The page suddenly turning black represented that someone had died at that moment.
"Botobai."
Law looked at the pitch-black page for a moment before closing the book.
"What?"
Hearing Law suddenly utter Botobai's name, Biscuit felt puzzled, as did the others.
Law dismissed the book and explained, "Just now, Botobai died."
Everyone was startled upon hearing this.
'Botobai was known as the hunter whose strength was closest to Chairman Netero's. How could he be dead?'
"How did he die?"
Shiro was shocked; the question slipped out without thought.
"I don't know."
Law shook his head. The book could only indicate when someone previously recorded on its pages had died.
As for how Botobai died, he wanted to know even more than Shiro.
Ging's eyes showed contemplation as he said gravely, "The Association's team is also on the Dark Continent. They might have encountered danger."
Law looked at Ging and asked, "Do you have a member list for the Association's operation this time?"
Ging shook his head. "No, but the members of the Zodiacs should all be there."
A flicker of worry passed deep in Biscuit's eyes. "The Association's mission is to kill Beyond Netero, right?"
Law and Ging exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously.
Coming to the Dark Continent this time, their goal differed from the Association's, so they hadn't gotten involved.
Now, news of Botobai's death suddenly arrived, and they didn't know what the situation was with the Association team.
One must know, Botobai was a top-tier Enhancer. Even he had unfortunately sacrificed his life, so the situation for the rest of the Association team might be very dire.
No one spoke. The wind was blocked by the Domain, and it was silent on Kuro's back.
After a moment, Law looked at Biscuit and comforted her, "Don't worry. Netero takes this operation very seriously… he must have selected many elites."
"I know. But Botobai's strength was greater than mine. If even he..." Biscuit couldn't hide the heaviness in her tone.
She was from the Shingen-ryu school. Although she was a Transmuter, her skills and physical constitution perfectly matched the characteristics of Enhancer.
However, a Transmuter is still a Transmuter. Facing an Enhancer, the body aspect is still at a disadvantage.
So, in terms of combat power, she was inferior to Botobai.
"I don't know what they encountered there. But they made their choice to set foot on this land with resolve, and we... are the same."
"..."
"Worrying about it unilaterally is of no benefit to us," Knov reminded.
Biscuit glanced at him and continued to remain silent.
As an old-timer on the team, she certainly knew this.
Law gazed at the distant sky, sighing inwardly.
Even if it were a single strand of hair from Netero, if it were sealed in the book, he could perceive the general direction of Netero's location.
But the distance was vague, without a specific concept.
So, even if he could perceive the general direction of Netero's location, Law might not necessarily go looking for them.
Who knew how far apart they were? And this was the Dark Continent, not a place where one could travel freely everywhere.
The group tacitly didn't bring up the topic again.
Although Botobai's death truly... surprised them.
…
Three minutes earlier.
In that room, ravaged by intense firepower, Botobai's near-certain killing blow ultimately failed to penetrate Golem's cockpit.
If Golem hadn't conjured that military device at the critical moment, Botobai might have been able to turn the tide with that punch, potentially wiping out the Stonewall Squad.
Unfortunately, there was no if.
Golem's cheat-like Conjuration talent, combined with the three Stonewall Squad's members' fearless sacrifice, thoroughly extinguished Botobai's chance of victory.
One could say both elements were indispensable, but the Stonewall Squad achieved it.
The gun barrel swung, firing at Botobai at close range, using the impact of the Nen bullets to blast him away.
Without his companions providing [Nen Ammunition], Golem's Emission-type attacks were clearly not as powerful as before.
Botobai took a full barrage of Nen Bullets but didn't even suffer a scratch.
Nearing his end, he keenly noticed this and vaguely guessed the secret behind the Stonewall Squad's coordination.
But it was all too late.
When his punch proved ineffective, the situation had already tilted in favor of the Stonewall Squad.
Muheer and the others, seeing Golem was fine, immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
If Golem had been taken out by Botobai's punch, they would have had to consider retreating.
While Botobai was blasted away by the Nen Bullets, the remaining Stonewall Squad's members quickly gathered around Golem.
"Golem, you are simply a genius."
Muheer saw the military device Golem had conjured and immediately understood the key point. He wished he could pull Golem out of the cockpit and give them a big kiss.
However...
He glanced at the three bloody, mangled corpses and sighed inwardly.
'Well done, brothers.'
Golem stood up and also silently looked at the comrades who had given their lives, using their bodies to block Botobai's straight punch to protect them.
If they hadn't weakened part of the force, even if they had conjured the S.K. military device in time, it wouldn't have completely dispersed Botobai's punch force.
That was really close just now...
To be honest, there was also some luck involved.
If they hadn't just mastered the skill to conjure the S.K. military device, they would probably be dead now.
Without them, the Stonewall Squad might have been picked off one by one by Botobai.
Battle is just like that.
Get one key link right, and it can create a snowball effect.
Golem thought silently.
Muheer shifted his gaze to Golem's cockpit, covered in cracks, and asked, "Can you manage?"
"Yes."
Golem responded, then utilized the Conjuration mechanism. Just expending some Nen, they restored the damaged parts to a flawless state.
Thus, the Stonewall Squad was left with only six members.
Muheer signaled with his eyes for his teammates to replace the sacrificed comrades.
Soon, three teammates voluntarily jumped onto Golem's open cockpit.
Every one of them was an Emitter. Their role was to provide 'ammunition' for Golem. Combined, they could unleash firepower strikes stronger than conventional Emission-type attacks.
Not far away, Botobai steadied himself, his gaze grave as he watched the regrouped Stonewall Squad.
He finally realized the secret of how the Stonewall Squad combined Emission and Conjuration.
'What a terrifying Conjurer...'
Botobai stared fixedly at Golem, who was now intact.
That robot… no, the Nen User inside the robot, was the backbone of the Stonewall Squad.
'As long as I'm careful enough, I can create one more opportunity.'
Botobai took a deep breath. With his escape routes cut off, dragging his severely injured body, he charged towards Golem again in a roundabout way.
Unfortunately, the Stonewall Squad's professionalism was terrifyingly high. They would never make the same mistake twice, leaving no opening for Botobai.
And the injuries Botobai had sustained earlier became the last straw that broke the camel's back.
After taking out two more Stonewall Squad's members, Botobai fell unwillingly, becoming a corpse riddled with holes.
Intense resentment caused a wisp of black gas to rise from Botobai's corpse.