Months had blurred into a comforting rhythm on Whale Island since Akira's awakening. The salty air, the endless crash of waves, the simple joys of village life—it all felt like a buffer against the chaotic world beyond. But Akira knew it wouldn't last.
The Hunter Exam loomed in his mind, a gateway to the adventures he'd dreamed of in his past life. And with OPES humming quietly in the background, he was preparing, one subtle adaptation at a time.
The system had revealed more of itself gradually. After that first day, a new panel had appeared during a quiet moment alone:
[OPES Update: Core Functions Initialized.
Infinite Adaptation active. Stat Enhancement Engine online. Analysis Scanner unlocked. Mission Matrix generating tasks. Lore Database partial access granted. Remember, Host: Power grows with use, but haste invites risks.]
No god-mode yet. His stats were still modest—Strength 10, Agility 12, Endurance 9, Intelligence 16, Aura Affinity "Latent." He could adapt skills quickly, but they scaled to his level.
Copying Gon's jump might let him leap twice as high as a normal kid, but not fly. It kept things balanced, exciting. He was OP in potential, not execution—yet.
Dawn broke over the island, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. Akira rose early, as always, slipping out before Mito stirred. Gon was already waiting by the stream, his massive fishing rod slung over his shoulder like a weapon.
"Morning, Akira!" Gon called, his grin as bright as the rising sun.
"Ready for today's challenge? I found a new spot—deeper in the woods. Bet there are bigger fish there!"
Akira nodded, suppressing a smile.
Gon's energy was infectious, a reminder of why he'd loved the character. "Lead the way.
But if I catch more than you today, you owe me that secret fruit spot you mentioned."
"You're on!"
They hiked inland, the path winding through dense foliage. Birds chirped overhead, and the air grew thick with the scent of moss and earth. As they walked, Akira used his new Analysis Scanner subtly.
System, scan Gon.
[Scan Complete: Gon Freecss. Stats Estimate: Strength 12, Agility 15, Endurance 14. Innate Talent: Exceptional. Aura: Untapped but High Potential. Weakness: Naive Trust.]
Nothing groundbreaking, but useful. Akira adapted a fragment of Gon's agility mid-stride, his steps becoming lighter, more fluid. His own Agility ticked up to 13.
[Minor Adaptation: Trailblazing Footwork. +1 Agility.]
They reached the spot—a secluded pond fed by a waterfall, surrounded by ancient trees. The water was crystal clear, teeming with shadows of fish darting below.
Gon set up quickly, his cast perfect as ever.
"This place reminds me of the stories Aunt Mito tells. About the Lord of the Swamp—the biggest, meanest fish on the island. They say it's as long as a boat, with scales like armor."
Akira baited his hook, recalling the lore from the system database. In the original story, Gon caught it after years of trying, proving his worth to leave the island. "Yeah, I've heard the legends. Think it's real?"
"Definitely!" Gon said, eyes sparkling. "And when I catch it, Aunt Mito has to let me go for the Hunter Exam. What about you? You still thinking about it?"
Akira reeled in a small catch, adapting the fish's swimming pattern to improve his own underwater endurance for later swims. "More than thinking. I'm in. But we gotta train harder if we're serious."
Gon nodded vigorously. "Right! After fishing, let's race to the cliffs!"
The morning passed in friendly competition. Akira won a few casts, but let Gon take the lead—building trust, not dominance. By noon, their buckets were full.
[Daily Mission Progress: Bond with Ally (Gon) – 40%. Reward Pending: +2 to All Stats.]
Back in the village, they helped with chores. Akira mended nets with the fishermen, adapting their knot-tying expertise.
[Adaptation: Maritime Mastery (Basic). Intelligence +1.]
Mito watched from afar, her expression softening over time. She'd been wary at first—a stranger washing up—but Akira's quiet helpfulness won her over. That evening, over dinner of grilled fish and rice, she broached the topic.
"You two have been inseparable," she said, serving seconds. "Akira, you've fit in well. But Gon's got big dreams. Dangerous ones."
Gon puffed up. "Aunt Mito, I can handle it! And Akira's coming too—we'll watch each other's backs!"
