September 6.
On this day, the Southern Piece Auction, said to be the pinnacle of the Yorknew Dream Auction, began.
The Southern Piece Auction lasted for five days. Every item put up for auction there was rare and extremely valuable. At the same time, the number of items was large, so the auctions were held across multiple halls.
Greed Island—the very thing Aisha and her group were after—was scheduled to be auctioned in one of those halls.
Seven copies of Greed Island would be put up for sale, so over the course of the five days, the seven copies would be auctioned off little by little.
One copy would be auctioned on this particular day.
However, Aisha and the others were not present.
For Aisha's group, there was little value in participating in the Southern Piece Auction.
Their goal regarding Greed Island was not to obtain the game itself, but to play it. And the selection test required to enter the game would be held on the final day of the auction—September 10.
As long as they attended on that last day, their objective would be fulfilled.
After checking the auction catalog, Aisha and the others found nothing they particularly wanted. As such, they saw no reason to attend the auction on any day except the 10th.
At best, they might have gone just to enjoy the atmosphere.
For that reason, Aisha and the others were not here at the auction hall where Greed Island was being sold.
If they had been present, Aisha would likely have said:
"What exactly are you doing…?"
Since the Southern Piece Auction was the highest-tier event of the Dream Auction, there was no shortage of topics for conversation.
Among them was this particular story: the world-renowned billionaire Battera and the so-called most dangerous game in the world, Greed Island.
Just what exactly was Greed Island, the game that Battera was so desperately trying to acquire at the cost of enormous time and money?
Many people knew of Greed Island's existence. However, almost no one knew why Battera wanted it so badly or what his true objective was.
Before the auction began, reporters had asked Battera about his reasons for pursuing Greed Island.
But in the end, he evaded the question.
A phantom game that had remained uncleared for over ten years.
A billionaire obsessed with collecting it.
There was no way such a story wouldn't become a hot topic.
The auction was held in a hall capable of seating several hundred people.
The seats were nearly full.
Moreover, most of the attendees were wealthy by ordinary standards. After all, entry required purchasing the auction catalog—which effectively served as an admission fee—costing 12 million Jenny.
Anyone here who wasn't rich was either an eccentric or someone with a specific purpose.
A female auctioneer standing on the stage began explaining the auction to the audience.
Apparently, the hall specialized in somewhat unusual items. The first item put up for sale—a fossilized dinosaur dung—perfectly matched her explanation.
One item after another was put up for bidding, and collectors eagerly competed, driving the prices higher.
As the excitement in the hall gradually intensified, the moment finally arrived.
Greed Island was brought onto the stage.
"This game is extremely dangerous. We do not recommend purchasing it lightly. Only those prepared should participate!!
Bidding starts at 1 billion Jenny!"
The moment the auctioneer finished explaining the item and announced the starting price, the bidding began.
"1.1 billion! 1.5 billion! Bidder 106—double! 3 billion!!"
The auctioneer rapidly called out the prices offered by the bidders.
She instantly recognized the subtle hand signals made by the participants and relayed the rising prices to the entire hall.
Reading the signals of so many people at once required the skill of a highly trained professional.
"Bidder 17 doubles again!! 6 billion!!"
When the price suddenly jumped from 3 billion to 6 billion, a murmur of admiration spread through the hall.
And when many of the guests looked toward bidder number 17—the one who had offered the 6 billion—they all reacted the same way.
Ah…
Of course.
It was the billionaire who had come to the auction solely for Greed Island—
Battera.
From Battera's 6 billion bid, the price quickly rose to 7 billion.
But immediately afterward, Battera doubled it again.
14 billion.
At that point, everyone in the hall—bidders and auctioneer alike—understood something clearly.
Battera intended to obtain Greed Island no matter what.
"14 billion!! Any other bids?"
Most of the bidders gave up after the price exceeded 10 billion.
However, one stubborn participant raised the price by another billion, offering 15 billion.
But without hesitation, Battera raised his signal again—this time increasing the bid by 5 billion.
"Bidder 17—20 billion!! Any other bids?"
Even the stubborn bidders finally gave up.
Going any higher would only ruin them financially.
And besides—no matter what amount they offered, Battera would simply outbid them.
