The ghost mist dispersed, and the gathered Ai completely transformed into gaseous substances, drifting and floating in the air.
They were not dead, but Oboro's wish had come at an immense cost.
Instinct drove them to quickly find life forms to parasitize.
Oboro also felt the ability he had been granted: the ability to traverse time and space.
However... for something like opening the barrier between two worlds, the ability he received was too weak.
He had intentionally phrased his wish as 'freely traversing time and space.' Such an unrestricted request would maximally drain Ai's rule power.
It was impossible to truly achieve that.
Next, he would use the rule power he controlled to maintain and amplify Ai's rules, increasing the possibility of his own world transmigration... To make rule power effective, a complete rule equation must be constructed, including the conditions to be met, etc. Self-use without any process would be difficult to achieve results.
But the will Oboro integrated into his rule power was 'stability,' nothing else.
Although the rule power couldn't produce effects, it was enough to maintain and supplement the abilities granted by Ai, slightly increasing their effectiveness.
"At this level, it's probably... only random," Oboro felt his current condition and muttered.
Having this effect was already quite good.
Wanting to specify the world to transmigrate to was too unrealistic.
Relying solely on Ai and his personal abilities to ignore the spacetime barrier... was a pipe dream.
If even he could do it, then beings like the tree-god and the Demon King would have long since left the Dark Continent.
The reason Oboro succeeded was that he was a transmigrator. His soul had already undergone the baptism of one transmigration, giving him a certain adaptability. Furthermore, his mastery of the soul... Although the tree-god was incredibly powerful, its control and mastery of energy were unimaginable, but specialization is key. It might not be stronger than him in the 'discipline' of the soul.
As for the Demon King... although it also understood soul power, compared to Oboro, there was still a gap.
Moreover, the Demon King's own soul lacked Oboro's uniqueness.
Therefore, transmigration was something only Oboro could achieve.
At least, so far.
"Soul weight reduction... The reason my soul is so powerful now is mostly due to the stats added by Nen abilities. Therefore, the best way is to remove the added 'armor,' leaving only the most authentic soul core, and dissipate most of the life energy. Before that, I need to release some soul power as guards for protection. Once the soul is split, my strength will greatly decrease... It's still very dangerous on this continent, as there are still six months left."
"Another thing is... after preserving the core of my soul, I need to find a way to leave a usable trump card for the next world."
As Oboro spoke, wisps of black mist emanated from his body, solidifying into several spiritual bodies.
They were none other than King Meruem, Netero, and Neferpitou the cat-like beast.
"I will grant you the characteristics of soul life... but after my abilities disappear, your time in this world will be limited. You will only be able to survive by relying on the soul energy I release externally. But this energy is not related to me, like plants without roots. After I leave, it's best for you to find a life form to possess or parasitize, otherwise... you will disappear sooner or later."
Oboro looked at the three spiritual bodies and said calmly.
The three ghostly bodies were filled with immense soul power, becoming almost tangible.
Initially, their eyes were hollow, but as Oboro spoke, a light of 'wisdom' gradually appeared.
After speaking, the three spiritual bodies bowed before Oboro.
Then, Oboro began his actions.
He sat on the ground and began to strip away his own soul.
This process was incredibly painful... ordinary people could not endure it, as if they were scraping flesh from their bodies with a blade, bit by bit.
If it were simply absorption and growth, becoming one, then... shedding his soul mass would be a monumental undertaking. Half a year wouldn't be enough, perhaps even several years. Fortunately, Thresh, Seina, and Eik's abilities were all backdoor methods, acquired through mediums, not innate.
His original Nen ability, 'Endless Fantasist's Game Treasury'!
'Slice by slice,' he cut away his own soul, causing Oboro's flesh, altered by his abilities, to rapidly weaken, his aura becoming listless.
His connection with the three spiritual bodies, the communication between their consciousnesses, was also slowly disappearing... However, the three spiritual bodies were still protecting him, not leaving.
These three soul lives could be considered a gift Oboro left to this world before leaving the Dark Continent, sacrificing himself. It was a 'life form' he personally nurtured.
Half a month later, Oboro's personal life energy dropped to an unprecedented low.
It was even lower than his level before going to the Dark Continent.
In just over ten days, he had lost a lot of weight, his bones and flesh were gaunt, and his face was devoid of any color.
Sizzle sizzle.
But in the air before him, a series of strange noises could be heard, like sparks of electricity.
Colorful data blocks, unseen for a long time, popped out of the air.
As time passed, a circular black shadow in the center of the data block, as if being drawn by an invisible brush, gradually revealed its appearance.
Power button!
Human face button!
"S... S... S...tarting..."
Hearing the voice after a long absence, Oboro smiled.
Weight reduction successful!
He could now proceed to the second step.
Relying on his existing abilities to pave the way for the next world.
It was a bit troublesome, as he could no longer feel soul energy as clearly as before, and couldn't control it at will.
Fortunately, after all, it was a method he had once possessed. Even though it had been stripped away... some experience and a tiny bit of perception remained.
He could only rely on instinct.
He needed to find a way to integrate the ability 'Endless Fantasist's Game Treasury' into his own soul.
It could be carried over...
Compared to when he transmigrated from Earth to this world, his soul had gained something.
It was also a parting gift from Hunter x Hunter.
