Chapter 16: Advice × Obtaining a Hunter License (Not Really)

 

Back at the Hunter Association’s underground training facility.

Dia sat in a horse stance, eyes closed, quietly maintaining Zetsu. Under normal circumstances, he would be multitasking by practicing the Ripple as well, since he had discovered that the Ripple training significantly boosted the rate at which his Nen capacity grew.

However, he was currently plagued by a different headache: his savings were hitting rock bottom.

Indeed, his food, water, housing, and training at the Hunter Association were by no means free. Although Cheadle had offered to cover the costs for him, a mere drop in the bucket for her, he had declined. He felt he had already taken advantage of her enough. While he had promised to assist her with that mysterious commission, he hadn't contributed anything of value yet. Between mooching off her teachings, stealing her cakes, and now needing her to pay his rent, he might as well have been a kept man.

Cheadle had tried to persuade him to accept at the time, but for some reason, after Chairman Netero let out a strange chuckle, she stopped bringing it up. So, Dia had consulted Beans about prepaying three days' rent, only to find that...

‘Three days! Three days of rent took away more than half of my savings...’

‘The Hunter Association is a total racket. No wonder they say sixty of the world’s top one hundred richest people are members of the Association.’

Dia felt numb. But since he’d already put on the act of being independent, there was no turning back now, which forced him to consider a realistic problem: making money.

‘Damn it, maybe I should just use my invincible The World to rob the Chairman’s private vault. It’s not like that 116-year-old geezer will need it much longer anyway.’

While entertaining these dark thoughts, Dia almost felt tempted to turn his "magical hands" toward the lonely, elderly 116-year-old.

"Dia-san! Oh, thank goodness, you're here!"

A voice snapped Dia out of his Zetsu state. He opened his eyes to see Beans, sweating profusely. "The Chairman has invited you to lunch today. He wants to know if you’re free."

Dia found this strange. Chairman Netero had visited him frequently over the past few days, acting as if he had nothing better to do, but this was the first time he’d been invited to a meal. Was there a specific reason? Please don't tell me he's raising the rent...

Despite his reservations, Dia didn't refuse the invitation.

He followed Beans to the top floor, traversed a long corridor, and arrived at the guest room. The room wasn't large; it was covered in tatami mats, per Netero’s preference, with no wooden chairs in sight. Hanging on the wall was a scroll bearing the character "Heart" (心), symbolizing the Shingen-ryu school.

Dia saw the Chairman sitting cross-legged alone at a long table, which was laden with an array of diverse dishes. Seeing him enter, Netero offered a cheerful greeting:

"Yo, take a seat." He gestured toward the spot opposite him.

Dia sat down with some hesitation, only to see Netero stop looking at him and instead pick up his rice bowl, beginning to eat with absolute focus. Since Netero offered no explanation, Dia simply picked up his bowl and chopsticks and began to dig in without ceremony. The food on the table was consumed rapidly, the majority of it by Netero.

After the meal, Dia sat quietly, watching the Chairman.

Having been at the Association for a few days, this was the first time Dia had truly observed Netero closely. Just as he had sensed before, the aura on his body was as calm as a plant. Netero returned his gaze, his eyes steady. This peak warrior who had stood at the pinnacle of human martial arts for fifty years now looked exactly like an ordinary old man.

After a long silence, Netero spoke:

"I once went on a truly wonderful journey of training. During that time, I barely ever ate a proper meal. So, ever since I came down from the mountain, every meal for me has been a taste of heaven."

Dia vaguely guessed what Netero was implying, so he attempted a polite, sycophantic reply:

"The Chairman’s state of enlightenment is..."

"Don't give me that rehearsed drivel. I hate echoes." Netero interrupted him flatly. His eyelids half-drooped as he stared at Dia. "Cheadle-chan hasn't been by these past few days, has she?"

"Ah, correct. Cheadle-sensei has been quite busy..." Dia sensed something unusual in the air and answered cautiously.

Netero remained in that calm posture, but a micro-expression of amusement suddenly appeared in his eyes before quickly vanishing.

"She is busy with a certain matter. A matter you are also involved in."

Dia frowned, a realization dawning on him. "The Secret Tribunal? Wasn't that whole thing buried? What else could there be..." He suddenly froze. That's not right. Even if it were all buried, the Mimbo Republic shouldn't have just sat by without reacting.

"Realized it? You’re not entirely slow."

"She already handed in all the reports to the government departments for you. However, there are some things she left out, because she couldn't explain them."