Everyone in the hall believed that Greed Island would now belong to Battera.
Even the auctioneer thought so.
Even Battera himself thought so.
"Any other bids? If not—!?"
"…Bidder 4—25 billion!!"
The loudest commotion of the day erupted throughout the hall.
Every single person turned toward one particular bidder.
Battera himself had never imagined that someone would raise the bid at this point, so he also looked in the same direction as the crowd.
And then—
He was shocked.
Why?
Why is this woman here… and trying to buy Greed Island?
The bidder wearing the number 4 plate—now the center of attention—was a woman.
Not only that, but an exceptionally beautiful one.
However, that alone would not have shocked Battera so much.
The reason for his astonishment was simple.
She was one of the most famous figures in the world.
The current chairwoman of the Rockbelt Zaibatsu, one of the world's leading financial conglomerates.
The supreme leader of one of the world's two great martial schools—Kazama-ryū Aiki Jujutsu.
And also a Pro Hunter.
An extraordinary female magnate.
Her name was Riina Rockbelt.
A woman who deeply admired, revered, and blindly believed in a certain person—almost to the point of fanaticism.
"25 billion!! Any other bids?"
Battera, who had been momentarily lost in thought, snapped back to reality at the auctioneer's voice.
It would be meaningless if Greed Island was sold while he was distracted.
Whatever Riina's intentions were didn't matter right now.
Pushing his agitation aside, Battera focused on the auction once more.
"Bidder 17—30 billion!!"
Battera immediately raised the price again.
But Riina calmly offered an even higher bid with the same composed expression.
At this point, the flow of the auction had completely become a duel between the two of them.
Everyone else could only watch in stunned silence.
However, that abnormal bidding war ended after only about ten seconds.
After Battera's bid of 50 billion, Riina simply fell silent.
"50 billion!! Any other bids?
Greed Island—sold to bidder 17 for 50 billion!! Thank you very much!!"
At the end of such a rare and massive bidding war, the audience burst into enthusiastic applause.
And everyone in the hall developed at least some interest in Greed Island.
Even leaving aside Battera—
If Chairwoman Rockbelt herself was trying to obtain it, what kind of game could it possibly be?
Battera felt relieved that he had at least secured the first copy of Greed Island.
But when he glanced at Riina again, a chill ran down his spine.
Despite failing to win the item she had bid on, Riina still wore the same calm expression.
Then she looked at Battera.
And smiled.
Seeing that smile, Battera felt the strange illusion that he had just made an enemy of someone he absolutely should never oppose.
Even though he had obtained the item he wanted, he could no longer feel at ease.
◆
For a brief moment between sunset and nightfall—
that twilight hour when the red glow of the sinking sun still faintly lingers.
At that time, in a certain room inside the auction venue, Battera was resting, surrounded by his bodyguards.
The auction had drained him far more mentally than he had expected. Without bothering to hide his fatigue, Battera leaned back heavily in his chair. A tall man standing beside him spoke.
"500 billion, huh… That must sting."
The man who spoke was named Tsezguerra—a professional Hunter and, among them, a first-rate Single-Star Money Hunter.
The reason such a man was with the billionaire Battera was simple: he had been hired by him.
Tsezguerra was one of the participants in the copies of Greed Island that Battera owned, and among them he was the person Battera trusted the most. Because of that, he also served as a judge for the selection tests used to recruit players for the game.
With the selection exam approaching, he had temporarily returned from Greed Island and was attending the auction while also acting as Battera's bodyguard.
In response to the words of this trusted man, Battera spoke with a grave expression.
"No, the money isn't the issue. Those 500 billion also serve as a declaration that I'll buy Greed Island no matter the cost. …The problem is that woman. Why would Chairwoman Rockbelt want Greed Island…?"
Faced with this unexpected development, Battera almost clicked his tongue in irritation.
For the sake of his goal, the more copies of Greed Island he had, the better.
Yet if Riina attempted to buy Greed Island in the auctions from tomorrow onward like she had today, things would very likely stop proceeding according to his calculations.
If he could still secure each copy for around 500 billion, like today, then perhaps it wouldn't be a problem.
But since he had no idea what Riina's budget limit might be, Battera could not relax.
