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019 (Vol 2) HxH: Tombbound Power
🕑 Added 2025-01-30 06:03:01 +0000 UTCAfter pushing aside the thoughts in his mind.
Once the next phase of the game was set, Razor officially announced the start.
"First up is boxing. Who's stepping in from your side?"
With narrowed eyes and a relaxed smile, Razor looked at the group behind Tsezguerra.
"I'll go~"
A tall, muscular man from Tsezguerra's team stepped forward, but before he could move, a hand stopped him.
"Mr. Razor, may I call you that?"
Ronnel first gave a friendly smile to the confused team member before turning to Razor, speaking politely.
"No need to be so formal, just call me Razor."
Razor placed the ball he was holding on his waist, his smile warm and composed.
"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony. Razor, aside from the rules I already know, is there anything else I should be aware of in this fifteen-person challenge?"
"No, as those two kids said, you just need to win eight out of fifteen matches to claim victory. The events are up to us, and each participant can only compete once. Those are the only three rules."
"I see~" Ronnel said with a playful smirk.
"So, if I understand correctly, as long as we abide by the rule of winning eight out of fifteen matches, you can set any type of event, right?"
At this moment, Bisky, Killua, and senior Hunter Tsezguerra—who had been puzzled by Ronnel's questioning of rules they already knew—suddenly realized something. Their expressions became more serious as they started thinking deeply.
Alongside Gon and the others, Goreinu—the gorilla-like man in a black vest—and Tsezguerra's teammates also appeared thoughtful. Gon, however, still had a clueless expression, a small frown of confusion forming on his forehead.
"What do you mean?" Razor's smile deepened slightly as he listened to Ronnel's words.
"For example," Ronnel explained, "let's say our side has already won seven matches. Then you introduce an event like an eight-person volleyball or dodgeball match. The entire outcome is decided in a single round, and each participant counts as one match.
If all eight of our players get eliminated, it means we lose all eight matches at once.
That would mean, no matter how many victories we secured before, we'd still lose the entire challenge."
"After all, this still follows the rule of winning eight out of fifteen, and since you get to choose the events, such a situation could definitely happen~"
Hearing this, Tsezguerra's eyes widened in realization. Even Gon, after listening to Ronnel's explanation, finally understood.
"That's right! If we've already competed in seven matches and then you arrange an event like that, it would still be within the rules.
And given the way our team is set up, once our strongest players have already competed, the remaining members who were just filling in won't be able to do much at all!"
Killua's mind raced through the implications, and Tsezguerra quickly analyzed the situation as well.
"Fifteen matches, win eight, each person competes only once, and the events are determined by them. At first glance, it seems like a fair system, but if we follow Ronnel's logic—no, not 'if'—Razor and his team will definitely use this strategy!"
While the two of them were deep in thought, Ronnel continued speaking.
"After all, the condition to obtain the card "Plot of Beach" requires all fifteen players to participate.
The whole idea is to make the players collaborate and overcome challenges together.
So if there are only eight capable players aiming to clear this game while the other seven are just along for the ride, of course, you guys would have a countermeasure in place, right?"
"Ah~"
Razor, who had been silent, finally spoke. His smile carried a deeper meaning as he looked at Ronnel.
"You're absolutely right~"
With an easy nod, Razor openly acknowledged the truth of Ronnel's deduction.
"However, if those eight players are sharp enough to see through the hidden mechanics of the game, and if they're strong enough to take the card from me—then what's stopping me from just giving it to them?"
"Exactly~" Ronnel responded, his smirk unwavering.
Indeed, looking at it from another angle, these three conditions were a double-edged sword. If leveraged properly, they could turn the tide in their favor.
If only eight players needed to contribute, and they understood the hidden conditions, they could also manipulate the game to their advantage.
Just as Ronnel was doing now.
"In that case, we forfeit the first five matches!"
With a wave of his hand, Ronnel announced the decision, stunning both his teammates and Razor's crew.
Killua and Tsezguerra were momentarily startled before the realization dawned on them.
"I see! Since we only need to win eight matches, it doesn't matter whether we win them early or later."
"By conceding the rounds meant for the weaker players, we make sure that no matter what kind of challenges Razor throws at us, we'll have enough strong players left to handle them… As expected from Ronnel!"
Killua's eyes gleamed with admiration, and Tsezguerra looked at Ronnel in slight awe.
It was a simple trick, but coming up with it so quickly required impressive logical thinking and adaptability.
Bisky, meanwhile, folded her arms proudly.
Look at that! That's my apprentice, mine!
Even though she hadn't thought of it herself, her student had. That was more than enough to boost her pride!
"Oh? Is that so?"
Razor chuckled, his eyes narrowing slightly. It was hard to tell whether he was impressed, but the shift in atmosphere was palpable. A certain tension now hung in the air.
"This is indeed a loophole left open for teams like yours to exploit. Since you've figured it out, I won't bother with unnecessary tricks."
"If you're forfeiting the first five matches, then I'll step in personally for a real challenge. But before that, may I ask—"
Razor's eyes locked onto Ronnel.
"What's your name?"
