My Codependent Yandere Multiverse Adventure!(OLD!)(REWRITE SOON!)

[Zackman2k12]

The shrill blare of an alarm ripped through the mess hall, shattering the comedic atmosphere like a pane of glass. The piercing sound lasted only three seconds, but it was enough to send a jolt of adrenaline through every person in the room.

Sukina emerged from the chef's room, a pout still lingering on her face, but replaced with a flicker of concern. "What was that?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion. "Did someone burn the toast?"

Before anyone could answer, a calm, authoritative voice boomed through the intercom system. "Attention all examinees. Please report to the 3rd Deck Arena immediately. Your presence is required."

A wave of unease rippled through the mess hall as the remaining contestants exchanged worried glances. Something was clearly wrong.

—

We arrived at the arena, a spacious, circular chamber with tiered seating that overlooked a central platform. The 201 examinees who had survived the previous phases of the Hunter Exam were gathered there, their expressions a mix of confusion and apprehension.

Chairman Netero stood at a podium in the center of the platform.

His wizened face and shining bald head, usually creased with a playful smile, was now set in a serious, almost grave expression.

His aura, though still calm, pulsed with an intensity that commanded attention.

"As you all know," Netero began, his voice resonating through the arena, "the Hunter Exam is designed to test your skills, your resourcefulness, your resilience. But it also seeks to identify individuals with exceptional potential, those who possess the qualities necessary to become true Hunters."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the assembled crowd.

He spoke, his voice low and menacing, each word carrying the weight of his authority.

"Criminals applying for a Hunter's License," Netero began again, his gaze sweeping across the assembled crowd, "are also applying for a pardon. The Hunter Exam tests your skills, your resourcefulness, and your resilience. It does not, however, grant you a license to kill with impunity."

He paused again, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Despite seeking a pardon through the Hunter's License, an examinee cannot act wantonly, taking lives for no reason other than their own selfish desires. Among you," he continued, "are six candidates who have demonstrated not only exceptional Nen abilities but also a strong sense of justice and a willingness to act against wrongdoing. These candidates have been selected for a special opportunity. An opportunity to prove themselves worthy of the Hunter title in a way that transcends the traditional examination process."

A hush fell over the arena as anticipation and curiosity crackled through the air.

He gestured towards the rafters, where a coffin-like structure, wrapped in heavy chains, slowly descended from the ceiling.

Within it lay a figure, his Pink hair and piercing pinprick red eyes unmistakable.

His makeup has been marred by the blood of others on his cheeks.

Hisoka.

"These six candidates," Netero announced, his voice clear and resolute, "will face Hisoka in a series of one-on-one combats. Should they emerge victorious, they will be granted a Hunter's License immediately."

He pointed at Hanzo, the stoic ninja who had been a constant presence throughout the exam.

Then, he gestured towards the champions of the Void Goddess that Kasimir mentioned.

Zack, Nobara, and Miu, the female members' expressions were full of surprise- but all I could see in the silver haired Zack was resolute determination.

Finally, his gaze fell upon Rem and me.

"You have been chosen," Netero declared, his eyes locking onto ours with a sense of respect and expectation. "Hanzo, Rem, Tereda – step forward."

He turned his attention back to Hisoka, his voice tinged with a stern warning. "Hisoka," he said, "your actions have been reckless and have violated the spirit of the Hunter Exam. Should you survive these challenges, you will face Execution anyway by my hand. But for now, you will be used to prove the worthiness of others. Let that be solace to you when either they or I kill you in recompense for your sins. I hope that that isn't necessary and that these fighters can eliminate you so I don't have to."

—

We stepped into the arena, the heavy metal door clanging shut behind us. The air was thick with anticipation, a palpable sense of danger that sent a shiver down my spine. Hisoka's coffin-like structure stood in the center of the platform, the chains that bound it groaning under immense strain.

With a hiss of hydraulics and a series of metallic clangs, the coffin cracked open. The chains, their beeping growing more frantic, disengaged from Hisoka's body and retracted into the ceiling, leaving him standing alone in the center of the arena.

Hisoka's usually playful, predatory demeanor was absent. He stood there, his expression blank, almost vacant. But around him, his Nen flared erratically, a massive plume of chaotic energy that pulsed with a menacing aura.

Hanzo, the stoic ninja, didn't hesitate. He moved with a fluid grace, his hands flashing through a series of intricate seals, his aura solidifying into a tangible force.

"Ninja at the Disco," Hanzo announced, his voice sharp and focused.

The air shimmered around him, and in a blink, the arena transformed into a scene of utter chaos. Thousands of multicolored shuriken and kunai materialized, swirling around Hanzo in a deadly vortex.

They shot out in waves, a relentless barrage aimed directly at Hisoka, each weapon exploding upon contact with a deafening bang.

It was a breathtaking display of skill and power, a testament to Hanzo's mastery of Nen.

But it also left Rem and me with no clear path to engage.

We could only watch, our own weapons at the ready, as the deadly dance unfolded.

Hisoka, however, seemed unfazed by the onslaught.

He drew a playing card from his sleeve, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.

His movements were a blur of speed and precision, his body weaving through the deadly storm of shuriken and kunai as if he were dancing with the wind.

None of the projectiles even grazed him.

Hanzo's eyes narrowed in concentration. He expected Hisoka to fully close the distance, to engage in a close-quarters battle.

But halfway there, Hanzo's head suddenly jerked back, a thin red line appearing across his throat.

His body went limp, collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud as his head rolled in another direction.

Hisoka, still standing in the center of the arena, chuckled softly.

He held up the playing card, its edge stained with blood.

"Bungee Gum has both the properties of rubber and gum," Hisoka purred, his voice laced with a chilling amusement. "And In is quite useful for masking one's intent."

The silence that followed was thick with shock and disbelief.

Hanzo, a skilled and seasoned ninja, had been eliminated in an instant, his deadly technique turned against him with a simple trick.

A cold dread settled in my stomach.

This wasn't going to be easy.

Rem and I exchanged a grim glance, our expressions hardening with resolve. We moved forward, our weapons singing as they left their confines.

My sword, infused with chi and Nen, hummed with a razor-sharp edge. Rem's new flail, its spiked ball gleaming menacingly, extended with a metallic whir, its enchanted chain ready to strike.

We blurred into motion, a whirlwind of steel and fury. My sword, a silver streak empowered by chi and Nen, slashed toward Hisoka's chest while Rem's flail whipped through the air, its spiked ball aimed for his skull. Even with our combined speed, amplified to the very limits of our current abilities, Hisoka remained untouched.

He swayed back, barely a hair's breadth from my blade, his movements fluid and graceful, almost as if he were dancing with death itself. Hisoka's laughter echoed through the arena, a chilling sound that sent shivers down my spine.

"Such eagerness," he purred, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light. "But such predictable attacks."

The fight escalated into a chaotic dance of blades and Nen. Rem's flail, its enchanted chain extending and retracting with whip-like speed, kept Hisoka at bay, forcing him to constantly shift and weave, while my sword sought any opening, any weakness in his defenses.

Hisoka, however, was a master of deception and misdirection. His Bungee Gum, an unpredictable blend of rubber and gum, snagged and deflected our attacks, its sticky strands appearing and disappearing with a flick of his wrist. His aura, infused with malicious intent, pulsed around him, a constant threat that kept us on edge.

We pushed ourselves to the limit, our attacks becoming a blur of motion, but Hisoka seemed to anticipate our every move. He countered with effortless ease, his playing cards, imbued with Nen, slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.

The arena floor became a canvas of destruction, scarred with gouges from Rem's flail and the singed remnants of Hisoka's Nen-infused cards. The air crackled with energy, the clash of our powers echoing through the chamber.

Despite our best efforts, the tide began to turn. Hisoka's attacks grew bolder, his movements more fluid, as if he were toying with us, savoring the thrill of the hunt.

A wave of exhaustion washed over me. The constant exertion, the relentless pressure of Hisoka's Nen, was taking its toll.

And then, it happened.

I lunged forward, my sword aimed for his heart. He sidestepped, his laughter mocking my desperation. And in that instant, I felt a sharp tug at my neck, a searing pain that ripped through my senses.

Two thin strands of Bungee Gum, invisible against the backdrop of the arena, had wrapped around my throat. He yanked, the force of it snapping my neck with a sickening crack. The world spun, my vision blurring into a kaleidoscope of pain and confusion.

The last thing I heard before the darkness consumed me was Rem's scream, a raw, primal sound of rage and despair.

Rem POV:

Tereda's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, his eyes staring vacantly at the ceiling.

My heart shattered into a million pieces, a scream of rage and terror tearing from my throat, a raw, primal howl of anguish that echoed through the arena.

Why wasn't I going back?

Something had to be wrong!

Red.

Everything turned red.

A burning rage, hotter than any forge fire, consumed me, obliterating all reason, all sense of self.

My Oni blood roared, a primal instinct for vengeance surging through my veins.

My horn, dormant for years, erupted from my forehead, a spiraling vortex of rainbow-colored energy pulsing with untamed power.

The air crackled with energy, the very fabric of reality distorting under the force of my unleashed rage.

Hisoka, his playful smirk replaced by a look of startled surprise, stumbled back, his Bungee Gum snapping as I charged towards him, my morningstar a blur of motion.

He raised his hands, his Nen flaring in a desperate attempt to defend himself.

It was futile.

I slammed into him with the force of a meteor, my aura a blazing inferno that engulfed him, consumed him.

My Flail shattered, its spiked ball exploding outward in a shower of shrapnel.

And then, I detonated my cultivation, releasing the full force of my accumulated chi in a cataclysmic explosion of energy that ripped through the arena, through the blimp, through the very air itself.

The world dissolved into blinding white, then faded into a familiar, soothing darkness.

-

I awoke with a gasp, my body trembling, my heart pounding against my ribs.

I was back in the training room on the blimp, Tereda's hand resting gently on my shoulder, his voice a soothing balm against the lingering echoes of my rage.

"Rem, it's okay," he whispered, his green eyes filled with concern. "It was just a dream. We're safe."

