Hunter: I became stronger even after I died.

Chapter 211 First Contact with Mind-Body Tools

A shadowy aura seeped out quietly from the cracks in the window frame.

Moro stared intently, clearly sensing the aura emanating from the thoughts of the dead, but...

Somewhat strange.

The shadowy deathly aura seemed to be suppressed by some force, its intensity fluctuating wildly and extremely unstable.

"It's like being 'bound' by a sealing-like ability..."

Moro pondered this in his heart, his gaze sweeping over the entire exterior of the shrine once more.

Dilapidated

Putting everything else aside, the dense wormholes on those wooden pillars alone are enough to make one uneasy.

Even if the shrine suddenly collapsed into a pile of ruins the next moment, Moro would not be surprised at all.

"Menqi, is the short knife you mentioned inside?"

He pointed to the window frame, where the shadows swayed slightly like tentacles.

Menchi stared at the unsettling aura of death and nodded.

Moro glanced at her sideways and said, "My 'requirement' is that the weapon must be imbued with sufficiently strong Nen, not post-mortem Nen."

If it's a thought after death...

Let alone enhancing his offensive and defensive capabilities in the Starburst Condensation state, it's likely that when he mobilizes his already limited manifested energy, he might be taken advantage of and suffer a backlash.

Rather than relying on this potentially risky power, it's better to directly transform it into the energy of tree rings.

Menchi was slightly taken aback upon hearing Moro's words.

In her view, as long as the Nen user does not enter the "Zetsu" state, there is no essential difference between post-mortem Nen and ordinary Nen, and both can give weapons extraordinary strength.

It's not surprising that she would have this thought.

After all, she didn't know Moro's true need for "psychic weapons".

"That dagger not only possesses the power of death, but also the power of normal rebirth..."

Mencius looked directly into Morrow's eyes and suggested, "I'm not sure if it meets your requirements, but you can see it for yourself before making a decision."

"Ah."

Moro gave a casual reply.

Regardless of whether the short sword in the shrine met his requirements...

He wouldn't let go of this suicidal thought either.

Ta-ta-

Just then, several figures emerged from the nearby old buildings and walked straight toward Morrow and his group.

Moro and his group looked in the direction of the sound.

The leader was an old man, dressed in a gray-white robe, with a wooden knife hanging at his waist.

The old man had long white hair and a face full of wrinkles, yet he exuded a calm and composed aura.

Behind him followed three young men, all around twenty years old.

They were also dressed in gray robes, but their robes had several conspicuous patches, making them look simple and old.

Moro's gaze swept over the three youths, and he could see the Nen energy surrounding them.

Not strong, but not weak either; it barely passes the mark.

But the old man at the head...

Moro's gaze was fixed on the Nen aura emanating from the old man.

Very calm.

However, in terms of aura strength, it is not enough to attract attention. It is probably the kind of Nen user with average talent but many years of training.

Even so, Moro would not judge a person's strength solely based on the intensity of their Nen.

In the world of Nen users, the difference in manifested aura can only determine advantages and disadvantages, and cannot truly determine the outcome of a battle.

What truly matters is often mindset, combat experience, and even knowledge.

These are more important than the intensity of the apparent gas volume.

"you again."

The old man placed his right hand on the knife handle, his sharp eyes fixed on Menqi.

The three young men behind him also turned pale when they saw Menqi.

Morrow took in their reactions and glanced at Menchi with a hint of doubt.

On the way here, she clearly said that she had helped these people solve their near-starvation problem, but now it seems that's not the case.

Noticing Morrow's gaze, Mencius scratched her head and leaned closer to explain in a low voice:
"When I first arrived, they were so hungry they were almost fainting, so I thought I'd get them something to eat... I happened to see an old hen, so I killed it and made a chicken soup with some bamboo shoots. They looked so satisfied when they drank the soup, but who knew that after they finished it..."

"That's a hen that lays two eggs a day!"

The old man angrily interrupted Menqi.

Following the old man's words, the three youths glared angrily at Menqi.

Upon hearing this, Menqi said irritably:
"If it weren't for that pot of chicken soup, I don't know if you'd even be standing here talking right now! To help you recover quickly, I even added several precious medicinal herbs, and instead of thanking me, you're arguing about it like this!"

"you……!"

The old man blew his beard and glared.

"What do you mean, 'you'? Did I say something wrong?"

