Chapter 2: Born with the Gift of Nen
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Indeed, this is undoubtedly a natural Nen user! The flow of aura on the body’s surface and the amount of aura indicate that the body’s vital points have not fully opened. Rather, relying on a terrifying innate talent, this person instinctively locks part of the life energy—“Qi”—that would normally dissipate, within the body, creating this strange state before them.
Shocked? Naturally!
Generally speaking, among every hundred thousand people, only about one is a qualified Nen user. Those who can harness this potential are exceedingly rare, thus they are called “Geniuses,” “Dominators,” “Psychics,” “Sages,” “Superhumans,” and the like—considered extraordinary individuals.
In truth, everyone has this potential. All living beings contain “Qi,” but not everyone can learn Nen. Those without talent might never master it, even if they are professional hunters.
But natural Nen users are different.
There are very few born with terrifying talent.
“Nen” refers to the ability to freely control the life energy, or “Qi,” that overflows from the body.
Although everyone slowly emits tiny amounts of life energy, the vast majority cannot control its loss. Only through systematic training and exceptional talent can “Qi” be locked in and retained within the body.
What if someone is born able to retain their “Qi”?
Even if only a small portion is retained, it continuously strengthens their body and enlarges their total “Qi” volume.
If such a natural Nen user further cultivates, transforming “Qi” into true “Nen,” they will develop extremely formidable Nen abilities.
Izenabi firmly believed that this young man named Heather before him was unquestionably a natural Nen user.
Judging from his appearance, he had likely not undergone formal Nen training but relied solely on his terrifying innate talent to lock part of his life energy, resulting in physical abilities far beyond ordinary people.
“Izenabi, why don’t you step outside for a while?” Jack kindly suggested. “It’s a mess in here with smoke and blood everywhere. Don’t soil your clothes. I’ll call you when it’s cleaned up.”
Izenabi snapped out of his trance and hurried outside. “Sorry, I’ll help you clean up later. I need to make a phone call first.”
He stepped over the scattered debris of the shop door and went to the street outside.
The earlier loud noise had alarmed passersby, but instead of curious onlookers gathering, people hurried past, eager to avoid getting involved.
Izenabi found a quiet alley, pulled out a beetle-shaped phone from behind him, quickly dialed a number, and anxiously waited for the call to connect.
Beep—
“Hello, this is the Hunter Association Headquarters. How may I assist you?”
“Beanface, this is Izenabi! Connect me to the Chairman immediately!”
“Mr. Izenabi, long time no see. What’s the occasion?”
“I have something very important to report to the Chairman!”
“Understood, please hold.”
...
Ring ring!
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Heather and Jack, who were tidying the last bits of trash into an empty box, instinctively looked toward the shop door.
Izenabi stood there, one hand in his pocket, the other posed as if ringing the bell on the door frame. “Looks like you don’t need my help cleaning up?”
“You’re a guest. How could we let you clean up?” Jack said, slowly standing and straightening his aching back. “Ah, squatting too long really takes its toll. The police will be here soon, and there’ll be a heap of trouble. Izenabi, pick whatever you need. Today, I’ll give you a 20% discount.”
“Actually...” Izenabi pulled out an ID card from his pocket. It had two crossed Xs and a barcode, looking quite ordinary.
What was that? Jack and Heather leaned in to look.
“When the police arrive, I’ll send them away. No need to worry—they won’t suspect anything because I really have this privilege.”
Izenabi smiled proudly. “I’m a Hunter.”
Heather blinked, hesitating before saying, “I’m a Death Knight, item level 470, with all enchanted gems...”
Before he could finish, Jack interrupted with a shout.
“Izenabi, you’re a Hunter?”
Jack’s face flushed red. “Amazing! No wonder, no wonder... If a Hunter with a ‘kill license’ takes care of this, it’s much simpler! Half price! Izenabi, everything you buy in the shop today is half off!”
Heather crossed his arms and frowned slightly.
Kill license? Hunter? Sounds familiar.
Izenabi quickly gathered his thoughts and cleared his throat, looking at Heather.
“Heather, I want to ask you a question—do you know what a Nen user is?”
Heather tilted his head. “Nen user? Like those practitioners who bend spoons with their minds?”
