"Are you ready?"
A month later, when Noah opened the cabin door again, a butler in a tuxedo was already waiting outside.
It was strange; for the past month, Noah had been the only one living in the cabin. As for Ash, who had also passed the second test, he had never appeared again, which made Noah wonder if the injured fellow had died.
Upon seeing Noah, the impassive Zoldyck butler suddenly showed a hint of surprise. He could clearly feel a sense of oppression emanating from Noah.
This guy?
"I'm ready," Noah replied confidently.
Seeing this, the butler gave Noah a meaningful look, then turned and walked away.
"Follow me."
Following the butler, Noah arrived at the endpoint of the second test. There, he saw Gotoh and Ash, who had been missing for a month.
Ash was now wearing a black tuxedo, leaning calmly against the wall. Noah clearly saw a thin, transparent, water-like substance enveloping Ash's entire body.
Was that Nen?
Just like the feeling Noah gave the butler, Ash now gave Noah a completely different feeling than a month ago—a subtle sense of oppression.
This must be Nen, right? Controlling the aura within one's body to enhance one's defense. If I remember correctly, it's called the 'Ten' technique.
But what's going on? Was he learning Nen during his month-long disappearance? Did Gotoh teach him? Did I miss something, which is why no one taught me?
After seeing the Nen around Ash, Noah also realized that his 'Qi Cultivation' and Nen abilities were two completely different powers. 'Qi Cultivation' was about developing human potential and increasing strength, while Nen abilities, although essentially also about developing potential, manifested as awakening unique powers within the human body and using that power to strengthen oneself. However, this power was unique to this world; only people in this world possessed this kind of energy, much like the spiritual or magical energy in fantasy novels.
Understanding this, Noah became even more eager to learn Nen abilities. At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder why Ash had learned Nen this month while he hadn't received any hints.
As Noah pondered, Ash and Gotoh also turned their gazes to him. A subtle, peculiar glint flashed in Gotoh's eyes.
This kid seems a little different? It looks like the outcome this time will be beyond my expectations.
"Bring them over," Gotoh said, a thought crossing his mind.
Ten seconds later, the gatekeeper Zeburo appeared in the distance, followed by the five people who had not passed the second test.
Noah and Ash stood on opposite sides of the iron gate, confronting the five people Zeburo brought.
"You all know the rules. Let's begin."
Gotoh, another Zoldyck butler, and Zeburo stood on one side. Gotoh calmly announced the start.
As soon as Gotoh finished speaking, Ash moved. Dressed in a tuxedo, he charged towards the five people opposite him like a black leopard. A scream was heard, and the pompadour-haired man closest to Ash already had his throat twisted.
So fast!
Watching Ash's swift and decisive movements, Noah was startled.
In just one month, he seemed like a completely different person. His speed and strength had greatly improved. Is this the difference between a Nen user and an ordinary person?
Watching Ash's surging strength, Noah's desire to learn Nen abilities grew stronger.
Unlike Noah, the remaining four people, upon seeing Ash's thunderous attack, instinctively retreated.
They could clearly feel a terrifying killing intent radiating from Ash. This killing intent seemed to freeze their bodies; they felt their scalps tingle and their hairs stand on end. Their bodies wouldn't obey them, and they could only remain frozen in place.
This was the biggest difference between Nen users and ordinary people. For those who mastered Nen, their will was their greatest weapon. With just a thought, they could intimidate those who didn't know Nen. At this moment, Ash only wanted to kill these four people, and his killing intent transformed into powerful mental pressure, firmly suppressing the four. This was also because these four were from Meteor City and had already experienced many life-and-death situations. If it were an ordinary person living in a comfortable environment, they might have died directly under Ash's killing intent.
In just a dozen seconds, the remaining four people fell one after another at Ash's feet.
They were utterly defenseless, like a lion pouncing into a flock of sheep.
After twisting the neck of the last person, Ash turned his head with a cold expression, his dark eyes filled with killing intent, focusing on Noah.
The moment Ash's gaze fell upon him, Noah's body stiffened. He seemed to see the killing intent swirling around Ash, those black-hole-like pupils seemingly expanding infinitely, stopping right in front of him. This powerful oppressive force made Noah lose control of his body for a moment.
At the same time, Noah finally realized how those four people had died. Only by truly feeling this pressure would one understand the vast difference between a Nen user and an ordinary person.
Just by learning Ten, he could achieve this level?
Tap—tap—
Footsteps grew from distant to near in Noah's ears. Ash was slowly walking towards Noah, his intentions already clear.
Kill!
At that instant, Noah felt as if his brain had been struck by something. The huge eyes in front of him instantly vanished. Ash's figure was already close, and the surging killing intent instantly sobered Noah. He bit his tongue hard, and as a sharp pain spread throughout his body, Noah regained control of his body.
Facing the approaching Ash, Noah didn't retreat but advanced. A faint mist wafted from his body, and his right fist, with a whistling sound, slammed towards Ash.
Ash never expected Noah to still be able to move. He only had time to widen his eyes before Noah's punch landed on his face. Then, he was knocked backward, stumbling a few steps before stopping.
Clutching his cheek, feeling the burning pain, Ash, with wide, surprised eyes, slowly turned his head like a machine, looking at Noah standing opposite him with uncertainty. Surprise turned into words that blurted out.
"How is this possible?"