章 1: Chapter 1: New World
Have you ever won something in your life that you truly wanted? Well today, I guess, is my lucky day. Before I get to that lucky day portion, let me tell you a little bit about myself.
My name is Leon.
I know. It's not typical for this to actually happen in reality, but I used to be a college student. And I must say that a rather gifted student, making straight A's in most of my tests. But I never gave up on the dream of becoming an artist. It's something that I've liked since childhood, something I've been praised for years and years. This is my first breakout chance of actually being a well-known artist. But to be truthful, I always wanted to be a comic artist more than just a painter in general. However, the way I divulge my art strayed away from manga.
But I still read manga to this day. Even though I know I probably can never be the greatest mangaka as an American, we still haven't broken down the barriers to what is culturally acceptable.
So, in my midlife crisis, I'm on my way to Japan right now. I said, forget the gallery, forget the fame. My true dream was to be a mangaka. So why not give it a chance?
But I didn't know this was the day everything would change. A kid's pipe dream becomes a reality. Even the mastery becomes reality. Funny enough, it is my reality. And I'm loving every second of it.
I'm outside the borders of Japan. I took a book out of my sack and started reading it. The book's name was Hunter x Hunter. I've always loved stories with strange beasts and monsters, secret treasures, mystical places, and mysterious powers. And among all of them, Hunter x Hunter had always been my number one. There was just something I always kind of loved about the story, and that was the Hunters.
It was always fun watching the spiky black-haired kid and his spiky silver-haired friend explore this mystical place. Like the world I come from, but different in all aspects.
I know it sounds preposterous, but I always loved to visit and be a part of that world.
I know you might be asking why I would want to be a part of such a dangerous world. We live in a pretty peaceful world at the moment. But if you really think about it, the world can never be truly peaceful. It's just in a staging state at the moment. Wars will always exist. People versus people will always exist, no matter the race.
When you really look at Hunter x Hunter as a story, it's another place that actually probably would exist. There is no discrimination in that world. People are just people, with different circumstances. Their actions cause others to be harmed, and it is viewed that way. The actions of the characters define them, not news stories or someone's race causing them to define their race as dangerous and vicious while hiding the truths. The people who categorize them as such might be the true vicious ones.
But the truth is, in this story, people are more scared of the monsters than the people themselves. That's the truth of it. They found another thing to be scared of, another thing to fear. So race became nonexistent because a new race took its place. The race of monsters took its place. Monsters. True ones in every form of the name. Creatures unknown to man, stronger than man, smarter than man in some cases. It is true that certain people are still feared, such as The Phantom Troupe or The Zoldyck Family, but much more feared are the monsters unknown to man that, if left untreated, could well extinguish humanity. But nonetheless, here we are. You're reading the story.
Reading about my reality, my truth and at the end of the day, if you're still here to hear my story, then you're a true fan of different perspectives. Are you a true fan of the original work Hunter x Hunter? Yes, you're here to just be entertained, and I understand that. I have read all the manga, watched every anime adaptation, and studied the wikia of this work over and over again. I just love to be entertained as well, and despite its constant hiatuses, Hunter x Hunter is so complex and deep that it always manages to entertain me with something new.
And that's why the story is extraordinary in its own right. Because on my way to Japan that very day, I met a being as big as the cosmos itself. It's funny. During my flight to Japan, I fell asleep while reading Hunter x Hunter, starting off with the first chapter once again. It reminded me of my childhood. The younger days. The happier days.
And that's when it happened. As my eyes slowly closed and got heavier, the noises slowly dissipated into emptiness. Soon, I opened my eyes in that dream. Or was it my reality? To a being full of stars. Its light so bright that even your eyes cannot turn away.
It spoke. Not loudly, but directly to me, like it was in my mind. Like we shared a connection like no other. Like it was always a part of me and I was a part of it.
"Hello, Leon. It's been a long time since I've last seen you. You've grown to be a strong individual. But I must say, I have done you wrong, and I truly apologize for that. This life is the life I envisioned for you. You really didn't get the chance to make your own choices the way you wanted them to be. And that is why I'm here now. For you to make a choice. And this choice to be truly yours."
I saw the book I was reading magically appear within the white light. It was Hunter x Hunter, volume one.
"I know you love this book as much as you love art itself. I could see in your mind that these stories made you truly happy. Even though the world is more dangerous than this one, it seems you are still more connected to it than anything else. I know you were going to Japan to fulfill that dream of becoming a mangaka and telling your own stories, creating something great from a story that you truly love and hold dear to your heart."
