The RV sped across the boundless wilderness, quickly covering a great distance.
Dust and sand filled the air, but nothing could stop its advance.
Phinks, having driven many times before, maneuvered the vehicle skillfully.
Before long, they had crossed the isolation zone and reached the familiar Bigchira city.
There, Phinks once again wore his trademark friendly smile, while the stationed soldiers at the gate performed a fake inspection with blank faces before letting them through.
Finally, Phinks decided to go all the way out and headed straight for the airport.
After some quick arrangements, it didn't take long for them to board the direct flight to Yorknew City.
On the southwestern edge of the world map lay a vast continent known as the Yorbian Continent, and Yorknew City was situated on its western coast, a massive city famous for its grand auction.
Its design was based on America's New York City, embodying both extravagance and decadence.
It was also the main stage for the Phantom Troupe's activities and a hotspot for underworld dealings.
Every year, from September 1st to 10th, Yorknew hosts the world's largest auction.
During this period, treasures from around the globe gathered there, attracting countless collectors and tourists, making the city's atmosphere reach its peak.
But that's all about the auction.
When Luke and the others arrived in the city by airship, it was already December.
Although three months had passed since the annual grand auction, there wasn't a hint of emptiness or decline in sight.
In fact, quite the opposite, the official auction had ended, but countless private and smaller-scale auctions were still being held regularly.
After disembarking from the airship, Luke and others crossed the desert into the city.
In Yorknew City's central square, a church stood, a symbol of the city and a place for people to relax.
When Luke and others passed by, they saw a group of people gathered in the center of the square.
They were shouting and cheering, livening up the atmosphere.
"What are those guys doing?"
Shalnark, who had been observing his surroundings, asked curiously. Although he had learned a little about the outside world through books and videos over the years, he was still curious about everything when he first experienced it.
"They're holding a conditional auction."
Luke only took a glance and knew what the group was doing.
"Conditional auction?"
On the streets here, a type of auction called a conditional auction is very popular.
The seller sets a condition, and whoever meets that condition can get the item.
For example, in the original story, Gon and the others used gems as bait, planning to make money through arm wrestling.
As long as someone could beat Gon at arm wrestling, they could win a diamond worth 3 million Jenny.
The participation fee was 10,000 Jenny per try. Although Gon thought this was a scam, they still used it to raise funds, which eventually led them to the mafia's underground, conditional-auction-style auctions.
There, the target was capturing members of the Phantom Troupe; catching one member would earn a 2 billion Jenny check.
Besides the conditional auction, there was also the bidding flea market.
This was essentially a regular auction market.
Buyers who liked an item would write their bid on a blank bidding card to compete with others.
Before the deadline, the highest bidder would win the item.
Gon and Killua had used Ren at the bidding flea market to win rare items like Ben's knives.
They also met a first-class antique appraiser named Zepile there.
In addition, there was the dealer's market.
This was a market exclusively for antique intermediaries.
Many high-quality items appeared there, with their value determined by professional judgment.
New products that suddenly appear need to be evaluated in the appraisal market first before being sold.
Therefore, if an outsider came to participate in the auctions, it was highly possible they would end up buying fakes.
You absolutely needed someone trustworthy to guide you!
These were the largest-scale auctions and markets accessible to ordinary people.
As for the other auctions, the mafia-run underground auction or the long-standing Southernpiece Auction, which gathered the rich and famous, these heaven and hell auctions were not ones ordinary people could attend.
"So that's how it is."
The others listened to Luke's introduction, feeling quite enlightened.
Of course, as they learned more, their curiosity grew.
And this curiosity only subsided once they reached the outskirts of Yorknew City, near a desolate abandoned building far from the city center.
"It seems the outside world isn't much different from Meteor City after all…"
Shalnark stood at the boundary between prosperity and desolation, thoughtfully saying.
"It's just that Meteor City is more direct and explicit."
This world was like one giant Meteor City.
Meteor City was what had been cast aside by the world's prosperity and abandoned by society.
Just like the remote and dilapidated areas of Yorknew City.
It's like a place of silence and oblivion, abandoned by the prosperity and extravagance of the distant world.
The relationship between Meteor City and the world mirrored this exactly.
Looking at this stark contrast, Shalnark suddenly gained a new understanding of the world.
"The whole world is like this. There's no need to be surprised."
Feitan, hands in his pockets, walked steadily past Shalnark.
"This is just a corner of the world."
Feitan, having experienced this world for some time and considered a veteran player of the life game, Earth Online, does have a say in this matter.
"Just… A corner?"
Shalnark pursed his lips, his expression shifting constantly. The others didn't react much, simply feeling a moment of nostalgia before following Luke inside.
"Let's go in too."
Someone patted Shalnark's shoulder as he was still deep in thought.
Shalnark raised his head and met Chrollo's eyes.
"We have plenty of time to experience it properly."
Chrollo whispered: "To experience this world."
There was a glimmer in his eyes as well.
Shalnark: "…!"
Shalnark nodded vigorously.
Of all the people present, Chrollo was probably the only one who understood his feelings and thoughts best.
Even Uvogin and Nobunaga, who had already experienced the outside world, couldn't quite resonate with Shalnark.
This was a difference in personality and thinking. Simply put, it was a difference in IQ.
Uvogin and the others had all their intelligence points stacked into combat… Or maybe into other hands-on matters?
When Shalnark and Chrollo finally entered, they saw Uvogin and Phinks posting something on the wall.
"What is this?"
Shalnark, especially curious today, also came over.
"Luke said to stick them all on the wall over there."
