Terror Infinity Side B
Chapter 43, HxH G.I Intermission
After a quick discussion concerning Team Japan's accumulated rewards from the latest mission and Shin and Kisara's plans to go to the real world, they were ready to move on. It was time for enhancements from the Exchange System of God's to power up the team. Then just as they were about to individually set off to begin Jin called out to everyone with something important to say.
Jin: "If we're going over the exchanges now we should discuss our enhancement paths with each other. We agreed that what we acquire will be our own decisions... but discussing options and ideas can't hurt, right? Also, knowing what others are exchanging for may give you ideas on how best to survive as both an individual and as a member Team Japan."
Hikari: "What a wonderful roundabout way of coming together to discuss and choose our enhancements paths, Jin. You almost fooled me."
Jin: "Hahaha, thank you."
Aqua: "That definitely wasn't a compliment. Anyway, if we're doing this then let's start with our foolish leader and grandmaster otaku, Shin. More than myself, he's becoming the core of Team Japan and ace. It won't be much longer then he's way more powerful than myself."
Shin: "Thanks for both for the insult followed by the compliment. Now, as for what I'm planning to get, I have it in mind to exchange for a Cultivation Manual of a specific martial arts school, another foot technique, and a Sci-fi weapon."
Hikari: "Cultivation Manual? What's that?"
Kisara: "Is it an exchange to learn a martial arts style involving Ki?"
Shin: "To answer Kisara there are exchanges like that where you can learn Karate, Judo, Chinese Kempo, sword styles, and even the fictional Gun Kata Theory. The more useful than they are in battle the higher the cost in points and rank rewards, but that's not what I'm talking about. What I'm talking about is Ki."
Shin began to explain in depth about Ki after passing Advance Level. Once Ki reaches the Advance Level or B tier stage, Ki begins to branch out in more than one direction. While his One-eye Ghoul Mutation just increases in basic strength when it moves up to A, AA, and finally S tier, Ki Energy could change in property as well as grow in strength. There were multiple directions Ki could take after tier B. These were all manuals with specific names ranging from tier A to tier S. Ki could gain an elemental power like fire, wind, lightning, plasma, gravity, healing, special properties, or is altered to match a specific style of martial arts.
Shin: "I plan to exchange for one of the more powerful martial arts Cultivation Manuals that deal with Ki. They are all B tier or higher and cost a lot of points since from the start they incorporate Ki into their fighting style. This makes the most sense to me as I don't have the rank rewards to move either Ki or One-eye Ghoul Mutation to A tier, so this makes the most sense. I'll also have a new Ki skill and weapon, so my strength will definitely reach a whole other level!"
Aqua: "Then go with that. I was being honest before. You are turning into Team Japan's ace. The stronger that you become the better it will be for the team."
Shin: "Thank you for the vote of confidence my first wife. It's great to see that I'm growing on you."
Aqua: "...And there goes the respect."
Finished saying that, Aqua began to tell the others about what exchanges that she wanted to get this time around after Hunter X Hunter, Greed Island. Aqua was a close range fighter like Shin and Team Japan's newest member Kisara. Aqua's Wolverine, Werewolf, and Nen enhancements made her a powerful force to be reckoned with, so much so Shin couldn't fully accept Aqua's claim that he was becoming Team Japan's ace Player, yet this time around she wanted to go in a different direction. Instead of an ability to increase close range fighting power, Aqua wanted a magic attack.
Aqua: "I'm confident in my close range fighting power, so now I wanted a magic spell. An AOE (Area of Effect) magic spell to damage a wide space at once. My magic gun, the Thompson Contender Magic Code is a wonderful weapon, but in the end it's a gun that fires one bullet at a time in a straight direction. Looking back, if I had a spell to target a wide area I wouldn't have struggled as much against Genthru. Lastly, I also think it's about time I try to master my full wolf form."
Shin hearing this shivered as he recalled the image of Aqua's full wolf form and the power that it held. Aqua held the Werewolf Bloodline genetic mutation, and so she could transform her body into more of a wolf like form like anyone with this enhancement, but hers was special. Due to a combination of highly compatible enhancements; Werewolf, Wolverine, and Nen, Aqua didn't transform into a regular wolf and had a very hard time turning into a werewolf.
When Aqua transforms she in a word becomes a monster. Both physically and mentally as her eyes only showed a desire to kill and destroy everything before her. With no control on her part all three of her enhancements would activate at once and turn her into a mutated monster wolf. Shin first saw the full wolf form of Aqua's in his first mission in High School of the Dead and then a second time in Btooom.
