Under Jin's simple introduction, Kevin roughly understood what Ki was, and its more precise term in use—Nen. Every living being possessed Ki, the form expressed as life energy. Yet not all could control it; only through rigorous training and comprehension could one manipulate this energy. Such individuals were called Nen Users.
Kevin frowned. The term felt strange. Shouldn't they be called Ki Masters, or Ki Refiners, or something similar?
When he was about to ask, Jin shook his head. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, but I roughly understand your current situation," he said, pointing at Kevin. "Your situation is very special. You should already know the original 'you' was also a Nen User. Given that, the best approach is a combination of explanation and rehabilitation—it's more efficient that way."
Kevin nodded. Jin was right. He wanted to say, 'Then why don't we start now?' but he hesitated. After all, Jin didn't owe him anything. If anything, he—Kevin—was indebted to Jin.
Jin's words continued, cutting through his thoughts. "It's not that I don't want to teach you," he said, shaking his bulky phone. "It's that I have important matters right now, delayed quite a bit because of you. Explaining is not simple, and rehabilitation takes time—it won't be done in a day or two."
He stood, letting out a quiet sigh, his gaze lingering on Kevin for a moment. "Honestly, I'd be happy to provide training and guidance. But I have more pressing matters. If you trust me, I'll find a teacher for you, and I'll come back when I'm free. How about that?"
Kevin didn't know Jin well. He had only spent a day with him. Yet he sensed the man wasn't a bad person and was genuinely invested in his situation. Without overthinking it, he nodded.
"Thank you."
Jin smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it. You don't consider me a friend, and I feel the same. But when it comes to fulfilling a transaction, as a Hunter, I'm trustworthy."
With that, Jin acted decisively, pulling out his phone and dialing a number.
"Hello."
---
The petite girl stared at her disconnected phone, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "A teaching assignment? Strange."
She had just received a mission from the renowned Nen User, Jin. As a famous Hunter, she had heard of him, though she hadn't interacted with him much. Her knowledge came mostly from the legends and praises her mentor had mentioned.
To be honest, she hadn't wanted this mission—even from Jin—but the offered price was enough to make her act. And it wasn't just about money; her skills matched the assignment perfectly.
She put aside the magazine she'd been reading, leapt off her stool, and called out toward the training room. "Mori, we're going out."
"Ah? Yes!" came the energetic reply.
A tall, glasses-wearing young man emerged, dressed in a martial arts uniform that looked more suited for judo.
"Even during daily training, maintain your posture!" she scolded.
"Ah? Sorry! Sorry!" he stammered, straightening his ill-fitting uniform.
---
"This should be your previous campsite," Jin said, handing Kevin a stack of documents. "Search thoroughly here; it might help you recall more memories. This includes your registered address and property."
Without further words, he started the jeep and drove off, leaving Kevin alone.
Kevin exhaled. "Alone in a strange world… might as well make the best of it."
The campsite was simple. A pitched tent, a black jeep covered in fallen leaves. Kevin entered the tent and found only a sleeping bag. Clearly, his predecessor hadn't planned to stay long.
After a quick tidy-up, Kevin got into the jeep, collected his belongings, and started the ignition. The vehicle felt familiar—its layout identical to what he remembered. The only adjustment was the phone: bulky, no touchscreen, no navigation.
Kevin shook his head with a small smile. Even in a new world, some things never changed.
Kevin studied the map while driving, his eyes scanning each road and landmark with meticulous care. It wasn't until near nightfall that he finally exited the nature reserve. The guards on the road didn't stop him, allowing him to drive smoothly into the city. He found a hotel, booked a room, and after dinner, settled onto the balcony. The city lights below twinkled like stars scattered across the earth, and to the untrained eye, it looked no different from his previous life. Yet Kevin knew in his heart that this was no longer the same world.
His thoughts drifted to the future, to the life he now had to navigate. He had spent time at an internet café, learning what he could, and wandered the city streets to familiarize himself with his surroundings. One certainty struck him clearly: his combat ability was invincible against ordinary people—provided they didn't use firearms. Fortunately, he carried one, adding a layer of security that bolstered his confidence.
First, he needed to fully understand himself—his name, his identity, his relationships. After that, he would leave the city and make his way back to his home. In the meantime, he would continue learning about this world and await the arrival of the teacher Jin had promised. Based on Jin's judgment, this teacher would be a reliable and capable guide.
Money was less of a concern. Kevin had checked his accounts, finding a combined balance of thirty-seven million jenny across his bank cards. From his understanding, the jenny's purchasing power roughly equaled the Japanese yen of his previous life. While imperfect, this conversion gave him a solid framework to manage his daily life. This substantial sum provided both comfort and reassurance—a stable foundation for the uncertain path ahead.