novelraw Chapter 375 376
Chapter 375 376
"Is it because of these playing cards...?"
After all the time spent sparring with Morin, and suffering so many losses due to his tricks and tools, Jed had developed a deep, almost visceral impression and reaction to the gadgets Morin wielded. Now, whenever something strange occurred, Jed instinctively attributed it to the effects of Morin's tools.
Jed thought this way, and Netero, standing beside him, made similar assumptions, observing the playing cards in Morin's hands.
With just a single glance, Netero could discern the number of cards Morin held. Normally, a standard deck contains fifty-four cards. Morin wouldn't bring out a deck missing cards without reason. Coupled with what he had heard Morin mention about "restoring aura and nen," Netero began to ponder:
"Is it by consuming these cards that certain effects are achieved?"
"However, doing so must have certain limitations; it can't all be beneficial effects."
Indeed, Netero was a seasoned veteran among nen users. With just a few words and scant clues, he nearly guessed the purpose of the cards in Morin's possession.
These tools, known as the "Lucky Playing Cards," indeed had effects that matched Netero's speculation in some respects.
Tool: "Lucky Playing Cards," also known as "Wishing Playing Cards."
Effect: Including the Joker, there are fifty-three cards in total. Each card can grant the user's wish. However, each wish fulfilled results in the loss of a card. Once only the Joker remains, the accumulated good fortune from the fifty-plus wishes will rebound, bringing immense misfortune to balance everything out.
No matter where you throw the cards, they will return to you unless you give them away and the recipient accepts them.
This is one of the top-tier tools capable of granting wishes!
It can be said that the "Lucky Playing Cards" in Morin's hands are among the most powerful tools he can wield. These cards are on par with the "Wish-Granting Book."
Unlike a regular deck with two Jokers, the "Lucky Playing Cards" have only one Joker, totaling fifty-three cards. The first fifty-two cards can be used to make wishes, with each wish consuming one card. Once all fifty-two wishes are fulfilled, the remaining Joker will unleash endless misfortune.
The grander the wishes fulfilled, the stronger the misfortune brought by the final Joker! In some ways, the "Lucky Playing Cards" adhere to conditions similar to nen abilities.
However, in terms of power and effect, they surpass nen abilities significantly, almost reaching the level of Nanika's wish-granting ability.
They seem to be a product of darkness~?~
When Morin first drew this tool, he was delighted, but he quickly sobered up.
This thing is indeed powerful and possesses great might.
But at the same time, it's a ticking time bomb, with no telling when the last card will remain.
Perhaps before the Joker is left, the fifty-two wishes granted are all profit without loss.
However, the way these wishes are granted isn't entirely within one's control.
For example, if Nobita received these cards and casually remarked, "It'd be nice to play cards with Shizuka," the cards would automatically grant this "wish," consuming one card.
There's no telling if Morin, carrying these cards, might casually say something like, "It'd be nice if the sun were a bit warmer today," while walking down the street. The cards might just fulfill the wish, making the sun warmer.
In this way, you might unknowingly consume many cards, as if the cards themselves sought to fulfill wishes and deplete themselves, leaving only the Joker.
So, when Morin received this tool, his first feeling was that it was a bit too hot to handle.
Like a hot potato.
Yet, despite the risks, the tool's effects are undeniably strong.
Thus, Morin's first wish was:
"Without my explicit intent to make a wish, the 'Lucky Playing Cards' shall not autonomously fulfill any wishes."
Wish granted, and the deck lost a card—the Ace of Hearts, starting from A and progressing to 2, 3, 4... all the way to K.
This is why Morin, even without any aura or nen, can still use the "Lucky Playing Cards."
Using magic to counter magic, sealing oneself with one's own power is always the most effective method.
Father wasn't wrong.
Afterward, Morin pondered for a while and decisively attempted to exploit a loophole in the wishing process:
For instance, wishing to the genie for thirty more wishes.
Morin's intended second wish was:
"Give me thirty additional Lucky Playing Cards without a Joker!"
Following this—
The cards didn't disappear, and the wish wasn't granted.
