Chapter 188 Ant Formation × Waiting (2-in-1)
As night fell, Haze lay back on the sofa, the room shrouded in darkness.
Outside the window, the palace plaza lights flickered.
His gaze was heavy as he pondered his battle with Beyond.
Their Nen strength was similar, but their physical abilities differed greatly… It was reminiscent of Netero's fight against the Ant King Meruem: he could suppress him with Nen, but he could not break through his defenses. Vitality was directly tied to one's life energy.
Of course, the difference between his physical strength and Beyond's wasn't nearly as vast… but he still had a weakness.
In this fight, Haze hadn't used Ike's ultimate technique, Time Rift, because reinforcements had appeared. Since Beyond had stationed his forces in advance, Haze wasn't sure whether King Nasubi would join the battle as well… So, to be safe, retreat was the best option.
After all, with the national power of Kakin, using special scientific weapons would be easy.
Beyond also still had cards he hadn't played… Continuing the fight was pointless.
"My lord… your injuries…"
David knocked and entered, reminding him gently.
"It's nothing, don't worry." Haze waved his hand dismissively.
David said no more, turning and leaving, closing the door behind him.
The medical staff hired by the family only gave Haze simple treatment because his wounds were too severe. Although the blade injuries had closed, they weren't fully healed. The doctor advised him to go to a specialized hospital and rest for an extended period.
"I've got a slightly better chance of winning now…"
Haze slumped against the sofa back, staring at the dim ceiling, murmuring.
A little better… but not much.
If he could control the power of his soul enough to damage and manipulate Rice De's soul, he would be confident… Unfortunately, his Nen ability related to Thresh hadn't yet developed to that level. The methods he used on Prince Benjamin required the target to be unprepared and required extended contact with their soul.
Before gaining the ability to retaliate against Rice De, using soul manipulation would be difficult.
Not enough… He needed to keep developing.
Haze's body was wrapped in bandages, the scars from his shoulder still faintly throbbing.
Inside the wounds, remnants of Beyond's Nen lingered, still eroding his flesh.
The opponent's Nen ability the sharp aura he unleashed was no trivial matter…
To fully heal, he needed to exorcise the Nen. First, an exorcist would remove it from his body, and then he could wait for his body to recover.
But Haze didn't need to worry; he possessed the Life-Steal attribute. Over the next few days, as long as he inflicted enough damage, he could absorb life force to accelerate healing… As for the remaining Nen, it wasn't governed by any rules; it was simply Beyond's personal will, which could be neutralized.
Otherwise, he would indeed need to find a Nen exorcist.
The true power of the Kakin Empire was untouchable for now…
Fortunately, the eldest prince, Benjamin, whose soul remained imprisoned in Haze's lantern, allowed Haze to sense everything happening around him through their shared spiritual link. Naspi Grey could sacrifice the Eighth Prince and his queen, but Benjamin was different. He was exceptionally talented and, crucially, held a military position.
Haze didn't believe Grey would ignore Benjamin's death so easily.
"Among all humans in this world… the strongest in physical ability…"
Haze murmured.
Compared to Netero and Maha, Beyond was relatively young… his physical strength had barely declined. His current level exceeded Haze's expectations, yet it was still reasonable.
After all, Haze had not known Beyond's true strength.
And it was never revealed in the original story.
Aside from those two monsters, Haze couldn't think of anyone in the human world who surpassed him.
He had seen the Zodiac Dragon Potaba… His combat strength wasn't focused on physical prowess, and the same applied to Zeno Zoldyck.
After careful thought, Beyond's physique could be considered the strongest in today's human world.
Haze's physical talent was also abnormal something Netero himself admitted but compared to Beyond, he was still a step below. Without the additional attributes from his abilities, he would have no chance of confronting Beyond and would be forced to rely purely on tricks.
"Wait a bit. I'll let you live just a little longer…"
A cold glint shone in Haze's eyes.
His physical growth had plateaued, but his overall strength… had no limit.
As his attributes continued to accumulate, he would soon surpass Beyond… In terms of physical defense and Nen strength, he still had a feast awaiting him.
Chimera Ants!
Not just Beyond Kakin too!
This was only a temporary pause, not the end.
At least Haze had now gained a preliminary understanding of Beyond's strength.
Next time… he would be the hunter.
…
Time passed slowly.
Two months later, deep within a mountain forest,
several black figures dashed through the sea of trees in the same direction.
Moments later, one figure leaped onto a tall branch, placing a hand on the trunk and staring out into the distance.
Several kilometers away, the dense forest shook and thundered like an earthquake, raising clouds of dust.
Cries and roars of magical beasts echoed.
"Hmm… found it. It's over there."
The person was Machi.
