When it came to Nen experts in soul-related fields, Joey couldn't recall any from the manga.
So he'd have to find one himself.
Luckily, he knew plenty of people now. He typed out a few text messages, shot them off to his contacts, and waited.
Mizaiston, ever the reliable "utility NPC," was first to reply:
"Chito. Specialist in unusual conditions. What you've got falls under her expertise."
Joey frowned.
"Excuse you—I'm not sick. This is a consultation! Not some tragic patient role! Hmph. Curing my kind of 'illness' probably costs extra!"
"Mhm. Get well soon."
Joey's eye twitched.
"Did you get body-snatched? Blink twice if yes. That's not your usual tone.
Also—remember to send that money over. From: Your very broke client."
A second text came in—this time from Piyon:
"Lil YiYi! You could ask Linne~ She knows a lot. But… she hasn't spoken in forever. (òó)~"
Joey sighed.
"You're not trying to help. You just want to see if I can get Linne to talk.
That's a violation of personal space. Shame on you."
"Can you, though? Curious. →_→"
"You're using reverse psychology on me. It won't work. It's like asking someone to get Sambika to speak."
"Easy. She's not mute. (ε)"
"..."
Just then, a text from Sambika popped up:
"I know of a virus that simulates 'out-of-body experiences.' It's banned. I could synthesize it. Interested? Looking forward!"
Joey stared.
"Would it have any… adverse effects?"
"I'll document the data properly."
"Wha—hey, wait! (╯‵□′)╯(┻━┻)"
Thankfully, a message from Kite came to save the day:
"You can always ask Ging. Want me to send him an email?"
"...Sure."
Joey immediately closed the window. Asking Ging for help? That's almost guaranteed to backfire.
Then another buzz came through.
"Funds will arrive tomorrow noon. I've upgraded your bank permissions. No need to thank me.
Total: 342,345,123.78 Jenny."
Mizaiston again.
Joey grinned.
"Much appreciated. Very precise.
Also, you used punctuation like you were trying to kill me—From: your freshly re-monetized client."
With money flowing again, Joey began daydreaming: Should I ask Nob for real estate advice? He seems like the type who knows a thing or two about property portfolios…
Right on cue, a text arrived.
"Chito's the best recommendation. She's been busy, though. Tell me a time that works—I'll help schedule you in."
Joey blinked at the message. It was Nob.
"Thanks! Sooner the better. I'm at Heaven's Arena—can travel anytime."
Chito, a three-star Unsolved Cases Hunter, was honestly a perfect match—even if Mizaiston had made it sound like Joey needed a doctor.
With Kakin and Biande's recent issues, she was likely busy. But Nob was efficient. Joey figured he'd get the appointment… eventually.
Besides, this was a good excuse to start building a connection with Chito.
Especially with the Hunter Exam coming up—any edge, even an endorsement, could help.
He wasn't wrong to think things might change this year.
True to form, Nob delivered.
The appointment came through fast—October 7, 8:30 AM, at Hunter Association HQ.
Today was October 4, giving Joey three days to prepare.
That afternoon, he left Heaven's Arena—nobody made a fuss. He just rescheduled his matches with a word to staff.
Then he headed to the mining district to pick up his orange cat.
He'd been too busy lately to take care of it himself.
Kite had been watching it, but even he had things to do.
Kite's expedition with the Swan of Light was wrapping up mid-October.
Afterward, he'd requested a posting at a protected nature reserve to study large beasts.
Gon had already secured a spot on the team.
Originally, Joey was supposed to join them too.
But now?
He realized Heaven's Arena was a better training ground.
Wildlife tourism could wait. Right now, he needed to grow stronger—fast.
Kite had examined the "divine glyph" on the handkerchief but offered no concrete advice.
Still, he told Joey where Shiping was, which was what Joey really needed.
This time, Joey came bearing gifts—specialty snacks and keepsakes from Heaven's Arena.
He had plenty of money again, and he wouldn't show up empty-handed.
Especially since Shiping had once treated him to strawberry dragon meat.
He still didn't know what the hell that was, but it had been delicious.
Naturally, he prepared gifts for Kite, Stick, and the others too.
Nothing extravagant, but all unique to Heaven's Arena—little signs of gratitude.
Though, the Hisoka-themed pins were instantly and unanimously rejected.
"It's fine to admire strength, Joey. But don't become a pervert."
Shiping warned him again and again before he left.
"Do I look like a pervert?" Joey sighed.
"Anyway—let's keep in touch. I'm curious about your expedition."
He waved them goodbye, though his backpack now bulged with return gifts.
Sometimes, lugging all that around, Joey really wished he did have a Conjuration-type Nen.
If he could, he'd absolutely learn from Nob how to conjure a pocket dimension.
Screw "Stands" and "doubles"—storage Nen was king.
...Wait.
Was there a Stand that could store items?
Joey mulled it over as he boarded his flight to the Hunter Association HQ.
Upon arrival, he immediately reserved a restaurant table and texted Sambika:
"I'm here."
From past experience, he knew she was deeply introverted.
The best way to get her out?
Be assertive.
He also brought her a gift—though he doubted she'd like it.
It was a sample of grass-type dragon flu virus—seasonal and relatively benign, collected at his request.
Shiping had helped him source it. Apparently, fall was flu season for the strawberry dragons.
Still, she hadn't been thrilled about it.
Every dragon was her asset, and she guarded them like gold.
Even the sick ones.
Sambika arrived halfway through Joey's meal, claiming she'd already eaten.
Joey slid two boxes across the table:
One carrying the orange cat.
One carrying the virus.
"A surprise and a gift," he said cheerfully. "They're both for you."
"...Huh?"
Sambika tilted her head.
That sound—that little confused syllable—made Joey's eyes widen.
She'd spoken.
For the first time since they met.
"Return the surprise. Keep the gift," she said, calm and clear.
Joey smirked.
"Nope. Accepting the gift means you accept both."
"I'm working. I'll be flagged. Can't keep it."
She gently pulled the virus box toward herself while nudging the cat away with her foot.
"Mrrrow!"
The orange cat growled, offended.
"I'm always on the move. Can't care for it. And its Nen output's spiked lately—especially every seven-day cycle. It collapses into deep sleep."
"You should track its stats. See what's going on.
Kite and I don't know much about viral mutations. Our data's incomplete."
Sambika listened quietly, then pulled a black card from her pocket.
"100 billion Jenny. Build a small lab. You manage it. I handle research."
Joey blinked.
Then nodded.
"Got it. You fund it, I build it. You oversee."
"No. Us. Together."
Joey frowned.
"But I won't always be around. And you have work too.
We'll need someone reliable to staff it full-time."
Sambika rubbed her temple.
Even she didn't know the right person.
"This really is on you," Joey muttered. "I don't know any Hunters who'd fit."
She grumbled something indecipherable and gave the cat another cold glance—then scooped up both boxes and left without a word.
Joey sat there blinking.
But hey—cat problem solved. One less thing to worry about.
His phone buzzed.
A message from Sambika.
"I'll leave the cat with Kuruk for now.
Find someone who can care for it. Build the lab ASAP.
If you succeed, you might earn a One-Star Hunter title."
Joey chuckled.
"Sweetie, first I need to become a Hunter, remember~?"
"Hmph!!!"