That wisp of black gas was as conspicuous as a firefly in the night to Muheer and the others.
The black gas left Botobai's corpse and drifted toward Golem.
Watching that wisp of black gas, Muheer and the others all wore grave expressions.
It wasn't because of the black gas itself, but rather because the tenacity Botobai displayed in the end had truly startled them.
Facing many against one, and still having seven members killed by Botobai... was this considered a win or a loss?
Thankfully, Botobai was alone...
Feeling relieved, Muheer and the others watched as the wisp of black gas seeped into the robot's cockpit.
"Resentment? ...That's only natural."
Muheer glanced at the body lying on the ground.
He knew this was Post-Mortem Nen from Botobai. He had seen this phenomenon quite a few times.
After all, the Stonewall Squad was different from ordinary Nen Users. They were active on battlefields for years, and the frequency of fighting Nen Users far exceeded that of regular Pro Hunters.
Killing many enemies, they inevitably encountered grudges from those who died with grievances.
"Are you okay, Golem?"
Following routine, Muheer offered a friendly inquiry.
Inside the cockpit, a short-statured figure was silently looking down at their right palm.
After a moment, they lowered the hand and replied, "Minor issue. Resentment of this intensity doesn't even warrant finding an exorcist to resolve."
Muheer lightly patted the cockpit, suggesting, "For safety's sake, we should find Curly to handle it after the battle."
"Okay."
Curly was a Hunter of ancient texts but also a half-baked exorcist.
In Muheer's view, Curly should be more than capable of exorcising Botobai's Post-Mortem Nen.
Although that resentment might not have any effect on Golem, leaving it alone would still feel unpleasant.
So, he advised Golem not to take it lightly. Even though Golem didn't think it was a big deal, as long as it wasn't troublesome, they wouldn't refuse.
Having successfully eliminated a formidable foe, the Stonewall Squad was clearly much more relaxed.
Under permissible conditions, they still hastily buried their sacrificed comrades, and also did the same for Botobai's body.
Even though Botobai was the enemy who killed seven of their comrades, they always respected the strong, so naturally, they didn't mind handling Botobai's final arrangements simply.
Afterward, Muheer and the group left the room.
They weren't sure about the battle situations of their other teammates, but that didn't stop them from taking on the task of mobile support.
At this moment, multiple battle zones had formed in various parts of the underground ruins.
The fighting parties were, of course, Beyond's team and the Association's team.
And that masked person of unknown identity was moving toward the depths of the underground ruins at a steady pace.
The copper mechanical lifeforms continuously spawning from outside the safe zones in the ruins couldn't hinder the masked person at all, so he didn't need to proceed step by step like humans.
He was straightforward and direct, like descending a staircase, his steps never stopping, just heading down.
Meanwhile, in a safe zone.
The sea urchin-shaped crystal hung in the air of the safe zone, with slender crystal spines of varying lengths scattered around.
Long ones reached the walls, while short ones hung in the air.
Support personnel from the Association who weren't participating in the battle were here, including Sanbica, Menchi, and Cheadle.
Morel, carrying his large smoking pipe, stood near one of the exits.
Currently, he used his smoke-formed insects to set up an airtight security perimeter in the areas outside the safe zone.
Not only that, but traps, both trigger-type and active-type, were placed at all exits.
"I wonder how the battles are going."
Morel stared intently at one of the exits.
Being here was the safest place.
With that crystal present, copper mechanical lifeforms couldn't enter the room.
So, occupying a safe point was one of the basic conditions for prolonged combat.
Basically, all the support personnel in the team were here, while all the main combatants had been deployed.
Presumably, it was the same for Beyond's side.
Waiting was dull and boring. Normally, Pyon would take out her phone to play, but she didn't.
Whether it was her mood or the atmosphere in the room, she had no interest in passing the time.
Ultimately, the death of teammates and the environment of the underground ruins affected her to varying degrees.
It was like accumulating water, slowly building up and gradually affecting her mindset.
Just then, a hand rested on her shoulder.
That hand emitted faint Nen.
Pyon suddenly stiffened, feeling as if her stuffy, constricted chest suddenly cleared up.
She turned her head and saw Saccho, giving a bitter, self-deprecating smile. "I'm almost your primary concern."
"You already are," Saccho said bluntly.
"Can't you be more tactful!" Pyon was irritated.
"Sorry, I'll pay attention next time."
"I've heard that at least three times," Pyon said helplessly.
Saccho was a Double-Star Problem Hunter, whose duty was to relieve teammates' stress and unclog their mindsets.
In the team, only Pyon needed special attention, requiring mediation from time to time.
"Something's up."
Suddenly, everyone heard Cluck's slightly tense voice.
"The recipient... is gone..."
Everyone's expressions changed, knowing what it meant for the recipient to be gone.
"Who is it?" Cheadle asked gravely.
Cluck's eyes were filled with disbelief as he said with difficulty, "It's... it's Botobai!"
The room instantly fell into dead silence.
'How could it be Botobai...?'
'Was the pressure on the front lines that intense?'
The expressions on everyone present varied.
Sanbica silently clenched her fist. She believed her Nen Abilities could have a good effect in killing enemies, but the team positioned her as support personnel, so she shouldn't step onto the front lines.
She looked at her teammates' grave expressions and said, "Perhaps we can..."
"That's the Chairman's order."
Cheadle seemed to guess what Sanbica was about to say and immediately interrupted her.
"..."
Sanbica opened her mouth but said nothing more.
Cheadle bit her thumb, a deep gloom in her eyes.
'It was already clear they were in for a prolonged battle. Why did Botobai die?'
'With Botobai's strength, even if he couldn't win, he should have been able to disengage while ensuring his life.'
'What did he encounter?'
'Could it have been Beyond?'
Cheadle couldn't figure it out.
Because she didn't know the enemy Botobai faced was a legendary mercenary squad, not a single person, or two or three.
At this point, they could only hope there wouldn't be more casualties.
The purpose of the first wave of clashes wasn't victory but gathering intelligence.
'Chairman, please don't act recklessly this time!'
Cheadle silently prayed in her heart.