[HxH] Ch 2: The Gate of Cognition

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There were only two ways to awaken Nen.

The first: through meditation, sensing the flow of aura and opening one's nodes naturally.

The second: by force—having the nodes pried open, feeling aura flood out all at once.

With someone like Silva Zoldyck at home, one of the strongest Nen users alive, Roy didn't need the long meditation route.

The moment his father struck, he felt it—an ivory-white energy surging out from within, wrapping around his entire body.

The sensation was both new and strangely familiar. It reminded him of the time at Heavens Arena when Wing forcibly awakened Gon and Killua. Roy quickly shut his eyes and imagined himself holding the leaking aura in place, drawing it back under control.

Gotoh had prepared him for this moment long ago. Before Silva even decided to open his Nen, the butler had explained everything he knew, down to the smallest detail: what to expect, what to avoid, and how to handle the aftermath.

Of course, knowing wasn't the same as doing. Yet even with his nodes freshly torn open, Roy was already managing to pull the escaping aura back into himself. The speed of it was enough to make Silva glance at him a second time.

But only once.

"—Haa…"

Within seconds, Roy's aura was no longer leaking.

When he opened his eyes again, it was like tiny flames had sparked to life inside his pupils. In that instant, he had crossed the line—from ordinary human to Nen user.

The feeling was extraordinary. It was as if his very existence had shifted to a higher level. Looking back at himself just three seconds earlier, he could already sense the difference: a newfound calm, a higher sense of confidence.

"So this is Nen… a force woven from stamina, will, emotion, even the soul itself."

He savored the changes stirring inside him—and at the same time, his panel flickered to life.

[System Notice]

[Aura nodes detected.]

[Aura nodes opened.]

[Nen Ability awakened: "Gate of Cognition."]

[Gate of Cognition: Through deep sleep, the host may enter the cerebral cortex, push open the "Gate of Cognition," draw nourishment from other worlds, and bring it back into reality.]

"So—"

"I'm not Enhancer… I'm Conjurer?"

Roy blinked in surprise.

He had thought that his desperate desire for a stronger body would inevitably push him into the Enhancement category. It made the most sense. Instead, he had awakened something entirely different.

But thinking again… he had overlooked something crucial.

He wasn't just a Zoldyck. He was a transmigrator.

The act of crossing worlds was the deepest secret he carried—and perhaps his greatest cheat.

Which made this far more interesting. Was fate itself nudging him? Whispering, 'Don't seek outside—look inward instead.'

Roy rolled the words "Gate of Cognition" around in his mind. The urge to collapse right then and there, dive into sleep, and explore was almost overwhelming.

Unfortunately, two problems stood in the way. One: he was far too keyed up to sleep. Two: Silva was still right there, watching. Dozing off in the training hall was a surefire way to get pulverized into the same cracks as that shattered wall.

Roy had learned firsthand—his father's skills weren't limited to killing. He knew how to torment people too.

So he smothered his excitement, bowed respectfully, and said, "Father, I'll take my leave."

Silva grunted, indifferent. He didn't ask about Roy's affinity or what ability he planned to develop. He simply turned back to his stretches as though opening his son's Nen was no more significant than swatting a fly.

Maybe that was how fathers thought. They knew their children's limits long before anyone else.

Why give Roy Nen early? Because Silva had already seen through him. His ceiling was too low.

Forget working together on missions—Silva doubted whether Roy could even protect his own life.

In that case, knowing or not knowing his category didn't really matter.

...

Outside, the midsummer wind rattled the wall lamps, scattering shadows across the floor.

The door closed, leaving father and son in two different worlds.

Inside: Silva, cold-eyed, black training uniform stretched over corded muscle.

Outside: Roy, steps quick and light, unable to hide the grin tugging at his lips as he hurried back toward his room.

On the way, he paused at one dimly lit chamber, bowing slightly.

Inside, an old man dozed in a rocking chair, cartoons playing faintly from the TV. He mumbled something in his sleep, rolled over, and snored even louder.

Yes… the night was perfect for sleeping. Even if it wasn't his usual bedtime, Roy had to sleep now.

Back in his room, he locked the door, flopped onto the bed, and pulled out his phone. A quick tap, and white noise filled the air—an aid to force himself into drowsiness.

Outside, cicadas buzzed. The wind whispered through leaves.

Ten minutes later, sleep finally claimed him.

He drifted weightless through a corridor of shifting colors. From the far end, he could hear the faint crash of waves against stone, beckoning him onward.

One step. Two steps. Curiosity and serenity mingled in his chest until he passed through—and emerged onto a vast ocean.

Endless blue stretched to the horizon.

And standing atop the water were doors. Countless wooden doors, each locked, some ancient and worn, others new and polished. They had always been here, waiting.

Except one.

To his right, the nearest door hung slightly ajar, a skull ornament dangling from its frame. A faint light spilled out through the crack.

Roy understood instantly.

He reached out, pushed it open, and strode inside.

The air turned sharp.

"So cold—!"

Unlike the sweltering Republic of Padokea, this world was snowing.

Roy opened his eyes to find himself lying in a forest blanketed in deep snow.

On his left sat a shovel. On his right, a basket full of coal.

Wait—

In his cognition world… was he a coal miner?

He looked down at himself: a heavy Japanese-style cloak wrapped around his shoulders, thick socks tucked into wooden sandals, crimson hair falling into his eyes. The resemblance to a certain anime character from his past life was uncanny, though not exact.

The answer came swiftly as his panel lit up once more.

[Character Generation…]

[Eldest son of Kamado Tanjuro, and the older brother of Tanjiro, Nezuko,...]

Roy froze.

"So... I'm in Demon Slayer?!"

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