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47.98% With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter / Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Alchemy (Part 2)

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Alchemy (Part 2)

Lashubaré, the holy land for mechanics in the world of Fullmetal Alchemist. Nearly seventy percent of the people in this city are mechanics, while the remaining thirty percent work in related industries. Thanks to these mechanics, those with physical disabilities can stand once again.

The reason there are so many disabled people is that this country is surrounded by chaotic order on all sides. The aftermath of war has made Lashubaré's business very prosperous, but for most mechanics here, except for a few, they do not want business to be this booming.

These mechanical prosthetics can give mobility back to the disabled, but they come with intense pain. The process of connecting the prosthetics to nerves is extremely painful. During his stay, Daniel Davis heard the screams of people undergoing this procedure more than once.

Daniel Davis stayed here to communicate with the dimensional space, and also out of curiosity about these mechanical prosthetics, wanting to learn about them in the process.

After observing, Daniel found that although these people are mechanics, they are almost half doctors. Since the prosthetics need to connect with the human body, handling issues related to infection requires some medical knowledge. This is one of the unique aspects of this world.

With his knowledge base, Daniel quickly grasped the principles of the mechanical prosthetics after a few days of observation. He understood why anesthetics weren't used during the installation of prosthetics, as nerve connection needed to be confirmed. Using anesthetics would make this difficult, especially since there are no advanced instruments in this world.

Of course, there are cases where prosthetics don't need to connect with nerves.

These are normal mechanical prosthetics. There are also non-standard ones that have weapons installed, such as those used by the active thief Pania in Lashubaré. Her leg prosthetics contain weapons, one being a blade and the other a single-shot Galba cannon.

Daniel knew Pania because she once tried to steal from him but failed. He captured her but didn't make things difficult for her and let her go. After that, Pania frequently appeared in Daniel's sight, and they got to know each other. Daniel didn't blame her for stealing; a girl who lost her legs and had no family could only be expected to survive by any means.

Regarding Pania's legs, Daniel currently had no solution. Although he had many potions, none could regenerate limbs without side effects.

Daniel could only hope for the Extremis Virus or Dr. Zhao's nano-medical technology in the future.

The Extremis Virus was powerful, but Daniel only remembered it, not the name of the woman who had a fling with Stark. Without her name, he couldn't find her and could only wait for her to appear.

If he knew her name, he would have sought her out to make her work for him. This way, he would have both the Extremis Virus and nanotechnology, both capable of regenerating limbs. It was interesting that the developers of these products were both beautiful women.

With the level of nanotechnology, bodies could be manufactured like products in the future. If soul transfer technology were available, humans could achieve immortality as long as their souls hadn't decayed. This would surely drive wealthy old men crazy, and such technology could be sold at astronomical prices.

Others might not have the ability to transfer souls, but Daniel did. Kamar-Taj's magic could eject the soul from the body. Combining this with nanomedical technology to create a body could allow soul transfer.

Different souls are incompatible, and forcing them together would cause both the body and soul to collapse. However, if the body were created using nanotechnology, this problem might not exist.

This is why possession often occurs in infants, as their souls haven't fully formed.

As technology advances, it becomes more frightening.

Daniel didn't care much about this. If he really wanted to do such things, the powers of the Op-Op Fruit were simpler and didn't seem to have soul compatibility issues.

"I have to go. Goodbye," Daniel said, waving to Pania before boarding a train to Central City. Although the train's speed was not as fast as the Quinjet or his own flying broom, it was worth exploring this world.

The city names in Amestris are very straightforward. Central City is in the middle of the country, and the cities and military bases in the four directions are named accordingly.

The country is ruled by the military, with only a small number of officials handling political matters. To ordinary people, this might seem necessary due to the constant unrest, but Daniel knew the truth. The country was established for the National Transmutation Circle. The simplistic naming reflected this purpose.

The dwarf in the flask had grand ambitions, wanting to pull God from the heavens and become one himself.

"Is the God of this world the Gate of Truth?" Daniel pondered, sitting by the train window.

"The dimensional space of this world feels strange. Even with the Space Stone, my progress is slow. Could it be...?" Daniel had some guesses but couldn't confirm them without evidence.

