…Why didn't I realize it sooner?
Was I too excited to discover that this was the Hunter x Hunter world? I've spent a year and a half here and haven't seen a single TV, computer, or cell phone. In the original story, all those things existed normally. There's no way this city is the only one without them.
To think it's over a hundred years before the original story…
Sure, being in a time before the original starts is good—I'd have more time to train. But 127 years before? When the story finally starts, I'll be 145 years old! I'd be dead of old age, thanks for coming.
Well, there are examples like Chairman Netero and Maha Zoldyck. If I become a Nen user, I could probably stay youthful longer than a normal person. I might still be alive.
But even if I stayed young, I'd be a decrepit old man at 145!
Damn it, my grand plan (losing my virginity to a canon character) has been crushed by this!!!
…Feels like my goal has changed somewhere along the line, but whatever. Even if I wanted to go home, it's impossible. By the time Greed Island is made, I'd be a grandpa. I don't want to return to my old world like that.
I can't imagine creating my own Nen ability to return home. Even if I could, I'd probably be an old man by the time it's done.
A Nen ability that crosses worlds… that would probably take decades of training to perfect—if I had immense talent. Otherwise, there's no way I could cross the boundary of worlds.
…Even though I crossed it effortlessly.
…Go on, laugh at me, Vegeta…
Come to think of it, would a Nen ability to return home be an Emission-type? If it's Emission, I might be able to do instant transmission or something. Or maybe it's a Specialization-type? Crossing into another world is pretty damn special.
Anyway, what's my Nen type? I want to be Enhancement or Specialization. That way I could live my dream of being OP.
…Alright! First, I need to learn Nen. I can't even start without knowing my type.
Starting tomorrow, daily meditation!
Huh? Forcing open my aura nodes sounds scary. And I don't know any Nen users anyway.
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I meditated to sense my aura, and after about an hour, I kind of felt it. Maybe it's easier for me because I came from a world with no concept of Nen. At this rate, mastering Nen should be a piece of cake!
…Yeah, no. Life doesn't work like that.
I don't have a "tripper" or "OC protagonist" plot armor.
…I realized pretty quickly—I have no talent.
I'm probably way below Zushi. Then again, Zushi is said to be one in a hundred thousand. Gon and Killua just make him look untalented because they're monsters.
Honestly, I'm probably as talented as that hopeless guy.… not that I know what level he is.
The result: I finally awakened to Nen. That's great. Truly.
The problem… is how long it took.
Gon and Killua could awaken in about a week with meditation. Zushi took half a year.
Me? …Six years.
Yeah. Six. Full. Years.
Even people who awaken without trying exist, and it took me six years of effort… yeah, I'm talentless.
And it wasn't for lack of effort.
I meditated every morning (usually fell back asleep).
Meditated during lunch (often napped).
After work, I meditated (usually went drinking with my coworkers).
Before bed, I meditated to feel my aura (woke up the next morning).
After the first year, I started doubting—maybe I can't awaken because originally I'm not from this world? Or maybe this is a Hunter x Hunter-like world without Nen?
I almost gave up.
But I had nothing else to do, and eventually it just became a habit. My coworkers started looking at me funny, of course.
After five years, I finally started to feel like my body was wrapped in something—this must be aura. Once I reached that point, progress was faster. After another year, I awakened.
I can only do Ten for now, but when I managed it, the world truly felt different.
This is Ten… it feels weird, but amazing. I lived like a normal person, and now I can do something straight out of manga.
I bet I can fire a Kamehameha now… I'm getting pumped!
Time to test Ten. It makes your body tougher, right? I walked into the mine, faced the rock wall we usually pickaxe, and… PUNCH!
GOK! The wall cracked a bit.
…Holy crap. Not only did the wall break, my fist only stings a little. Normally, a punch like that would mean a fracture.
Ten is amazing!!!
…Then I got caught punching walls by the foreman and got scolded. I tried to explain it didn't hurt, but he just got worried about me.
Damn it, boss… you're a good guy…
What? You're asking if my head is okay? Give me back my emotional moment, damn it!
Apparently, smiling while punching walls made me look like a dangerous lunatic…
Anyway, I mastered Ten. Next is Zetsu and Ren. Once I have those, I can finally do the Water Divination test!
I'm so hyped!!!
…And yes, my head is fine!!
Phew.
Working with Ten does make me less tired. Maybe it improves stamina a bit too. I tried coating my pickaxe with Shu (applying aura to an object), but nope. Guess jumping straight to advanced techniques is impossible. I haven't even mastered the Four Major Principles yet.
I'll practice Ten while sleeping tonight.
During breaks and after work, I meditated to practice Zetsu. After six years, no one even looks at me weird anymore…
Which feels… good? And sad.
Zetsu is hard. I try to close all my aura nodes, but my aura never completely disappears.
Gon and Killua really are absurdly talented. Didn't they learn Zetsu almost instantly? Then again, they had a foundation I didn't.
Anyway, whining won't help. Time to practice. I need to erase my presence…
I am the wall… I am the pebble… I am the air…
…Man, this is depressing.
After about half a month, I finally managed Zetsu. Even my roommate didn't notice me when I hid with Zetsu.
I'm sure I can improve though—like hiding my aura faster or moving silently without breaking Zetsu.
Next up, Ren. If I can't do Ren, I can't do the Water Divination test.
I think Ren is just producing more aura than Ten, right? Maybe I can force it with willpower…
HNNGGH!!
Oh? Aura output increased a bit… but barely. Like 10 to 12. That's not Ren.
I think there was some trick to it… but I forgot. It's been over seven years since I read the manga; my memory isn't that good.
I did own all the volumes though… Damn it! Why didn't I bring my Hunter x Hunter collection when I got isekai'd!?
Anyway, enough self-pity. Back to training.
Ren should be easier than Zetsu—it's straightforward. Just overflow aura, right?
It wasn't easy at all.
I managed to overflow aura in about three days. But keeping it there was harder than I thought. Took me almost two months to stabilize it.
Maybe I'm more suited for Zetsu than Ren… Not great for fighting, but at least good for running away.
Anyway, I can finally do Ren! Time for the Water Divination test.
I've been waiting for this moment. Glass, leaf, and water all prepared. I chose a secluded place, just in case.
Alright… come to me, Specialist!!!