After leaving the villa with Piro, Rocky wasted no time. He rented a car and immediately left the city, keeping his movements sharp and deliberate. It wasn't just paranoia—it was practicality. The organization he'd crossed paths with wasn't tied to Hunters, but that didn't mean they weren't dangerous. A Nen group outside the Hunter system could mean unpredictability, and Rocky couldn't guarantee they wouldn't try to track him down.
Halfway to the next city, Rocky made an abrupt decision. He stopped the car in a desolate area and ventured into the wilderness. The dense forest provided a much-needed cover, and though navigating it wasn't easy, he pushed on. Hours of wandering passed before he finally found a suitable spot.
Once he set up, Rocky carefully laid Piro on the ground. His friend's unconscious state made him uneasy, but this wasn't the time to waver. Rocky had prepared well for this situation, packing enough water and liquid food to sustain them both. He fed Piro sparingly, ensuring his body received the nutrients it needed to maintain its basic functions.
As he worked, his mind churned with possibilities. The merchant's earlier words echoed in his head: *"Use external factors to help Piro improve the power of mind."* The idea stuck with him, sparking a train of thought that quickly spiraled into something more ambitious.
Rocky had read countless fantasy stories in his youth, tales where kings could share their power with their subjects. The idea seemed far-fetched, but was it really? While Rocky wasn't a king, he was part of the Kurta clan. Piro was, too. Their shared bloodline and the unique power of the Scarlet Eyes connected them in ways most people couldn't understand.
This connection might be the key. Perhaps he could find a way to share his Nen with Piro, using their bloodline as the conduit. But even as the thought excited him, Rocky knew it wasn't without risks. Sharing Nen could weaken his own abilities, and there was no guarantee the transfer would be permanent—or even successful.
The worst-case scenario loomed large in his mind. If the transfer was only temporary, it might do nothing to awaken Piro, rendering the entire effort futile. On the other hand, a permanent transfer could come at a significant cost to Rocky's own strength.
After weighing his options, Rocky decided the risk was worth it. A permanent sharing of Nen seemed the most logical choice, even if it meant sacrificing some of his own power. He speculated that the cost would likely be tied to his bloodline abilities. If so, that was a price he was willing to pay. His bloodline was top-tier, and he was confident he could refine it again if necessary.
With a deep breath, Rocky committed himself to the plan. Developing an ability like this wouldn't be easy, but he had no other choice. He needed to push his mind and emotions to their limits, creating the perfect conditions for his Nen to evolve. Extreme emotional states often triggered breakthroughs in Nen development, and this would be no different.
Sitting cross-legged beside Piro, Rocky began to meditate. His focus sharpened, and his thoughts zeroed in on a single goal: saving Piro. The hours turned into days, but Rocky didn't falter. He remained in a deep meditative state, his resolve growing stronger with each passing moment.
Gradually, his Nen began to respond. The air around him grew heavy with energy, and white crystals materialized, floating in the space around him. But no matter how hard he concentrated, the crystals refused to take a solid form. They hovered, incomplete, a frustrating reminder of how far he still had to go.
Five days into his meditation, inspiration struck. Rocky opened his eyes and turned to Piro, his expression resolute. Carefully, he took a knife and made a small cut on Piro's hand. As the blood began to flow, something extraordinary happened. The white crystals reacted, their color shifting to a vibrant purple.
The transformation was immediate. The crystals coalesced, taking shape until they solidified into a short knife in Rocky's hand. As he held the blade, Rocky felt a strange sensation—a subtle yet unmistakable depletion of his bloodline ability.
Curious, Rocky focused inward to assess the change. His Scarlet Eyes remained as vivid and powerful as ever, and his bloodline was still top-tier. The price he'd paid was minimal, far less than he'd expected.
"This isn't bad at all," Rocky muttered, a small smile playing on his lips. If the cost of creating the knife was this minor, he could potentially use this ability for more than just Piro. He could share his Nen with other Kurta clan members, strengthening their entire tribe.
The thought filled him with an unexpected sense of purpose. Was this what he'd been searching for all along? A way to help his people rise again? His Nen seemed to respond to the idea, as though it had been shaped by his subconscious desires.
Turning his attention back to Piro, Rocky gently placed the crystallized knife on his chest. The moment the blade touched Piro, it shattered into countless tiny crystals, which dissolved into his body.
An inexplicable connection formed between them. Rocky could now sense Piro's life force—a faint but steady pulse of energy. Though the transfer had strengthened Piro's aura, it wasn't enough to wake him.
Rocky frowned, frustrated by the lingering uncertainty. What was missing? What final step would complete the process?
After a moment of reflection, realization dawned on him. Rocky clapped his hands, a smile breaking across his face. Leaning closer to Piro, he whispered, "From today on, you are my sword and my shield. Use this power to protect me forever. Protect your king."
The words hung in the air like an oath, binding and absolute. At that moment, Piro's energy surged. His body convulsed as his aura erupted, and with a gasp, he opened his eyes.
Piro sat up abruptly, breathing heavily and scanning his surroundings in confusion. His gaze eventually landed on Rocky, who watched him with a mix of relief and curiosity.
"King!" Piro exclaimed, his voice filled with reverence and certainty.
The title caught Rocky off guard, but only for a moment. He chuckled, waving dismissively. "Just call me by my name. I'm glad you're awake. I didn't waste all this effort for nothing."
Piro nodded slowly, his expression one of deep gratitude. "Thank you, Rocky. You saved my life."
Rocky shook his head. "Don't mention it. But now I need to know something—can you use my ability?"
Piro's eyes widened slightly as he processed the question. Rocky could see the flicker of realization in his gaze. Testing this newfound connection would be the next step, and Rocky was eager to see what they could accomplish together.