Chapter 93: Manipulating Magnetism × One of the World's Seven Beauties
"Because of extremism," Gotoh said, collecting his coins with calm composure. "When I accompanied the master on missions years ago, he once explained that people who obsess over details are particularly dangerous. They only believe in their own way of thinking. Compared to ordinary people, they're far more absolute—if they pursue good, they pursue it to extremes. If they pursue evil, they embrace it completely. Once they awaken to Nen, the more extreme they become, the stronger they grow. The more obsessed, the more unhinged."
"The friends they make tend to follow the same pattern."
"Just like Moritonio and this freak."
Law of attraction among deviants... Roy thought. Like attracts like, opposites repel.
Roy released Hisoka, gradually regaining his calm. A flash of insight crossed his mind, but he couldn't quite grasp it. He stood frozen, frowning in contemplation. A cool evening breeze swept through, peeling away Moritonio's facial disguise and revealing his true face.
The young man paused, stepping closer. In Moritonio's now-vacant pupils, he saw his own reflection.
"Blood Magnet—the ability to infuse 'magnetism' into one's aura, exerting real pressure on others..." Roy's thoughts crystallized. Moritonio had developed a Nen ability centered on attraction because he desired to be desired. In essence, his ability was magnetism.
Or rather: every object with mass possessed a magnetic field. By manipulating that field, one generated magnetic force.
The Sun also possessed a magnetic field. Solar magnetic storms existed. The Sun could attract and repel—achieving magnetism field manipulation!
Roy's eyes gleamed brighter. I've grasped something. Inspiration struck like lightning. He visualized the Sun in his mind, imagining infusing his Nen with magnetism, mimicking a magnet. He extended his hand toward fallen leaves, which trembled, struggled, then lifted skyward—captured firmly in his palm.
[System Alert: "Nen" property transformation +10]
[Status Note: "Sun's True Essence" current level (1v1: 11/100)]
[Effect: Magnetism. (Note: Host can infuse "Nen" with magnetic properties to manipulate others' magnetic fields. Manipulation strength scales with level.]
["Nen" strength determines the manipulation range, and the strength of targets affected.]
The boy's lips curved upward. He clenched his fist. The leaves were pulverized to dust. Releasing his grip, the wind caught the ashes, carrying them away.
Today's "performance" had concluded. He grabbed his cane sword and turned without looking back: "Let's go."
Master and servant left the alley into the black night, hailed a taxi, and sped away from the scene.
About ten minutes later, footsteps echoed softly through the darkness.
Another "Roy" emerged from the shadows. His eyes were blank. He stepped over Moritonio's bisected corpse, his expression emotionless, walking toward Hisoka.
A sinister chuckle resonated from within the wall, reaching Illumi's ears: "Friend, could you lend me a hand? My head's stuck in this wall. It's rather claustrophobic..."
Illumi regarded him silently for a moment, then stepped forward deliberately. Pulling out a "Nen needle," he aimed it at Hisoka's chest and thrust downward: "Don't worry. Being dead solves claustrophobia."
"Hehehehe... that's certainly one solution, but..."
"Boom!" Hisoka's Nen-wrapped fist smashed through the wall, freeing his head. Using Hardening, he evaded Illumi's subsequent needle strikes, retreating two steps, observing him with an amused smile.
"You're not 'him'... yet you've disguised yourself as 'him.'"
"Let me guess, hmm... you're harboring a crush on 'him.' Out of jealousy, you struck at me?"
Hisoka's eyes narrowed to crescents, gazing intently at Illumi.
In the silence, Illumi's long black hair suddenly whipped backward like a cat whose tail had been yanked. His form bristled with rage.
"Whoosh, whoosh..." Without a word, he unleashed several more "Nen needles," fast and vicious, targeting Hisoka's vital points.
Hisoka "laughed" with delight. "Hehehehe... looks like I guessed correctly."
He reached into his pocket, throwing several Nen-wrapped playing cards to intercept the needles.
"Ting, ting, ting, ting..." The metallic clanging of impact echoed through the cold night, reverberating endlessly.
Glam Gas Land's taxi drove as wildly as its magic.
On the way to the airport, Roy flexed his fingers, remotely manipulating coins between himself and Gotoh, familiarizing himself with magnetism's properties.
The taxi driver glanced at them occasionally in the mirror, admiring: "Young man, you're impressive! That sleight-of-hand magic trick of yours is no worse than that 'Sky Swimming' thing that Moritinoi guy does. You'd make serious money performing professionally."
"It's Moritonio," Gotoh corrected, collecting the coins Roy tossed. He was equally surprised—when had the young master learned this technique? His Nen carried a subtle "pulling force," just like Moritonio's.
"Right, Moritonio," the driver slapped his forehead. "My memory's terrible. I was planning to bring my daughter to see his act in a few days."
"You won't get the chance," Roy said flatly.
"Screech—" The airport arrived. Roy flicked his fingers, coins flying toward the driver. The young man opened the door without looking back: "Keep the change."
He exited with Gotoh and walked toward the terminal.
The driver scratched his head bewilderedly, stepped on the accelerator, and drove off, leaving a trail of black exhaust fumes mixed with gasoline.
Passing through security.
As departure neared, heading toward the Saheim-Tal Union, the departure lounge in Glam Gas Land was noticeably more crowded than Padokea's, filled with oddly-dressed individuals.
Some wore bandages that covered their entire bodies, leaving only their eyes visible. Others wore turbans with serpents coiled around their necks. Some carried bows and arrows with colored feathers adorning their foreheads. One massive figure, built like a bear, displayed bare muscular shoulders and powerful sinews. Still another wore full ninja attire, performing single-handed handstands on his bald head.
"These are likely Hunter Exam candidates. Anyone who registers gets clearance to enter," Gotoh explained, accompanying Roy to an empty seat.
Noticing Roy's gaze lingering in a particular direction, Gotoh discreetly followed his line of sight. In the right section of the opposite row sat a quiet young girl.
She possessed beautiful golden hair secured simply with a hairpin. Her outfit featured distinctive ethnic traditional clothing. She sat calmly, absorbed in a book, reading carefully. Beyond her beauty, nothing seemed particularly noteworthy.
"Young Master, do you know her?"
Roy shook his head. It wasn't "knowing" exactly—more like "recognizing."
Her blue-and-white ethnic outfit was too distinctive. Moreover, she kept adjusting her glasses, as if she were concerned about her eyes. Roy confidently determined: she was a member of the Kurta Clan, possessing "one of the world's seven beauties"—the Scarlet Eyes.
"Hello," the girl said, perhaps noticing Roy's gaze. Her beautiful eyes moved, offering a polite smile before returning to her book.
The cover read like a travel journal.