Hunter x hunter: I’m interested in Nen abilities

Chapter 14: The Gourmet Hunter

In his usual training and during combat preparation, Haru had learned that simply maintaining Ken would consume one unit of aura per second—this was the basis of his calculation for his total aura reserves. However, during actual combat, frequent switching between techniques like Gyo, Ryu, and Shu could exponentially increase the consumption rate, with experienced fighters consuming six to ten aura per second depending on their control.

"Hey! Are you even listening to me?"

Adding specific Nen techniques, especially finishing moves, only made the consumption worse.

"Hey! Can't you see me standing here?"

For example, Haru's Bullet Flick, depending on the duration of its charge, could consume an immense amount of aura. The longer the charge, the greater the destructive power, but also the higher the cost.

With only a maximum of 1,000 aura, how many times could he afford to overexert himself?

"HEY!!!"

The green-haired girl's irritated shout broke Haru's train of thought. "You little brat, stop ignoring me!"

Haru raised a hand, gesturing for her to wait. She hesitated, finally quieting down.

Haru bent over the decapitated wolf, pressing his fingers to its body. The Star Mark glowed briefly before dissolving, and the wolf's severed head, which had been inching back toward its body, finally came to a stop.

At the same time, a wisp of deathly aura seeped into Haru's heart.

"So it was already half-dead when its head was blown off," Haru thought. "It's just that the Star Mark delayed its death. And now it's confirmed—so long as the Star Mark remains intact, even decapitation or heart removal won't cause immediate death. But injuries this severe would take a painfully long time to regenerate."

While the green-haired girl waited impatiently, Haru stood and pointed behind her.

"Behind me?" she asked, puzzled. "What is it?"

"Step back a bit," Haru instructed solemnly.

Confused but cautious, she took a few steps back. "Like this?"

"Farther. That's good."

Satisfied, Haru walked over to the fallen poachers. The burly man whose head Toru had partially bitten off was obviously dead—Haru had already felt the aura of death enter his heart earlier. Another was unconscious, having been knocked out by Haru's manipulated comrades. The other two had been shot in the head by Garo.

Haru inspected their bullet wounds. While the Star Mark's healing had closed the external injuries, faint squelching sounds came from their skulls.

"Guess the bullets are still lodged in their brains," Haru thought. "Even if their wounds are healed, they're stuck in an endless cycle of suffering. Time to let them rest."

He wiped away the Star Marks on their bodies, effectively releasing them. Two more wisps of deathly aura flowed into his heart.

As an operator-type Nen user, Haru understood the importance of keeping his abilities secret. The best scenario was one where no one knew how his techniques worked. He resolved to disguise himself as an emitter-type in the future.

The green-haired girl, oblivious to Haru's actions, assumed he was looting the bodies. Concerned, she called out, "Hey, that one's not dead yet! Be careful!"

"I know he's not dead," Haru replied, clapping the dust off his hands.

"What were you doing, then?" she demanded.

"Clearing a mess," Haru said casually before turning his attention to Toru, who was sniffing a bag. Inside lay another Crescent Tiger, drugged and dazed. Toru dragged it out, gently placing it on the ground.

"What do you mean, 'clearing a mess'? Explain!" The girl stomped over, reaching to grab Haru's ear. Haru deftly dodged her attempts.

"Stop moving!" she snapped, lunging again.

Tiring of her antics, Haru caught her wrist. "What are you doing? Bullying me because I'm tired from the fight?"

Caught off guard, the girl hesitated. "Wait, why do I feel like I'm in the wrong here?"

Taking a deep breath, she introduced herself. "My name is Menchi. I'm a newly licensed hunter! I came here because I heard gunfire. These poachers have been on our target list, and these two Crescent Tigers are protected species! Let go of me, and I'll show you my hunter's license!"

Recognizing her name, Haru took a closer look. The fiery green-haired woman in front of him was none other than the Gourmet Hunter who had been an examiner during the Hunter Exam in the original series.

He released her wrist, and she promptly pulled out her license, waving it in front of him.

"Alright, alright, stop waving it. I get it," Haru said, pulling out his own license. "What's the big deal? You think I don't have one? As for these Crescent Tigers, you think I don't know they're protected? Why else would this tiger be helping me fight poachers?"

Menchi stared at him, dumbfounded. "Wait, you're a hunter too? But you're so young!"

Haru scoffed. "What does my age have to do with anything? Look, in the world of Nen, age doesn't matter. Let me guess—you just learned Nen recently?"

Menchi nodded reluctantly. "I've been focused on preparing for a cooking competition, so I've been a bit behind on training…"

"Figures," Haru said, shaking his head like a disappointed mentor. "Work on your fundamentals. Master Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu. Develop your own technique. I'll be watching your progress!"

Menchi felt like she'd just been lectured by a veteran.

"All right, kid, I'm leaving now," Haru said, turning to Toru. "Let her handle the poachers."

"Wait! You're not staying to help contact the authorities?" Menchi asked incredulously.

"Why should I? You're here, aren't you?" Haru replied with a wave, jumping onto Toru's back.

Before Menchi could argue further, Toru roared and carried Haru into the forest, leaving her with the captured poachers and the tranquilized Crescent Tiger.

"Wait! At least tell me your name!" Menchi shouted after him, but Haru was already out of sight, laughing gleefully as he rode away.

(End of Chapter)