Chapter 4 : Bad Girl Machi!!

Tattoos were almost impossible to make like this—done without a single drop of ink.

But that was because she did it with her unique Nen ability, "Transmutation Type· Nen Thread."

Using her strong Nen, she could transform her energy into silk-like threads capable of stitching together nerves, blood vessels, and tissue. A tattoo? A trivial matter.

Germain observed Machi's technique intently.

Gradually, his sight sharpened, allowing him to see the fine threads of Nen wrapped around Machi's needles.

This was possible because Germain had focused his energy on his eyes using an advanced Nen skill called "Gyo."

In the Hunter x Hunter world, the basic Nen skills are "Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu." The advanced skills are "Shu, In, Gyo." And the combination techniques are "En, Ken, Ko, and Ryu."

By using Gyo, Germain could not only track Machi's precise hand movements, but it also activated his own Nen ability—Manifestation: Hunter Badge.

This was an advanced ability of Hunter Badge that had evolved after his arrival.

As the Hunter Badge's projections unfolded, lines of text appeared before his eyes—visible only to him.

"Vitality Constitution: 10 (affects vitality and resistance, a novice Hunter's is 1)."

"Stamina Energy: 12 (affects physical endurance, potential energy, and Manifestation energy, a novice Hunter's is 1)."

"Psychic Pressure: 1 (affects spiritual will)."

"Gifts of Resentment: Meat Cleaver, Firearm, 2 Lanterns."

The term "novice Hunter" refers to those who have only learned the basics of Nen— "Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu"—after unlocking their "Aura Nodes."

Germain blinked thoughtfully, his expression indicating he had just gained some clarity about the current situation.

"Okay." 

At the same time, Machi pulled back her hands, letting her aura dissipate. The tattoo of a twelve-legged spider with the number "8" on its abdomen was clearly visible on Germain's thigh.

Machi stood up and gave Germain a curious look before saying, "I have a feeling you were just thinking of doing something very reckless and dangerous."

"I wasn't," Germain quickly denied, shaking his head.

The truth was, he had considered using a meat cleaver or Firearm to ttack Machi to test his nen abilities, but he ultimately dismissed the idea. 

There were a couple of reasons for that. Firstly, other members of the Phantom Troupe were likely nearby. 

Secondly, even though Machi's primary role in the Phantom Troupe was supportive, her combat skills were formidable.

Germain was a mid-level fighter within the Troupe, but if it came down to a match of raw power, he would be on par with Machi, who was ranked sixth in the Troupe. 

It was surprising that Machi sensed his thoughts with just a fleeting moment of consideration. She had a sharp intuition.

"As I thought, I don't really get along with you," Machi remarked as she stood up, reaching into her pocket to find something. 

She didn't seem interested in Germain's explanation. "But it's not necessary for us to get along."

"Let me be clear: we're both from Meteor City, and you're strong enough, so I'll recommend you to Chrollo. But that doesn't mean we're on good terms," she added.

She took out a pink touch-screen smartphone and glanced up at Germain.

"From today onward, I'll be passing on orders from the boss to you. Let's exchange phone numbers."

Germain fished his phone out of his pocket and nodded in agreement.

After watching Germain add his phone number to her contact list, Machi slipped her phone back into her pocket and grabbed a small cloth bag from the corner.

She swung the bag over her shoulder and shot Germain a skeptical look. "I always feel like... there's something different about you..."

Germain blinked, unsure whether Machi had really picked up on something or was just bluffing. He decided it was best to stay quiet.

Luckily, Machi didn't press further.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye—until we get new instructions," she said. "Oh, and if you need emergency stitches, you can contact me. I'll give you a discount since we're in the same group."

Without looking back, she walked down the cold stone steps, her monotone voice echoing through the bell tower.

Germain waited until he could no longer hear Machi's footsteps before he glanced down at his still-lit phone screen, which displayed her contact number.

His fingers moved swiftly across the screen.

Germain had a habit of assigning nicknames to his contacts instead of using their real names. For Machi, he labeled her as "Bad Girl."

He then sat cross-legged on the chilly floor, waiting another fifteen minutes to be sure all the Phantom Troupe members had left the area. 

Once he was confident, he used Nen to materialize his Hunter badge.

He extended his right hand forward, and a chain threaded through the broken badge, dangling from his open palm and swaying like a pendulum.

Germain looped the Hunter badge around his neck.

Germain wanted to test his Nen abilities against those of the Hunters in Bloodborne. He arrived at the entrance of a dense forest, near a moonlit bell tower, and ventured into the gloomy woods.

If his memory served him correctly, this area should be home to some fearsome creatures, or "Warcraft."

Rather than hide his presence with stealth or concealment techniques, Germain chose to do the opposite. He release his aura, like a fisherman casting a line into the water, hoping to lure his prey.

It didn't take long before he sensed danger. Within ten minutes of entering the forest, a pair of scarlet eyes glowed from within the shadows of the bushes.

The rustling of leaves was stark against the silence of the night, with the moon casting a cold light across the landscape. Germain calmly reached for the hunter's badge around his neck, materializing his weapon: a grotesque meat saw, a large machete with a serrated blade, caked with rust.

When folded, the meat saw's blade and handle formed a tight oval ring. Germain gripped the curved handle with his right hand. 

In his left hand, he held a blunderbuss, a handheld firearm with a trigger positioned toward the back. 

The ammunition for the Firearm consisted of bullets crafted from Germain's own Nen, materialized through his Conjuration.

Crouching slightly, Germain assumed a defensive posture, ready for the inevitable attack. It wasn't long before the monster lunged at him from the bushes. 

It was a wolf-like creature with six legs and black fur that flickered like fiery embers. Thick saliva dripped from its snarling mouth—it had clearly been starving for a while.

The monster growled, low and menacing, before launching itself at Germain. It crossed into the range of Germain's En, a sensory field that detected anything within its boundaries. Germain steadied himself for the coming fight.

The demon wolf lunged at Germain, its razor-sharp fangs and claws glistening coldly under the moonlight.

Germain remained unfazed, calmly raising his blunderbuss and aiming it at the demon wolf. With a steady pull of the trigger, he fired.

Bang!

The blast echoed, and a hail of bullets struck the demon wolf, leaving no room for error.

The tremendous force tore through its flesh, leaving a gruesome pattern of holes that resembled a hornet's nest.

The demon wolf let out a pained whine, collapsing onto the grass, its body convulsing with spasms.

Its ruined abdomen lay exposed before Germain.

Success!

Seeing the demon wolf down, Germain quickly moved in.

"Squelch!"

He plunged a saw-bladed weapon into the demon wolf's torn, disemboweled stomach, slicing into its internal organs with a vicious churn.