Sensing Battera's anxiety through his sharp insight, Tsezguerra asked a confirming question.
"So her personal assets exceed yours, Battera-san?"
"No… even I don't know that. But it would be foolish to assume they're lower. In addition to the assets she holds as Chairwoman of the Rockbelt conglomerate, she also has the wealth of the Kazama-ryū dojo as its supreme leader…"
Tsezguerra understood that well enough.
As a professional Hunter who constantly gathered the latest information, Tsezguerra had Riina's profile stored among his knowledge.
According to that knowledge, Riina Rockbelt was one of the most successful people in the world.
At least, that was how Tsezguerra saw it.
She had inherited a massive financial conglomerate at a young age, and with her extraordinary talent not only stabilized it but expanded it further.
On top of that, she had also risen to become the supreme head of Kazama-ryū, the martial arts school that stood opposite Shingen-ryū.
Naturally, as a Pro Hunter she had mastered Nen as well.
Considering that she was the leader of Kazama-ryū, it would not be an exaggeration to say she stood among the strongest in the world.
Furthermore—whether due to being a Nen user or simply her natural constitution—despite already being over seventy years old, she maintained the youthful beauty of someone barely in their twenties.
Wealth.
Fame.
Power.
Beauty.
Possessing all four at the highest level—things most people desire in life—was something Tsezguerra had only ever seen in one person.
Riina.
Given that someone like her had become an enemy—
Even if it was only over an auction item—
Battera's anxiety was understandable.
How should he deal with this?
Should he simply force his way through with money?
If that led to a bidding war that spiraled out of control, things might be fine at first—but he might exhaust his assets before acquiring all seven copies.
Then what should he do?
Not knowing Riina's objective, and faced with a powerful adversary, Battera searched desperately for a way to break through the situation.
And that was when it happened.
A visitor appeared before him.
The time was twilight—the hour when demons were said to appear.
And the one who appeared was someone who could very well be called a demon to Battera himself.
Riina Rockbelt.
"I apologize for visiting so suddenly without making an appointment, Battera-san. Please accept my sincere apologies."
Riina spoke politely while wearing a smile so beautiful it could captivate anyone.
Dressed elegantly in a gown made of fine fabric, the refined gestures of the beautiful woman caused even the surrounding bodyguards to pause for a moment.
Before anyone could stop her, Riina walked straight up to Battera.
"Well, well—Chairwoman Rockbelt. I never expected to meet you in a place like this. What an honor. To think such a beautiful lady would come to visit someone like me personally."
Truly befitting a billionaire who had survived the ruthless world of high finance.
Without revealing the slightest hint of his inner agitation, Battera greeted Riina with a broad smile.
Of course, behind that smile, his vigilance toward her had risen to its maximum.
"Oh my, you flatter me. I'm honored to meet you as well, Battera-san. It's my first time speaking face-to-face with such a famous businessman, so I must admit I'm a little nervous."
—Who are you trying to fool—
The words nearly slipped from Battera's mouth.
Instead, he forced a wry smile and concealed the thought.
"So then, what brings you here today? I would certainly enjoy spending time with Chairwoman Rockbelt, but unfortunately I do have other matters scheduled afterward."
He said this regretfully, but of course Battera had no such schedule.
At most, he planned to eat dinner later.
In reality, he was calmly observing how Riina would react to his words.
"In that case, please don't worry. My business here will only take a moment."
With that, Riina gracefully clapped her hands twice, as though signaling something.
Tsezguerra, who had been motionless until now, became slightly wary at the gesture.
But his concern proved unnecessary.
In response to the sound, a young woman—no, a girl—entered from the hallway.
The girl pushed a large cart carrying several heavy cases.
She stopped beside Riina.
Battera found it suspicious that such a young girl was transporting so many cases, but he did not show it on his face as he spoke.
"What might this be…?"
"My business is quite simple. Battera-san, there are 100 billion Jenny here."
She smiled pleasantly.
"Would you be willing to give me the Greed Island you just won at auction in exchange?"
Riina's request was astonishing.
She was attempting to buy the auction item directly.
All the cases likely contained cash.
In an age where transactions could easily be done through networks, she had intentionally brought physical money.
That alone told Battera how serious she was about this deal.
