The range of Nen abilities that can branch out from each of the six fundamental Nen types is truly vast.
Some lean more toward support, some are functional, and others are intended for direct combat. If, for a typical Nen user, their ability is well-suited for battle, it inevitably makes them far more difficult to kill.
Because each person's Nen ability is tied to their own personality, there's no defining template. Even Xiang Nan, with his breadth of knowledge, cannot—without seeing it firsthand—be sure of a target's true upper limits.
In short, he still knows very little about the world of Nen users.
That, too, highlights the power system's allure in the Hunter x Hunter universe.
So rich, so varied… With enough cunning and skill, practically any ability can become a path to the pinnacle. Nen's core potential revolves around how the user adapts and develops it—and how well they harness it.
From the original storyline, we see that even common firearms can threaten or injure Nen users, depending on each individual's level of strength. Even members of the Phantom Troupe—aside from someone like Uvogin, that freakish Enhancement type—won't stand there letting themselves get hit by bullets. They'd dodge, rather than waste aura. For members who aren't oriented toward direct combat, ignoring firearms would be idiotic. They have more efficient and straightforward ways to dispatch an enemy.
Of course, once firepower and tech rise to a certain level, even top-tier Nen users have to be wary. Although this is Hunter x Hunter's world, we can't ignore the power of technology. V5 is the real controller of the human sphere here, not the Hunter Association. Netero's use of the Poor Man's Rose bomb to kill the Chimera Ant King is the best example of that.
But for now, in the smoke-shrouded mansion, Xiang Nan's uncertainty about whether his target has truly been neutralized isn't just due to the variety of Nen abilities. It's also that while the explosion looked fierce, it was "enhanced" by the enclosed space. The bomb wasn't unreasonably powerful: it was calibrated with Kaito's level in mind—and also so Xiang Nan's team inside wouldn't be seriously harmed. They'd left room to react. Just because Xiang Nan couldn't manage a certain maneuver didn't mean a Nen user couldn't. After all, he himself doesn't have Nen.
"Likely a defensive type…"
Stepping forward, Xiang Nan's eyes turned keen and watchful. He calmed his mind.
That bodyguard of the mafia boss killed two of Xiang Nan's teammates in mere moments, moving at startling speed. Xiang Nan also heard the gunfire from the teammates before they died, including the minor tactics Garo and another soldier tried, yet nothing stopped the enemy or did any real damage. It implied the man's Nen was defensive in nature.
Xiang Nan never lets any useful intel on a battlefield escape him. Frankly, this opponent's power had exceeded his expectations—definitely not some rookie-level Nen user. They'd inadvertently run into an "iron wall." Still, the man proved overconfident and sloppy. Once he barged into the main hall, Xiang Nan's squad had essentially won. Even if the Yeschi boss wasn't killed by the bomb, Xiang Nan could have shot him first. If the mission was just to take out the mafia head, their plan had already succeeded.
A sharp crunch sounded as Xiang Nan's combat boots stepped on a shard of broken glass. He could hear labored breathing and whimpering from a few meters away. Despite the acrid smoke, he stayed alert.
Whoosh!
Another step closer, and the dark smoke wavered. An arm, bloody and mangled, lunged at him, followed by a hazy, blood-smeared face emerging from the haze. Xiang Nan immediately fired the pistol he'd been aiming. The bullet tore through the outstretched hand and hit the body behind it. Yet the hand still latched onto his throat, clamping tight.
At that moment, Xiang Nan and Kai finally beheld each other's appearances. Kai was drenched in blood, nearly unrecognizable post-explosion, yet still clinging to life with sheer willpower.
It made Xiang Nan's eyes narrow. This fellow's gaze radiated a brutality and resilience totally lacking any fear of death, as though he'd abandoned all concern for life or demise.
"That… definitely isn't the look of a normal mafia goon!" Xiang Nan felt a stir in his mind.
Under Kai's stare, Xiang Nan—dressed in his black coat, half of his mask destroyed—suddenly smiled. Then, as Kai reached with his other hand, Xiang Nan's free arm jabbed something into his own neck.
"You're slower now… and weaker."
"You gathered all your remaining aura with Ten in that single hand, and didn't save any to soak up the bullet impact—so the rest of your body has lost its reinforced defense, right?"
Kai's fingers kept tightening; Xiang Nan's face reddened from lack of air. Just one or two more seconds, and his neck would snap. But Xiang Nan, even struggling to breathe, forced out those two remarks calmly.
"He… a Nen user too? Using Gyo to see this? Impossible…"
Kai's consciousness blurred; his body went limp. His previously tightening grip slowly slackened.
After injecting the drug, Xiang Nan pulled the syringe from Kai's neck and tossed it aside. His prediction had been accurate. That single gunshot earlier allowed him to analyze the man's condition: Kai had foregone aura defense in his desperation to kill Xiang Nan, going berserk like a rabid hyena. Xiang Nan's test approach put himself at great risk, because until he confronted Kai directly, he couldn't be sure how much strength remained. If the target were still mostly combat-capable, Xiang Nan might've had his neck snapped.
But as per Xiang Nan's plan, if the enemy could still fight after killing him, teammates would finish the job from another angle. Usually, Xiang Nan disliked gambling on so many unknowns, but this time the enemy exceeded their "capture range."
Fortunately, the outcome was good. He caught Kai's body as it collapsed. Through this hunt, Xiang Nan gained another clear perspective on the special breed of people called Nen users.
"Experience and growth aren't so easily won… Besides the fun of playing this 'game,' exploring this world step by step seems worthwhile too."
He touched his neck with a wry smile, then coughed up a mouthful of blood.
With a firm voice, he ordered:
"Pull back, everyone!"
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 70 Chapters Ahead of Others!