Using Limitation to break through the inherent ceiling of an ability...
Not every Nen user can conceive of this.
The gloomy youth, unaware of the underlying reasons, naturally assumed his target was a highly skilled Emitter-type Nen user.
He had seen it clearly moments ago.
That Nen bullet, resembling a shooting star, combined speed, power, range, and most crucially, stability.
Against an Emitter-type Nen user capable of precise long-range strikes, if one couldn't close the distance before they gained momentum, the likely outcome was being toyed with to death.
This was a common judgment.
It also indirectly ruled out the possibility of the gloomy youth being an Emitter or Enhancer type.
However, the hesitation in the gloomy youth's mind wasn't due to the uncertainty brought by "distance."
In fact, the Nen type he most enjoyed facing was undoubtedly the Emitter type.
This was determined by his Nen ability: Hearth.
Concealing his presence, the gloomy youth glanced toward Morrow's approximate location and lightly pressed a hand against his abdomen.
His Hearth was a composite ability of the Conjurer and Transmuter types.
The ability's effect transformed his abdominal region into a hearth with a lingering ember.
This hearth, materialized using a part of his body as clay, could absorb any type of damage within its tolerance range.
Then, with the ability's intervention, the absorbed damage would turn into fuel, akin to firewood, enhancing the flames within the hearth for a specific duration.
When the flames filled the entire hearth, the gloomy youth's Nen output would significantly increase, and his body would grow increasingly scorching as the burning time extended.
This was why he relished facing Emitters.
He could effortlessly use Hearth to absorb the first wave of an Emitter's assault, seizing the initiative.
But Hearth wasn't omnipotent.
It could only absorb damage within its tolerance range, which depended on the strength disparity between him and his opponent.
Thus, after witnessing the power of that Nen bullet firsthand, he lacked the confidence to absorb damage of that magnitude.
This was precisely why he hesitated.
Should he continue the operation or wait to reformulate the plan later?
Rooted in place, the gloomy youth couldn't make a decisive choice.
—--
Meanwhile.
The car was engulfed in raging flames, the air thick with a pungent odor.
The firelight illuminated the road, casting sprawling shadows across the woods.
Morrow melted into the shadows, his gaze fixed on the sniper's position through Gyo.
At maximum output, Shooting Star, enhanced twofold, now packed more firepower than an RPG.
Moreover, its deviation upon impact was minimal; even if it didn't kill the sniper outright, it would at least inflict severe injuries.
Either outcome would drastically reduce the sniper's threat.
Yet, beyond confirming the sniper's condition, Morrow was more concerned about other enemies lurking nearby.
The instant Shooting Star struck the sniper's general location, he had distinctly sensed a sudden surge in aura fluctuations.
Though those fluctuations subsided within a second, they had still revealed a rough orientation.
"A Nen user, huh…"
Morrow peered into the night-shrouded woods.
That abrupt intensification of aura fluctuations clearly stemmed from some emotional trigger.
Most likely, it was a reaction to seeing their comrade struck by Shooting Star… Emotions themselves can greatly influence the state of one's aura.
Thus, in Nen battles, mentality is one of the critical factors determining victory or defeat.
This is precisely why the Shingen-ryu Style emphasizes cultivating the mind first before all else.
Of course, this doesn't mean emotional fluctuations will always negatively impact one's aura.
In some cases, extreme emotional shifts can instead enhance a Nen user's combat prowess.
But more often than not, they serve as cautionary examples.
Like right now.
Through this, Morrow sensed the fluctuations in that presence, gleaning crucial information from what should have been complete ignorance.
Retreat, or attack?
In less than a breath's time, Morrow decisively made his choice.
Attack, ferociously!
Not only to seize every opportunity to grow stronger but also to fortify his resolve to press forward without fear.
Morrow believed—
If he chose to retreat here, how could he ever hope to gain the strength needed to kill Feitan within his limited time?
Every powerful Nen user had walked through life-and-death battles.
Only by facing mortal danger head-on could one truly see certain things clearly.
Back on that rain-soaked night thick with killing intent, the reason he had managed to eliminate Pakunoda and Shalnark with Shooting Star…
Wasn't that also a result born from the brink of life and death?
If someone had told Morrow before then, You've only learned Nen for half a year, but you can kill Pakunoda and Shalnark right under Chrollo's nose, it would have been laughable.
Even Morrow, as the subject of such a claim, would have burst out laughing.
Yet the truth was, he had done it.
So some things—unless you pour your all into them—you'll never know just how far you can go.
And Nen, a power brimming with infinite possibilities, responds most vividly to such subjective convictions.
Once resolved to attack, Morrow's thoughts swiftly aligned with battle.
He surveyed his surroundings.
The forest wasn't dense, with ample space between the trees.
But fighting in this environment would inevitably limit Shooting Star's mechanics.
I need to get out.
With that in mind, Morrow glanced at the distant hillside, now eerily still.
The woods hindered Shooting Star's effectiveness, but moving to open ground raised the question of whether the sniper could still pull the trigger.
Morrow leaned toward the sniper having already lost that capability, so he stepped out of the forest and onto the open field.
—--
This guy…!
Watching Morrow stride boldly out of the woods, the gloomy youth's heart lurched.
Recalling the Nen bullet that had traversed a kilometer earlier, he instinctively sensed the overwhelming confidence Morrow exuded.
No wonder Zarzan was killed…
But the real fools were those idiots in charge of intel.
How could a Nen user of this caliber be classified as an easy target, giving him the perfect cover to infiltrate?
Yet… what was his goal?
Why disguise himself among the piglets, only to abandon the act midway and kill Zarzan outright?
It made no sense…
Before he could ponder further, he suddenly noticed Morrow's movement.
He was coming straight toward him.
Was I spotted?
As Morrow steadily advanced, the gloomy youth found himself caught between a rock and a hard place.
His subjective judgment of Morrow's strength and the mission requirements given by his superiors...
These two thoughts continuously pulled at his Nen.