Dia fell silent. His lack of knowledge regarding the Secret Tribunal, combined with his inexplicable trust in Cheadle, had caused him to overlook these critical details. Ever since Cheadle had agreed to be his Nen teacher, she had organized his affairs with such efficiency that he had begun to let his brain go idle, leaving everything to her.

"That incident... it had to be your ability, didn't it? Even though Cheadle-chan said with absolute certainty that it couldn't have been you."

Netero shifted into a more comfortable sitting position, speaking slowly and casually.

Dia tried to maintain his composure, flashing a silly grin and scratching the back of his head. "Ahahaha, Chairman, what are you talking about? Cheadle-sensei..."

"If you truly didn't want anyone to know, you should have…"

Netero’s body suddenly leaned forward. The look in his eyes shifted, and he interrupted Dia once more:

"…killed Cheadle."

Dia’s smile froze instantly. He stared fixedly at the Chairman. Seeing the expression in Dia’s eyes, Netero actually showed a hint of a smile.

"Just a joke. If you were truly capable of that, you wouldn't have used that ability in the first place."

"Dia, kid. I don't know how you managed it, but here is a piece of advice, or perhaps a warning."

"If you don't want others to know your secrets, do not reveal them lightly in front of people you do not trust."

"Oh, and another thing. If you really want to kill someone, the killing intent in your eyes should only be revealed after you have killed them."

It was rare for Netero to give such a long-winded lecture, let alone two pieces of advice. Dia remained in a long silence. Finally, he exhaled a long breath.

"I will, Chairman Netero. I will. Thank you for the advice."

Netero’s intuition had allowed him to bypass logical deduction and jump straight to the answer. Dia had to admit that the rhythm of the entire conversation had been firmly held in the palm of this old man’s hand.

A "Mission Accomplished" grin finally appeared on Netero’s face. He said in a playful tone:

"If you’re truly grateful, do me a favor. There is a commission I’ve already recommended you for."

Eh?

Dia felt completely stunned. What is this old man talking about? Taking an unexplained commission sounds like a death sentence. He hurriedly said:

"But Chairman, I’m not even a Hunter yet! How can I take a commission?"

"I’ll lend you my license. Don't worry, go ahead!"

Netero wore a mischievous smile. "The commission doesn't start for another month. Use the time before then to prepare properly. Ho ho ho..."

 

 

Chapter 17: Temporary Hunter × Cheadle’s Heavy Fists

 

Dia, of course, couldn't actually use Netero's license to claim a commission.

Although the Chairman had indeed tossed his license at him, that old man was either feigning ignorance or genuinely succumbing to senility. Hunter licenses have unique identification numbers, you know!

However, Dia ultimately decided to take the commission, not just for the payout, but because of what the Chairman had said before leaving:

"You won't find true strength in a training hall."

He was right. No matter how long one trained in a gym, frontal combat could never be replicated without the real-world experience of killers like Hisoka or Chrollo. Of course, in a certain sense, Netero himself had attained his invincible status by training in a "training hall" before coming down from the mountain...

Even with the existence of the invincible The World, battles between Nen users were never just about who possessed the most overwhelming ability. Besides, the time-stop had a one-minute cooldown.

Back in the training hall, Dia sat in a horse stance and began to ponder. Before returning, he had spoken with Mizaistom on the phone. Mizaistom held such immense trust in the Chairman’s personal recommendation that he hadn't even asked to assess Dia himself. Perhaps that was the measure of the prestige Netero held in the eyes of the Zodiacs.

Mizaistom had provided a brief description of the mission, though further details would remain locked until the contract was signed. One thing was certain: the start date was set for August 27th, 23 days away. Mizaistom had explicitly warned that the mission might involve attacks from Nen users.

If such an attack were to occur, the assailants would likely be experienced professionals who had fully mastered their abilities, a far cry from the amateur Dia had dispatched with his Ripple earlier. Thus, before the commission began, he needed to fully master Hatsu.

Hatsu was the first step in Nen ability development and the ultimate expression of the Four Major Principles. Once Dia decided to develop his abilities around the Ripple, he had been brainstorming how to maximize its versatility: the destructive Sunlight Yellow Overdrive; Metal Silver Overdrive for coating weapons; the high-heat Scarlet Overdrive; and the Turquoise Overdrive for conduction in water.

"Ripple Overdrive" was essentially the manifestation of Ripples in different colors, each suited to a different medium, with varying destructive power and properties. By infusing the Ripple, his Nen’s characteristics shifted accordingly. It was more like a "buffed-up" Ripple. That was the conclusion he and Cheadle had reached after nights of relentless experimentation.

