At first, he didn't understand what was happening. One moment, he was walking by his high school baseball field when a ball hit him in the head; the next, he was engulfed in complete darkness. Soon after, a blue light appeared in the darkness, seemingly calling out to him and offering him another chance at life. However, he had to fulfill someone's wish first. Suddenly, he found himself beside a kid's body, which emitted the same dark blue glow as the light that had offered him the deal. As an anime fan, he couldn't help but recognize the phenomenon occurring with the child. Any decent anime enthusiast would have identified it immediately: the kid in front of him had awakened his nen.
When he accepted the deal, he had no idea what he was getting himself into, but he didn't care; he now understood he was entering the world of hunters, and he was glad he'd said yes. Based on the context, he guessed he had to fulfill the kid's wish. Although the kid had said to "make them pay," he had already grasped what that meant from what he could see around him. He was ready to embody the kid and keep his end of the deal. However, it didn't turn out to be smooth sailing. When he tried to inhabit the body, he experienced a shock that pushed him back. Along with that shock, a flood of information was forcefully shoved into his mind.
When he came into contact with the Nen, the information implanted in his mind indicated that he had to pay a price to inhabit the child's body. The Nen had already transferred his soul from Earth to the world of hunters, and this information also explained why he could not immediately take over the body.
The issue was that his soul was more substantial than the child's body; he needed to weaken his soul. Based on his observations of various anime and manga, as well as his own reasoning, he understood that the soul grows alongside the body, which serves as its receiver. Infants are weak, and the same applies to their souls. Outside influences shape their personalities and form their souls, with emotions giving rise to individuals' egos. This process helps them identify themselves: "Will I like this?" It also ensures that others cannot easily influence them, as their core values have already been established.
It was a part of growing up. Experiences shape people as they move through life, strengthening their souls. In that regard, Joel Smith had to sacrifice a crucial part of his experience, one that defined his existence. He had to pay a price to exist in the world of hunters. Everything held a value; nothing comes without a cost. He understood that and accepted it.
He approached the body of the child once more and placed his hand above the Nen. "I give up my name, Joel Smith." His name might not have been unique—he certainly wasn't the only person with it—but if anything defined him, it was that name. Nothing happened; he hoped that relinquishing his name would be enough.
One must recognize that while a name can define you, it does not encompass your entire identity. Joel felt a dreadful sense that he would have to pay much more, and he was hesitant because this might prevent him from experiencing complete transmigration as his true self. He was reluctant, but the opportunity at hand was rare; he was convinced that anyone in his position would make the same choice.
"I guess I will have to do it," Joel thought as he readied himself.
"I, Joel Smith, give up my name and my memories of myself." Nothing happened.
"Damn it," Joel cursed inwardly. He had predicted this outcome; he had hoped he wouldn't have to go through with it. Those memories were something he could use. If he had to give them up, he needed to gain something in return because those memories held the key to becoming stronger. They would also give him an edge over anyone else starting (nen) at the same time as him, and those memories were the right of all transmigrators. He had no choice if he wanted to live again.
"I also give up the knowledge of the future of Gon Freecss and those he would come into contact with. I only ask to keep the knowledge of the power system in this world, along with a training method I developed for Nen, and a list of techniques that could be useful. I also want to remember the different power systems of other worlds and the occupation of a Hunter. Additionally, I ask to retain a memory to take the 287th Hunter Exam," Joel said, hoping it wasn't too much to ask for.
Finally, the Nen within his body erupted like a bonfire, moving like a royal blue flame. As it burned, another color began to mix in—a blood-red hue. Joel was surprised, but he didn't have time to think about it as his body quickly began to fade.
The price that Joel had to pay was significant, especially for him. As a transmigrator, his primary advantage was the knowledge he possessed about the world he was in. This knowledge enabled most transmigrators to overcome the main characters and become more powerful. However, giving up his memories of the Hunter x Hunter world was a significant setback for him. The memories of his self didn't matter much; true, they had defined him—his first kiss, the first time he cried, the moment he learned to drive, and the memories of his birthday and birthday parties. These cherished memories stirred his emotions and shaped who he was; however, they were as important as the memories of the world he was now entering.
What remained after the loss was only information and a general awareness. Joell had to retain the fact that he was a transmigrator, but the information he kept was merely technical, related to specific subjects. He could recall details if he thought about them, but he wouldn't remember the significant events surrounding those memories. However, he hoped to retain information about various anime, even if that knowledge was less beneficial than understanding the plot of stories, as it might help him grow stronger.
The memories of the plot were what he regretted losing the most. By giving them up, he let go of his identity as a transmigrator and also lost the ability to predict the future. In essence, that knowledge was precisely what it seemed to be—an understanding of what was to come. Anyone with such foresight could manipulate events to their advantage, change someone's fate, or alter the future. This information was crucial to him, especially concerning his details about the Hunter world. This is why he was so reluctant to give it up: he wanted to take the same hunter exam as Gon. Without that critical knowledge, he had no way of knowing if he would even attempt the exam in his current state, devoid of memories.
Joel had forgotten something in his excitement. He didn't realize what year it was or if he had been transmigrated into the main storyline. Luckily for him, the boy he had become was born in the same year as Gon.
