"So… can you solve them?" I leaned in to see how she was doing. "By the way, my name is… Mousse."
The moment I tried to say my name, something tugged the warmth out of me — and that name surfaced in my mind on its own, clear and unquestioned.
She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a folded piece of paper with a pencil tucked inside, beginning to jot down notes on a few of the puzzles.
"Ponzu," she replied briefly with a slight nod. "I can solve most of them, but odds are they've already been used, or someone stumbled onto the answers by chance."
She studied each image on the tablet with focused precision, flipping through them quickly — no more than ten seconds per clue — so I decided not to interrupt.
Instead, I turned my attention to the room itself, taking in the strange assortment of items: from plastic jars of cotton swabs to barrels and crates labeled with obscure brand names. All around me, participants scoured the area, each seemingly searching for something only they understood.
"Oh — is that Bodoro? He hasn't passed yet?I think I remember reading something… or maybe hearing something…Wasn't he in an earlier exam, maybe before the events of the main story?Ugh, I can't remember clearly…"
As soon as I had the thought, I felt something subtly drain from my body — not much, but noticeable.
Then I noticed a strange warmth on my left palm. Looking down, I saw it glowing softly with white mist… and then text began to form.
{ Bodoro first participated in the 286th Hunter Exam and failed during Phase One. }
"Huh?!Is this… my Nen ability?!"
The fact that it triggered automatically meant it manifested on its own — and judging by its function, it definitely wasn't from the Enhancement or Transmutation categories.
Of course, it could still relate to Conjuration, Emission, or Manipulation, but…
I clenched my fists, and a genuine smile — the kind a gambler wears when luck turns — crept onto my face.Because deep down… I understood what it truly was.
"A Specialist Nen ability.It doesn't necessarily mean my Nen type is Specialist too, but honestly, I hope it is. That would spare me the pain of trying to force compatibility with other types.Based on what I've seen so far, this is at least a Nen-based information-gathering ability — one that gives results in exchange for 'expendable resources,' which are probably Nen points themselves."
But the thing is… I haven't even awakened Nen or opened my aura nodes yet — my shouko is still sealed. Which means my eyes can't see aura, and I can't sense or control it.
I need to learn Nen as fast as possible — to unlock the full potential of this ability.
"I'll call it…Akasha Chronicle System."
A clean, bright text appeared in my mind:[ Akasha Chronicle System ]But just as suddenly, the words blurred and vanished, replaced with white boxes:
[ Akasha ▢▢▢ ▢ ▢▢▢ System ]
"So it has a will of its own — already has a name and personality.Yup, definitely a Specialist ability.Seems like a system-based type — like those you see in Japanese isekai, Korean webtoons, or Chinese cultivation novels.Multifunctional, flexible…Definitely qualifies as a cheat-tier ability."
While Ponzu focused on solving the riddles, I threw myself headfirst into analyzing my own Nen.
For a first awakening, I'd uncovered quite a bit. For one, every time I "accessed" information, it consumed Nen — even if I already knew the fact in question.
Naturally, the first thing I did was try to open my status screen — the most basic function of any system-based ability.
At first, it showed nothing. Everything was blocked out with white boxes. But soon, I figured out how to unlock sections — and before long, I had a full readout of my stats, including a bonus feature that made me grin.
| Mousse Nostradé
| Age: 16
| Title: Young Master
| Health: 50/50
| Nen: 260
| Physical Parameters: …
[ System of ▢▢▢ and Adaptation ]
[ Reveal missing word in system name? ]
[ Cost: 10,000 Nen ]
Now I could make direct requests and get precise costs for information — a huge boost for researching and using this ability properly.
All other features… or rather, the only other one… turned out to be a simple "abilities list" — completely empty.
Apparently, the system's functions aren't hard-coded and will need to be discovered manually.
So there was no minimap, no inventory, no crafting, no store — none of the usual system stuff.Maybe it'll update if I can reveal its full name. Judging by the final word, the theme isn't too hard to guess…And the steep cost just proves its importance. I can't wait to uncover its true nature.
Pi-puru-pu!
Suddenly, a clear trumpet sound echoed from all directions, making everyone glance toward the timer.
( 00:09:58 )
"Damn! There's no time left!""I already used up one attempt — this is my last chance!""Ughhh! The pressure made me forget the clue!"
Panicked voices and desperate cries spread through the chamber.
"We got lucky with a kind examiner this time — this trial doesn't seem intended to kill us.But even so, it's testing our intellect, stress tolerance, composure, and attention to detail."
