**Chapter 26: What an Arhat...**
**Kris decided to change his plans after hearing the five movies listed by Xuan.**
The moment he heard that *Final Destination* was one of the selections, an idea sprouted in his head.
When he glanced at Biscuit, she was also smiling, apparently catching on to the same thought. They shared a brief, silent conversation, their mutual understanding clear.
As they were silently scheming, Zheng spoke up, expressing his wish to check out the real world.
Kris took the opportunity to voice his own intentions. "Since Zheng is going to go to the real world, I'll take this chance to try the other movies and figure out a way we can benefit from it. I have this theory I want to confirm."
With that, the decision was made. Jie suggested they help Zheng and Kris prepare with equipment, though Kris quickly rejected the offer. He explained that Zheng needed more help, and his decision to go wasn't as altruistic as Zheng's.
They equipped Zheng with gear—a bulletproof vest, a pair of shoes that reduced the impact from falls, a small submachine gun, and a progressive knife (Eva). The knife, a rare and expensive piece, cost over 600 points—something that hadn't been invented in the real world.
---
As the others helped Zheng assemble his gear, Kris and Biscuit were preparing as well.
There wasn't much change in their plans since the world of *Final Destination* was almost identical to the real world. They still aimed to head to Zanskar, but now there was the potential to earn quests and rewards, making the trip more profitable. Since it was cheaper than most other movie worlds—Resident Evil excluded due to the obvious zombie problem—they could extend their stay from 30 days to 50 days.
This decision was a calculated expenditure, as Kris had chosen to purchase his next ability:
**Color of Observation Haki - Rating 70**
Also called *Mantra*, this Haki force of spiritual power allows one to sense the presence of others, even if invisible, and detect feelings. It substantially increases intelligence, mental capacity, and reaction speed. It required 700 points and a D-rank reward.
Kris chose this ability because of its potential synergy with Nen, especially *EN*, which would enhance his spatial awareness—a critical skill for dodging unseen attacks.
---
After the preparations were complete, the group met up in Jie's room for dinner.
The rare materials they had collected, combined with Nana's incredible cooking, made the meal something to savor. Even Xuan, normally reserved, dug into the food with an enthusiasm that surprised everyone.
After dinner, they agreed to meet at 10 AM the next day to see everyone off. Though it would be temporary, returning to the real world was something they all longed for. To Kris, though, it wasn't about returning—it was the closest proximity to the ordinary world that he'd get, and he would use the time wisely to train for the next challenge.
---
The next morning, everyone stood on the platform in silence. Zheng was communicating with God, eyes closed. After a while, he reached out to grab Lori's hand, then checked his items. He packed his submachine gun, knife, vest, bandages, hemostasis sprays, and platinum into his ring, bringing everything he could.
Kris and Biscuit, meanwhile, made sure their gear was in order, looking like a pair of mountain climbers ready for departure. Kris was focused, his mind set on Nen training, and on surviving the trials that would come after *Final Destination*.
"Then... let's go!" With Kris's signal, the beam of light enveloped the four, and they were gone.
---
**As the beam of light faded, Kris blinked several times to adjust to his surroundings.**
He found himself standing in what appeared to be an airport terminal, bustling with travelers hauling luggage, sipping overpriced coffee, and glancing at departure boards. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, and the faint smell of pretzels and jet fuel filled the air.
Beside him, Biscuit was already scanning the crowd, her sharp eyes missing nothing. She looked out of place with her mountaineer-style backpack, but her confident stance made people instinctively avoid her. Kris adjusted his own pack and muttered, "Master, let's go get our tickets. We'll get a flight to India and from there to Kushok Bakula Airport in Leh. Then we have to decide whether to rent a vehicle to Zanskar and trek the rest of the way, or trek the whole way there though it's 462 km from Leh."
Biscuit raised an eyebrow at his detailed itinerary. "You talk a lot for someone who's going to be carrying most of the gear," she said dryly, already moving toward the ticket counter without waiting for his response.
Kris rolled his eyes but followed, his Observation Haki tingling faintly, like a subtle vibration in the back of his mind. No immediate danger, but the sensation wouldn't entirely fade. It was a strange comfort, knowing he was attuned to the flow of people around him—even if it was all still new and a little overwhelming.
