ABENGANE ②

The man with the cross continues explaining: "HE WAS WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT TO ATTACK. EVERYTHING HAPPENED AFTER EVERYONE CHECKED THE CARDS THEY HAD AFTER THE SORTING WAS DONE." He adds, "WHEN WE LET HIM EXIT THE GAME... RIGHT BEFORE THE ROLES OF EVERYONE WERE DECIDED, AND WE CHOSE WHO WOULD KEEP THE CARDS... IT'S HARD TO SAY THAT HE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE MOMENT OUR LOWERED OUR DEFENSES... WHAT HAPPENED TO US WAS SO UNEXPECTED THAT NO ONE WAS ABLE TO REACT." A large bubble details their plan: "OUR PLAN, IN KEEPING WITH THE CARDS, WAS THIS: 1) PARRY THE ATTACK SPELLS OF OUR ENEMIES, 2) STEAL THE FIXED SLOT CARDS FROM OUR OPPONENTS. THESE TWO POINTS ARE REALLY PRECISE, AND WE MADE THEM OUR RULE." He admits, "EVEN IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT SOME OTHER TIME, WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACT TO A SITUATION LIKE THAT. NO..." Gon crouches while listening. The man says, "I'M NOT PROUD TO SAY IT, BUT UNTIL THE TIME HE USED 'LEAP'... MAYBE BECAUSE OVER 70% OF US OWN THAT CARD... IN OTHER WORDS, YOU COULD SAY WE RENOUNCED FIGHTING... THE SECOND POINT COMPLETELY RELIED ON THE TACTIC OF KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT SPELL CARDS OUR OPPONENTS HAD, THANKS TO THE SPELL, 'STEAL.'" A hand is raised as the man recalls, "I LISTENED TO HIS EXPLANATION, AND I TRIED TO UNDERSTAND AS MUCH AS I COULD. I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE. I WAS COMPLETELY EMERGED IN THE ATMOSPHERE. ESPECIALLY AS WE DIDN'T PLAN ON ENCOUNTERING AN OPPONENT WHO COULD GET AWAY WITH THE SPELL, 'LEAP.'" A close-up of intense eyes finishes, "PSYCHO-LOGICALLY, I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE ANY INITIATIVE...! I WAS ABSORBED BY HIS SPEECH, AND IN AN UNEXPECTED SITUATION."

A man in a dark uniform with a cross emblem holds up a card marked with an eye symbol and declares he will use his remaining time to inform the others. He explains that if he had more time he would have explained the different spells in more detail. Among the people he has met on the island, the man states that the person he is speaking to now seems to be the only one he can count on. Someone who knows the pattern of behavior should be able to counter him, and the man asks the listener to inform all other players about the "Boomer" matter. A close-up reveals intense eyes as a voice pleads to avenge them and adds one last thing if there is still a chance. To prevent finishing the game or at least try, two figures stand in a ruined forest clearing. Gon and Biscuit look toward the trees as a large man bursts from a doorway, shouting "RETURN ON!! TO BUNZEN!!" with dramatic impact lines.

Genthru reflects that in the end the only players that permitted him to meet them were the ones with magnetic force. He mutters to himself while walking away from ancient ruins. A sign reading "Shou" stands near a kneeling figure in the background. Genthru decides he had better increase the chance of erasing the Nen even if only by 0.01 percent, noting that effort is never in vain. In close-up he checks a device on his wrist showing 2109 and states that if it is not a total defusing but a detonation he had better take precautions. All right, he concludes, Nikkes should be heading for the exchange place. In the final panel Genthru stands with his back to a burning pile of papers or cards marked with numbers, declaring "LET'S BEGIN ..." as flames rise.

A man in a dark uniform stands with eyes closed, gripping a wooden staff-like object as he chants an incantation. "FOREST SPIRIT, COME INTO ME AND RELIEVE ME OF THE DIRTY NEN THAT EXISTS WITHIN MY BODY," he intones. Another voice or continuation adds, "MIGAAMURA SAMINGAADURA INTERAMINGA ZENBERARIBURA." In rapid succession, a crude wooden doll adorned with leaves and flowers materializes and transforms, its form shifting with visible count markers of 450. The man reaches out, the doll now clutched in his hands. "DEMON OR SNAKE? SO..." he murmurs. The scene shifts to a forest clearing where the same man stands calmly, one hand on his chest, as a small flaming figure erupts violently before him amid scattered debris and rising smoke.

A massive explosion erupts with heavy black smoke, flying debris, and bold impact SFX filling the panel. Smaller follow-up panels show lingering smoke clouds, scattered fragments, and a tiny running silhouette. A voice calls out "shou ruru." In close-up, a wide-eyed character with a sweat drop stares in shock, exclaiming "IT'S HUGE...!!!" Narration emphasizes that "COUNTDOWN" WAS EXTREMELY POWERFUL NEN...!!!

