The two clashed relentlessly, exchanging blows in the most direct and brutal way possible—fist against flesh, power against power.
Throughout the battle, Meruem had come to a realization.
"This human's physical level… it's probably not weaker than mine anymore."
After absorbing his Royal Guards and gaining their abilities, the Ant King had not only increased his strength but also refined his body to its peak. His power came from the essence of the strongest members of the Chimera Ant species. But this human… how had he managed to reach such a level?
Just as confusion flickered in Meruem's mind, a massive, all-too-familiar figure materialized behind Ronnel.
That towering, golden Guanyin statue.
With an arsenal of techniques, skills, and abilities at his disposal, Ronnel had been pushing himself to the limit, wielding the puppet's abilities to battle the Ant King head-on.
"That's the power of that old human…?"
The thought barely took form in Meruem's mind before he was sent flying again—just as he had been when he fought Netero.
The difference this time? Both the power of Hundred-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva and Meruem's own strength had grown far beyond what they once were.
BOOM!
The moment Meruem crawled out of the crater, a sharp, devastating hand chop slammed down on his head again.
And so, the cycle repeated—again and again.
Ronnel, borrowing Netero's puppet, had reconstructed Hundred-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, forcing Meruem to endure relentless attacks, just as before.
Of course, Ronnel wasn't reckless enough to attempt Zero Hand. That ultimate technique, which condensed all his life energy into a single all-or-nothing strike, would leave him completely drained. It wasn't an option—not yet.
He still had plenty of fight left in him.
But after enduring countless blows, Meruem's patience finally snapped.
"I don't like repeating myself. And I definitely won't suffer the same attack twice!"
With that declaration, he intercepted Ronnel's next strike mid-air, knocking aside the hand poised to hammer his skull. Then, with a sudden surge of energy, something shifted.
A pair of fleshy, pink wings erupted from his back, propelling him high into the sky.
Ronnel narrowed his eyes. "Is that Youpi's body morphing ability?"
He dismissed the Guanyin statue with a flick of his wrist. Hundred-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva wasn't suited for aerial combat.
For most opponents, that wouldn't be a problem. But against the Ant King? That was an entirely different story.
Meruem had inherited Youpi's Metamorphosis and Shaiapouf's Spiritual Messaging, allowing him to reshape his form beyond ordinary humanoid limitations. His new wings granted him complete aerial freedom, along with even greater mobility.
And in the sky, Meruem's deadliest weapon wasn't just his hands—it was his tail.
Fighting him on the ground was one thing. Fighting him in the air would be much harder.
Ronnel had never obtained Youpi's Metamorphosis. Unlike the Royal Guard, whose genetic makeup fused various monstrous creatures, Ronnel's body—no matter how enhanced—was still fundamentally human.
Even Meruem, despite absorbing Youpi, hadn't undergone grotesque mutations. He'd merely gained a pair of functional wings. He wasn't covered in eyes or sprouting extra limbs like Youpi had.
But while Meruem now ruled the skies, Ronnel wasn't completely without options.
DADA-DA-DA-DA-DA!
A barrage of bullets tore through the air. Behind Ronnel, Franklin's phantom flickered into view, his Gun spewing deadly firepower.
Meruem twisted mid-air, dodging the hail of bullets with fluid grace.
Ronnel frowned. His initial plan had been delayed.
Given Meruem's durability, if Ronnel wanted his Aura of Death and Corpse Poison to be most effective, he needed to strike all at once—hitting with overwhelming force rather than scattering weak attacks.
But with Meruem soaring high above, that window of opportunity was gone.
During their battle, Meruem had likely realized that Ronnel's poison was his next move, and he'd been keeping his distance ever since. This avoidance had ironically given Ronnel a chance to keep using Hundred-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, forcing the Ant King to take constant damage.
Every time Meruem closed in for an attack, a crushing fist awaited him.
Both fighters had already sustained considerable injuries.
The outside world had no idea just how vicious their battle truly was.
Though their wounds had mostly healed, exhaustion was beginning to creep in.
FWOOSH!
High in the air, Meruem nimbly dodged another bullet, crossing his arms as he looked down at Ronnel.
"Is there anything else you haven't tried yet?"
Ronnel grinned, dismissing Franklin's phantom.
"Why don't you come down here and find out?"
Meruem's eyes gleamed.
Throughout this battle, he hadn't just been fighting—he'd been learning. Every moment, every clash, every new ability Ronnel revealed, Meruem absorbed it all at a terrifying speed.
Combat experience. Combat technique. Combat intellect.
He was evolving, refining his skills with every exchange.
At first, he'd believed that defeating the Golden Colossus had been Ronnel's strongest trump card.
But now, it seemed there was still more.
Meruem hovered silently for a moment before slowly descending.
His rapid growth came at a cost: every time Ronnel unveiled a new ability, Meruem suffered the consequences.
So far, none of those injuries had been severe enough to truly threaten him. But the accumulated damage… was adding up.
Even so, none of Ronnel's abilities had truly worried him.
All but one.
That poison.
Meruem wasn't afraid for himself. He was confident he could neutralize its effects.
But what about…
Komugi?
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)