A dream?

The memories of the fight, of Tereda's death, of my explosive outburst, flashed through my mind with agonizing clarity.

It felt so real.

So vivid.

Because it was real.

It was vivid because we both died.

I looked at the clock on the wall.

28 hours before the alarm.

Before everything went wrong.

"It wasn't a dream, Tereda, don't you fucking lie to me, I have that potion mixed with your blood coursing through me." I said, my voice trembling with fear and anguish. "It was your ability that saved us! That was the future we experienced and we need to change it!"

I collapsed to the floor as Tereda rocked me left and right.

I cried, but I refused to fall asleep.

Tereda's ability allowed us to return back in time using his chi, arriving at our best possible state.

We needed to train and advance.

 

[Zackman2k12]

Tereda POV​

Rem's sobs echoed through the training room, a heartbreaking counterpoint to the rhythmic hum of the airship's engines.


I held her close, my own heart aching with the echoes of the future we had experienced.


Hisoka.


The name now held a weight.


He was a monster, a force of absolute strength compared to us.


Strength that threatened to tear our lives apart.


We had twenty-eight hours to prepare, to find a way to overcome him, to prevent that horrifying future from becoming our reality again.


My mind raced, seeking a solution, a strategy that could bridge the gap between our current strength and the overwhelming power Hisoka wielded.


Our Nen training had been accelerated by the potions Kasimir had provided, but even with our enhanced abilities, we were still outmatched.


Hisoka's mastery of Nen, his cunning and ruthlessness, had proven deadly.


It wasn't enough. We needed an edge, something to tip the scales in our favor.


My gaze fell upon the 1000-hour amulets we both wore, a reminder of Kasimir's generosity.


I'm absolutely certain he dropped the price for me.


There's absolutely no way this is only worth around 20 platinum.


They were powerful tools, no doubt, accelerating our learning to an astonishing degree.


But they had limitations.


One minute of training equaled 1000 hours of skill acquisition.


But that was it.


Strength, speed, and combat experience were unaffected.


Even our cultivation, the foundation of our power, remained bound by the constraints of linear time.


I could reach the 9th level of Houtian, push my chi to its limits.


But it wouldn't be enough.


Hautian, even at its peak, was still a relatively low level of cultivation.


In a world like this, a world teeming with Nen users and superhuman abilities, it was barely enough to compete.


We needed Xiantian, the realm where true superhuman strength and speed manifested, the level at which chi manipulation defied the limitations of the physical world.


And even then, our Nen skills and combat experience were still lacking.


Hisoka had years of fighting, countless battles under his belt. We had a few days and months of constant battle respectively at the most.


Rage threatened to engulf me, but I pushed it back, clinging to the sliver of hope that had brought us back from the brink.


We had time. Not much, but enough.


I needed to find a way to accelerate our cultivation, to amplify our base strength and speed, to bridge the gap between our potential and the reality of the threat we faced.


Enchantment.


That was the answer.


I recalled the countless hours spent within Kasimir's enchanting chamber, the knowledge and skill we had acquired.


I could create something. Something to boost our cultivation speed.


I reached into my armor's storage, my fingers brushing against a collection of materials I had acquired from the material creation machine.


Adamantine bands, their metallic surfaces gleaming with a cool, green glow.


Gems of various sizes and colors, their facets reflecting the dim glow of the training room's lights.


Each one held a potential to be a treasure for pulling power from the void and into our bodies.


I spread the materials out before me, my mind buzzing with possibilities.


Time was short, but with the 1000-hour amulet amplifying my focus and ingenuity, I felt a surge of confidence.


We had a chance.


I got to work.


Rem sat beside me and seemed to do the same.


–-



The air crackled with energy as I channeled my chi and Nen into the adamantine bands.


The Grand star-sapphires, their celestial blue depths swirling with trapped starlight, pulsed with a soft, rhythmic glow, while the Void-obsidians, their surfaces reflecting the emptiness of the abyss, hummed with a barely perceptible vibration.


Runes, etched onto the bands with a precision honed by countless hours of practice within the enchanting chamber, shimmered with a faint, ethereal light, their intricate patterns weaving a tapestry of intent and power.


The first two rings, adorned with the largest gems, took shape before us, their metallic surfaces imbued with our combined will.


We slipped the rings onto our fingers, a sense of anticipation buzzing in the air.


For a moment, the world seemed to shift, time itself distorting around us.


I felt a surge of energy coursing through my meridians, my chi flowing with a renewed vigor.


Rem, beside me, gasped, her eyes widening in surprise.


"It worked," she whispered, her voice laced with awe. "But…"


Her expression shifted, a hint of disappointment replacing her initial excitement. "It's not as powerful as I hoped," she admitted. "It feels like a five-times increase in cultivation and Nen training speed, but that's it. Nothing earth-shattering."


I nodded, sharing her assessment. "It's the limit with our current skill," I said, examining the rings with a critical eye. "We'll need something to push our knowledge further to truly accelerate our progress."


"But wasting the Void-obsidian on something we might replace later…" Rem trailed off, her brow furrowed with concern. "It seems… wasteful."


A smirk spread across my face. "Don't worry, love," I said, my voice laced with a playful confidence. "I wouldn't create something this important without ensuring its… adaptability."


I channeled a pulse of Nen into the ring, my senses attuned to its internal structure.


The runes I had etched onto the band, usually a fixed, unyielding pattern, shimmered with a newfound fluidity, their forms shifting and rearranging themselves with a subtle hum.


"Re-enchantable?" Rem exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise. "But how? I didn't see you add those runes."


"A little trick I learned from the +99 Enhanced Enchanting Tome," I explained with a wink. "Some secrets are best kept hidden until the right moment."


"But why is it so important?" Rem asked, her curiosity piqued. "Why go to the trouble of making the rings re-enchantable?"


I took a deep breath, my heart pounding against my ribs.


This wasn't the plan.


The urgency of our situation, the fear of losing Rem again, had pushed me to act impulsively.


But now, with her standing before me, her eyes filled with love and a hint of confusion, I knew there was no turning back.


I got down on one knee.


"Rem," I began, my voice trembling slightly, the weight of the words catching in my throat.


"We've faced death together, rewound time, and defied fate. We've seen the best and worst two worlds have had to offer. through it all, my love for you has only grown stronger."


I met her gaze, my heart pounding against my ribs. "I know this isn't the ideal time or place," I continued, "but I can't wait any longer. I can't imagine facing another lifetime, another reality, without you by my side."


I held up the Void-obsidian ring, its dark surface reflecting the view of my emotions upon my face. The love, the hope, and the absolute unyielding determination to make this work "Rem, will you marry me?"


Her eyes widened, tears welling up, and a radiant smile, brighter than any star, spread across her face. "Yes," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "A thousand times yes!"


I slipped the ring onto her finger, its cool touch a grounding sensation amidst the whirlwind of emotions.


Rem, her eyes shining with love and a hint of mischief, pulled me to my feet. "Now it's my turn," she said, taking the Grand star-sapphire ring and placing it on my finger. "Consider yourself officially trapped, Tereda Chouju. You are absolutely mine forever."


I laughed, a sound of pure joy, and pulled her close.


Our lips met, a kiss that sealed a promise of forever, our commitment that transcended time and realities.


It was a kiss that held the weight of our love and shared experiences, of trials overcome and futures unknown, of a love forged in the fires of adversity.


One that would be tested throughout time and space.


We broke apart, our foreheads touching, our breaths mingling in the charged air.


For a moment, the weight of the Hunter Exam, the looming threat of Hisoka, the unknown fate of Ram, faded away, replaced by the simple joy of being together.


But the respite was brief. Time, as always, was our enemy.


"We have work to do," I said, my voice regaining its focus, a determined glint surfacing to my eyes and etched upon my face.


Rem nodded, her smile fading into an expression of steely resolve. "Right," she said, her voice echoing my determination. "Let's get to it."


With renewed purpose, we turned back to our task, the materials before us shining and ready.


—


We shifted our focus, abandoning the quest for a better training amulet for now. The 1000-hour amulet was a tough act to follow, and our attempts to surpass it had proven futile. The best we could manage was a paltry 100 hours of training for every hour spent in real-time, a far cry from the efficiency of Kasimir's creation.


"That damn merchant," I muttered, with a frown on my face. "He's hiding something. I'm sure of it."


Rem nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Next time we see him," she said, her voice low and menacing, "we're getting some answers."


With a shared scowl, we turned our attention to a more attainable goal enhancing our physical attributes.


We started with adamantine bands, meticulously etching runes onto their surfaces, infusing them with our intent to amplify strength and speed.


We experimented with different gems, their energies resonating with our chi and Nen, seeking the optimal combination to boost our physical training.


After several hours of trial and error, we achieved a breakthrough. Two sleek, silver wristbands, adorned with Sunstones, lay before us, humming with barely contained power.


"Ten times multiplier on physical training, affecting both speed and strength," I announced, a satisfied grin spreading across my face. "Not bad, eh?"


"Not bad at all," Rem agreed, strapping the band onto her wrist.


I was already reaching for more materials. "We need something for foundation and adaptation to increased strength. Something to reinforce our body control and accelerate our ability to adapt to cultivation."


We crafted two additional wristbands, this time using Earthroot Stones and Homestead beryls, their enchantments resonating with our chi and the stones used to solidify our foundations and enhance our adaptability.


"Ten times increase in adaptation and foundation solidification," I declared, examining the bands with a critical eye. "That should do the trick."


We slipped on the new wristbands, feeling a surge of energy course through our bodies.


Our muscles tingled, our senses sharpened, and a strange sense of stability settled over us.


But after an hour of us practicing our martial arts forms, a wave of exhaustion washed over us, far greater than our usual training fatigue.


"Damn," I gasped, my muscles burning with exertion. "This is… intense."


Rem, her face flushed and her breath coming in ragged gasps, nodded in agreement. "We need a countermeasure," she said, her voice strained. "Something to regenerate stamina and health as fast as these bands drain it."


We spent another hour crafting a pair of sleek, adamantine rings, this time using Emeralds enchanted for life force, their vibrant green glow radiating a soothing energy.


