Lv.35.
That was Morrow's initial assessment.
But when the opponent blocked the bullets with his body, the aura surrounding him intensified slightly, an increase of roughly two or three levels.
A counter-type ability, perhaps?
Without certainty, Morrow decisively drew another pistol from his person and fired another round.
Yet the opponent remained unharmed, deflecting the bullets once more, his aura growing slightly stronger, now approaching Lv.40.
However, Morrow noticed that after the last dozen or so bullets struck, the opponent's aura no longer fluctuated, as if it had stabilized.
Based on this information, Morrow had largely determined the nature of the opponent's ability; like his own, it was Counter-type.
But judging by the intensity of the aura amplification, it wasn't particularly remarkable.
Thus, this enhanced state likely had no time-based limitation and could be maintained until the aura was depleted.
Most importantly, given the opponent's aura output level, the difference was only about six or seven levels, not enough to create a significant disadvantage in direct combat.
In just the time it took to empty two pistol magazines, Morrow had gathered plenty of intel and prepared himself for a head-on confrontation.
Retona glanced at the flattened bullets scattered on the ground before shifting his gaze to Morrow, who wore a gas mask, and Hisoka, who stood silently with a faint smile. Coldly, he stated, "I have no interest in why you're here."
As he spoke, Retona took a step forward, removing his tactical harness in one smooth motion.
"Once you stepped inside, there was only one thing left for me to consider… killing you."
His killing intent was undisguised.
Faced with the oppressive aura of Retona's murderous intent, the three in the room reacted differently.
Sanbica's confusion faded, replaced by tension.
Though her fundamentals were solid, she wasn't a combat specialist. Dealing with a confident Nen user like Retona was her worst-case scenario.
Hisoka studied Retona like a predator eyeing prey, his desire to fight faintly stirred.
As for Morrow, he simply dropped his backpack and discarded his pistol, stepping forward without hesitation to meet Retona's killing intent head-on.
Watching Morrow's actions, Hisoka remarked in a teasing tone, "Morrow, being this eager… Are you trying to let me understand you better?"
The implication was clear; by observing the fight, he could learn more about Morrow's Nen ability.
Hearing Hisoka's words, Sanbica, who had been bracing herself, subtly distanced herself, though her gaze kept flickering back to Morrow.
She wasn't suited for direct combat, but she could tell the gap between Morrow and Retona wasn't vast.
No, judging purely by aura output, Retona still held the advantage.
Sanbica could sense Retona's overwhelming confidence, radiating from within. Paired with his formidable aura output, it exerted considerable pressure on her.
Morrow understood Hisoka's meaning but didn't care in the slightest. His eyes locked onto Retona as he calmly stated, "It's fine. It'll be over quickly."
"Oh?"
Hisoka's eyelids lifted slightly, a faint glimmer flashing in his golden pupils.
Sanbica, meanwhile, looked surprised, unable to fathom the source of Morrow's confidence. She then cautiously glanced at Hisoka. In her eyes, Hisoka was undoubtedly the strongest in the arena. If Hisoka and Morrow could join forces, it would likely be the safest approach.
So now she was somewhat puzzled instead.
Retona showed no reaction to Morrow's words.
He had fought his way here through bloodshed. Before reaching his current position, he had encountered countless boastful individuals, yet he was always the last one standing.
Morrow observed Retona's reaction and silently appreciated the benefits of his earlier two volleys of gunfire. They had allowed him to discern the other's Nen type and, consequently, his personality and fighting style.
Against a typical Emitter, it would have been a brutal battle.
But with his Deceptive Shooting Star, he could leverage the 200 % power mechanism to achieve a special advantage in this situation.
Morrow thought to himself, then calmly raised his hand, gathering aura.
In an instant, the aura above his palm sharpened like a spear, quickly condensing into a fluorescent green Shooting Star.
"Deceptive Shooting Star."
Morrow flicked the Shooting Star backward with a reverse motion.
The projectile shot from his hand, streaking between Hisoka and Sanbica in the blink of an eye.
Retona, seeing Morrow's action, instantly judged him as an Emitter and stepped forward, charging at Morrow with overwhelming aura.
As Retona closed in at high speed, Morrow remained unmoved.
The earlier Shooting Star had been set with only a one-second delay, so it would return very soon.
Whoosh…
The fluorescent green Shooting Star sliced through the air, reversing course at an even faster speed and hurtling toward Morrow's back.
With practiced ease, Morrow simply sidestepped lightly, allowing the projectile to pass in front of him, straight toward Retona, who was now within striking distance.
Seeing the Shooting Star coming, Retona was slightly surprised but remained committed to his initial combat strategy, relying on sheer physical superiority to secure victory.
At this distance, as long as I block that Nen bullet… it'll be over in one move. That line should be mine!
Rather than hastily dodging, Retona chose to leverage his Nen type advantage, intending to tank the hit with his body and seize the critical moment to cripple Morrow.
Yet the instant Retona's body made contact with the Shooting Star,
A gaping, irreparable crack formed in his confidence.
The projectile's power far exceeded his expectations.
No. My aura is stronger and more abundant. Why is this happening?!
The thought flashed through his mind in disbelief.
The next moment, the Shooting Star exploded against Retona.
The force contained within shattered his aura defense outright, erupting into a bloody mist in front of him and sending him flying backward. He crashed heavily onto the ground.
Morrow glanced at the motionless Retona, then briefly checked the back of his hand.
Lv.31 → Lv.33
Hm. Dead.
He turned, picked up his backpack, and slung it over his shoulder again.
—--
At that moment, Sanbica stared at Morrow in astonishment.
His external aura intensity was weaker than that man's, yet he could deliver such devastating lethality in a single exchange…
Did he use some kind of Limitation to amplify the Nen bullet's power?
With her systematic understanding of Nen, Sanbica suddenly thought of Vow and Limitation.
Just as she was lost in shock, she heard Hisoka's low, quiet chuckle.
Instantly, a chill ran down her spine. She glanced at Hisoka's profile and instinctively took a step back. Hisoka stared intently at Morrow, unconsciously licking the corner of his lips as his aura gradually twisted into something perverse.
"Heh... heheh..."
What he saw went far beyond what Sanbica could perceive.
The amplified power of the Vow through redirection was indeed the fundamental reason this battle could be concluded.
But what truly ended the fight in an instant was Morrow's insight and confidence.
Hisoka knew.
Morrow had discerned his opponent's ability type and combat style through those initial two rounds of attacks.
From that moment onward, Morrow must have already seen the future.
That's why he could respond with such confidence, "No problem. It'll be over in one hit."
"Ah, how delightful."
The corners of Hisoka's eyes slowly curved upward, his heart itching with unbearable excitement.
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Bonus chapter! Since the story just received a new review, here's an extra chapter. Remember: I'll publish a bonus chapter for every new review and for every 10 Power Stones the story gets.