Aqua when transformed became a large wolf packed with powerful muscles reinforced with Aura from Nen (as both an Enhancer and Specialist), armed with fangs and fur coated in adamantium, and released a crazed killing intent the likes Shin had ever encountered to date. The first time Aqua transformed in H.O.T.D she charged through an army of zombies that became meat paste as they just grazed her. The second time Shin didn't get to see Aqua fight transformed, but saw her drag the Btooom Lord away as it was about to release an explosion equivalent of a small nuke and tanking the blast head on. Although just barely surviving the blast after the fact, surviving such a thing alone was proof enough of that forms potential.
Recalling the strength of Aqua's full wolf form Shin had no doubts in his heart that his dear red head war goddess could kill and rip him apart with little effort on her part. The zombies of H.O.T.D, the Btooom Lord, Disease Girl Kiri, and even their recent difficult foe Team Germany... Shin was absolutely certain that none of them could hope to match Aqua once transformed. He could imagine the powerful Razor possibly being able to put up a good fight, but no one else.
Aqua: "That power has always eluded my control. I can partially transform into a werewolf to execute a powerful attack, but that isn't good enough. If I could master this power of mine then I can defeat enemy bosses or the teams of the Four Pillars! I want a powerful magic spell, but it's my main objective this time around of exchanges to master my full wolf form."
Shin: "That sounds amazing, Aqua! You really would be unstoppable if you can control that monster wolf form... Just, if you do then there's no way I can call myself Team Japan's ace Player, right?"
Aqua: "Ah, I guess so. Well, it just means you have to try harder which in the end is good for the team... but if that's impossible it at least brings back balance to the world."
Shin: "Balance?"
Aqua: "Yes. I wouldn't like it if I couldn't overpower you whenever I wanted... in various meanings."
Shin: "!!!"
Hearing this Shin heard something snap in his head. No one there except the person in question understood what Aqua meant by that statement. Both Shin and Aqua knew that the few times that they shared a bed (or beach) together, Aqua would always come out on top. There shouldn't be winning or losing when a man and woman are embracing each other in such an intimate way... but for Shin and Aqua there was.
Shin felt defeated every time they sleep together and Aqua knowing this proudly says that he will never win and should just be happy to be with her. Shin wanted to agree with Aqua as he loved her and enjoyed their time together, but as a man... his pride wouldn't allow him to accept that. It wouldn't be wrong to say that after becoming an Over Powered main character and surviving God's Dimension to return to the real world a new man, Shin's third most important goal in life was to win in the bedroom against Aqua. Shin didn't have a characteristic that enjoyed breaking down strong woman and make them less than they are, but he won't be satisfied until the day come he can dominant the woman that he loves to restore his long lost pride as a man and regain the soul he sold off for the touch of a woman.
Shin: "..."
Aqua: "..."
Hikari: "I honestly have no idea why you two are glaring each other down, but I'm positive it isn't worth it. Let's move on. Shuai, what are your plans?"
Shuai: "Me? I... have an idea about one thing, but I'm not 100% sure, so I won't mention it now. Besides from that I plan to increase my ability to control my Earth Elemental Gnome. Not by raising it to the next level, but by buy accessories to increase summoning power."
Shin: "Why accessories? Wouldn't increasing Shaman Power or the elemental itself suffice?"
Shuai: "Well, I've been giving it some thought and I realized that I can't bring out the full strength of Gnome as I am now. I've been practicing a lot with Gnome, yet I can't do that much. It is nowhere close with what the main character of "The Gamer" can do with his. I suspect that my low degree of power, speed, and control has to do with he fact that I've yet to unlock my Genetic Constraint."
Jin: "You could be right. You need the Second Stage to bring out the full potential of a C tier enhancement like Gnome. So that's why accessories?"
Shuai nodded in agreement. He felt he wasn't ready for a higher tier enhancement, so it was better to increase his strength in a different way. Accessories that were a exterior power couldn't compare with acquired abilities, but they were far from worthless. Accessories would definitely increase his ability and when it was finally time to exchange for a higher tier power they will still be usable. It wasn't a weakness or something to be ashamed of, but as of right now Shuai was the only member to have not unlocked his constraint. Accessories suited him more than a higher grade enhancement at this time. It's just like how you don't normally give a student a holy grade sword as a novice. Sure the sword may help him win battles, but it will come at the cost of spoiling the student and hindering his growth. The others could tell that Shuia was making the more practical and efficient choice here.
Jin: "There's definitely no shame in relying on equipment. Along with increasing my magic power and getting a new skill, I plan to get magic equipment. As a magician it's the standard to have a robe for increased magic defense and staff to increase damage and precision with magic, so I'll get one or the other. How about you Connor?"
Connor: "A new Trigger and Demon Magic."