"Pointer finger rings for regeneration," I said, slipping one onto my finger. "Should match the drain from the wristbands perfectly."


We tested the rings, feeling a wave of revitalizing energy course through us, counteracting the fatigue from our enhanced training.


"Perfect," Rem said, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.


I glanced at our hands and wrists, now adorned with an array of enchanted jewelry. "We're starting to look like a couple of walking treasure chests," I remarked dryly.


Rem chuckled. "Indeed. After the exam, we need to visit Kasimir and use that synthesis pot to merge everything but the rings into our amulets. Streamline things a bit."


I nodded in agreement.


A more elegant solution was definitely in order.


But for now, these enchantments would have to do.


We had a fight to prepare for, a monster in the skin of a man to defeat, and a future to rewrite.


Time was ticking away.


And we couldn't afford to waste another second.

 

[Zackman2k12]

Rem POV​

The energy thrummed through my veins, a symphony of power resonating within my core.

I could feel the chi, drawn from the very essence of the universe, swirling through my meridians, invigorating my body and sharpening my senses.

Beside me, Tereda, his brow furrowed in concentration, had already reached the 9th level of Houtian.

His chi pulsed with a newfound intensity, a testament to the power he now wielded.

I pressed onward, pushing my own cultivation to its limits.

The enchanted wristbands, humming with a subtle energy, accelerated my progress, allowing me to absorb and refine chi at an astonishing rate.

Two hours later, I felt the bottleneck break, a surge of power washing over me as I, too, reached the 9th level of Houtian.

"I made it!" I exclaimed, my voice laced with a triumphant grin.

Tereda opened his eyes, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Congratulations, Rem," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You're a natural."

I couldn't help but blush at his praise.

His belief in me, his unwavering support, always made me feel like I could achieve anything.

I glanced at the clock on the wall.

Six hours until the alarm.

Six hours until we faced Hisoka.

"We don't have much time left," I said, a hint of worry creeping into my voice. "I don't feel tired, but I think we need to rest. We've been awake for almost two days straight."

Tereda chuckled. "Rest? My love, my silly Rem, my poor beautiful-,"

I coughed to interrupt him. "Tereda, stop stalling and please just say it."

He shrugged and then explained. "With these levels of cultivation and our regeneration rings, we barely need sleep anymore. I think we could go a whole week with just three hours of sleep."

A mischievous smile spread across my face. "My trap has become even more potent then," I teased. "Now I can spend even more time with my new fiancé."

Tereda feigned a look of mock terror. "Captured by the Rem Powers," he said, his voice dripping with dramatic flair. "Consider me a prisoner of war in the undying love regime, ruled by the dictatorial queen, Rem. Absolutely never send help! I neither need nor want rescue!"

My cheeks flushed, a wave of warmth spreading through me. He was ridiculous, and I absolutely loved it.

"You're the best, Tereda," I whispered, leaning in to press a kiss to his lips.

He smiled, his eyes sparkling with affection. "Only the best for my queen."

I stood up and walked to the console on the wall, Tereda watching me walk towards it.

I stared at the control panel of the holographic combat simulator, a frown etching itself onto my face. Rows of buttons, blinking lights, and a touchscreen interface greeted me, a confusing jumble of advanced technology that was completely beyond my understanding.

"Ugh," I muttered, frustration lacing my voice. "I'm a maid, not a tech wizard."

I glanced back at the training room, where Tereda had just started meticulously refining his swordsmanship, his movements a blur of speed and precision.

"Tereda!" I called out, waving him over. "Help! This thing's more complicated than that bastard Roswaal's magic contraptions!"

Tereda chuckled as he approached, his eyes scanning the control panel with a practiced ease. "What's the trouble, love?"

"I have no idea how to use this thing," I admitted, gesturing at the bewildering array of buttons and screens. "Can you make it simulate the Hisoka fight?"

Tereda's eyes widened in surprise, then a slow grin spread across his face. "You're a genius, Rem," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "That's brilliant."

He quickly navigated the interface, his fingers flying across the touchscreen. "Okay, let's see," he muttered, his brow furrowed in concentration. "It doesn't seem to be able to simulate Nen, so it's time to improvise. Mass of high-speed projectiles check. Opponent with extreme skill flexible in whips, ropes, or chains to simulate his Bungee gum check. Extreme skill in single knife combat to simulate his bungee stupid Shu playing card, check. Failure condition: being hit by anything. Personality and fighting style as close to Hisoka as possible… check."

He paused, his fingers hovering over the speed and combat experience settings. "Let's go with the level of speed we observed from him in the other life and a combat experience level of extreme."

He turned to me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ready for an almost rematch, honey?"

I nodded, my determination hardening. "Let's do this."

We stepped onto the platform, the world around us seemed to transform into a simulated replica of the arena where we had faced Hisoka in that future that I hope we can prevent this time.

A blank humanoid construct with no features other than the single knife in one hand and the whips, chains and ropes attached to every part of his body materialized before us.The moment the simulation began, a barrage of projectiles similar to shuriken and kunai hurtled towards us with blinding speed.

The mock Hisoka, Its movements a blur, danced through the onslaught, his simulated Bungee Gum whips, snagging and redirecting the projectiles, creating a chaotic web of death that we had to navigate.

Despite the simulation's inability to replicate Nen at all, it was a valuable training exercise.

It forced us to push our reflexes to their limits, to hone our coordination, and to develop strategies to counter Hisoka's unpredictable attacks.

We dodged, weaved, and countered, our movements becoming increasingly fluid and synchronized.

Each near-miss, each successful parry, fueled our learning.

But not as much as the absolute mass of failures.

Before we knew it, the alarm rang.

I scowled and looked at Tereda.

"There's no way we can beat him at this point. We need Xiantian." I said.

Tereda nodded, "We need about another 19 hours to get there I think.

I put my face in my hands, "That's 19 hours we absolutely don't have!" I shouted through my palms.

Tereda shrugged, and said. "Well, I guess it'll only hurt for a moment, better than facing Hisoka and suffering."

I shrugged, embraced him and closed my eyes.

We detonated our cultivation at the same time.

—

Okay, yeah that hurt. Dying hurts. "Let's not do that again, please." I said.

Tereda nodded. "Yeah, Emergencies only."

28 hours left again, and hopefully we'll be strong enough to never do that again.

—

30 minutes passed, upon which, the three void-goddess champions kicked down the door of the training room.

The leader, Zack shouts at us with rage, "Okay! You two time-fuckers with death fuckery! Stop killing everyone to reset time! It fucking hurts! If you can't beat Hisoka, I'll fucking do it!"

Tereda POV​

Three pairs of eyes glared at us, their scowls full of anger, frustration, and a touch of Resentment.

Zack, Miu, and Nobara were clearly forced to relive the aftermath and pain of my and Rem's deathsplosions.

I winced, their scowls hitting me harder than any explosive blast ever could.

These weren't villains, these were people I knew that deep down, were fundamentally good.

People who were trying to do the right thing, just like us.

I'd unwittingly inflicted extreme pain and death on them.

Twice.

"I'm… really sorry," I looked away, my voice and expression filled with genuine remorse. "I had no idea anyone else would remember the resets. I thought it was just me and Rem."

Zack, his silver hair practically bristling with indignation, stepped forward. "No idea?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You've blown us up twice now! Vaporized, disintegrated, scattered to the atomic winds! That fucking hurts, and you're just sorry?"

"What do you want me to do?" I asked, spreading my hands in a gesture of helplessness. "I can't undo what's happened."

Miu, her frown in place and a steely glint in her eyes, spoke up. "Recompense," she stated simply. "There has to be something you can do to make up for this."

"Like what?" I asked, my mind racing. What could I possibly offer them that would erase the resentment caused by the trauma of repeated, explosive deaths?

Nobara, her eyes suddenly lighting up, piped up. "Hey, Tereda," she said, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You were from another modern world, right? A world with…anime?"

"Yeah," I confirmed, a flicker of confusion crossing my face. Where was she going with this?

"I notice you have some shiny rings with some cool effects. Can you like- make something that lets us watch all the anime from your world?" she asked, her voice brimming with a childlike excitement. "And maybe some of those light novels and manga?"

I stared at her, then burst out laughing. Of all the things I expected, a request for anime wasn't one of them. But it was… perfect. A small gift, a token of apology that could bring them joy amidst the chaos.

"I wasn't much of a reader back home," I said, pulling a small, silver-framed mirror from my storage. "Mostly because we had TV. But yeah, I remember a ton of anime and manga."

I pulled out a mirror.

I channeled my intent into the mirror, etching runes into it and weaving enchantments that would bind my memories of countless shows, comics, and manga to its reflective surface.

"Here," I said, handing the mirror to Nobara. "It has a genre search function, and it should appear on the glass. Touch it, and you'll be able to experience the story as if you were watching it or viewing it on a screen from a computer."

Nobara took the mirror, her eyes widening in amazement as she activated it, her face lighting up with a giddy smile. "Whoa! This is awesome!" she exclaimed. "Thanks, Tereda! I forgive you, but don't do it again."

Miu stepped forward, her expression softening slightly. "For me," she said, her voice regaining its usual playful lilt, "I think a billion Jenny would suffice. Just a small token of appreciation for the inconvenience of being repeatedly disintegrated."

I winced. A billion Jenny was a hefty sum, but considering the circumstances…

"Fine," I conceded, forcing a smile. "I'll transfer it after the exam, since you clearly don't have bank accounts."

Zack, his scowl finally easing, nodded in agreement. "Fair enough," he said. "For me, I want something that can help us all learn faster."

I rummaged through my storage, pulling out three lesser 100-hour amulets, the ones that multiplied training time by a factor of one hundred.

They were the result of our failed attempts to create something better than the 1000-hour amulet.

I handed them to Zack, and absolutely not mentioning they were technically a failed product. "Here, These should help."

Zack examined the amulets with a critical eye, then nodded. "Thanks, Tereda," he said. "We appreciate it. But yeah, no more surprise explosions, okay?"

The three of them offered reluctant smiles and left.

