Manifestation Aura +10%

In this world, information regarding "Nen" is not public.

Therefore, the general public knows nothing about "Nen."

Even if they witness a Nen user employing extraordinary abilities, they simply categorize them as superhumans, espers, or beings of similar ilk.

Many phenomena once triggered by "Grudge" are dismissed as paranormal events caused by ghosts or spirits.

Moyu has no shadow.

If the woman noticed this, she would undoubtedly perceive Moyu as a ghost or spirit.

Footsteps echoed within the Temple.

Moyu faced the main gate, slowly retreating toward the courtyard, his peripheral vision fixed on the woman crawling along the ground.

The dark night, the mountain forest, and a monster.

Along with a woman who had fled in a panic to the Temple seeking help.

In a tourist spot with such dismal foot traffic, a script like this had never played out before.

To say nothing of the distant past, even "homicides" or "accidental deaths" were unheard of.

Yet, this had to happen on the very second day after he learned "Ten" and awakened his "Nen ability."

Is it a coincidence, or something else entirely?

Moyu thought silently to himself.

If not for the confidence granted by "Ten" and "Soul Echo," he truly wouldn't know how to deal with the threat at hand.

In the face of "Nen," ordinary people are truly powerless to resist.

As things stand, provided he ensures a path of retreat, he can use this so-called "monster" to test his skills.

Actually, calling it a monster...

Although he couldn't extract more information from the woman, judging by the scale and intensity of the "Aura," the opponent is likely a Nen user who only knows the basics.

Moyu made up his mind. As he retreated to the courtyard, he stopped and asked, "What is your name?"

"Monica Hope."

The woman lay on the ground, gasping for air as she answered weakly.

"Monica, is it? I need you to stay here and don't move. Can you do that?"

From start to finish, Moyu's gaze never left the "Aura" in the darkness.

During the process of him retreating from the front gate to the courtyard, the speed at which that mass of "Aura" approached had clearly increased, revealing, to some extent, a desire to attack.

Before contact, it was impossible to determine if the owner of this "Aura" was specifically targeting Monica or was simply an indiscriminate attacker driven by a desire to hunt and kill.

But regardless of which it was, he needed Monica to fulfill her value as "bait."

He felt no psychological burden in making this decision; after all, Monica was the one who had brought the trouble here.

"What... you, you want me to stay here and not move?"

Monica stared blankly at Moyu, thinking she had misheard.

The shrill screams of her companions still rang in her ears; how was staying here any different from walking into the tiger's den?

"Yes."

Moyu was concise, then slowly looked at Monica.

From the moment he opened the Space Gate until now, this was the first time his gaze had rested on Monica's face.

There was, after all, only one choice.

Although Moyu offered no explanation, Monica, whose will to survive was stronger than most, could read a vague message in his eyes—eyes so calm they lacked even a ripple.

Immediately, her mind began to race at an unprecedented speed.

Bait!

In an instant, Monica understood her value in this situation.

She could either stay voluntarily as bait to assist this youth in dealing with the monster that had slaughtered her companions, or refuse and be abandoned by him, left to struggle like a pathetic insect in this courtyard while waiting for death to arrive.

What choice was there to make, really...

Monica slowly came to her senses. Without needing to ask, she said in a tone of near-despair, "Fine, I will stay here and not move."

"You are very smart."

Moyu took a deep look at Monica.

That will to survive, the kind that would desperately grasp at even a single straw, was by no means a meaningless ornament.

In return, he would do his best to ensure Monica survived, provided the situation allowed for it.

"Your decision has gained the approval of Perception, your current Manifestation Aura limit +10%."

Moyu was just about to turn off the unnecessary lights when that voice, impossible to distinguish as male or female, rang out in his consciousness once again.

As the final syllable of the voice faded away—

Moyu could clearly feel that the amount of "Nen" released from within his body had increased.

Was it because of the decision this time?

Moyu's gaze shifted.

The first time was because his outstanding appearance satisfied the "Perception," and this second time was because his decisive choice to leave Monica in the courtyard as bait had gained the approval of the "Perception."

What exactly is this Perception...?

Moyu's thoughts stirred, and the step he was about to take halted.

He thought of the bizarre Calamity from beyond the world map, and he also thought of another answer he had subconsciously dismissed.

The current situation did not allow him to delve deeper, but what he could determine for now was—

The existence of the Perception was beneficial to him.

Setting these thoughts aside for the moment, Moyu turned off the extra lights in the Temple at top speed.

In just a few moments, every area of the Temple except for the courtyard where Monica was located plunged into pitch-black darkness.

The only remaining light source shrouded the helpless Monica like a spotlight on a stage.

Meanwhile, Moyu hid in the darkness of a corner, waiting for that mass of "Nen" to arrive.

Before long.

Footsteps sounded outside the Temple gate, first ascending the stairs, then crossing the threshold—

The intruder was coming in openly and boldly.

In the corner, Moyu's pupils constricted slightly.

In the ink-like darkness of the night, the glow of Nen was as conspicuous as the moon.

In other words—

If Moyu, who was at the gate earlier, could see the other person in the night, then the other person could naturally see Moyu standing before the gate as well.

Therefore, knowing full well that there was a Nen user here, they still chose to walk straight in through the main gate.

Is it simply a case of high skill making them bold? Or are they an Enhancer who excels in frontal combat with both offense and defense?

Moyu's thoughts raced.

A few seconds later, the footsteps drew closer.

Finally, a figure radiating "Nen" arrived in the courtyard and walked straight toward Monica, as if they hadn't noticed Moyu's existence at all.

But how could Moyu be naive enough to think the other party hadn't discovered him?

Meanwhile, Monica, huddled honestly in the center of the courtyard, began to tremble violently with fear.

Hidden in the darkness, Moyu quietly observed the newcomer.

The person was a tall, slender man covered in blood; with every step he took, he left a trail of blood on the ground.

It stood to reason that the blood clinging to the man came from Monica's companions.

Yet, more than the sheer volume of blood, what concerned Moyu more was...

The "Nen" on the man's body was different from what he had observed before; it was clearly more abundant and powerful.

This was enough to prove—

The other party indeed knew there was a Nen user here, and had therefore adjusted their attitude.