NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Chapter 5: The Obsession of the Observer!
"Actually, we've crossed paths before," Maha Zoldyck said calmly.
"During the Water Divination, I asked you to focus your aura in both palms. That was a rough application of Ten—but still a valid one."
He crossed his arms. "In a narrow sense, Gyo refers to focusing aura in the eyes, which lets you see things hidden to the naked eye. More broadly, it means concentrating aura anywhere—on the eyes, fists, or any part of the body. It's versatile."
Kaizen nodded thoughtfully, recalling the method Maha had described.
Without hesitation, he gave it a try.
"Condense!"
Kaizen focused his mind, gathering the aura flowing along the surface of his body. Slowly, he willed it to move toward his eyes.
A strange sensation washed over him as the aura converged.
Suddenly, the world looked different.
Kaizen glanced at his hands, now shrouded in a faint, transparent layer of aura clinging to his skin like a second skin—flexible, yet incredibly durable. It felt as though he wore a protective suit that didn't restrict movement but could withstand immense force. The stronger the aura, the stronger the defense.
He shifted his gaze toward Maha, then toward the servant and maid stationed at the door. That's when something clicked.
Even though they were all Nen users, their aura didn't feel the same. It wasn't just the amount of aura that differed—something he'd learned before—but the quality varied too, almost like each person's aura carried its own unique signature.
"This was never mentioned in the old teachings..." Kaizen mused.
Maha watched him with approval and continued his explanation.
"Nen is not just about the techniques you master—it also reflects your knowledge, skills, and desires. Your will shapes it all. This fusion creates what we call Hatsu."
Kaizen nodded, understanding the importance of keeping his abilities private.
"Yes, great-grandfather. I understand."
He excused himself and returned to his room. Basic practice could be done out in the courtyard, but developing a specific Hatsu—the manifestation of one's unique aura—was deeply personal. Revealing it could be a dangerous mistake, especially for those with rare or specialized abilities.
Maha knew this as well. Satisfied with Kaizen's progress, he left without another word.
Meteor City
Meanwhile, Zeno Zoldyck had already reached Meteor City—a notorious wasteland.
Originally, it was nothing more than a landfill. But over time, it became home not only to discarded objects but also to discarded people. It evolved into a sprawling, lawless settlement with its own hierarchy—a pseudo-nation, unrecognized by the rest of the world.
Meteor City was vast, teeming with people deemed unworthy by the outside world. Here, survival was paramount.
The people of Meteor City lived by two main means.
First, they scavenged. What others saw as trash, they saw as resources. For those at the bottom, the garbage dumps provided food and supplies.
But the upper echelons of Meteor City had a second means of survival: human trafficking.
Even among the castaways, some individuals possessed remarkable talents. These individuals were highly sought after by the world's underground organizations, including the V5. The Zoldyck family was no exception.
(T/N: The V6, formerly the V5, is a group formed by the main leaders of the world.)
Most of the servants at the Zoldyck estate came from Meteor City. Even Silva Zoldyck's wife, Kikyo, hailed from this forsaken place.
Zeno approached one of the elders of Meteor Street—a figure well-acquainted with the Zoldyck family's demands.
"I need ten talented youths," Zeno stated flatly. "Ages twelve to fifteen. Stable temperaments."
The elder gave a sly smile. "No problem. We've worked together before, haven't we?"
Two days later, the arrangements were made.
Zoldyck Family
Back at the Zoldyck estate, Kaizen had locked himself in his room, fully immersed in training. He hadn't left for days, relying on the maids to bring him food and water.
After hours of relentless focus, Kaizen opened his eyes. A large mass of aura floated in front of him, swirling like a dense fog. The servant and maid stationed outside the room exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the surge in Kaizen's aura.
Maha Zoldyck felt it too, though he stayed silent.
Kaizen took a deep breath, eyes gleaming with excitement. Before him floated a crystal sphere, invisible to those without Nen. This was his Hatsu:
The Observer's Will.
Kaizen's ability was deceptively simple, yet powerful.
"As long as I observe," he whispered to himself, "the crystal will absorb the essence of its surroundings. When it collects enough traits, I'll be able to manifest a beast embodying those characteristics."
The strength of the Nen Beast would depend on the uniqueness of the absorbed traits.
"This is my vow and restriction," Kaizen muttered. "There are conditions. I can't create a Nen Beast without sufficient traits."
He glanced around his room, then smiled.
"I'll start here—with the Zoldyck estate."
The Zoldyck manor was no ordinary home. It was the lair of the most infamous assassins in the human world. What kind of beast could he create after absorbing its essence? What strength would it have?
The thought thrilled Kaizen.
"Let's see what the Observer's Will can do."
He grinned, eager to test his new power.
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