A massive, multi-eyed reptilian Nen beast writhes in the air, its body twisting as it draws in swirling energy from the forest. Abengane kneels nearby, focused on the creature. Large explanatory text details the ability: ABENGANE'S FORCE!! IT CALLS THE SPIRITS OF THE FOREST, AND GATHERS THE ENERGY OF THE FOREST. IT USES ITS OWN MATERIALIZATION FORCE, AND SUCKS UP THE NEN ATTACHED TO OTHER PEOPLE!! Further narration explains THE BESTIAL MATERIALIZATION AND THE APPEARANCE OF THE NEN VARY ACCORDING TO THE OPPOSING NEN, AND ITS FORCE AND QUALITY ADAPTS TO IT!! THIS LIVING BEING, SWALLOWING THE MALICIOUS FORCE OF THE NEN, CAN KILL ITS USER. IT WON'T DISAPPEAR UNTIL THE REQUIRED CONDITION OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE MALICIOUS NEN IS UNFULFILLED! In a close-up panel the beast's gaping maw fills the frame as it declares AS STRONG AS THE NEN BEAST IS, IT CAN'T SWALLOW NEN APPLIED TO AN ALREADY DEAD USER!! Someone shouts HOW-EVER !!

Abengane stands as the Nen beast burps loudly with a BURP cloud. Nearby panels show the creature slurping with repeated SLURP SFX while Abengane watches with a neutral expression. A close-up of Abengane's face shows relief as he thinks THERE'S NO MORE RISK OF DYING FROM THE EXPLOSION. PHEW. In a wider scene Abengane runs across rocky ground with the beast following; he thinks WELL, I WAS THINKING ABOUT CHANGING MY APPEARANCE, BUT.... BUT NOW I HAVE A BULKY COMPANION. The final panel reveals a figure wrapped in striped cloth and a conical hat declaring AND LET HIM THINK HE SUCCEEDED! STOP MOVING. IF "BOOMER" HOPES TO ELIMINATE US ALL, I'LL PLAY HIS GAME...!!

In a forested clearing, Gon, Killua, and Biscuit stand together after a tense exchange. "WHAT DO WE DO NOW?" someone asks from off-panel. "ALL RIGHT," another voice replies. Gon turns to the group and states, "TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO BECOME STRONG, FIRST." Killua adds, "NOW, IF WE CAN'T HELP THEM, WE MUST ACCOMPLISH THEIR LAST WISHES..." Biscuit agrees, "WE CONTINUE THE WAY WE STARTED. IT DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING." Killua considers their options: "WE COULD GO TO MASEDORA... BUT THEIR TIME WOULD HAVE PASSED BEFORE WE REACH THE TOWN." Gon nods, "YOU'RE RIGHT... EVEN IF WE DECIDED TO ACT NOW, WITHOUT ANY SPELL CARDS, WE WOULDN'T EVEN GET TO THEIR LAIR." Biscuit then addresses Gon directly: "HEY, BISCUIT... MY SECRET TECHNIQUE... HOW LONG WILL I NEED TO FULLY MASTER IT?" Gon looks up at her. Biscuit replies, "I'D SAY..." as the panel shifts to close-ups. "REALLY?! HOW LONG," Gon exclaims. Biscuit explains, "TO REACH ITS FIXED AND DEFINITIVE FORM, IT SHOULD TAKE LESS TIME. BUT... THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR NEN IS STILL IN AN INTERMEDIATE PHASE. TO MASTER IT COMPLETELY IS A MATTER OF YEARS." Gon responds, "YEAH..." while Biscuit continues, "AND I DON'T KNOW WHICH FORCE AND SPEED YOU'LL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP TO THE MAXIMUM."

Killua stands with a neutral expression, sweat drops visible, as two large creature heads with whiskers and dark noses flank him closely, emitting sound effects. The scene shifts to the creatures in a wooden interior. One creature says, "BUT IT WILL TAKE FOUR DAYS BEFORE WE CAN DO THAT." Another replies, "THERE ISN'T ANY PROBLEM, WE'LL GUIDE YOU." Killua, seated on the floor, thinks, "BUT I TOOK A SHOWER..." while a creature notes, "HM... I RECOGNIZE GON'S SMELL." A creature with spiky hair suggests, "LET'S GO PASS THE EXAM QUICKLY, AND THEN LEAVE." Killua responds, "I'D LIKE TO GET BACK TO WHERE GON IS WAITING FOR ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE." A smaller creature adds, "I'D BE HAPPY TO SEE HIM AGAIN." The group discusses logistics: "WE'LL WORK THINGS OUT SO THAT YOU GET THERE THE DAY BEFORE THE FIRST DAY." Killua confirms, "I UNDERSTAND, BUT THE DAY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIALS IS SETTLED BY THE ORGANIZATION." In the final panel, a creature asks about Killua's arrival: "I'LL START WITH THE DAY HE CAME TO MY HOME." Another says, "OKAY." A third inquires, "ALL I KNOW IS THAT HE PASSED THE EXAM, BUT... UNTIL THEN, COULD YOU TELL US WHAT YOU AND GON HAVE BEEN UP TO?"

