CHAPTER 158-165

Chapter 158: True "Hell Training"

Some say that combat is the best teacher.

This is because no matter the technique, all skills are born from actual combat, evolving and developing bit by bit through trial and error.

For geniuses in particular, listening to a teacher's lectures is often far less effective than allowing them to experience and realize truths for themselves in the heat of battle.

Clearly, Killua and Gon were exactly that kind of people.

Through continuous battles against the various monsters within the Dungeons, they gradually forged their own unique styles, and their total Aura capacity began to grow at an explosive rate.

Of course, the price for this was being driven forward by a metaphorical whip under a hellish regime of cruel exploitation.

As a "Demon Instructor," Allen adhered to his consistent philosophy: if they aren't dead, train them harder. He formulated a terrifying special training regimen that a normal person couldn't possibly survive for five days.

Whether it was Gon or Killua, they were allowed only eight hours a day for food and rest; the remainder of their time was spent either on fundamental drills or fighting for their lives against monsters in major Dungeons.

That’s right!

Literally fighting for their lives!

To squeeze every drop of potential out of their small bodies, Allen never gave them the chance to recover to peak condition. They were forced into extreme combat while possessing only half, sometimes even a third or a quarter, of their maximum Aura.

Such a staggering training volume even moved Bodoro and Baise, who had undergone similar experiences, to pity.

By the time the hellish crash course ended, spanning 140 days in the game world and half a month in reality, the Aura capacity of both protagonists had soared to over 60,000. This was more than triple what they possessed during this period in the original timeline.

Back in their hotel room, watching the sunlight stream through the window, both Killua and Gon felt as though they had returned from another life.

Killua, in particular, went as far as to pinch his thigh hard, sighing with a look of relief. "I can't believe we actually made it back alive!"

"Yeah! There were several times I thought I was a goner," Gon nodded, his heart still racing at the memory.

"But the gains are massive! I can feel myself getting stronger, and that new technique is almost ready. The next time I face a powerful enemy, I won't run away," Killua said, his fists clenched with confidence.

As his Aura capacity began to close the gap with his elder brother, Illumi, the influence of the Nen needle embedded in his head was weakening. He would likely discover and remove it before long.

Gon chimed in with a smile, "Exactly! I feel like I can beat that guy now! We'll save Kite!"

Hearing the two youngsters' somewhat inflated declarations, Allen finally couldn't resist and gave them each a sharp rap on the head. "Don't get cocky!" he scolded. "With your current strength, you're only slightly stronger than an Officer among the Chimera Ants. You'd likely struggle against a Squadron Leader. As for the Royal Guards, those are opponents only Chairman Netero and I can handle."

"Ouch!"

"That hurts!"

Intimidated by their "Demon Instructor," neither Killua nor Gon dared to argue. They simply clutched the spots where they’d been hit, crouching on the floor and sticking their tongues out secretly.

"Remember, your Hatsu development is still very immature. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to approach a Royal Guard. They are not enemies you can handle," Allen warned in a solemn tone.

Regrettably, Gon had already made up his mind; he merely lowered his head in silence. Killua, standing beside him, spread his hands innocently, indicating he was powerless to change Gon's mind.

One had to realize that the current Neferpitou already possessed a staggering Aura capacity in the millions. Furthermore, her Nen development might be entirely different from the original story; there was no guarantee she wouldn't develop some truly monstrous abilities.

Given that her Specialist nature leaned heavily toward Manipulation, she was the type most likely to create unreasonable, rule-based abilities.

In the original timeline, when Pitou was being pummeled by "Adult Gon," she had been maintaining Doctor Blythe for a long period, both her body and spirit were far from their peak. Even then, she had several opportunities to kill Gon before he finalized his Vow and Limitation, but she hesitated out of fear for the King’s safety.

In other words, the victory between them was a low-probability fluke, a result pieced together by countless coincidences.

Unlike Chairman Netero, who was forced to use sacrificial tactics due to limited manpower and resources, Allen preferred a direct, frontal assault, an extermination-style massacre of the entire Chimera Ant species.

What a joke!

This was human-controlled territory!

As the undisputed masters of this world, why should they act like they were fighting on away turf, sneaking around just to eradicate a pack of man-eating ants?

It was utterly ridiculous.

Just as Allen was about to say more, the door was pushed open. Illumi, Hisoka, and Kalluto filed into the room.

Noticing the surge in Aura coming from Killua and Gon, the eldest son of the Zoldyck family asked in immediate astonishment, "What did you do to them?"

"Nothing much, just some special training," Allen replied with a smile.

"Special training? Are you joking? Two weeks of training can triple a person’s Nen?" Illumi questioned, his face expressionless. From his attitude, it was clear he didn't believe a word of it.

In contrast, Hisoka’s reaction was far more visceral. His eyes shimmered with intense excitement and anticipation, his tongue darting out to lick his lips. To this pervert, two "unripe fruits" were fast approaching maturity; it was almost time for the harvest.

"No, of course it wasn't ordinary training. It was hellish training in the truest sense. Believe me, it’s a process more painful and desperate than death. If you don't believe me, ask them," Allen said, gesturing toward the two protagonists.

Noticing his brother's searching gaze, Killua immediately nodded. "He’s right. Under that training, there were several times we actually almost died."

"Oh? Cruel training on the brink of death? That sounds interesting..." Illumi rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful.

He had heard his father and grandfather mention that for Nen users, every near-death experience could make one's Nen stronger. However, because the method was so dangerous, one slip-up and you’d lose your life, very few people actually dared to attempt it.

Yet, in the eyes of Gon and Killua, he could faintly see the resolve that only comes from conquering death.

Coupled with the miraculous effects of Allen's healing potions, Illumi realized Allen had likely mastered a way to bring people to the brink of death repeatedly without actually letting them die, using it as a shortcut to rapidly increase Aura.

While his elder brother was lost in thought, the cross-dressing Kalluto stepped forward and bowed slightly, asking in an uncertain tone, "Are those two coming with us?"

"Not for now. They haven't earned the right to join this war yet. Am I right?" Allen looked at the two boys.

Killua pulled two halves of a wooden board from his pocket and answered without hesitation, "Right! Chairman Netero said we still have to defeat two guys and take their halves before we're qualified to join the Extermination Team."

