Hunter × Hunter Chapter 129: Prize City Antokiba

Under a bright sky with drifting clouds, Gon and Killua stand on a grassy hill overlooking the landscape. Gon shades his eyes with one hand while holding a fishing rod, exclaiming 'AH'. Killua stands slightly behind him, looking forward. In a close-up, Gon excitedly points directly at the viewer with a wide grin and shouts 'AH!! THERE IT IS!!'. Killua appears beside him with a neutral expression. A large panel reveals a sprawling city below with many buildings and rooftops as Gon declares 'A CITY !'.

Gon stands at the edge of a sprawling town nestled among mountains, taking in the view of its towers and buildings. Killua turns to him and asks, "Killua, do you feel anything strange?" Gon replies that he feels nothing unusual in his body. They conclude it was probably an in-game ability or Nen rather than something from the real world. Killua wonders what kind of magic it was, recalling the man who mentioned a "trace on" effect when taking a card from his binder. Gon agrees that the good thing is they can now use the magic from the game themselves. The two boys then walk down a wide street lined with trees and buildings, entering the heart of the city.

Gon and Killua arrive before a large building covered in a massive banner reading "WELCOME TO PRIZE CITY ANTOKIBA". The street is busy with people walking past shops and stalls. They stop in front of a long wall covered in numerous wanted-style posters and prize listings. Gon exclaims "WOW" at the sight. Killua remarks that there are a whole lot of them. They observe that every single poster offers a prize that goes with it. The boys stand together studying the extensive collection of bounty and reward notices posted across the boards.

Gon stares in surprise and exclaims 'AH' as Killua questions how anyone can tell if an item is any good. Nearby, a missing dog poster offers the 'STATUE OF CURSED GODDESS OF FORTUNE' as reward for returning the dog named 'JIMON'. The scene shifts to the grand Volt Kazzel building displaying a large schedule board listing September events from the 1st to the 11th, with people gathered outside. Gon suddenly points ahead and shouts 'KILLUA! OVER THERE!'. In the foreground, two elderly men discuss the date with Gon and Killua. One asks 'EXCUSE ME, WHAT IS TODAY'S DATE?' while another states 'THE 11TH OF SEPTEMBER.' Killua confirms 'THE SEPTEMBER EVENT IS A JANKEN TOURNAMENT.' Gon replies 'I SEE.' A caption notes 'SCHEDULE TABLE OF THE MONTHLY ANTOKIBA TOURNAMENT.' and adds 'BUT IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE SEPTEMBER IN THE GAME.'

Killua wonders if the item is important while Gon bets it is. A voice explains the tournament is held the 15th of every month with the 'SWORD OF TRUTH' as prize. Killua confirms the date matches. The group observes a crowd of people gathered around. Gon and Killua look concerned as someone notes the competition will be tough. Killua suggests they also gather information. Gon proposes trying to win other prizes in the meantime. Killua points out everyone has a shot at winning. Gon asks if they should take part since it is in four days. The boys discuss tackling all three prizes at once while standing in front of the 'AQUA-VAGU SHIN-TOU' establishment.

The chef grins widely at Gon and Killua, urging them to stop talking and eat quickly. "HAHAHA, INSTEAD OF WASTING TIME TALKING, YOU'D BETTER HURRY UP AND EAT," he says. He asks if they know how many people participate in the monthly tournament. Gon and Killua sit before enormous star-shaped meals on the counter. The chef promises that finishing in thirty minutes grants the meal free plus a "GARUGAIDA" boost. He notes that normally fewer than ten people participate, but this month feels special. A wide view shows a ruined, rubble-filled area as someone remarks that a hundred times the usual number may join because September's competition offers everyone a chance to win. Gon asks who the most knowledgeable person in town is. Killua wonders how many times they will need to ask until they find someone who knows about magic. The chef, looking surprised, replies "KNOWLEDGEABLE" while Gon and Killua exchange puzzled glances.

The chef claps his hands and announces he will bring the prize while two waiters stand in the background. Gon and Killua stare at the empty plates in astonishment. "WHOA, YOU GUYS GOT ME!" someone exclaims. They realize the man is a game character who does not understand their language. Killua's close-up shows him thinking that the character's responses are limited to a few predetermined questions. He concludes that most RPGs function this way. The chef returns smiling and hands over two "GARUGAIDA" cards, apologizing for the wait. Gon and Killua look down at the cards with surprised expressions while discussing how tiring games can be.

