Leorio the Shadow Monarch - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Tower Trials & Shadow Utility

The Trick Tower continued its relentless psychological assault disguised as architecture. Room after identical room unfolded, each presenting another timed O/X choice determined by the tyranny of the majority. The questions grew slightly more complex, moving from simple observation to basic logic puzzles or moral quandaries seemingly designed to sow discord.

One room asked: `If two paths lie ahead, one shorter but dangerous, one longer but safe, which should a team choose? (O for Short/Dangerous, X for Long/Safe)`.

Tonpa immediately argued for the safe path, framing it as prudence. “No point rushing if we get ourselves killed, right?”

Kurapika countered logically. “We have a strict 72-hour limit. Choosing the longer path repeatedly could risk running out of time entirely. Perhaps assessing the ‘danger’ is the intended challenge.”

Killua yawned. “Safe paths are usually boring paths. Let’s see what the danger is.”

Gon looked torn. “But getting hurt is bad…”

Leorio, vaguely recalling this section involved time pressure, sided with Kurapika and Killua. “We’re potential Hunters, right? Avoiding all risk isn’t the job description. And Kurapika’s right about the time limit. I vote O.” With three votes for O, Gon reluctantly agreed, and Tonpa smoothly switched his vote to match the majority. The ‘O’ door slid open.

They navigated a corridor filled with harmless smoke bombs triggered by obvious floor panels (easily avoided), confirming the ‘danger’ was minimal. Another room, another vote. Leorio found himself subtly steering the consensus more often than not, relying on hazy memories of the anime’s progression, framing his choices as gut feelings or common sense. “Trust me on this one, guys, my gut’s usually right about obvious traps,” or “Doesn’t option X just feel like what they’d expect us to avoid?” It was working, for now, but he felt Tonpa’s calculating eyes on him occasionally. The man was no fool, just malicious.

They eventually arrived at a different kind of obstacle. A wide room stretched before them, but the floor immediately ahead looked… wrong. The tiles were discolored, slightly uneven. At the far end of the room, perhaps twenty meters away, a heavy stone door barred their path. Set into the wall next to the door was a large, invitingly red button. No other mechanisms were visible.

“Pressure plates?” Kurapika mused, his eyes scanning the suspicious flooring. “Or maybe a pitfall trap?”

“Could be anything,” Killua said, tossing a small pebble onto the nearest discolored tile. Nothing happened. He tossed another one further out. Still nothing. “Maybe only triggers with significant weight?”

“So, who wants to try walking across?” Gon asked cheerfully, oblivious to the potential lethality.

“Hold on,” Leorio interjected, seeing a perfect opportunity. His Shadow Pigs were tough (VIT 10), and their shadowy forms might ignore simple physical traps entirely. Plus, if something did happen, better a disposable shadow than one of them. “Maybe I can… poke it from here.”

He stepped back slightly, allowing himself a moment of concentration. The others watched with varying degrees of curiosity following his vague ‘Nen Beast’ explanation earlier. `[Arise]`.

With a swirl of black smoke that seemed to drink the artificial light, one of his `[Shadow Pig Lv8]` soldiers materialized beside him. It was an unsettling sight – a large, porcine shape made of pure darkness, its form indistinct yet undeniably pig-like, utterly silent. Gon gasped in awe, Killua watched with narrowed, analytical eyes, and Kurapika observed with focused intensity. Tonpa just looked… interested.

“Okay, uh… piggy,” Leorio felt slightly ridiculous giving commands to a shadow pig, “See that weird floor? Go walkies. Step right in the middle.” He projected the command mentally, picturing the action.

The Shadow Pig lumbered forward, its shadowy trot making no sound. It stepped onto the discolored tiles. Nothing happened. It reached the center of the suspicious area… still nothing. It ambled across to the far side, unharmed.

“Huh,” Killua muttered. “Guess it was nothing.”

“Or,” Kurapika suggested, “the trap is designed for living beings, perhaps sensing heat or aura, which Leorio’s… creature… may not possess.”

“Maybe,” Leorio agreed noncommittally. “Now, the button.” He focused again. “Piggy, turn around. See the red button on the wall? Go push it.”

The shadow turned, approached the wall, and nudged the button with its smoky snout. With a heavy grinding sound, the stone door at the far end slid open, revealing the path forward.

“Alright!” Gon cheered.

“Impressive utility,” Kurapika noted calmly.

