Hunter × Hunter Chapter 69: Greed Island

Gon sits barefoot on the floor in front of a television displaying a bright explosion of static. He leans back with a wide, excited grin, one hand resting on the floor and the other holding a game controller connected to the Joystation console. Dozens of game cartridges and boxes are scattered all around him in messy piles. More stacks of games tower beside the TV. Gon appears completely absorbed in the moment, surrounded by the chaotic collection of video games.

Gon and Killua examine an old dual-cartridge JOYSTATION console. "HAVEN'T SEEN THIS IN A WHILE!" one exclaims while the other reacts with "WOW..." They insert a game cartridge with a sharp CLACK. Gon peers at the slot and says "OH!" while Killua notes "USUALLY, THE GAME GOES HERE, BUT..." They discuss the console's age and hidden content: "THEY SAY IT'S BECAUSE THERE'S TONS OF SECRET GAMES FOR IT" and "THIS IS A CONSOLE 3 GENERATIONS OLD, BUT IT'S GREAT TO SEE IT STILL ON SALE." Killua wonders "SECRET GAME?" and murmurs "HMMM." The boys check the ROM card on the TV screen, which displays "BIP" and the code "Q4U-Φ". Gon says "I SEE." Killua asks "WHAT'S IN THE ROM CARD." They decide "WE CAN CHECK..." and note "WITHOUT A GAME,..." "IF WE TURN IT ON..." A finger presses the power button, triggering "BIP" and "CLACK" sounds.

The television displays a memory card screen labeled "ΨΨ-Φ-1" with many empty blocks and the message "THERE'S ONLY ONE GAME IN HERE." Killua holds up the memory card and says "KAY." He adds "IT MIGHT BE UNNECESSARY, BUT I'LL MAKE A COPY OF IT." and notes "THAT'S A LOT OF MEMORY, IT'S USING UP ALL 30 BLOCKS FOR ONE FILE." Gon replies "NOPE." when asked if he has heard of the game. Killua reads the title "GREED ISLAND" from the screen. The system begins "COPYING GREED ISLAND" with a swirling question-mark icon while the boys watch the progress bar. A final "Bip" sounds as the copy operation runs.

A computer screen displays zero matches for the search term 'Toy Land.' The boys continue their investigation. A finger points at the monitor as the title 'Greed Island' appears on screen. 'So we can get it from 'Toy Land,'' one says. 'Now we know the title,' the other replies. Gon and Killua discuss the results at the desk. 'Because we asked for same-day delivery? I'll just display all stores that have it,' Gon suggests. 'That means there are no stores with our criteria. What the...' Killua reacts with surprise. A large panel shows the stylized title 'Greed Island.' Later, the boys stand before a store window. 'The game itself is not publicly sold,' one explains. 'No stores associated with 'Toy Land' have it in stock. It's either sold out, or...' They look concerned as 'What's wrong?' is asked.

The boys decide to keep searching. 'Game Almanac has records of all publicly sold games,' a voice notes. They type at another computer terminal. 'Let's try searching,' Killua suggests. Possible explanations appear: the game was privately made, forbidden, or not for the public. A data screen reveals 'GREED ISLAND. FOR HUNTERS ONLY HUNTING GAME PRODUCED BY MARILYN CORP. 1987.' Gon confirms 'It was a publicly sold product. There it is.' The price display shows 5.8 billion Jenny. Both boys react with shock, eyes wide and mouths open. 'For Hunters?' is questioned as the enormous price registers.

Gon sits at the computer and asks if any copies remain in stock at the company. Killua confirms the game is sold out and notes that only one hundred copies were ever made. Gon exclaims that one hundred is far too few while Killua calls the price insanely expensive. A hand points to a telephone as a voice suggests they call the company directly. The phone rings with a bip sound. When they reach the company, a representative explains that the development was handled by a small firm that no longer exists and that the company has no plans to reproduce the game. Gon stands with his hand to his chin and murmurs "HUM..." while Killua scratches the back of his head in frustration, still holding the phone.

Killua suggests posting a message on an internet auction site and waiting for replies. Gon wonders what they should do about money. The two realize they still need five billion more and only have eight hundred million between them. Killua notes that buying from a person is usually more expensive than the original price. Gon questions the claim while Killua insists it is not necessarily true. They decide to post anyway despite low expectations. Gon leans over the keyboard to type while Killua watches. In the final panel both boys shout "AAARGH!" in shock.

Gon and Killua stare in shock at a wanted poster for Greed Island software, price negotiable. The device in their hands beeps repeatedly as numbers flash on the screen: 0000196 then 000037. At the computer terminal Gon sits on the floor and says, "Plus, I don't even know what the real one's supposed to be." Killua replies, "I give up. We can't negotiate with these people." Gon continues, "I get it... They're all planning to sell us fake ones." Killua adds, "The price of it just attracts them..." as the screen shows over ten thousand postings. Gon exclaims, "What the...?"

Killua sits on the floor holding a phone and says he does not want to ask the man for help. Gon asks who he means. Killua decides he has to call anyway. On the line a large man identified as Buta-kun threatens, "Tell him that if he doesn't get on in 10 seconds, I'll smash all of his figurines!" The man continues, "Don't lie! There's no way he'd leave the house!" and "It's Killua. I need to talk to Buta-kun." The man then laughs into the receiver, "Just to let you know, if you lay a finger on my figurines, I'll kill you. I'm busy, damn it!" while Gon watches nearby.

