"What do you want?" Tsezguerra asked, his voice sounding rough.

"First, I'd like to congratulate you." The guy named Genthru spoke through the binder.

"What do you mean?"

Genthru chuckled evilly. "Don't play dumb. Here's the deal. I promise to spare your lives. In return, hand over the Strip of Beach card."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Well, I'm somewhat interested to see if you can beat us. If you're willing to make a deal, come alone to Masadora's entrance in one hour. If you don't, we'll take the card by force. Oh, and you can't run or hide. My team has a lot of Accompanies."

How did he figure out we had Strip of Beach so soon? Now he was going to force us to hand over the card.

"Asta, Amana, Manheim, Nick Cue, Souheil, Kazsule. They were all members of your party of 15, right? If you'll just check your binder, you'll notice that they're no longer with us."

"What?!" Tsezguerra exclaimed.

"Book!" Gon summoned his binder and viewed the names Genthru mentioned. They weren't there anymore, which meant they were either dead or no longer in the game. I was very certain Genthru killed them all using his abilities.

"Genthru!" The dark-haired boy screamed in pure anger.

"Who the hell are you?" Genthru asked, sounding somewhat emotionless.

"I'm Gon Freecss, and I'm ready to take you on!" He lashed out at the Bomber, and the rest of us jumped, internally freaking out.

"Gon, huh? So you're one of those five brats. I see that you have Wild Luck Alexandrite. Once I'm done with Tsezguerra, I'll come find you, unless you want to give up the card now."

"You come over here right now! I'll fight you!" He demanded. "I also have—"

Bisky and I restrained the pissed-off male, keeping him from revealing anything else that we have.

"Can you talk somewhere else, Tsezguerra?" Killua asked.

It took us a while to calm Gon down after all that just happened. We knew that Genthru killed all of the members of our previous alliance, and that he would be going after us after dealing with Tsezguerra's team.

"Genthru doesn't know what you can do. He and his team believe that we have the original Strip of Beach card. They want the original card, they want 'our original'. We'll buy you as much time as possible. Use it to regain your strength. If you want to beat this game, you'll have no choice but to fight them. You are the only ones with a chance at beating them." Tsezguerra explained the plan.

"But Gon," He called on the said boy, and he tensed. "What you just did was selfish, and more than that, incredibly foolish. If they'd accepted your challenge and come, what would have happened to Killua, Lynn, and Lizzy given their injuries? By losing control of your emotions, you endangered not only yourself, but your friends, too."

The regretful male looked down in shame. "I'm very sorry."

"Very well. It will all come down to Accompany. If we steer clear of their pursuit, we should be able to buy plenty of time. But if too much time passes, then they may switch things and target you instead. We probably have only one week. Past that, you're on your own."

Only one week? That's not very long. Genthru and his team will just switch to us after two or three days. Maybe God knows how long Tsezguerra will have to stall Genthru in order for us to heal our injuries.

"I'll team up with Tsezguerra. What about you guys? If we're buying you time, that implies we have an alliance." Goreinu stated.

"Wait. There is very little benefit from an alliance with them, especially now that the enemy knows that the ten of us have teamed up. So we won't be able to act as decoys while you take out Genthru. That means we'll have to be careful with the two cards they're still missing, numbers 2 and 75. Leaving them with any one party would be dangerous, and we can't afford the risk. So, my offer to buy time isn't an alliance. What I'm offering is a trade."

"A trade?" Gon repeated.

"Three weeks. That's all the time we can buy. And if we succeed, you'll give us 75, Wild Luck Alexandrite." Tsezguerra proposed.

"I don't get it. You just said that we have one week." Killua stated.

"That's assuming we stay on the run for that long. If necessary, I may be able to force a stalemate of sorts."

"I see. But for number 75, we could just tell you how to get your hands on it."

"No, we already know how to obtain it. But some of us only have a few empty slots left, including Goreinu. We would be required to turn all our cards over to the villagers, but that's no longer reasonable." Tsezguerra explained.

"Three weeks. But that isn't enough time for everyone's injuries to heal. And it certainly isn't enough to close the gap between Genthru's abilities and ours."

"So, we should use the time to come up with a possible strategy." Killua suggested.