Menchi put her hands on her hips.

To this day, she still can't understand how these people could have fallen to such a state of being so hungry that they were dizzy and lightheaded.

What's the use of keeping an old hen around?

Anyone with a modicum of common sense would have gone to find something to eat nearby and wouldn't be in such a sorry state.

I really don't know how they've survived until now.

The old man understood that Menqi had killed the chicken to make soup out of good intentions, but he was still upset about the death of the old hen, which made him reluctant to see Menqi.

"What are you doing back here?"

But he didn't dwell on the matter any longer, glancing at Moro and the others beside Menchi.

Upon hearing this, Menqi pointed to the shrine without saying a word: "Old man, you said that anyone who can pass the trial can take the sword inside. Now my friend wants it."

"I did say that."

The old man frowned and said in a deep voice, "But for your own good, I advise you to give up this idea as soon as possible. I have seen too many people who overestimate their abilities and lose their lives because of it."

"Then tell me, how did those people die?"

Menqi seized every opportunity to press for more questions.

The old man glanced at Menqi.

The rule he used to dissuade Menchi from pursuing his dream based on "gender" was not something he made up.

But more dangerous than the conditions of the trial is the process of the trial itself.

He was still somewhat grateful for Menchi's previous help, so he didn't want to see Menchi's friend lose his life blindly because of it.

"I don't need to say it, you can all sense it yourselves..."

The old man thought for a moment, then raised his hand and pointed to the shadowy, deathly aura seeping from the gaps in the shrine's window lattice, saying:

"That's the resentment left behind by the deceased, but don't think it's only that much. It's because the scabbard, made by the Onmyoji himself, suppresses most of the 'resentment' attached to the sword. If you want to take that sword away, you must remove the scabbard."

At this point, the old man's expression became very serious.

"Once the scabbard is no longer restrained, the resentment of the dead attached to the blade can break free of its constraints and, with an irresistible force, control anyone who dares to touch it, causing them to commit suicide on the spot."

"Ok?"

Menqi was startled upon hearing this.

She had glanced at the dagger before, but she never expected that the dagger in its sheath would be so dangerous.

Since it involves thoughts about the afterlife, it seems the old man wasn't exaggerating.

Thinking of this, she immediately turned to look at Moro. "Moro, how about..."

"Grandpa, may I try it?"

Moro, however, simply asked for a trial.

Menqi was taken aback and quickly said, "Moro, that old man doesn't seem to be exaggerating..."

"It's okay, trust me."

Moro smiled at Menchi.

Beside him, Kurapika's eyes flashed with hesitation, but he ultimately remained silent.

Because he noticed Kurtner's calm and composed reaction.

Since even Kurt, who cares so much about Morrow, doesn't think this kind of thing can threaten Morrow, it means that Morrow should have the ability and confidence to deal with this kind of thing.

Seeing Moro's confidence, the old man said nothing more.

He specifically explained the risks involved because of Menchi.

However, the arrogant young man in front of him did not listen to what he said.

The old man gestured to Moro, indicating that he should go ahead.

Seeing this, Moro nodded to the old man and then walked straight to the entrance of the shrine.

As he approached, the tightly closed wooden door opened on its own, and a beam of light pierced the dim shrine, illuminating the short sword named "Prison" on the shrine.

The short sword lay quietly on two bronze three-finger rests, its surface, with its silver-patterned scabbard, was shrouded in white, misty spiritual energy.

However, from the black, ring-shaped hilt of the Möbius sword, black Nen energy, resembling tentacles, continuously seeped out.

The two streams of energy intertwined and balanced like yin and yang fish, but it was clear that the black energy representing death was superior, weaving a web of shadows within the confined space.

Moro examined the short sword with its sheath still on.

After hearing what the old man said, he knew that his trip had not been in vain.

only--

A short sword is a vessel for thoughts after death.

This also means that he would tend to absorb the death intent on the short sword rather than make it a handy weapon that could replace the Red Jade Bird Sword.

Therefore, before starting this so-called trial, he was more eager to see how much annual energy this short sword could bring him.

Even the scabbard used to restrain the short sword's death intent can bring a portion of the energy from the annual rings.

With this expectation, Moro reached out and picked up the dagger without hesitation.

The first thing I touched was the scabbard, which felt slightly rough to the touch, and I felt a chill penetrating my skin.

"It can be absorbed."