Pakunoda, checking from the back, said: "It's called something like... Wallpaper House."
Invention: Wallpaper House
Origin: Doraemon World — Future Tech Company
Function: Also known as wall newspaper. When pasted on the wall, it forms a magical wallpaper room. Opening the door on the wallpaper leads to a space inside.
This was a set, with various specialized types of Wallpaper Houses, such as Wallpaper Studio, Wallpaper Office, Wallpaper Cafe, and so on.
Just a few simple wallpapers were enough to provide the group with a very comfortable living base.
"Of course, someone still needs to be watching from outside."
Luke explained the function of the Wallpaper House: "They are primarily attached to the wall, but if they're torn off the wall and rolled up into a ball, then anyone still inside will be trapped, unable to escape. So, someone has to stand guard outside and protect the Wallpaper House."
"I don't have any requirements for my living environment."
Feitan stood there motionless, showing no desire to enter the Wallpaper House: "And I don't like entrusting my safety to others."
"I prefer to firmly grasp it myself."
"If you say so."
Nobunaga tapped his shoulder with the handle of his katana: "I feel the same way."
Both of them had crawled their way through the line between life and death countless times, so they were extremely cautious when it came to safety.
"Whatever, I just want to hurry to Yorknew City already!"
Uvogin, whose brain was full of nothing but muscles, could no longer contain himself.
"Let's find that damned chairman!"
He shouted impatiently, itching to find the target.
This reckless, impulsive behavior, acting without considering preparation or consequences, was typical of an enhancer.
"Wait a moment, Uvogin."
Luke dissuaded him: "I know you're anxious, but wait."
"Once we have figured out the chairman of the Mom's Help Foundation's exact movements, it won't be too late to act."
"Figure out his movements... And how are we supposed to do that?!"
When it came to fighting or killing, Uvogin's head suddenly became clear.
"If we stay here, we'll never learn anything about that guy."
"Then..."
Uvogin's eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked with anticipation: "Are we going to track that bastard?!"
"I can do that job!!!"
Luke: "..."
Others: "..."
It seems Uvogin had no sense of self-awareness in certain aspects.
The others, including Chrollo, looked him up and down.
That bodybuilder-like appearance made everyone shake their heads.
He was far too conspicuous; he looked like a savage.
With that massive build and his menacing aura that screamed predator, if he went outside, people would probably mistake him for a terrorist and arrest him on the spot.
As for tracking someone? That was pure fantasy.
"Tracking is fine, but we don't need to do it ourselves."
Luke waved his hand, interrupting Uvogin's unrealistic fantasy.
Uvogin: "...?"
If not us, then who?
Can others be trusted? And if they expose us, can we kill them?
Those were his first instinctive thoughts.
But the moment he saw Luke take out a strange new device, he understood instantly.
Using an invention to track the target?
Then it was fine.
Uvogin and others have always trusted Luke's inventions.
This time was no exception.
"With this Spy Set, we can do it."
Luke revealed something shaped like a human head model.
On it were eyes, ears, and a mouth.
He gently twisted a yellow switch on top of its head.
Immediately, the eyes and ears flew off.
"Go monitor the situation of the chairman of the Mom's Help foundation, Risnorth, in real time."
Luke gave the order, and the eyes and ears immediately flew away.
Then, the mouth at the head opened automatically, projecting the image captured by the Spy Set's eyes.
"So this is Luke's tracking device?!"
Everyone crowded around, watching in curiosity.
From the mouth's projection, the scene shifted continuously, with the sound of rushing wind in the background.
Looking closely, they could tell it was showing the streets of Yorknew City!
Invention: Spy Set
Origin: Doraemon world — Future Tech Company
Function: Based on a human face model. Once the switch is activated, the eyes and ears fly out.
After being given a target, they automatically track and monitor that person. The mouth projects what the eyes see and the ears hear.
This gadget was originally used by Doraemon and Nobita to spy on Suneo for revenge.
A tool advanced enough for spying between nations was used by two kids for petty revenge; it was absurd.
But now, in Luke's hands, it was being put to its proper use.
The other members quickly grasped how it worked.
They found it convenient, but…
"The eyes and ears are a bit too big, and they look obvious. Won't people notice them?"
Shalnark rubbed his chin and voiced his concern.
"No need to worry."
Luke smiled. "They will automatically evade detection and ensure that no one notices them. Otherwise, what kind of spying device would it be if it could be spotted so easily?"
A 22nd-century invention like this was practically a complete dimensionality reduction strike when used in the 1980s.
A toy for kids in that century, but in the 80s, 90s, 2000s, or even 2020s, it would be considered a treasure.
"Let's leave everything to them. It will be fine..."
Luke said as he carried the device into one of the Wallpaper Houses that had already been set up.
"For now, there's no need to rush. Let's sit down, drink some tea, eat some snacks, and calmly gather intelligence; that's what matters most."
When Luke entered the Wallpaper Cafe, he noticed that only Shalnark, Chrollo, and Pakunoda followed him inside.
Uvogin, Nobunaga, Phinks, and Feitan stayed outside.
Even Franklin didn't come in with them.
"I'll keep watch by the door for you guys."
Franklin's muffled voice came from the doorway.
Well, he's truly worthy of being a big brother. In times like this, he's always incredibly reliable.
"Aren't you worried about being trapped in here?"
Luke put down his Spy Set and asked the three people who had entered with a smile.
"Since it's your invention, Captain..."
Shalnark was the first to smile brightly. "Then I think it will be fine."
This was a direct expression of his unwavering trust in Luke.