In an instant, Vega felt a violent surge of Nen coursing through his body—then just as quickly, it was nearly all consumed.
A small fruit materialized in his hand—no larger than a walnut. It gleamed with a dark violet-black hue, pulsing with ominous energy.
Vega gripped it tightly in his right hand and activated the enhancement system.
Immediately, his experience points began depleting at an alarming rate. The fruit was enveloped in a ghostly glow, and streams of light turned into gaseous wisps, continuously pouring into it. A shimmering star emerged on the surface.
The fruit swelled, expanding from its original walnut size to that of a clenched fist. Its color deepened to a rich crimson. Strange, arcane symbols etched themselves across its skin, and a thick, iron-sweet scent—like fresh blood—filled the air.
The moment the fruit completed its transformation, an uncontrollable hunger surged through Vega's body. He could almost hear it whispering to him:
"Eat it. Eat the fruit."
His body yearned for it, salivating just from the scent. His cells seemed to cry out in unison, urging him to consume it.
Without hesitation, Vega took a bite.
The fruit was shyly sweet, almost too sweet, flooding his mouth. As he swallowed, it turned viscous, flowing into his stomach like liquid fire.
A burst of power exploded from deep within.
The energy spread, coursing through his body in warm waves. His weakened frame soaked in the strength. Color returned to his pale face. His body began to change—mending, hardening, evolving.
Crackling sounds echoed from within as his muscles tightened and his veins pumped with renewed force. His entire frame radiated vitality. Even his appearance began to shift: his skin smoothed, a crimson glow flickered in his pupils, and the tips of his hair began to glow faint red.
Vega flexed his right hand and clenched it into a fist. The air exploded with a sonic boom, shaking the entire room. The shockwave blasted out, knocking over furniture and shattering a nearby vase.
Kevin, standing guard outside, rushed in immediately, alarmed.
"Master, are you under attack?!"
The room was a wreck—upturned furniture, shattered walls, swirling dust.
Vega calmly shook his head. "Nothing serious. I just let loose a little."
Kevin exhaled, relieved. Moments earlier, he'd thought some hidden survivor from the Pure Suppression Unit had slipped in for a final assassination attempt.
He was about to suggest they move to a more secure location for recovery when he suddenly froze.
The man before him wasn't the pale, weakened Vega from before.
No—now, Vega stood tall, his face flushed with life, his aura powerful and imposing.
"Master… you've recovered?" Kevin asked in disbelief.
Vega chuckled. "That's right. I've not only recovered—I've gained a new ability. I think it's time I stretched my legs and tested it."
He stepped down from the bed, pulling on the black suit laid out nearby. It clung tightly to his muscular frame. His tall, statuesque build and handsome face made him look like a walking manifestation of danger and charisma.
"Kevin, how's the situation in Nacro City?" Vega asked as he adjusted his collar.
Kevin straightened up. "Based on our interrogation of the 'clean up team', only a few of their members remain. But in the chaos, they've reached out to several scavenger gangs and underground outfits. Looting and disturbances have broken out across the city. The worst of it is at the Bouno casino."
"That casino belongs to the Pengellet family," Kevin added. "It's where we store the liquid cash—essentially the vault. The raiders are trying to clear it out now."
A dangerous grin curled across Vega's lips.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
With Kevin leading the way, the group quickly headed toward Via Bouno.
"Boss, we've got a problem!"
A thug stormed into the room, stepping over bodies scattered across the casino floor.
"We just got word—Number Three saw a convoy of Pengellet vehicles headed this way. Their reinforcements are closing in. We need to move—now!"
Inside a private VIP box sat a large, muscular man with a scar carved down his face—Lek the Jackal.
Another subordinate burst in, panting. "The gunfire's dying down across the city. Looks like the Pengellet family's purging the streets."
"It won't be long before they reach us."
Lek glanced at his watch and waved a hand. "Tell the crew to move according to plan. Don't waste time. We've already made our profit."
"Grab a few high-value hostages as cover. Use them to stall if the Pengellet troops get too close."
But before the orders could be carried out, a new sound echoed in the hall—measured footsteps.
Everyone froze.
Standing in the doorway was a tall man in a fitted black suit, his expression calm, almost amused.
The scar-faced man slowly turned, eyes narrowing. The subordinate's face went white.
"Vega… Pengellet…"
"No way—he should be in the hospital!"
"I thought the monroe family's hit squad took care of him!"
"They said he was critically injured—on life support!" the muscular thug stammered.
It was supposed to be clean: the Cleanser squad injures Vega, and the Pure Suppression Unit finishes the job amid the chaos. Then the rest of them—the looters—clear out the vault, vanish overseas, and retire wealthy.
But now Vega was standing before them, perfectly fine.
This was the man who had single-handedly taken down Yin Beasts—monsters of the underworld.
They were outmatched.
Vega smiled at the two trembling men.
"So this is where the rats have been hiding."
He snapped his fingers.
The muscular thug dropped to the floor, shrieking in pain as blood seeped from his pores. His body convulsed, wracked with agony.
Lek felt the blood in his own veins surge, boiling. Only by forcibly activating his Nen could he suppress the inner riot.
"You think I'm just some street thug?" he growled. "I'm Lek the Jackal!"
Nen surged around him, his muscles swelling grotesquely, veins bulging. His fingers lengthened into clawed talons, and he lunged at Vega like a feral beast.
"Oh?" Vega tilted his head. "So you're a Nen user too. No wonder you didn't die instantly."
"Let's see how your ability holds up—against this."
As Lek slashed at him, Vega casually sidestepped the claws and placed a single palm against Lek's chest.
In an instant, Lek froze mid-attack.
"What… what's happening to me?" he stammered.
He looked down—and screamed.
His arms were shriveled, wrinkled—like an old man's. His knees buckled. He collapsed, seeing his reflection in a shard of glass on the floor.
A withered, skeletal husk stared back.
He had aged decades in seconds.
His mouth quivered. "Wh… what did you do to me?"
Vega stepped forward and crushed Lek's body underfoot with a loud crack.
"Nothing much," he murmured, raising a red, glowing crystal in his palm. It pulsed with that same sweet, shy scent.