Gored by a Wild Boar

Leave your brains here.

Handsome guys and beautiful girls, check in here.

Wishing all you handsome guys and beautiful girls happiness every day and endless good luck.

~~~~~~~~~~

Salty, damp sea air filled his nose.

Luo Ye woke up.

An unfamiliar wooden ceiling hung overhead. Sunlight squeezed through gaps between the boards, drawing streaks of light across the floor.

He had transmigrated.

His brain felt as if someone had stuffed a tangled mess into it, and the pain made him grimace.

Memories quickly flooded in.

He hadn't taken over someone else's body.

He had been reborn here.

This was the world of Hunter × Hunter, on Whale Island. Aunt Mito had found him in a pile of garbage and taken him in.

There was another boy at home named Gon, his childhood friend.

Luo Ye rubbed his throbbing temples and sighed.

I'm screwed. If only I'd watched more Hunter × Hunter. Hindsight really is priceless.

He had hoped to coast along with his knowledge of the plot, but he had only seen a few clips on a short-video app. He knew next to nothing about the actual story.

So much for that cheat.

He turned his attention to the strange power inside his body.

His fingertips twitched.

A wisp of invisible Nen emerged.

His memories told him he had been born with it, carrying it since he was in the womb. Who knew I was a natural-born Nen user?

The outline of his ability slowly became clearer.

It seemed he could adapt to his opponent's attacks during battle.

It was a little like Mahoraga from an anime he had watched in his previous life.

Except he was far too weak right now, practically a baby chick.

"Tch."

Luo Ye clicked his tongue, adjusting his outlook in record time.

"No plot-knowledge cheat, but an innate Nen Ability isn't bad either. I'll make do."

His deep-seated love of a good spectacle began to stir.

"Aunt Mito's adopted son, tagging along with the protagonist, Gon... There'll definitely be plenty of fun down the road."

"All upside, no downside."

I remember Nen users can force someone else's Nen awake. Should I give it a shot with Gon-or a fatal shot? Nah. If I get him killed, I'll be the joke instead. He should learn it later anyway. I'll learn alongside him.

He scanned the room and spotted a wooden-framed mirror standing in the corner.

Luo Ye ambled over.

The person in the mirror made him freeze.

Refined features, sharp brows, bright eyes, and a straight, high nose.

Light honey-colored skin complemented a youthful face with a hint of natural aloofness.

He was absurdly handsome.

"Holy crap, this face..."

Luo Ye raised a hand and touched his face.

"Half a step from the reader realm!"

He blinked at the mirror, confirming that the face really was his, then turned away in satisfaction and got out of bed.

He pushed open the wooden door.

The sea breeze swept into his face.

Not far away, a boy wearing a faded short-sleeved shirt crouched by the shore, his trouser legs rolled up to his knees as he stared intently at the waves.

"Hey, Gon."

Luo Ye called out, his voice lazy.

"Got a grudge against that fish or something? It's been almost an hour. Just ask Aunt Mito to cook fish tonight. No need to fight it to the bitter end."

Gon waved without turning his head.

"You don't get it, Luo Ye. Fish tastes better when you catch it yourself!"

His voice carried a stubborn edge.

"Besides, I'm training my reflexes. They'll come in handy when I go looking for Ging!"

Luo Ye rolled his eyes.

Tch. Bringing up his dad again.

Ever since he could remember, the kid had talked about the father he had never met, insisting on becoming a Hunter so he could find him.

Still, getting into trouble with Gon beat basking in the sun on the island.

He and Gon were two different kinds of people.

Gon was full of fiery enthusiasm and wanted to do his best at everything.

Luo Ye preferred going with the flow, gravitating toward whatever looked entertaining.

His only real fixation was probably staying by Gon's side.

After all, sticking with the protagonist meant reaping the rewards, and he could get stronger by taking a beating. It was the safest plan he had come up with since arriving here.