Furthermore, the Ripple possessed "Repulsion" and "Attraction," properties Dia rarely utilized. In a sense, he could even cosplay as Hisoka’s Bungee Gum by using "Repulsion" to mimic elasticity and "Attraction" to mimic adhesiveness.

In reality, Dia’s biggest trump card was The World’s time stop. However, manipulating time-based Nen was a feat essentially reserved for true Specialists. For an Emitter like him, who was only "faking" being a Specialist through the Ripple, it was a nearly impossible task. Yet, being unable to develop a time-stop ability didn't mean he couldn't utilize the phenomenon. If he placed a "Limitation" on his ability that required time to be stopped to function, the resulting amplification of the Hatsu would be terrifying.

It’s too early to talk about "Vows and Limitations," Dia thought. Those are matters for after the ability is fully realized.

He had some preliminary concepts, but a complete development was still a long way off. Still, a month was enough to make some progress.

…

Hunter Association, Temporary Hunter Licensing Office.

A female clerk was checking her end-of-day reports.

"Excuse me, I’d like to register a temporary license for an amateur Hunter." A steady, masculine voice came from the window.

The clerk didn't look up, using her professional, sweet customer-service voice. "Please present the licenses of at least two Pro Hunters."

Amateur Hunters were entitled to accept missions, but it required a temporary license. These were not easy to obtain; they required at least two Pro Hunters to vouch for the applicant with their own licenses. It was one way for low-tier Pro Hunters to generate some side income.

Clack.

Something hard, like a card, was placed on the marble counter.

The clerk practiced her routine, reaching out for the license while continuing in her sugary tone. "One moment, please. I’ll run the check immediately…"

She suddenly froze. What stared back at her were two Triple-Star Hunter licenses, the kind she had only ever seen in training manuals.

Eh? Is this right?

The clerk hurriedly looked up at the window. Standing before her was a man with a thick beard, wearing a black-and-white cow-print outfit, a hat with cow horns, and black circles drawn around his eyes. She knew him, of course; he was the "Ox" of the Zodiacs, profiled on a dedicated page of the employee manual, Mizaistom Nana!

Behind Mizaistom, a taller, younger figure stood quietly, holding his identification, waiting for the process to be completed. It was Dia.

"Is something wrong?" Mizaistom prompted, noticing the clerk’s hesitation.

"Ah, no... nothing at all..." The clerk stuttered, her mind reeling.

Not daring to waste another second, she inserted the licenses into the card reader. Information refreshed on the screen: the first Triple-Star license belonged to the "Dog" of the Zodiacs, Cheadle Yorkshire.

The second, however, belonged to the current Chairman of the Hunter Association, Triple-Star Hunter, Isaac Netero.

Looking at the goofy, peace-sign-wielding avatar of Chairman Netero on the screen, the clerk felt cold sweat trickling down her neck. With the Zodiacs and the Chairman himself providing the guarantee, and a Zodiac handling the paperwork, what kind of amateur Hunter was getting this level of attention?

"Please present the amateur Hunter’s identification."

The clerk composed herself and returned to her professional state, though her every movement became significantly more cautious and respectful. Dia handed over his ID, well aware of the shift in the clerk’s demeanor.

The "prestige" of Chairman Netero and the Zodiacs is just too effective. Plus, Mizaistom showing up in person must have scared her out of her wits...

Dia exchanged a silent glance with Mizaistom, and both simultaneously looked away.

Cheadle probably wouldn't understand this, would she? This change in attitude...

Both men thought of a certain someone who wasn't currently present. It wasn't about "Dark Cheadle," but rather the impression left by her performance in the election arc of the manga and Ging’s evaluation of her. As a Triple-Star Hunter who achieved the rank at such a young age, while she possessed great skill and talent, she was, to some degree, a bit disconnected from the common folk.

Mizaistom had been a long-time colleague of Cheadle and understood her personality; he was surprised to see her suddenly take on a protégé.

He looks more socially adept than Cheadle... not a trace of timidity in his eyes... Mizaistom silently analyzed Dia’s personality profile. If all went well, this rookie would have his own official Hunter license by next year, and there might even be a chance for future collaboration. 

Half an hour later, Mizaistom and Dia walked out of the office.

"Very well. It’s set for August 27th at 9:00 AM. You and my team will head to the airport and board the airship together."

"I understand. I’ll return to my preparations now, Mizaistom-san."

The two parted ways. Dia returned to the lounge that had become his living quarters. Having obtained the temporary license, Chairman Netero had personally waived three months of his rent. He could now focus entirely on his training without other distractions.