"The Führer is very powerful, combining the Philosopher's Stone with a human body to enhance physical strength, similar to Kamar-Taj's magic." Strengthening the body with soul power, using the Philosopher's Stone, explained why the Führer's body aged.

"Luckily, the Führer doesn't have regenerative abilities; otherwise, no one in this world could defeat him." The dwarf in the flask and Hohenheim relied on their Philosopher's Stones for strength, using sheer power to overwhelm.

They were like characters in a game with infinite mana.

"So this is Central City. Who should I learn alchemy from first?" There were two places in Amestris with many alchemists: Central City, where most alchemists gathered for the annual State Alchemist exam, and the City of Alchemists, home to mostly freelance alchemists.

The State Alchemist exam wasn't open to the public, but this didn't hinder Daniel. Using the Disillusionment Charm, he snuck into the practical exam site. The exam had two parts: a written test to assess knowledge, as a powerful alchemist required extensive knowledge, and a practical test.

The principle of alchemy is understanding, deconstruction, and reconstruction. Understanding means knowledge. Because of different understandings, the same transmutation circle can yield varying results, like students scoring differently on the same test.

"Impressive," Daniel thought, watching an alchemist create a stone tower with just a transmutation circle. He had read some introductory alchemy books and, despite his vast knowledge, was amazed by the alchemy in this world.

Understanding, deconstruction, and reconstruction were clear to him, but the process was like putting an elephant in a refrigerator. Open the door, put the elephant in, and close the door. This was alchemy.

The omitted process was actually carried out by the power of the earth or ley lines.

So, for an alchemist, extensive knowledge was the first step, along with the ability to harness this power.

"The Führer has arrived." The exam progressed quickly. Many displayed impressive alchemy but didn't pass because speed was crucial. A State Alchemist needed to be combat-ready, and slow alchemy wouldn't suffice.

When someone reported the Führer's arrival, a middle-aged man with an eyepatch and imposing aura soon walked over.

"Seen enough. Time to find an alchemist to learn from," Daniel thought, glancing at one of the examinees before leaving quietly.

The person Daniel looked at was Edward Elric, the protagonist of Fullmetal Alchemist. From his presence at the State Alchemist exam, Daniel knew the timeline.

"So this is alchemy. Without good drawing skills, it seems one can't become an alchemist," Daniel mused. He found an alchemist who hadn't taken the State Alchemist exam and hypnotized him into teaching him.

Daniel chose this approach because normal learning would be too slow. His knowledge wasn't the issue; it was the transmutation circles.

Each symbol in a transmutation circle had meaning, representing earth, wood, fire, water, steel, metal, etc.

Alchemists who hadn't seen the Gate of Truth could only use transmutation circles to perform alchemy.

"This alchemy is fascinating. The concept of understanding can even be abstract, not just based on extensive knowledge," Daniel thought, further understanding alchemy through his studies.

Abstract concepts meant you didn't need to know the specific composition of the earth. Just drawing the symbol could activate alchemy.

For broken items like radios or tables, you didn't need to know their structure. Drawing the necessary elements' symbols and having a mental concept of the items was enough.

"Skipping all processes and getting the result directly, this alchemy is hard to describe."

Boom.

A massive fireball appeared in front of Daniel as he used a lighter to ignite it. "So this is the Flame Alchemist's power. I need to find Mustang's transmutation circle."

Switching to another transmutation circle, Daniel produced a large water ball.

"Who would have thought the Op-Op Fruit and alchemy would be such a good match," Daniel marveled.

___________________

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Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Alchemy (Conclusion)

"Fullmetal Alchemist, ah, the ahoge... Too bad you don't know what's waiting for you ahead." Looking at the newspaper report on the successful candidates of this year's State Alchemist exam, along with his own photo, Daniel Davis felt a bit emotional.

Edward's ahoge was his most treasured feature because it made him appear slightly taller. Height had always been a sore spot for Edward.

Edward was the only alchemist to pass this year's State Alchemist exam, earning the title "Fullmetal Alchemist" from the Führer. Only State Alchemists had such titles.

Other than this news, the newspaper didn't have anything significant. Putting it aside, Daniel resumed his daily practice.