Most likely, Riina had not been serious when she competed with him during the auction earlier.
Battera guessed that it had been groundwork to gain an advantage in this negotiation.
By participating in the bidding war, she had made sure Battera remembered her clearly.
And she had demonstrated that she would do anything to obtain Greed Island.
That had been her strategy.
"…Haha. Surely you jest. Someone of your stature must know I'm collecting Greed Island. Do you really think I'd hand one over just because you offered 100 billion? Besides, don't you think making such a proposal after the auction is a bit… inelegant?"
"Is that so? I thought this arrangement would benefit both of us. After all, I only want one copy of Greed Island. Surely you understand what that means."
Those words forced Battera to swallow bitter frustration.
Yes.
Refusing this deal would clearly lead to losses for both sides.
No—
In reality, Battera would be the one who suffered.
Even if this negotiation failed, Riina could simply win one of the remaining copies at the upcoming auctions.
To do that, she would likely use the 100 billion Jenny she had brought today without hesitation.
After all, it was money she had prepared to buy Greed Island from Battera anyway.
Why would she hesitate to spend it at the auction instead?
If she offered 100 billion every time, Battera would have to bid even higher to compete.
Even for someone as wealthy as Battera, spending over 100 billion on each of the remaining six copies would likely exhaust most of his fortune.
And there was no guarantee Riina's budget was only 100 billion.
If she had 200 billion, Battera would have no choice but to abandon the idea of buying up all the copies.
Furthermore, accepting the deal would protect Battera's reputation.
If he refused and continued bidding against Riina, he would inevitably lose at least one copy—and burn through enormous wealth in the process.
In the worst case, he might even fail to acquire the other copies as well.
And he would be ridiculed as yet another fool who ruined himself at an auction.
—You witch…
The word witch was the very nickname whispered about Riina behind the scenes of the economic world—the same word Battera had just cursed her with in his mind.
Even in her seventies, she possessed the beauty of a woman in her twenties.
She guided negotiations as if she could read the hearts of others, always steering matters to her advantage.
And she never showed anything but calm composure.
Calling her a "witch" was perhaps the most accurate description possible.
Well—her composure could completely collapse under certain conditions, but of course Battera had no way of knowing that.
At the exact moment Battera cursed her inwardly, Riina displayed a dazzling smile.
Given the timing, that smile looked to Battera exactly like the laughter of a witch.
As if waiting for the moment when fear had shrunk Battera's heart, Riina played her next move.
"As I mentioned earlier, I only desire one copy of Greed Island. If this transaction is concluded here, I can promise that from tomorrow onward I will not interfere in the Greed Island auctions at all."
Saying that, Riina opened one of the cases beside her and took out a single sheet of paper, handing it to Battera.
The document formally stated exactly what she had just said.
At the bottom was Riina's signature and seal—an official written pledge.
If she were to break that promise, Riina herself would suffer tremendous damage.
Seeing the document, which showed no suspicious details anywhere, and realizing how serious Riina truly was, Battera was left with no choice but to make the better decision.
"…Very well. I will transfer the Greed Island that I won at auction to you."
"Thank you very much. I would be delighted if this could become the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship between us."
"Hahaha… indeed."
Battera actually agreed with Riina's words.
Certainly, he had been forced to swallow a bitter pill—but the outcome was not entirely without benefits.
Forming a connection with Riina Rockbelt alone was a major advantage.
The power she possessed was tremendous.
Not only her personal ability, but the influence of her position far exceeded Battera's.
If he could receive even a fraction of that power's benefits, perhaps his ultimate goal might still be achieved—even if Greed Island itself were never cleared.
"Ah, though there is one small favor I would like to ask."
"And what might that be?"
Even though the deal had just been concluded, Riina found his request suspicious—but she showed none of it on her face, maintaining her elegant smile.
Battera dismissed all the guards except Tsezguerra from the room before making his request.
"I do not mind giving you Greed Island… however, if possible, I would like you to give me the reward for clearing the game."
"The reward after clearing it…?"
"Yes. This is an enormous game. I believe the reward for clearing it must be something equally grand. To be honest, that reward is the reason I have been collecting Greed Island in the first place."
