-slot card I want for myself. But clearing a game that's remained unbeaten for over a decade would also bring tremendous prestige to our fledgling company. That kind of reputation would open the door to contracts with far more influential clients."
"And well, that pretty much sums up why I'm here."
Biscuit nods slowly, clearly impressed. "Hmm... You're quite the businessman. I'd assumed you'd been a Hunter for years to put together a business model like that."
"No, actually... I've only been working as a Hunter for 8 months." I clarify.
Biscuit eyes suddenly widen. "Eight months? You've only had your license for eight months, and you've already built a company capable of landing contracts with a tycoon like Battera?"
She lets out an appreciative whistle.
"Now that's impressive. You really do have remarkable potential."
"I'm flattered." I say, scratching the back of my head with an awkward smile.
"In that case, it seems our goals are aligned. I look forward to having a fruitful partnership so that we can achieve our objectives." She smiles.
Biscuit words ease some of the tension I'd been carrying.
It isn't a firm commitment, but we've reached a mutual understanding, and that alone greatly improved the odds of a successful collaboration.
"Now that we've settled everything..." Biscuit leans forward slightly with a playful smile. "Does that mean you'll reconsider my proposal?"
The sense of relief I'd just begun to feel vanish the moment Biscuit brings up marriage again.
Suppressing a sigh, I pinch the bridge of my nose. 'I know she's just teasing me... but I really hope this doesn't become a running joke.'
"Bisky," I say patiently, "I've already told you I'm not up for that kind of thing, so about we leave marriage out of the conversation and get back to discussing things about the game for now?"
"Aww... fine." She pouts for barely a second before returning to her usual cheerful smile.
"If we're going back to talk about cards, you mentioned wanting one from the specified slots. Can you tell which one are you after?"
"Well..." I smile. "Since you asked..."
Point of View Switch: Biscuit
While I continue enjoying the delicious breakfast spread across the table, I watch Kai carefully as he explains the card he wants.
To be honest, I'm surprised by his choice.
On the surface, his motivations are simple. He is here for the same reasons as almost everyone else: money, a specified-slot card, and the prestige that comes with clearing Greed Island.
But unlike most players, he doesn't speak like someone chasing a shallow dream or a prize. He speaks like someone building something.
His company, his reputation, his future... every decision he makes is another step toward that goal. Even clearing Greed Island isn't an end in itself—it's simply another opportunity to strengthen the foundation he's been laying since becoming a Hunter.
'Interesting.'
'Looking back, there were already a few things that didn't quite add up when I first entered the game.'
Flashback of my own arrival on Greed Island.
When Battera's employees contacted me with an early invitation, my first reaction was suspicion.
I looked into it and eventually learned that the request had gone through Teradein Neutral. That, however, only made me even more curious.
Teradein may be kindhearted, but I couldn't think of a single reason why he'd go out of his way to secure me an invitation to Greed Island. We barely knew each other, and I certainly wasn't someone who fell within his interests. Someone else had to be behind it.
Unfortunately, whoever it was, them or Teradein covered their tracks well. No matter how much I investigated, I couldn't find a single useful lead of their identity before entering the game.
In the end, I decided it wasn't worth pursuing any further. After all, I had every intention of entering Greed Island from the very beginning, regardless of who had arranged my invitation.
And if someone truly had gone through the trouble of setting a trap for me... They were welcome to try.
So, without giving the matter any more thought, I accepted Battera's invitation and stepped into Greed Island.
The moment I appeared in Antokiba, I noticed several pairs of eyes following my every move. They were watching me carefully, yet I couldn't sense even the slightest hint of hostility, so I ignored them, and a few days later, they disappeared just as quietly as they'd appeared.
Around that time, I was approached by one of the larger player alliances. They hoped to clear the game by relying on their sheer numbers, but after meeting them, I quickly realized they lacked both talent and ambition to achieve anything meaningful.
Rather than burn that bridge completely, I slipped into my cute little "girly" persona and turned them down politely, leaving the possibility of joining them open if they ever proved useful. After all, there was no reason to close a door I might want to walk through later.
Eventually, I joined another, more competent group. Not because I intended to stay with them, but because they offered an easy way to learn more about the game. And also because I thought I might have a little fun messing with them.
Traveling alongside them let me familiarize myself with Greed Island's mechanics, its towns, its major players... and, most importantly, the growing fear surrounding a player killer known only as "The Bomber."
While traveling with them, I couldn't help but have a little fun at their expense. I would occasionally stir up arguments between the three of them, watching with amusement as their personalities clashed.
And whenever things started becoming too troublesome, I simply played the role of the harmless little girl caught between them, making them lower their guard and assume I was far less interested in the game than I actually was.
Eventually, though, even that entertainment started to lose its charm, and after gathering all the information I needed, I finally caused the group to disband so I could leave them behind and stay in the City of Love, Aiai.
If I was going to wait for capable allies to appear in the game, there wasn't a better place. And, I have to admit...
The city exceeded every expectation.