“No, a Nen user harnesses life energy.”
Izenabi raised a finger, making no other move, but Heather instantly instinctively assumed an attack stance.
Jack looked back and forth, completely confused about what these two were playing at.
“That’s very keen perception. I just mobilized a little bit of my ‘Nen’ and ‘killing intent’ toward you, and you immediately sensed it. That’s what sets you apart from ordinary people, Heather.”
Izenabi smiled. “I’m certain you’re a natural Nen user.”
Jack finally understood. “Izenabi, you mean young Heather has the qualifications to become a Hunter?”
“That’s exactly what I’m about to say.”
Izenabi shook the beetle phone from behind him, expression serious.
“I just got approval from Isaac Nitro, the Chairman of the Hunter Association, over the phone. He authorized me to officially teach Heather how to use Nen. Heather, if you agree, I will do my utmost to help you awaken your Nen and become a qualified Nen user.”
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Heather did not immediately agree but pushed up his black-framed glasses and said calmly, “Sounds good, but not everyone qualifies to learn Nen, right? We’ve only known each other for less than ten minutes, and you’re already telling me such secret stuff and eager to take me as your disciple. I’m a bit skeptical.”
His tone was filled with doubt and mistrust.
Izenabi was unfazed and chuckled.
“I see. It is a bit abrupt and ill-considered. But my time is tight, so I have to be straightforward. I hope you don’t mind.”
He unzipped his black hooded jacket, revealing a white martial arts uniform underneath, with the character “Heart” embroidered on the chest.
“I practice the Heart Source Style. Our school values inner cultivation and encourages disciples to help promising talents grow. Most of us have the habit of taking on and mentoring apprentices, which has allowed the Heart Source Style to flourish, gaining more friends and allies. By the way, the representative of the Heart Source Style is none other than Isaac Nitro, the Chairman of the Hunter Association.”
“Heather, you are a natural Nen user with boundless talent, but ‘those who rise above others often face criticism.’ Often, the moment before transformation is the most fragile. Fate has brought us together, and I hope to help you, at least to guide you safely and correctly into the world of Nen users.”
His tone was sincere, and he genuinely sought no reward in taking on a disciple.
Heather responded with an “Oh?” “You said your time was tight just now, so how do you have time to teach me?”
His tone softened somewhat, as if intrigued.
Izenabi stroked his stubbled chin and smiled. “No conflict. My current task is to assist the Hunter Association in teaching a new Hunter Nen cultivation. That guy should arrive by train in two hours. It’s convenient to bring you along. One sheep or two sheep, same deadline.”
Heather scratched his head and looked at Jack hesitantly. “But if I leave, what about the old man’s shop...?”
“Go, Heather!”
Unexpectedly, the usually thrifty old Jack patted Heather’s arm and shouted.
“A small grocery store can’t hold you back! I won’t be your burden. At worst, I’ll hire another reckless... er, excellent young person to help! I’ve known Izenabi for a long time; he’s a good man and will surely be a good teacher. Take whatever you need from the shop, all free!”
Izenabi joked with a smile, “Oh ho, for old Jack to say ‘free,’ it means he truly sees you as a junior, Heather.”
Heather seemed a little embarrassed, scratching his cheek. “That old codger, you watch the shop. Once I learn Nen, I’ll come back and show what I can do! Our goal is to open a hundred ‘Octopus Jack’s Department Store’ chains—publicly listed, with trademarks and slogans all planned...”
“Enough chatter! Pack up and get going!” Jack, unaccustomed to such sentimental moments, shouted angrily. “Izenabi, check the storeroom for anything we need. Heather, you upstairs to pack your things!”
Ten minutes later, still wearing his work clothes, Heather stood at the door holding a gray canvas bag. Izenabi, having just sent off the police, stood outside with his backpack.
Having lived here for only a month, Heather had few belongings to take, traveling light.
Izenabi had picked up some daily essentials—shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper—in the storeroom. Curiously, he also took some tall wine glasses and refused to say why, acting mysteriously.
What’s the mystery? It’s just for the “Water-Style” technique!
When Heather heard mention of Hunters and Nen, he finally caught on—
So the brother here has crossed into the world of “Hunter x Hunter”?