A young woman with light hair speaks with surprise, saying she never expected to hear about such a rare game from the caller. In a small panel above, Killua holds a phone and declares what he needs, while Gon laughs and jokes about it being a prank, a thought bubble showing a woman with dark hair. The scene shifts to a cluttered collectibles shop filled with rows of figurines and merchandise. A woman in a short dress stands gesturing as she explains she was only five when the game was sold and had no money. Seated in a rolling chair, a heavyset man on the phone replies that he does not have it and wanted it badly. Close-up panels show the man continuing the conversation with crunching sounds as he eats, describing the game as legendary and noting he searched for it later but could never find an owner even with the steep 5.8 billion jeni cash-only condition. He adds that only one hundred copies were produced yet around twenty thousand orders came in.

Killua speaks on the phone with a confident grin, telling the other party they gave up and laughing as he notes even he cannot find Greed Island. A dramatic panel shows a dark mountain peak under a cloudy sky with impact lines. The person on the other end, a man with dark hair, replies that it was a long time ago but now he has some clues. Killua reacts with a quiet "Ah..." while holding the phone, then states that considering the work and money required it is not worth getting. In the next exchange Killua offers saved data of Greed Island in exchange for clues, but the other voice refuses to give them for free and asks if the caller can provide those clues instead. Killua appears surprised in a small panel at the bottom.

Killua leans in close, explaining the plan. "AND REPRODUCE THE GAME ITSELF." Gon sits on the floor with the computer, replying, "I GOT THE ROM CARD VIA SOME CONNECTIONS." Killua presses, "I BET YOU CAN PROBABLY EXAMINE THE DATA..." Gon looks puzzled and asks, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" Killua holds up his cell phone and states firmly, "I'M NOT THAT LOW, LYING AROUND IN EXCHANGES." The woman with the ponytail narrows her eyes and warns, "THAT STORY HAD BETTER BE TRUE." She continues with enthusiasm, "LOTS OF TREASURES ARE GOING AROUND THERE. THAT'S THE BEST PLACE TO GET INFO." She adds, "ONE IS THE WEBSITE FOR HUNTERS ONLY. IT HAS THE MOST UP TO DATE AND RELIABLE INFORMATION ON THE NET." The woman reassures, "DON'T WORRY, EVEN IF SOMEONE TAPS IN, HE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO A THING." She concludes, "OKAY, I HAVE TWO CLUES." Gon wonders aloud, "WAIT, WOULDN'T CELL PHONES BE BAD FOR THIS?"

The woman with the ponytail continues, "I'LL TELL YOU THE ADDRESS WHEN THE ROM CARD ARRIVES." She explains, "TO GET IN PROPERLY, YOU NEED THE URL AND A HUNTER LICENSE." Gon sits at the computer and says, "I DON'T CARE. WHAT'S THE OTHER?" Killua replies from the floor, "BUT DIDN'T IRUMI FORBID YOU TO TAKE THE HUNTER EXAM?" The woman adds, "BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE CHASED BY THE NEN POLICE OR HACKER HUNTERS." An image on screen shows a girl in a frilly outfit with the note "ED: WHO CAN FIND SAILOR MOON HEI, KURAMA, AND YUUSUKE?" Killua turns and answers, "YEAH." Later the woman speaks on the phone, "IT SEEMS ONE PERSON BOUGHT OUT A LOT OF THEM." She continues, "THERE'S A RUMOR THAT A COUPLE COPIES OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE AUCTIONED OFF."

Gon and Killua sit together reviewing information on a small handheld device. Gon tells Killua he does not mind trading the ROM card copy. Killua apologizes and confirms he will send the ROM in the usual manner, adding that the rumor could still be false. In return for the card, Killua obtained two pieces of information. Gon realizes they can use their Hunter licenses to access a restricted site. Killua explains there is a hunters-only website, but warns that using a home computer would reveal their address to anyone hunting for license holders. Gon reacts with alarm, shouting not to do it there. The boys conclude they must wait until they know the exact address and will need to use a public computer in a hotel or café instead.

Killua continues explaining that someone bought out copies of the game and is auctioning them off. He mentions his brother suggested it might be a false rumor. The second piece of information concerns an auction taking place in York Shin. The boys realize they will need a large amount of money. They consider that the rumor might actually be true and speculate it could involve Jin. A caption highlights the legendary 5.8 billion game. Gon holds up the handheld device, asking what kind of game it is, while Killua reacts with surprise.

Fingers strike keys in rapid succession, producing sharp TAC TAC TAC sounds as someone types intently at a terminal. A block of text recounts that Greed Island was sold in 1987 exclusively to hunters, with twenty thousand orders placed at a historic price of 5.8 billion jeni; after that single release the game vanished from the market and became legend. In 1988 Lord Batela offered seventeen billion for the game and fifty billion for the clear data, yet no buyer appeared. A dark panel displays the title GREED ISLAND beside strange icons and a small BIP sound effect. Below, a round-faced man with short black hair leans forward, eyes half-closed in a sly expression, and chuckles HE! HE! HE... while a caption states THIS OFFER IS STILL IN EFFECT.

From behind, a man sits before multiple glowing monitors in a dark room and remarks INTERESTING. The view widens to show the same round-faced man hunched over a chaotic array of keyboards and tangled cables in a cluttered control room. He declares I'LL END THE LEGEND while his hands fly across the keys, producing CLAC CLAC CLAC and TAK TAK sounds amid scattered papers, circuit boards, and a VUM vibration effect.