Before recalling the shadow, Leorio felt a spark of curiosity. How far could these things go? He commanded it mentally, “Okay, new plan. Go down that corridor through the open door. Keep going straight. Tell me if you see anything interesting.” He tried to project a sense of reconnaissance.

The Shadow Pig obediently trotted through the doorway and down the passage beyond. Leorio kept his focus, watching its progress through their shared connection, like a fuzzy, silent video feed playing in his mind. Ten meters… twenty… thirty… thirty-five… The corridor stretched on, dimly lit. Thirty-six… thirty-seven… thirty-eight…

Suddenly, the shadow stopped as if it had run face-first into an invisible wall. Its form flickered, becoming unstable. A notification pinged in Leorio’s consciousness.

`[Command Range Limit Reached (38m / Lv 38). Recall or reduce distance to maintain control.]`

Thirty-eight meters. Exactly my current level. Leorio frowned. So, one meter per level seemed to be the rule for command range. Useful for close support, triggering nearby mechanisms, or short-range scouting, but definitely not for sending spies deep into enemy territory. Another limitation mapped out. He mentally commanded the pig back, and as it trotted back into the room, he used `[Preserve]` to dismiss it back into his shadow dimension, the black smoke dissipating silently.

“So,” Killua began, breaking the silence, his tone casual but his eyes sharp, “that black pig thing. It just… does whatever you think?”

Gon bounced over. “Yeah! That was so cool, Leorio! Is that part of that ‘Nen’ thing you mentioned? Can all Nen beasts do stuff like that? Can they fight?”

Kurapika added, his gaze thoughtful, “Your control seems quite precise, Leorio. And your explanation of Nen, while brief, was intriguing. You seem to know more than you initially let on.”

Even Tonpa chimed in, rubbing his chin. “Seriously, Leorio, holding out on us! Where’d you learn a trick like that?”

Leorio felt like he was under interrogation. Time for the pre-planned deflection and partial truth. He tried to look slightly exasperated, like explaining was a chore.

“Look, I told you, I’m still figuring it out myself,” he started, running a hand through his hair (Leorio’s hair, still felt weird). “Yeah, you could call them Nen Beasts. They’re formed from… well, from aura, life energy.” He kept it vague, avoiding the whole ‘extracted from corpses’ detail, which probably wouldn’t go over well. “Different Nen users can do different things. Some shoot energy blasts, some enhance their bodies, some create stuff like this.” He gestured vaguely. “It’s a whole complex system.”

He focused on Gon, Killua, and Kurapika. “And yeah, Gon, they can fight, depending on what they are and how strong the user is. As for learning it,” he continued, trying to sound reassuringly knowledgeable, “like I said, it’s rare in the general population, maybe 5% know about it or can use it without training. But Hunters? It’s practically standard issue. Once you get your license, the Hunter Association usually provides access to teachers who can awaken your aura and teach you the basics. You’ll learn all about Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu… the whole shebang.” He threw in the canonical terms, hoping it added credibility without giving away too much practical knowledge he didn’t actually possess regarding using them.

“So, seriously, don’t worry about it now. Focus on passing the exam. You’ll get your chance to learn Nen properly later. Consider this just… a little preview of the weird stuff Hunters can do.” He finished with a shrug, hoping it sounded convincing.

Gon’s eyes were practically sparkling. “Wow! Nen! I can’t wait!”

Killua looked thoughtful, storing the information away. Leorio suspected the term ‘Nen’ and the basic techniques weren’t entirely foreign to a Zoldyck, but Killua wasn’t letting on. He simply gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, perhaps reassessing Leorio slightly.

Kurapika absorbed the explanation with his usual quiet intensity. “Nen…” he murmured, the word seeming to resonate with him. “Thank you for the information, Leorio. It provides… context.” Context for his quest for vengeance, no doubt.

Tonpa just smiled his usual slimy smile. “Well, good to know we’ve got someone with Nen powers on our team! Makes me feel much safer!” His eyes, however, held a shrewd, calculating light. He likely didn’t believe Leorio was as novice as he claimed.

“Yeah, well, don’t expect miracles,” Leorio grumbled, eager to change the subject. “My pig friend there isn’t exactly taking down Hisoka for us. Now, can we get moving? This tower isn’t going to descend itself, and that button won’t stay pushed forever.”

He gestured towards the open door revealed by the Shadow Pig’s efforts. The group, armed with new knowledge and perhaps new suspicions, filed through, ready for the next puzzle the Trick Tower had waiting for them. The air felt thick with unspoken questions, but for now, survival was the priority.