"In that case, I wish you victory in advance. I've delayed here long enough; I’m heading out first."

With that, Allen led his team back to the monster truck and drove once more toward the borders of NGL.

 

Chapter 159: Gyro

As the flashy, oversized off-road vehicle disappeared at the end of the highway, Killua finally asked without looking back, "Where to next?"

"According to Chairman Netero’s instructions, we find the contact person first. Regardless of who holds the other two wooden tokens, I’ll defeat them, catch up to Allen, and help rescue Kite," Gon answered resolutely.

"True. And this time, we have to win, no excuses. I never want to go through that terrifying 'Hell Training' ever again," Killua added, a trace of genuine fear flickering in his eyes.

Compared to Allen’s insanely brutal training regimen, the various forms of torture, conditioning, and exercise the Zoldyck family had tailored for him since childhood felt like child's play. At the very least, no matter how terrifying the Zoldyck training seemed, it never pushed past the absolute limit of human endurance; they usually stopped just before the breaking point.

But Allen...

He was truly driving them toward death’s door!

You either endured and grew stronger, or you experienced the agony and despair of the brink of death firsthand. There were several times Killua felt Allen genuinely intended to kill them, only to pull them back at the very last second.

"Hahaha! I don't want to do it again either! But you have to admit, his method really works." Gon laughed, his expression a complex mix of love and hate.

On one hand, he thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of fighting various enemies in the Dungeons and could feel his power skyrocketing. On the other hand, he felt that throughout the entire process, Allen hadn't treated them as "humans" at all, but rather as some kind of "monsters."

The pain of exhausting all physical strength and then being forced to squeeze every drop of potential out of every single cell was something no one would ever want to taste twice.

And yet? They had endured that state beyond the limit for a full 140 days!

…

While Gon and Killua were venting about their hellish experiences and leaving contact information on the bulletin board, Allen had already led his team across the NGL border and back into the interior.

Unlike their previous visit, the villages flanking the road were now hollowed-out ruins. In some corners, residual corpses and bloodstains were still visible. Under the ruthless sweeping of the Chimera Ants, virtually no village had been spared.

As for the NGL high-ranking officials who had secretly manufactured and trafficked drugs, they were mostly dead or scattered; some had even been converted into Officers or Squadron Leaders.

It is worth noting the Chimera Ants' method of reproduction: Phagogenesis. Simply put, they consume a creature and then optimize and mix its genetic sequence with ant genes and those of other species to produce eggs. Because the process is exceptionally bloody and cruel, often involving being eaten alive, the resulting creature has a certain probability of retaining parts of its previous personality and memories.

Of course, those unfortunate enough to be used as nourishment for the Royal Guards or the King were not afforded such an opportunity.

After passing seven or eight villages without finding a single living soul, Baise couldn't help but sigh. "Regardless of how this war between humans and ants ends, this country is finished."

"Indeed. If things go as expected, it will likely be annexed by neighboring countries. With nearly the entire population dead and the ruling structure collapsed, it’s impossible for it to remain a sovereign state," Bodoro agreed.

As they spoke, Hisoka suddenly pointed toward the woods not far ahead. "There seems to be a person over there."

"A person? Are you sure it's a person?" Illumi asked, deliberately emphasizing the word.

"Hehe, whatever it is, I have a feeling it might be interesting," Hisoka replied with a curved smile.

Screeech—!

With the piercing sound of braking, the group pulled over to the side of the road. Allen was the first to hop out, raising his binoculars. Sure enough, he saw a human figure dressed in a black top with a hooded tunic, their face entirely obscured by shadows.

"Do you need me to go grab him?" Baise asked tentatively.

"No need. I plan to meet him personally."

With that, Allen leaped down the steep slope and sprinted through the forest at high speed, intercepting the mysterious figure in a matter of seconds.

The opponent clearly sensed his arrival as well. Without a word, he pulled a weapon resembling a Uzi submachine gun from his pocket and pulled the trigger.

Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!

As the muzzle flashed, a hail of brass casings ejected from the side. Unfortunately, the bullets that should have easily shredded a man were stopped mid-air, as if hitting an invisible wall. In a couple of seconds, the entire magazine was spent, leaving only the click-click of an empty chamber.

Seeing this, the mysterious figure discarded the weapon and spoke in a low, raspy voice. "You're a Hunter from the Association, aren't you? I think perhaps we should sit down and talk."

"Talk? If you were in my shoes, what would you say to a guy who just fired thirty rounds into you the moment you met? The uncrowned king of the NGL underworld, the world’s greatest drug lord, Gyro-sama!"

Allen sneered as he tore through the man’s disguise. There was no helping it; that black coat and hood were far too distinctive. Moreover, the man radiated a nauseating stench! To a Nen user, this aura was like sewage that had fermented in a cesspool for a long time. Unless one’s sense of smell and taste were simultaneously broken, it could be sensed from miles away.

"Oh? You recognize me!" Gyro looked up, revealing eyes that were cold as ice. Under the modification of Chimera Ant genes, he no longer looked human; he appeared both monstrous and terrifying.

"How could I not? You are one of the primary people responsible for NGL turning into this hellhole."

As he spoke, Allen released his terrifying Nen. It was clear he intended to execute this piece of trash, who deserved to die ten thousand deaths more than the Phantom Troupe, right here, rather than letting him escape to Meteor City to stir up more trouble.

Gyro, evidently a Nen user himself, immediately retreated in a wary crouch, releasing an aura filled with distortion and malice. Although the sheer volume of Allen’s Aura made him feel like he was suffocating, he managed to maintain a shred of calm and logic.

"Young man, you are doing something meaningless. According to the laws of most human nations, the original 'me' is already dead. The current me is just an insignificant Chimera Ant. How about this: I’ll give you a bank account with ten billion Jenny in it, and you pretend you never saw me. How does that sound?"

"Hehe! Do you really think I care whether you're a human or a Chimera Ant? Or do you think a mere ten billion Jenny can buy me off? No! Neither! I don't want anything from you. I simply want you dead! That's all. So don't waste your breath. Today, no matter who intervenes, you aren't leaving this forest alive..."

