Chapter 8: Goodbye (Part 2)
There is no such thing as an invincible Nen ability.
...
Haru stared at the lifeless body of Muser in the cabin. His eyes lingered on the left temple, where a bullet had obliterated the once-bright golden Star Mark, leaving behind no trace.
The mark vanishes completely upon destruction… just like when I remove it manually.
Haru crouched to examine the wound closely. The edges were jagged, the skin torn, but there was no sign of the mark regenerating or healing.
The warmth had left Muser's body. His lifeless state was undeniable.
Haru recalled the moment of the gunshot, the brief but unmistakable sensation of "death energy" surging into his heart.
How many more of these surges can my heart handle before it fails again? And when it does… how much will my body age this time?
Brushing away these unsettling thoughts, Haru refocused.
"The Star Mark triggers automatic healing when the target is injured, utilizing their life force or something deeper," he muttered. "But when the mark is destroyed, its effects end entirely… along with the healing."
He stood, realization dawning.
Killing someone under my control is as simple as targeting the mark directly.
Yet he quickly identified the flaw in this strategy.
If I place the mark on a non-vital area, like their palm, destroying it won't kill them—it'll only cancel my control and stop their healing. Worse, it might leave an opening for them to strike back.
Haru sighed, pushing his thoughts aside as he waved Toru into the room.
The tiger obediently approached, carefully gripping Muser's lifeless body in its jaws.
"Thanks, buddy. You're the real MVP," Haru muttered, leading the way out of the cabin.
Trailing behind, "Wolf Haru" followed diligently, sweeping its tail across the bloodstains to obscure their tracks.
---
The early morning sky began to brighten as they stepped onto the ship's deck. A gentle breeze carried the scent of saltwater, blending with the faint metallic tang of blood.
"Hold on a second," Haru said, stopping Toru mid-motion as it prepared to drop Muser's body overboard.
The tiger paused, its tail swishing questioningly.
Haru tied a heavy object to Muser's body using the rope he'd scavenged. "Alright, now let's send him off."
Toru tilted its head, then complied, releasing the weighted body into the sea. The splash broke the tranquil surface, and within moments, the waves smoothed over, leaving no trace.
Leaning against the ship's railing, Haru watched the ripples fade. He marveled at his own composure. I just disposed of a corpse like it's a regular chore. Am I… becoming too good at this?
He turned back to the cabin, shaking off the thought.
---
Once inside, Haru began gathering supplies for his departure.
"Let's see… rope, fuel, a few lighters, a big cloth… ah, and a kitchen knife. Toru, help me reach that shelf, will you?"
The tiger lifted Haru effortlessly, allowing him to grab the knife and other essentials.
"Perfect. Water, some leftover rations… not much, but enough."
Haru and his companions scoured the ship one last time. With Toru acting as a makeshift pack mule, they gathered everything they could carry.
Finally, Haru stepped into the bathroom to freshen up. Using the sink, he splashed water on his face and brushed his teeth.
Staring at his reflection, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Let's go. Time to see what's out there."
---
Haru perched atop Toru's back as they left the ship and climbed onto the shore.
"Let's head that way," he directed, pointing toward the spot where he'd first awoken.
---
Following a trail of blood and lingering scents, they soon stumbled upon another body—the man Muser had killed.
The corpse lay crumpled on the ground, surrounded by a flock of cawing crows. The birds scattered as Haru and his companions approached.
"Friend or foe, I wonder?" Haru mused aloud, examining the body.
Though he couldn't determine the man's identity, he guessed this must have been the original owner of the hunter license now in his possession.
"Wolf Haru, grab this one," he ordered.
The wolf dragged the body onto its back. Haru adjusted the makeshift harness, securing the load.
"Alright, back to the clearing."
---
Returning to the clearing where he had awoken, Haru set to work dismantling the overgrown grass that had sprung up overnight.
Using a kitchen knife, he hacked at the towering stalks, while "Wolf Haru" hauled away the uprooted plants. Toru, ever dependable, used its claws to cut through the tougher patches.
By the time they finished, the area was almost unrecognizable.
"Burn it," Haru commanded.
Dousing the dry grass with fuel, he struck a lighter and tossed it onto the pile. Flames roared to life, consuming the evidence of their struggle.
As the fire crackled, Haru turned to his companions. "Let's give them a proper send-off."
---
Digging two graves proved more arduous than Haru expected, even with Toru and "Wolf Haru" assisting.
The first grave was for the man Haru presumed to be a hunter. After laying him to rest, Haru moved on to the second—a deeper, more secluded pit for the woman he believed to be his mother.
When it was done, Haru knelt before the filled grave.
"Calling you my mother… feels a bit much," he admitted. "But a godmother? That works."
He bowed his head, knocking it against the ground three times in a solemn gesture.
"Rest easy."
The sun had risen by the time Haru mounted Toru's back once more. The tiger adjusted its load, and "Wolf Haru" trotted faithfully beside them.
As the trio set off toward the horizon, Haru glanced back one final time.
"Goodbye," he murmured, turning his gaze forward.
And with that, they disappeared into the forest.
(End of Chapter)