A detailed card labeled GARUGAIDA F-185 appears at the top, describing one of the three famed delicacies of the island with its repulsive outer aspect and delicate taste. Below, Gon and Killua examine the card system. A hand gesture panel explains that there are 10 difficulty levels with F being the third least difficult to acquire. The number on the left of a card is the card number of the item, while the letter on the right indicates the acquisition difficulty level. Gon notes that the number next to the card is the quantity of cards of that item. Killua comments that this is the first time they've seen a card. The scene shifts to a restaurant where a cat-like chef in a tall hat serves them, listing the order: three sodas that weren't ordered, three glasses, and a large pasta dish that was free, totaling 1,020 Jenis. The chef thanks them for the meal. Gon reacts with surprise, asking 'WHAT'S THAT?' while holding up a 10,000 Jenis bill. The chef looks annoyed.

The cat-like chef holds up a small device and declares that money on this island is just useless paper. He displays a large glowing card labeled 607 '10,000 J' with the description that it is the highest valued currency bill in Greed Island, functioning like a normal bill when not in card form but worthless on the mainland. Gon and Killua stare in shock. The chef then calls the police station, saying 'HELLO, POLICE STATION PLEASE.' Gon and Killua turn and flee in panic with motion lines. The chef, now wearing a crown-like hat, angrily demands the 1,020 Jenis in card form. The final panel shows a massive explosion destroying the restaurant with debris, smoke, and scattered utensils flying everywhere.

Gon and Killua sit at a table covered with plates and empty glasses. Gon imagines aloud, "Imagine we had paid with a 10,000 Jenis card." Killua replies, "Eh? But how do they give change back?" They calculate the change: one 1,000 Jenis card, a 2,000 one, a 5,000 one, four 100's, one 50, three tens. Killua notes the change would be 8,980 Jenis. Gon agrees with a thoughtful "Hmm, yeah." They continue planning: they would receive a minimum of 12 cards as change. They realize they must insert the binder into the machine within a minute or it reverts and cannot be converted again. Outside a building marked with a "Hey! Work harder!" sign, Gon asks why monsters have money. Killua answers that they earn it by killing monsters or something similar. They note they will also receive other useful items besides money, but wonder how players usually obtain money in the game.

Gon refuses to work for only 510 Jenis an hour after already being at Yorkshin. Killua suggests they could have earned extra cash by working longer at the shop. They stand outside at night near a building with a balcony. Suddenly a loud commotion erupts with multiple impact SFX and motion lines. A crowd of men gathers, looking concerned. Someone in the crowd says, "Something must have happened." Gon and Killua turn with surprised expressions, sweat drops visible, and run toward the source of the disturbance down a narrow street.

A muscular man's body suddenly erupts in a violent explosion, his mouth wide open in agony as debris and blood spray outward, his arms flung wide. Gon and Killua stand below, staring up at the horrific sight. Gon says, "HE WAS IN PERFECT HEALTH JUST MOMENTS AGO." Killua replies, "HE ENTERED THE GAME WITH US." A bald man nearby exclaims, "HIS BODY SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THERE WAS A 'BANG' FROM INSIDE HIS BODY." He asks, "HEY, WHAT HAPPENED ?" Small panels show the victim's silhouette with repeated "ZOWA ZOWA" sound effects and the note "IT'S A FOREIGNER." Gon states, "ALREADY ONE VICTIM." Killua adds, "THE GAME BEGAN ONLY A FEW HOURS AGO." A close-up reveals the victim's mangled corpse with a massive hole in the chest. Gon concludes, "A GAME THAT COMES WITH REAL LIFE-THREATENING DANGERS." Killua finishes, "WHAT A TERRIBLY REALISTIC BODY... DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A GAME AT ALL."

A large crowd of onlookers stands in the background as Gon and Killua face forward, surrounded by swirling smoke and large sound effects. Killua calls out, "HEY, KILLUA." A close-up shows Killua's face with sweat drops and an ellipsis. Gon declares, "HE RETURNED TO THE REAL WORLD." Killua shouts, "GAME OVER." Gon adds, "GONE!" Killua responds, "HELL IF I KNOW..." Gon says, "DAMN, THAT SPELL HE CAST ON YOU BEFORE..." A blond man in a jacket appears in a dramatic close-up, stating, "IN THIS GAME THERE IS NO SUCH SPELL." The boys react with surprise as the man says, "DON'T WORRY."

In a crowded area, Gon and Killua stand among a group of players. A bearded man with a scar addresses them, explaining the card number limit system. "You must have heard of the card number limit system in this game?" he asks. Close-ups show his serious face as he continues, "This man was killed by Nen. The Nen of another player." Killua looks up and questions, "Why? Do players kill each other?" The bearded man elaborates with gestures, "And the more valuable the card, the smaller the number. There's a limit on how many copies of a card can exist at the same time. So that explains why there are violent guys who act like that. On the other hand, if there are less players, the individual share of cards gets bigger. The lower the probability for each to find cards. In short, the more players there are." He then offers, "We know a sure way to clear the game. Won't you guys join us?" Gon and Killua react with surprise as another voice adds, "On the other hand, in our group, our strength lies in numbers. We don't spill other players' blood."