Gourmet Hunter - Chapter 8 (Patreon)

Chapter 8: The Power of Words

As long as one progresses step by step, anyone can learn 'Nen,' meaning the cultivation of Nen abilities has no threshold. As long as one grasps the method of cultivation, anyone can acquire 'Nen.'

However, 'Nen' is profound and extensive. Learning it is not difficult, but mastering it is.

Luo is not an impulsive person. He had two reasons for responding to Marza's provocation.

First, he wanted to test the effect of 'Ten,' and second, he could sense that the 'Qi' emanating from Marza was minimal, still within the range of an ordinary person.

The result of the test was that Luo easily caught the punch, which seemed powerful, satisfying him greatly, but Marza was not pleased.

"Damn brat, die!"

Marza refused to ponder why his full-powered punch was easily blocked. In front of everyone, he only felt unbearable humiliation and wanted to crush Luo into pulp with a punch.

Human thoughts can endow oneself with intentions far beyond one's capabilities, such as now. Marza's strength was indeed strong, but intending to crush Luo into pulp with one punch was impossible.

However, when one acts on pure malice, sometimes it can push oneself a little beyond limits.

At this moment, the malice emerging from Marza turned into a killing intent. He genuinely intended to kill Luo, perhaps still seeing Luo as an outsider, thus disregarding one of Meteor Street's iron rules.

If this punch laden with killing intent were to land, it could harm Luo, who only had a thin layer of 'Qi' covering his upper body.

Luo sensed the danger, a clear contrast. The seemingly all-out first punch wasn't much, but Marza's second punch contained an unpleasant sensation.

Is it because... he wants my life?

In this perilously dangerous situation, Luo found himself pondering. Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

He wondered why a dispute triggered by a middle finger could escalate to the point of wanting to kill. Is it because this is Meteor Street? Or is it because the man before him is inherently brutal?

Then, what level of counterattack should be made when the other party wants to kill him?

Do unto others as they do unto you?

Around eighty people from Meteor Street were watching the spectacle, excited to see Marza, seemingly losing his mind, trying to kill the 'kept man.'

"Machi!" After regaining her balance from stumbling a few steps, Machi saw Luo facing Marza's murderous punch without any reaction and immediately became anxious.

In that instant, she didn't realize why she felt anxious for Luo, whom she hadn't known for long. Maybe because Luo still owed her a significant amount of meal money, or perhaps she believed Luo hadn't brought her the value she expected.

Luo reached a conclusion in less than 0.5 seconds.

Indeed, the other party wanted to kill him, beyond doubt. However, he decided not to retaliate in kind.

Because the other was just an ordinary person, so his concluded response was aimed at an ordinary person.

He had two choices: endure the punch and then disable the opponent, or if the opponent stops, then spare him.

Even if one day, in an unavoidable situation, he has to stain his hands with the blood of his kind, at least the motive shouldn't be at this moment.

To decide life and death over a cheap dispute would undoubtedly demean his own intellectual value.

Like... dealing with food with bare hands when lacking tools, enduring the strong smell and numerous cuts, all for a taste of delicacy.

But if the result is just uncovering a pile of dung, it would be distressing.

"Stop."

Luo looked up, facing the oncoming punch with a cold gaze.

Word — expressing thoughts vocally.

When Marza met Luo's cold, deep gaze, a bone-chilling coldness suddenly pervaded his entire body.

In that brief moment, he concluded that if he didn't restrain his anger, once his punch reached its destination... he would die!

Thus, this inexplicable conclusion made Marza, who didn't want to die, forcefully stop his punch, just a few centimeters from Luo's eyes. Throughout, Luo calmly stared at the fist, his expression unflustered.

Because of the closeness, Luo could see Marza's fist trembling slightly, a tremor that continued to intensify.

Just the short command "stop" was like a hammer relentlessly striking a large bell, creating a terrifying noise that muddled Marza's thoughts.

"I... am I afraid?" Marza's face showed bewilderment. He stopped his punch but didn't retract it, and the trembling of his body became more apparent.

Unable to understand the reason for his fear, but feeling a contradictory sense of relief from having narrowly escaped death, was as uncomfortable as a saw cutting through steel, producing a grating sound.

This is 'Nen,' the insurmount

able divide between superhumans and ordinary people. Merely a word or even a glance could lead ordinary people to their demise.

"Ah, uncle is so obedient, too bad I don't have any candy, otherwise I'd reward you with one."

Luo's cold demeanor gradually eased, replaced by a playful smile. He released Marza's right fist, leapt onto the extended muscular arm, then crouched to meet Marza's gaze directly.

Seeing Luo's smiling face, Marza's eyes trembled rapidly, and sweat dripped from his forehead down his cheeks.

The reason for the fear didn't need to be puzzling; the answer should be simple: the seemingly young child before him was very dangerous, beyond his provocation.

"Uncle," Luo patted Marza's head and whispered with a smile, "From now on, don't appear before us, okay?"

Marza's skin twitched slightly, his mouth opening and closing without forming complete words.

The residents of Meteor Street were shocked. A moment ago, Marza's punch was firm with the intention to kill Luo, but when Luo said "stop," Marza immediately halted his punch and remained motionless.

The most outrageous part was Luo gently patting Marza's head as if dealing with a pet, and the latter had no response.

Combining their knowledge, this scene was incredible, akin to Little Red Riding Hood boldly patting a bear much fiercer than the Big Bad Wolf, yet the bear made no move to tear her apart.

They roughly knew Marza's character, so they couldn't understand the scene before them. Did the 'kept man' do something?

Machi, too, couldn't comprehend how Marza, in a rage, would obediently stop at Luo's command and allow such a humiliating pat on the head. Suppressing the rising doubts in her heart, she approached.

"What did you do?" Machi put away her fishing line, full of confusion.

"Uncle, if you don't speak, I'll take it as your agreement."

Luo patted Marza's cheek again before jumping down, smiling at Machi, "He just stopped moving for no reason, I don't know why."

"Do I look foolish to you?" Machi stared intently at Luo.

"Ha..." Luo's smile became slightly awkward.

"Can I move now?" Marza, wishing to find a hole to crawl into, looked at Luo cautiously, hoping to leave quickly, and mustered the courage to speak.

Luo looked up at him, pondered for a moment, and said indifferently, "Keep that pose until we leave."

Machi frowned slightly, her curiosity growing. She glanced at Luo and then at Marza, who seemed to be suppressing fear, and suddenly said, "He's very afraid of you."

Luo smiled without answering, knowing the cause of the other's state was likely the result of 'Nen.'

"You told him not to move, and he didn't move," Machi calmly stated, pinching her fingers.

Luo shrugged, "You could say that. Let's not bother with him and head to the dump."

"Okay, I understand."

Machi nodded slightly, her small body suddenly leaping up, delivering a flying kick to Marza's right cheek. The impact sent the muscular Marza flying about a meter away.

Luo unconsciously opened his mouth, stunned by the cold aura emanating from the little girl before him.

-------

Table of content - Next Chapter >>> 

• Your invaluable feedback and ratings mean the world to me. Please take a moment to rate this novel at Novelupdate.

• You can also check out the other Novels I'm currently translating by clicking HERE.