Terror Infinity Side B

Chapter 8, HxH Greed Island

G.I Player A: "Who... who could have done this?"

G.I Player B: "Don't be stupid! We all heard the ticking sound. It's obviously him."

The crowd around the dead body that did not fly away like in the original talked in angry, yet fearful voices. It was obvious that Bomber had been active for some time. The people were sacred of the mysterious, mass murdering Nen User who kills with bombs from a distance without once revealing who he really was. They were all scared of the name Bomber and his actions... yet some saw it as an opportunity. Some looked at the horrible scene with excitement and greed while others looked on in fear and disgust.

G.I Player A: "...Hey, did anything drop?"

G.I Player B: "Nope! Not one Card. Damn! Must have been a new player, or he handed over his cards to his clan. Fucking waste of a good death if I've seen any."

G.I Player C: "It wouldn't have mattered anyway. This was clearly murder and not an accident. The Cards wouldn't drop, but go directly to the Binder of Bomber."

G.I Player: A: "Fuck! I forgot about that! Damn, I need to sell off a decent Card if I want to afford my apartment in Aiai."

G.I Player B: "Forget about money! If he had dropped a rare Card I could have bought my way into one of the big clans as an inner member. The upper management of Moderate Clan don't even need to use force for women to spread their legs for them as they are swimming in Jenny Cards. In Savage Clan you can have the pick of your own slaves who will do anything that you say out of fear. This was my chance!"

G.I Player C: "Just give it up. If you want a rare Card or a woman so badly you might as well hang out outside the Spell Card Shop in Masadora like others do and steal from those who come out. There’s a lot of competition, but it isn't impossible gain a rare Spell Card from the stupid ones who don't move with their clans if you wait long enough."

G.I Player B: "Tch, I might have to. Let's go."

There were quite a few people like that in the crowd. As they all looked disappointed that nothing was dropped by the dead man and began to disperse. They ignored the tragedy of the murder itself and ranted about their own problems, missed opportunities, and cursed the victim for not leaving a single Card behind.

Shin: "..."

Nickes: "A shameful sight, huh? Bickering over a dead man's nonexistent Cards."

Shin: "...Who are you? Why are you bothering me?"

I recognized the man in front of me, but I pretended otherwise.

The man's name was Nickes and he was the founder of the Greed Island alliance of player. The members agreed to split Battera's reward and work together to clear the game. Things were going well for them towards the end with after five years of playing Greed Island they had gathered 90 or so of the 100 Designated Pocket Cards, but that is when Bomber interfered.

The Bomber hid amongst the alliance for a long time and set his Hatsu "Countdown" on each member. Bomber, using the threat of death by bomb, blackmailed the alliance into gaining all of their cards. The alliance had no choice, but to agree, but in the end Bomber still killed them with his Nen and that included Nickes.

I recalled the Nickes from the original plot was the kind of man who could only get things done with numbers and relying on comrades... never just himself, but the man in front of me was not like that. Nickes has an aura of strength and self-confidence about him that the original lacked.

Nickes: "Sorry to take up your time. I heard about you and your comrades from some of my men who were staking out at the Starting Point. My name is Nickes. I'm leader of the Moderate Clan. My men told me that without showing your Nen abilities your group took over ten Low-Level and one Mid-Level Nen Users with ease. Including even Savage Clan's Mid-Level Nen User Latarza. You've showed your worth. I've come to invite you and your group to my clan. We have a sure fire plan to clear the game. Those who join will be protected from other clans and if you’re as strong as others say you are, your status and reward from Battera when we clear the game will be much higher than others in the clan. What do you say?"

Hearing this abrupt proposal from Nickes I was taken back, yet not overly surprise. I was no longer under the impression that the main characters Gon, Killua, and probably not even Biscuit, were playing this version of Greed Island, but it looked like the other background character were still here.

The scenes involving those characters were for the most part still happening like encountering Latarza after leaving the Starting Point. Nickes saw the handiwork of the Bomber and came to recruit the main character, I mean me. Only this time I don't think Nickes would be okay with outright saying no. It was okay in the Manga, but he's a part of the revised “killing is okay” version of Greed Island and did not look to be a weak willed man.

Shin: "Is this your Moderate Clan's handiwork?"

How's that Nickes?

My question gave the impression that I disliked that sort of ruthless killing and may not want to join a clan. Also, Nickes might reveal crucial information about the Bomber, the key to avoiding Team Germany. Better yet, if the Bomber, Genthru was hiding in the Moderate Clan and introduce to him his name will be recorded on my Binder!

Once that happens and my group acquires the right Spell Cards we can take him out at our leisure. Then for the remainder of the mission we can just focus on finding a location to live to avoid Team Germany and maybe hunt for Cards in our spare time.

Nickes: "Don't worry. This wasn't the work of my clan or any other clan at that. A player hunter of the most violent type and rumored to work solo, nicknamed Bomber. That man there was killed by the Nen of a mass murder hiding out on Greed Island. All that we know is that Bomber is a Nen User of either Emission or Manipulation. That's all we know. That man is an aberration of the highest order. If his identity was known all of the clans, even Savage Clan, would work together to hunt him down. You have nothing to worry about by joining us."

Shin: "Nothing to worry about? Are you serious? You’re clan from what I already know is the largest and you don't know this mass murderer’s identity. What's not to say that someone in your clan is Bomber? If you don't know his identity then how can you be sure?"

Nickes: "..."

