The Dimensional Codex of Destruction

The others stayed behind to wait for the old man to teach them Hamon.

"Qin Mo, Qin Mo, were you just fighting with that so-called Stand? As expected, people without Stands can't see it. I just saw you suddenly disappear and then reappear, and that person named Polnareff was injured and fell."

Stand battles could be quick or spectacular, but to those without Stands, they were utterly baffling.

Mei nodded in agreement beside her. The incomprehensible fight made them both sweat for Qin Mo, but it seemed Qin Mo had the advantage the whole time.

"Don't worry, I'll get you guys Stands by tomorrow at the latest."

Qin Mo, who had originally thought he'd need to defeat two more enemies to gather 200 Crystals, discovered that defeating Polnareff had given him 50 Crystals.

After some thought, he realized it must have come from the main quest objective: defeating a Stand user under DIO.

Polnareff had originally been implanted with a flesh bud by DIO to attack Jotaro and the others. He hadn't expected to betray DIO now and be considered DIO's subordinate by the System.

Qin Mo could only say, "Well done!"

"Alright, are you ready to learn Hamon?" Joseph asked the remaining people.

"I won't be needing it, Mr. Joestar," Kakyoin Noriaki shook his head.

Jotaro didn't say anything, just stood there silently. Qin Mo nodded and walked over, "Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Joseph."

"In that case..." Joseph took a few steps forward, took a deep breath, and suddenly attacked.

"Hamon Overdrive!"

His right fingers instantly pierced into their lungs from below their ribs.

"Qin Mo! Hey! What are you doing!" Kiana quickly walked over and supported Qin Mo, who couldn't breathe due to his lungs being pierced.

"Kiana... Mr. Joestar must have had a reason." Joseph ignored Kiana's questioning and said to the gasping Qin Mo and Jotaro, "Like this! Expel the air from your lungs!"

As time passed, Qin Mo felt his breathing gradually return. The influence of Hamon on his body had altered his breathing rhythm. Coupled with the Hamon Joseph had injected, Qin Mo felt abundant life energy permeating his body.

"Hamon... Nen..." Jotaro also gradually recovered his breathing rhythm. Qin Mo, however, found this power to be somewhat similar to how he felt when he'd experienced Kuroro's character card.

But upon closer examination, it was different, like two different machines using the same fuel.

"So this is Hamon..." After canceling the character card, Qin Mo had been trying to comprehend his own Nen, but all his attempts had failed. However, after coming into contact with Hamon, he seemed to have grasped something, as both were forms of life energy.

It was just that, as a conversion of life energy, Hamon's efficiency was lower than Nen's, but its application was simpler, requiring only a specific breathing rhythm to produce. Nen, on the other hand, was more troublesome, first requiring the ability to sense Nen.

Although the Nen system was said to be life energy, the widely circulated methods for awakening Nen relied on the Nen of others. Thus, Qin Mo had never understood where the initial Nen came from.

"As expected, you all have strong talent." Hamon cultivation required talent. Joseph's grandfather, Jonathan Joestar, possessed extraordinary Hamon talent; the life energy produced from his first use of Hamon could heal himself and bring withered trees back to life.

Hamon was purely a matter of the master leading the way and the disciple forging their own path. As a teacher, one primarily taught the characteristics of Hamon, allowing individuals to develop their own usage methods based on those traits.

However, Joseph himself didn't have a fixed combat style; his combat style was to have no style, adapting spontaneously to the opponent's situation. Therefore, he naturally had nothing specific to teach the two, and instead looked towards Kiana and Mei.

"Two young ladies, would you like to learn as well?" Both of them quickly shook their heads. It was clear that the rough attack just now was the so-called teaching method. It was painful to even watch.

But Qin Mo suddenly grabbed both of their shoulders, one on each side. Since they had been supporting Qin Mo just moments before, they hadn't reacted yet as powerful Hamon surged into them from his hands.

"Oh wow, to be able to use it so skillfully on your first try," Joseph exclaimed, seeing this. "This kid might be a born Hamon warrior."

Under Qin Mo's Hamon, Mei and Kiana's breathing was forcibly controlled and its rhythm altered.