The tension in the room eased, replaced by a truce.

But the truce would break if we didn't reach Xiantian, so it was time to cultivate.

 

[Zackman2k12]

Hopefully this is also going to be added to Royalroad under the name Z.A.Karpel.

Yes that's me.

 

[Zackman2k12]

The air crackled around us, charged with a raw, primal energy that seemed to vibrate deep within our bones. Our chi, amplified by the enchanted wristbands and guided by the unwavering focus of our minds, surged through our meridians, a torrent of power seeking its final destination.

Sweat beaded on my forehead as I pushed past the final bottleneck, the barrier between Houtian and Xiantian, the realm where chi manipulation transcended the limitations of the physical world, allowing the bypassing of physics to a small degree.

Beside me, Rem gasped, her body radiating with a soft, blue glow that pulsed in rhythm with my own emerald green aura.

Then, it happened.

The chi coalesced within our dantians, a swirling vortex of energy that anchored our newfound power.

We had broken through.

We were in the Xiantian realm.

A wave of exhilaration washed over me, a sense of liberation and limitless potential.

The world seemed to sharpen, colors becoming more vibrant, sounds crisper, every sensation amplified to an almost overwhelming degree.

I glanced at Rem, her eyes shining with a similar exscacy. "We did it," she exclaimed, her voice full of awe at the feeling of strength.

I grinned, unable to contain my own excitement. "We did it, my sweet love," I echoed, pulling her into a tight embrace and kssing her passionately.

But the celebration was short-lived. We still had to make sure we were actually strong enough.

"Sixteen hours left," I said, checking the clock on the wall. "Let's spend two hours getting used to our new abilities, then check the simulator for our progress."

We spent the next two hours pushing our limits, exploring the newfound depths of our power.

Our movements would be a blur to anyone observing, our strength amplified beyond anything we had imagined.

We could overdrive our chi, channeling it into our Nen with as if were were creating a feedback loop that boosted our speed and strength to twenty times our base level.

It was intoxicating, the sheer power coursing through our veins.

"Hisoka doesn't stand a chance!" Rem declared, her voice brimming with confidence.

She grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the holographic combat simulator. "Come on, let's test it out."

This time, Rem took control of the interface, her fingers were slow, but I could tell she learned alot from my demonstration from before.

"Same parameters as before," she said, her eyes gleaming and her mouth fixed in an excited grin, "but let's max out the speed. See how we handle something even faster than Hisoka."

She activated the simulation, and the world dissolved into a familiar scene of chaos.

But this time, it was different.

The projectiles, the mock Hisoka's movements, everything seemed to move in slow motion despite being much faster.

Our enhanced perception, a byproduct of our Xiantian breakthrough even at the first level, allowed us to see the world with a clarity and precision we had never experienced before.

We danced through the onslaught with effortless ease, dodging, weaving, and countering with a speed that defied the limitations of our previous selves.

It was too easy.

The simulated Hisoka, overwhelmed by our speed and precision, fell in a matter of seconds, its holographic form dissolving into a shower of sparks.

The simulation ended abruptly, an error message flashing on the control panel as the machine emitted a thin plume of smoke.

We stared at the malfunctioning simulator with concern as it popped and sparked.

We had pushed the machine to its limits, and it had broken.

It even started to spark so much that a fire started.

"Shit," I muttered, my eyes widening in alarm. "That thing probably cost more than a billion Jenny. Let's get out of here before someone notices."

We fled the training room, leaving behind the smoking simulator and the echoes of our impossible victory.

The echoes being the sound of the anti-fire systems activating and white foam filling the room.

—

Two hours until Hisoka would be scheduled for execution if we didn't stop him. 12 hours have passed since we started this ridiculous search for that bastard to at least follow him and hopefully stop him from murdering people.

We couldn't wait passively with our thumbs up our asses, people's lives were at stake.

We had to act, to intervene, to at least try to prevent the deaths of innocents..

We sprinted through the labyrinthine corridors of the airship, our Xiantian-enhanced speed turning the metal hallways into a blur.

We checked every deck, every room, our senses straining to detect Hisoka's Nen, but it was like searching for a phantom.

Just as frustration threatened to overwhelm me, a wave of powerful, murderous intent washed over us.

It came from a hallway up ahead.

We rounded the corner and stopped dead in our tracks.

Netero stood there, his wizened face a mask of barely contained fury, his aura crackling with a power that made the air itself tremble in a rhythm that even surpassed our current maximum strength.

At his feet lay two figures, their bodies mangled beyond recognition, their life force extinguished.

Menchi.

Buhara.

Hisoka, battered but alive, struggled against the heavy chains that bound him, a defiant smirk still twisting his lips.

Netero's gaze met ours as he shoved him into a coffin shaped containment unit, his eyes filled with a grim understanding. He knew we had seen this before, that we carried the weight of this knowledge in our hearts.

"It seems," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "that some individuals are determined to test the limits of our patience. Rest assured, justice will be served or my name isn't Isaac Netero."

With a final, chilling glare at the captured sadistic bastard, Netero dragged him away, leaving us standing amidst the lingering echoes of violence and despair.

We reached our usual table in the mess hall, my heart still pounding from the encounter with Netero. The image of Menchi and Buhara's broken bodies seared into my mind, a grim reminder of the stakes.

Sukina, oblivious to the tragedy that had unfolded just moments ago, bounced in her seat, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"What'll it be today, guys?" she asked, already flagging down a waiter. "I think I'm feeling adventurous. I'm gonna try that Ridgerider Quail. It sounds exotic!"

A wave of apprehension washed over me.

I knew exactly how this would play out.

"Sukina," I said, my voice tight with a warning she wouldn't understand, "maybe you should reconsider."

"Why?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Don't you think I have good taste?"

"It's not that," I started, then stopped, realizing there was no way to explain without revealing our knowledge of the future. "Just… trust me on this one."

She waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, I'm going for it. Besides," she added with a confident smirk, "how bad could it be?"

The waiter arrived, and Sukina, with an air of authority that belied her youthful appearance, placed her order. "I'll have the Ridgerider Quail," she announced, "Make sure it's properly crispy on the outside."

The chef, a portly man with a jovial smile, and now that I look, health violation fingernails- wash thoroughly you idiot, bustled over to our table, his eyes twinkling with what I could only assume was misplaced confidence in nonexistent skill.

Now that I think of it, how the hell did he get this job?

"One Ridgerider Quail, Miss Majima," he announced, beaming at Sukina. "An excellent choice! Medium-rare, coming right up!"

Apparently, my warning had changed something, because it's worse than before.

Sukina's smile vanished. "Medium-rare?" she echoed, her voice laced with a dangerous calm with faux confusion and real bafflement. "Did you just say medium-rare? For a quail?"

The chef, oblivious to the storm brewing before him, chuckled. "Of course, Miss Majima. Perfectly pink in the middle, just the way it should be."

The quail was already swiftly cooked wrongly and on the plate.

Sukina's eyes narrowed, a flicker of rage igniting in their depths. "Perfectly pink?" she snarled, her voice rising in pitch. "You imbecile! You absolute culinary barbarian! You NEVER serve poultry medium-rare! It's practically salmonella on a plate! Do you want to poison me?! Well fucking congratulations because I'm immune to poison!"

The chef, finally realizing the error of his ways, stammered in response. "B-but, Miss Majima," he sputtered, his jovial smile replaced by a look of panic. "It's how we always prepare it!"

"Always prepare it WRONG, you mean!" Sukina roared, slamming her fist onto the table, sending plates clattering. "Did you learn to cook in a sewer? Were you raised by a pack of rabid wolves who subsisted on raw meat?! Get back in the kitchen and bring me a quail that's cooked properly! Medium-well! And if you even THINK about bringing me another raw bird, I will personally turn you into quail feed!"

The chef, his face now a shade of crimson that rivaled the imagined pinkness of the quail, scurried back to the kitchen, his dreams of culinary grandeur shattered by Sukina's righteous fury.

Rem, beside me, stifled a laugh, her shoulders shaking with amusement.

Even Killua, usually so stoic, couldn't help but crack a smile.

Only Gon, oblivious to the nuances of fine dining, looked on with a bewildered expression.

I sighed, rubbing my temples.

This was exactly what I had hoped to avoid.

It's even worse this time.

Just as the chef attempted to place another quail onto a pan-

The shrill blare of the alarm ripped through the mess hall, interrupting Sukina's hope for properly cooked meal.

She jumped, startled by the sudden noise.

"What was that?" she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

I offered a scowl. "You'll see," I said, my voice laced with a foreboding she couldn't comprehend.

It was time.

—

The arena buzzed with anticipation as we, along with the other examinees, filtered into the tiered seating surrounding the central platform.

A wave of nervous energy rippled through the crowd, whispers and murmurs blending into a cacophony of speculation.

My mind, however, was strangely calm.

We had reached Xiantian, our bodies and chi honed to a level beyond anything we had previously could have acquired.

Hisoka, the monster who had haunted me, the specter of death that had driven us to the brink, now seemed… insignificant.

This should be easy, I thought to myself, a sense of almost detached confidence settling over me.

"Tereda?" Rem's voice, laced with a gentle concern, pulled me from my thoughts. "Are you alright? You seem… distant. I know we already heard this, but it feels disrespectful to just tune him out like that."

I shrugged apologetically. "Yeah, sorry Rem." I then offered a reassuring smile. "Just thinking about strategy," I said, my voice deliberately light. "Don't worry, love. We've got this."

She nodded, but a flicker of unease remained in her eyes.

Just then, the familiar coffin-like structure descended from the rafters, chains clinking ominously as Hisoka was lowered into the arena.

The air crackled with anticipation as the executioner prepared to release the restraints, the metal clasps groaning under the strain.

"He's all yours," Netero announced, his voice echoing through the arena, a barely perceptible hint of amusement lacing his tone. "Don't disappoint me."

We stepped onto the platform, the heavy metal door clanging shut behind us, sealing us within the confines of the arena.

Hanzo, his expression as stoic as ever, stood beside us, his hands already forming the intricate seals of his signature technique.