"In my current state, I can't create or set up a game comparable to the League... To ensure successful transmigration, the simpler... the better. If it's too complex, the spacetime barrier won't 'allow' it."
"Since I am a Transmutation-type Nen user..."
"Heh heh."
Oboro narrowed his eyes, gazing at the human face button.
…
On the last day of the one-year period.
Oboro finished his work completely.
He was ready.
Oboro opened the system.
The various ratings on the panel had all turned gray.
They remained at the level before his soul weight reduction.
"I hope that one day in the future, I will return... to continue this unfinished journey," Oboro sighed softly.
He couldn't guarantee whether the transmigration would be successful.
He had done his best, but there was still a high probability that his soul would be completely lost in the spacetime turbulence, perishing in some fragmented world.
"Supreme Will encompasses many aspects... Looking back at my transmigration so far, it seems I have always pursued personal will, with self as the ultimate goal, as the driving force... But this, according to its words, is just one manifestation of Supreme Will..."
Oboro smiled slightly.
The 'it' he referred to was naturally the tree-god.
"If you were to give me a rating, what would it be?"
Oboro said to the system.
A number appeared on the panel.
60 points.
"Just barely passing..."
Oboro shook his head.
"Then, what other will is there that I need to grow and fulfill... representing my will, representing the belief originating from Earth."
Two words reappeared on the panel.
Inheritance!
The will of inheritance.
Oboro was stunned.
Indeed, looking back at everything he had done in the world of Hunter x Hunter, although he had changed some power dynamics in the human world, including the situation of the Hunter Association and the underworld. However, in reality, his personal impact on the human world was very limited... His personal will had always been carried by himself.
Moreover, he just wanted to become stronger, through his own abilities... Since that was the case, this kind of will didn't need to be inherited or shared; there was no need to pass it on at all. He had only proven himself, nothing more.
He only wanted to prove himself.
In comparison, Netero's inherited will had a more profound impact.
To put it bluntly, the current human world had evolved to an unknown generation, but future generations might remember Netero, but might not remember him... especially the Hunters.
Even though everything Oboro had done, the achievements he had reached, were incomparable to Netero's... in some aspects, the old man's thoughts and will of inheritance would continue to be better preserved in the long river of history.
And Oboro, one day, would be forgotten.
Just like Netero's evaluation of him, calling him a lone wolf. Since he was a lone wolf, he would naturally be self-centered.
"Inheritance... it's about collectivity. Compared to personal will, the will of inheritance is indeed very important."
Oboro understood.
Inheritance refers to the passing down of a torch, the belief upheld.
Oboro had indeed taken on 'disciples,' including the bald man, Killua, Menchi, and his teammates, and even Gon.
However, he had only taught them to possess power, but not any ideology.
Because it wasn't necessary... Oboro didn't need them to fulfill any will or responsibility, nor did he want to change them.
What he wanted to accomplish and achieve, he could do it himself...
What he could do himself, why rely on others?
His heart, from a certain perspective, was hollow.
"Inheritance... requires responsibility, and the perspective of looking at the world must also shift from the individual... Heh heh... It's quite interesting, and not impossible to try. Although I've always considered my heart strong, from the tree-god's life dimension, there are indeed deficiencies... The power system of the Hunter x Hunter world always revolves around the 'heart,' even in the Dark Continent. If my 'heart' were stronger, perhaps my growth rate would be faster... Its words were directed at me, implying that if I don't truly understand what Supreme Will represents, I might not be able to evolve to the realm of 'godhood' no matter how much I grow."
Oboro muttered to himself, picked up two items from the ground, and held them in his hands.
One was an empty cigarette pack, and the other was a diary.
"The first transmigration... it's inevitable to be like this. Too nervous, always under pressure."
"Actually... there is something more beautiful than power, always by my side, but unfortunately... I have never felt it."
Felt's Lily's feelings for him... That woman, who would give everything for him.
Menchi and the others' genuine admiration and respect for him as their captain.
Bisky, who always liked to bicker with him, also had a strange friendship between them.
And Netero, that old man...
The deaths of Rita and Vent...
Everyone understood him, didn't care about his coldness and ruthlessness, and would even silently reach out, pushing him to walk alone on his path.
His understanding of strength was power.
And for some people, his strength... was a light that emanated unintentionally from him.
Perhaps warm... perhaps cold...
"Humans... are truly simple yet complex creatures."
Oboro smiled wryly.
He looked up at the sky, his gaze uncertain if it was in the direction of the Island in the Lake.
Perhaps... when he returned, he would do better than this time.
"I'm sorry."
Oboro whispered.
With that, the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.
His aura gradually weakened, and finally disappeared.
His physical body... died at that moment.
And in his hands, he still clutched the cigarette pack and the diary...
The scars on his face and body had also never healed.
Beside him, the three spiritual bodies exchanged glances. After confirming Oboro's death, they instinctively turned and left.
They no longer needed to guard him.
Oboro... was gone.
Only an empty shell remained.
...
In the silent mountainous area, ordinary flying creatures with black wings, small life forms like birds, soon smelled the 'scent of death' and flocked to Oboro's body. Their sharp beaks began to tear at the human flesh and blood, feeding madly.
Absorbing and digesting the faint residual energy in the flesh...
____________________
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