Name: Don Freecss (Afflicted by [Calamities])
Strength: SS- (SS)
Nen Ability: …
Current Condition:
His body harbors multiple [Calamities], including the venom of the Illusion Snake, the curse of the Devouring Worm, the corrosive black mist of the Dark Swamp, and more.
Due to his soul's strength surpassing his physical endurance, he can maintain movement by enduring excruciating pain.
However, most of his energy is devoted to suppressing these afflictions, preventing him from using his full power and drastically limiting his combat capability.
As a result, his strength has fallen from SS-rank to SS-.
Additionally, he requires a constant supply of life-sustaining items to counteract the damage inflicted by these [Calamities].
Don was the most formidable human Akira had ever met.
He was also the one burdened with the most [Calamities].
His prolonged existence in the Dark Continent had subjected him to one [Calamity] after another.
After all, this land was never lacking in [Calamities].
There was no fixed standard for what constituted a true [Calamity]—only a hazard assessment scale that roughly categorized different [Calamities] into certain danger levels.
Thus, the concept of a [Calamity] varied from person to person.
The same threat could be a terrifying [Calamity] to some, while meaning nothing to others.
Even for Nen masters, a single blade of grass here might qualify as a [Calamity].
Yet, every single [Calamity] plaguing Don at this moment was undeniably severe.
On the hazard assessment scale, even the least dangerous among them would rank no lower than B-class.If it were someone else, facing any one of these [Disasters] alone would almost certainly mean death.
Yet now, all these [Disasters] have converged within a single person, and he is still able to move and act like a normal human being.
Not only that, but he has retained a considerable degree of strength—enough to continue traversing the Dark Continent.
This made Akira realize even more the hardships Don had endured over these centuries.
Unlike himself, who had numerous Pokémon by his side thanks to his Nen Ability effects.
Don could only rely on himself.
Naturally, he couldn't avoid encountering various [Calamities], many of which had no good solutions once contracted.
Because there was no information.
Humanity knew far too little about this Dark Continent.
They didn't know what dangers might appear under what circumstances, let alone how to specifically resolve [Calamities] when encountered.
Don was no exception.
Over the long centuries, he had contracted countless [Calamities], even transforming into terrifying monstrous forms more than once.
Through painstaking research and step-by-step resolution, he managed to overcome a small portion using his own abilities.
But for most, he was truly powerless.
In the end, he relied on death - using his Nen Ability to resurrect again, thereby refreshing his physical state.
Fortunately, there weren't many [Calamities] that could affect the soul.
This allowed him to use this method with confidence.
He feared neither pain nor the trials of the soul.
The only limitation was the cooldown period of his Nen Ability.
The ability's cooldown ranged from several years to decades, measured in years.
During this time, no matter how many dangers he faced or [Calamities] he contracted,
He could only endure them himself, unable to rely on his Nen Ability for solutions.
If he couldn't hold on, death remained the only outcome.
Thus, surviving for centuries on the Dark Continent was no easy feat.
In his weaker days, it was extremely arduous, requiring considerable luck to pull through.
Even when stronger, life didn't necessarily become comfortable.
Because this continent was full of unpredictability - danger couldn't be simply categorized by edge or deep regions.
At best, this was a rough guideline.
An SS+ level creature or something of equivalent danger might appear in the borderlands.
Like the [Extinction Dandelion] Akira's group encountered in the swamp forest - its danger level was extremely high.
Something that absolutely shouldn't appear in border regions.
Yet it appeared nonetheless.
This was the unpredictability of the Dark Continent.
Here, you might find a top-tier [Hope] one second,
Only to encounter a [Calamity] capable of destroying the Six Continents countless times over the next.
Life and death were always the fundamental themes of the Dark Continent.
As Don grew stronger, he also sought to explore deeper regions.
His physical condition necessitated obtaining more life-sustaining treasures.
Such [Hopes] rarely appeared in border regions, forcing him to look toward deeper zones.
Thus, for survival, he had no choice but to venture into more dangerous areas.
Then, while acquiring [Hopes] sufficient to alleviate or even resolve existing [Calamities], he'd contract new ones.
This cycle created a bizarre equilibrium in Don's condition, while continuously strengthening him.
Missing any single component would have prevented his growth to this level over centuries.
It was like walking a tightrope.
One misstep meant complete failure.
Nen Ability, Hope, Calamities, and personal willpower - these four elements forged the current Don Freecss.
Now, he was in his Nen Ability's cooldown period, forced to endure these [Calamities] as he moved forward.
Sometimes when the [Disaster] became overly active, he could only resort to special backup measures to alleviate his condition.
And now, Akira intended to cure him.
The experience value of SS- rank was naturally far less than that of SS rank.
If he was going to take it, he would take the highest!
...
Akira steadied his thoughts and slowly walked step by step toward Don.
The places he passed left no trace on the sand, just like Don moments before.
Casually wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Don glanced at the motionless Tyranitar before turning his gaze to the approaching Akira.
A trace of resignation flickered in his eyes.
[Is it because he saw my blood and thought I was injured, planning to call off this spar?]
Don sighed inwardly and shook his head slightly, not intending to say much.
Because the other's assumption wasn't entirely wrong.
Though it wasn't due to injury, his current condition indeed wasn't suitable for continuing the fight.
[What a shame, such a rare sparring opportunity.]
Obvious regret colored Don's expression.
Then he turned his head slightly toward Akira and spoke softly:
"No need to come any closer. It'll be dangerous if you get too near."
"Let's end the spar here."
Seeing Akira continue to approach, Don grew worried that he didn't understand just how terrifying the [Disaster] on him was.
