The next morning, Leo woke up at the hotel.
He first went to a general store to buy a mobile phone—a basic model, simple in function but sufficient. After storing the contact information for Serena, Casper, and Goreinu, he made the calls one by one.
Serena was a bit surprised when she received the call. "Contacting me so soon? I thought you would disappear for a while."
"I have to keep up with the times," Leo said with a smile.
Casper was very excited when he received the call, rambling for quite a while about the progress of the research at the institute, and also mentioning that Satotz had already started decoding that map, but progress was slow.
Leo listened patiently, only providing his own number at the end. Goreinu's phone didn't go through, so Leo sent a text message, briefly explaining that this was his contact information.
After handling these things, Leo bought a map of Kent City and the surrounding areas. He found the location of Visca Forest Preserve on the map—about sixty kilometers from the city, very suitable as a short-term training location.
Two hours later, Leo officially stepped into the Visca Forest Preserve area.
The trees were not as tall and dense as in the Secret Realm, and the species of creatures were much gentler. He set up camp near a small stream where natural rocks formed a semi-enclosure, making it easy to defend.
The following days were simple and regular: hunting in the morning, processing prey and exercising in the afternoon, and resting at night. His goal was clear—reach Level 25 and remove "Zetsu".
On the evening of the eighteenth day, a giant armored gorilla crashed to the ground.
This creature had a shoulder height of nearly two meters, covered in a rock-like gray keratin layer. It took Leo some effort to find its weak point—the soft tissue at the joints.
[Life Energy +95]
[Level: 25 (0.5%)]
It's done!
In that instant, the dark red vortex tattoo on the back of his hand became intensely hot. An unprecedented heat flow surged from it, pouring into his entire body like a floodgate opening.
Leo could feel his body undergoing a qualitative change—not just a simple increase in strength, but a deeper sublimation. Immediately after, a brand-new energy erupted from within his body.
Pale white Nen currents rose from the surface of his skin like steam, circling his body and shimmering with a faint luster in the setting sun.
"Is this... Nen?"
Leo muttered to himself, his voice filled with incredible excitement. He raised his hands, watching those Nen currents swirling around his fingertips.
He closed his eyes and concentrated. According to the theory in his memory—"Ten", it is the technique of keeping the emitted life energy within the body.
He tried to control the overflowing Nen, making it constrict and stabilize. Gradually, the flowing Nen slowed down and began to float slowly around his body, like an invisible film.
Opening his eyes, Leo curled the corners of his mouth upward.
"'Ten', mastered."
Then there was "Zetsu"—making the Nen completely retract and enter a dormant state.
This was too simple for him; after all, under the influence of "Proof of Humanity", he had already lived in a "Zetsu" state for more than half a year. With a thought, the Nen around him instantly dissipated, his presence completely vanished.
Next was "Ren". Leo took a deep breath, instantly explosively increasing the Nen within his body.
"Boom—"
A massive amount of Nen surged out, forming a visible wave of Qi that blew fallen leaves and stones in all directions.
Finally, "Hatsu"—determining the category of his Nen Ability.
He took out a water glass, filled it with water, plucked a leaf, and performed the Water Divination. He held the sides of the glass and activated his Nen.
The water surface slowly rose, exceeded the rim of the glass, and gradually overflowed.
"Enhancer?" Leo muttered, "Very good."
Enhancers are the most suitable System for frontal combat. Combined with the physical growth potential brought by "Proof of Humanity", the power he could exert was absolutely beyond imagination.
A month later, in the clearing in the woods, Leo stood motionless.
Dense Nen surrounded his body like burning flames—this was "Ken", an advanced application of the Four Great Principles. He was testing the duration. At nineteen minutes, he deactivated it.
"Still far from enough," Leo wiped away the sweat. The manga mentioned that a qualified Nen User must be able to maintain "Ken" for at least half an hour.
Then there was "En". Leo closed his eyes and released his Nen. It formed a perception Domain with a radius of about seven meters. Within this range, he could "see" everything.
Leo packed his gear and restored the campsite to its original state. It was already evening when he returned to Kent City.
The city was brightly lit, forming a sharp contrast with the silence of the forest park. Leo found a hotel and spread out the map. Heavens Arena is located in the Padokea Republic, and one needs to take an airship to get there.
He still had over a hundred thousand Jenny on hand, barely enough for the ticket, but he would need to make money as soon as he arrived.
The night outside the window grew deeper. Level 25, "Zetsu" removed, Nen Ability awakened, Four Great Principles basically mastered.
It was time to go and see the real world of Nen Users.
Heavens Arena.
He would become stronger there, earn funds, and accumulate experience. Then... participate in the Hunter Exam and officially step onto the mainstream stage of this world.
The road is still long, but the first step has already been taken.