HxH: Making a living by exorcising

Merlin's eyes gleamed with excitement as he mentally scrolled through the descriptions of his newfound abilities.

[Verdant Step - Emphasizes your ability to teleport everywhere no matter the distance as long as there's a sign of life] he read, a wide grin spreading across his face. The possibilities were endless with this ability. He could traverse vast lands in the blink of an eye, explore hidden realms, and respond to threats in the most remote areas. The thrill of discovery coursed through his veins like a potent elixir, and he couldn't wait to test the limits of Verdant Step.

But as his gaze fell upon the second description, his expression faltered. [Verdant Exchange - Emphasizes the exchange of life force between plants and living being. (Locked)] he muttered, a furrow creasing his brow. The lock symbol next to it seemed like a stern warning, a deterrent to even consider unlocking it. Merlin's mind whirled as he pondered the potential of Verdant Exchange. What secrets lay hidden behind the lock? What kind of power would he unlock, and at what cost?

'Just looking at the use of this ability... it's really against the natural order,' he thought, a shiver running down his spine. The idea of reviving the dead in exchange for the life force of plants was both fascinating and unsettling. It raised questions about the balance of nature and the consequences of manipulating life and death. Could he truly wield such power without repercussions? The weight of responsibility was daunting, and Merlin felt a sense of trepidation wash over him.

He chuckled wryly to himself, the sound barely above a whisper. "It's not like I can revive myself when I'm the one who died, though... haha." The thought was both morbid and humorous, a stark reminder of the limitations of his potential abilities. Despite the allure of Verdant Exchange, Merlin couldn't shake off the feeling that unlocking it would come with a steep price, one that might be too high to pay.

As he stood there, lost in thought, Merlin's eyes drifted toward the surrounding landscape. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly. The vibrant greenery seemed to pulse with life, and he felt a sense of connection to the natural world. Perhaps, he thought, the key to unlocking Verdant Exchange lay hidden in the secrets of nature itself.

For now, he would focus on mastering Verdant Step, exploring its potential and the wonders it could bring. The locked ability would remain a mystery, a secret waiting to be unlocked when the time was right. Merlin's eyes gleamed with determination as he refocused on the possibilities ahead, the thrill of discovery beckoning him forward like a siren's call. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his journey settle upon him. The path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was ready to face them head-on.

"But first things first," Merlin said to himself, his eyes drifting toward the window as he gazed out at the twinkling city lights in the distance. The soft glow illuminated the night sky, casting a warm ambiance over the landscape. "It seems like this place where I was... was on top of a mountain," he mused, his mind piecing together the puzzle of his surroundings. The city lights sparkled like diamonds scattered across the horizon, a breathtaking sight that filled him with wonder.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Merlin stood up and stretched his arms, feeling the stiffness in his muscles begin to dissipate. His gaze swept the room, and his eyes landed on a door that he assumed led to the bathroom. "Time for a shower," he thought, his body craving the refreshing sensation of warm water. He walked toward the bathroom, his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet space.

An hour later, feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, Merlin emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He padded across the room to the closet, rummaging through the clothes in search of something comfortable to wear. As he browsed through the selection, he pondered the style and functionality of each outfit. "Ah, this one should do," he said to himself, pulling out a simple yet practical ensemble.

With his outfit chosen, Merlin began to get dressed, his mind wandering to the city outside. He couldn't wait to explore the area and get a better sense of his surroundings. As he finished dressing, he walked toward the door, his hand reaching out to grasp the handle. "Time to see where I am," he thought, a sense of excitement building within him.

Before stepping out, Merlin's fingers instinctively went to the system interface, browsing through its functions to see if there were any features that could aid him in his exploration. "Let's see what else this system can do," he thought, his eyes scanning the digital display as he navigated through the menus. The possibilities were endless, and he was eager to discover what lay ahead. With a deep breath, Merlin opened the door and stepped out into the unknown, the city lights beckoning him like a siren's call.

Merlin's thoughts wandered as he set the system aside, his mind processing the events that had transpired. "It seems that it took me more time digesting the situation since it's already nighttime," he mused, his eyes glancing out the window at the darkened sky. The realization dawned on him that he hadn't eaten anything since... well, he wasn't quite sure when. His stomach growled in protest, reminding him of his hunger. "I didn't get to eat anything... so I'm alone, I think?" The question hung in the air, and Merlin's gaze swept the room, searching for any sign of life or clues that might answer his query.

As he looked around, he took in the grandeur of the space. 'It's pretty huge, though,' he thought, his voice barely above a whisper. "But oh well, whatever." The mansion's opulence was impressive, but Merlin's priorities lay elsewhere. He had more pressing concerns, like figuring out where he was and how he got there.

Finally, Merlin reached the outside, his footsteps echoing softly on the ground. But as he looked around, he was met with an unexpected sight. The city lights he had seen earlier were nowhere to be seen, replaced by the towering silhouettes of trees that seemed to stretch up to the sky. "Wait, where's the city?" Merlin's confusion deepened as he realized he must have been higher up than he thought. "I'm on the third floor of this huge mansion before, I think," he recalled, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The trees loomed before him, their branches creaking softly in the breeze, casting long shadows in the fading light.

The sudden change in scenery left Merlin disoriented, and he stood there, taking in the tranquil atmosphere of the forest. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant chirping of crickets, a stark contrast to the bustling city he had glimpsed earlier. Merlin's eyes adjusted to the darkness, and he began to make out the details of the trees, their trunks sturdy and strong, their leaves rustling softly in the wind.

As he stood there, Merlin felt a sense of wonder wash over him. Where was he, really? And how did this mansion end up in the middle of nowhere? The questions swirled in his mind, but he knew he had to take things one step at a time. First, he needed to find out more about his surroundings and maybe get something to eat. His stomach growled again, reminding him of his priorities. With a newfound sense of determination, Merlin set off into the unknown, the trees towering above him like sentinels.