Shin: "From my point of view as a new player I can't even be sure that you’re not the Bomber. I have no plans to join a clan unless you can guarantee that the Bomber isn't among you."

Nickes: "..."

Now hammer this last part in. He may dislike that I'm refusing him, but with this he should let me go. Now, it's time to once more summon up my inner Wuxia spirit.

Shin: "Also, I mean you no disrespect, so let me just say this. I'm not here to play Greed Island like the rest of you here on the island. I'm on a mission."

Nickes: "Mission? You’re not working for the fifty billion Jenny prize or the game prize from Battera?"

Shin: "No I am not. I'll tell you since you are the famed leader of the Moderate Clan. My name is Shin and my group is here to hunt down the Bomber and anyone seen working him. One of his victims here on the island was the son of a prestigious business man worth almost as much as Battera. We know he is still on this island, so we came here to dispose of him."

Nickes: "I can believe that. Bomber has claimed more lives than we can count. Rich, poor, children, he makes no exception for his victims."

Shin: "Yes. Once were done with that my group plans to leave the island for good. Sorry Moderate Clan leader, but we are neither your ally, friend, nor enemy on this island. It's fine for you to ignore us even if other clans attack us. Sorry we can't meet your expectations... but if you would please hear me out I have something that I want to ask."

Nickes: "What is it? You've already refused my generous offer?"

Shin: "I know, but the thing is... I happen to know the name of Bomber."

Nickes: "You do!"

Shin: "Yes. The Bomber might be playing under an alias... but would you Moderate Clan leader happen to know a man by the name of Genthru? He's the Bomber, and is a thin, tall man who wears glasses and has a real pointy look to him."

- PENALTY 2, SPOILERS, DEDUCTED 20 POINTS!

Shin didn't hesitate to reveal the name of the Bomber Genthru. -10 points per spoiler sentence weren't worth crying about for a veteran like himself who makes on average between 5,000-10,000 points per mission. It was actually better to use spoilers to control the plot of a mission than to be afraid of them.

Shin: (Now having revealed the name of the Bomber either two things will happen. The first is that Nickes doesn't know him, but will believe that I'm hunting the troublesome Bomber and let me go. He might even agree at a later time to send reinforcements. The second possibility is that Nickes is actually working with the Bomber and is just playing dumb. That would be bad, but also an opportunity to figure it out right now.)

I watched Nickes' face for any clues as to his inner thoughts as he took a moment to process this sudden new information.

Nickes: "Genthru? I don't know anyone with that description. Let me check. BOOK!"

Nickes, without any hesitation summoned and opened his book without fear or worry. He opened the back end of the book to check the names of all the Greed Island players that he knew. I checked for signs of anxiety or hidden killing intent, yet I didn't feel such a thing from him. Then a minute of eager searching later Nickes sighed as he reported the bad news.

Nickes: "Sorry. I haven't met such a man before and I'm sure that I've met nearly everyone on the island. Still, we now have his name and a description, so we can now look for-"

Shin: "Please refrain from looking for the Bomber. Just leave that to my group. Also, don't tell anyone what you heard from me."

Nickes: "Why? Together we could-"

Shin: "Nickes, WE can't trust anyone else. The Bomber could be using an alias to hide in your large clan, or might have a spies in the all the big clans. He and his group have been here on Greed Island for five years, so they could even be hiding in your most senior staff. Let's not take any risk here."

Nickes: "I, I see. Then what should we do? The Bomber is a major threat to my clan – no all the clans and players on the island and his actions have been intensifying as out late."

Shin: "I know, but please endure for now. He might strike if any one clan has a monopoly of the cards, but till then he won't risk exposing himself till it's worth the risk to reveal himself. That's how those who like to stay hidden in the shadows work. My group will independently look for the Bomber. Just keep collecting the Cards for now Nickes. I'll contact you when we find him and together well defeat him!"

Nickes: "...Alright. We'll speak of the subject another time."

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After eating dinner and renting rooms for the eighteen members of Team Japan in Prize City Antokiba...

Shin: "And that's how I tricked the bastard into becoming my ally! Using words like WE or US on a guy who likes to team up with others will win them over no problem. He'll might even contact us if he finds a clue to Bomber. Also, as the leader of the Moderate Clan he must have a lot of Designated Pocket Cards. Before we parted I promised him Bomber's Cards if we defeat him, but if their two forces have enough cards... I suggest that we take out both sides and take their cards. If we can gain 90 or more of the cards for the game I'm willing to risk running into Team Germany before collecting all 100 Designated Pocket Cards."

Hikari: "Shin... You’re the-"

Jin: "Best! Hahaha! I couldn't have ever hoped to have done better. As expected of our leader and ace member of Team Japan!"

Hikari: "Jin! Shin was already bad enough and now look at him! You're too bad of an influence on this already broken otaku!"

Hikari kept telling (yelling at) Shin that it was reckless to mess around as he did with Nickes, but Aqua, having finished off on of her cigarettes and smiling, surprisingly came to his defense.

Aqua: "No, Shin did an amazing job today. Without having any of the responsibilities we have basically gained a high position in the largest group, Moderate Clan. Once we find means to gain money and more secure housing... Team Japan will have complete domination over Greed Island! Hahaha! If we also play our cards right we could trick the Nen Users to kill Team Germany for us!"

An army of Nen Users under their command. Thinking of such a possibility Shin believed that they had discovered the method of overcoming all obstacles of the mission.

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Authors Note:

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Proofread by Hoebagger