This was almost entirely Battera's true intention.
More precisely, he had a particular purpose for wanting the reward, and he already had a rough idea of what that reward might be.
But Battera believed that if he mixed in clumsy lies, Riina would see through them instantly.
So he chose to reveal the truth and seek her cooperation.
"Of course, I have no intention of obtaining that reward for free. I will prepare compensation in return. Money would likely be meaningless to someone like you, Chairwoman Rockbelt… so I will provide whatever you desire—within the limits of what I can obtain. What do you think?"
"…Before that, there is one thing I would like to ask."
"You have a question?"
Although Battera replied as such, he already had a good idea what Riina wanted to ask.
"Could you tell me why you seek the reward for clearing Greed Island, Battera-san?"
The question was exactly what Battera expected.
He had spent trillions of Jenny buying copies of Greed Island, hired over a hundred Nen users, and promised them 50 billion Jenny if they succeeded in clearing it.
Naturally, Riina was curious about the reason behind such obsession.
She normally had no intention of prying deeply into other people's circumstances.
But Battera's request had rekindled her curiosity.
She was also curious about the reward itself.
Rumors circulated that it contained the location of hidden treasure—or even something that could grant any wish.
The first possibility was too weak a reason for a billionaire like Battera.
And the second was simply absurd—
something that could grant any wish would surpass even the laws of Nen, the supernatural power of the world.
Unable to resist her curiosity, Riina quietly waited for Battera's answer.
Battera let out a deep sigh and began to speak slowly.
Battera had a lover—someone with whom he had shared deep and genuine love.
A woman who was not interested in his wealth.
A woman with whom he had promised to discard all his assets and start a life together.
She was irreplaceable to him.
But that lover had fallen into a deep sleep due to an accident—a coma from which she might never awaken.
Of course Battera had done everything possible.
Yet every renowned doctor in every hospital had told him the same thing:
They could do nothing beyond maintaining her current condition.
Then, when Battera drifted at the edge of despair—
A glimmer of hope appeared.
That hope was Greed Island.
A spell capable of curing any illness or injury.
Medicine that could restore youth.
Items like those from fairy tales might exist as rewards for clearing the game.
Naturally, Battera clung to that hope like a drowning man grasping at straw.
Since then, he had continued gathering Greed Island copies in pursuit of the clear reward.
After finishing his story quietly, Battera looked straight into Riina's eyes and bowed his head deeply.
"Please…! If you clear the game, I beg you to give me the reward!"
Riina was convinced that Battera's words were completely sincere.
The emotions in his story were unmistakable.
His plea carried a desperate wish.
"…Please raise your head, Battera-san. I understand your circumstances. I promise that I will lend you my strength as much as I can."
"Then—!"
Battera raised his head quickly, joy appearing on his face.
"Yes. If I succeed in clearing the game, I promise that I will give you the reward."
"Oh! Thank you very much! When that time comes, I will prepare anything you wish—anything within my power!"
Having secured such an unexpected promise from Riina, Battera smiled broadly and bowed again.
"Well then, our business here is concluded. And it seems you are busy, Battera-san, so we will take our leave. Thank you sincerely for receiving us and hearing my sudden request today. Since the Greed Island copy has probably not yet arrived, I will come to collect it at a later date."
"Yes, it should arrive today. I will contact you as soon as it does."
"Thank you very much. Then please excuse us."
After exchanging contact information with Battera, Riina prepared to leave the room with the girl.
But just before reaching the door, she suddenly stopped.
Without turning around, she spoke.
"Ah, one piece of advice."
"? What is it?"
Battera wondered what she meant—but Riina was not speaking to him.
"If you intend to test someone, choose your target carefully. Half-hearted acts will only lead to your ruin, child."
With those words, Riina and the girl left the room without looking back.
Battera did not understand the meaning of those final words.
But he soon would.
"B–HAAAH…!"
"Tsezguerra!?"
Tsezguerra, who had been standing beside Battera and silently observing the negotiation, suddenly dropped to one knee and began gasping heavily.
His face was filled with panic, and sweat poured endlessly from his body.
Seeing this clearly abnormal behavior, Battera spoke in concern.
"What's wrong? What happened? Are you feeling ill?"