Shin: "Short and to the point as always, Connor. What about you Kisara? You've heard some details from us, but you don't know that much about Exchanges as you've never gone over them in depth, so it's just second hand information. Still, you must have some idea what you want to get."
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More so then himself, Shin was especially curious about what the swordsman and now woman of his heart, Kisara was going to Exchange for. Kisara was the MVP of Team Japan as she had acquired 18,500 Points and 2 B, 1 C, and 1 D rank reward. It was a total greater than anyone else and she was a Newbie at that. Kisara's strength will now reach a new realm and I wanted to witness this as she was already a capable swordsman.
Kisara: "What I want...well, I'm a swordsmen, so I want a good sword. Regular swords can't cut someone with strong defenses like that hulk monster of Team Germany, so I want a sword that can cut into flesh of anyone I face. In addition, I acquired Nen thanks to you and Aqua, so I want to look into that."
Shin: "That doesn't sound bad. What do you think Jin? My Kisara is Team Japan's first real Sword/Warrior Class, so what's your opinion as a pro gaming champion?"
Hikari: "You're already calling her yours... you're hopeless."
Shin: "Have you ever not thought that about me (my cute hacker, glasses character, girlfriend and future wife)? Anyways, back to Kisara, Jin, what are your thoughts?"
Jin: "I'm glad you’re willing to consult me... even though I'm trash. I'm trash, but today I'll try my best to not disappoint!"
Shin: "Impossible. Just get to it."
Jin: "Okay, okay... now, as for Kisara, I recommend that you choose dexterity related enhancements. In games there are two types of swordsman. Power types or skill types. Power types attack ruthlessly with overwhelming power, weight, speed, and special skills to damage the enemy. The standard warrior or berserker fit this image and Shin as well sorta fits this description, but still, he's not a true swordsman. Now, the skill type use technique, speed, and efficient movement more than special skills to fend off all attacks and slay their enemies without taking damage themselves and with the least amount of effort. The samurai, assassin, and ninja classes would fit this with the exception of those games which make them out to be tanks."
Shin: "So it's basically this. Using Fate/Stay of the Fifth Holy Grail War as an example... the power type is the knight Saber and the skill type is the fake Assassin who's a samurai. Easy to understand, right?"
Aqua: "Easy if only you know the series, Shin. Also, I feel embarrassed for knowing the garbage coming out from your mouth.. Ahh, this is because you once talked me into playing all three routes of the Visual Novel. Each route is as long as a full game! Garbage!"
Shin: "What garbage!? Fate/Stay is-"
Hikari: "Enough you two! Don't mind them Kisara. Jin, please continue where you left off."
Jin: "Okay. Kisara, you know Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu which requires a strong body, but it doesn't give off the image a strong warrior hacking and slashing their way towards victory. It requires speed, otherworldly skill, and above all perception that verges on being clairvoyant. I believe it would be best to choose genetic enhancement that increase Muscle Density with an emphasis on agility and speed, but above all the Reaction Speed stat. Next you have Nen, an energy, so a genetic mutation would be perfect to go along side it. Make it one that begins at D tier and ends with at least AA or S. Those have the most potential and you've unlocked your constraint to the First Stage and can bring out all the potential of D tier and most of the power of C tier enhancements with ease. Then aside from a sword that's at least C tier or higher with magic properties, I recommend skills. Not sword skills, but skills to improve movement speed even further."
Kisara listened to Jin's words seriously. She looked to be in agreement and so was I. Kisara was not the power type swordsman and used speed and skill as a master swordsman to fight. I had the confidence to defeat Kisara as she was now... but if she exchanged for a speed type enhancement, had a magic weapon, and a few skills on top of that... similarly to Aqua, I couldn't see myself defeating Kisara. Maybe if I had the intent to kill Kisara and didn't hold back it was possible, but I still wouldn't have a clear image of victory (though this isn't Card Fight Vanguard).
Hikari: "Then I guess that just leaves me. Like before I'm split between Support Magic and Psyche Force skills. I'll just get one or the other."
Jin: "Ah, about that I have some input if you don't mind. Hikari, you have been enhancing your Mental Capacity and Intelligence like myself as your spells and Persona depend on the stat, right? Can you use the magic buffs on me please? I want to confirm something."
Hikari didn't know what Jin was up to, but followed his instructions anyway cast the endurance spell on him. Jin was veiled in a glow of magic. It signified that the spell was active. Hikari's Mental Capacity was over 200 and so the spell would last for twenty minutes before disappearing. Jin looked at himself calmly and looked back towards Hikari.
Jin: "No difference in power from what I last remembered. Hikari, now apply it again. You can stop trying after the spell stop overlapping and then move on to your other magic buff spells. It'll be over when we get through all five of your spells.
