Get comfortable, turn the page, and let’s see what this story has been hiding 🔥 ✦ Obtaining shared vision had been within Kieran’s expectations.
As for further expansion of the ability…
He was not in a hurry, and he had a plan in mind.
For now, merely setting the shared-pain restriction had allowed him to gain the shared-vision ability he wanted.
If he wanted Soul Echo’s overall ability to become stronger later, setting a shared-damage restriction was something he could consider.
Compared with shared damage, however, the restrictions Kieran could accept more readily at the moment were things like double stamina consumption, double aura consumption, or even life-span consumption.
He could also add another mechanism on top of shared pain: pain without an upper limit.
But before a real need appeared, Kieran was in no hurry to expand more abilities.
Stabilizing his foundation in the four major principles came first.
Besides, the vow return created by this restriction might still have some surplus left.
Thud, thud.
Inside the room, the sound of fists striking flesh rang out.
Kieran was using some of the basic martial-arts moves Wright had taught him to attack the shadow figure.
Every punch and every kick sent pain faithfully back into his body.
Kieran frowned, yet there was no hesitation in his strikes.
The shadow figure stood in place like a wooden post and accepted every attack.
If Cheadle had not been staying in a guest room on the other side of the courtyard, Kieran likely would have made even more noise.
In reality, Cheadle was not in the guest room at that moment.
In the pitch-black mountain forest, the noisy cries of insects came from every direction.
Cheadle picked up her phone and answered Hawk’s call.
“You met Kieran, didn’t you?” Hawk’s voice came through the phone.
Compared with the weakness and exhaustion in his voice last night, he sounded much stronger now.
Apparently, after a full day, his physical condition had improved.
“I did.
I am satisfied with him in every respect, especially his appearance.” Cheadle looked ahead while, as she spoke, she casually flicked out one long, fine, fragile Nen thread after another, hanging them between bushes and trees.
“His appearance?” Hawk’s voice carried confusion.
“Kieran is definitely handsome, but from what I know about you, you are not the type to include looks in an evaluation.” “Oh, I do not deny that.” Cheadle let out a cold laugh and said, “But seeing that Kieran does not look the least bit like you makes it very hard for me not to be satisfied.” “That…” On the other end of the phone, Hawk seemed to have been grabbed by the throat.
He could not get a word out.
That sounded very wrong.
Cheadle could imagine Hawk’s reaction at that moment, and it did not stir even the slightest ripple in her heart.
She asked, “You did not call at this hour just to ask about that, did you?” “Of course not.” Hawk asked solemnly, “Where is Kieran’s Nen now?
How far has it gone?” “…” Cheadle was silent for a second or two, then slowly said, “From what I can tell, his Ten feels as if he has been training for more than half a year.” “He has improved that fast?!” There was no surprise or pride in Hawk’s voice.
There was only fear.
“He awakened Nen less than half a month ago!” “Yes.
Which means what you said before was correct.
Kieran is indeed extraordinarily talented.
In my years of teaching, I have encountered quite a few gifted juniors, but compared with Kieran, the gap is obvious.” As Cheadle slowly moved through the forest, she set down Nen threads at regular intervals.
Faced with such a high evaluation from a Two-Star professional Hunter, Hawk could not feel happy at all.
“We cannot let Kieran continue like this.
If we fail…
if the cost that feeds on Nen transfers onto him, Kieran may wither in an instant…” “Hawk, I do not agree with your judgment.” Cheadle understood the power of that cost, but she did not share Hawk’s view.
“The strength of the cost returned by that scale is indeed proportional to the strength of Nen on the host.
But do not forget that Nen is also the only thing that can protect Kieran in this situation.
Also…” At this point, Cheadle’s tone gradually turned cold.
“Do not mention failure in front of me when all you know how to do is act recklessly and make trouble.
I do not care that you put an ‘if’ before it.” “I…” Hawk’s confidence was clearly lacking, reflected in his weakened voice.
“Acting without permission was my problem, but you can rest assured.
I made a lot of preparations before I moved.
It will not…” “Hawk.” Cheadle cut him off in a severe tone, each word distinct.
“Can you stop being so optimistic?
Leaving aside the fact that you cannot use Mouse Gem’s ability right now, even if you could use it, have you forgotten your ability’s restriction?
In terms of overall direct combat ability, giving you an E-rank evaluation would already be generous.
If your unauthorized action draws those remnants of the old Rimeguard here, we may not even have the strength left to resolve the cost.” “…” Hawk had no answer.
It was exactly as Cheadle said.
His Mouse Gem was in a state where it could not be used because it was helping suppress that scale.
Under those circumstances, he also had to bear the restriction he had set when he created Mouse Gem in the first place.
In terms of direct combat ability, he truly could not offer much reassurance.
“Sorry.” Hawk lowered his head and apologized.
Then he said carefully, “Fortunately, we still have you.” “You idiot…” Cheadle gritted her teeth.
“I was never suited for combat to begin with.
You know that perfectly well, so stop expecting me to solve every difficult problem for you.” “…” Once again, Hawk was left speechless.
Yes.
Cheadle was a professional Hunter who valued practicality, and her talent could be called first-rate.
Every Nen ability she had developed so far perfectly embodied that practicality.
But the problem lay precisely in that practical style.
Because of her professional needs, the practical Nen abilities Cheadle had developed were basically all aimed at noncombat fields.
In other words, Cheadle herself was not good at fighting.
If members of the old Rimeguard found this place…
The combat strength that he and Cheadle could display together would be awful from every angle.
When the other end of the phone stayed silent for a long time, Cheadle worked to calm herself.
Because of this matter, she had been under considerable pressure as well.
Under normal circumstances, she simply would not show it.
Hawk’s optimism had finally made her lose patience.
After venting, however, she felt that getting angry because of Hawk was an extremely unpleasant experience.
Cheadle took a deep breath and said coldly, “The Nen Exorcist I contacted should arrive in about three days.
For now, worry more about the payment.” With that, she hung up.
…
Late at night, on a rooftop somewhere.
A tall, slender man in a black suit stood outside the railing.
The cigarette between his lips had what little life it had left stripped away by the strong wind blowing into his face.
Beep.
The phone in his hand sounded with a message alert.
The man lifted the phone, and a short message entered his eyes.
“Jackpot.” Looking at that message, the man narrowed his eyes and smiled.
He was just about to take a hard drag from his cigarette.
Only then did he discover that the cigarette had already burned out.
What a noisy wind.
The man felt deeply melancholy.
“Why are you posing like that when no one asked you to?” A woman’s disgusted voice came from behind him.
✦ ✦ ✦ Ready for more?
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS EmberHollow Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter pulled you deeper into the story.
Stick around, because there’s still a lot waiting just ahead.