"But sadly, I must tell you, you had no choice in this matter. Because you have entered my dimension. What I mean to tell you is you're no longer of that reality. I created you guys as mere entertainment. A simulation, you might call it. But the simulation wasn't of your choice or something that you could control. And I've taken that away from you. So today, I'll give you a choice. This book that you read, the happy memories you remember of this story—would you like to go to this world?"
"Wait, are you saying that I can actually go to the world of Hunter x Hunter?"
"Exactly what I'm saying. I'm giving you the choice to stay in this world or go to another. But once you go there, you can never go back."
"So I can't come back here to write about my findings, to tell my story, I just... would disappear?"
"Sadly, you have already disappeared, my boy. This is your chance for reincarnation or transmigration. You will be born into another world, or born back into the world you've already been to. It's just this time you're getting an option."
"Wait, are you saying I'm already gone? I've already entered the void? Darkness?"
"Yes. And I am the light in the darkness, my boy."
"Now, I need an answer to the question. Is it a yes? Or is it a no? Because with that answer, your world will change no matter the outcome."
"What about my family?"
"They've already gotten the bad news, my boy. They know of your disappearance into the deep dark sea with the rest of the passengers. It was a sad case, but not in your control. They are mourning you. Some might age. Some will grieve. Some will show undying love to you. Some will show indifference. But just know your family truly loves you with all their hearts. Even at this moment, they grieve. They long for you. And they will remember you."
"So tell me this. If I were to reincarnate back into my old world, would I remember anything of who I truly am?"
"No, sadly that would cross into the forms of true reincarnation. To remember everything that you've previously experienced would break the laws of the world you're currently from. But there's another world where the law does not exist. You can remember everything."
"Like I've said before, is it a yes or is it a no, Leon?"
"One more question. Do I get a choice of my name, specialty, or Nen ability I want to use? Or can I just get an ability right off the bat to protect me in the new world?"
"It seems your light novel reading has given you many ideas, Leon. They are truly understandable. But the reality is, I can send you there. But I have no control over what you would make of it, but I can give you access to Nen. I can show you right now how it would feel to hold it, have it, and control it. Come closer, my boy."
As Leon took a step forward, he realized his feet were not on the ground. His form had lost the original color of his dark skin. He realized he could not feel his hair at all. His arms were white, similar to the color of light in its purity. "What am I? Where's my body?"
"Surprise, you just noticed. This is what happens when you have no physical form. You become an essence of pure light. So move towards me. I'm surprised you have not read my stories. They've been sent to you to make your choices. When there was once darkness, I created light. And you're just different forms of that light. Strains of me."
"And that's why I can show you what Nen truly is. Because it's life itself. Energy you should know of, but have yet to tap into."
A surge of energy came from Leon's soul body. What was it? He guessed you would call it aura.
"This is Nen."
"Yes, it is, my boy. And you seem to have a lot of innate talent, so you can surely create skills that suit your needs and desires. The choice is up to you. You're creative, but just don't let it cloud your judgment. You'll be living in a dangerous world if you go there. You know what you might face."
"So I ask for the last time, what is your choice? Return to where you came from, or go to a world you've already read about in the book and watched in the anime? Oh, and of course, you will retain all your knowledge and experiences from this life, especially the stories that you read here.
"So what is your answer, Leon?"
"The answer is yes. I do have some regrets here. But if I cannot return to fix those regrets, there's no point in returning to the world I once came from. I wish to experience something new. In the hope that I can change who I was. Become something better. Someone who will be remembered. Someone who could go down in history. I thank you for this chance. I never got your name, sir."
"My name? You're the first to ever ask what my name is. Most people just call me God."
"Just call me Father, my boy. And since you've given your answer, it's time we say farewell. I wish you happiness, my boy."
As he snapped his fingers, sparks of light flashed before Leon, blinding him. And in the next moment, he was a baby in a new world.
Leon opened his eyes to find himself in a small village. He could hear the murmurs of people around him and feel the warmth of the sun on his skin. He looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The village was quaint, with wooden houses and cobblestone streets. He was cradled in the arms of a woman who he assumed was his new mother. She had kind eyes and a gentle smile.
"Welcome to the world, little one," she whispered, her voice filled with love.
Leon quickly realized that he was indeed in the world of Hunter x Hunter. He could see children playing in the distance, some practicing with wooden swords, others chasing each other with laughter. This was a world filled with adventures, dangers, and opportunities. And he had been given the chance to start anew.
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