He had agreed to this with the Chairman first before telling Cheadle. At first, Cheadle hadn't wanted him to take the commission. Dia suspected she didn't want him risking his life before the "mysterious commission" of hers began. But when he brought up Chairman Netero’s name, Cheadle had hesitated for a long while before sighing and relenting. She had even pulled out her own Hunter license to help him apply for the temporary credentials.

For some reason, however, Dia felt like the intensity of his training had increased significantly these past few days. And strangely, Cheadle’s fists seemed to get heavier and heavier during his impact-resistance drills...

 

 

Chapter 18: Departure × Specialization

 

Loy City Airport.

Drobada checked the time, preparing to organize his team once more.

"Apologies for keeping you waiting."

A voice, not particularly loud but remarkably clear, drifted into his ears. It startled him, and he looked up quickly. What met his eyes was a young man with a slight smile on his face. He stood around 195 centimeters tall, dressed in a high-end black suit, and moved with a silent, graceful step.

"You must be Dia. A hero emerges a youth, as they say; it’s a pleasure to meet you."

Drobada stepped forward to shake his hand, offering the customary pleasantries, though he felt a jolt of shock internally. ‘That’s an impressive Zetsu technique. He only released his presence once he was right in front of me. He’s likely demonstrating his strength to set the tone.’

Dia shook his hand warmly, replying, "Not at all. Mizaistom told me you’re the expert on this operation. I’ll be here to assist you in completing the mission from start to finish. I look forward to working together."

He, too, was quietly observing the man. Drobada stood around 185 centimeters tall, with a sturdy, muscular build and sharp, vigilant eyes. However, the messy, unrefined Ten on his body indicated his Nen proficiency was not particularly high.

Dia’s approach hadn't been an attempt to intimidate; he had used Zetsu specifically to test his training progress. Usually, there was no one to spar with, and against high-level Nen masters like Cheadle or Netero, his Zetsu was like a toddler’s hide-and-seek. The results of this test were quite satisfying; it was worth the vast effort he had poured into mastering Zetsu.

Drobada nodded, turned around, and sternly issued an order to the line of men in black suits behind him.

"Move out!"

It was 8:50 AM on August 24th. Dia and the team would be taking an airship to Flynn Airport in the Kakin Empire. Before departure, Mizaistom had provided all the mission details and even fulfilled Dia’s request for a large-caliber handgun. As the only Nen user besides the captain, Drobada, Dia would serve as the deputy captain.

The mission was clear: the Royal Guard would handle all close-protection duties (transportation, food testing, and the like) for the 12th Prince. Dia’s team was strictly responsible for peripheral security and guarding against external threats. There were also three private soldiers sent by the 4th Prince of Kakin, who were responsible for their own security.

Kakin Empire, Flynn Airport.

Evening was approaching. The orange-red sunset bathed the tarmac, casting long, distorted shadows of various airships. Flynn Airport was the second-largest in the Kakin Empire, usually bustling with immense foot traffic, but now, not a single passenger was to be seen.

The "culprits" responsible for grounding the entire airport stood in a row at the center of the tarmac, the Royal Guard and the 4th Prince's private soldiers.

Dia and his team’s airship descended slowly.

Whoosh.

As the airship door opened, Drobada and Dia stepped out, with the rest of the team following in silence. Drobada strode forward with purpose to shake hands with a lead officer, their conversation punctuated by occasional bouts of laughter.

Dia followed closely behind, silently scanning the environment. The airport had been completely cleared, and soldiers could be seen patrolling the perimeter. Every soldier before them held a heavy-caliber firearm, eyes sharp and disciplined; they were clearly an elite force. On the other side of the tarmac, separated by a clear, distinct line, stood another group of soldiers, noticeably fewer in number. These were clearly the private soldiers sent by the 4th Prince of Kakin, as mentioned in the briefing.

Nearby sat a luxuriously appointed medium-sized airship, the transportation for the upcoming mission. It was a tier faster than standard luxury airships, ensuring the Prince would reach Yorknew City on time.

‘Everyone’s aura is flowing naturally. Unless there are high-level Nen masters specializing in concealment, it’s safe to assume they’re all ordinary people.’ Dia thought. Elite as they were, they would likely be defenseless against a Nen user.

Just then, Drobada turned toward Dia.

"This is Dia Diego, an expert from the Hunter Association. He will serve as the second-in-command for security on this mission."

"Dia, this is Lieutenant Ralph, the chief planner for this trip. He will be overseeing and commanding the entire itinerary throughout Kakin."