"Remember this rhythm. Hamon is very useful when fighting DIO, and it can also prolong your life and prevent aging." Though Herrschers have infinite lifespans... Qin Mo mused. He wondered if joining St. Freya Academy could allow him to trade Hamon, this versatile life energy, as a bargaining chip.

He had previously considered Nen and Stands, but their uncontrollability was too high, with all sorts of bizarre Nen abilities. Moreover, many people in the Honkai world were constantly infighting. He didn't want to interfere and cause the already scarce plot to go haywire to an uncontrollable degree, at least not until he grew stronger.

Hamon, however, was less of a concern. While it had decent versatility, its upper limit was clear. For Valkyries, it would only increase their survivability slightly, not grant exaggerated power or lead to unpredictable mishaps. Mei and Kiana naturally wouldn't refuse a method that could increase their survival capabilities; they had just been startled by Joseph's rough teaching method earlier.

There are naturally other methods for teaching Hamon. Some involve sensing another person's breathing rhythm to slowly adjust one's own, while others use Hamon to forcefully control a beginner's body and guide their breathing.

However, the former takes too long and is generally used for ascetics. The latter consumes too much Hamon and heavily relies on the learner's talent.

Therefore, the most mainstream teaching method became inserting a finger into the lungs to forcibly expel air, then using a small amount of Hamon to guide the breathing rhythm.

Furthermore, learning Hamon is directly linked to physical fitness.

Both Kiana and Mei have good physical conditions. The former possesses the Kaslana bloodline, and the latter is a menkyo kaiden of Hokushin Itto-ryu. Coupled with their Herrscher transformations, they immediately mastered the Hamon breathing rhythm once they felt it.

However, as everyone knows, human breathing is automatic. When you become aware of your breathing, it turns manual. But when you get distracted and do something else, it reverts to automatic.

Hamon breathing is similar. When the two were consciously adjusting their breathing rhythm, it went smoothly. But once distracted, they would revert to their habitual, instinctive breathing rhythm.

"Mr. Joseph, could you prepare three specially made Hamon breathing masks for us?"

Joseph naturally wouldn't refuse such a small request and agreed without a second thought.

Chapter 7: Stigmata Stand

The first day in the JOJO world was nearing its end.

Although he hadn't rushed around much, Qin Mo still felt exhausted because he needed to come up with a good excuse to explain things to the others. One lie requires more lies to cover it up.

Fortunately, many of his lies couldn't be proven at the moment, and there was no one in the JOJO team who could detect lies.

Coupled with Kiana and Mei's cooperation, even though they had many doubts, they chose to believe what Qin Mo had initially said and didn't voice their questions, merely following quietly behind him.

It wasn't until Qin Mo entered the hotel room with the two that Kiana finally asked.

She was naturally a person who couldn't keep things bottled up, and holding it in for a whole day was difficult for her.

"Qin Mo, are you really from the future?"

Clearly, Mei had the same question, but compared to the straightforward Kiana, she chose to keep it to herself and wait for Qin Mo to explain voluntarily.

However, since Kiana asked, there was no reason for her not to listen.

"You could say I am, and you could say I'm not."

Qin Mo thought for a moment. He didn't tell them that in his previous life, they were all characters from works he had read. Instead, he said:

"I know the future of JOJO and the others, and I know them very well, but they don't know me. If I have to explain, it's that I grew up listening to their stories, from Jonathan Joestar a hundred years ago to the story of Jolyne Cujoh in this world. I know it all, so saying I'm from the future for this era wouldn't be an exaggeration."

Both of them nodded as if they understood but still weren't very clear about Qin Mo's origins.

But it didn't matter much. After all, they had been together for several months. Heroes don't ask about their origins, so their friends' backgrounds weren't that important.

"Alright, Mei, today's events have allowed me to convert a Stand ability into a Stigmata. I'll apply it to you."

"What about me?" Kiana quickly asked.

"Not now. It should be possible tomorrow after we defeat the enemy, Dark Blue Moon."

Qin Mo currently had 150 Crystals. The initial 50, plus the 50 from joining the expeditionary force, and the 50 from defeating Polnareff.

He was grateful to Polnareff for his "generous contribution," otherwise, he would have had to defeat Strength to gather 200 Crystals.

