Kai Vexley slowly awakened from the darkness, gradually opening his eyes. For a few seconds, he remained stunned before regaining his senses.
"Was I rescued?" he wondered, as fragmented memories of being moved by someone passed through his mind.
He turned his head and surveyed his surroundings. The transparent roof, a dilapidated table, the occasional spider crawling by, and a crumbling door. It was unmistakably a slum in Meteor Street.
Frowning, he attempted to sit up. "What?" he muttered, noticing the bandages wrapped around his body. It seemed that, despite the makeshift nature of the bandages, the person who had tended to him had done so with care.
However, he couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable. "Did they really need to remove my underwear to change the bandages?" he thought, feeling the cool air between his legs. Although he was only eight years old, it was an awkward sensation.
Before he could ponder further, a flood of information surged into his mind, as if his consciousness had reached a certain threshold.
" Nen: Virtual Reality (Trait Line)
Ability Effect: It allows the deduction of any object. After mastering a certain amount of data, it can be realized in reality.
Skill Requirements:
1. Both deduction and realization consume a certain amount of Qi. The greater the value of the object being manifested, the greater the consumption.
2. The more detailed the data, the less Qi is needed for deduction and realization."
The system, once hidden deep within his soul, had seemingly adjusted to the laws of this world, perhaps adapting to the Nen abilities inherent in the Hunter X Hunter universe. Kai realized that his Nen, though seemingly magical, was essentially an advanced form of the realization system.
Both systems used Qi to materialize things in the real world, but Kai's Nen allowed these manifestations to become actualized in reality.
"If I have enough data and energy, can I become a god?" he mused aloud, reflecting on the possibilities.
His Nen felt almost limitless, resembling the ability to create reality. After all, even gods needed to consume something to create worlds. Kai's Nen, in essence, was no different from divine authority.
With his eyes closed, Kai could sense the Qi circulating around his body. In a state of [zetsu], he could feel something nourishing his wounds. The healing process was taking place at an extraordinary speed.
"Luckily, the system is helping me," he thought, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Otherwise, I don't know how I would survive in this world."
In the Hunter X Hunter universe, the key to strength was mastering Nen. Becoming a Hunter required one to control their life essence, or Qi, which naturally dissipates from the body.
Theoretically, anyone could learn Nen, regardless of age, physical condition, or illness. As long as they were alive, they could potentially become a Nen user.
However, in reality, few people managed to master Nen. The difficulty of learning Nen was so great that many, including the wealthy and powerful, were unaware of it. For instance, some princes of the Kajin Empire remained oblivious to the concept of Nen.
The reasons for this were manifold. First, there was the natural talent required, and second, the immense determination to persist. Both traits were incredibly rare. Furthermore, to prevent evil individuals from misusing Nen, the knowledge of it was kept highly secretive. The tenacity of many villains made it necessary to keep such powers under control, lest the natural order of society be threatened.
As Kai's mind raced through these thoughts, a faint sound of footsteps approached.
"Da da da—"
The footsteps grew louder, and soon, a wooden door creaked open.
"You've finally woken up," a voice said.
Kai squinted, adjusting his eyes to the harsh light pouring into the room. He saw a figure standing before him.
Based on the impression he had from his rescue, this person must have been the one who had saved him from the garbage heap. He scrutinized them carefully.
The visitor was a petite little girl, seemingly around eight or nine years old. Her hair was a strange shade of purple, and it was evident from the shine that it wasn't dyed. Her large eyes conveyed a maturity that didn't match her youthful appearance. Her legs, although perfectly shaped, seemed oddly out of proportion to the rest of her figure. She wore a judo-like outfit, which was more streamlined than the usual Japanese garments.
All of these details piqued Kai's interest, and a slight frown crossed his face. Something about her seemed strangely familiar.
The little girl, noticing Kai's silence, spoke to herself: "Are you mute because of some accident? That's troublesome."
"Can you hear me?" she asked, looking slightly irritated. "Most people are mute because they're deaf. It's tough to survive in Meteor Street if you're disabled."
As her voice echoed in his mind, a bolt of realization struck Kai. "Wait... It's you!" he thought, the pieces falling into place.
The girl standing before him was Machi, a member of the infamous Phantom Troupe. Known for her fondness for sweets and a strong attachment to money, Machi had a cold exterior, but beneath that, she possessed a sensitive heart.
Kai's lips curled into a slight smile as he replied, "I'm not mute."