Lieutenant Ralph was a burly, middle-aged soldier. He spoke with the rugged coarseness typical of a veteran of the field, his smile hearty and bold. Dia stepped up to shake his hand, feeling the thick calluses on his palms, clearly a man who had seen combat.

They had barely exchanged pleasantries when a soldier ran over, shouting:

"Report! The 12th Prince has arrived at the terminal!"

Ralph’s expression sharpened. He turned and shouted, "All units, fall in! Private Oga, Private Shah... you five, step forward!"

"For the upcoming mission, the five of you are responsible for the 12th Prince’s close-quarters security. Regardless of the cost, the 12th Prince must not suffer any harm!"

Five soldiers stepped out from the formation, lined up quickly, and replied in unison:

"Yes, sir!"

Zzzzzmm—

Dia looked toward the sound. A black, extended armored vehicle had emerged from the terminal directly facing the tarmac! With the driver’s expert handling, the car drove a short distance and came to a steady halt before them.

Guards immediately stepped forward to open the door. A fair-skinned foot in a dark heel stepped out. Then, a female guard stepped up and respectfully offered her hand.

The 12th Prince, Momoze, gently took the guard’s hand and stepped out of the car. She had thick, reddish-brown wavy hair and delicate, gentle features, with an air of tranquility and kindness in her eyes. She wore a long dress, and a luxurious gold necklace adorned her fair neck, highlighting her noble status.

The 12th Prince said nothing after getting out, merely letting herself be surrounded by guards as they walked toward the luxury airship.

Drobada stood expressionless, nodded to Lieutenant Ralph, and gestured for Dia to follow. Dia straightened his expression, signaled the seven remaining members of his security team to follow him, and headed toward the ship.

At that moment, Dia noticed three figures emerging from the 4th Prince’s private soldier squad, the team that had stood silent and separated from them the entire time.

The leader was a crew-cut male soldier with a fierce, silent gaze. Behind his left stood a young blond male soldier; though his expression was rigid, his eyes held a hint of playfulness. On his right, a young female soldier with slightly wavy hair caught Dia’s attention. Compared to the others, her gaze was far more determined, as if she were pursuing some distant, grand ambition.

Dia glanced at them only for a split second before averting his eyes and following Drobada. However, an image lingered in his mind. He had a vague impression of that girl. It wasn't until he stepped onto the airship that he finally remembered.

She was a character who only appeared in the later Succession War arc of the manga, a close friend of the 4th Prince, Tserriednich, and a talent certified by the "Dog" herself as having the potential to awaken Specialization,

Borksen.

 

 

Chapter 19: Playing Cards × My Name is Beliner

 

The interior of the Royal Airship was not particularly spacious, but it was divided with meticulous precision into various distinct zones.

The most specialized design was the multi-layered residential district. Located in the rear half of the airship, it was partitioned into four sections. Arranged from the innermost to the outermost, these were the Prince’s Quarters, the Royal Guard Quarters, the Security Detail Quarters, and the Private Soldier Quarters.

Beyond the Private Soldier Quarters lay the Entertainment Zone and a massive open-concept kitchen, collectively known as the External Area. This zone featured large airship hatches that provided direct access to the outside world. On the level below, one could find the training and reading areas, spaces intended to help the 12th Prince stave off the monotony of the voyage.

Each of the four residential sectors had only one exit. This meant that in the event of an enemy attack, an intruder would have to force their way through the three preceding sectors before reaching the Prince’s Quarters.

Curiously, the Private Soldier Quarters were intentionally placed on the outermost perimeter. Should an attack occur, they would be the first to face the enemy, a state of affairs that would persist until the vessel docked. This layout clearly reflected the Royal Guard’s attitude toward these private soldiers: they were nothing more than cannon fodder.

After entering the airship with the security detail, Dia conducted a routine inspection of every area beyond the security quarters. Once he had confirmed everything was in order, he consulted with Drobada regarding the personnel deployment.

In the end, Drobada and three other security guards were stationed within the Security Detail Quarters, while the remaining four were dispersed throughout the External Area.

Hmm? And where would Dia go?

At this very moment, inside the Private Soldier Quarters.

Under the glare of bright yellow lights, Corporal Gipa’s face turned a sallow, sickly shade. He suppressed his rising fury and demanded, "Hey, Security Guard, why are you lingering in our quarters?"

Dia didn't even glance at him. He slumped into a sofa, then turned to look at the vigilant Borksen with a warm, pleasant smile. "I have no obligation to tell you, and you have no right to refuse."