"Exactly. Devise a scenario in which you can defeat Genthru. Identify the circumstances, and then prepare to carry out that strategy."

We passed nods of approval to each other, completely agreeing with Tsezguerra's plan.

"We got it!" Gon understood.

"Good. We'll leave now to start delaying Genthru as much as we can. And don't forget, Gon." Tsezguerra turned to the dark-haired boy. "They've killed over fifty players in this game so far. If you really want to beat this game, you'll have to fight them."

Gon had eyes filled with burning determination to fight Genthru and defeat him. He nodded.

"Accompany on! Masadora!" Tsezguerra used an Accompany spell card, and a light took them away from here to Masadora.

"Only three weeks? That isn't much time. Killua and Lynn, you guys focus on healing. While you're doing that, think of a useful strategy that will help us defeat Genthru." Bisky told both of us.

"Right." We nodded in agreement, and the blonde turned to Gon.

"Gon, you'll train with me. The first necessity is that you can be able to avoid his Little Flower." She stated.

"Osu!" He also nodded, then she looked at Lizzy with concern.

"Lizzy, are you feeling okay now?" She asked her, and she nodded.

"Yep."

"Okay, then you'll also train with me. You'll be essential to helping Gon take out Genthru, thanks to your abilities. You can fight alongside him and figure out a way to manipulate him while avoiding his Little Flower." She explained.

"Osu! I understand."

I tried my best not to show my opposition to her plan. Lizzy was a Manipulator, so that meant she could force Genthru to give up with her second ability. But I was very worried that Genthru might kill her before she even got the chance.

I couldn't let that happen. Ever.

I sat on a rock with Killua as Bisky was giving Lizzy a lesson on how to avoid Little Flower in order to manipulate Genthru.

"Why are you upset? Was it something to do with Genthru?" Killua spoke up, and I sighed.

"I don't know what I can do to keep her safe from that bastard. He is very powerful, and he can easily finish her off using his abilities. We have three weeks to heal and train, and she might not stand a chance against him."

Killua turned to me with a grave look. "Lynn. I know you're trying to be overprotective, but you have to let her try to defeat Genthru. Bisky is doing all that she can to help her fight and counter his attacks."

I stared at my sister who was now training with Bisky, trying to react with Gyo as soon as she grabbed her arm.

"But will all of that training pay off? Still, that bastard will figure out her abilities and kill her. Thinking about it just makes me angry, losing her to the Bomber is just the same thing as losing my parents to the murderer. Both of them have killed lots of people, and I can't afford to lose the only sister I have. Even if she isn't the only one Genthru will be facing off against." I gritted my teeth, expressing my fierce vexation.

"I totally get it. But that doesn't mean you can stop her from doing whatever she can to help us beat Genthru and his team. You have to believe in her, and forget about the worst thing that will happen to her." Killua sounded candid explaining his reasoning.

I tried to reassure myself that Lizzy would be alright, and that Gon would be by her side trying his best to defend her as much as he could. He would be full of pride when it was time to face Genthru.

- A few days later -

My arms were healing perfectly fine, and my wound at my upper right arm had been completely healed, as well as all the cuts and gashes inflicted on me by Feitan.

Lizzy was currently taking a break from Bisky's training, as Bisky needed to train Gon as well. We watched him train with her in the same defense strategy, trying to react with Gyo as soon as Bisky grabbed his arm.

"Gyo!" Gon used said technique on his arm, and Bisky let go of him.

"Too slow! Don't stop to think after I grab your arm. React as soon as you feel my touch!" She advised, and they continued training.

"Too slow!" Bisky yelled as she let go of Gon's arm again.

"Osu!" He responded, and he tried again.

"You're still too slow!"

"Osu!"

"Alright, we'll take a ten-minute break before we start Emitter training." Bisky announced, and Gon sat down on the ground, breathing heavily.

"Do you think he can be much stronger after all this training?" Lizzy asked.

"It depends on what he's training in, and his way of thinking, too. If he fails to succeed, he can be stubborn to try again." I stated, knowing the boy and his traits.

After the break was over, Bisky got in a handstand stance, balancing herself with one hand.

"Emitter training, level two. Floating Hand. Hold this stance by releasing aura and stay perfectly still." She instructed, and then launched herself off the ground with her aura.