Mito sighed. "The Hunter world isn't kind. Ging... he left and never looked back."
Akira listened, his system pinging softly.
[Lore Update: Ging Freecss – Legendary Hunter. Location: Unknown. Ties to Whale Island.]
"I get it," Akira said carefully. "But dreams like that—they're worth the risk. We'll prepare."
Mito smiled faintly. "Fine. But prove it. The Lord of the Swamp. If you boys can even get close, maybe I'll believe you're ready."
Gon's eyes lit up. "Deal!"
The challenge ignited something in them.
The next days blurred into intense training.
Mornings: Fishing drills at increasingly tough spots.
Akira adapted water resistance, boosting his Endurance to 11.
Afternoons: Physical challenges. They climbed sheer cliffs, Gon leading with his natural prowess. Akira scanned and adapted, matching jumps but not surpassing—yet.
One climb, Gon slipped on loose rock. Akira reacted fast, grabbing his arm with enhanced strength.
"Thanks!" Gon gasped.
[Ally Bond Milestone: Minor Save. Reward: Overload Mode Preview – Temporary +5 Strength in Emergencies.]
Evenings: Stories and strategy. Gon shared tales of the Swamp Lord—its hiding spots in the murky depths, its ferocious pulls that could drag a man under.
Akira used the time to probe the system. Unlock more functions?
[Response: Additional Functions Require Level 3 (Current: 1). Complete Missions.]
He pushed harder. A side quest appeared: [Gather Island Herbs – Reward: Level Up.]
They foraged together, Akira adapting plant knowledge from villagers. Mission complete.
[Level 2 Achieved. Stats +3 Each. New Function: Unlimited Inventory (Basic) – Store Up to 10 Items.]
Handy. He tested it, stowing a fishing rod. It vanished into a void, retrievable instantly.
As weeks passed, whispers of the Swamp Lord grew. Villagers shared sightings—a massive shadow in the swampy inlet, devouring smaller fish.
One stormy afternoon, they scouted the swamp. Mud sucked at their boots, vines tangled paths. Gon hacked through with a machete.
Akira scanned the water. [Analysis: High Aquatic Activity. Potential Threat Detected – Large Entity.]
"Something's here," he whispered.
A ripple broke the surface— a fin, massive and scarred.
Gon's breath caught. "That's it! The Lord!"
They didn't engage—not yet. Back home, they planned. Gon sketched maps; Akira adapted strategic thinking from lore memories.
[Adaptation: Tactical Insight (Basic). Intelligence 18.]
Friendship deepened. Late nights, they talked dreams. Gon about Ging; Akira about "lost worlds" (hinting at his reincarnation without revealing).
"You're like a brother I never had," Gon said one night, staring at stars.
Akira felt a pang—real emotion in this new life. [Bond Level 2: Gon Freecss. Reward: Aura Sensitivity Enhanced. Faint Nen Glimmers Visible.]
He saw it now—Gon's aura, wild and bright. His own stirred faintly.
The day came. Armed with rods, bait, resolve—they ventured to the swamp's heart.
Rain pelted down. Gon cast first, line slicing water.
Nothing.
Akira followed, adapting Gon's technique fully. His hook sank deep.
A tug—violent, pulling him forward.
"Got something!" he yelled.
The line screamed. The Swamp Lord erupted—scales gleaming, jaws snapping. Massive, easily 20 feet.
Gon whooped. "Hold on!"
Akira braced, stats straining. Strength 13—not enough alone. Overload Preview Activate.
Surge hit—Strength 18. He reeled, muscles burning but holding.
The beast thrashed, dragging them into mud.
Gon joined, their combined effort turning the tide.
Hours blurred—pull, release, adapt.
Finally, with a heave, they hauled it ashore.
The Lord flopped, defeated.
[Major Mission Complete: Conquer Legendary Prey. Level 3 Achieved. Stats Doubled. New Function: Unlimited Inventory Fully Unlocked. Aura Awakening Imminent.]
Villagers cheered their return. Mito, tearful, nodded.
"You're ready. Both of you."
As night fell, Akira felt power stirring. Not overwhelming—yet. But the horizon called.
The boat to the mainland waited. The Hunter Exam—and greater challenges—approached.