A vein throbbed on Gipa’s forehead; he was on the verge of exploding. Just as he reached his limit, Borksen spoke up. "We are the private soldiers of the Kakin Empire’s Fourth Prince. Sir, regardless of your motives, if you are simply here to provoke us, you had better consider whether you can withstand the Fourth Prince’s wrath."

Corporal Gipa’s anger was justified. Being shoved to the outermost perimeter was already a blatant, de facto way of using them as human shields. Now, having someone stationed directly inside their living quarters meant they could not hold any secret discussions. It was a clear sign that they were being treated with utter contempt.

Borksen assumed this tall man was merely trying to kick them while they were down, given their marginalization. That was why she immediately invoked the name of Tserriednich as a shield.

To everyone’s surprise, Dia remained unmoved. His smile didn't waver, and he began to speak of things that seemed entirely unrelated. "Our mission is to protect the 12th Prince."

He paused, then added, "Before the mission commenced, I specifically inquired about the protocol should a private soldier become uncontrollable and put the Prince in danger."

"The answer I received was..."

Dia stared at the two of them, his aura subtly leaking a faint, malicious edge of Nen as he stated calmly:

"Kill them on the spot."

Borksen felt as though she had been plunged into an ice cellar.

She felt as if she were being stared at by an indescribable monster. A surge of inexplicable terror rendered her completely incapable of mounting any resistance. The sensation that her head might be severed at any second made every passing second feel like a year.

'What... what is this...'

Borksen had never encountered such a feeling. It was as if she were facing a natural predator; she couldn't summon the slightest intention to fight back.

Private Third Class Oga, standing to the side, felt indignant. This guy thinks he can take on all three of us alone? Isn't that a bit too arrogant?

Just as he opened his mouth to retort, a hand stopped him. Looking over, he saw that both Borksen and Corporal Gipa were already drenched in cold sweat.

‘He isn’t bluffing. With that kind of pressure... if it actually came to a fight, we might not be able to beat him...’

‘What do we do? If he stays here, we can’t discuss the plan at all.’

Gipa gripped his weapon tightly, but recalling that feeling, like standing on the edge of an abyss, he didn't dare make a move. He could only glare at Dia.

‘Can’t open fire. He’s a security guard for the 12th Prince. Shooting him would be seen as treason and would damage the Fourth Prince’s reputation...’

‘Wait.’ Gipa suddenly realized that the man hadn't even looked at him once from the beginning; his eyes were locked firmly on Borksen. Why? Is he interested in her?

As a barrage of thoughts crossed his mind, a helpless Corporal Gipa shifted his gaze to Borksen, as if to say: ‘Private Borksen! That guy seems to be coming for you, do something!’

When Borksen saw the look in Gipa’s eyes, she broke into a cold sweat. She was just an ordinary soldier who dreamed of a peaceful life; what could she possibly do?

Left with no choice, since the man wouldn't stop staring at her, Borksen took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. ‘He didn't have this attitude from the start... It only changed after I threatened him with the Fourth Prince. So, he isn’t just trying to make things difficult for us, he just doesn't like being threatened?’

With that thought in mind, Borksen forced a smile and attempted a polite negotiation. "Sir, our words earlier were a bit inappropriate. Please don't take offense. As an apology, my colleague would like to invite you to the Entertainment Zone for a while, it’s his treat. How about that?"

Suddenly, Dia picked up a deck of cards from the table. As he began to unpack them, he replied offhandedly:

"No. My mission is to watch this area. Besides, I have no interest in slot machines. I only enjoy card games."

Borksen wasn't discouraged. On the contrary, she caught a hidden subtext in his words. She immediately perked up. "Oh! I like card games too. How about I play a round with you?"

She watched Dia nervously, waiting for his response.

Upon hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Dia’s face, and his tone became much more amiable. "Fine. Sit down."

Seeing the smile on his face, for some reason, Borksen suddenly felt as if she had been walked into a trap. ‘He couldn't have been planning this from the start, right? But why? Why would he want to play cards with me?’

It was too late to back out now; she could only pull up a sofa and sit opposite Dia. Realizing she might have fallen for a ruse and not wanting to be led by the nose, her brain raced at high speed. A way to regain the initiative popped into her mind.

"Sir, do you know how to play Switch?" she asked. "Why don't we play that?"

Dia scanned his memory, recalling the rules of the game. A look of genuine interest crossed his face. "Sure. Let’s play that."

The words had barely left his lips before Borksen added, as if it were a casual afterthought: "Though... playing for nothing is a bit boring. Why don't we add a wager?"

"Ah, speaking of which, I still don't know anything about you. How about this..."

"The loser has to answer one question from the winner. How does that sound?"