"Whoa!" Lizzy breathed in awe.

The blonde landed safely and turned to Gon. "You'll pass when you can launch yourself that high like I did."

"Okay!" He nodded and got into the same stance. He attempted to launch himself off the ground like Bisky did, only for him to barely get an inch off the ground. He continued to bounce off the ground with his aura, not making any significant progress.

"That looks way harder, considering it's just a level higher." Killua remarked.

"Of course it's hard. It's actually a level five exercise." Bisky stated, and Lizzy jumped.

"Five?!" She cried out.

"Are you sure it's okay to skip levels like that?" He questioned.

"Well, it's a gamble. If it doesn't work, the three weeks we were given will be a waste. If we followed the proper steps, he could have reached level three easily. But it wouldn't do him very good in actual combat. He needs an Emitter-type attack that can push an opponent back several meters with a direct hit. It must be strong enough for him to use as a weapon." Bisky explained.

"So that's level five, huh? But even if he clears the training, being able to send your enemies flying isn't lethal." Killua stated.

"That's exactly correct. It's only meant to give him more options to draw on." She turned her head back to us. "Have you guys come up with a strategy yet?"

"Yeah, but would you mind telling us about your ability? Knowing it will make it easier to plan it all out." He asked.

"Oh, yeah! We haven't seen your ability yet, so can you please show it to us?" Lizzy beamed.

"Of course!" Bisky raised a finger, and aura poured out of it, forming into a human silhouette. A pink-haired woman appeared, opening her beautiful teal eyes.

"Allow me to introduce my ability. Cookie, the Magical Masseuse. Her various massage techniques are caresses of pure magical bliss. They burn off excess fat, making you feel heavenly! Aura is transmuted into special lotion, smoothing and rejuvenating your skin! Her shiatsu massage makes you beautiful from the inside out, relieving constipation, stiff muscles, chills, and anything that ails you!"

Lizzy was beaming with wonder while Killua just sat there looking bewildered.

"That's it?" Killua questioned.

"Of course not! She can also do chiropractic massages, meditative massages, rolling massages, and much more!" The blonde gave us a radiant smile, and I was at a loss for words.

"Wow! That's awesome!" My sister exclaimed, her eyes shining like diamonds.

"I know, right? They feel luxurious, and I use my ability for my own benefit, as well as treat my students after intense training!" She clasped her hands together and smiled widely.

"What are you, an idiot?! That crap's totally worthless!" Killua lashed out at the blonde woman for her ability.

"You're crazy! It's the most useful power in the world, you know!" She countered.

"This is why you're such a stupid old hag!" He pointed a finger at her.

She stomped her foot on the ground and growled. "I dare you to say that again!"

"Oh my gosh." I sighed.

The four of us stared at Gon as he struggled and complained about how hard the exercise was.

"He hasn't made any progress for ten days. Maybe you should have let him start from level two." Killua stated.

"Yeah. He'll never complete the training." Lizzy replied.

"We still have ten more days." Bisky spoke up and turned around.

"Only if Team Tsezguerra can deliver." Killua added and followed her as well as Lizzy and I.

"Looking back on it now, it wasn't a very good deal. If we give them Wild Luck Alexandrite, they'll only be missing two cards." He explained.

"And we still need over thirty cards. There is no possible way for us to collect that many cards in ten days." I added.

"We'll just have to take them from Genthru by force. It's not a problem." Bisky suggested.

"Gon would never accept that. Besides, we still have to figure out a way to beat Genthru first." Killua stated.

"Yes, that's true."

We stopped at a huge boulder in front of us. I widened my eyes as I gazed at it.

"So, is this big enough?" The blonde asked.

"Umm, yeah."

We only had five more days left, and it didn't seem like Gon was getting anywhere in his training.

"Don't you have any advice that could help him break through?" Killua asked.

"The sensation of aura flowing through the body is similar but different for everyone. All I can do is give him advice from my own experience, but it could end up hurting him than helping." Bisky explained.

We turned to the spiky-haired male who was still trying to pass his Emitter training. I frowned at his hopeless attempts, thinking that he might not stand a chance against Genthru if he were to fight him right now.

"Damn it." He grumbled, continuously bouncing with his aura.

