Unconcerned with the confrontation, Aoki calmly averted his gaze from Neferpitou.
With focused intent, his inner aura erupted—shattering through the Baihui point (a point top of his head) to break his body's natural seal, releasing Nen outward!
But the extraordinary systems, especially those cultivating life force, share the same fundamental logic at their core.
He quickly confirmed that the fontanel was the essence aperture.
This was a switch that had opened during infancy but later closed—a switch innate from birth!
Whoosh...
As soon as the essence aperture opened, vast amounts of pale white nen surged out like a hot spring, dispersing into the surroundings.
For an ordinary person, this moment would be life or death.
Once the essence aperture opened, it could no longer be closed.
If they failed to control the released nen, they would die from life force exhaustion within minutes.
Yet, Aoki remained calm.
'The first-stage Gene Lock can unleash 80% to 100% of a C-grade enhancement's effects.'
'According to the Infinite universe's framework, C-grade enhancements possess preliminary energy circuits, B-grade enhancements have complete energy circuits, and A-grade enhancements undergo a qualitative leap in energy circuits, elevating one's life tier.'
"Nen ability, without a complete energy circuit, is merely a C-level enhancement."
A glint of sharpness flashed through Aoki's dazed eyes.
In his daily life, he had practiced lock-picking repeatedly and had long mastered the first-stage Gene Lock.
Thus, he could fully control his Nen ability—100%!
...
But clearly, others didn't think so.
"He's here!"
Kite watched as Aoki opened his aura nodes, his face clouded with worry. "The most dangerous moment has arrived!"
"No one can help with this step—it all depends on himself."
"But can an ordinary person with no training really control their aura?"
The orthodox method was to undergo the Hunter Exam and receive training in the Shingen-ryu style from the Hunter Association.
Yet even among those who had trained, many failed.
Let alone someone completely untrained?
"Go for it, big bro!" Gon clenched his fists and whispered.
When he awakened his Nen, he too had felt the difficulty.
His teacher, Wing, had told him his talent was exceptional.
Many examinees gave their all but still failed to control their aura, dying at this very step.
Among every ten Hunters who passed the exam, often only one or two would become Nen users.
"So this is how humans master Nen?"
Neferpitou, the cat-like Chimera Ant, watched curiously but soon grew bored. "Nothing special. It's so troublesome—humans are truly weak."
"A truly powerful race should be like me, born already knowing Nen."
"How dull."
Neferpitou yawned lazily.
"You there!"
Kite shot a glance at Neferpitou before shouting to Aoki, "Use your imagination and willpower! Grasp your aura—picture it like a blanket—"
Swish!
Just then, Neferpitou casually flicked her wrist, sending an invisible blade slicing toward Aoki.
"You—!"
Kite and Gon's expressions twisted in horror.
An attack at this moment would mean certain death for Aoki.
"I said it's boring," Neferpitou sneered. "So, let him die."
At that very instant—
Aoki lifted his head and casually sidestepped.
Whoosh!
The blade whizzed past him, leaving him unharmed.
"Huh?"
Neferpitou froze in surprise.
"He can move at a time like this?!" Kite exclaimed.
"Wait, Kite—look at his aura!" Gon shouted, noticing something. "His aura is moving!"
Under the trio's stunned gazes—
Aoki's aura abruptly contracted, wrapping around his body like a tightly woven blanket.
Ten—the act of controlling one's aura and binding it to the body, sealing its leakage with sheer willpower.
This was the key to becoming a Nen user.
"He did it, Kite!" Gon cheered.
"Just like that?" Kite murmured in disbelief. "Without even being taught the technique, he comprehended and executed Ten on his own?"
And so effortlessly!
Kite marveled inwardly.
Novice Nen users' Ten was usually crude, their auras stiff and rigid.
But this ordinary man's Ten allowed his aura to ebb and flow with his breath—a hallmark of a seasoned Nen user!
To encounter such a prodigious newcomer at a time like this...
Kite thought, awestruck. Facing malicious interference, he smoothly opened his aura nodes and even mastered Ten without guidance!
"This rookie will definitely become a powerhouse in the future!"
"I even want to take him as my disciple!"
Hunters in the Hunter Association have a requirement to train new Nen users for rank advancement.
Kite had been stuck for a long time, unable to find a suitable disciple.
Now, seeing Aoki, he couldn't help but feel tempted.
'He looks only sixteen or seventeen—just the right age to be my disciple!' Kite's gaze toward Aoki burned with enthusiasm.
...
"Well, well, what a surprise."
The cat girl leaped down from the tree, tilting her head as she studied Aoki.
Her previously lazy demeanor vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "To awaken as a Nen user under my interference… You must be quite talented among humans, huh?"
"But that won't do."
"For the sake of the King, I must eliminate any potential threats."
She licked her claws.
Whoosh!
In an instant, she vanished.
"Die, human!"
Moving at a speed beyond human perception, the cat girl lunged at Aoki, claws slashing.
"Damn it!" Kite rushed forward, his Crazy Slots shifting to No. 2—transforming into an enormous scythe.
This rookie hadn't even learned how to use aura—how could he fight with it?