She watched Dia with a feigned nonchalance, as if the suggestion were completely off the cuff.

Corporal Gipa, who had been quietly observing from the side, suddenly spoke up: "How boring. Private Third Class Oga, let’s go outside and have a smoke."

Seeing that Dia showed no reaction, Gipa felt reassured and immediately pulled Oga out of the room.

Bang!

As the door clicked shut, the atmosphere in the room solidified.

Dia sat there without a word, staring at Borksen with a strange intensity until she began to feel unnerved. Only then did he speak:

"Fine. But one condition: if either side refuses to answer a question, they must transfer ten thousand Jenny to the other party."

Borksen felt a weight lift from her heart. This gave her an opportunity to extract intelligence from him. Since the Fourth Prince’s private soldiers were universally shunned on this airship, she had absolutely no information on the security details and guards for this voyage. This was a rare opportunity.

Besides, with Gipa and Oga having left with his tacit approval, the others would have a brief window to discuss their mission. As for the part about the transfer of funds, she didn't care; she assumed it was just talk.

‘Refuse to answer? Can't I just make something up?’

By now, Dia had unpacked the deck and extracted the Ace through 10 of all four suits, forty cards in total. He shuffled the deck with fluid ease, stacked it on the table, and looked Borksen straight in the eyes, his voice gentle:

"Since this is a game, there’s no need to be so stiff and call me 'Sir.' I’ll give you the first answer for free: My name is..."

"Beliner."

 

Chapter 20: A Sleepless Night × Precautions

 

Beliner? That was a strange name.

Borksen didn't sense anything amiss. In fact, upon hearing Dia’s response, she felt a modicum of relief. Since she had shifted her attitude, Dia had remained remarkably gentle, to the point where he seemed to comply with almost anything she suggested.

Perhaps this "Beliner" is a decent person, just someone who absolutely hates being threatened?

A glimmer of ambition ignited in Borksen’s heart. This Beliner fellow seemed easy to talk to, and given that aura of power she had sensed earlier, he was undoubtedly a formidable individual. If she could foster a good relationship with him, the likelihood of them being used as cannon fodder during the remainder of the voyage would drop significantly.

"Well then, shall we begin, Beliner-san?"

No, hold it together! Keep smiling!

Although Beliner was a name Dia had made up on the spot, he had to fight the urge to laugh the moment Borksen repeated it. Since the manga featured Morena using card games to recruit people, he could certainly use a card game to test Borksen.

The rules of "Switch" weren't overly complex, but in practice, the game relied on more than just luck.

By calculating the points of the hand and the deck through multiple rounds, I can achieve a near one-hundred percent win rate. I never once lost at Switch back at the military academy!

The only way to lose would be if someone were colluding with the opponent, standing behind me to peek at my hand, in which case my win rate would drop to near zero. But there isn't even a third person in this room.

Borksen cast a subtle glance around the room. Seeing that even the security cameras couldn't catch a glimpse of her cards, she felt a surge of confidence.

I’ll just maintain the game by alternating, winning one, losing one, then winning two and losing one. I’ll keep the victories random...

At that moment, from a perspective invisible to everyone else, a golden phantom slowly manifested behind Borksen. As everyone knows, The World can share its vision, after all, it has eyes, and it would be absurd for a Stand to possess eyes and see nothing at all.

Ten minutes later.

Borksen: ???

Dia looked "pleasantly surprised," his tone full of feigned astonishment: "Oh my, it seems I’ve won. In that case…"

He slowly shifted his gaze to Borksen’s face and said softly, "Soldier-san, would you mind telling me your name?"

"Borksen. My name is Borksen. Friends usually call me Bork or Bo-chan."

Borksen reluctantly revealed her name. So much for an auspicious start, she thought bitterly. I must have been out of practice and miscalculated. Again!

Another ten minutes passed.

Borksen’s expression looked like she had just swallowed a lemon. I miscalculated again!

Dia asked another trivial, meaningless question. After answering, Borksen said nothing, silently picking up the cards. Fearing that Dia might decide to stop playing, she dealt the cards with lightning speed.

Ten minutes later, again.

Borksen was starting to find this unbelievable. She looked up at Dia. The man was reading a book while playing cards, not even sparing her a glance. Yet, she still lost.

Dia didn't even look up as he casually asked, "What kind of person is the Fourth Prince?"

A bolt of lightning seemed to strike her brain. Did he ask that on purpose? What is his objective? Do I answer?

Borksen began to break into a cold sweat. She couldn't answer that question. It's over.