It wasn't the right time to interact with the Elric brothers. The seven homunculi, including the Führer, were not difficult for Daniel to handle, but the dwarf in the flask behind them was not so easily dealt with. That entity had too many Philosopher's Stones in its body.

The Elric brothers ultimately triumphed due to various factors, not least of which was their father, Hohenheim, the Light. Without Hohenheim, Edward and Alphonse would have definitely lost.

"Using over fifty million lives to gain a chance at becoming a god—this world is terrifying. Thankfully, this rule only applies here."

Over fifty million lives is a staggering number, but the human world's wars have always come with great sacrifice. The global wars, for instance, and even Hydra's Insight plan, which resulted in billions of deaths.

"Should I go to Xing to study their alchemy, or wait here for the Xingese seeking the Philosopher's Stone to come and learn from them?"

While studying alchemy, Daniel noticed something off about the alchemy in this country. For Edward and other alchemists, alchemy didn't involve energy flow, and they couldn't feel it. But Daniel could sense the energy flow and could even use his own magical power to drive alchemy, bypassing this world's energy.

Considering the origin of the dwarf in the flask, Daniel had a theory. Like the origins of titans in the world of giants, the dwarf likely came from the world of Truth, a dimensional space. Given the difficulties even the Space Stone faced in connecting quickly to this world's dimensional space, and the peculiar nature of alchemy here, Daniel speculated that the world of the Gate of Truth was the closest dimensional space to this world's surface space. This would explain why it's so hard to connect to the dimensional space here.

In the alchemist's world, entering the Gate of Truth required human transmutation and a toll. Daniel was curious if dimensional magic could bypass this toll.

Connecting to the dimensional space in Fullmetal Alchemist was tough but not impossible. With his own power, it would be hard, but he had the Space Stone, which could bridge the gap, though it would take time.

"There's supposedly a transmutation circle for the Philosopher's Stone in some research facility. I need to get my hands on that." Daniel was determined to obtain the Philosopher's Stone transmutation circle. Despite the ethical implications of using human materials, the power it offered was immense.

Unlike the Elric brothers, who swore never to use the Philosopher's Stone for personal gain, Daniel had no such qualms. If he could use evil people to create the stone, he wouldn't hesitate. He sought the Philosopher's Stone transmutation circle precisely for this reason.

The universe held many individuals who deserved to die, like Whitehall. If Daniel had known he could come to this world, he would have kept Whitehall alive to turn him into a Philosopher's Stone.

"This country's underground is filled with Philosopher's Stones. Too bad it's not easy to take them." Stealing the stones could delay the dwarf's plan but wouldn't stop it. The dwarf could always make more by instigating more wars, sacrificing more lives.

With Hohenheim's countermeasures in place, delaying the dwarf's plan would actually help it. To defeat the dwarf with nearly a million Philosopher's Stones in its body, one would have to let it complete its god-eating plan first.

Of course, if he could call in Sorcerer Supreme Ancient One to deal with it, that would work too. With enough power, plans were unnecessary.

"The abandoned Fifth Laboratory should be the place." Using Central City's map, Daniel quickly pinpointed his target location.

"This is the Philosopher's Stone transmutation circle?" Although he couldn't use space-related abilities, infiltrating the Fifth Laboratory wasn't difficult for Daniel. Under the Disillusionment Charm at night, he easily slipped in and witnessed several people, likely prisoners from the neighboring jail, being placed on a ground-carved transmutation circle. As the circle activated, they screamed in agony before collapsing. A red, blood-like substance gathered on the ground.

Several lives only produced a Philosopher's Stone slightly larger than a sesame seed.

The prisoners wore uniforms, confirming they were inmates. Amestris imposed heavy penalties, often capital punishment, under the guise of national stability but actually to provide materials for Philosopher's Stones.

"I never understood why the prince from Xing would seek the Philosopher's Stone for immortality if an emperor were already immortal. Wouldn't that negate the need to pass on the throne?"

Watching the researchers quickly dispose of the bodies and collect the stone, Daniel recalled a long-standing question.

"In this world, those in power, upon learning the Philosopher's Stone's creation method, inevitably bring misfortune to those below." In Amestris, all the top military officials were aligned with the homunculi, granted immortality. Few could resist such a temptation.

Throughout history, emperors have sought immortality, from Qin Shi Huang to later emperors who practiced alchemy.

