Hunter X Hunter: Tombbound Power

Ronnel was in a good mood. He was driving a big truck, his arm hanging casually outside the window, enjoying the vast expanse of desert stretching into the distance. The refreshing breeze brushing past him made his heart light and his thoughts free.

The fact that a cute girl was sitting next to him in the co-pilot seat, and that they were about to dive into a new, fascinating world, filled him with a sense of anticipation. The hope for a better future always brought a wave of excitement.

Ronnel took a drag from the cigarette he'd bummed off the truck driver and exhaled smoke rings into the air.

Though he wasn't familiar with the city roads, there were plenty of vehicles crisscrossing the desert. He figured if he just followed one of the returning trucks, he'd eventually find a settlement.

As for his driving skills, they were passable. When he worked as a cleaner, he had learned to drive from a truck driver who had been killed by Meteor City locals after belittling them. Though not an expert, Ronnel was good enough to navigate the desert safely.

After about an hour, Ronnel followed a truck and began to see the outline of a city forming in the distance.

His sharp eyes caught sight of a somewhat shabby sign at the city's entrance.

"Welcome to Gumandun"

Gumandun, that must be the name of the city.

Even though it was his first time seeing a modern city, Ronnel remained calm and drove steadily through the entrance.

He followed the truck ahead until they arrived at the entrance of a garbage disposal company. Parking the truck, Ronnel called out to Shizuku, who was sitting beside him, and they both got out together, rousing the driver from his nap.

Ronnel gave the sleepy driver a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Stayed up too late playing cards last night?"

The driver groggily rubbed his eyes, then glanced outside, his body stiffening when he saw the large company sign in front of him.

"W-What? This is the Gumandun branch? I'm from another City! How did I end up here?!"

While the driver remained bewildered, Ronnel and Shizuku stepped out of the truck. After asking a passerby for directions to the largest casino in the city, they headed off in that direction.

It wasn't long before a grand and dazzling building loomed in front of them.

"What a stunning place," Shizuku remarked, gazing up at the structure before turning her attention to Ronnel.

"So, what are we doing here?"

"We're here to make some money, of course. And solve a little problem while we're at it~" Ronnel grinned at her, snapping his fingers as he stared at the casino.

The first step to earning their fortune in this world would begin here.

As soon as they walked inside, they were met with an overwhelming wave of luxury.

The decor inside was even more extravagant than the outside had hinted at. The colored lights bathed everything in a surreal glow as the gamblers here shed all pretense, letting loose in a whirlwind of excitement.

Some were well-dressed, likely influential figures outside of this place, but here, at the gambling tables, they were simply desperate gamblers with greed in their eyes. Those who won basked in elation, dancing in triumph, downing expensive drinks served by glamorous waitresses. They'd casually toss chips into the servers' cleavage and enjoy the playful smiles in return.

Meanwhile, those who lost everything turned frantic, shouting insults and curses, often throwing down collateral in a desperate attempt to recover—property deeds, car titles, whatever they had left.

The atmosphere was electric, charged with the highs and lows of fortune. For those who lost too much, the casino's security guards, dressed in black, would unceremoniously drag them out.

As Ronnel and Shizuku entered, they witnessed one such unfortunate soul being carried out, still begging for another chance.

They watched silently, their expressions unreadable.

A waiter approached them, prepared to greet them with a smile. However, seeing their worn-out clothes, his smile faltered. But after observing their calm demeanor, he seemed unsure and quickly masked his uncertainty.

Many wealthy families had a peculiar taste for blending in, preferring to roam in old, casual clothing. Perhaps these two were some eccentric rich kids out for a thrill.

"How may I assist you today?" the waiter asked cautiously. "I can exchange chips for any amount you need."

"No need for that right now," Ronnel replied nonchalantly, waving his hand dismissively. "We'll look around first. If we decide to exchange chips later, we'll let you know."

The waiter flashed a forced smile, bowed slightly, and stepped back. But Ronnel, with his sharp senses, noticed the waiter still eyeing them occasionally.

He smirked but didn't let it bother him. Leading Shizuku to a gaming table, he watched as a croupier expertly shook two dice cups mid-air, the three dice inside clattering crisply with each shake.