"Ninja at the…" Hanzo began, his voice sharp and focused.

But before he could complete the name of his technique, the world erupted into a blur of motion.

Rem and I, our auras blazing with a combined intensity that made the air itself shimmer, launched ourselves toward Hisoka.

Our chi, amplified to its absolute limit, fueled our Nen, propelling us forward with a speed that defied normal human perception.

I was sure only the 3 champions, Netero, and the two of us could perceive us moving.

The world seemed to slow down, every detail of Hisoka's form, every flicker of his aura, becoming crystal clear.

Rem, a whirlwind of blue energy, slammed into Hisoka's legs, her enhanced strength shattering bone and sending him crashing to the ground.

His eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of disbelief replacing his previously deadpan expression.

It was the only emotion he had time to register.

My sword, a silver streak empowered by chi and Nen, flashed through the air, severing Hisoka's head from his body in a clean, precise stroke.

Silence descended upon the arena, broken only by the soft thud of Hisoka's body finally hitting the ground after Rem broke his legs and sent him falling.

The plop and clatter of his severed head rolling across the platform broke at least Netero's stupor as he started laughing.

We stood there for a moment, the echoes of our impossible victory fading into the stunned silence of the audience.

"I knew it would be easy," Rem said, her voice laced with a strange mix of triumph and… disappointment. "But it just feels… wrong, somehow. After all that struggle, all that fear…"

I nodded, understanding her sentiment.

We had tasted death and despair, only to find that our power dwarfed the threat we had faced before by magnitudes.

It felt anticlimactic, a victory achieved before the battle had truly begun.

But as Netero's laughter echoed through the arena, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and respect, I knew that this was only the beginning.

"Ohohohohohohoho-!"

 

[Zackman2k12]

The cheers of the stunned audience washed over us as we stepped out of the arena, the heavy metal door clanging shut behind us, sealing away the echoes of our victory.

The air was thick with the scent of blood and ozone, a lingering reminder of the power we had unleashed.

Netero approached, his wizened face creased with a wide grin. "Congratulations, Tereda, Rem," he announced, his voice booming with approval. "You have both demonstrated exceptional skill and a deep understanding of Nen. I hereby declare you official Hunters."

He offered a respectful bow. "Please join me in my office in ten minutes," he added. "We have much to discuss."

Before he could turn away, I stepped forward, my hand resting lightly on his shoulder.

"Chairman Netero," I said, my voice firm, "there's something you need to see. There are three other candidates who deserve a chance to prove themselves."

I gestured toward Zack, Nobara, and Miu, who stood a short distance away, their expressions a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

"They're stronger than us," I stated simply. "They deserve the same opportunity."

Netero's eyes narrowed, a flicker of curiosity replacing his amusement. "Stronger, you say?" he mused, his gaze sweeping over the three champions. "Intriguing. If they are willing, I would be happy to assess their capabilities."

He turned to the champions, his voice taking on a challenging tone. "Well, youngsters," he said, his smile returning, this time with a hint of a predatory glint, "are you up for a spar with an old man?"

Zack, ever eager for a challenge, stepped forward, his silver hair practically vibrating with excitement. "Bring it on, gramps," he said, cracking his knuckles.

Miu, her usual playful smirk replaced by a look of steely determination, nodded in agreement. "We're not afraid of a little competition," she said, her voice laced with a quiet confidence.

Nobara, bouncing on the balls of her feet, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, practically vibrated with excitement. "Let's do this!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the arena.

Netero chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that hinted at the power lurking beneath his frail exterior. "Excellent," he said, clapping his hands together. "Two of my esteemed colleagues will be joining us for this demonstration."

—

The airship settled onto a desolate stretch of desert, its engines sighing as they powered down.

The vastness of the dunes stretched before us, a landscape of sand and silence that mirrored the intensity of the challenge we were about to face.

Netero, his wizened face etched with a predatory smirk, led us toward a secluded area, a natural arena formed by towering rock formations.

"This will serve as our training ground," he announced, his voice full of rare excitement.

Beside him, the two Blacklist Hunters radiated a palpable aura of danger.

A man named Harold, a conjurer Nen user, knuckles gleaming with golden metal, cracked his fists, a series of clicking sounds echoing through the clearing as a 5 reel slot machine appeared above his shoulder.

A blacklist hunter named Nightshade, her form shrouded in a shimmering black cloak, remained motionless, her presence a chilling void amidst the escalating tension as Roots and branches began to stretch strangely from the barren ground.

Zack, Miu, and Nobara exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgment of the formidable opponents before them. Three against three.

A battle for recognition, a test of their power against the legendary strength of the Hunter Association's chairman and his elite allies.

Then, with a synchronized surge of power, they unleashed their energy.

Their auras flared, emerald green, cerulean blue, and a vibrant crimson as multiple colors added themselves to each aura.

Suddenly their aura turned a strange shade of black as if a void filled with stars was wrapped around them intertwining, amplifying each other in a dazzling display of raw energy- Then the power exploded upwards, cracking the ground in a large area as a crater is formed.

The air crackled, the ground beneath their feet seeming to trembled under the weight of their combined might.

Netero's smirk widened. "Let the spar begin."

The instant Netero uttered those words, Zack and Miu exploded into motion, their forms blurring with a speed that I could barely keep up with my current level of perception.

Zack, a whirlwind of emerald energy, shot towards Netero, his fists a blur as he unleashed a barrage of precise, bone-shattering strikes aimed at the Chairman's vital points.

Miu, a phantom of cerulean light, darted towards Nightshade, her silver-clad boots leaving shimmering afterimages as she aimed a devastating roundhouse kick at the cloaked figure's head.

Harold, the Conjurer, reacted instantly. The slot machine above his shoulder whirred to life, its five reels spinning wildly.

5 cherries lined up, and with a metallic clang, his golden knuckledusters crackled with a blinding white energy.

He charged toward Zack, intercepting the attack with a thunderous uppercut that sent a shockwave rippling through the air.

"Jackpot!" Harold roared, his voice laced with a manic glee as five sevens aligned on the slot machine.

A wave of searing heat erupted from his fists, engulfing Zack in a miniature inferno.

Zack, however, didn't flinch.

The armor that had been his carried coffin shimmered as he quickly slammed his hand into the side- activating a hidden mechanism, it wrapped around him in a heartbeat, forming a protective shell that nullified the heat.

He returned Harold's blow with a devastating punch of his own, the impact echoing like a thunderclap across the desert.

Meanwhile, Miu's kick met empty air.

Nightshade, her cloak billowing, vanished into the shadows, leaving behind a tangle of writhing roots that snaked out from the ground, attempting to ensnare Miu's legs.

"Tch," Miu grunted, effortlessly leaping over the grasping tendrils, her movements fluid and precise.

She landed lightly, her eyes scanning the shifting shadows, searching for Nightshade's hidden form.

"Over here, little bird," a voice whispered from behind her.

Miu spun around, her silver gauntlets raised in a defensive stance, just in time to deflect a barrage of razor-sharp thorns that shot out from the ground.

Nightshade, her cloak shimmering, emerged from the shadows, her form flickering, her height shifting, her features impossible to discern beneath the hood.

Back near Zack, Harold staggered, his arm numb from the impact of Zack's counter. The slot machine whirred again, a random assortment of symbols flashing across its reels.

"Damn," Harold muttered, shaking his head. "No luck this time."

Zack pressed his advantage, his emerald aura intensifying as he unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, each strike aimed with pinpoint accuracy, exploiting every opening in Harold's defenses.

The conjurer, overwhelmed by Zack's relentless assault, staggered back, desperately trying to block the onslaught.

Suddenly, a piercing shriek ripped through the air.

Nobara, her eyes blazing with crimson energy, stood atop her massive black golem, her fingers flying across its back as she channeled her cursed energy.

"Go Go Power strawdolls!" she yelled, her voice laced with a manic glee as she launched a volley of straw dolls towards the Blacklist Hunters.

The dolls, imbued with a chaotic mix of acid, electricity, and explosive force, slammed into Harold and Nightshade, their impacts echoing across the desert like a symphony of destruction.

Harold, already reeling from Zack's assault, cried out as a doll filled with corrosive acid splattered against his chest, burning through his clothes and searing his flesh. He stumbled back, clutching at the wound, his slot machine flickering erratically as he lost his concentration.

Nightshade, her cloak billowing around her, dodged most of the dolls, but one, imbued with a powerful electrical charge, struck her shoulder, sending a jolt of energy through her body that disrupted her control over the roots.

Miu seized the opportunity.

She dashed forward, her speed amplified by her strange energy and Nen, her silver-clad boot connecting with Nightshade's chest with a knockout blow that would normally shatter her skull if not for her not wanting to kill her.

The cloaked figure crumpled to the ground, her aura sputtering out like a dying flame.

Harold, overwhelmed by Zack's relentless assault and the lingering effects of Nobara's cursed dolls, finally collapsed, his body riddled with wounds, his golden knuckle dusters clattering to the ground beside him and evaporating into a cloud of residual Nen.

The two Blacklist Hunters were down.

But the fight was already over.

Netero was frowning.

He didn't actually seem interested in fighting them anymore.

"You are indeed qualified to be hunters. But you won't be a challenge for me. 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva."

A hush fell over the arena as Netero stepped forward, his wizened form radiating an aura of power that dwarfed the combined energy of the three champions.

The playful glint in his eyes vanished, replaced by a laser focus that sent a shiver down my spine.

Behind him, a massive golden statue materialized, its hundred arms outstretched, each hand a weapon, each pose radiating a silent, ancient power.

The 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Netero brought his hands together three times in rapid succession.

The speed of his movements is impossible to track by anyone present.

A blur of motion, an explosion of displaced air, and then silence.

"First hand."

Seemingly three, but maybe just one of the statue's hands shot out, their movements as swift and precise as a striking cobra.

One hand aimed for Zack, another for Miu, and the third for Nobara.

Before they could react, before their enhanced senses could even register the attack, the blows landed.

Zack's aura flickered, then sputtered out as the golden hand connected with his forehead, sending him flying backward.