As they approached the counter, Kris glanced at the departure board. Flights to Leh—hidden among an endless list of destinations—felt like the first real step toward their goal. "High altitude, thin air, and a view of the Himalayas that'll make you forget you're dying inside from lack of oxygen," he muttered under his breath, smirking.
---
**The plane descended sharply, jarring Kris awake from his restless nap.** He peered out of the window, squinting at the blinding white peaks of the Himalayas stretching endlessly in every direction. The barren, rocky landscape around Leh looked like another world, both beautiful and intimidating.
"Welcome to Leh," he muttered, nudging Biscuit awake. She didn't seem fazed in the slightest by the turbulence, stretching like they'd just landed in a spa.
At the tiny, bustling Kushok Bakula Airport, Kris felt the thinness of the air immediately. Each breath felt like sucking through a straw, and the altitude headache hit him like a slow-building pressure behind his eyes. He glanced at Biscuit, who was, annoyingly, unaffected.
"Altitude's no joke," he said, shifting his backpack. "This is going to suck."
Biscuit grinned, clearly relishing his discomfort. "Good. You'll acclimate faster once we start the trek. We're not here for a vacation, you know."
After securing a basic rental truck—a rattling, old model with questionable brakes—they loaded their gear and drove toward Kargil, and then to Padum. The roads were a mix of rugged mountain passes and sheer drops, and Kris spent most of the drive alternating between gripping the wheel and nervously glancing at Biscuit, who leaned out of the window like she was enjoying the chaos.
"Keep your eyes on the road, kid," she teased.
By the time they reached the outskirts of Zanskar, the sun had begun to set, bathing the barren, rocky valleys in hues of gold and crimson. Villagers paused their work to glance curiously at the strangers. Biscuit wasted no time in selecting a quiet spot on a high plateau for their camp.
"Alright, we'll train here," she announced.
Kris dropped his pack and collapsed onto a flat rock. "Train here? We just survived hours of road hell, and you want to train? Can't we sleep first?"
Biscuit crouched down in front of him, grinning mischievously. "You can sleep when you're dead—or when you master the basics of Nen. Whichever comes first."
Kris groaned but sat up, knowing he couldn't argue with her.
---
**The Start of Training**
"First," Biscuit began, "we acclimate your body. Your Nen will never develop properly if your physical stamina is trash." She handed him a pair of heavy wooden poles, carved with intricate patterns. "Run to the village and back. Then we'll talk about real training."
Kris stared at the poles, then at the village that was barely a speck in the distance. "That's… at least six kilometers!"
"Seven," Biscuit corrected. "Hurry up. And don't you dare drop the poles. Or I'll make it ten."
The first run was brutal. The thin air made every step feel like dragging lead weights, and the poles burned his shoulders and arms. Kris's Observation Haki flared unintentionally as he pushed himself, faintly registering villagers watching from afar, murmuring about the strange foreigner running with poles.
By the time he stumbled back, drenched in sweat and gasping, Biscuit looked unimpressed.
"Not bad. For a beginner." She tossed him a water bottle. "Now, let's get serious."
She guided him through the basic principles of Nen: Ten, Zetsu, and Ren. Kris struggled to keep up, his body exhausted and his focus slipping. Every time his mind wandered, Biscuit's sharp voice snapped him back.
---
**Arrival in Zanskar**
By the third day, they reached the heart of Zanskar. The remote valley, surrounded by towering peaks, was breathtakingly serene. The villagers welcomed them with a mix of curiosity and cautious hospitality, offering simple meals and advice about the terrain.
"Perfect place to train En," Biscuit said, surveying the open fields, cliffs, and the frozen river. "No distractions, plenty of space, and a lot of time to toughen you up."
Kris groaned, his muscles already aching from the relentless training. "Are you sure this isn't some elaborate scheme to kill me, so you could go treasure hunting?"
Biscuit smirked. "If I wanted to kill you, I'd make it quick. This? This is to make sure you survive what's coming next."
