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134 HxH: Tombbound Power
🕑 Added 2024-10-19 06:59:10 +0000 UTCThe corners of the young man's eyes twitched as he glanced toward the door, spotting the unconscious bodyguard sprawled on the ground. His heart stirred with a sense of impending danger.
"My good sir, I don't believe we've met before. Could there be a misunderstanding here?" he asked cautiously, taking a subtle step back.
He had a sinking suspicion about what this was all about.
"No misunderstanding," Ronnel replied coolly. "You sent someone to steal my Amethyst Grape Crystal, didn't you?"
Ronnel grabbed a chair, spun it around, and sat down, his gaze weighing the young man from head to toe.
So it really was about the crystal... Kent and the others must've failed and exposed us.
The young man's mind raced. No wonder his men hadn't returned—this stranger had likely killed them. A shadow of frustration flickered in his eyes, but outwardly, he smiled politely, masking his thoughts.
"Ah, you've misunderstood," the young man said smoothly. "I did inquire about the crystal, but I never ordered anyone to steal it."
His voice was calm, composed—a true display of practiced deceit.
"I told my bodyguards to offer a fair price if they found someone with Amethyst Grape Crystal. If negotiations failed, they were to leave it be. I certainly didn't authorize any violence. If they acted rashly, I deeply apologize for their incompetence."
The young man bowed slightly, a gesture of refined politeness.
Ronnel raised an eyebrow, amused by the performance. What finesse… Definitely someone from a V5-connected family, alright. Always spinning stories with perfect manners.
Yet, the subtle movements beneath the young man's feet betrayed him.
With a knowing half-smile, Ronnel glanced at the shadow creeping along the floor toward him. Ah… This guy's a Nen user too, huh?
The young man, focused on his act, failed to notice Ronnel's sharp gaze.
Just as Ronnel shifted slightly in his chair, the young man's shadow stretched unnaturally under the dim light, slithering toward Ronnel's own.
A glint of triumph flashed across the young man's eyes as the shadows neared.
Got him!
But his victory was short-lived.
"First time I've seen a Nen that makes shadows move so freely," Ronnel remarked casually, his tone light as a breeze. Yet his words struck the young man like a sudden drop into freezing water.
The young man's eyes widened. He now saw it clearly—Ronnel's body glowed faintly, the energy of his Nen illuminating the space around him.
The shimmering aura drove a wedge between the two shadows, pushing them apart once more.
Inexperienced eyes couldn't perceive aura, but to those trained in Nen, it was obvious. When Nen users controlled their aura consciously, they could either conceal or flaunt it at will, though few ever chose the latter unless in combat.
Ronnel's control over his aura not only severed the connection between the shadows but also showcased his mastery.
"Hmm. An Emitter, are you?" Ronnel mused. "Trying to immobilize me with shadows—interesting tactic."
Ronnel caught the flicker of disappointment on the young man's face and pieced together the Nen's mechanics.
Nen Ability: Watcher in the Shadow
Effect: The user can manipulate their own shadow freely.
Ability Trigger: When the user's shadow links with an opponent's, both parties share sensory input—pain, touch, smell, etc.
Binding State: If the shadows remain connected, both parties become bound. The strength of the bond depends on the power difference between them.
Restriction: If the opponent causes fatal harm (e.g., pierces the user's heart), the user will suffer the same fate.
So it's a life-linking ability, huh? Using shadows as a conduit… Why does this Nen feel so familiar?
Ronnel stroked his chin thoughtfully, his expression becoming slightly bemused. "Say… Do you know anyone by the name of Hidan or Shikamaru Nara?"
The young man stared blankly.
"Hidan? Shikamaru? Who the hell are they?"
Ronnel gave a small chuckle. "Never mind. Just a random thought."
Then his curiosity got the better of him. "But seriously, why develop such a cold, impractical ability? Feels like a bit of a waste."
The young man's expression darkened, though he tried to maintain his composure. His disdain was barely hidden beneath his indifferent demeanor.
"Bodyguards usually handle most threats," the young man said flatly. "This ability is for emergencies—when someone strong enough shows up that even my guards can't stop."
He smirked. "With this Nen, even if I can't escape, I'll make sure the enemy goes down with me. If they know they'll share my fate, they'll think twice before making a move."
Ronnel clicked his tongue, somewhat impressed but mostly amused. What a cowardly ability—but clever in its own way.
"A Nen ability perfectly tailored for a guy afraid to die. Figures," Ronnel muttered under his breath.
After a brief pause, he leaned forward. "So, which family are you from? What's your status? V5, I assume?"
The young man's face stiffened at the question. With his shadow failed, he knew there was no easy way out. Reluctantly, he looked away, avoiding Ronnel's piercing gaze.
