[Fusion Complete.]
[Acquired: [Longevity] (Purple).]
[Trait Description: Grants +100 years to natural lifespan.]
Ryker nearly kissed the System interface.
In this world, even the legendary Isaac Netero was "only" around 110-120 years old (though some rumors said 200). A single Purple trait just gave Ryker a century of extra time. And this was just from farming some turtles?
This place really is paradise.
Ryker didn't stop. He moved through the fog like a phantom, the glowing data tags of monsters acting as lighthouses in the dark.
[You have killed a Bluffer Crow.]
[Acquired: [Ventriloquism] (Blue).]
[You have killed a Landmine Mushroom.]
[Acquired: [Spore Reproduction] (Blue)... REJECTED. Converted to XP.]
[You have killed a Landmine Mushroom.]
[Acquired: [Rapid Regeneration] (Blue).]
[You have killed a Hypnosis Butterfly.]
[Acquired: [Cocooning] (Blue)... REJECTED.]
The notifications chimed like a slot machine that wouldn't stop paying out.
Half an hour later, Ryker had cleared a significant portion of the local ecosystem. The results were terrifying.
[Status Update]
Trait: [Longevity Species] (Double Gold)
Source: Strawberry Tortoises
Effect: Total lifespan extension +800 years. Host vitality significantly increased.
Trait: [Super Copy] (Gold)
Source: Fused from [Shapeshifting] (Purple) + [Mimicry] (Blue) + [Ventriloquism] (Blue) + [Camouflage] (Blue).
Effect: Perfect disguise capability. Can replicate target's appearance, voice, aura, and mannerisms flawlessly (excluding Nen signature). Can instantly copy non-Nen martial arts techniques upon observation.
Trait: [Hyper-Regeneration] (Purple)
Source: Landmine Mushrooms + existing healing traits.
Effect: Rapid cellular regeneration. Non-fatal wounds heal visibly in seconds.
Ryker flexed his hand. He felt... endless.
Eight hundred years. He was practically an elf. Or a vampire.
And [Super Copy]. This was the "Kakashi Build" he dreamed of. It was a simplified Sharingan. He could become anyone. He could steal any move.
To test his regeneration, Ryker took his knife and sliced his own forearm.
Szzzt.
Before a drop of blood could even bead up, the skin knit itself back together. No scar. Nothing.
Perfect.
With a body like this—immortal, adaptable, unkillable—he had no excuse not to stand at the apex of this world.
"Heh heh! Found a stray kid!"
Voices broke his reverie.
A group of examinees emerged from the fog. They looked rough, armed with clubs and machetes.
"Hey kid! Your luck just ran out. Why don't you be a good boy and quit the exam now?"
"Yeah! Take the hint, or you'll get hurt! Hahaha!"
Ryker scanned them.
Name: Thug A
Traits: [Reckless] (White), [Brawling] (White)
Name: Thug Leader
Traits: [Berserk] (Blue)
[Berserk]: Decreases sanity, increases attack power.
Trash. All of them.
Their intentions were clear. In the fog, murder was easy. No witnesses, no crime.
"We don't know each other, do we?" Ryker asked calmly.
"We didn't before, but we do now!" The bald leader sneered, hefting a spiked bat. "There are only so many spots for Pro Hunters. We're just thinning the herd! Killing you increases our odds!"
"Stop talking! Get him!"
They charged.
Ryker sighed. "The killing intent of trash is so... boring."
Schwing.
A single, perfect arc of silver light cut through the fog.
The thugs froze mid-step, their grins still plastered on their faces.
Then, simultaneously, their heads slid off their necks.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Fountains of blood sprayed into the mist.
[You have killed Trash. Acquired: [Reckless] (White)... REJECTED.]
[You have killed Trash. Acquired: [Berserk] (Blue)... REJECTED.]
"Useless," Ryker muttered, wiping his blade.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Slow, rhythmic applause echoed from the fog.
A tall, slender figure emerged from the shadows.
"My, my~" A voice like poisoned honey purred. "Such exquisite swordsmanship. One strike, five kills. It was... perfection~"
Ryker turned.
Neon pink hair. Tear drop and Star.
Hisoka.