Besides, Aunt Mito had raised both him and Gon. He couldn't just watch Gon march off to his death. He probably called her Aunt Mito because she had taken him in.

A burst of hurried footsteps rang out.

Gon abruptly stood and waved toward the woods.

"Luo Ye! Come quick! There's something fun!"

Luo Ye sighed helplessly, climbed off the rock, and dusted off his backside.

"What is it this time?"

He grumbled, but his feet readily followed.

They passed through a patch of bushes.

In a forest clearing, a black-maned wild boar was digging at the ground with its tusks, its eyes fierce.

Gon stood nearby, clutching a thick branch, his eyes shining.

He looked ready to take the boar on.

"Seriously, Gon, have you lost it?"

"That thing looks nasty. With your build, one shove from its snout would flatten you."

Luo Ye leaned against a tree with his arms crossed. He teased Gon, but the Nen inside him quietly began to circulate.

With Gon's personality, there was no talking him out of it.

All he could do was prepare to clean up the mess.

Gon grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

"Don't worry. I've practiced!"

"Besides, you're here, aren't you?"

The moment the words left his mouth, he charged with the branch in hand.

Startled, the boar let out a shrill squeal and kicked off with all four legs, rushing toward Gon in a gust of wind.

Its tusks gleamed coldly.

Luo Ye didn't move. He simply watched.

The boar was strong. Gon's branch stood no chance against it.

Sure enough.

Gon had barely raised the branch before the impact sent him stumbling backward, snapping the stick in two.

The boar didn't let up and lunged again.

It was about to slam into Gon's legs.

"Tch. You really are a handful."

Luo Ye darted forward, placing himself in front of Gon.

The boar's tusks slammed hard into his shoulder.

An enormous force surged through him.

His shoulder went numb.

He wasn't sent flying.

His body was already adapting rapidly to the impact. Nen circulated, his muscles tightened, and he took the blow head-on.

"Luo Ye! Are you okay?"

Gon hurried to steady him.

"I'm fine. No big deal."

Luo Ye waved a hand, a lazy smile playing on his lips.

"This little guy packs a punch. Just what I needed to loosen up."

Seeing that its attack had failed, the boar squealed and charged again, repeatedly slamming its tusks and head into him.

Luo Ye neither dodged nor ducked.

He simply took it all.

It hurt a little at first, but after enough hits, even that slight pain disappeared.

He even had the leisure to tease Gon.

"See? Told you I was fine. This is all it's got."

Gon's eyes went wide.

"Luo Ye, you're amazing!"

A little more time passed.

The boar's attacks grew weaker and weaker.

By now, its blows felt no different from a tickle.

He had completely adapted.

Luo Ye stretched and rolled his shoulders. The Nen inside him had grown more abundant.

Tch.

Not a bad haul. I've gotten a little stronger again.

He raised his hand and gave the boar's head a measured punch with his Nen-enhanced fist.

Thud.

A dull impact rang out.

The boar swayed, its vision went black, and it toppled stiffly to the ground.

Luo Ye dusted off his hands.

"Done."

Gon ran over to the boar and jumped excitedly.

"Luo Ye, you're incredible! We're having roast meat tonight!"

Luo Ye smiled without speaking and looked up toward the sea.

The sea breeze blew, and he could feel that he was stronger than before.

Just then, Gon suddenly straightened, his eyes bright.

"Luo Ye, I've decided!"

"When I'm a little older, I'm taking the Hunter Exam. I'll become a Hunter and find my dad! Want to come with me?"

Something stirred in Luo Ye's heart.

The Hunter Exam?

Sounds a lot more interesting than lazing around on the island.

Going with Gon means plenty of trouble, which means more beatings to take and more fun to watch.

He grinned and patted Gon's shoulder.

"Sure. You make the trouble, and I'll handle the fallout."

"But let's get this straight. Don't expect me to make the first move."

Gon nodded hard, his face beaming.

"It's a promise!"