Miu's glow vanished in an instant as a golden palm slammed into her the side of her noggin, her body crumpling to the ground.

Nobara's energy dissipated like smoke as a golden chop struck her jaw, her black golem dissolving into a cloud of dissipating energy.

The champions, their bodies battered but miraculously intact, lay unconscious on the desert floor, their auras extinguished.

The spar was over before it had truly begun.

Netero, his expression returning to its usual playful serenity, surveyed the fallen champions with a satisfied smile.

"Well done," he said, his voice a gentle rumble. "You have potential. But remember, there is always someone stronger."

He turned towards us, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. "Now, Tereda, Rem," he said, turning around. "My office, please."

The statue disappeared as the mass of stunned silence turned to murmuring.

 

[Zackman2k12]

Netero's office was a spacious chamber, its walls lined with bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, the air thick with the scent of aged parchment and exotic incense.

A large, ornate desk dominated the center of the room, its surface cluttered with stacks of papers, maps, and strange artifacts that hinted at the Chairman's long and storied career as a Hunter.

He gestured toward two comfortable chairs facing his desk. "Please, have a seat," he said, his voice warm and welcoming.

We settled into the chairs, a sense of anticipation buzzing in the air.

"Once again, congratulations on becoming Hunters," Netero said, his eyes twinkling with a knowing smile. "You have both demonstrated exceptional skill and potential. I have no doubt you will make valuable contributions to the Hunter Association."

He paused, his expression turning serious. "However," he continued, his voice taking on a cautionary tone, "there is one matter I must address. While your mastery of Nen is undeniably impressive for self-taught individuals, I must ask that you refrain from teaching it to others."

Rem frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. "But Chairman," she protested, "we've already mastered the basics and even have a good hold of the advanced techniques. Surely we could help others learn."

I wanted to agree with Rem, but Netero had a sadistic glint in his eye.

I feel like hearing him out would be a good idea.

Netero chuckled, steepling his fingers thoughtfully. "Indeed, your practical application is remarkable," he conceded. "You've grasped the fundamentals and even some advanced techniques with remarkable speed. However, there are nuances to Nen, deeper aspects like Ko, In, and Ken, that require specialized instruction. Not to mention the development of a personalized Hatsu. These are best learned from certified teachers."

He leaned forward, his gaze intensifying. "There are reasons for these protocols, Rem. Unauthorized instruction can have unforeseen consequences. Imagine the paperwork if every Hunter had to document their unique Nen training methods. The Association would be drowning in forms!"

A mischievous glint entered his eye as his smirk widened. "Besides," he added, "if you were to teach Nen without certification and your students were to become Pro Hunters without authorization, you'd be obligated to complete the paperwork for them to become Pro Hunters yourselves. A mountain of forms, even larger than the one you're facing now. Wouldn't you prefer to enjoy your newfound freedom as Hunters without tackling that particular challenge?"

Facing Now?

Wait?

I'm facing paperwork?!

Perhaps a bit of restraint in sharing our Nen knowledge wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.

"We understand, Chairman," I said, offering a wry smile. "We'll stick to honing our own skills for now."

Netero's smile widened, his eyes twinkling with approval. "Excellent," he said, rising from his chair and disappearing into a side room.

He returned a moment later, his arms laden with a massive stack of papers, which he unceremoniously dropped onto the desk in front of us.

The truth of his words hit me like a physical blow.

If I were to teach a person Nen, a mountain of paperwork, on top of the already daunting pile before us?

The thought was enough to make my head spin.

Yeah, not teaching Nen.

Absolutely fucking not.

"Now," he announced, his voice laced with a hint of amusement, "let's get started on that paperwork, shall we?"

Then, a high-pitched, tinny "Ohohohohoho!" filled the room.

We stared at the mountain of forms, a sense of weary resignation settling over us.

I'm not even the Hokage, damnit.

This is the wrong damn universe.

—

We stumbled out of Netero's office, our eyes bleary, our shoulders slumped under the weight of bureaucratic exhaustion. Hours spent deciphering archaic forms, detailing the intricacies of our Nen abilities, and navigating the labyrinthine regulations of the Hunter Association had left us drained.

As we shuffled down the corridor, we barely registered the three champions entering Netero's office, their expressions a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Zack sported a prominent welt smack-dab in the middle of his forehead, Miu's left temple was swollen and tender, and Nobara's jaw bore a visible bump, all hastily patched with bandages.

The remnants of their encounter with Netero, a silent testament to the Chairman's deceptive strength.

We offered a weary nod in their direction, but our minds were too consumed with the mind-numbing tedium of paperwork to engage in conversation.

Three minutes later, Zack's voice, laced with disbelief and a hint of rising panic, echoed through the airship.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S SO MUCH PAPERWORK?!"

I couldn't help but crack a weary smile.

—

You are absolutely right! With only a limited number of people on board, the mess hall wouldn't be bustling with lunchtime chatter. It would be much quieter, with a more subdued atmosphere.

Let's revise the scene to reflect this:

The mess hall was quiet, the usual lunchtime chatter replaced by the soft clinking of cutlery and the low hum of conversation from a few scattered tables. Rem and I, our paperwork completed many hours ago, were enjoying a well-deserved feast, savoring each bite with a newfound appreciation for the simple pleasures of a good meal and the lack of stupid tests.

Suddenly, the door to the mess hall creaked open, and the three champions stumbled in, their eyes bloodshot, their hair disheveled, their bodies slumped with exhaustion.

They collapsed into the chairs across from us, their faces pale and drawn, their auras flickering weakly.

Zack, his usually vibrant and determined gazed dimmed, mumbled a single word, his voice hoarse and barely audible.

"C-coffee."

I raised an eyebrow, suppressing a chuckle.

It seemed Netero's paperwork had taken its toll on the champions.

"Rough twenty-four hours?" I asked, my voice laced with amusement.

Nobara, her normally sharp and playful gaze dulled to a faint ember, groaned in response, burying her face in her hands. "Don't… even… ask," she muttered.

Miu, her normally bright blonde hair dimmed to a pale pallor, simply nodded, her eyes closed as if even the effort of speaking was too much.

I glanced at Rem, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "Looks like a few people just learned about the joys of teaching Nen," I whispered.

She smiled, a hint of sympathy softening her usual playful smirk. "Poor things," she murmured. "They look like they've been wrestling with paperwork krakens."

"Fuck… both of you." Zack wheezed.

I shrugged, signaling to a nearby waiter. "Five coffees," I ordered, gesturing toward the champions. "Make them strong, just like how they made our five favorite protagonists strong, too!"

"Just- shut up." Nobara mumbled.

As the waiter bustled away, shrugging off our mention of protagonists, a wave of quiet satisfaction settled over me.

We had faced the bureaucratic beast and emerged victorious by a hair, our Hunter licenses secured.

Meanwhile, the remaining examinees were still battling their way through Trick Tower, facing a different set of challenges and dangers.

Our journey as Hunters had just begun and the quiet solitude of the mess hall relaxed us.

Our coffees arrived and I lifted mine cheerfully. "To being awesome!" I toasted.

"Just stop." Miu demanded.

—

Three days had passed since our chaotic victory over paperwork.

The airship, now docked at a small, heavily fortified island, buzzed with a subdued energy as the remaining Hunter Exam applicants prepared for the next phase of the grueling selection process.

Trick Tower, a towering structure that housed some of the world's most dangerous criminals, had lived up to its reputation.

Of the initial 195 examinees, only 54 remained, their ranks thinned not just by the tower's trials, but also by the brutality of its inmates.

"Why can't we just pick them up with the airship?" I asked Netero, frowning as I watched a fleet of small boats prepare to transport the examinees from Trick Tower to Zevil Island. "Wouldn't that be faster and more efficient?"

Netero, his wizened face creased with a knowing smile, shook his head. "Trick Tower serves a dual purpose, Tereda," he explained, his voice low and laced with a hint of steel. "It's a prison first, and a testing ground second."

He gestured toward the towering structure far below us, its imposing silhouette looming against the horizon. "Within those walls are individuals who pose a significant threat to society, criminals deemed too dangerous for conventional prisons. Many of them have multiple life sentences, and some possess abilities that make them impossible to control."

He paused, his gaze meeting mine with a chilling intensity. "The Hunter Exam applicants are, shall we say… a necessary component of the tower's security system. Their presence helps us eliminate the most troublesome inmates, but also ensures that only the truly cunning and resilient examinees become Hunters."

I felt a shiver run down my spine.

The Hunter Exam, it seemed, was far more brutal and morally complex than I had initially imagined.

"What about the Nen users?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "Where do they go?"

Netero's smile widened, a glint of cold calculation in his eyes. "We have other facilities for those with more specialized abilities. Places where their power can be managed." with his last word his eyes narrowed, giving him a sadistic look.

The implications of his words hung heavy in the air.

—

Another three days passed, the airship buzzing with a palpable tension as the results of the Zevil Island phase of the Hunter Exam filtered in. The initial 54 examinees had been whittled down to a mere 16 winners, along with a handful of injured and unsuccessful participants who were either recovering in the airship's infirmary or anxiously awaiting the final exam.

"Only 41 left alive out of over 700," I mused, watching the last boatload of examinees disembark, their faces etched with a mixture of exhaustion, relief, and the lingering shadows of the trials they had endured. "That's a pretty brutal attrition rate."

Rem nodded beside me.

The final exam, we had learned, would be a tournament-style battle, but with a twist.

The 16 winners would be pitted against each other in a series of one-on-one matches, but instead of a single victor, the Hunter Association would award licenses to the final eight.

People would choose their own opponent, the first 8 going first.

This format emphasized not only individual strength, but also strategy, adaptability, and the ability to recognize and compare one's strength to choose the right opponent.

The air crackled with anticipation as the names of the finalists were announced.

Among them were familiar faces: Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Leorio, and, of course, Sukina, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a steely focus that hinted at the competitive fire burning within her.

Hanzo was also there.

I scanned the faces of the other finalists, Some radiated a quiet confidence, their seemed nervous, their eyes darting around, their bodies tense with apprehension.