Hikari then preceded to follow his instructions. First it was Wind Spirit, Water Spirit, Lightning Spirit, Fire Spirit, and Earth Spirit. Each magic buff had overlapped on top of each other and Jin was veiled in a powerful rainbow of lights fueled by fifteen spells active at once. Examining himself Jin smiled and began to laugh out loud madly.
Jin: "Hahahaha! Hikari, you truly are special! You were from the start as a hacker genius and you already had a Persona, but now after unlocking you constraint you've reached new heights. As expected of one of the women our leader has chosen for his harem."
Aqua: "Hey, you can be creepy and a kiss ass later when you are alone. Just explain yourself."
Jin: "Okay. During the last mission it should have become apparent that Hikari's ability as a support member had increased greatly after unlocking her Genetic Constraint. The first of which was the demonstration of her magic buffs just now. Before the last mission our Hikari could cast all five of her magic buffs on a person, but not stack the same spell twice or higher. Now, she can stack on three of the same magic buffs spells on an individual. That means at her current ability she can place fifteen magic buffs on each of us! Additionally, using her Persona Adrasteia, Hikari can deploy her magic over long distances!"
Shuai: "So what does that mean?"
Jin: "It means a great deal my friend! Now to tell the truth I was beginning to think that magic buffs weren't that great in real life. Before Hikari can only deploy one spell type at a time, had to be close by, the boost in attributes didn't increase by much, and they didn't last long enough to play an important role in a long battle. They are amazing when you cast so many different magic buffs on a person, but not individually. I didn't believe that they were worth the D or C rank rewards that they cost, but now I see differently. The Genetic Constraint is the key! After unlocking her potential she can stack three of the same buffs on a person and deploy them long distance with her Persona. That means speed, stamina, defense, and damage can be increased to 90%. The healing spell Water Spirit that increased recovery rate by 150% is now by a large 450%! And she can deploy them from a safe distance away from the main battles! As long as she can keep applying them that means Team Japan can enter into battle with over twice the average combat ability. Congratulations Hikari! You are the most special one here. In fact, you will become the nervous system of our team more so than ever before. If in the future you can exchange for more magic buffs, proper Psyche Force skills, and combine it with your Persona abilities you will become the core of Team Japan we can't do without!"
Jin explanation of Hikari's new potential got everyone excited. Hikari's flaws as a support enhancer were now fixed now that she can stack magic buffs and cast them over long distance. We all praised Hikari and she turned away in embarrassment. She tried to say that she passed out after applying so many magic buffs on everyone over great distances and had to be in Unlocked Mode as well, but we didn't care. We knew that she would grow stronger in time.
Hikari: "You all think too much of me. Also, to become as amazing as Jin described is impossible. These techniques are too expensive. I just connected to god to reconfirm that Supports Magic above D tier, Persona skills, and Psyche Force skills are all like that. Not to mention the lowest level ones I learned, but a simple Psyche Force Scan that can increase radius as your mental capacity increases costs 4000 points and a rank C reward. I can’t afford these if they keep becoming more and more expensive."
Shin: "No problem. Save up your points and rewards. You have a good amount now so get a few skills now and save the rest for later. Haha. Why don’t you increase your Mental Capacity as well? We will have a chance to exchange them... wait, we don't have to."
Hikari: "Why?"
Jin: "It's that. Remember what I discovered after Apocalypse Alice? We can exchange Genetic Mutations, Whole Enhancements, and Skills for each other. It is also in our team rules that as a Psyche Force enhancer you get priority rights. Shuai and I have plenty of points for ourselves, so we don't need others to make exchanges for us. Kisara with 18,500 Points and Shin with 15,000 points, along with high rank rewards, have the most points and rewards. For the sake of developing a powerful Psyche Force and support magic user we should arm her with the basic scanning ability and while we are at it a genetic mutation the increases her mental abilities. One that starts at tier D and ranks up to tier S would be the best. Hikari should then just use her own points and rewards to increase her Mental Capacity. I recall there are exchanges to just increase stats that needs points and rewards. Also, more magic buff spells will be nice."
With this method to increase Team Japan's power revealed everyone spirits had risen. With the death of so many of our comrades we were just before moving out of obligation, but not it was different. Now Team Japan had purpose. With that said our discussion was over. It was now time to power up to face future threats as a team.
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Authors Note:
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Proofread by Hoebagger
Ideas for Hikari; skills, whole enhancements, and mutations ideas are welcome. Also, I'm adding to the potential of buffs because Lan in the original just stops using them for the most part and nor does she explore their potential. Also, after this arc I'll be streamlining the enhancement part of the team exchanges. It's hard to write interesting chapters for each character after enhancements and so I'll be shorting it like how it is in the original Terror Infinity.