 

Chapter 160: The Mysterious Black Liquid

There is no doubt that Gyro is the only major antagonist in Hunter x Hunter for whom Togashi devoted significant pages to detailing a backstory, doing everything possible to portray his internal malice and anti-human nature. Even the secret manufacture and trafficking of drugs within NGL served a hidden, mad design. His goal was simple: to transform all the misfortunes of his childhood into vengeance against the entire human race.

Unfortunately, the sudden emergence of the Chimera Ant swarm turned these plans into bubbles. Yet, despite this, Gyro remained the only individual consumed by the Queen who successfully retained his complete memories and personality upon being reborn as an ant. Furthermore, at the very moment of his birth, he resisted the biological instincts of the Chimera Ant genes, broke free from the Queen’s control, and prepared to leave this land which had lost its utility. He intended to stage a comeback in the lawless territory of Meteor City.

Perhaps for most ants who retained human memories, this transition felt like torture; for Gyro, it was a metamorphosis, a sublimation. Having discarded his human identity, he did not weaken; instead, he found liberation, becoming even more resolute in his malicious philosophy.

Had they never crossed paths, that would be one thing. But since they happened to meet today, Allen naturally had no intention of letting him go.

"Is there some grudge between us?" Gyro asked, his expression grim. He could feel that this lethally dangerous youth truly wanted him dead, and there wasn't a shred of hesitation or wavering in his spirit.

"No. None. I won't even judge you from a moral or legal standpoint. Killing you is purely for personal reasons. To put it simply, I find your existence irritating, so I’m going to end it. Since you are also a Nen user, let us wager all our Aura and settle this here."

With that, Allen ignored the diplomatic signals the other man was projecting. He lunged forward at extreme speed, swinging a fist directly toward his opponent’s kidney. Given Allen’s current Aura capacity, even a fist merely wrapped in Ten carried unimaginable lethality and destructive power.

"Dammit!"

Gyro had clearly not mastered Nen for very long and was not particularly adept at combat. He lacked the time to react properly and could only rely on the techniques he had glimpsed in the Hive to concentrate his Aura on the point of impact.

The next second...

A violent impact accompanied by searing pain sent him airborne. He tumbled along the ground for dozens of meters, only stopping when he slammed into the trunk of a massive tree. From the indentation in his side and the sweat pouring down his face, it was clear his kidney had been pulverized.

However, the underground king of NGL did not wail in pain like a commoner. Gritting his teeth against the agony, he scrambled to his feet as quickly as possible. He transmuted his Aura into a mass of pitch-black, viscous liquid floating in mid-air and threatened through a snarl, "Final warning! Don't come any closer! Otherwise, even if I die, I'll drag you into the grave with me!"

"Oh? Your ability seems quite interesting," Allen said, a look of genuine curiosity appearing on his face.

Based on Gyro's personality, he was almost certainly a Specialist. Combined with his naked, unmasked desire for revenge against the human world, he was bound to develop a terrifying and perverse ability, one definitely worth seizing and devouring.

"Here! These are bank accounts and passwords containing hundreds of billions of Jenny. They’re all yours now. I only want to leave in peace." Gyro reached into his pocket, pulled out a stack of notebooks used for tracking reserve funds, and threw them on the ground. He began to back away cautiously. Though these were the capital he had planned to use for his comeback, using them to buy his life was a smart trade. Money could be earned again, but once life was gone, everything was over.

"I told you. Money cannot buy me off. There is only one thing I want from you, and that is your life. Beyond that, I had no intention of obtaining anything else from your person."

Allen showed zero interest in the priceless notebooks. He produced several Thorium-headed arrows, imbued them with various abilities, and flicked them toward the target.

"You will pay the price for your arrogance and stubbornness!"

Seeing his final diplomatic effort fail, Gyro accepted the reality of a fight to the death. He manipulated the mass of black liquid to form a shield in front of him. The moment the arrows struck, they seemed to be sucked into another dimension; there wasn't a single ripple or hint of impact force. A few seconds later, the arrows dropped out of the black liquid, but every single one was rusted through. At a mere touch, they crumbled into a pile of worthless dust.

An ability combining space and time? No... that's not right. It should be a much more complex and terrifying type of Nen. Allen narrowed his eyes, silently analyzing the phenomenon.

Seeing his opponent pause, Gyro immediately split the black viscous liquid in two. One half continued to orbit him as a shield, while the other fractured into countless tiny droplets, flying toward Allen like a curtain of rain.

Unsure of the liquid’s true nature, Allen had no intention of tanking the hit. He flickered more than ten meters away in a flash, then turned to look at the spot covered by the black rain.

What he saw was chilling. Whether it was trees, leaves, soil, or rocks… as long as they touched even a tiny drop, the contact point would age as if tens of thousands of years had passed, instantly turning into powder and ash.

"As I thought, a rule-based ability that defies logic..." A hint of gravity finally appeared on Allen's face.

Without hesitation, he activated a Nen ability he had seized from a Chimera Ant, placing a "Mark" on Gyro. Since the condition for this ability was to strike the opponent once, the punch he had landed earlier had already fulfilled the requirement.

"What did you do to me?" Gyro noticed the conspicuous red 'X' mark on his injured side and shouted a wary question.

"Hehe, you'll find out soon enough!"

Before the opponent could recover from the shock, an Ancient Bone Bow appeared in Allen's hand. This time, however, he didn't aim directly at the enemy, nor did he imbue the arrows with high-power Nen. Instead, he utilized only "A Pinch of Gunpowder" combined with the Auto-Tracking ability, firing over a dozen Thorium arrows into the sky.

In the blink of an eye, the arrows scattered like falling petals, tracing incredible trajectories in mid-air as they converged on Gyro from all directions.

Clearly, the remaining half of the black liquid was insufficient to protect his entire body. Gyro was forced to concentrate the liquid in front of him while pressing his back against the trunk of a large tree.

The moment he completed this maneuver, the arrows arrived.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

While the arrows coming from the front were swallowed by the black liquid, four arrows from the rear slammed directly into the tree trunk, triggering blinding flashes and explosions. The thick trunk was severed instantly. Gyro was sent flying several meters by the air pressure and shockwave; hampered by the pain of his ruptured kidney, he struggled to get back up.

 

Chapter 161: The Power to Decay All Things

Staring into Gyro’s eyes, which were brimming with malice, Allen stood his ground and spoke nonchalantly, "Give up. You have zero chance of winning against me. No matter how powerful that midnight-colored liquid is, it’s simply too slow. It’s like a ten-thousand-pound sledgehammer, it doesn't matter how terrifying the destructive power is if it never hits its mark."

