A True Hunter

With a cry of "Game start," the two instantly covered themselves from head to toe in "Ten," then collided at speeds nearly impossible for the naked eye to follow. They continually used "Ryu" to adjust the amount of aura in different parts of their bodies for attack and defense.

For a time, loud noise like bursting air echoed throughout the activity room.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Although this was merely a game, and neither of them used "Ko," the strongest attack that combined the five techniques of "Ten," "Zetsu," "Ren," "Hatsu," and "Gyo," every strike still carried tremendous force.

If one accidentally hit the walls, floor, or ceiling, it would likely punch a huge hole through them in an instant.

At first, Allen had been somewhat too cautious when facing Chairman Netero, who held the title of the Strongest Nen user in the world. He had assumed the chairman was far more powerful than he was.

But once they actually exchanged blows, he discovered that Netero only had nearly twice as much aura as he did, and while his unarmed combat skills had reached their peak, Allen did not seem to be much inferior when switching between offense and defense.

Especially in terms of neural reflexes, he was definitely faster than the chairman.

Of course, that might also have had something to do with the chairman's advanced age and the fact that he had not gotten serious at all.

But no matter what, Allen clearly realized that he was no longer weak. He was now a formidable fighter qualified to face first-rate Nen users such as Hisoka, the Phantom Troupe, and the Zodiacs of the Hunter Association—and with a chance of winning.

With that thought, he immediately cast off the restraints on his body and mind. Relying on the max-level 300 unarmed proficiency he had trained in the Dungeon, as well as the skills the original owner of this body had learned from a martial artist, he threw himself wholeheartedly into the game.

For a short while, the two were evenly matched.

But before long, Chairman Netero's vast combat experience began to show. Seizing an opening during one of Allen's attacks, he kicked Allen hard in the stomach.

Bang!

Allen shot straight toward the wall behind him like a cannonball.

At that speed, if he struck the wall, he would undoubtedly blast a huge hole through it.

But at that moment, Allen's aura changed instantly. He directly wrapped his entire back in "Ko," then simultaneously used the completely different Nen traits of Enhancement and Manipulation Nen Ability to create an astonishing burst of aura from thin air, propelling himself back.

The next second...

Using the acceleration he had created, he swung fiercely at the stunned old man.

Boom!

Chairman Netero was sent flying over ten meters away, crossing his hands to block the blow.

At the same time, he infused the floor beneath his feet with Enhancement aura to keep it from shattering under the tremendous impact.

"What did I just see? What an unbelievable technique! You actually possess the talent to bring both Enhancement and Manipulation Nen Ability to one hundred percent! Incredible!"

After steadying himself, Chairman Netero made no attempt to hide his astonishment.

In particular, using the collision of two different aura traits to create an air burst, then using "Ko" to defend himself while launching a counterattack with the recoil at lightning speed.

Without wild imagination and talent far beyond ordinary people, such a thing would have been absolutely impossible.

In more than a hundred years of life, this was the first time he had seen someone develop a technique beyond the four fundamental Nen principles and seven advanced applications.

"Hmm, that's right. I do have the talent to bring both Enhancement and Manipulation Nen Ability to one hundred percent. But didn't you also reinforce the floor the instant your feet touched the ground, Chairman? Compared to you, I'm still far too green," Allen replied truthfully.

At this moment, he finally understood why the chairman before him, despite already being in a period of declining strength, was still hailed as the number one Nen user among humanity in the world of Hunter x Hunter.

Setting aside objective factors such as aura quantity, a body tempered through countless trials, and skills, reaction speed, and experience honed through innumerable battles, the most important thing was his belief in never ceasing to challenge himself.

Despite being over a hundred years old, Netero still possessed a childlike persistence. He had never given up on advancing toward greater heights.

Nen was the manifestation of one's spirit and will!

How could someone with such powerful spirit and will possibly fail to become strong?

"Too green? Do you know how long it took me to obtain my current power?" Chairman Netero asked with a grin.

"I don't know. Maybe more than ten years?" Allen gave an uncertain estimate.

"Forty-five years! I spent thirty-eight years tempering my martial arts and body to their limits, then another seven years fusing my martial arts with the Nen of gratitude I had poured into myself. But you? In just one year, you trained your Nen from nothing to this level. In terms of talent alone, you should be an even more terrifying monster than I am."

By the end, Chairman Netero had completely discarded his usual carefree expression, replacing it with one mixed with anticipation, excitement, and desire. He was no different from Hisoka earlier.

"Is that a compliment?"

Allen avoided the old man's incomparably sharp gaze and deliberately blinked with an innocent expression.

In that instant, he suddenly realized what that fleeting strange sensation from before had been.

It was not some kind of ability, but a desire to surpass his opponent—and himself—in battle against the strong, whether he was actively hunting others or becoming someone else's prey.

Simply put, it was the heart of a true hunter.

Chairman Netero seemed to notice the change in Allen's state of mind and said with a smile, "It seems you've found the answer you wanted, haven't you?"

"Thanks to your guidance."

Allen bent at the waist and bowed to the old man who had guided him.

From that moment onward, he had completed his transformation. Whether in terms of strength or mentality, he was now a qualified "hunter."

Of course, this "hunter" carried two meanings.

One naturally referred to Hunters in the Hunter Association, special professionals who explored unknown territories and pursued whatever interested them in order to fulfill their own value.

The other referred to Hunters in World of Warcraft.

The former hunted valuable targets as hunters. Just as when he had created the Nen Beast—Life Red Dragon—his intention was to grow ever stronger by taking and devouring the power of his prey.

"I believe you will become an outstanding Hunter."

Looking at Allen's bright eyes, no longer clouded by confusion, Chairman Netero nodded in satisfaction before asking with a faintly teasing smile, "So... do you still want to continue this game?"

"Of course! Though I know I may not be able to win with my current strength, it is always good to gain more practical combat experience. Besides, I'm enjoying myself."

The moment he finished speaking!

Allen charged out again like an arrow released from its bow, a delighted smile spread across his face as he swung his fists and challenged the powerful old man before him.

At this moment, he had cast aside complicated thoughts. With his full attention focused on only one thing, he wanted to land a solid hit on Chairman Netero.

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