Clearly, the cards wouldn't tolerate such loophole-exploiting behavior from Morin.
Morin even sensed a disdainful glance from the Joker on the card.
Alright, since exploiting loopholes didn't work, Morin tried a series of other loophole-exploiting wishes.
---
For instance, wishes like "Using tools won't consume nen abilities in the future," "Make me the strongest in the world," or "Let the next tool I draw be the 'What-If Phone Booth'"—these kinds of over-the-top wishes.
Unfortunately, it seems that when it involves other tools, the wishes still couldn't be granted. As for "becoming the strongest in the world," well, no card disappeared. It's unclear whether it's impossible to achieve, or if Morin's current strength is already deemed the world's strongest by the cards, fulfilling the wish without needing to grant it.
Morin tends to believe it's more likely the latter.
After several attempts, Morin finally managed to fulfill another wish: "Using this 'Lucky Playing Cards' won't consume nen or aura!"
A classic case of using magic to counter magic.
Without consuming nen or aura, this "Lucky Playing Cards" becomes one of Morin's quintessential trump cards and backup plans.
No matter the circumstances, he can use this tool without any personal cost, regardless of the wish he makes! As long as he has this deck of cards, he stands undefeated.
Just like now, using a single card restored him to peak condition!
It's fair to say that the "Lucky Playing Cards" alone give him an absolute advantage!
The power of 22nd-century four-dimensional pocket tools is truly terrifying!
The tools possessed by parenting robots are truly terrifying!
One wish to not consume nen or aura, another to prevent wishes from being granted against his will.
These two wishes cost Morin two cards, and with the current one, only three cards were used.
Yet Morin now holds forty-nine cards, meaning one card was used up.
That card's wish was:
"To avoid and not be affected by any negative status or entanglement."
This was a wish Morin made previously, starting from himself.
After all, in the world of Hunter x Hunter, strange nen abilities are endlessly emerging.
Even someone as strong as the Hunter Association Chairman Netero was controlled by vows and restrictions, suspended in mid-air by a curse cross, unable to act.
Morin doesn't want to fall victim to some life-binding vow or restriction.
Especially with Killua's family's wish-granting and meat-grinding machines.
If he were caught by such bizarre wish-granting powers, death would be instant.
To die in such a manner would be too unjust.
Therefore, with this wish, he won't be affected by any negative entanglements.
Even Alluka's strange powers won't affect Morin in the slightest.
This places Morin even more securely in an unbeatable position.
To defeat him, one must face him head-on.
And to achieve that...
Well, you might as well dream about it, because that's where it will remain. (Idk about that, if he's just at Netero's level he can be killed by the King let alone the dark continent.)
With so many tools, Morin is undoubtedly everyone's worst nightmare!
"Actually, wishing like this might be even better."
Morin once again took out the Two of Hearts in front of Jed.
"Wish: If my aura and nen drop below fifty percent, they will immediately return to peak condition!"
Whoosh?
The card vanished, signifying that Morin's wish was once again fulfilled.
Now, he has forty-eight cards left, allowing for forty-seven more wishes.
"So, what will you do now?"
Morin looked at the solitary figure standing there silently:
At the same time, an astonishing aura radiated from him, no less powerful than Netero's formidable nen!
Jed, staring blankly at Morin, remained silent, as if he'd lost all vitality, leaving only an empty shell.
"Is this the end?"
Morin slowly stepped forward, stopping a short distance from Jed, his eyes devoid of any special meaning or emotion as he looked at him.
"Unfortunately, your operation ends in failure once again."
Hearing these words, Jed finally snapped back to reality, lifting his head to gaze at Morin, staring for a long while.
Eventually, Jed's face twisted into a grimace, and then...
"Hahahahaha!"
A sharp, hoarse laugh suddenly echoed atop the Sky Tower.
It was hard to tell if it was filled with resentment, anger, or some kind of heartache and unwillingness, as various emotions mingled within the laughter.
"Sigh!"
Hearing the laughter, Netero couldn't help but sigh.
As an old comrade who once fought alongside Jed, Netero knew him well.
Once Jed laughed like that, Netero understood that he was completely finished.