As the days passed, Kris adapted. His runs became faster, his breathing steadier. His Observation Haki started blending with his Nen training, giving him a strange, almost instinctive awareness of his surroundings. It wasn't perfect, but progress was progress.
---
**Meeting the Monks**
After some inquiries, the villagers directed them to a secluded monastery nestled high on a rocky ledge overlooking the valley. The trek up was steep, the air thin, and Kris found himself cursing under his breath at least twice for every step he took. Biscuit, of course, remained unaffected, her pace steady as she carried their gear effortlessly.
At the gates of the monastery, an elderly monk greeted them. His robe was faded but meticulously kept, and his calm demeanor was unshaken by their strange arrival. Kris tried to explain their intentions, but Biscuit stepped in, offering a more formal and respectful introduction.
"We seek guidance," she said plainly, her tone unusually reverent. "We wish to learn about the ancient scriptures regarding malevolent spirits and breaking curses. It's a matter of survival."
The monk's serene expression didn't change, but he gestured for them to follow.
---
**The Scriptures and the First Lesson**
Inside the monastery's library, Kris was struck by the sheer weight of history. Rows of ancient texts were stacked carefully, their faded covers marked with symbols he couldn't begin to understand. The scent of old paper and incense filled the room.
The elder monk set a large scroll before them and began explaining its contents. Biscuit leaned in, listening intently, while Kris tried to keep up, his Observation Haki picking up every subtle inflection in the monk's voice.
"This scripture," the monk began, "details the practice of invoking protective energy against spirits. It requires both mental focus and a deep understanding of one's own spirit."
"Sounds like Nen," Kris muttered under his breath, earning a sharp glance from Biscuit.
The monk continued, describing how the energy of the living could be molded into protective barriers or directed offensively against malevolent entities. He demonstrated a chant, his voice low and rhythmic, as he sketched intricate patterns in the air.
---
**Training with the Monks**
The monks agreed to train them, but the process was far from easy. Kris quickly realized that the mental and spiritual discipline required was leagues beyond anything he'd attempted before.
His days became a grueling cycle of physical endurance training with Biscuit and spiritual exercises with the monks. He struggled to balance the focus required for Nen while learning the mantras and meditative techniques from the scriptures.
Biscuit, naturally, excelled. Her energy manipulation was already advanced, and she quickly adapted the monks' techniques into her own repertoire. Kris, on the other hand, found himself on the receiving end of many frustrated sighs and pointed critiques.
"You lack focus," one of the younger monks said bluntly as Kris fumbled through a mantra.
"I'm trying!" Kris shot back, his irritation growing. "But this chanting stuff doesn't exactly come with a manual, you know?"
Biscuit smirked nearby, clearly enjoying his struggle. "Maybe if you stopped whining and actually listened, you'd get it faster."
---
**The First Breakthrough**
After several days of relentless effort, Kris finally had a breakthrough. During an evening meditation session, something clicked. He felt his energy align with the chants, a warmth spreading through his chest as he recited the mantra. His Observation Haki heightened the sensation, and for the first time, he could sense an invisible barrier forming around him.
"Finally," Biscuit said, clapping him on the back. "You're starting to get it."
Kris grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I told you I'd get there. Now, let's hope this actually works when the creepy ghost stuff starts."
The monks continued their lessons, teaching them the nuances of detecting and dispelling curses. They learned about the significance of certain talismans, how to combine spiritual energy with physical objects, and the importance of intent in combating spirits.
---
**Preparation for The Grudge**
By the end of their time in Zanskar, Kris and Biscuit had developed a deeper understanding of the tools they would need for the next movie. Armed with protective chants, talismans imbued with spiritual energy, and a refined mastery of Nen, they felt as ready as they could be for what lay ahead.
As they descended from the monastery, Kris glanced back at the towering cliffs and whispered, "Here's hoping all this monk wisdom pays off. Because I'm not ready to be part of any haunted house jump-scare reel."
Biscuit smirked. "Don't worry. If you screw up, I'll save you. Probably."
Kris laughed, though the tension in his shoulders didn't fade. The thought of facing *The Grudge* loomed over him like the mountains themselves. But for now, he had survived Zanskar, and that was something.