Moyu had once looked over this world from a reader’s perspective.

Now, having crossed over to become a part of this world, he didn’t feel superior or boastful about understanding it thoroughly.

After all, due to things like Mahjong…

A reader’s perspective at best only gave him a partial view of the world’s landscape, let alone the vast unknown land beyond it.

Therefore, while isolating himself from the outside, Moyu believed it was essential to deeply understand this world by reading many books.

Swamp Man was one of the fantasy novels he read to alleviate his mood. It delved into the themes of “soul” and “who am I truly?”

The story began with a man struck dead by lightning while crossing a swamp. However, the lightning reacted strangely with the swamp, replicating a being with the same physical mass and even the same soul as the deceased.

Using this “reboot” as the story’s outset, it posed a question—

If the preservation of the soul grants a new beginning, am I still me?

Moyu stood in front of the bookshelf, flipping open the book.

Having recently read it, the story was still fresh in his mind.

His delicate fingers brushed over a page, pausing on a specific section.

“Shadow.”

Moyu stared intently at the word that stood out the most to him.

A shadow is the vessel of the duplicated soul…

But what if it’s not a duplication but a fusion?

Lost in thought, Moyu turned to look at his own shadow, his thoughts stirring.

A small amount of latent aura recently replenished in his body began to flow slowly from his pores, blending into his shadow.

Mimicry—

With the infusion of aura, Moyu’s shadow first separated, then gradually became three-dimensional, shaping into a pitch-black figure identical in size to Moyu.

“This is my Nen ability, but it’s still in its infancy…”

Moyu carefully observed the motionless, mannequin-like dark figure in front of him and muttered to himself:

“The burden of using the ability has noticeably decreased, and the consumption of aura has also reduced.”

The first time he used this ability, the shadow merely showed a bubble-like form, lasting for 3 seconds, nearly draining all the aura from Moyu’s body.

But now, Moyu had only consumed a small portion of his aura to mimic a humanoid shape, lasting more than 3 seconds.

“As the thought process behind my ability becomes clearer, I can use it more smoothly. Even the construction has become less challenging.”

Moyu roughly understood the reason.

This Nen ability linked to the shadow was still in its infancy. Once his maximum aura power and nen skills advance, he could further refine more ability effects.

However, the prerequisite is that his memory capacity can accommodate the effects of the developed ability.

The more intricate the Nen ability, the more it will occupy the memory capacity.

Typically, a Nen user only develops one mature ability, filling up all the available memory space.

Yet, there are a few exceptionally gifted Nen users who can effortlessly develop a second or even a third ability.

“Let’s call it ‘Soul Echo.'”

Moyu named his ability and planned that once his basic skills were solidified, he’d use the Water Divination technique to determine his Nen type.

Only after discerning his type can he refine his Nen ability along the right path.

Soul Echo

Nen Type: Not tested yet

Initial Ability: Uses shadows as the vessel for aura mimicry.

The maximum extent of mimicry is currently unknown, but preliminary estimates suggest that setting conditions might expand its limits.

Having named his new ability, Moyu began to manipulate the shadow mannequin.

“Raise your left hand.”

Using the Manipulator category approach, Moyu gave a simple command to the shadow figure.

Upon his command, the shadow figure remained motionless.

“Huh? Am I not a Manipulator? No, even if I’m not, such a basic command shouldn’t get zero feedback.”

Moyu put his hand to his chin in thought.

Then, he reduced the command’s complexity, simply instructing the shadow to move a finger.

Yet, the shadow mannequin remained still.

“Something’s not right.”

Moyu raised an eyebrow, pondering the reason.

“That’s it.”

Looking at the motionless shadow figure, Moyu smiled, “Even though you’ve separated from me, we are essentially the same entity, so…”

Saying this, Moyu closed his eyes and issued a command to the shadow figure within his consciousness.

The very next moment, the shadow figure obediently raised its left hand.

Moyu then opened his eyes, observing the shadow’s raised hand, a satisfied look on his face.

Due to his lack of proficiency in the ability and an insufficient amount of aura, he had to close his eyes to enhance concentration.

Once his overall Nen skills become adept in the future, such efforts won’t be necessary.

In his consciousness, Moyu continuously gave various commands to the shadow figure, playing with it gleefully, like a child with a new toy.

About ten minutes had passed.

Engrossed in his play, Moyu’s vision suddenly darkened, and he fainted due to his exhaustion of aura.

The shadow figure subsequently disintegrated, returning to its normal state.

From the awakening of Nen to the birth of his ability—

The process had taken just under twelve hours.

If someone had witnessed this, they would likely describe Moyu as an exception.

Time passed slowly.

The sun rose high from the east, dissipating the morning mist, radiating a scorching temperature, and then gradually set in the west.

As the last ray of sunlight disappeared into the horizon, night descended.

It was then that Moyu awoke.

“I’m so hungry.”

The pang of hunger tormented Moyu, who had just come to.

“I got too carried away…”

Moyu got up and returned the book to its shelf.

“I should head to the kitchen for some food.”

Perhaps due to the excessive consumption of aura, Moyu felt this hungry for the first time. He fumbled in the dark to turn on the light.

Click—

The illuminated room was instantly filled with light.

Exiting his room, Moyu glanced at the night sky.

Dark clouds densely covered the night sky, with no trace of moonlight.

The surroundings were eerily quiet, with the distant darkness resembling a daunting abyss.

Moyu turned on the corridor light.

The bright light illuminated the surroundings, offering a semblance of security.

Moyu traversed the corridor, heading straight for the kitchen.

…

In the serene darkness of the forest, abrupt panting echoed.

A figure ran staggeringly through the forest, eyes filled with panic and fear.

Suddenly, the figure spotted a light on a hilltop ahead.

Like a drowning man seeing a lifeline, a glimmer of hope flashed in the figure’s eyes.