"Give up? Sorry, but the word 'surrender' has never existed in my dictionary!"

Gyro spat out a mouthful of dark red blood and pulled himself up again, leaning against the trunk of another nearby tree.

Determination.

Persistence.

Madness.

Undoubtedly, setting aside basic concepts of good and evil and looking strictly at spirit and will, he stood at the absolute apex of the human race.

One had to remember that even veteran Hunters like Morel and Knov couldn't help but feel fear and despair upon sensing Allen’s terrifying Aura capacity.

But Gyro?

From start to finish, he never once viewed himself from a position of weakness!

Nor did he allow fear to seize control of his mind.

"Is that so? Then how exactly do you plan to continue fighting, let alone win, with a body as battered as yours?"

Allen didn't mock the man's overestimation of his own strength; instead, he wore a look of genuine interest. To be precise, until he figured out the true nature of that black liquid, he wasn't prepared to kill the greatest drug lord of the Hunter world quite yet.

"There’s always a way, isn't there? After all, I survived being eaten by those monsters! Besides, every human has a weakness. You're no exception."

Gyro wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and immediately manipulated the viscous black liquid to gather together, forming an orbiting shield around his body.

Allen nodded in agreement. "Well said! Nothing in this world is perfect; everyone has their own weakness. But the question is, given your current physical state, how much longer can you hold out? One minute? Ten minutes? Even if a Chimera Ant’s vitality is more robust than a human's, internal organ rupture and massive hemorrhaging will kill you soon enough."

"You think I'm afraid to die?" Gyro sneered with irony.

"No. Of course you aren't afraid of death. But you are afraid of dying before you complete your plan, aren't you?" Allen countered with a half-smile, his lips curling upward.

At those words, Gyro’s smile instantly froze. His expression turned incredibly dark. "Congratulations. You guessed right. It seems you found my weakness before I could find yours."

"That's why I advise you to stop struggling. The more violent the struggle, the more painful your death will be."

As Allen spoke, he began to close the distance slowly. He had already noticed that Baise had silently circled around, sneaking into a position less than twenty meters behind their target.

Gyro’s attention was entirely fixated on Allen; he had no idea that the most lethal threat was right behind him.

The moment the distance between them closed to less than ten meters, he finally acted, controlling the black viscous liquid to form a massive net, attempting to envelop Allen from above.

But at that exact moment, the lurking Baise finally moved.

Imbued with superhuman agility, she closed the gap in a single Charge. Before the enemy could react, she executed a grapple-and-throat-lock maneuver, pinning his head back to deliver a fatal kiss.

Instant Lover activated!

The next second...

The emperor of the NGL underworld, the greatest drug lord of the human world, suddenly collapsed onto the ground and turned into a total "simp."

His aura and character design crumbled instantly!

"Hahahaha! Bark! Bark louder! You filthy, pathetic lecher!"

Baise planted her boot firmly on Gyro’s face and laughed wildly, her hidden sadistic streak flaring up again. Despite having seen this many times before, several members of the team still couldn't help but cover their eyes.

Kalluto, the youngest member, looked particularly shaken. He raised his paper fan to cover his mouth and nose, his eyes shimmering with a complex light of shock and curiosity.

"Stop playing around. Hurry up and ask him exactly what kind of ability that black liquid is," Allen interjected to remind her. If he didn't speak up, this "Queen" would likely play with her "pet" for another twenty minutes.

"OK!"

Baise was clearly interested in the eerie Nen-created liquid as well. She asked bluntly, "Tell me, little doggy, what’s the deal with your ability?"

"It’s... it makes all things decay! No matter what it is, once it touches the liquid, it will rapidly rot, disintegrate, and wither. If it’s a living creature, they will inevitably age and die. My Queen, please... continue to punish and torment me! Trample me more!"

Gyro answered while frantically licking the dirt off Baise’s leather boots.

"Decay? It certainly fits his twisted, morbid personality and his heart's desire for revenge against all of humanity," Allen mused, rubbing his chin.

After all, a Hatsu often truly reflects a person’s personality and their deepest inner desires. For instance, Chairman Netero desired to surpass his own limits, which granted him the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, a striking speed that defies physical laws. Or take Biscuit, who possesses a young girl's heart and hates her muscular "gorilla" form; she gained the Magical Esthetician - Cookie-chan and the ability to maintain a loli form long-term.

Without a doubt, "Decay" was an exceptionally terrifying rule-based ability. Had Gyro not lacked rigorous training, making him completely inept at direct combat, and had he not awakened his Nen so recently that he lacked the time for deeper development and tactical planning, killing him would have been a significant ordeal.

Having uncovered the truth behind Gyro’s power, Allen, with Baise’s cooperation, quickly fulfilled all the prerequisites for seizing the ability. He ended the life of this anti-human tyrant with a final punch.

When the Red Dragon finished devouring the soul, Allen immediately manifested a large mass of the black viscous liquid. Feeling the terrifying power contained within, he couldn't help but sigh softly. "What a frightening ability. It’s a good thing this guy didn't escape back into the human world; otherwise, the trouble would have been immense."

"Oh? Truly?" Hisoka arched an eyebrow, sounding skeptical.

"If you don't believe me, feel free to test it," Allen said, making a "help yourself" gesture.

Hisoka, ever the man of action, immediately activated his Nen to create a strand of Bungee Gum, flicking one end into the black liquid. In less than a second, the rubbery substance, which could support the weight of a heavy truck without snapping, turned an eerie black and shattered into segments.

Had Hisoka’s reflexes not been fast enough to sever the connection, his fingers and arm likely would have suffered the same fate.

"My, my~ This stuff really is as scary as you described. Even Nen is inevitably affected. I suppose I should congratulate you. This ability will only reach its maximum potential in your hands," Hisoka complimented with a grin.

But Allen shook his head gently. "No. You're wrong. I won't be using this ability often. Because anyone touched by it will age and die within a very short time. And aging means their Aura capacity will drop significantly, which means the quality of the 'Cocoons' they turn into will plummet..."