He hurriedly voiced a warning and decided to conclude the match.
His warning wasn't an exaggeration.
As if sensing the approach of a being brimming with immense vitality, the black mist formed by numerous [Disasters] on Don's body began to stir restlessly.
The condition he had just alleviated with a special item was worsening again due to Akira's proximity.
[Is it contagious? Is it instinctive, or does it possess consciousness?]
Akira naturally noticed this as well, feeling a hint of curiosity, though he had never encountered such a [Disaster] before.
If he had to compare it to any [Disaster] he'd seen, the one he encountered in the Harimu Ruins would be the closest.
After all, both took the form of a black mist.
Akira came to a gradual stop a few meters away from Don, casually gesturing for Tyranitar, who had cooled off on the other side, to return.
After several rounds of clashes, Tyranitar's anger had mostly subsided.
He didn't plan to give all of Don's experience points to Tyranitar either, as SS-rank experience was hard to come by.
He had already decided who would receive the other half.
From start to finish, he never doubted whether his Pokémon could cure Don.
With a calm expression and steady tone, Akira spoke:
"Don, do you want to return to normal?"
"I can completely purge the [Disasters] from your body."
Don froze for a moment before looking at Akira with a complicated gaze.
He knew Akira had seen through it.
The blood at the corner of his mouth and his earlier actions were all due to his condition.
But…
He said he could cure him?
How was that possible?
Don's lips twitched, his first reaction being disbelief.
He knew his own body best.
He was well aware of his condition, which was precisely why he didn't believe Akira had the ability to heal him.
Even using all his savings, he could only alleviate or remove a portion of it.
A complete purge was impossible.
Among all the treasures he had encountered, not a single one—or even a combination—could achieve such an effect.
That was Don's first thought.
He opened his mouth slightly, about to refuse Akira, but the words died on his lips.
With such immense power at his disposal, did Akira really need to put on such a show to deceive him?
Did he know he was just spouting empty words?
Don couldn't help but feel skeptical.
What truly made him believe Akira was the sixth sense echoing from the depths of his mind.
Perhaps due to his extraordinarily strong soul, his intuition was remarkably accurate, even capable of sensing danger.
Relying on this ability, he had avoided countless [Calamities] and made numerous correct decisions, big and small.
And now, his sixth sense was telling him—trust Akira!
After a moment of contemplation, Don's expression hardened, and his aged yet resolute voice rang out:
"What do I need to give in return?"
Akira raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips. He knew Don had chosen to believe him.
He had originally thought he'd need to demonstrate his abilities before Don would trust him, but to his surprise, Don had accepted his words outright.
Naturally, he didn't assume this was because Don was naive or inexperienced.
Nor did he believe Don trusted him unconditionally just because they were both from the same homeland.
If Don were truly so quick to trust others, he wouldn't have survived this long.
Having lived for centuries, Don was a far more cunning old fox than even Netero.
...
Meanwhile, the others held their breaths as they watched the two, feeling that not only was the battle shifting unpredictably, but the situation itself was evolving at an absurd pace.
Not long ago, they had been locked in fierce combat.
Now, the fighting had ceased, and even Akira had openly offered to cure Don Freecss and rid him of the [Calamity].
The shift was undeniably abrupt.
Hearing Akira's words, Ging frowned, lost in thought:
[So he really is plagued by various Calamities?]
In truth, the moment he first laid eyes on Don, he had sensed something ominous about him.
It triggered a physical reaction, making him reluctant to approach.
At first, he had assumed it might be due to Don's unique abilities, given that he could manipulate the "black mist" to move.
But now, it seemed that the black mist might also be a manifestation of some [Calamity].
Don's earlier coughing up blood was likely a symptom of his condition.
Taking it a step further, the reason Don usually maintained his emaciated appearance—rather than the muscular form he had just displayed—might also be partly due to the burden of his illness.
For him, sustaining that state in battle must have been a significant strain.
At first, Ging was slightly surprised that Don Freecss showed signs of being terminally ill, but upon reflection, it made perfect sense.
Don had been active in the Dark Continent for centuries, after all.
It was only natural that he'd be afflicted by some [Calamities].
What should truly astonish people was the fact that he had survived wandering the Dark Continent for hundreds of years.
At the same time, the others also realized this point, their expressions involuntarily shifting to surprise.
Because in their minds, Don was a mysterious and formidable existence.
Many had regarded his centuries-long stay in the Dark Continent as mere legend—some even outright disbelieved it.
The current situation made them realize that Don wasn't some invincible symbol or a mythical monster.
He was a person—a living, breathing human.
He could be injured, feel pain, and even die.
They didn't need to mythologize him. Instead, they should see him as a role model and learn from him.
...
After a brief silence, Akira spoke again:
"My conditions are very simple, but let's heal you first."
"Your condition isn't looking too good."
Akira had a thought, and a large pink egg appeared by his side.
However, this egg was covered in fur.
"Happy~"
Blissey immediately noticed Don, whose aura flickered faintly and seemed unstable, and couldn't help but let out a soft cry.
Knowing exactly what to do, Blissey quickly produced its egg, which radiated a rich life energy.
Just one whiff of it made Don feel invigorated, as if he had recovered slightly.
This strengthened Don's trust in Akira even more.
At this moment, the area around Don was like a forbidden zone—anyone who entered would die.
As a result, Blissey didn't dare get too close to Don.
So Blissey gave a firm squeeze, and the egg made of dense aura instantly scattered apart.
Don cooperatively opened his mouth.
The dispersed aura shimmered with tiny points of light, like a dazzling silver river flowing into Don's mouth.
A surge of rich vitality poured into his body in one go.
Something miraculous happened...