Even in the Marvel universe, Whitehall sought the same. The Super Soldier program and decades of government experiments with enhancement serums were partly about prolonging life.

Without certain assurance, high-ranking officials wouldn't inject themselves with experimental serums. Soldiers' deaths were acceptable, but their own weren't. This was true for Daniel as well, though he refrained from human experimentation.

In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, those in power could commit extreme atrocities for immortality. The top brass in Amestris' military didn't care about sacrificing the nation's people as long as they gained immortality. They could always conquer other nations if they ran out of their own citizens.

In Hohenheim's original country, Xerxes, the king sacrificed the entire population for immortality, only to be deceived by the dwarf into granting immortality to himself and Hohenheim instead.

"Too bad the homunculi don't practice alchemy, or I could capture one." Muttering to himself, Daniel recorded the scene with a miniature camera.

"Good thing I have Pym Particles." Besides filming, Daniel installed several smaller surveillance cameras around the area, ensuring he wouldn't have to come back in person next time.

"A state is indeed powerful, far beyond individual capability." The Fifth Laboratory housed extensive alchemy research, mostly on the Philosopher's Stone and medical knowledge.

"Lust, there's an unfamiliar scent." While Daniel was filming documents, a plump man, Gluttony, one of the seven homunculi, suddenly jumped up. Though Daniel knew what the homunculi represented, he had somewhat overlooked their specific abilities.

"Can I eat him?" Gluttony, with the ouroboros tattoo on his tongue, licked his lips and drooled.

"Someone else snuck in? Can I eat them?" Sitting seductively, Lust smiled and nodded. With her permission, Gluttony rushed out with surprising agility for his size.

"I found you." While continuing to film in the library, Daniel heard heavy footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw a large man, mouth agape, lunging at him.

Boom.

Gluttony's jaws snapped shut on a bookshelf, tearing a chunk out. Though Gluttony was fast, Daniel was faster, dodging easily and revealing himself.

"Gluttony, huh? So I've been discovered." Seeing Gluttony quickly get up and charge again, Daniel kicked him in the stomach, sending him crashing into several bookshelves.

"Time to leave." Not wanting a direct confrontation with the homunculi yet, Daniel ran outside.

He easily made it out of the Fifth Laboratory.

Boom.

Shortly after Daniel left, Gluttony smashed away the bookshelves on him and stood up again.

"He got away. Looks like our intruder isn't simple," Lust said, approaching. "We can't let this place be exposed. We must catch him."

Gluttony, looking aggrieved, nodded and immediately chased after Daniel, with Lust following closely.

"How did they find me? Was it because of alchemy?" In an alley a couple of blocks away, Daniel paused to ponder.

Though alchemy was mysterious, it had no warning system, and the technology here was limited to radios and landlines, no TVs.

"I was careless." Though he didn't figure out how he was discovered, Daniel decided to be more cautious.

Knowing he was in Fullmetal Alchemist's world, Daniel only feared the dwarf. Everyone else, including the alchemists and homunculi, didn't concern him much. Alchemy was powerful, but it couldn't transmute vibranium.

Alchemy required transmutation circles. Even someone like Edward, who had seen the Gate of Truth, had a simplified process, essentially still using circles.

The homunculi fought with brute strength, lacking technique, making them easy for Daniel to handle. Even the formidable Führer wasn't that intimidating.

With his vibranium Ant-Man suit, Daniel could defeat the Führer. His physical strength surpassed the Führer's, only lacking in technique and battlefield experience. But his reflexes compensated for that.

"I found you." Walking calmly, Daniel heard the voice again and felt a gust of wind above. Gluttony had not only caught up but was attacking from above

.

Boom.

Daniel dodged, letting Gluttony crash into the ground, creating a crater. Then he kicked Gluttony, sending him flying.

"Who are you, and why did you infiltrate that place?" A seductive voice called from behind Daniel.

"Two homunculi, huh? Well, it is an important research facility." Recognizing the figure, Daniel identified her as Lust, the female homunculus and owner of the Ultimate Spear.

"How did you discover me?" Daniel asked, ignoring Lust's question.

"Gluttony has a very keen sense of smell."

___________________

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P@treon.com/Mutter


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