Handsome men approached me everywhere I went, eager to invite me on dates or shower me with attention. Being treated like a princess without having to lift a finger was so enjoyable that, for a while, I almost forgot why I'd come to Greed Island in the first place.
Almost.
Then I overheard several players talking about a newcomer who was causing quite a stir. Someone they nicknamed "The Unreachable."
According to the rumors, he'd begun building a reputation rivaling even the Bomber's. Apparently, he had been taking on entire groups of players by himself and outsmarting them with ease. Even the Nickes' Alliance, who had tried to recruit me claiming to be a powerful faction, had apparently suffered the same fate.
And more importantly...
He was looking for me. That was enough to bring me back to reality.
Luckily, unlike the Bomber, this mysterious player hadn't earned his reputation by killing people, so his appearance and name were known to many players.
The first time I spotted him walking through the main doors of the City of Love, I recognized him immediately: He was a handsome young man with tanned skin, a lean but well-defined physique, sharp black hair, and striking features.
'What a cutie!'
The thought crossed my mind before I could stop it. A moment later, recognition followed.
I'd seen him before.
Not in person, but in a video that had spread across the internet—a Heaven's Arena challenge for the position of Floor Master that had attracted widespread attention.
The fight had been remarkable, not only because of the skill displayed by both sides, but because the sheer scale and intensity of the battle were completely disproportionate to what anyone expected from a simple challenge match in that tower.
I was interested in him the moment I saw him.
Still, knowing he had been looking for me, I had no intention of lowering my guard and act rashly. Instead, I decided to observe and test him throughout his stay in the City of Love.
And he exceeded every expectations I had.
Throughout his stay in the City of Love, I quietly placed one obstacle after another in his path, curious to see how he would respond.
Instead of growing frustrated, he solved every little challenge I placed before him with remarkable composure and skill, turning what had begun as a simple test into an unexpectedly engaging game of cat and mouse.
And as if that weren't enough, he even managed to obtain an S-rank card—something few players could ever hope to accomplish in the game.
When it became clear he was about to leave the city, I finally introduced myself, hiding behind my usual persona of a sweet, harmless little girl.
Even so, he immediately realized I hadn't approached him by chance. He'd already figured out that I'd been watching him, and for a brief moment, he grew cautious.
Yet rather than questioning my intentions, he welcomed me with a level of courtesy that was... unexpectedly charming.
'I almost felt like a real princess on cloud nine.'
And that's not all. From that point onward, he kept surprising me.
His understanding of Greed Island's mechanics, his ability to anticipate problems before they happened, and the strategies he devised all revealed someone far more capable than any other player I've ever encountered.
After that, he continued to amaze me with his great insight and strategic thinking on Greed Island.
More importantly, he never treated me like a card to use and abandon.
Despite seemingly having little to offer him, he trusted me, involved me in his plans, and treated me with a warmth that never felt forced. It was as if he was desperately trying to forge a strong and lasting alliance with me.
That alone made him... unusual.
I suppose his kindness—and his surprisingly good cooking—also played a part in why I decided to tease him with that little marriage joke.
His reaction was far more serious than I expected, and it amused me enough that I decided to reward him by revealing a little about myself, curious to see whether he was someone worthy of my trust.
Once again, this man impressed me with his honesty. He answered every question without hesitation, speaking openly about who he was and why he had entered Greed Island, speaking about his life as though we had known each other for years instead of days.
From the moment we first met until now, he never gave me a reason to doubt his sincerity.
And yet...
I can't shake the feeling that there are still parts of himself he deliberately keeps hidden. Somehow, that only makes him more interesting.
End of flashback.
"Before we head to Masadora to buy the spell cards, I'll make copies of your restricted-slot cards with Clone and cast a couple of defensive spells on you. It'll expand my own collection while freeing up space in my binder to put more spells." Kai says between bites of breakfast.
"That's fine with me. We're teammates, after all." I reply before taking a bite of my toast.
'I have no proof to corroborate it, but now I'm pretty sure that Kai was the one who convinced Teradein to secure my early invitation.'
'But why?'
'That part still doesn't make sense. We'd never met before, and I doubt he learned about me through the Hunter Association. So why would he have gone out of his way to arrange my early entry into Greed Island and secure an alliance with me?'
'I could simply ask him to discover it. Judging by everything I've seen so far, he'd probably answer honestly.'
'But where would the fun be in that?'
'Besides, I think pressing him now could easily damage the trust we've been building. For the time being, I'm more than happy to continue playing along.'
'He's strong, intelligent, dependable, and refreshingly straightforward. I can't think of a single reason not to keep him as an ally.'
'Besides...'
'Figuring out what he's hiding sounds far more entertaining. After all, uncovering hidden truths and making your prey dance to your tune is what being a real Hunter is all about.'
With that thought in mind, I quietly continue listening as Kai explains more of Greed Island's secrets.
———
AN: I know the part after the end of the flashback is confusing, since the previous chapter stated that Biscuit didn't have any specified slot cards.
That was a mistake on my part taking into account their first meeting, and it's already been corrected in chapter 97, especially if you want to know which cards they are.