—

It didn't take long, the winners were Gon, Killua, Sukina, Kurapika, Leorio, Hanzo, Pickle and Ponzu.

Yes, I know his name isn't Pickle, fight me.

A person I didn't recognise from the canon timeline, not that any canon could possibly still exist anymore, approached the group, bowed despite both of his arms being in extended casts, his fancy crimson suit pants marred with rips and dirt- and said, "I will get stronger, and then I will also be a Hunter. Young mistress, congratulations. Next time, I'll make the Tojo clan proud. I'll make sure Renjiro, that tie dye bastard, will be remembered." He walked away with a scowl on his face, his stride determined.

I approached the group along with Rem and the three champions, "Hey, who was that?"

Gon piped up, "AH! You didn't actually meet Mr.Shinsuke Akagi."

I nodded and Gon told us about how he was on the boat with his friend Renjiro when they arrived, how they went to the big tree with them, how he ran with them through the tunnels, how they had to drag him away from certain death after Illumi killed his friend Renjiro, how he passed with them all the way until Zevil island, where Bodoro the martial artist broke his arms and took his badge.

I nodded, and we landed at the Hunter hotel in Kokoroini city.

I smiled, we were all hunters now.

 

[Zackman2k12]

The bustling streets of Kokoroini City teemed with activity, a vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, and smells that assaulted our senses after the relative isolation of the airship.

We had disembarked moments ago, our Hunter Licenses tucked safely away, ready to embark on a new chapter of our lives.

"Well, this is it," I said to Rem, my hand finding hers amidst the throng of people. "We're officially Hunters."

A soft smile graced her lips, her blue eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. "It feels… strange," she admitted, her voice barely audible above the city's din. "Like a dream. I never thought I'd live anywhere but that Isolated mansion."

"A dream we fought hard to achieve," I reminded her, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

We made our way towards the bustling marketplace, a kaleidoscope of stalls and vendors hawking everything from exotic spices to handcrafted weapons.

The air was thick with the aroma of street food, the enticing scent of grilled meats and sweet pastries mingling with the earthy fragrance of herbs and spices.

"We should celebrate," Rem suggested, her eyes drawn to a stall piled high with skewered meats. "Those Yakitori skewers look delicious."

I chuckled, her enthusiasm contagious. "Sounds like a plan."

Before we could indulge in our celebratory feast, however, a familiar voice called out to us.

"Hey, Tereda! Rem!"

It was Gon, his spiky green hair and infectious

grin unmistakable even amidst the crowd.

Killua, Kurapika, Leorio, and Sukina were with him, their expressions a mixture of excitement and relief at having survived the grueling Hunter Exam.

The champions, their faces still bearing the marks of their encounter with Netero, approached as well, offering weary smiles and congratulations.

We spent a few minutes exchanging farewells, promising to stay in touch and perhaps even collaborate on future missions.

As Gon and his friends wandered off, eager to explore the city's wonders, a figure I vaguely recognized approached our group, his face etched with a nervous determination.

It was Pockle, the bandana-headed Hunter examinee with the bow and arrow who had somehow managed to survive the trials of Trick Tower and Zevil Island.

He had been a constant presence on the airship, his nervous chatter and relentless attempts to network with his fellow examinees both amusing and slightly irritating.

He approached Hanzo, his voice laced with an awkward eagerness. "Hey, Hanzo," he said, offering a handshake. "It was great… you know… going through the exam with you. Maybe we could, like, team up sometime? Or at least exchange contact info?"

Hanzo, his expression as impassive as ever, simply nodded and walked away, leaving Pockle standing there, his hand awkwardly outstretched.

I turned to Rem with a smirk on my face, "How about we go find a place to eat where my beautiful fiance can eat whatever she wants.

She smirked, her face closing in on mine as she began to close her eyes. "Anything I want to eat?"

I nodded with a smirk. "Anything."

"What if I wanted to eat Y-"

Undeterred, Pockle turned his attention to us, a hopeful smile spreading across his face. "Hey, Tereda, Rem," he said, approaching us just as I was about to steal a kiss from Rem. "It was an honor… you know… witnessing your incredible skills during the Hisoka fight. Maybe we could…"

The romantic moment shattered, I turned to Pockle, my eyes narrowed with annoyance.

This guy had a knack for ruining the mood.

"Why," I asked, my voice laced with a cold disdain, "would I want to interact with an annoying, weak… pickle?"

Pockle's smile faltered, his face turning a shade of crimson that rivaled his namesake.

He stammered something incoherent, then scurried away, his hopes of networking dashed against the wall of my icy rejection.

I turned back to Rem, a sigh escaping my lips. "Where were we?" I asked, a playful grin returning to my face.

Rem, her eyes sparkling with amusement, leaned in close. "I believe you were about to steal a kiss from your lovely fiancée," she whispered, her voice a soft caress against my ear.

As the bustling city swirled around us, its chaotic energy fading into a distant hum, I finally felt the weight of the Hunter Exam lift from my shoulders.

We were free.

We were Hunters. And we had each other.

The world was ours to explore.

I was also hungry for another type of meal.

We broke apart, as my smile widened.

"Hotel?" I asked.

Rem nodded and smirked, "Indeed, Hotel."

—

As we left the hotel the next morning, Rem fiddled with the illusion hair clips that hid her long hair that reached her thighs, making it look as if she never spent the 300 days in the enchanting chamber with me. "Tereda, I don't think we're going to see my sister for a while," She said sadly, "Do I even need this hair clips anymore?"

I looked at her and smiled "I did like you with long hair, so, you can do what you want with it. It's your looks, do what makes you feel right. Although I really like you with long hair."

She nodded, and then placed the hair clip in her purse.

The world seemed to glitch for a moment and her long silky blue hair, reaching all the way to her thighs flowed in the wind, replacing the Bob-cut hairstyle that with the hair clips helped hide the truth.

Time had passed.

We were no longer the people we were a year ago.

I was able to access the pocket inventory of my damaged armor and pull out some leather and a leatherworking kit.

I then realized I had no idea how to make leather armor.

My eyes darted to a nearby esoteric scam shop.

I shrugged and we approached the front in order to do the ritual that opened the portal leading to Kasimir's shop.

The esoteric scam shop, tucked away in a dimly lit alley off the bustling marketplace, was exactly the kind of place I'd expect to find a connection to Kasimir's interdimensional bazaar.

Its storefront was a chaotic jumble of trinkets and talismans, promising everything from love potions to instant wealth, all with a healthy dose of skepticism-inducing bullshit-filled marketing.

"Here goes nothing," I muttered, taking Rem's hand and stepping in front of the shop.

I clapped four times, spoke Kasimir's name, and clapped twice more, the ritualistic sequence ingrained in my memory.

The air shimmered, a familiar vortex of energy forming before us, the whispers of magical solutions echoing from within.

It seemed even the most blatant scams could serve as a conduit to Kasimir's bizarre Bazaar.

We stepped through the portal, finding ourselves in a dimly lit chamber, its shelves stacked high with artifacts and oddities that defied logic and common sense.

Behind a cluttered counter, Kasimir sat slumped in a chair, his head resting on his hand, his eyes closed as if he were dozing off.

He didn't even stir as we approached.

"Kasimir," I said, my voice deliberately loud, a hint of annoyance lacing my tone.

Kasimir's eyes snapped open, his head jerking up as if he'd been startled awake. "Ah, Tereda, Rem!" he exclaimed, a practiced smile spreading across his face as he straightened up, all traces of drowsiness vanishing. "Welcome back! What can I do for you today?"

"We were going to ask about crafting rooms," I said, my gaze sweeping across the bazaar's expansive interior. "Something with a bit more… versatility than the enchanting chamber. But first," I added, my voice hardening, "there's something I need to know."

I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing as I met Kasimir's gaze. "Why did you give us the 1000-hour amulets?" I asked, my voice laced with suspicion. "Those things are incredibly powerful. There's no way they're worth only twenty platinum coins. What's the catch?"

Kasimir chuckled, a nervous edge creeping into his usually smooth voice. "My dear Tereda," he said, his hand instinctively stroking his goatee, "you wound me! I simply saw two promising individuals in need of a little boost. Consider it an investment in your future success."

"An investment?" I scoffed, unconvinced. "What kind of return are you expecting on an investment like that?"

Kasimir's smile faltered, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a grimace. He snapped his fingers, and two plush, velvet-upholstered chairs materialized beside us, their ornate carvings and shimmering fabrics a stark contrast to the bazaar's otherwise chaotic decor.

"Sit," he said, his voice losing its usual jovial lilt, a hint of urgency creeping into his tone.

We exchanged a wary glance, but obeyed, settling into the chairs. The air crackled with a tension that was both unsettling and strangely compelling.

"Tell me, Tereda," Kasimir began, his gaze intense, his fingers drumming a restless rhythm against the countertop, "what do you know about Planeswalker Manas? Specifically how these manas affect the psyche?"

I frowned, the question catching me off guard. "Planeswalker Manas?" I echoed, my brow furrowing. "I know they're linked to the ability to travel between worlds, but beyond that… not much."

Kasimir nodded, his expression grim. "Each color of mana represents a different aspect of existence, a different facet of a Planeswalker's being," he explained, his voice low and serious. "White represents order, structure, generosity, and healing. Blue embodies knowledge, manipulation, illusion, and control. Black is the color of ambition, power, death, and sacrifice. Green represents growth, nature, instinct, and resilience. And Red is the color of passion, chaos, emotion, and destruction."

He paused, his gaze meeting mine with a newfound intensity. "An imbalance of these manas, or an overabundance of any one color, can have… profound effects on a Planeswalker's mind and personality. It can warp their perceptions, twist their motivations, and even drive them to madness."

A shiver ran down my spine as I realized the implications of his words.

"I… I see," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

Kasimir sighed, running a hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration that seemed uncharacteristic for the usually composed merchant.

"A few months ago from my perspective," he confessed, his voice laced with a weary resignation, "I made a… miscalculation. A ritual gone awry. It cost me a significant portion of my blue and white mana, permanently."

