Chapter 54
T/L: Sorry for the late update guys. The site that i usually get the MTL from was on server maintenance for the last 4 days, so i couldn't upload any new chapters. As an apology, I'll upload 10 chapters today 1 every hour. Have fun.
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"Ice making?"
Piro looked up at the sun hanging in the sky, squinting slightly at its brightness.
Sure, the weather was warm, but it wasn't unbearable. In fact, it wasn't even hot enough to make ice necessary. The idea seemed ridiculous.
"If you need ice, why not just buy it?" Piro asked, his tone full of confusion. "The last town had stores for everything. Ice wouldn't be hard to get."
Rocky didn't respond immediately. Instead, he focused on the project at hand. In the cellar he had dug himself, a pool of water rested at the center. Around it, jars filled with saltpeter and water sat meticulously placed.
The saltpeter, a naturally occurring substance, absorbed heat from the surrounding environment. As the heat was drawn away, the water's temperature dropped rapidly, eventually freezing.
But the creation of ice wasn't the real objective. Rocky's goal was far more intricate. He wanted to immerse himself in the experience of extreme cold, understanding its nuances on both a physical and Nen-based level.
This wasn't just about personal endurance. It was a deliberate step toward developing a powerful nen beast.
Rocky knew it wasn't realistic to expect instant results. Simply observing or experiencing cold wouldn't allow him to fully integrate the sensation into his abilities.
He recalled how Killua had developed his mastery of electricity. Years of enduring electric torture had made Killua's transformation into a lightning-based Nen user appear almost effortless. That kind of deep conditioning was rare and difficult to replicate.
For Rocky, this was just the beginning. If he could internalize even a fraction of the cold's essence, he would have a foundation to build upon in the future.
---
Seven long, grueling days passed.
Rocky spent most of his time in the cellar, exposing himself to the freezing temperatures. Each moment was an opportunity to observe the formation of ice and to familiarize himself with the biting sensation of frost.
By the end of each day, his body was covered in frostbite and minor injuries caused by the cold. Yet, thanks to his remarkable physique, he recovered quickly.
Every night, after emerging from the cellar, Rocky's Nen energy worked to heal his body. Though the recovery wasn't instantaneous, it was far quicker than any normal human's.
Minor wounds, such as cuts or scrapes, would heal entirely within ten hours. It made Rocky wonder if he could eventually develop a Nen-based healing ability. Something akin to Kurapika's enhanced cellular regeneration, which allowed injuries to heal instantly.
Despite the physical toll, Rocky didn't regret his efforts. The experience deepened his understanding of the cold, even if only marginally. It was a small but essential step forward.
---
During this same week, Piro's training continued, albeit at a much slower pace.
Though he trained diligently, Piro's progress was painfully ordinary. After seven days of practicing *Zetsu*, he had barely managed to grasp the basics of *Ren*. His attempts at vigilance training fared no better.
Each night, as he slept, falling rocks would still strike him. While the frequency had decreased, the fact that it still happened was a testament to his slow improvement.
Watching Piro struggle, Rocky couldn't help but sigh. Without his golden finger, he realized, he might have been just as slow.
But there was no point in dwelling on what-ifs. His golden finger had given him an edge, and it was up to him to make the most of it.
---
When the seven days ended, Rocky opened his information bar to review his progress.
Much like before, there were no significant changes. His talent, physique, and bloodline were still listed as top-tier, with no new additions or modifications.
But Rocky wasn't discouraged. This time, he had a specific goal: to modify his bloodline ability.
The past week had been a time of reflection. While enduring the cold, Rocky had spent countless hours contemplating the development of the Six Gods. The first of these entities was the Ice God.
The objective was clear: to create a mind beast that embodied the Ice God's power. However, Rocky's vision for the Six Gods extended far beyond a single ability.
Creating six distinct powers, each tied to a different Nen category, would be a monumental challenge. To achieve this, Rocky knew he would need to impose restrictions and oaths.
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The first restriction was simple: the Six Gods' powers could only be used when his Scarlet Eyes were activated.
But just activating his Scarlet Eyes wasn't enough. Rocky added another condition: each use of the Six Gods' abilities would consume his bloodline power.
The cost wasn't linear; it increased exponentially with each use. Once his bloodline power was exhausted, Rocky would lose access to the Six Gods' abilities permanently.
To solidify this further, Rocky made a solemn vow: if he ever lost his Scarlet Eyes, he would lose the ability to use Nen entirely.
This condition was extreme, but it reflected the gravity of the power he sought to wield.
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Finally, Rocky turned his attention to his information bar:
**[Bloodline Ability: Top Scarlet Eyes (Top Kuruta bloodline, provides all-round enhancement and increases Enhancer attack power by 91%).]**
This was the original description. Now, it was time for the modification.
**[Bloodline Ability: Perfect Eternal Eyes (the most refined Kuruta bloodline, offering unparalleled enhancement. When activated, it amplifies the power of all Nen categories by 100%).]**
The transformation was subtle but profound. The addition of "eternal" suggested a stronger connection to his bloodline's essence, while the 100% boost applied universally across all Nen categories—a significant improvement from the previous Enhancer-focused boost.
The system displayed the time required for the next modification:
**[Estimated time to next modification: 36....]**
Rocky nodded to himself, determination in his eyes.
The foundation for the Six Gods had been laid. The first step toward the Ice God had begun.