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Meteor City was a world of its own, separated into three distinct regions.
At the very center lay the residential zone, a dense maze of shacks and shelters where survival was the daily norm. Surrounding that was the dumping grounds, mountains of forgotten waste piled high under an eternal haze. And beyond that—the Great Desert, a barren wasteland stretching endlessly outward like a natural prison wall.
For those wanting to leave Meteor City, the desert was an unavoidable trial.
But Kai and his companions were not ordinary residents. Their journey had a purpose—and a mission. They wouldn't need to brave the harsh desert winds or risk their lives wandering the endless sands.
---
Inside a luxurious car, lined with velvet seats and humming softly along a private road—
"Kai, give me another one… no—ten servings of sour plum juice. With ice."
The only person who could make such a ridiculous request without hesitation was Uvogin.
Perhaps it was the thrill of leaving Meteor City for the first time, but Uvogin was practically vibrating with excitement.
As Nobunaga grumbled beside him, "He's like a mutt in heat."
With just a flicker of thought, fifty glasses of iced sour plum juice materialized on the table.
The more Kai used his Nen ability—Virtual Reality—the more precise and controlled it became. He could now dictate not only what appeared but where it would materialize.
"Where do we begin this time, Kai?" Machi asked.
Despite being the youngest in the group, Kai had earned his place. Through strength and strategy, he had proven himself as a leader. No one treated him like an eight-year-old anymore. And strangely enough, perhaps due to the effects of Gourmet Cells, Kai didn't seem to age—he even looked taller than Machi now.
Kai leaned back and addressed the team.
"We've got three primary goals on this mission:
First, combat experience. We need to clash with Nen users—test ourselves in real fights.
Second, eliminate the targets. Leave no loose ends.
Third, adapt to the outside world. This is more than a mission—it's training. We can't remain hidden in Meteor City forever."
Kai's ambition burned far beyond Meteor City's boundaries. His goals towered over the world's greatest institutions—the Hunter Association, the V5, the major empires. Rather than relying on those crumbling powers, he would create a force entirely loyal to him.
"Machi," he continued, "you'll handle intel. Even though the elders will provide us with some information, we need to verify everything ourselves."
Machi nodded silently. She understood—trusting others blindly could lead to fates worse than death.
"Nobunaga, you're on retreat duty. If things go sideways, you make sure we get out. If anyone blocks your path… handle it."
Nobunaga's hand drifted to his sword hilt. He nodded with a low grunt.
Kai casually picked up a pastry and took a slow bite. Machi and Nobunaga mirrored him, silently acknowledging the plan.
Then, a beat later—
"…What about me?" Uvogin broke the silence, eyes wide. "Kai, don't leave me out!"
His pouty outrage drew chuckles from the others. His massive frame, exaggerated expression, and absurd energy always brought comic relief.
"You follow me," Kai smirked. "Just focus on crushing everything in your way."
Uvogin grinned ear to ear, teeth glinting. "Now that I can do!"
---
Three days later, after transferring through several vehicles,
They arrived at the mission site.
"This card contains 500,000 Ring Nuns. Use it for your expenses," said the contact, handing over a black credit card. "When the mission is complete, return here. You'll be escorted back."
Without another word, the agent left.
"Let's go," Kai ordered, ignoring the hotel the handler had booked. He didn't trust external arrangements—especially not when Meteor Citey operatives were involved.
If the higher-ups decided to dispose of them after the mission… well, better to make one's own way back.
---
"Is this really what cities look like?" Nobunaga muttered.
The bright lights, the bustling streets, the sheer excess of it all—it was overwhelming. For those who had never left the slums of Meteor Street, it felt like another planet.
Dressed in strange clothes, with Uvogin towering like a bear among men, they stood out even in a world as chaotic as the one governed by Hunters.
Kai, however, remained composed. His past life memories made these surroundings familiar. His goal was clear: a pawn shop.
He had brought a few seemingly useless antiques salvaged from the garbage mountains back home.
With a little sweet-talking, he sold them for a fortune.
"A single sculpture… thirty million?" Nobunaga was in disbelief.
The tiny figurine had fetched a price three times higher than their mission's entire reward.
Uvogin folded his arms proudly. "Didn't I tell you I've got an eye for treasure?"
Kai split the earnings between them.
"Go buy whatever you want. Nobunaga—keep Uvogin from starting trouble. Use money first, fists second."
Nobunaga accepted the cash without question. He had his own goal—to find a skilled blacksmith and finally purchase a real sword.
As they left, Kai turned to Machi.
"Come with me. I want to take you somewhere nice."
His tone was… suspiciously cheerful.
---
Thirty minutes later—inside a boutique women's clothing store—
Kai observed Machi with great satisfaction.
"As I thought… you do look great in a tight skirt."
Machi, usually cold and aloof, now looked utterly lost. She shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the hem of her dress.
"C-Can I change…?"
From the moment Kai said he wanted to "buy something nice," Machi hadn't thought too much. But somehow, she ended up trying on more than a dozen outfits under his watchful gaze.
Kai raised a hand. "I'll take them all. Wrap them up."
Thanks to the elders' preparations, their identities were already registered—no problems using money or cards.
Machi's cheeks turned pink.
"…Kai."
She didn't know what to say.
Kai, noticing her embarrassment, didn't tease her further. They left the store and visited several jewelry shops, picking up a variety of hair bands.
Finally, they arrived at a grand hotel, and Kai reserved the presidential suite without hesitation.
Their journey into the outside world had only just begun.
But already, the pieces were moving—and Kai was playing a much deeper game.
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