 

Chapter 162: Omen of the King's Birth

Running into Gyro on the road was undoubtedly an unexpected pleasant surprise. Though his status within the Chimera Ant ranks was negligible, his ability to cause all things to decay and wither was exceptionally powerful.

During the next leg of their journey, Allen conducted a series of tests using small ant scouting parties encountered while they were out hunting. He discovered that when dealing with Nen users, the viscous black liquid would first rapidly deplete the target's defensive Aura. Only after the Aura was completely exhausted would the liquid begin to cause physical aging and death.

Since the essence of Nen is life energy, a body protected by it can temporarily resist the invasion of the power of decay. While this meant its immediate lethality was far lower than when used against objects or non-Nen users, its strategic significance in actual combat was much higher.

According to his calculations, once a target was touched by the black liquid, it took only a few seconds to drain a standard soldier ant with a capacity of roughly 10,000. For an Officer with over 50,000 Aura, it took about thirty seconds.

Moreover, this substance could serve as a defensive measure, absorbing almost any form of impact. It was the ideal shield. If used to create a sealed space, one could stand at the center of a massive explosion without fear of injury; in fact, one wouldn't even feel the resulting shockwaves or air pressure.

While Allen’s mind was occupied with how to further develop this power, three familiar figures suddenly appeared on the road ahead: Chairman Netero, Morel, and Knov.

They looked disheveled and exhausted, lacking the high spirits they had displayed upon first arriving at the border. Even the Chairman’s clothes were tattered, evidence of an intensely fierce battle.

With a bone-jarring screech of brakes, the off-road vehicle drifted sideways, sliding several meters across the ground before coming to a steady halt. Allen was the first to hop out, asking in a half-joking tone, "Did you guys run into the Royal Guards? To end up looking like this!"

"Hahahaha! Exactly! We encountered the Royal Guards, and more than one. If Knov hadn't reacted quickly and pulled everyone into his Hide and Seek, I might have had to use that thing," Netero replied with a wide grin.

"Chairman, please be serious. This isn't a laughing matter," Morel complained, leaning on his giant pipe.

"Indeed. We very nearly died," Knov added, adjusting his glasses.

"Taking on two Royal Guards at once? You really are as vigorous as ever, Chairman!" Allen’s face showed genuine surprise. However, considering the logically inexplicable striking speed of the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, suppressing two guards for a short time was likely well within the old man's capabilities.

Netero stroked his beard and sighed. "Yes. The physical prowess and Aura capacity of those two Chimera Ants are exactly as you described. Just standing before them makes one shudder. I can’t imagine how powerful and terrifying the King will be when he is born. It seems winning this war might depend entirely on you. After all, I’m too old; even if I use that, I can't handle three guards and a King simultaneously."

"Don't worry, leave the three guards to me. As for you, just focus on the soon-to-be-born King. Regardless of the outcome, I will wipe out every last Chimera Ant. None shall remain," Allen promised without hesitation.

"Oh? You're willing to let me have the King?" Netero’s eyes widened in surprise, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. In his eyes, Allen had always been a combat fanatic, obsessed with defeating and devouring powerful enemies to convert them into his own strength. And the Chimera Ant King was, by all accounts, the most ideal target imaginable.

The old man’s original plan was for himself and the rest of the Extermination Team to handle the Royal Guards, but now a new option had appeared.

Allen understood the Chairman's sentiment and nodded with a smile. "Of course! Since you've even prepared that, I naturally have to save the best for you. For a man pursuing the ultimate peak of martial arts, you have to challenge the strongest, don't you?"

"Hehe! You truly do understand me. To think that at my age, I can be a 'challenger' once more. Life is truly unpredictable," Netero said, his eyes gleaming with unmasked excitement.

"It’s because life is unpredictable, and no one knows what will happen next, that it’s so interesting. By the way, when do you plan to launch the general assault? Just a heads-up: I won't accept surrenders from any ants, nor will I allow these man-eating monsters to live."

Allen stated his stance clearly. He truly couldn't understand why, in the original story, the Chairman allowed ants with hands stained with human blood to surrender or even granted them amnesty to integrate into civilized society. Was it simply because the surrendering ants had developed humanity? Or because they regained human memories? Neither should be a reason for absolution.

Netero sensed this and replied with a light chuckle, "I understand your position, and I won't stop you from doing what you believe is right. As for the timing of the assault, let's set it for half a month from now. I have some business back at the Association; will you be alright handling things here?"

"No problem. During this time, I’ll do everything in my power to thin out their numbers. If the King is born, I guarantee you'll be the first to know," Allen agreed immediately.

"In that case, I can leave with a clear mind." With that, Netero turned to his assistants. "Morel, Knov, your next mission is to assist Allen. Understood?"

"Understood!"

"Same here!"

Both gave affirmative answers. They had seen Allen’s powerful presence and knew that before they arrived, this young man had already led his team against the Chimera Ants for over ten days, annihilating over a thousand ants without a single loss. His personal strength and tactical command were impeccable.

"Excellent! Then I’ll take my leave. Be careful, if the King is born earlier than expected, don't hesitate. Retreat immediately and wait for my return to devise a plan." With those final words, Netero leaped down from the heights and vanished into the dense jungle.

Watching the Chairman fade into the distance, Knov turned to Allen and asked seriously, "If you don't mind, could you share your plan? Lately, the ants have become increasingly cunning and alert. If they sense intruders within a five-kilometer radius of the hive, they immediately dispatch large forces led by Squadron Leaders, often numbering in the thousands. If a fierce battle breaks out, even the Royal Guards will deploy."

"So, they’ve suddenly become exceptionally tense lately, haven't they?" A bright light flashed in Allen’s eyes as he sensed the implication.

"Hmm, now that you mention it, they have become much more high-strung. It couldn't be..." Morel, a man who fought with his brains as much as his muscles, instantly made the terrifying connection, his face turning grim.

"Congratulations, you guessed right. In all likelihood, the gestation of the King has reached its final stage," Allen replied meaningfully.

There was no doubt. Things had reached a point where they could no longer afford the luxury of slow-paced guerrilla warfare. Before the King was born, they had to deal a blow to the Chimera Ants that they couldn't recover from, at the very least, they needed to reduce the number of Squadron Leaders to under fifteen and keep the soldier ants below two thousand. Otherwise, once the Queen died and these creatures scattered across the world as they did in the original timeline, they would pose an absolute threat to the general public.

