In this world, information related to Nen is kept confidential.
Therefore, ordinary people are unaware of Nen.
Even if they have witnessed Nen users demonstrating special powers, they typically perceive them as beings with superpowers, supernatural abilities, or extraordinary individuals.
The various phenomena caused by "resentment" which were previously considered supernatural occurrences, were attributed to ghosts and spirits.
Moses at this moment has no shadow.
If the woman were to notice this, she would have likely regarded Moses as some kind of ghost or spirit.
Footsteps echoed within the temple.
Facing the main entrance, Moses retreated slowly toward the courtyard, while his peripheral vision glancing at the woman crawling on the ground.
Dark night, forest, monsters, and a woman desperately seeking refuge in the temple- a script that had never played out in this sparsely visited area.
Not to mention "murders" or "accidental deaths", which had never been heard of.
Yet, precisely on the next day after him learned Ten and awakened his Nen ability, such an event occurred.
'Was it a mere coincidence or was there some other reason?'
Moses silently pondered in his mind.
If not for the confidence provided by Ten and the awakening of "Soul Echo", he wouldn't have known how to deal with the current threat.
Against Nen, ordinary people were truly powerless.
Now, provided he ensured a retreat route, he could perhaps use this so-called "monster" for practice.
In reality…
Although he couldn't obtain more information from the woman, judging by the scale and intensity of the aura, the opponent was likely a Nen user with basic knowledge.
Moses formulated a plan and retreated to the courtyard. He stopped and asked, "What's your name?"
"Monica Hope."
Lying on the ground and panting heavily, the woman replied weakly.
"Monica, right? I need you to stay here and not move. Can you do that?"
From start to finish, Moses's gaze never left the aura in the darkness.
During the process of retreating from the front gate to the courtyard, the speed at which the aura approached had visibly increased, revealing a hint of aggression.
Before making contact, it couldn't be confirmed whether the owner of this aura was specifically targeting Monica or was simply an indiscriminate attacker driven by their desire to hunt and kill.
Regardless of whether it was the former or the latter, he needs Monica to play the role of a bait.
Making this decision didn't burden Moses mentally, after all, the trouble was brought upon him by Monica.
"What… you want me to stay here and not move?"
Monica stared at Moses, thinking she must have misheard him.
The agonizing screams of her companions still echoed in her ears, and now, she was being told to stay here without moving. What difference did it make from walking into the lion's den?
"Yes."
Moses's answer was succinct as he slowly turned his gaze toward Monica.
From the moment he opened the door until now, it was the first time his gaze stayed on Monica's face.
There really was only one choice.
Although Moses didn't explain anything, Monica, whose will to survive was stronger than most people, could read some vague hints from Moses's seemingly calm gaze.
Following this, her mind began to operate at an unprecedented speed.
'Bait!'
Monica immediately understood her value in this situation.
She could either voluntarily stay as bait, assisting the young man in front of her to deal with the monster that had harmed her companions, or refuse to stay and have the young man abandon her, leaving her to stay like a pitiful insect waiting for death in the courtyard.
'There wasn't really a choice…'
Monica slowly regained her composure. Without the need for inquiry, she replied in a voice filled with near despair, "Okay, I will stay here and not move."
"You're smart."
Moses looked at Monica deeply.
That will to survive, that desperation to cling even to a straw, wasn't just a meaningless decoration.
In return, as long as the situation allowed, he would do his best to ensure Monica's survival.
'Your decision has been acknowledged by Perception, your Aura's maximum limit +10%.'
As Moses was about to turn off the unnecessary lights, a gender-neutral voice echoed in his consciousness.
As the last syllable of the voice faded away, Moses could distinctly feel an increase in the released aura from him.
"Is it because of the decision this time?"
Moses's expression changed.
The first time, it was the outstanding appearance that satisfied Perception. Now, the second time, it was the recognition of the decisive decision to leave Monica as bait.
'What exactly is this 'Perception'?'
Moses pondered, and the steps he had taken forward halted.
He thought about the strange disasters from the "outside" world and also considered another answer that he subconsciously rejected.
The current situation didn't allow him to delve deeper into these thoughts, but right now, one thing was clear:
The existence of Perception was beneficial to him.
Temporarily setting aside these thoughts, Moses swiftly turned off the unnecessary lights in the temple.
In just a moment, aside from the courtyard where Monica was, the rest of the temple was plunged into complete darkness.
The sole remaining light shone like a spotlight on a stage, focusing on the vulnerable Monica.
Meanwhile, Moses concealed himself in a dark corner, patiently waiting for the approaching aura.
Before long, footsteps echoed from outside the temple's gate, first ascending the stairs and then crossing the threshold—
Surprisingly, they made their entrance without any attempt at stealth.
From his corner, Moses's pupils slightly constricted.
In this thick, ink-like night, the glow of Aura was as conspicuous as the moon.
In other words—
If Moses could see the figure under the dark night at the gate, then the other party could naturally see Moses standing at the gate as well.
Therefore, even though the other party knew there was another Nen user here, they still chose to enter directly from the main entrance.
'Was it sheer confidence from their skills? Or were they an Enhancer who preferred a direct confrontation?'
Thoughts raced through Moses's mind.
After a few seconds, the footsteps grew closer.
Finally, a figure emitting aura stepped into the courtyard. Subsequently, he walked directly toward Monica, seemingly unaware of Moses's presence.
However, there is no way Moses would naively believe that the other party hadn't detected him.
Meanwhile, Monica, who was curled up in the center of the courtyard, shrank back in fear and her body trembled violently.
From his hiding position in the darkness, Moses quietly observed the newcomer.
The man was drenched in fresh blood, leaving bloody footprints with every step. It was likely that the blood on him came from Monica's companions.
However, more than the vast amount of blood, what piqued Moses's interest was…
The aura emanating from the man was different from what he had observed earlier— it was noticeably more abundant and powerful.
This also indicated—
The man was indeed aware of the presence of another Nen user and therefore, he maintained a proper posture for battle.