Tattoos couldn't be "stitched" into existence like this. There wasn't even any ink.
But the fact was, Machi had done it.
That could only mean it was caused by her Nen ability—Transmutation: Nen Thread.
Using her powerful will, she had changed the properties of her aura, transforming it into threads capable of stitching together nerves, blood vessels, flesh, and bone. A mere tattoo was nothing to her.
Gelman watched Machi's technique with rapt attention.
Soon, he realized he could gradually make out her movements—and see the strands of Nen Thread wrapped around her needle.
That was because Gelman had focused the aura produced by his Nen into his eyes with Gyo.
Gyo was an advanced Nen technique in the Hunter x Hunter world.
The basic Nen techniques were Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu.
The advanced techniques were Shu, In, and Gyo.
The combination techniques were En, Ken, Ko, and Ryu.
By using Gyo, Gelman could not only see the movements of Machi's hands, but also activate his Nen ability—Enhancer type - Hunter Badge.
This was an advanced ability of the Hunter Badge that had only emerged after he arrived.
Line after line of "Chinese" that only Gelman could see materialized before his eyes through the Hunter Badge's projection.
"Vitality Constitution: 10 (mainly affects vitality and resistance; an Apprentice Hunter has 1)"
"Stamina Aura: 12 (mainly affects stamina, latent aura, and Aura Output; an Apprentice Hunter has 1)"
"Spiritual Vision Pressure: 1 (mainly affects mental willpower)"
"Grudge bestowal: Meat Saw, Blunderbuss, 2 Lanterns"
"Apprentice Hunter" specifically referred to someone who had opened their Aura Nodes and learned only the Four Great Principles: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu.
Gelman blinked thoughtfully, gaining some understanding of his own condition.
"All done."
Machi withdrew her hands, and the Nen Thread vanished.
A tattoo of a Twelve-Legged Spider with the number "8" on its abdomen now stood out on Gelman's thigh.
She stood up, fixed her eyes on Gelman for a few moments, then said coldly, "My intuition tells me you were just thinking something very disrespectful—and dangerous."
"I wasn't." Gelman shook his head and denied it without hesitation.
For a brief moment, he had indeed considered attacking Machi with the Meat Saw or Blunderbuss to test his Nen ability, but in the end, he had dismissed the idea.
For one thing, the Phantom Troupe members were probably still nearby.
For another, although Machi's main role in the Phantom Troupe was support, she was no weakling in a fight.
Gelman's combat strength was only average among the Phantom Troupe. In a pure test of arm strength, he and Machi, the sixth-ranked member, were evenly matched.
He hadn't expected Machi to notice the mere thought. Her intuition really was sharp.
"I knew we wouldn't get along." Machi stood up and reached into her pants pocket for something, not bothering to listen to Gelman's explanation. "But we don't need to get along, anyway."
"Just so we're clear, I recommended you to Chrollo because we're both from Meteor City and you're strong enough. It doesn't mean we're close."
She pulled out a pink touchscreen smartphone and looked up at Gelman.
"From today on, I'll pass along the Leader's orders to you. Let's exchange numbers."
Gelman searched his pockets and found his own phone.
After Gelman entered his number in the contacts, Machi slipped her phone back into her pocket and picked up a small cloth bag from the corner.
She slung it over her shoulder, then suddenly frowned at Gelman.
"Something feels... different about you..."
Gelman blinked. He couldn't tell whether Machi had really sensed something or was bluffing, so it was best to stay silent.
Fortunately, Machi didn't press the matter.
"Well, until the next instructions come through, I'll be going..."
"Oh, right. If you ever need an emergency wound stitched up, contact me. I'll give you a discount since we're in the same troupe."
As she spoke, she walked down the cold stone steps without looking back. Her flat, cool voice echoed through the Bell Tower.
Gelman waited until Machi's footsteps faded from the Bell Tower, then looked down at the still-lit screen of his phone, where her number was displayed.
His fingers moved rapidly across the screen.
Gelman had a personal habit of assigning nicknames to his contacts instead of saving their real names.
He saved Machi as "Bad Woman."
Then Gelman sat cross-legged on the cold floor and waited for about fifteen minutes.
Once he was sure the Phantom Troupe had gone far enough away, he used Nen to materialize the Hunter Badge.
He stretched his right hand forward. The fragments of the Hunter Badge hung from a chain that passed through them, dangling from his open palm and swaying like a pendulum.
Gelman hung the Hunter Badge around his neck.
He wanted to see how different this Nen ability of his was from the Hunter's abilities in Bloodborne.
Before long, Gelman left the Bell Tower beneath a moonlit, starry sky and headed toward a gloomy forest.
If his memories were right, there should be a "Magic Beast" somewhere around here.
Gelman didn't use Zetsu or In to conceal his aura.
On the contrary, he gradually let his aura leak out using Hatsu, casting out bait and hook like a fisherman.
Sure enough, he had been in the forest for less than ten minutes before he sensed danger.
A pair of crimson eyes lit up in the underbrush.
The rustling was especially clear in the dim moonlight and silence of the woods.
Calmly, Gelman used the Hunter Badge hanging around his neck to materialize his weapons.
The Meat Saw: a strangely shaped, rusted cleaver with a serrated edge.
In its usual form, the blade and handle could almost fold together, creating a roughly oval ring. Gelman's hand gripped the curved handle.
The Blunderbuss: a finely crafted, handheld firearm with a rear-set trigger.
Its bullets were all created by Gelman using aura he had trained, then materialized through Nen.
Gelman gripped the Meat Saw in his right hand and the Blunderbuss in his left. He crouched cautiously, coiling himself to spring into action as he waited for his prey to attack.
Sure enough, the Magic Beast wasn't as patient as Gelman.
It emerged from the underbrush and bared its teeth at him.
Perhaps it had been hungry for too long; viscous saliva dripped from its jaws.
The Magic Beast resembled a wolf, but had two extra legs. Its black fur bristled like flames.
It gave a low, threatening growl, then suddenly charged at Gelman. In an instant, it entered the range of his En.
The Magic Wolf pounced at Gelman, its sharp fangs and claws gleaming in the moonlight.
Gelman calmly raised the Blunderbuss, aimed at the Magic Wolf, and pulled the trigger.
Bang—
A volley of bullets burst out and hit the Magic Wolf without fail.
Their terrifying force tore through its flesh, leaving it riddled with holes!
The Magic Wolf let out a pained whimper, fell into the grass, and began to convulse.
Its mangled, ripped-open abdomen lay exposed before Gelman.
Great. A success on the first try!
Seeing the Magic Wolf down and out, Gelman immediately moved closer.
"Squelch!"
He drove the Meat Saw hard into the Magic Wolf's torn-open belly, plunged it into its organs, and twisted it around.
Before you continue