No matter how she answered, if it got out that she was gossiping about the Fourth Prince, her political career would be finished. And her dream, to become a minor official, perhaps a reserve school instructor in the military or a deputy mayor in the Ministry of National Defense, and live a peaceful life thereafter, would be shattered.

Silence. Only silence.

Dia looked up and asked, "What's wrong? Tired of playing? Then I'll call those two from outside back in..."

"Playing! We're playing, Beliner-san, ahahaha..."

Borksen hurriedly grinned like a fool to stop Dia, sweat pouring down her face. She was well and truly trapped.

"Then answer the question." Dia looked at her expectantly.

"Beliner-san, please, just give me your bank account number. I cannot answer that question..." Borksen realized with dismay that the very thing that saved her now was the offhand remark he had made earlier. She had thought him foolish for saying it, but it turned out he had been holding her firmly in the palm of his hand the entire time.

"Oh." Dia sounded slightly disappointed, then recited his account number.

For the rest of the time, Borksen and Dia played hand after hand... until dawn broke.

In the airship’s Entertainment Zone.

Private Third Class Oga and Corporal Gipa were resting with their heads on the counter. Suddenly, a premonition of disaster jolted them awake.

Greeting their eyes was Borksen, staring at them with hollow, lifeless eyes, surrounded by an invisible aura of resentment. She looked completely exhausted, her hair disheveled, her gaze dead, yet she was still staring daggers at them.

Her agony was understandable. She had played 232 rounds of Switch that night and hadn't won a single one.

That man had asked her over 200 devious, probing questions about the Fourth Prince, none of which she had dared to answer. Consequently, the majority of her savings, around 2 million Jenny, had all been transferred to that man.

At the same time, her life history, her ambitions, her family background, and even personal details like whether she had ever been in a relationship had all been wormed out of her. She had tried to lie, but the man seemed to possess some kind of lie-detection technique. When she mentioned her ambition was to join the Royal Army, he had flatly pointed out that she was lying. He then offered a friendly, "Next time you lie, be prepared for the consequences," which had terrified her into total honesty.

And yet, up to this point, all she knew about him was that his name was Beliner!

She was almost 100 percent certain he had cheated, but she couldn't figure out how! By the end, he wasn't even looking at the cards, he was focused entirely on his book, and would just call for her to stop and compare points, and he would still win! It nearly made her faint from pure frustration.

It wasn't until he said he needed to use the restroom that she finally found a chance to escape. Yet, the sight that greeted her was her teammates fast asleep!

Her heart died, buried right alongside that damnable card game.

Oga, completely oblivious to what had happened, had found a chance to slip away with Corporal Gipa to contact the Kakin side. Fearing they wouldn't be able to leave again if they went back in, they had spent the whole night nervously waiting for Borksen in the Entertainment Zone, only to fall asleep at some point.

Looking at Borksen, a flash of "genius" struck Oga. Wait! Disheveled hair, exhaustion, hollow eyes, as if she’d lost something important, and she’d been alone with a strange man all night!

The genius Oga understood, and he shrieked in horror: "You didn't spend the whole night with that Deputy Captain doing... you know..."

Bang!

Before the genius Oga could finish his sentence, he was down on the floor. Borksen clenched her fists, grinding her teeth.

Corporal Gipa looked at Oga on the floor with a face full of dark lines. This guy often blurted out ridiculous things, like telling female squad members, "Moly-chan, give me a kiss," and never learned his lesson despite being disciplined every single time.

Just then, Borksen noticed a few gazes, the security team members patrolling the Entertainment Zone had gathered together, whispering to one another while looking at them.

Borksen felt as if the sky were collapsing. My money, my information, my reputation... all gone!!!

Unaware of Borksen’s existential crisis, Dia was currently discussing the logistics for their landing the day after tomorrow with Drobada, while mentally reviewing the intelligence he had gathered overnight.

He wasn't a sadist; he hadn't been trying to torture "Bo-chan." His sole purpose in baiting her into that card game was to extract information. It was far more efficient than the methods used by someone like Morena in the manga, who traded kisses for freedom.

Originally, he had intended to suggest the information-exchange penalty slowly, but Borksen had proactively suggested it herself, and even seemed more eager than he was. He had simply gone with the flow.

The reason for gathering information on Borksen was simple: She was a private soldier for the Fourth Prince, and she was a Specialist! A rare talent, one in three thousand.

Judging by the Fourth Prince's behavior in the source material, Dia knew it was only a matter of time before he clashed with that pervert. Since he was already assigned to the night shift, he simply took the initiative to start collecting information that might prove useful in the future.

And, as a bonus, he’d made a little pocket money.