She pointed ahead and turned to the companions falling behind.
"Hunting magical beasts again… The captain's strength is unimaginable. In the whole Hunter world, there shouldn't be anyone who can threaten him, right? Why are we doing this… Just a warm-up?"
Anthony stroked his extravagant hair with both hands and grinned.
"I heard he was injured in the Kakin Empire recently," Feitan said gravely, cigarette dangling from his mouth. "That means there are still people in this world whose power we can't even comprehend… Even if the captain is strong, he's not strong enough to look down on the entire human world."
"No! To me, the captain is the strongest!"
Rita's eyes sparkled with admiration as she shouted.
"…Hunters… are not… invincible. The Kakin Empire… is powerful… They could have used… some large-scale weapon… internationally banned…" Gabwich stammered.
"That's possible. Otherwise… besides the Chairman, I can't think of anyone else who could hurt him."
Anthony stroked his chin with one hand and pulled out a comb with the other, grooming himself meticulously.
He was extremely particular about his hairstyle.
Over the years, the team had undergone a complete transformation. Machi was now a Two-Star Hunter, and the other four had long since become One-Star Hunters.
Their strength, experience, understanding of the Association, and knowledge of the human world had evolved greatly.
Their appearances also changed subtly. Though their personalities stayed the same, their capable, mature demeanor and resolute eyes clearly showed they had become veteran Hunters.
"Let's go."
Machi vanished into the trees.
The others followed immediately.
Moments later, they reached the battlefield.
A figure in a suit sat atop the corpse of a purple-skinned magical beast resembling a rhinoceros much larger and covered in spikes.
Machi emerged first from the forest shadows.
"Captain!" Rita followed, greeting Haze.
Feitan nodded calmly.
Gabwich stayed timid as always.
Anthony rushed forward eagerly to inspect the beast's corpse.
"Well?" Haze asked without exchanging pleasantries, jumping down with a smile and looking at Machi, the acting captain.
"About as you predicted." Machi tossed him a camera.
Haze caught it and turned it on.
It contained footage captured by several people.
Scenes of events unfolding in the Mitne Federation unknown to the outside world.
"Are we really not reporting this to the Association? This is no small matter… These ants are lifeforms far beyond humans; they're undoubtedly an invasive species! And they reproduce extremely fast… There's probably a huge colony in the area, and they prey on humans to multiply… And these ants have a clear hierarchy the higher the rank, the more dangerous."
"Still, as you instructed, we only investigated the outskirts of their territory and didn't dare go deeper…"
Machi crossed her arms, leaning against the monster's corpse, and looked at Haze.
Not even Bisky had been informed…
After years of camaraderie, she had confirmed her relationship with Haze: comrades-in-arms, sharing hardships and victories.
She also realized Haze had already guessed why she joined the team; Bisky played a role, but Haze never called her out.
Haze's contributions to the team's growth were real.
Even though he hadn't led the team in the past two years due to personal matters, without his earlier groundwork, they wouldn't be where they were now.
Machi felt becoming a One-Star Hunter had been her limit based on her original skills.
According to the Association's rules, a One-Star Hunter needs significant achievements in their field; combat strength isn't heavily emphasized.
But to become a Two-Star Hunter, one must personally train a promising young hunter into a Star Hunter… namely, Anthony and the others.
Haze gave her that recognition a great favor.
He also used Netero's connections to bring her into the Association's leadership, giving her some authority, though not at the level of the Zodiacs.
This was the normal pathway of Hunter rank advancement.
It didn't apply to Haze.
Regarding Haze's request that they carefully consider whether to go to the Dark Continent together, after some deliberation… the five's answer remained unchanged they would follow Haze.
Because of that, except for Machi, the others also focused their specializations on knowledge needed for the Dark Continent journey.
Feelings were feelings, bonds were bonds… the growth Haze brought them was undeniable.
The footage showed terrifying scenes of ants devouring human remains, people screaming in panic as they fled… Haze watched for a while before turning it off.
"They don't seem that many…"
Haze smiled slightly.
"According to the timeline you described, that number is already terrifying. And based on my investigation, as their colony structure becomes more complete, their reproduction rate will grow exponentially. It could multiply several times in under six months… Don't forget, they started with only one queen."
Machi added seriously:
"Why?"
She looked at Haze.
Although she had chosen to side with him and conceal the matter,
as a Hunter she still felt a sense of responsibility… The earlier the authorities learned of the danger, the easier it would be to handle.
Otherwise, more people would die.
The others also looked at him.
They needed a reasonable explanation.
