Hunter x Hunter: Card Master, the Strongest in the World.

bedroom.

Lynn slowly opened his eyes, took off his gaming helmet, stretched, and subconsciously stretched out his hands, releasing his Nen energy.

That was a really satisfying battle.

Not only did it give Kuroro a sparring partner and valuable combat experience, it also allowed him to experience what it's like to be an A-rank fighter.

Of course, even if he really reached A-level, he probably wouldn't feel as good as he did just now.

Because it was just a trial card and a simulation battle, he could act recklessly. In reality, he would have to be more careful.

Lynn looked at Nen Qi, which was much weaker than during the simulation battle, and shook his head helplessly.

Unfortunately, after the fight, his strength returned to the normal B+ level.

The sense of loss from his rapid rise and fall in strength was quite unpleasant, but it also strengthened his belief in becoming stronger.

As long as he continues on this path, A-level is within reach, and even higher realms are just around the corner; the road to becoming stronger is endless.

It seems the [Fantasy Simulation Helmet] is quite useful, but unfortunately it can only be used once a month, and there's no guarantee that you'll always face a high-quality opponent like Kuroro.

After a moment's thought, Lynn took out the card he received as a reward from the game helmet after defeating Kuroro.

【Name: Theft】

[Grade: B-]

[Type: Ability Card]

[Background: Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!]

[Description: Touching the target activates the theft ability, with a 20% chance of successfully stealing an item from them. The value of the stolen item depends on luck, and the same target can only be stolen from once per day.]

Grade B-

Considering Kuroro's roughly A-rank strength, it's clear that the weakened version of the game helmet's card reward likely refers to a reduction of one major stage.

Lynn readily accepted this offer.

I was going there for the combat experience and the thrill, so even if the cards aren't high-level, it's good enough if I can get any cards.

[Theft] can only be activated after touching the other party, and there is a 20% chance of successfully stealing. The probability seems high, but the subsequent effects explain why it is rated B-.

First, you can only steal items, and it's all based on luck and random stealing. Second, you can only steal from the same target once a day... If you're unlucky, you might never be able to use this ability.

As expected, this ability is more suitable for the original protagonist, Kazuma. Kazuma's luck is unparalleled; he even frequently steals intimate clothing, which is typical of a comedic work.

It's not that it's unusable; if he's lucky, he can steal the opponent's weapon during a battle, which can be somewhat useful.

Or stealing clothes... well... that might be more effective on women, but for the strong in this world, this kind of behavior usually doesn't bring much benefit. Instead, it will only result in the victim being attacked in a rage, giving them a damage-increasing buff for no reason.

It's inconvenient to use against the strong, and useless against the weak.

Overall, Lynn treats this as a fun ability, but if a B-rank synthesis ability is available in the future, this card can be used as a synthesis material.

The card rewards were secondary; this battle solidified his resolve and showed him just how far he was from Kuroro's level... not far at all!

It probably won't be long before they catch up.

So for the next month, he maintained the same routine, enjoying delicious food while continuing to train, hoping that his stats bar would reach its limit soon and give him a big win.

It's quite comfortable to live this kind of peaceful and powerful life.

Before you know it, it will be the 26th of next month again.

In the gym.

Lynn held his breath and focused his mind, his inner energy flowing slowly and steadily around his body, like a river that never stops flowing, and the flow of this river was gradually increasing.

"Phew—" After a long while, Lynn exhaled a long breath and calmed down.

During his time at the Gourmet Paradise, his growth rate has accelerated significantly, which is enough to show that the food is effective. Although the quality is not as good as what Toriko gives him, the quantity is large and filling.

The only limitation he has is his digestive ability. If he could awaken a gourmet cell or obtain a gourmet cell card, the problem would be solved.

He didn't do much this month, except for the delicious food he just ate from the trade with Toriko, and the C+ rank Minotaur he drew from the Yu-Gi-Oh! deck in the middle of the month.

Like the Elf Swordsman, the Minotaur is a mediocre mortal monster. He plans to use it for now, let it die twice, and then find an opportunity to synthesize it.

In addition, a wandering swordsman also dropped a card for him.

【Name: Master of Seeds】

[Rank: B]

[Type: Item Card]

[Background: Pokémon]

[Description: A one-time consumable item. After use, you can choose one skill to learn independently and quickly master it within the next month.]

This is a rare item card that can help him quickly master a self-taught skill.

This excludes ability cards such as [Naval Six Styles] and [Ice Shape Magic], and only includes techniques he himself has learned.

For example, the most difficult skill in applied techniques, "Hard," can be mastered within a month once one gets the hang of it, by using the "Mastery Seed."

The importance of "hardness" is undeniable, and it offers excellent value for money.

【Hard】is the ultimate skill that can only be learned after mastering multiple techniques. If you can master it quickly, it's like getting multiple things done for the price of one, and you can also master other applied skills along with it.

Therefore, the most urgent task is to first master the basics. He has put a lot of effort into this recently and expects to succeed soon.

When he uses [Seed Mastery] again, his overall combat strength will be significantly enhanced once more.

After adjusting his condition, Lynn went back to bed, put on his helmet, and began this month's simulated combat.

I hope to find a worthy opponent... someone similar to Kuroro would be fine.

The scene changes.

He appeared in the suite's living room as before, and the person in front of him looked very familiar.

"Excuse me... where is this place?" The Dongba, wearing a blue vest, subconsciously took a half step back and asked with an awkward laugh.

He remembered that he was just in the third stage of the Hunter Exam, facing a strong prisoner and choosing to admit defeat, and then being grabbed by the collar by an angry Leorio... How did he end up here in a daze?

Dongba Yao.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Lynn's eyes; Tonpa was far inferior to Kuroro.

"Before that, answer a few questions for me," Lynn said expressionlessly. "Do you... know me?"

The Dongba shook his head like a rattle drum.

Judging from the appearance, he is a character from the original work, not someone from his timeline. Therefore, it is highly likely that the replicas made by the helmet are based on his memories of Hunter x Hunter, so the replicas that appear naturally do not recognize him.

"Where do you remember yourself from before?" Lynn continued to ask.

"I was in the third round of the 287th Hunter Exam, at a place called the Tower of Deception," Tonpa honestly replied.

Lynn nodded slightly, indicating that she understood.

The next moment, Dongba was frozen into an ice sculpture.