"…No, that's not it. I was simply… struck by killing intent."
Battera had no idea what that meant and demanded an explanation.
Tsezguerra did not particularly want to talk about it, but he could not disobey his employer.
Leaning his exhausted body against a chair, he reluctantly began explaining.
"When Rockbelt-dono was leaving… I tried to direct a moment of hostile intent toward her."
"What!? Why would you do something like that!?"
Battera exploded in anger.
After all, someone he wished not to antagonize had just been targeted by his own subordinate.
But then Battera remembered Tsezguerra's exact wording.
Something was strange.
"You tried to?"
Yes.
He had not said did—
he had said tried to.
Meaning he intended to do something to Riina but ultimately did nothing.
Seeing Battera's confusion, Tsezguerra continued.
"Yes. I tried. I wanted to test just how powerful Riina Rockbelt truly is."
It was the nature of a professional Hunter—
the instinct of a Nen user.
When facing someone powerful, they wanted to know how strong that person truly was.
And when that opponent stood at the very top of the world, that curiosity only grew stronger.
Riina's appearance as a beautiful, slender woman only intensified that curiosity.
How strong could such a delicate woman really be?
And then—
Tsezguerra glimpsed hell.
"I tried to direct hostile intent… but before I even released it—
the moment I focused my awareness to test her… an overwhelming killing intent assaulted my entire body."
"..."
Perhaps recalling the moment, Tsezguerra's face turned pale and sweat began pouring again.
Battera could only remain silent.
"It felt as if my heart were being crushed in someone's hand… I cannot imagine myself defeating her in battle. Someone like me was treated like a mere child… It makes perfect sense that she stands at the top of the Kazama-ryū."
His final words were no longer directed at Battera—they were almost a mutter to himself.
That was how deeply Tsezguerra feared Riina.
"…Then does that mean Chairwoman Rockbelt will clear the game as well?"
"No. Strength is certainly necessary to clear Greed Island, but strength alone cannot win the game. Understanding the system, the spell cards, the event flags, and how to use items effectively—those are what matter. I have already completed about eighty percent of the game. Even someone like Riina Rockbelt would find it nearly impossible to surpass me starting now."
Tsezguerra declared this confidently.
And it was not mere bravado.
He had played Greed Island many times and knew that strength alone could never clear it.
Battera felt somewhat reassured by that declaration.
Though Riina had promised to give him the reward, it was still only a verbal promise.
There was always the possibility she might break it if tempted.
It would be best if one of his own men cleared the game instead.
With that thought, Battera shifted his focus to the auction the next day.
He had lost one copy of Greed Island—
But he must secure the remaining six.
All for the sake of restoring the happy days he once shared with her.
◆
After finishing the transaction with Battera, Riina returned to the hotel where she was staying by taxi.
Sitting beside her was the girl who had accompanied her—Biscuit, better known as Biscuit Krueger. She let out a long sigh, wearing an exhausted expression.
"Sighing makes happiness run away, you know?"
"What are you talking about? Who do you think I'm sighing because of? The deal with Battera was fine, but making me work like some errand girl… I could lecture you about that for a full hour."
Biscuit grumbled angrily.
Her appearance was that of a delicate young girl dressed in gothic-lolita style clothing, but in reality she was a Nen user over fifty years old and a professional Hunter with the title of Double Hunter—a true expert among experts.
Very few people would dare to waste someone like that by using her as nothing more than a luggage carrier.
"Oh, but it worked out well, didn't it? The deal concluded successfully, and now you can play Greed Island too. You won't need to buy that 12-million-Jenny catalog, so it's actually a bargain."
"Well, that's true. But more importantly—was that really okay? Promising to give away the clear reward. I thought Greed Island was for Aisha's sake?"
Biscuit's question was reasonable.
Riina had tried to obtain Greed Island entirely for Aisha's sake. If Aisha's goal were the game's clear reward, then Riina's promise to Battera would have been a terrible decision.
"There's no problem. Sensei originally intended to participate in Battera-san's selection exam and play Greed Island that way. That means Sensei's goal isn't the clear reward itself. And if Sensei played under Battera-san, there would already be a contract stating that the clear reward belongs to him. Besides—if it's Sensei, I'm sure they would gladly give the reward to Battera-san anyway!"
