Reflex X Nerves

Draw in-

The transparent Nen Aura was rapidly absorbed and consumed!

The Aura pathway impact from blue-grade Advent Emulation, compared to purple-grade Advent Emulation, could no longer cause Baishi even the slightest ache.

The Nen Aura was absorbed quickly, and his Aura pathways were completely unobstructed!

Baishi felt his temples throbbing, but his face only grew slightly pale. He waited in calm concentration, and before long, the Advent Emulation Talisman in his consciousness had fully turned from illusion to substance and solidified!

About two-fifths of his Nen Aura...

Hum! Seeing that he had not used much Nen Aura, Baishi thoughtfully conjured the wheel, found [Talisman - Reflex Nerves] on its back, and channeled Nen Aura into it to remove it.

[Green Talisman - Extensive Knowledge and Strong Memory], [Blue Talisman - Dynamic Simulation], [Purple Talisman - Bungee Gum]!

That was the current configuration of Advent Emulation Talismans set into the front.

Baishi was a little torn.

If he considered the possibility of finding a chance to join the ball-stealing game later, removing [Bungee Gum] was clearly the best choice.

After all, judging from the original story, Netero's goal should have been to test Gon and Killua's potential. If Baishi joined in using [Nen], Netero would surely treat him accordingly.

If that happened, the difficulty of touching him would presumably shoot up!

But once he conjured the wheel, without rubber Nen Aura to assist him, the wheel would inevitably hinder one of his hands to some extent. Keeping the wheel conjured and shrunk would also continuously consume Nen Aura.

Hmm...

If he put the wheel away...

Considering his combat ability was on par with a rookie's, Baishi twitched the corner of his mouth and dismissed the idea outright.

I'll just have to deal with whatever comes. No matter what, I have to find a way to figure out Netero's talent ability first!

With that thought,

His attention returned to [Reflex Nerves]. As he swapped the talismans, the transparent Nen Aura around Baishi did not transform as it did with a Nen Aura enhancement. Instead, three faint threads of Nen, each a different color, circulated endlessly through the transparent Nen Aura.

Rustle~

Baishi took more than ten fishbone needles from the inner pocket of his formal attire, considered briefly, and flicked his wrist.

In an instant, the fishbones scattered in every direction and drifted down like flowers strewn by a heavenly maiden.

[Talisman - Reflex Nerves]!

The instant Nen Aura activated the [Reflex Nerves] enhancement, the nerve conduction speed of every nerve in Baishi's body connected to movement explosively increased severalfold. His pupils, linked to those reflex nerves, contracted like a cat's, and his perception of the world around him seemed to slow rapidly.

That slowing effect was several times stronger than the slowed motion of [Dynamic Simulation]!

The dozen or so scattered fishbone needles were as clearly visible as falling leaves.

The next instant.

The moment the thought of catching them appeared, his reflex speed, beyond all reason, drove his right arm into a lightning-fast, catlike reaction.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

His arm moved so fast that it left a series of lingering afterimages in midair!

When all the afterimages vanished and converged into one!

[Blue Talisman - Reflex Nerves proficiency +1...]

Baishi slowly opened his right hand. Not one of the fishbone needles was missing; he had caught every one of them with precision.

Now I think I understand a little... why the speed of [Snake Awakens], which I copied from Killua, was always different. So it was a matter of nerve conduction...

In that case, physical talent enhancements aren't without merit. Strengthening the body's hardware can bring out the full potential of a talent ability...

With that thought, Baishi increased the number of fishbone needles and tested the limits of [Reflex Nerves]' reaction speed bit by bit.

Until its proficiency reached roughly one hundred percent!

[Ding! Talisman - Reflex Nerves proficiency increased to proficient: Spirit x1!, Vitality x1!]

Hiss-

It had actually increased two stats!

Baishi sucked in a breath, his expression stunned.

So many purple-grade talismans before this had only increased one corresponding stat when their proficiency reached proficient. Why was [Reflex Nerves] so special?!

Before he could figure it out,

The changes to his Vitality and Spirit abruptly descended!

His bodily functions seemed to improve in an instant. His muscle density, bone strength, flesh, nerves, and other bodily tissues all seemed to have doubled in strength. The energy consumed by Advent Emulation was also instantly restored to its peak.

At the same time, his mental qualities associated with [Spirit] seemed to grow more resilient, and his five senses became much sharper as well.

The degree of enhancement seemed a little off...

When the changes ended, Baishi raised an eyebrow slightly.

He had already vaguely noticed some issues when his stats were enhanced before.

Now, with the help of three talent talismans, he had keenly identified the problem.

Aside from [Aura], the enhancements to [Vitality] and [Spirit] had not shown that kind of extraordinary growth.

Instead, like addition, they were enhancements applied one point at a time to his original five stat points, rather than doubling the strength of his already enhanced body!

Is it because of the world's rules?

Baishi frowned slightly.

Could it be that, because the dominant power in this world was [Aura], extraordinary specialization of the body and mind was limited?

Was it only by developing the corresponding [Nen] that one could rapidly strengthen the body?

That probably isn't the case...

Meruem's figure appeared in his mind. From the moment that monster was born, his physical strength had surpassed that of humans.

Perhaps it was a racial limitation?

Baishi was lost in thought.

In any case, his physique and spirit had indeed been strengthened at the baseline. That much was certain!

Even if the increase was small, as proficiency continued to accumulate, it could still reach a very considerable level!

I hope the day comes when I surpass Meruem...

Muttering to himself, Baishi saw that his Nen Aura was being consumed too quickly. Taking advantage of his energy being back at its peak, he decided to put the wheel away for the time being and use [Zetsu] to close his Aura Nodes and rapidly restore his Nen Aura reserves.

Come to think of it... where had those two little guys gone?

The airship was hundreds of meters long, neither particularly big nor particularly small. Baishi emerged from his hiding place, saw no one on either side, casually picked a direction, and began searching.

He wondered whether the ball-stealing game had started yet.

As for whether Netero would start the game as he had in the original story,

Baishi could not be entirely certain either.

This was a real world, after all. The slightest butterfly effect could cause unknown changes.

Hopefully it would begin as usual...

Baishi walked while quickly scanning his surroundings and the people nearby.

After all, only then could he get a chance to fish in troubled waters!

The opportunity was rare and truly could not be missed. Otherwise, if he wanted to get close to Netero again in the future, he could think of no more reasonable way for the time being than challenging him.

If only I had [Ging]-level Advent Emulation...

Tap, tap, tap!