The moment Moro grasped the dagger, he confirmed that the growth rings could absorb the Nen energy from the scabbard.

This also indicates that the owner of this spiritual energy is no longer alive.

"Onmyoji... they seem more like exorcists who are skilled at sealing away the thoughts of the dead."

As Moro thought to himself, he then gripped the hilt of his knife with his other hand, under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Clang——

He drew the short sword called "Prison".

As the blade was drawn, a surge of black Nen energy emerged like thick smoke, or like a raging black flame, instantly attaching itself to Moro's body.

Menchi and Kurapika, who were nearby, both looked tense upon seeing this scene.

Just as the old man had said...

The thoughts of the dead attached to the short sword are largely restrained by the scabbard.

Now that the binding force of the scabbard is gone, this deathly thought is exposed without restraint, exuding an astonishing aura.

The old man from the dojo had already silently gripped the wooden sword in his hand.

He had witnessed similar scenes far too many times.

So he knew what would happen next: Moro would be unable to withstand the erosion of the thoughts of the dead and would slit his own throat with the prison cell in hand.

But usually at this time, the person controlled by resentment will indiscriminately attack the living people nearby with their prison weapon before taking their last breath.

What the elderly person needs to do is to limit this indiscriminate attack, which lasts for less than ten seconds.

Once the person participating in the trial falls to the ground and dies, he uses the scabbard to rebind the resentment of the dead in the prison.

however--

The expected scenario did not occur.

The old man opened his eyes wide in astonishment, only to see that Moro's expression was normal, showing no sign of being consumed by the thought of death.
What was even more unbelievable to him was that the prison sword trembled violently in Moro's hand, and in the blink of an eye it twisted and deformed, turning into a thick black cloud.

This was the first time he had seen the true nature of the "prison," which was so purely malicious that even he, a man skilled with a knife, felt as if his eyes were being cut open by a sharp blade just by looking at it.

Yet this black thought, so powerful and chilling in its very nature, now appeared utterly helpless, drawn in by a whale-like suction force and instantly engulfed by Moro's right hand, vanishing without a trace.

"This is impossible……"

The old man realized something, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

The three youths behind him were even more dumbfounded. Having seen too many trial participants fail before their eyes, this completely different scene brought them an indescribable visual impact.

Moro had no time to pay attention to their reactions.

At this moment, his attention was entirely focused on his right hand.

This short sword called Prison Sword is not a Nen object attached to the thoughts of the dead, but a weapon created by the Nen user in his lifetime using his materialization ability.

But for some unknown reason, this thought became even stronger after death, thus leaving behind a physical form.

This is no longer a simple Nen object that relies on Nen energy; it has reached the level of a Nen tool.

Moro only realized this when he began to absorb it.

This was the first time he had come into contact with a Nen artifact left behind by a power user.

Unfortunately, the absorption efficiency of tree rings is terrifying...

He wanted to give up absorbing the nutrients halfway, but it was too late.

As the prison dagger transformed into deathly intent and was drawn into the rings of time, the energy ring of the second ring of time was instantly filled.

But the energy-charging phenomenon did not stop there. In the energy ring of the third ring, blue stripes appeared at a visible speed, and continued to increase to 12%.

at the same time.

A sharp, piercing pain suddenly struck, as if dozens of sharp blades were simultaneously slashing at Moro's nerves, the intense pain bursting through his mind.

Having anticipated this, Moro simply closed his eyes and silently endured it.

After the excruciating pain, which felt like it was going to sever his head, subsided, Moro had expected to receive fragments of memories about swordsmanship or materialization abilities...

However, it does not.

Along with that deathly thought came an incomparably pure intent to kill.

This inexplicably reminded him of the seductive whispers contained within Orion's death wish.

Without any hesitation, Moro took the same action as before, suppressing this dangerous killing intent deep within.

He knew very well that—

Once one accepts this killing intent, one might be able to develop a superb swordsmanship that allows one to kill without hesitation.

But it will gradually shake and affect his rationality, and even his true nature.

Moro was not tempted by this. He sealed the thought deep inside the dust box and slowly opened his eyes.

"You... are you an Onmyoji?"

The old man looked at Moro, who appeared calm and composed, his wrinkled face filled with astonishment.

"No, even an Onmyoji couldn't do such a thing...!"

Before Moro could answer, the old man muttered to himself, clearly extremely shocked.

(End of this chapter)