 

Chapter 163: Frontal Assault

The birth of the King was a monumental event for the entire Chimera Ant army. The three Royal Guards, in particular, would gaze at the Queen’s growing abdomen every day, their faces blooming with irrepressible ecstasy. They were born solely to protect the King, and they were ready to sacrifice everything for him.

"How much longer do you think it will take for our King to reach full maturity?" Youpi asked without turning his head.

"Hmm, based on the current situation, probably another week to half a month. While emotionally I want the King to be born immediately, biologically speaking, the longer he gestates, the more nutrients he absorbs and the stronger he becomes. It’s quite a dilemma," Pitou replied, rubbing her chin.

Lately, she had been devouring books on biology, medicine, and chemistry, effectively becoming the chief scientific expert of the hive. She had even begun implanting devices of her own invention into the brains of captured human Nen users, turning them into absolute slaves and tools for the ants.

Youpi nodded, only half-understanding. "Another half month? In that case, I'm heading out to patrol."

Before he could take more than a few steps, Pitou turned sideways and teased meaningfully, "Patrol? I think you just want to find that old man from yesterday and have another go at him!"

"Hehehehe! Don't tell me you don't? Especially that unbelievable striking speed! I’m dying to witness it again." Youpi bared his teeth in a bloodthirsty grin.

"True. I want to see it again as well," Pitou said, her cat-like tail twitching with excitement.

As the two guards spoke, an Officer suddenly rushed in, shouting frantically, "Pitou-sama! Youpi-sama! It’s... it’s bad! That group of humans that dealt us heavy losses ten days ago is back! Just twenty minutes ago, they annihilated all our perimeter guards. Squadron Leaders Bloster and Peggy have been killed."

"What? I stationed over fifteen hundred soldiers on the perimeter, and they were wiped out in twenty minutes?" Pitou’s face registered genuine shock.

"Hmph! A pack of useless failures!" Youpi spat disdainfully.

Pitou nodded in grim agreement. "Indeed. They've disappointed me. But at least they had the backbone to fight to the last man. Summon all Squadron Leaders and Officers in the nest immediately. We cannot let these dangerous humans escape again."

"By your command!" The Officer bowed deeply and immediately activated his ability, whispering the command into the ears of every Squadron Leader.

Within five or six minutes, an elite force of two thousand Chimera Ants had assembled and began swarming toward the site of the incident.

…

Meanwhile, having just concluded a fierce battle, or rather, a one-sided massacre, Allen sat on the ground, flipping through the cards manifesting before him. He occasionally looked up to watch Vaelstrasz frolicking across the battlefield, incinerating the dying ants and swallowing their cocoons.

For the Red Dragon, this was a festive buffet. The battlefield was littered with delicious food; while the quality was slightly lacking, the sheer quantity was more than enough to satisfy her. As she feasted, her size grew at a visible rate, her crimson scales glowing brighter as she radiated the distinct majesty of a Great Dragon.

"You’re a total madman! Launching a frontal attack against fifteen hundred Chimera Ants... even Chairman Netero wouldn't draw up a plan like that," Morel remarked with a wry smile.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed a single person could be powerful enough to completely disregard numerical superiority. Due to the unpredictable nature of Nen, most users prefer one-on-one combat. But Allen? He used strategy to cluster the ants together and then, wielding his bow like a Grim Reaper from the heavens, slaughtered them all in ten minutes. No one knew what kind of abilities were imbued in that rain of arrows until it was too late.

Grim Reaper, indeed.

Allen shook his head dismissively. "No, you're wrong. It’s not that Chairman Netero couldn't make such a plan; it’s that he’s grown old. Fifty or sixty years ago, I guarantee he would have been even more reckless than me. Besides, most of these were low-level soldier ants. The number of Officers and Squadron Leaders was pitifully small."

Just as physical constitutions vary, the gap between Nen users can be more staggering than the gap between a user and a normal person. During the Chairman Election arc, Hisoka slaughtered "Third-Rate" Hunters from the Association with ease. When the Aura gap exceeds a certain threshold, even a casual strike from the stronger party results in a fatal wound. When Allen went all-out, his arrows possessed destructive power far exceeding Hisoka’s cards, easily shredding hundreds of enemies in a straight line.

"Even so, this is an incredible feat. After such a heavy blow, the ants shouldn't be so quick to send out large forces again," Knov analyzed, pushing up his glasses.

"On the contrary, I think it's more likely they’ll come straight for us," Allen countered immediately.

"Oh? Why? If the King’s gestation has reached a critical stage, shouldn't they be bunkering down in the hive?" Morel asked.

Allen held up two fingers. "First, the more dangerous the enemy, the sooner they must be eliminated, that is the ant mindset. Second, I am a thorn in their side. To ensure the King’s safety, the Royal Guards will deploy, if only to probe my strength. So, get ready. Everything before was just a warm-up. The real battle is about to begin."

Before Morel could respond, Kalluto, who had been using his paper-cutting ability to eavesdrop on the guards, approached with a tense expression. "They're coming! Two Royal Guards, twenty-five Squadron Leaders, and two thousand soldier ants!"

"I suggest we retreat and avoid this head-on clash for now," Illumi proposed tonelessly.

"Retreat? How could we retreat when things are getting interesting? Right, Allen?" Hisoka’s lips curled, his entire body radiating an intense bloodlust. The efficient slaughter from earlier had triggered his darkest impulses; he wanted to kill until he was buried in ant corpses.

"Knov, is the entrance to the Hide and Seek set up?" Allen asked without looking up.

"Yes. Per your instructions, it's placed over there. It can cover everyone’s retreat at a moment's notice and allows for the quick retrieval of those items," Knov confirmed.

Allen nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent! Since the exit is secured, let’s make a scene. If anyone can't hold their ground, retreat on your own. This time, I’m cutting their numbers by half."

As he spoke, he put two fingers to his mouth and blew a sharp whistle.

Lupos, who hadn't appeared in quite some time, manifested instantly. Curiously, the Shadow Wolf King wasn't alone. Trailing behind him was a small wolf pup with the same coat color.

After nearly two months of gestation, he had finally produced a male pup. Fascinatingly, the Hunter System seemed to treat the pair as a single unit. When summoned, they appeared together; when dismissed, they vanished together. This meant that once the pup grew up, Allen would effectively have two pets.