He grimaced, his eyes shadowed with a hint of fear. "I was desperate to recover it. The imbalance was… unsettling. I was… changing. My thoughts were becoming darker, my actions more impulsive. I was teetering on the edge of black mana's influence, and at my level of power… let's just say it would have been catastrophic."

He paused, his gaze meeting mine with a newfound intensity.

"Then, you arrived. A new customer. A young man with a unique ability, trapped in a world that would chew him up and spit him out. I saw an opportunity. A chance to generate white and blue mana en masse."

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Generosity. That's the key to a certain mana generating ritual. The color of the additional mana beyond white mana generated is determined by the nature of the gift."

"The 1000-hour amulets," I realized, the pieces clicking into place. "You used them to generate white and blue mana."

Kasimir nodded. "Precisely. The act of gifting you that powerful artifact, an artifact that generates knowledge, restored a significant portion of my lost blue and white mana- And when I allowed Rem to purchase the second amulet for a pittance…"

He paused, a relieved smile spreading across his face as he widened his arms.

"Balance was restored."

The truth, as always, was more complex than it initially appeared.

Kasimir's generosity, his seemingly altruistic actions, had been driven by a desperate need to preserve his own sanity, to prevent himself from succumbing to the corrupting influence of black mana.

"Well, I'm glad you're not secretly using me for something nefarious." I nodded, as Rem smiled and did the same.

A sigh of relief left Kasimir's lips. "I'm glad I did not lose a friendship just as it had started. I appreciate your understanding."

I nodded, "No problem."

I clapped my hands together, "Alright! How much for a crafting room with time dilation that has tools and facilities for more than one type of discipline?"

Kasimir smiled, "Now that the ritual to recover my Mana is over, I'm going to tell you right now, that the prices have increased. I was never supposed to accept silver or copper in the first place. Gold is the minimum currency and you cannot get much with it. Crafting rooms which I charged you platinum for access is actually worth low quality spirit stones for access for even the least quality room. Adding time costs platinum, but the entry fee is always a spirit stone- be it a few low quality, or a few high quality. It really depends on what you are asking for."

I nod, and place the compendiums of knowledge I hadn't learned the skills from yet on the table. "How much for-" He interrupted me with a bemused look on his face. "Why are these separated into magical and non-magical portions? Blacksmithing is blacksmithing and Leatherworking is leatherworking whether or not you add magic to it or not."

I blinked.

He had a really good point.

A few minutes with the Synthesis pot in which I merged the compendiums, as well as our regeneration, stamina enhancing, and cultivation accelerating jewelry, and we had the following books.

Absolute Blacksmithing Compendium for the waterfall world.

Absolute Tailoring Compendium for the waterfall world.

Full Magic Compendium for the waterfall world.

Absolute Leatherworking Compendium for the waterfall world.

Absolute Jeweler Compendium for the waterfall world.

+99 Enhanced Enchanting Tome of Surpassing the Waterfall World's Enchanting System.


Honestly the last one on the list is probably worth alot.

I quickly pull out the copying box from my damaged armor and make 5 copies of the excessively dense compendium with all that enchanting knowledge.

I then turn to Kasimir and smirk.

"Hey, Kasimir," my smirk widens as upon looking at me his eyes immediately dart towards the compendium, and gasp.

"Promise me that you will never show that to anyone outside of this shop." He demands, his voice grave.

I was confused. "Why?"

"What you have in your hands is worth over 1 million Celestial quality spirit stones. That's 3 levels over high quality, and anyone finding out you have that will destroy planets and galaxies for that!"

I gulped. "Uhh. Can you buy it from me?"

He nodded hesitantly. "I can buy at maximum 9 copies of those for a quarter of their value without bankrupting myself. I can easily find a buyer for something so valuable, but giving you a single Celestial quality spirit stone would have you destroyed within moments of it being detected. IT WILL be detected too, the moment you leave this shop. What I am going to do is give you a spatial ring containing 2 trillion high quality spirit stones and 250 billion high quality spirit stones as store credit with quality exchanges from celestial down to high and back for no fee until such a time as you don't need the service anymore. This is the problem with being weak, people will kill you for treasure at the slightest movement."

He shakes his head, and puts his hand out.

I open my mouth but his eyes narrow. "No haggling, Tereda. I am doing you an insane, massive favor."

I close my mouth and nod. I shake his hand, copy 3 more, and hand him the 9 copies of the enchanting tome.

He then passes me a storage ring containing so much wealth that it boggles the mind.

 

[Zackman2k12]

When dealing with beings for whom you are less then a bacteria in comparison, you have to watch out for being too tasty a snack.

"Oh, look, thia bacteria has discovered a diamond." How much care would you give the killing of the bacteria in retrieving the diamond? Even the good guys would remove the diamond such that unscrupulous people wouldn't kill the bacteria for the stone.

Click to shrink...

As one of my QQ readers said, they are extremely lucky Kasimir is so chill.

if you think you know how strong kasimir is when he's mad, you are wrong. double that shit, and then multiply it by over a million times.

If you want an example, he's so strong that he negates toon-force when applied to a world. He is a 'reality sink' by default, making reality more solid and weakening people just by existing nearby while still maintaining full power. if someone with reality bending powers walked into his shop and threatened him, he could slap them out of existence by thinking at them. His telekinetic powers are at the level of multiversal+ and he has his own goddamn pocket multiverse that he uses for ingredients even though quintillions of unrelated lifeforms live there completely oblivious to the fact they only exist because Kasimir needed more divine wheat.

Another example of how bullshit he is, is that if void shiki walked into his shop and demanded he leave the local nasuverse cluster, he'd laugh and when she tried her outerverse shit it just wouldn't do anything, reducing her to the strength of someone who could slap a large island out of existance as her base power.

Guess how useful that is against kasimir.

 

[Zackman2k12]

"Killua!" Gon started, his eyes shining with that familiar mix of curiosity and competitiveness, "how strong are you, really? I mean compared to everyone else?"

We had just said goodbye to Leorio and Kurapika, their paths diverging from ours as we continued to explore the bustling streets of Kokoroini City. The sun was setting, as long shadows started to spread across the crowded sidewalks, the air filled with the scent of street food and the sounds of music.

I grinned, a mischievous glint in my eye. "You wanna know how strong I am, Gon?" I echoed, my voice laced with a playful challenge. "Alright, I'll show you."

I grabbed Gon's arm, pulling him towards a nearby park. Sukina, trailing behind us, yawned dramatically.

"Can't we just go get some ramen?" she complained, her voice muffled by a luxurious silk scarf she'd recently acquired from some high-end boutique. "All this walking is making me hungry."

I ignored her grumbling, my focus on Gon's eager expression.

We reached a secluded corner of the park, a patch of soft grass shaded by a towering oak tree.

I picked up a sturdy stick and began drawing a line in the sand.

"Pretend this line represents strength," I explained, gesturing toward the mark in the sand. "The further the line goes, the stronger the person."

I paused, adding a caveat. "I'm only kinda sure about everyone stronger than Hanzo, though. The rest is just a guess."

I drew a short line in the sand. "This," I said, pointing at the mark, "is the strength of a normal, everyday guy. Someone who's never trained."

Gon nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration.

He was taking this seriously, which is good.

Sukina, meanwhile, had already sprawled out on the grass and begun doing pushups, her expensive new pants gathering dust and grass stains.

"How much is a meter in numbers?" Sukina asked, her voice muffled by the exertion. "Like, how much stronger is one meter compared to… you know… zero meters?"

"Every twenty centimeters doubles the strength," I explained, watching as she effortlessly transitioned from pushups to situps.

"That sounds about right," Sukina mumbled, her voice strained as she continued her impromptu workout.

I dragged the stick across the sand, extending the line about forty centimeters. "That's Leorio," I said, pointing at the new mark.

I drew a bit further, stopping at another 40 centimeters."This is Kurapika."

Then, I drew the line two meters further. "That's you, Gon."

I paused, extending the line another four meters. "That's where Sukina and I are."

Sukina stopped her situps, her brow furrowed in thought. "Hmm," she mused, "you didn't even try to exaggerate your strength, Killua. I'm impressed."

I frowned, do I boast too much or something? I don't think so. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sukina just shrugged and didn't respond.

I shook my head and continued.

I drew the line much further this time, about 7 meters. "This right here is Hanzo."

They both nodded.

I shrugged, dragging the stick five meters further across the sand, the line now a considerable distance from its starting point. "This was Menchi and Buhara," I said, my voice serious, remembering the grim sight of their mangled bodies in the airship corridor. "Before Hisoka killed them."

A flicker of sadness crossed Gon's face, Gon is too damn nice, Menchi was a bitch.

Gon's expression was a stark contrast to Sukina's bored look as she effortlessly transitioned into a handstand.

I moved the stick another meter and sixty centimeters, tapping the new mark with the tip of the stick. "And this," I said, my voice hardening, "is where Hisoka was before Rem and Tereda wrecked his shit and sent him packing to hell."

Gon's eyes widened. "Whoa! That strong?"

"Yeah," I confirmed, a shiver running down my spine as I recalled the raw power Tereda and Rem had unleashed in the arena. "They're on a whole other level."

I drew the line forward three more meters. "This is about where those two blacklist hunters, Nightshade and that conjurer dude, Harold, are."

Another two meters. "Rem and Tereda are somewhere around here."

Three more meters, my arm started to ache from all the drawing. "Nobara and Miu are about this strong."

I added an extra meter for good measure. "And Zack's somewhere around here."

I tossed the stick aside, my gaze shifting towards the moon, a pale disc hanging high in the night sky.

I smirked, pointing towards the moon. "And Netero is up there, Gon. Way up there."

The vastness of the night sky, the infinite expanse of stars, suddenly felt like a fitting representation of the power Netero wielded.

We had a long way to go but that was the fun of it.

I smirked. "Ready to get started training? Let's go to a sports shop, they probably have some good weights!"

I started moving as Sukina stopped working out and followed behind me.

Gone took up the rear and I smiled.

I was free from my family and the world's worst brother was finally dead.

I really owed those two a lot, didn't I?