With the beast defeated and the coastal village freed from its oppressive shadow, the group gathered near the well to assess their next steps. The sun had nearly set, and the sea breeze was cooler now, carrying with it a sense of calm after the battle's intensity.
Gon wiped sweat from his brow and grinned at the others. "We did it! That was tough, but we pulled through."
Tanjiro nodded, sheathing his sword as he relaxed. "Thanks to everyone's efforts. That beast was powerful, but we worked together to stop it."
Nezuko stood quietly beside her brother, her glowing eyes dimmed after the battle. She seemed content, though always alert for the next danger, ready to protect her friends at a moment's notice.
Yūka, still pale from the strain of her hatsu, gave a small nod as she caught her breath. "That was… difficult, but I'm glad we stopped it before it could cause more harm."
Biscuit, ever the strategist, looked at the captured controller tied up near the well. "We need to interrogate this one. Whoever they're working for might have more plans on this island, and we don't want to be caught off guard."
Killua, always sharp and tactical, stepped forward, his gaze narrowing at the controller. "Let's make it quick. We've wasted enough time here."
Gon, who was still full of energy despite the battle, turned to Tanjiro and smiled. "What do you think, Tanjiro? Should we keep going? We still have more cards to collect."
Tanjiro glanced at the others, considering their condition. Yūka and Nezuko looked tired, but they were holding up well. And though he sensed no immediate threat, he knew that Greed Island was unpredictable. He nodded thoughtfully. "We should rest for a bit, then move on. There's no telling what challenges will come next."
Biscuit, as always, took charge. "Fine, but we can't stay long. The village seems safe for now, but we need to keep moving to collect the rest of the cards."
The Interrogation
As the group settled down to rest, Biscuit and Killua approached the captured controller, a player who had used their nen to manipulate the villagers and summon the nen-beast. The figure's hood had been pulled back, revealing a young man with dark eyes and a scowl etched across his face.
Biscuit's voice was calm but firm. "You're going to tell us who sent you and what you were trying to accomplish here."
The player sneered, his eyes filled with contempt. "You think you've won? This island is full of people stronger than you. You're nothing compared to them."
Killua's eyes narrowed dangerously, his nen crackling faintly around him. "We'll find out either way. So, why don't you make it easier on yourself?"
The player hesitated, clearly weighing his options. After a long pause, he sighed in defeat. "Fine. I was hired by one of the more powerful groups playing the game. They want control over the village because it's a key location for a rare card."
Gon, overhearing from nearby, perked up. "A rare card? What kind?"
The player's eyes flicked to Gon before returning to Biscuit. "The card is called Silent Ward. It creates a barrier that blocks all forms of sound, which can be useful in sneak attacks or to protect against nen users who rely on sound to fight."
Biscuit nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "A powerful card, but not worth enslaving an entire village. Whoever hired you must have bigger plans."
Tanjiro, now standing beside Biscuit, spoke up, his voice calm but resolute. "We'll find out who they are and stop them, just like we stopped you."
The player scoffed. "Good luck with that. You're dealing with people who've been on this island a lot longer than you have. They know the game inside and out."
Killua exchanged a glance with Biscuit, his expression unreadable. "We'll see."
With the information gathered, Biscuit ordered the player to be tied up and left for the villagers to deal with. Their focus now shifted to finding the Silent Ward card before any other players could get to it.
Moving On
The next morning, the group set out again, leaving the village behind as they traveled along the coastline. The peaceful ocean waves were a stark contrast to the tension of the day before, but no one let their guard down. They knew Greed Island was a dangerous place, and there would always be more challenges waiting for them.
As they walked, Gon turned to Tanjiro and the others, his usual enthusiasm shining through. "It's great having you guys with us. We've been through a lot, but I feel like we're getting stronger every day!"
Tanjiro smiled at Gon's optimism. "We're learning a lot from being here. The nen system is different from what we're used to, but I think we're adapting well."
Yūka, walking beside Tanjiro, nodded quietly. "It's difficult, but we're stronger together. I can feel it."
Nezuko hummed softly in agreement, her silent presence a constant source of strength for her brother.
Killua, who had been walking ahead with Biscuit, glanced back at the group, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "We're making progress, but there's still a long way to go. Don't get too comfortable."
Biscuit, always the voice of reason, nodded. "Killua's right. The further we go, the tougher the challenges will get. We're getting closer to the powerful players who've been in the game since the beginning."
The group continued along the path, their resolve strong as they focused on their goal. The Silent Ward card was just one of many they needed, but it was a reminder that other players were vying for the same prize—and some were willing to go to extreme lengths to win.
The Next Trial
Hours later, as they approached a dense forest near the coast, the air grew still. Tanjiro's heightened senses picked up on something unusual—an unfamiliar nen aura lurking in the trees.
He stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing. "There's someone nearby. I can feel their aura."
Biscuit and Killua both tensed, their own senses on high alert.
Gon grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Another player?"
Before anyone could answer, a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees. It was a tall man with wild hair and a menacing grin, his nen aura radiating power.
"Looks like I found you first," the man said, his voice low and dangerous. "You must be the ones who took out my associate in the village."
Killua's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
The man's grin widened. "Just someone who's been on this island a lot longer than you. But I'm impressed you made it this far. Let's see if you can handle me."
Without warning, the man's nen aura surged, and he charged toward the group, moving with blinding speed.
"Get ready!" Biscuit shouted, her voice sharp.
Tanjiro's hand flew to the hilt of his sword, his fiery nen aura flaring to life around him as he prepared to face the new threat.