Netero could tell—the Ant King wasn't looking for a fight. Not yet.
That much was clear from the way he carried himself, and from Netero's own wealth of experience in battle.
"His position wavers between Chimera Ants and humans," Netero murmured. "And he doesn't even realize there's no middle ground. He'll have to choose."
The Ant King's demeanor, neither fully malevolent nor entirely virtuous, soured Netero's desire to fight. But that didn't matter. It changed nothing.
Even if one strayed from their path, as Jed once had, one still had to be dealt with.
Compared to past struggles, this was nothing.
The Ant King's gaze remained unwavering. So did Netero's resolve.
"No matter what choice you make, the conclusion stays the same."
...
Netero recalled the orders from the V5 before he set out for East Gorteau.
"Eliminate all Chimera Ants. Any backlash falls on the Hunter Association."
That was all the message said. And through the receiver, Netero could hear the clinking of glasses—politicians, handling mass extermination like a dinner-table discussion.
He exhaled through his nose and lowered his eyelids.
"This isn't a problem words can solve. It's best to act now—before I waver."
With that, he moved. Step by step, he walked toward the Ant King.
"It hasn't been easy for either of us, King."
The Ant King's eyes flickered at the sound of his title, though not because of Netero's words. Rather, it was the sheer weight of the aura pouring off of him—the immense mental force gathered as Netero pressed his palms together, fingers interlaced.
It was a slow motion, yet in its precision, it felt instantaneous.
As his hands clasped, the air rippled.
A golden glow burst forth.
Towering behind Netero stood a massive, multi-armed figure—a Guanyin, its countless hands extending outward in divine formation.
"100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva!"
Golden light surged, illuminating the battlefield as Netero assumed his stance.
Nen: 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva
Effect: The peak of Enhancer abilities. A massive, multi-armed Guanyin manifests behind the user, unleashing rapid, overwhelming strikes from every direction. Attacks range from Hand One to Hand Ninety-Nine, culminating in a final, devastating move.
Restriction: Each form requires a specific gesture. All attacks must conclude with the palms clasped in prayer.
Zero Hand: The ultimate move, depleting the user's entire life force in exchange for a final, absolute strike.
...
Netero widened his stance. Determination burned in his eyes as he drew back his right hand, breaking the prayer.
His movements left behind afterimages—illusions of speed.
With a sharp step forward, his hand drove downward in a powerful gesture.
"First Hand!"
The Guanyin mirrored his motion.
A golden palm, larger than life, descended like a falling mountain, crashing directly into the seated Ant King.
Boom!
The ground cracked apart.
...
At the same time, in a distant corridor, Ronnel and Meleoron moved forward. They had just set out when Netero's first strike landed.
...
A deep crater formed where the Ant King had sat. Dust swirled in the aftermath of the devastating impact.
Netero's sharp gaze pierced through the settling debris, searching for his opponent.
And then—
"Not bad. Your attack is unreadable."
From the depths of the pit, the Ant King stood. Completely unscathed.
Effortlessly, he stepped forward and sat down again, as if nothing had happened.
"Are you finished?"
His voice was calm, almost indifferent. The implication was clear—Netero's so-called ultimate attack had done nothing.
Netero's eyes narrowed.
"That durability..."
He had faced Chimera Ants before, but the Ant King was in a different league. No ordinary logic applied here.
"And he still wants to sit and talk?"
A smirk tugged at Netero's lips.
"Don't make me say it twice."
...
Their thoughts clashed in silence.
For the Ant King, Netero's palm had barely registered.
For Netero, the first strike was only the beginning.
Three Hands!
Netero's hands came together once more.
100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva: Third Hand!
Golden palms surged forward, clamping down from both sides, sealing the Ant King within an unbreakable grip.
Netero focused all his energy into the crushing force.
"I won't yield!"
His conviction burned in his eyes.
And then—
A sudden, forceful resistance.
"Huh?"
The Guanyin's grasp faltered.
Two scarlet eyes gleamed from within the golden prison.
"Do you truly seek death?"
Dark aura flooded outward, thick as tar.
With an effortless push, the Ant King pried the Guanyin's palms apart, stepping forward as if breaking free from mere paper.
Netero's pupils contracted.
As the Ant King's words resonated, he leapt back, instincts kicking in.
The real battle had begun.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)