The small eight-year-old boy with short, dark hair shifted slightly. His lifeless, pitch-black eyes, which matched his hair, regained focus as he looked around. Confusion and wonder filled his gaze; countless thoughts swirled in his mind.
"Where...?" he began to ask in a small voice, but he paused mid-question as information began to flow into him. The monkeys surrounding him remained frozen in place; they no longer felt the dark presence, but they remained wary. This hesitation made them vigilant of the boy before them, as the unsettling feeling had originated from him. The delay allowed the newly awakened presence inside the boy to collect itself.
"Okay… I'm a transmigrator from Earth. I paid a huge price to inhabit the body of a kid named Jett Helix. It was more like I made a covenant: I have to kill the monkeys surrounding me. I have access to the kid's memories, but now that I'm in his body, I can feel the lingering emotions, and they are intense. Fortunately, these emotions aren't affecting me since they don't belong to me; I suppose they won't fade until I fulfill my end of the deal," the boy explained.
"The price I paid was my own memories. Luckily, the previous me took some precautions. He left behind a few things. I have information on how to use the power of nen, which is tied to a profession in this world called a Hunter. It's not about hunting animals; it's a more specialized role. He wants me to take the 287th Hunter Exam. He also left behind instructions for training in both nen and martial arts," the boy reflected.
"I'll need to investigate everything in more detail later. Since my past self was aware of this world, I'm most likely in an anime universe. Joel also had to sacrifice the related memories of this world; the conditions were harsh. Those memories could have been helpful, but at least he didn't leave me completely in the dark," he reassured himself.
"Okay, then. Since I forgot my name, I will take yours, kid. From now on, I am Jett Helix. Now, to fulfill my part of the bargain," the new Jett said, noticing the monkeys drawing closer out of the corner of his eye.
"Jett's memories of you guys are frightening. I can't blame you, though; it is in your nature," Jett remarked to the monkeys, even though they didn't understand him.
"This is bad—really bad. You creatures made this kid hate you, and he didn't know how to express that feeling. You only picked up on the surface emotions mixed in with the nen. Let me tell you something: what he felt could have easily turned you all to ash if he had even the slightest clue how to use his power."
Jett said this without caring if the monkeys understood. "Let me show you just how much he wanted to kill you." He allowed his repressed emotions to seep into the nen. With his knowledge of how to use nen, he simply needed to release it and let it express his feelings.
A loud explosion of air erupted as soon as he unleashed the nen. The air formed a small dome-like shape, and the atmosphere in the town turned cold; it wasn't a frost-like chill, but the bone-chilling cold of death. While some of the gibbons froze in place, five of them died instantly. Jett was taken aback; he hadn't expected them to die. A piece of information flashed in his mind, informing him that those who did not know nen could not protect themselves from those who did; in some cases, this could lead to death.
"I see, so Nen can kill someone who doesn't know about it. Sometimes, they survive and awaken their own Nen, which is good to know," Jett thought.
"Now, what do I do with the remaining eight of you? Any suggestions?" Jett said, mostly to himself.
"The other Jett didn't specify how I should make you pay. Killing you all seems like the most logical solution. I doubt he would care now; he seems happy as he left hand in hand with his parents," Jett continued.
"Now, let's see if I can use Nen. The other me's training method states that precise control over any energy-based power is key to becoming stronger. Based on all the anime I have in my memories, particularly those with energy-based power systems, it makes me think he is onto something."
Jett began channeling Nen into his hand. He straightened his palm and concentrated, gathering Nen into the simplest shape capable of inflicting harm: a sword. The process was slow, but for someone who had never used Nen before, he displayed a surprising talent for it. Small beads of sweat formed on his forehead. It was challenging but not impossible.
He was emanating a strong killing intent, causing the monkey to freeze in place. Typically, when someone is ready to kill, a cold, hollow look appears in their eyes. For Jett, that look had already settled in the moment the previous Jett had died. The instant his parents had been killed, Jett had abandoned all hope; all his emotions were gone. What remained was that hollow, death-like gaze.
Without any training, he shaped his Nen into a sword, and maintaining that form required all his concentration. He approached each monkey and swiftly cut off their heads. The entire situation felt anticlimactic, which was precisely what Jett desired; he lacked the strength to confront them with sheer force. He was also overexerting himself; he could sense how different this body was from his previous one. It felt as if his entire body had been asleep, and his muscles were stiff. Although he appeared confident on the outside, he was on the verge of collapsing at any moment.
Jett held on for a few more minutes. In other anime, enemies always seemed to find a way to survive and sneak-attack their opponents. While he might have been overthinking it, he understood that as a brand-new transmigrator, he could never be too careful. Finally, after three more minutes of standing guard, he let his body relax and immediately collapsed, fainting.
His caution proved to be wise. He had no way of knowing that had he let his guard down, an unknown creature would have attacked him at that very moment. It lurked in the shadows of the trees, watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. After two minutes of waiting, it ultimately gave up, knowing that cornered prey was far more dangerous than a healthy one. Jett's vigilance had saved his life.