"I want to give Crazy Diamond to Mei. Compared to what I prepared for you, Crazy Diamond's healing ability is more important. Plus, with a Stand, Mei will be able to see Stands too, so she can deal with attacks if they happen."

"Attacks? Didn't you say the enemy we'd encounter recently was that fake captain?" Kiana remembered the information Qin Mo had revealed that afternoon. It should be safe here.

"That was the original timeline. Originally, they should have set sail today, but because of our appearance, they've been delayed by a day. Something might change."

Qin Mo didn't completely trust the plot. After all, enemies are also people and would act differently based on new information.

After converting the character card into a Stigmata, the original Josuke Higashikata character card became [Stigmata: Crazy Diamond].

Stigmata: Crazy Diamond (S) Effect: Upon equipping, gain the Stand: Crazy Diamond, possessing the ability to repair. Description: A Stigmata produced through special conversion, it can be directly applied to the back for effect. Removal requires a certain amount of Crystals. A new Stigmata can only be equipped after fully mastering the current one.

The description and effect were simple and direct. The Stand user, Josuke Higashikata, was gone, leaving only the Stand's name.

"Alright, Mei, take off your jacket. This Stigmata needs to be applied directly to the skin on your back to take effect."

Hearing Qin Mo's words, Raiden Mei blushed but didn't refuse. She gently unbuttoned the collar of her sailor uniform.

However, the two of them overlooked Kiana, who was standing beside them.

"No, no, no! Mei, how can you just take off your clothes in front of a boy like that!" Kiana quickly pounced and held down Mei's already unbuttoned collar. It was late March, and it was starting to get warm in the Far East. Senba Academy's school uniform was basically a sailor uniform, with only underwear underneath.

With the collar unbuttoned, a glimpse of fair skin could already be seen...

Then Kiana covered it up.

"Turn around! Don't look!" Kiana glared at Qin Mo, making him regret bringing Kiana along.

If she weren't here, perhaps...

But maybe this was Qin Mo's own fault? After all, he had set out with the goal of completing the mission from the start, and it ended up being a step he found difficult to overcome.

In the end, Qin Mo turned his back. He only turned around after Kiana informed him it was okay, and saw Mei sitting in a chair with her back to him, and Kiana Kaslana standing beside her, looking at him with a fierce but cute expression like a white cat.

Qin Mo walked over and gently placed his palm on Mei's smooth, fair back, feeling Raiden Mei's body tremble slightly.

So cold... Even though she was wearing clothes, Raiden Mei's body was much cooler than Qin Mo's palm.

He opened the System and chose to use the Stigmata. A white pattern appeared on Raiden Mei's back, centered on Qin Mo's palm. A few simple curved lines outlined a human-shaped pattern, which, upon closer inspection, bore a strong resemblance to Crazy Diamond.

"There..."

He reluctantly withdrew his hand. Kiana immediately grabbed the blanket that had been prepared nearby and wrapped Mei in it, giving Qin Mo no chance.

"Ahem, Mei, try it. You can do it with your mind, just think of it as an extension of your own limbs."

The feeling of a Stand is very peculiar. People who haven't experienced it firsthand can't quite understand it, but in reality, it's an extension of one's will. It's like how Jotaro initially resisted his Stand, leading to Star Platinum's so-called "berserk" state. However, that "berserk" state was simply Star Platinum acting on impulses that Jotaro's reason had suppressed.

It's like if you were to pass by an armored car and see all that money inside, thinking how great it would be to have so much money. A normal person would just think about it; they wouldn't actually rob it because they still have reason. But a berserk Star Platinum would act on that thought without hesitation and commit the robbery.

So, when Jotaro accepted Star Platinum as his own power, he gained complete control over it.

Of course, part of that was also because Star Platinum was overwhelmingly powerful.

While Crazy Diamond's strength is also considerable, it doesn't possess the same crushing power as Star Platinum.

After all, when Star Platinum was turned into a DISC, it was because its Stand was too powerful for anyone to use, so Pucci chose to put it away in storage.

Chapter 8: Stigmata Dreamscape

Raiden Mei tried to sense it, and Crazy Diamond's figure appeared behind her. Looking at the strangely shaped Crazy Diamond, Mei blinked her eyes, "This is... a Stand?"

"That's right, it's a Stand. Every Stand has a completely different appearance."