"The Chimera Ant incident was orchestrated by Pariston and someone else… Their goal is to overthrow the Chairman, which aligns with my plan since I want to become Chairman of the Hunter Association. Also, although I have the means to bypass V5 and the Ferry Room to take all of you to the Dark Continent privately, that wouldn't be legitimate… because we'll eventually have to return. Attempting a single exploration of the Dark Continent and settling there is pure fantasy."
Haze hid nothing as he faced his teammates and explained:
"You must understand throughout human history, generation after generation of powerful individuals and entire national armies have only been able to wander around the edges of that continent. If we go, we'll need time to adapt and understand its food chain and rules… Just adapting would take years, even decades… and that's the best-case scenario."
"Look at Netero… He went to the Dark Continent in his youth, and now he's over a hundred."
"Eh?"
Gabwich blinked. "If… we come back alive, we… don't have… that much life expectancy to waste…"
"Can we… live that long?"
"Human life energy declines over time, and one's peak doesn't last long… If too much time is wasted, our strength will inevitably decline."
Machi added.
"No… There's someone who did it. He should still be alive, and he should have already passed through the 'Gate' into the central area of the Dark Continent."
"Is it that guy you mentioned, Captain? East Freecss?"
Anthony raised his eyebrows.
"Yes."
"He lived hundreds of years? Humans have that kind of lifespan?"
Feitan couldn't help asking.
"Normally, no. But the Dark Continent is very special. That land is filled with unimaginable primordial energy that nourishes all life… including a plant called Longevity Rice. Eating it replenishes vitality and extends life… In other words, as long as you have the capacity to digest it, you can live forever. Incredible, right?"
Haze explained vividly:
"The Five Great Calamities humanity encountered in the Dark Continent are actually tied to five great hopes, and Longevity Rice is one of them. V5 knows these secrets but hasn't made them public, fearing it would spark the greed of nations and undermine international treaties. Never underestimate human greed."
"Shhh that's insane!" Anthony exclaimed.
Since they had decided to go to the Dark Continent together, Haze shared his knowledge openly.
"Capable of… digesting it?"
Machi noticed the overlooked condition.
"That's right."
Haze walked under the shade of the trees, hands in his pockets.
"Why is 'ability' one of the conditions for entering the Dark Continent? Simply put, it's an energy mismatch… The Dark Continent is a plane of existence above the human world. Humans are born and raised in a world with scarce energy, making the energy of ordinary individuals extremely limited like fireflies. But lifeforms in the Dark Continent are super-primordial matter. Don't underestimate even a grain of rice; the nutrients energy it contains… an ordinary human body may not withstand."
"That's why you must undergo trials before entering the Dark Continent… You have to become the strongest in this barren land and earn your ticket to the top of its food chain. Because of the energy mismatch, its lifeforms are fundamentally different… Don't use common sense to judge the level or danger of things there based on appearance."
"Anyway, you'll understand when you get there…"
"Where did you learn all this?" Machi finally asked.
"Captain… it almost feels like you've been to the Dark Continent."
Anthony swallowed hard.
"No… how could I have been there? I just know a bit more than you."
Haze chuckled lightly.
"What's happening with the Kakin Empire?" Machi shifted the subject.
"Rice De Nitro… I fought him. He's very strong. No wonder he returned alive from the Dark Continent."
"Rice De Nitro?"
The group was shocked by the surname.
"The Chairman's son. Currently, no one in the Association knows he exists except Pariston and Linne, the senior members."
Haze explained.
"…"
"Your injury?"
"It's healed… but it took nearly two months to eliminate the Nen residue."
Haze sighed.
During that time, he hunted magical beasts primarily to heal.
Now, the improvement he gained from beast souls was insignificant.
He was also developing his Nen abilities…
to enhance Thresh.
"Seems that guy is no ordinary person…" Feitan exhaled smoke. "In all these years… it's the first time I've heard you evaluate someone like that."
"Why don't you take us there again? To kill him?" Anthony asked, eager. "Though I don't know what killing him accomplishes… If he's a nuisance, might as well remove him."
"You'll only cause trouble. Someone who can injure the captain do you really think you're qualified to fight him?" Machi mocked.
"Don't say that… We're different now. Unless we fight, who knows our level?"
Anthony smacked his tongue.
"That's right… I wonder if killing the Chairman's son would make the old man come after us… Captain, you're bold! Your relationship with Netero is already fragile… If you kill his son, aren't you afraid he'll come for you?"
"Heh."
Haze chuckled.
The group knew little about Rice De only the brief description Haze gave so their judgment was limited.
"Once I kill him, you can watch how Netero reacts."
Haze said calmly.
Their expressions shifted slightly.
They knew him too well.
Haze's confidence meant… he was absolutely certain.
"I can't miss another show like this!" Anthony whistled excitedly.
(End of chapter)