"We're done. Let's move," Ponzu said sharply, getting to her feet and continuing in the same direction she'd been heading before I stopped her.
We moved quickly, trying not to attract attention.
In just a few minutes, we checked several objects — all previously used. Luckily, they didn't burn attempts. Finally, on the sixth try, Ponzu's tablet flashed green.
A bright smile lit up her face as she turned to me and extended her hand.
"I owe you one. I probably wouldn't have passed this without your help."
As I shook her hand, I felt something slip into my palm — a folded sheet of paper. She leaned in and whispered:
"I solved 32 clues. That means you've still got a decent shot with 26. I hope we meet again in the next trial — as allies."
I smiled back.
"Likewise. Well then, wish me luck!" I gave her a thumbs-up, loosened the handshake, and discreetly tucked away the paper with the answers.
"Pfft, khaha-haha." She chuckled, covering her mouth with her fist. "Yeah, no — I'm not doing that. We're still potential competitors, after all. You don't have much time left, so better get moving."
As I watched her walk away, I reflexively rubbed the side of my finger between my nose and upper lip.
Then it suddenly hit me.
"Wait — hold up! I already have a girlfriend!…Though this is a dream, so…Maybe it's fine? Heh-heh…"
I snickered inwardly, indecent thoughts creeping in — and then blushed furiously.
Hunter x Hunter has plenty of attractive female characters, and I'd always had a bit of a thing for Ponzu.
And the reason I blushed… was because I suddenly remembered one of our bedroom roleplays — my girlfriend and I once dressed up as Pokkle and Ponzu…
As weird as it sounds, we both enjoyed cosplay in bed. Once I introduced her to anime, her Freak Meter went off the charts.
Like the time she dressed up as Fubuki from One Punch Man and I…Well, I was Saitama. With a latex bald cap…
And honestly? That wasn't even the weirdest.We even did Hisoka and Illumi once. Not our lowest point.
But for me personally?It was the time we dressed up as Leorio and Kurapika…Except I was Kurapika.She even did my makeup and made me the "passive" one.
Thankfully, no strap-on was involved.That secret's coming with me to the grave.
I shook my head hard to clear it and looked at the timer — just over 6 minutes left.
Scanning the room, I was surprised to spot Bodoro, nervously stroking his mustache while eyeing the nearby objects.
I saw him approach a vase. He stared at it for a couple of seconds, clearly hesitating, then slowly raised his tablet to take a photo…
But almost immediately lowered it again and let out a sigh.
After thinking it over for a moment, I decided to help him — and maybe gain his support in the process.
Based on my status stats and how I actually felt, I was pretty weak physically. Sure, I was lean and fit, but let's be honest — even Ponzu could mop the floor with me without breaking a sweat.
Having a real martial arts master as an ally might come in handy later on.
If I could earn his trust, I wouldn't have to fear a knife in the back.He always struck me as a deeply moral person — someone with a clear, unshakable code of honor.
Best-case scenario: he voluntarily forfeits if it comes to that.Worst case: he gives me a fair warning before striking, and I get a chance to defend myself.
Nodding inwardly, I stepped up to him.
"Hello, my name's Mousse," I said, offering him my hand.
He looked at it in confusion at first, then glanced at my face — but in the end, he shook it.
"Well met, young man.You may call me Bodoro," he replied with a nod, still eyeing the countdown clock warily.
"So, Mr. Bodoro — I have a proposal for you."Glancing around to make sure no one was listening, I leaned in slightly, my voice gaining confidence.
"I'd like to form a mutually beneficial alliance.We support each other in the upcoming stages — share information, watch each other's backs, and cooperate if things get rough.What do you think?"
He raised a brow… then gave a faint smirk.
"You speak confidently, young one…But what good is an alliance if both of us are on the verge of failing the very first trial?"
At that moment, a sharp tone rang out — the 5-minute mark.
"That's exactly why I'm making this offer.I need your strength — and in return, I can help you, even if just a little."
I handed him the folded paper Ponzu had slipped me.
"System — where's the nearest unused discrepancy listed on Ponzu's cheat sheet?"
[ Cost: 30 Nen ]
"Confirmed."
[ 8 meters to your left.Painting titled 'Rustic Simplicity' — there should be a well where the children are playing near a puddle. ]
I quickly explained the situation to him, marked the clue as used, snapped a picture of the painting, and headed for the exit — waving goodbye without turning back.
In the end, he accepted my offer.
"Real men don't look back when saying goodbye…As for the Nen I spent — I'd say it made quite the unforgettable first impression on Bodoro."