Chapter 164: Pitou and Youpi

"Awoooo!!!!"

A small wolf pup, covered in fluffy white fur and looking rather adorably goofy, tilted its head back and let out a howl. However, Lupos quickly swiped a paw at it, forcibly turning the howl into a series of pitiful whimpers.

Clearly, the Shadow Wolf King was quite dissatisfied with this descendant who had caused him to lose face; he even seemed a bit embarrassed and bashful...

There was no avoiding it. For any male creature, the idea of giving birth himself was a situation so unsettling it would likely be viewed as an indelible stain of shame for a lifetime. If he weren't incapable of resisting, Lupos would have had half a mind to bite his unscrupulous master to death.

"Alright, don't be grumpy. I promise there won't be a second time. Besides, the enemies we're facing this time aren't like the small skirmishes before, this is a real army."

Allen, noticing the resentful gaze, reached out and stroked his pet's head to soothe him. He didn't forget to pass the newborn pup to Knov behind him, leaving the "gatekeeper" to handle the babysitting.

He was well aware that when it came to the "Pregnancy Stones," he had indeed gone a bit too far. But at the time, for some reason, the sheer absurdity of a male creature becoming pregnant felt so amusing that curiosity drove him to perform a small experiment on Lupos.

Just as the Wolf King was looking for an opportunity to vent his inner anger and dissatisfaction, a dense mass of black dots suddenly appeared in the distant sky. There was no need to ask; these were the Chimera Ant forces flying in from the hive. Those with the ability to fly carried those without, rushing toward the location at top speed.

"My god! That number is staggering!"

Baise felt goosebumps erupt across her body, and she couldn't help but shudder.

"It looks like the elites have mobilized in full force," Morel said, standing up with a grave expression. He began rapidly creating Deep Purple Soldiers, turning some of the smoke soldiers into doubles of the other team members. Clearly, this tactical master was about to begin his micro-management again. With his support, he could enable every main attacker present to exert two to three times their normal strength.

As everyone entered combat readiness, Neferpitou, the "Catwoman" of the Royal Guards, was the first to descend from the heavens, slamming into the ground with a resounding boom and creating a massive crater.

She leisurely scanned the members of the Extermination Team before locking her eyes on Allen. Her lips curled into a smile as she asked, "You're the strongest one here, aren't you?"

"That's right. It's me." Allen nodded without hesitation.

"Hmm, compared to that old man from yesterday, which of you two is stronger?" Pitou continued to press, rubbing her chin.

"I'd say I'm probably a bit stronger. What do you think? Want to give it a try?" Allen offered a combat invitation with great interest. He could sense that the Aura of the two guards before him wasn't much lower than his own, both were over a million, making this the perfect chance to test how much his strength had truly grown.

"I’d love to!"

Pitou’s eyes widened with excitement. The muscles in her legs tensed instantly, followed by an explosion of unimaginable force. In less than a second, she lunged forward at supersonic speeds.

The next moment...

BOOM!

The two fists collided violently, erupting in a deafening roar. The terrifying shockwave and air pressure swept surrounding dirt, rocks, branches, and leaves into the air.

"Eh? You actually caught my full-strength strike! You really are strong!" Pitou retreated two steps, her face showing unmasked surprise.

Not only her, but even Youpi, who had just landed, wore a similar expression. Since their birth, the three guards had never encountered an opponent capable of rivaling them. Even when facing Netero, they could sense that the Chairman's Aura capacity was far inferior to theirs.

But this time was different. Whether in terms of Aura, physical constitution, or muscle explosiveness, Allen was not at all inferior to a Chimera Ant infused with the finest genes of countless species.

"What a pair of monsters! If it were us, we’d probably be killed in a single punch," Knov muttered to himself, wiping sweat from his cheek.

Morel agreed with a heavy nod. "Monsters indeed! In any case, stay as far away from those two guards as possible; leave them to Allen. Our mission is to draw in all the Squadron Leaders, Officers, and soldier ants."

"You handle the offense! Leave the defense to me! As long as I live, I won't let a single person get hurt," Bodoro promised, holding up his two shields.

"Hahahahaha! Now this is the ultimate battlefield and stage! Come! Let the carnival begin!"

Accompanied by that neurotic declaration, Hisoka immediately pulled out a deck of cards and fired them at the dense swarm of soldier ants ahead. Illumi, silent as ever, frantically hurled needles imbued with Manipulation Nen, forcing the ants at the front to turn and attack their own comrades.

A tragic, large-scale war had officially begun.

Lupos, acting as battlefield support, showed no mercy. He summoned over a dozen shadow clones at once, sending them straight into the densest part of the enemy lines to self-destruct. Each blast claimed dozens of ants, and even Officers couldn't escape.

Ultimately, under Morel's cover and Bodoro's Defense of the Indestructible, the Extermination Team, despite being at an absolute numerical disadvantage, held their ground against the frontal assault of over two thousand Chimera Ants. Baise even managed to successfully control one Squadron Leader and four Officers with an Instant Lover kiss.

Watching the brutal, deadlocked slaughter on the main battlefield, Allen drew his bow and smiled at the two guards. "Since this is a race war, let’s skip the meaningless parts and use combat to decide who is right and who wins."

"Fine by me! That's exactly what I wanted to say!"

With that, Youpi leaped forward and initiated the attack. Compared to Pitou, his speed was noticeably slower, but his power far exceeded hers; every punch he threw generated immense destructive force.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

As the attacks continued, the red-skinned guard began to shift his form to launch faster and more vicious strikes. If Allen’s reaction speed hadn't already undergone a qualitative leap, he might have been pinned and beaten in a matter of minutes.

Now, however, he could not only see every attack route clearly but also dodge them with composure. Seeing this, Pitou quickly joined the fray, using her speed advantage to launch constant ambushes from the flanks.

For a time, the entire area was filled with the afterimages of the three combatants; no outsider could hope to interfere. Only the thunderous clashing of Aura upon Aura and the occasional terrifying arrow flying out broke the blur.

Any other ants that tried to get close to help were either blown apart or shredded within minutes. The arrows, in particular, created "no-man's zones" whenever they flew into the dense clusters of ants; every soldier ant and Officer in range died instantly.

