One week had already passed since the start of the island trial, and Lucas had already crossed one major hurdle, he had gotten the badge of his target. His target, a woman with a sword, had been a complete accident. He'd been wandering the dense jungle, wondering if he'd make it through the exam, when he just happened to run into her.
She had pinned it on her openly and without hiding it. What followed was a surprisingly thrilling combat session.
He wasn't sure what had possessed him in the moment, but Lucas had decided to test his skills. Instead of using his regular moves, he experimented with something he'd been thinking about. Inspired by Killua's combat techniques, Lucas used Killua's "clones" skill that he'd seen in the anime. His image clones popped into existence and attacked, confusing his opponent despite her mastery of the sword.
The woman's skill was impressive, but Lucas, with his unorthodox techniques and quick thinking, had managed to subdue her, knocking her out cold and taking her badge. He'd left her lying there, her sword resting beside her, as if she were simply napping after a hard day.
Now, sitting on a rock a good distance away, Lucas couldn't help but replay the fight in his head that happened a few days ago. My body moved on its own, he thought, rubbing his chin. I didn't panic, I wasn't afraid. I was just… there, in the moment. Maybe I'm really good at this?
He chuckled to himself. Am I addicted to fighting already?
It wasn't just about the physical moves, though. Lucas had also been testing his system to see if it rewarded him with power through killing. He had killed a number of beasts in the past week, some magical, some not, thinking that he'd be rewarded with points or some kind of experience for his efforts. But, much to his dismay, there had been no notification, no translucent window showing any increase in his abilities. It was confusing.
Then he remembered something. What if it's not about the kills at all?
"Status."
The familiar blue screen appeared before him, he has also tested and he is sure that only he can see this window. Lucas squinted at the screen.
…
Name: Lucas Greystone - The last Assassin from a family of assassins
Age: 14
Level: 24
Attributes: Physical: 35, Spirit: 85, Aura: 1200
Nen Category: Conjurer
Nen Skills: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu
…
He then decided to train each day the basic 4 principles of Nen since that day. It has been a few days and today he felt that he became a little stronger.
"Status."
The familiar blue screen appeared before him only today it was different
…
Name: Lucas Greystone - The last Assassin from a family of assassins
Age: 14
Level: 25
Attributes: Physical: 35, Spirit: 85, Aura: 1200
Nen Category: Conjurer
Nen Skills: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu
Points: 5
…
My level increased by one and I got 5 points to spend. Let's see, I want to add 1 point to the physical attribute.
…
Name: Lucas Greystone - The last Assassin from a family of assassins
Age: 14
Level: 25
Attributes: Physical: 36, Spirit: 85, Aura: 1210
Nen Category: Conjurer
Nen Skills: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu
Points: 4
…
By adding 1 point to the Physical attribute my aura increased by 10? Also, I feel a little stronger physically as well. That means if I want to grow physically stronger then I need to add points to physical attribute. Now let's add 1 point to Spirit.
…
Name: Lucas Greystone - The last Assassin from a family of assassins
Age: 14
Level: 25
Attributes: Physical: 36, Spirit: 86, Aura: 1220
Nen Category: Conjurer
Nen Skills: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu
Points: 3
…
Adding 1 point to Spirit added my aura by 10 as well? I feel my aura flowing much smoothly and I think I have a little better control over my aura. Let's add 1 to Physical and the last 2 to Spirit.
…
Name: Lucas Greystone - The last Assassin from a family of assassins
Age: 14
Level: 25
Attributes: Physical: 37, Spirit: 88, Aura: 1250
Nen Category: Conjurer
Nen Skills: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu
Points: 0
…
Ok now let's continue training.
Lucas continued training after that.
…
At the same time, in another place on the island…
The sun was sinking low, casting long shadows over the endless grass field where the air was thick with tension. Lyra lay prone, her breath steady as she peered through the scope of her rifle. It wasn't the most advanced weapon, but in her hands, it was deadly. Every muscle in her body was coiled like a spring, ready to act the moment she identified their unseen enemy.
Through the lens, the world narrowed to a crisp tunnel of focus. Then, a flicker of movement. She shifted her scope, tightening her gaze. There! Greg, her youngest but fiercest companion, was locked in brutal combat. At eighteen, Greg looked like a professional bodybuilder, his massive biceps flexing as he exchanged blows with an equally skilled opponent. His opponent wasn't as bulky, but his lean muscles spoke of years of disciplined training. Kicks and punches blurred in the melee, each one more ferocious than the last.
Greg caught a wild punch, twisting his opponent's arm into a chokehold. His forearm pressed hard against the man's windpipe, forcing him to the ground. Victory seemed within reach when Lyra caught another flicker of movement—not in her scope, but in her peripheral vision.
Instinct screamed at her to move. She rolled onto her back, just in time to see the figure looming above her. A man in a ghillie suit, camouflaged perfectly with the grass, stood barely a foot away. His left hand held a wickedly sharp combat knife; his right, a handgun. He raised the gun and fired.
Lyra moved like water. The first shot went wide. She was already rolling forward as he fired twice more, her movements unpredictable and swift. The shots kicked up dirt and grass but found no mark. She closed the distance, her knife drawn in a reverse grip.
The man dropped it without hesitation, lunging at her with his knife. Their blades clashed in a shower of sparks as Lyra deflected his thrust. She pivoted, redirecting his momentum and countering with a slashing arc. The dance of steel continued, each of them testing the other's speed and precision. It was clear he was trained, but so was she—her movements were a seamless blend of discipline and instinct. A dangerous grin spread across her face as she gained the upper hand, pushing him back step by step.
Meanwhile, not far away, Finn sprinted through the field. His heart thundered in his chest as he closed in on Greg. Greg's opponent was Rex, he had slipped free of the chokehold and now had Greg in a vicious armbar. Greg's face twisted in pain as he struggled to break free, his muscles straining against the lock.
"Hold on, Greg!" Finn shouted, raising his handgun. The world slowed as he aimed, his grip steady despite the adrenaline surging through his veins.
Greg grunted, his free hand clawing at his opponent's grip, but the man's leverage was too strong. Just as Finn got within range, Greg roared with effort, twisting his body in a desperate attempt to relieve the pressure. Finn fired a shot, hitting the ground near the combatants. The sound startled Greg's opponent enough for Greg to wrench free of the hold. He rolled onto his feet, his breathing ragged, and gave Finn a grateful nod before launching back at Rex with renewed ferocity.
Lyra's fight reached its climax. Kael was her opponent, his moves became increasingly desperate as she systematically dismantled his defenses. With a feint and a quick sidestep, she slipped behind him, her blade pressed against his throat. He froze, his knife clattering to the ground.
"It's over," she hissed, tightening her grip.
"It's not. See you later." Kael replied. Unbeknown to her a smoke grenade also fell right after the knife. With the sound of boom smoke spread and Kael used that opportunity to disarm her and escape.
In the field, Finn and Greg worked together to finish Rex. Greg delivered a bone-crunching punch, and Finn followed up with a precise shot to disable him. The man fell, incapacitated. Suddenly, a smoke bomb exploded and smoke spread. They stopped as they didn't want to endanger themselves. When the smoke cleared Rex was gone.
Breathing heavily, Lyra and the others regrouped. The battle wasn't over yet, but for now, they had won this skirmish. They exchanged grim nods, the unspoken understanding passing between them: they'd fight for each other's lives, no matter the cost.
"The person that attacked me was my target, I was able to steal his badge when I had my knife on his throat. Now all three of us have badges of our targets. We now need to protect ourselves." Lyra said, her voice steady despite the chaos. "This isn't the end. The people from which we got our badges might attack us."