Hunter: I'm Really Not a Nen Exorcist - Chapter 21

The Soul Echo currently only possesses the Mimic ability.

Though one can consider the detached shadow to resemble a type of clone ability, the actual damage output it can provide is quite lacking.

What’s commendable is the activity range of the shadow.

Leaving its strength aside, the range within which it can freely move without hindrance, even if covering an entire monastery, is not an issue.

The ultimate limit range can be converted into a value roughly equivalent to a circle with a diameter of 100 meters.

This is only the initial stage of its ability effect. As the level of Emission strengthens, this value is sure to increase significantly.

Furthermore, in terms of control precision, it’s not flawlessly smooth but also does not have a noticeable lag.

If one hadn’t determined the property of Specialization—

Moyu might have thought of himself as an Emitter.

However, this is the advantage of Specialization, it can manifest its ability without being constrained by the Nen Ability System.

For example, an Enhancer has difficulty mastering and displaying the abilities of a Manipulator. A Conjurer inherently isn’t adept at emitting Aura away from the body, and a Manipulator struggles to change the Aura’s nature.

It’s just like—

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

Focusing on what one is good at yields greater results with half the effort.

On the other hand,

Deliberately choosing what one is not good at would mean wasting memory capacity bit by bit.

But Specialization does not face this problem.

Depending on the type of ability one is born with, it’s possible to also exhibit the advantages of other Nen types.

Taking Soul Echo as an example:

The ability to make the shadow mimic a physical entity combines the traits of Conjuration and Transmutation.

From the moment of its creation, the shadow can operate within a 100-meter diameter, characteristic of Emission.

Controlling the shadow without any noticeable lag and easily completing given commands are traits of Manipulation.

Merely the Mimic ability encompasses characteristics of four Nen types.

However, the catch is—

For Specialization to highlight these ability effects, one often needs to establish various strict constraints.

Moyu is now considering expanding the upper limit of Soul Echo, such as equipping the Soul Echo shadow with the Vision Sharing capability to more powerfully exploit the shadow’s advantage of free movement.

So the choice before him is to set a constraint.

“Constraints and Vows…”

Moyu stared at the shadow, murmuring to himself, “Setting rules and swearing to adhere to them in one’s heart, the more challenging the rule, the greater the power it can return. It can be understood as a principle similar to equivalent exchange.”

“I want the Soul Echo to have the vision sharing ability, so…”

“If it’s about sharing, it should also include the pain endured by the shadow, even the actual injuries inflicted upon it.”

“Yes… This is a natural phenomenon, logical and beyond doubt.”

Moyu raised his finger…

Under the illumination of the lamp, the shadow instantly mimicked and took the form of a shadowy figure equivalent to Moyu’s size.

Moyu observed the shadow figure before him and softly said, “Let’s try then. Grant me the ability of vision sharing, and I need to figure out the extent of the constraint I must uphold.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Moyu raised his palm and gently brushed the top of the shadow figure’s head.

“Let’s begin… with pain.”

A soft aura gleamed from Moyu’s palm, flowing like a gentle stream over the shadow figure.

Acting upon one’s desires, manipulating, transforming, and using the released Aura.

This is Emission, the foundation of developing Nen abilities.

Moyu, following his intentions, placed a constraint on the shadow figure using his Aura.

“This should do.”

After a moment, Moyu pulled back his hand and took a backhanded swipe at the shadow figure.

Smack!

The back of his palm hit the shadow figure’s face, producing a faint noise.

Simultaneously,

The sensation of being slapped was vividly felt by Moyu.

“Ha, intriguing, very intriguing.”

Moyu gently touched his cheek, which still held a trace of pain, finding the entire experience profoundly fascinating.

If the shadow gets attacked, the main body must feel the pain.

This is the constraint of Shared Pain.

If one’s tolerance for pain isn’t strong enough and the shadow faces a fierce assault, the sudden onset of pain might cause Moyu to lose consciousness, a reaction of the body’s innate protective mechanism.

It must be known—

The detached shadow, in terms of offense or defense, is inherently weaker than the original body.

The pain endured when facing an attack should logically be even greater for the shadow than the main body.

It can be said that the condition of shared pain presents a significant risk for Moyu during combat.

However, after personally experiencing the effects of Shared Pain, Moyu’s first thought was not about the risks it might pose in intense battles, but its—

Utility Value!

“I won’t have to worry about pain endurance training anymore.”

Moyu smiled as he looked at the shadow figure standing before him.

He doesn’t have masochistic tendencies, but he strongly acknowledges the role pain endurance can play in a battle.

For instance, a manipulator-type Nen user needs to focus intently to maintain and maximize their ability’s effect.

But if this manipulator lacks pain endurance and gets attacked, there’s a high likelihood that the sudden intense pain would disrupt their ability, erasing any chance of counterattacking.

To give an apt and vivid analogy:

When a man is using his ability in a stable state, he can make it hard, thick, and erect. But if the part that stimulates the ability to be hard, thick, and erect gets struck hard…

That’s the significance of pain endurance in combat.

The shadow figure’s constraint of Shared Pain allows Moyu to enhance his pain tolerance without actually getting injured.

An exceptional Nen user, while enjoying the augmented effects of a vow, would also try their best to mitigate the consequences and risks a constraint might introduce, even using the constraint to their advantage.

Moyu’s approach clearly exemplified the qualities of an exceptional Nen user.

Having set the constraint, it’s now time to witness the fruits brought by the vow.

Moyu turned around, closed his eyes, and activated the ability effect of Vision Sharing.

In an instant—

The shadow’s perspective replaced the darkness in front of him.

Moyu saw his own silhouette from behind.

That’s the power of constraints and vows. As long as the conditions are met, one can enhance and modify the effects of their Nen ability in a short time.

“Very smooth.”

Moyu opened his eyes, revealing a smile.

To celebrate the further enhancement of Soul Echo, Moyu playfully punched the shadow figure.

The pain from the punch was immediately felt by Moyu.

The grin on Moyu’s face grew wider.

This constraint… It’s truly amazing!