Meanwhile, the Red Dragon, Vaelstrasz, took the opportunity to charge in, materializing into solid form to turn the half-dead unfortunates into cocoons and swallow them down.

 

Chapter 165: Little Ant, It Seems You Don’t Quite Understand the Situation

"Youpi! Focus on restricting his movement! Don't let him draw his bow so easily!" Pitou shouted a warning to her companion.

Just thirty seconds ago, a Thorium arrow imbued with Transmutation-type Aura had grazed her cheek. The bone-chilling frost it left behind kept her in a state of high alert. Had it struck her directly, the blood at the point of impact would likely have frozen instantly, causing the surrounding muscle and bone to lose all sensation.

"Aaargh! Dammit! That’s easier said than done! This guy’s reactions and speed are too high! I can’t land a single hit!"

As the only Royal Guard composed entirely of Magical Beast genes, Youpi was clearly not suited for complex tactical thinking. He relied entirely on his immense physique and primal instincts to fight. Unfortunately, that specific combat style was the easiest to dismantle with technique and strategy, and Allen’s style was saturated with both.

In just a few minutes, Allen had played Youpi like a fiddle. No matter how much the guard raged or how many forms he shifted into, it was all for naught. Even several concentrated Aura blasts had struck nothing but afterimages.

In this one-on-two struggle, the absolute advantage of speed and reaction time was being demonstrated to its fullest. In contrast, Pitou, the "Catwoman" who could enter a supersonic state in an instant, posed a far greater threat. She moved like an assassin prowling the edges of the battlefield, waiting for the slightest lapse in focus to launch a lethal ambush.

This is troublesome. Taking on two at once is a bit of a strain; I’ll have to use some special abilities.

After dodging another of Pitou’s sneak attacks from behind, Allen realized that without playing his trump card, the Red Dragon, it would be difficult to deal a fatal blow to Royal Guard-level Chimera Ants using only his bow.

The reason was simple: whether it was Aura Burst, Big Bang Arrow, Explosive Shot, or Tracking Arrow, any arrow imbued with high-destructive Nen required at least one to two seconds of preparation and charging.

To Youpi and Pitou, one or two seconds was an eternity. Pitou’s terrifying leg muscles allowed her to hit supersonic speeds effortlessly to dodge or interrupt him. Youpi, while appearing bulky, was remarkably fast and could alter his physiology to manifest hardened bone shields reinforced with massive amounts of Aura, tough enough to tank even a Big Bang Arrow.

Realizing this, a playful smirk suddenly crossed Allen's face.

In an instant, a monster clutching a giant scythe and shrouded in long black robes appeared out of thin air, lifting its head to reveal eyes filled with an ominous glint.

Undying Reaper, Activated!

Before the two guards could process what was happening, they discovered their limbs were no longer obeying them. Not only were they unresponsive, but under the manipulation of a mysterious force, their own body parts began attacking them.

"What is going on?! My arm is out of control!" Youpi roared, using two of his other arms to pin down the one limb that was flailing and struggling wildly. Although his Magical Beast genes allowed him to manifest six arms, meaning he didn't panic as much as a normal human would upon losing one, the situation still filled him with a primal fear of the unknown.

Similarly, one of Pitou’s legs shot upward, forcing her into a high-difficulty vertical split. In this state, let alone high-speed movement, even maintaining balance became a chore.

However, unlike the reckless Youpi, Pitou possessed superior intellect and observation. She immediately realized the reaper floating in the air was the source of the problem. Narrowing her eyes, she demanded, "This is your doing, isn't it?"

"Correct! This entity beside me is called the Undying Reaper. Anyone who makes eye contact with it, even for a tenth of a second, loses control over a part of their body. The selection is random; even I don't know which part it will seize. If you want to break free, you have to kill me, force me to retract the ability, or sever the controlled part from your body."

Allen offered this detailed explanation with a faint smile. This was one of the Vows and Limitations of the Undying Reaper: when asked about the ability, the user must provide a complete and detailed explanation. In exchange, the Reaper could affect multiple targets simultaneously.

"I see. Is this Nen too? In that case..."

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Pitou’s eyes. She swung her hand down and forcibly sliced off her own disobedient leg.

Splurt!

Brilliant blood sprayed everywhere. By severing the limb, it was no longer under the Reaper’s control. Immediately following this, she activated her own Hatsu, summoning a massive red silhouette. This silhouette connected translucent threads to various parts of her body, including the severed leg. Under the manipulation of these Nen-strings, the leg was forcibly reattached. Though the nerves, bones, and muscles remained severed, she could move it as if it were whole.

"Interesting! So that is your Nen ability?" Curiosity and surprise sparked in Allen's eyes. This was strikingly similar to the Terpsichora from the original story, yet slightly different, as the original didn't possess the specific function of controlling severed limbs so precisely.

In comparison, Youpi’s solution was more direct. Utilizing his shapeshifting power, he commanded his cells to simply re-absorb the rogue arm, shifting from six arms down to five. As long as he didn't manifest a sixth arm during the remainder of the fight, he wouldn't have to worry about the Reaper's control.

Pitou stared intently at the human youth, her voice deadly serious. "My judgment was correct. For the unborn King, you are a catastrophic threat. Today, I will eradicate that threat right here!"

"Eradicate me? Little ant, it seems you don’t quite understand the situation. Or rather, you haven't realized just how cruel and terrifying human wisdom and malice can be. In terms of efficiency in slaughter and destruction, we are the most horrific reapers in this world, second only to a few natural disasters."

As he spoke, Allen suddenly raised his hand without warning and fired a terrifying Aura blast toward the dense swarm of Chimera Ants on the nearby battlefield.

BOOM!

A flash of blinding light erupted, incinerating the ants at the front and instantly clearing a large space on the scorched battlefield.

Seeing this signal, Knov immediately activated the entrance to the Hide and Seek, retrieving several massive vats filled with chemical liquids.

Bodoro, having personally survived the battle against the mad chemist, realized instantly what was about to happen. He lunged toward the portal, screaming at the top of his lungs, "Get in! Everyone, get inside now if you don't want to die!"

At his call, even the combat-crazed Hisoka abandoned his opponent and leaped into the entrance. Once the entire team had retreated and the portal snapped shut, Allen slowly drew his bow and fired a single, lethal arrow at the chemical vats.