"You know, girls, your grandmother could go way higher than I did. She was a natural." The blonde turned her head to us.

"Really? Do you know what her type is?" Lizzy asked, getting eager to know.

"She's probably an Emitter. I heard little about her ability when we scouted around for some gems."

"What was it?"

"She told me that she could shoot out lasers made out of pure aura. That was all." Bisky turned back to Gon, hearing him groan in frustration.

"Lasers? Maybe they could cut through anything. I don't think I've witnessed her using her ability for anything." I looked down, wondering why she wouldn't explain everything abour her ability before.

"She rarely does. She was not a great fighter, but her spirit remained as hard as a high quality diamond."

Lizzy was lost in thought from hearing her brief description of Grandma Millie's Nen ability. I processed everything and made inferences on the uses she could find helpful.

Killua stood up and went to Gon along with the rest of us.

"Gon. Your time's up. Training over." He bluntly said, and the spiky-haired male got himself back to his feet again.

"But we still have five days left!" Gon protested, and Killua shook his head.

"Change in plans. We've formed a new strategy to defeat them."

"Yeah, but...hold on! You see, uh, I'm getting really close! Probably..." He tried to buy himself some more time, but we wouldn't let him.

"Not gonna happen. And I can't use an unreliable technique in my strategy. Just give up." The silver-haired male advised him to do so, and he whined.

"Okay, so the plan is..." He paused, letting Bisky finish.

"To use this." The blonde held up a card, and Gon gaped at it.

"You'll have to learn this the hard way. Practice until you get it perfect." Killua grinned.

"You'll never know when you're gonna get it. Focus on doing your best, and try like you mean it." I encouraged him, and Lizzy nodded in agreement.

Gon concentrated on his timing while we took a look at the binder to see that Tsezguerra's team hadn't returned yet.

"It's the tenth day." Killua pointed out.

"If they don't get back here soon, all of their data will be erased." Bisky stated.

"The only thing we can do is wait for Goreinu to contact us." I replied, crossing my arms.

"Yes, I got it!" Gon shouted, showing us the stopwatch. "Look, I've got this down!"

"Wow! Cool!" Lizzy gave him a thumbs-up, smiling radiantly.

"Can I start concentrating on Emitter training now?" He asked, his voice sounding enthusiastic.

"No!" Bisky scowled.

"Look. You might have it down, but you're still off by a tenth of a second." Killua stated.

"Your goal is to be within a hundredth of a second. Now, begin!" Bisky held up a finger, and Gon groaned in defeat.

The binder beeped, catching all of our attention.

"Attention. Another player has cast Contact on you."

We all tensed up, unsure if it was Goreinu or not. It better be him, or else we were screwed.

"It's Goreinu. Sorry for the wait." He spoke, and I internally sighed with relief.

"What's going on?" Killua asked.

"Tsezguerra's team left the game almost 240 hours ago, is that right?"

"Yeah."

"I can tell you now they won't be returning."

"What? Why not?"

"Team Genthru has started camping out at the starting area. We decided beforehand that they wouldn't return to the game until I sent him the all clear. It was a safety precaution." Goreinu explained.

"I see. But won't all of their card data disappear?" Bisky asked.

"Don't worry. I'm holding on to all the valuable cards."

"Doesn't that make it obvious that they have other allies? They'll notice that the four of them have nothing important!" Killua argued with him, and Goreinu revealed that Tsezguerra's team created fakes for themselves before leaving the game.

"Fakes?" He questioned.

"We switched about 30 of their cards with fakes. I'm the one holding all 96 specified slot cards. For such a cautious guy, this is the biggest gamble of Tsezguerra's life. So, I want to make sure it pays off. And I'm really sorry, but I won't be able to help you guys face Team Genthru."

"No problem. When do you want us to give you the card?" Killua asked.

"I'll wait until you've defeated Genthru. Good luck."

We exchanged looks of determination and nodded. With lots of time training and healing, we'd be ready to initiate the plan.

"They're on the move! Where are you guys right now?" Goreinu asked, sounding alarmed.

"Near Soufrabi." Killua replied.

"They're heading toward Masadora. As soon as they're prepared, I'm certain that they'll come for you. Are you ready?"

"Absolutely. You've been a big help."