Joey had already started hesitating about keeping Killer Queen active for surveillance more than an hour ago.
---
Mentally—
He was fine.
---
In fact, his mental strength was abnormally strong.
Likely due to absorbing the souls of Kira Yoshikage and the original body's owner.
---
But physically—
It was a different story.
---
It wasn't that he was weak.
Far from it.
---
Compared to his previous life, this body was far superior—
Stronger.
Faster.
Built like an athlete.
---
Under normal circumstances—
He would have been thrilled.
---
But right now—
It wasn't enough.
---
The constant use of Killer Queen…
The repeated activation of its abilities…
---
All of it—
Was draining him.
---
If not for this body's enhanced physical condition—
He would have collapsed long ago.
---
Even so—
After just over an hour of running—
He was drenched in sweat.
Breathing heavily.
---
Not at his limit yet—
But close enough to feel it.
---
And in this forest—
That was dangerous.
---
Very dangerous.
---
A rare feeling of frustration surfaced.
---
If he had realized earlier that he was in the world of Hunter x Hunter—
He would have trained harder.
Prepared more.
---
But then again—
If he had known earlier…
He would have left long ago.
---
He wouldn't be stuck in NGL.
Working as a disposable pawn in a drug organization.
---
Just as Joey was about to stop and rest—
Something unexpected happened.
---
The wallet.
---
The strange one—
Emitting a faint white glow.
---
Warmth.
---
A steady flow of energy entered his body.
---
Joey froze.
---
One word surfaced instantly:
---
Cheat.
---
But just as quickly—
Another thought followed.
---
Danger.
---
What if this wasn't help?
What if it was something left behind by Kira?
A trap?
A contingency?
---
Without hesitation—
Joey pulled the wallet out—
And threw it to the ground.
---
The energy flow stopped instantly.
---
Silence returned.
---
The wallet lay there.
Still glowing faintly.
---
Joey stared at it.
---
His instincts told him—
It wasn't dangerous.
---
And more than that—
It felt…
Familiar.
---
Like something he had sensed before.
---
"…An aura."
---
Life energy.
---
Joey's expression shifted.
---
"Nen…?"
---
The realization hit him.
---
Then—
A memory surfaced.
---
Right before he lost consciousness during his soul battle—
He had seen something.
---
A strange scene.
---
Killer Queen.
Facing…
Garou.
---
Between them—
Something small.
Strange.
---
Glowing faintly white.
---
A creature.
---
Its body—
Grotesque.
---
Its head—
Like a cocoon.
---
Its mouth—
Open.
Filled with sharp, unnatural teeth.
---
Disgusting.
---
Joey had subconsciously buried that memory.
---
But now—
It resurfaced.
---
And with it—
A realization.
---
When he transmigrated—
He had heard a piercing scream.
---
Could that sound…
Have come from that creature?
---
If so—
Then why—
---
Why would Kira Yoshikage skin it…
And turn it into a wallet?
---
What exactly…
Was that thing?
---
Joey unconsciously bit his nails.
---
Questions piled up.
---
Why was the wallet hidden?
Why did it resonate with him?
Why did its energy feel so compatible?
---
Kira Yoshikage…
Must have discovered something.
---
But what?
---
Joey hesitated.
---
Then—
Made his decision.
---
He picked up the wallet.
---
Whatever secrets it held—
As long as it wasn't an immediate threat—
He would use it.
---
Because right now—
He needed it.
---
The forest was far more dangerous.
---
The moment he held it again—
The energy returned.
---
Flowing into him.
---
Restoring him.
---
Slowly.
Steadily.
---
His breathing eased.
His strength recovered.
---
It felt—
Alive.
---
As if the energy itself carried life.
---
More than that—
It resonated with him.
---
Deeply.
---
From the soul.
---
But instead of relief—
Joey frowned.
---
This wasn't normal.
---
Still—
It worked.
---
With the wallet—
His consumption and recovery began to balance out.
---
As long as he avoided excessive use of his abilities—
He could keep going.
---
But even so—
He was nearing his limit.
---
And the glow of the wallet—
Was fading.
---
Slowly.
---
Which meant—
Its energy wasn't infinite.
---
What would happen when it ran out?
---
Joey didn't want to find out.
Not here.
Not now.
---
He trusted his instincts.
---
Given the chance—
He would discard it.
---
Even if it helped him.
---
Because something about it…
Was wrong.
---
Still—
The temporary relief it provided—
Was invaluable.
---
But the exhaustion—
Mental and physical—
Had already accumulated.
---
Joey exhaled deeply.
---
Then—
His attention shifted.
---
Bodies.
---
Scattered across the ground.
---
Human.
---
White combat uniforms.
---
Weapons nearby.
---
He crouched.
---
Touched one.
---
Still warm.
---
Recently killed.
---
That realization—
Put him on edge.
---
Killer Queen remained active.
---
Joey scanned the surroundings carefully—
Before quickly grabbing a submachine gun and a pistol from the corpses.
---
Then—
He retreated into the shadows of nearby trees.
---
If these soldiers had just died—
Then the Chimera Ants responsible…
Could still be nearby.
---
His nerves tightened again.
---
While checking the weapons—
His mind raced.
---
Night was coming.
---
The forest was growing darker.
---
If he kept moving forward—
He might run straight into Chimera Ant patrols.
---
If he stayed—
There was no guarantee he wasn't being followed.
---
Or that the ants wouldn't return to feed.
---
Neither option was safe.
---
He checked the weapon.
---
Still functional.
---
Plenty of ammunition.
---
Judging from the dead Chimera Ants nearby—
Firearms were still effective.
---
Not ideal—
But useful.
---
Joey secured the weapon.
---
His hand paused briefly—
Then moved to the pistol.
---
He removed the magazine.
Checked it.
---
Same model as his own.
---
He stored it.
---
Then—
He pulled out the map again.
---
Searching.
---
Hoping.
---
For anything.
---
But—
Nothing.
---
Just forest.
---
Endless forest.
---
No landmarks.
No escape routes.
---
He put it away.
---
Decision made.
---
Keep moving.
---
Reach the base.
---
Before nightfall—
If possible.
---
Even if not—
He would still try.
---
Because staying here—
Was worse.
---
In open terrain—
If surrounded—
Killer Queen wouldn't be enough.
---
As for stamina—
He would force it.
---
He had no choice.
---
Joey stepped forward.
---
His body shifted—
From rest—
To alertness.
---
And in that instant—
---
A blood-soaked claw—
Swung down from above.
---
Aimed straight for his head.
___________________________
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