As usual, Ging had no intention of attending the Zodiac Twelve's meeting three days later.
Today, he came to Swardani City to get an autograph from the author of 'Swamp Man'.
Of course, if he hadn't coincidentally learned about the signing event in Swardani City and if his previous location wasn't relatively close to Swardani City, he wouldn't have bothered to come specifically.
Since it was a spontaneous decision, he didn't know if he would make it in time.
Regardless, even if he couldn't make it, he wouldn't let himself come all this way for nothing. Before leaving Swardani City, he planned to enjoy some nostalgic local foods from the old town.
After leaving the airport, Ging went straight to the shopping mall building where the signing event was held.
Upon reaching his destination, he saw the staff dismantling the promotional board of 'Swamp Man' at the entrance of the shopping mall building.
Not far from the gate, there was a boy holding a book like him, standing there watching the staff remove the promotional boards.
Obviously, the signing event for 'Swamp Man" has ended, and the boy had probably missed it.
"It seems I'm too late."
Ging walked straight towards the staff who were removing the promotional boards.
"Excuse me…"
"The signing event is over, and the author, Davidson, has left."
The relatively young staff didn't even look at Ging, only waving his hand impatiently.
He has answered similar questions many times, so he is so annoyed.
"Alright."
Hearing that Davidson, the author of 'Swamp Man', had left, Ging looked at the pictures on the promotional board with some regret, then he turned around and left.
Since he missed the event, he decided to go and enjoy some unique local snacks that are only available in Swardani City.
'That way, the trip wouldn't be entirely in vain.'
As Ging thought about this, he cast a sidelong glance at the boy who was standing in front of the gate, similarly returning disappointed.
Ging suddenly stopped and raised his hand to say hello to the boy as if on a whim.
"Yo, young man."
"?"
Hearing Ging's greeting, Moses turned toward the sound and asked, puzzled: "Is there something wrong?"
"Are you a fan of Swamp Man too?"
Ging walked towards Moses and asked very familiarly.
Moses did not recognize Ging.
After all, the current Ging had neither the scruffy beard nor the worn hat with a missing corner.
If it were distinctive characters like Hisoka and Biscuit, or someone with high recognition like Chrollo, with his blue bead earring, Moses could rely on facial features and hairstyles to recognize them immediately.
But the current Ging, in Moses's eyes, was just a young man in his early twenties, and there was no trace of the 'wandering uncle' appearance from the original work.
"Yes."
Moses replied coldly, secretly maintaining his vigilance.
He didn't have paranoid delusions, but the man in front of him is also a Nen user, so it was better to be cautious.
Ging didn't mind Moses's coldness at all. With his keen observation ability, he could clearly feel Moses's vigilance. But he didn't care either. He smiled naturally and said:
"I am also a fan of Swamp Man. I came all the way here just to get a signed copy of the book, but looks like I arrived too late."
"…"
Moses remained silent and casually glanced at the book in Ging's hand.
Ging looked at Moses and asked curiously: "What about you? Did you get a signed copy?"
"No."
Moses shook his head. He, too, had come a step too late, and he had just asked the staff a similar question, receiving nearly identical answers as Ging's.
"That's a shame."
Ging sighed lightly, and then straightforwardly invited Moses: "I'm planning to grab something to eat. Interested in joining? As fans of Swamp Man, I think we should have plenty to talk about."
"Thank you, but I've already eaten."
How could Moses agree to the invitation? If it's not because the other party's attitude was genuinely friendly, he would have left long ago.
Seeing Moses declined the invitation, Ging showed a disappointed expression openly, but then his eyes suddenly lit up.
"No worries. I'm not really hungry either, so how about we just chat here?"
After saying that, he casually sat cross-legged on the ground, looking at Moses with eyes full of expectation.
The age difference seemed to vanish in Ging's eyes.
'What's up with this guy?'
Moses remained silent, and observed Ging, who had chosen to sit directly on the ground.
"Don't be polite, just take a seat."
Ging had an earnest look in his eyes and gestured with an inviting motion.
It's just that Moses didn't sit down directly.
The two just stared at each other from afar.
Moses could sense that the man in front of him was sincere.
'I really couldn't fathom what kind of thought process would lead someone to invite a stranger to sit on the ground and discuss a book.'
'This person is really strange, but...'
'Within that casual behavior, there was an extraordinary nonchalance, a lack of concern for others' opinions.'
Moses initially wanted to leave, but against his better judgment, he found himself sitting down.
Seeing Moses sit down too, Ging eagerly placed the brought book in front of him, and said with a smile: "Young man, I don't know your name yet."
"…"
Moses paused after hearing this, and instead of saying the classic reply of 'When asking for someone's name, you should introduce yourself first', he stated the name on his fake ID card: "Kester."
"Kester... means light, what a good name."
Ging calmly praised the fake name Moses provided.
The basis of his judgment is very simple. Before Moses answered, there was a moment called 'hesitation'.
If someone hesitated in a situation like this, there was a high probability that they were deciding whether to give their 'real' or 'fake' name.
Most people wouldn't hesitate before providing their real name.
Based on this brief observation, Ging didn't think there was anything wrong with Moses covering his identity.
Because he often did things like this, whether in real life or when messing with people's minds on online blogs.
"Nikol, nice to meet you."
While introducing himself, Ging extended his right hand to Moses.
Moses politely shook Ging's extended hand, and then quickly withdrew his hand.
"Kester, which chapter of Swamp Man is your favorite?"
"Well…"
Hearing this, Moses pondered for a moment, then replied:
"My favorite chapter is probably the 'Spread Chapter' before the final act. Davidson has perfectly portrayed a depressing storyline reminiscent of the end of the world in this chapter. The entire chapter is filled with a sense of despair, providing the reader with a realistic experience as if we're really in that situation."
"Yeah, yeah."
Ging nodded continuously, expressing his agreement.
Moses flipped through the book in his hand and said slowly:
"But the reason I like this chapter is not because of the overwhelming atmosphere of despair that Davidson masterfully presented in every word."
As he spoke, Moses lowered his head to look at the content on the page and continued:
"It's because, in the midst of the spreading Swamp Man, Davidson unexpectedly used 'human nature' as the key to open the last strand of hope. That greatly exceeded my expectations."
"I knew it…"
A gleam appeared in Ging's eyes, and he exclaimed: "Readers who truly love a book will always have common viewpoints and perspectives in the end. Kester, can I ask you another question?"
"Sure."
Moses looked at Ging.
Ging said seriously: "Since the 'Replacement Swamp Man' and the 'Replaced Human' share the same appearance, memories, and even thoughts, would there be any differences between the two? I'm curious about your opinion on this perspective, Kester."
"Plunder and being plundered."
Moses answered Ging's question without hesitation.
At the same time.
In a single apartment room somewhere in Swardani City.
Chrollo, the leader of Phantom Troupe, stood in front of a young corpse.
"If you want something, go and plunder it. That's what a 'thief' does."
He held a signed copy of Swamp Man in his hand.