Gon grins widely and raises his thumb in approval. Killua, hand to his chin, states they can count on at least two weeks. He explains the exam starts on the 7th of January and lasts between a week and a month, varying yearly. By the day Killua returns they should be able to finalize it. Gon declares he will show what he is capable of, and Biscuit replies that she thinks it should be enough. In the forest clearing, two small figures stand near a large tree. Biscuit, facing Gon, exclaims that the transformation exercises are hard and they should finish those first because they seem more troublesome than the emission exercises. Gon holds up a card while looking at it.

Gon walks ahead through the forest while Biscuit follows at a distance. Biscuit suggests they go to the Bomber's lair. She notes that some of the group might have survived the explosion. Gon replies that he knows but even if they knew the cards they would not reach the lair. Biscuit adds that time has passed and they lack information on the target's location. Gon wonders if Bomber continues playing in Greed Island. Biscuit reasons that if Bomber can place bombs without knowing his target he would not make such a mistake. She concludes they may obtain precious clues by reaching the lair as soon as possible.

Gon and the ponytail girl stand together as she points ahead and declares they will exchange their monster cards for money and head to a spell card shop. Gon enthusiastically agrees with an 'OKAY!!' while she adds that it is time to start looking for spell cards. Inside the bustling card shop filled with shelves and displays, Biscuit in her mushroom hat waves cheerfully and explains they just acquired a large quantity of cards. A shop attendant notes they are lucky since the shop was out of stock but now has plenty. A cloaked figure with a star emblem watches from the side. In the lower panels, a skull-masked vendor warns that cards that won't fit in the binder will disappear once the buyer leaves, urging careful thought about quantities. Biscuit points upward, reminding them of the rule that spell cards must be opened outside the shop packets. Gon, facing away, declares he will take as many as possible while Killua stands nearby. The two then look toward the shop counter.

Gon sits cross-legged on the ground holding open his Greed Island binder, which displays a long list of spell cards including ROB, PENETRATE, BLACKOUT CURTAIN, TRACE, GUIDEPOST, ANALYSIS, LOTTERY, PRISON, RECYCLE, LIST, ACCOMPANY, CONTACT, STEAL, FLUROSCOPY, DEFENSIVE WALL, REFLECTION, MAGNETIC FORCE, RETURN, DEPARTURE, LEAP, SIGHTVISION, DRIFT, COLLISION, and CASTLE GATE with their quantities. He excitedly announces that the two of them managed to get 60 spell cards. Killua and Biscuit peer up from below the panel with wide eyes. In a close-up, a Prison card labeled 1035 S-10 is shown, depicting a figure inside a circular frame with the description that cards inserted in slots on the target page are permanently protected against stealing and destruction spells as long as they remain in their slot, and that the target page can only be from numbers 1-11 with free slots pages unable to be chosen.

Gon and Biscuit examine a rare spell card they just obtained. Gon exclaims, "I'VE NEVER PLAYED ANY VIDEO GAMES!!" Biscuit replies, "I DON'T KNOW EITHER!" She wonders aloud, "WE KEEP IT FOR LATER?! OR WE USE IT NOW? YOU'RE BETTER THAN I AM AT VIDEOGAMES, AREN'T YOU?!" They note the card's rarity: "S LEVEL, LIMITED TO TEN COPIES... MAYBE... YES... WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO WITH THIS CARD?! IT'S A RARE CARD, ISN'T IT?" Biscuit suggests, "LET'S START GETTING INFORMATION ON THE SPELL CARDS IN AN EXCHANGE STORE." Gon nervously sweats as SFX "コココ" and "amateur #2" appear, while Biscuit hisses, "YOU'RE TALKING TOO LOUDLY!! WE'LL BE SPOTTED!!" In close-up, Gon thinks, "IF ONLY KILLUA WAS HERE" and mutters "DAMN." The scene shifts to a bustling town street at night with cobblestone paths, arched buildings, and distant figures. A large pair of legs stands in the foreground near a directional arrow. The final panel shows a quiet nighttime landscape with a small building labeled "Kite's" under a full moon and scattered clouds.