Riina declared that confidently.
Not even for a moment did she imagine that Aisha might be searching for something like a gender-changing medicine.
"Well, maybe. Still—don't you think you went a bit too far with that guy earlier? Poor thing. He looked completely terrified."
Of course Biscuit was referring to how Riina responded when Tsezguerra tried to test her.
From Biscuit's perspective, Tsezguerra might be a capable Hunter, but as a Nen user he was only second-rate.
For someone like Riina—who could easily be called top-class—to respond like that felt unnecessarily harsh.
It would be like a Major League pitcher responding to a middle schooler's taunt by throwing a 160-km/h fastball that nearly hits them.
"I don't dislike people like him. But that situation required proper decorum. A mischievous child who ignores the atmosphere and pulls such tricks deserves a fitting punishment."
Riina replied calmly, as though she saw absolutely nothing wrong with her childish retaliation.
Hearing that, Biscuit sighed once again.
"More importantly, we got Greed Island! Now I can finally play Greed Island together with Sensei!"
Riina had already thrown the matter of the traumatized Tsezguerra far out of her mind.
Instead she basked in visions of a golden future.
There was none of the composed "witch of the financial world" in her expression now.
Instead—
"Ufufu… ufufufu…"
She laughed happily in a disturbingly delighted way, like something completely broken.
"If only she didn't have this side…"
Biscuit muttered, lamenting the bizarre behavior of her friend.
But truth be told, Biscuit herself wasn't much better.
She adored handsome men with muscular bodies, and she even enjoyed breaking apart friendships between boys.
In other words, she had her own eccentric tastes.
In the end, they were simply two peas in a pod.
"Hey, Riina."
"Ufufu… ufufu… Yes? What is it, Biscuit?"
"We got Greed Island, sure—but that game supports four players, right? If it's you, me, and Aisha, that's three people. What about the fourth?"
"Ah, yes… I considered inviting Shion, but she's currently managing the main dojo in my place. So I was thinking of bringing Castro-san instead—as part of his training."
"Oh? Sounds good. Then call him right away."
"Yes. I'll contact him once we arrive at the hotel."
Biscuit approved of bringing Castro.
After all, this "loli-grandma" still hadn't given up on the idea of seducing Castro.
Incidentally, she hadn't given up on Kurapika either and was patiently waiting for the right opportunity.
"Gufu… gufufu… No, two of you together won't do. I'm the only one allowed…"
Inside Biscuit's mind, both Castro and Kurapika were already hopelessly in love with her.
She was happily imagining a golden future of a reverse harem.
There was no trace of the cute girl's face anymore.
Instead—
"Gufufufu…"
Something broken laughed in a disturbingly delighted way.
"If only she didn't have this side…"
Riina muttered in exasperation while watching her best friend fall apart.
In the end, they really were alike.
"Biscuit. Biscuit. We've arrived at the hotel."
"Gufufu… hm? Oh, right—the hotel. I got carried away counting chickens before they hatch."
In Biscuit's imagination, she had been kidnapped by Castro and turned into a captive princess—only for Kurapika to arrive heroically to rescue her.
Her fantasy ended just before becoming a full three-part epic romance in her mind.
If Riina hadn't spoken up, the entire spectacular trilogy might have finished playing inside her head.
"So, what do we do now?" Biscuit asked.
"I'll contact Kastro-san, of course. But first, shall we have dinner? Do you have any requests?"
"Hmm… we had meat yesterday, so I want seafood!"
"In that case, let's go to the restaurant on the 32nd floor. I've heard the seafood there is very fresh and delicious. They also have an excellent selection of alcohol."
"That sounds great! Let's go already. Talking about food made me hungry."
"Yes, yes. Oh, and apparently this hotel has a famous spa. Shall we go after dinner?"
"Sure. Maybe we can wash each other's backs."
"That sounds nice."
Laughing together, the two walked into the hotel.
Their conversation—between a stunning beauty and an adorable girl—caused a nearby doorman to briefly imagine the scene they described in the spa and stare dreamily.
Unfortunately for him—
Both of them were actually grandmothers inside.
A spectacular scam, indeed.
Poor doorman.
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