Chapter 832
Sequence 1: Specter.
Ability: Intimidation.
Ron examined Rosgell.
There were visible changes. First, the fusion between Lampent and Rosgell had become more refined. Previously, it could be described as a combination—two entities bound together. Now, they had truly become one.
But the most significant transformation lay in the ability itself.
Previously, Rosgell's capabilities centered around physical combat, supported by Lampent's abilities: Oile Mist and Pain Split. Now, both of those were gone.
In their place was a new ability: Intimidation.
This did not mean that Rosgell had become weaker—far from it. He had become stronger.
Intimidation directly affected the target's soul and carried with it a host of negative side effects. Mental disruption, inhibited mobility, and widespread status suppression. A single glare was enough to make an A-rank Nen user collapse on the spot.
That was something the old Rosgell could never have done.
"This kind of ability leans toward the domain of rules. So… is that the final direction of the Sequence? To borrow rules, manipulate rules, master rules—and become the rule itself?"
Suddenly, a possibility occurred to Ron.
"If that's true, then the so-called Sequence may be a path to becoming divine."
"To become a god would mean immortality—existing beyond even the world itself. With such power, countless things become possible."
"Like traveling to other worlds."
"But even if that's not possible… just the promise of eternal life is already an overwhelming lure."
It started simply: to grow strong enough to protect himself. That had been the motivation born of fear—in a world full of monsters, assassins, and Netero, weakness invited death.
He had succeeded.
Then something changed. Strength ceased to be a mere tool and became the purpose in itself. He didn't grow stronger because danger loomed, or because someone pursued him. He did it because the act of growing felt vital. Observing his own growth each year, mastering systems, breaking through limits, assimilating power—these became his sustenance.
He found himself addicted. Not to power alone, but to the sensation of progress. To passing each threshold and finding a new self beyond it. To the subtle improvements—smoother aura flow, cleaner control, divine symbols flickering to life—that made his limbs hum with energy.
He understood the risk. This path was volatile and seductive. But he never intended to retreat.
He could not stop now. Especially not when the horizon beyond Sequence 1 beckoned, when each new step widened the gap between what is and what could be.
Power had ceased to be a tool. It had become the only logic he understood.
And watching Rosgell stabilize in his upgraded form, that conviction only reinforced.
Ron pressed his lips together. He held his gaze steady.
This was just another milepost. He would walk further.
But now, another goal had emerged before him—exploring the path of the Sequence.
"No doubt about it, Don Freecss must also be a Sequence user. And maybe… not just Sequence 1. He might be on an even higher level."
"After all, Don is well over 200 years old."
Ron's gaze shifted, sharp with thought.
"A new era for humanity is about to begin."
"Once Chimera Ant hybrids are brought to the Dark Continent, the efficiency of exploration will skyrocket. The Sequence, the Ascension Relics, the Reverse World... all of them will be uncovered."
"And once these things are found, humanity's focus will no longer be limited to ordinary treasures."
"Furthermore, anything tied to rules must carry exclusivity. In other words, the number of Sequence slots is limited. Ascension Relics are also finite. The competition will be intense."
"At that point, it will be a new era not for all humanity, but only for those who go to the Dark Continent. The human world might not change much at all at first."
"Which is why I have to act first."
"First to act, first to gain."
"But the risks are equally high."
"I'll mention it to Zeno and the others. Whether or not they want to take the risk is up to them. But there's no need to inform more people. It's enough to move slightly ahead."
"If the goal weren't so vast, that slight head start wouldn't even matter."
Ron turned his eyes to Rosgell.
"From now on, I'll call you Specter. Rosgell and Lampent are both too limiting."
"Come with me."
He led Specter to the Library Prison, planning to test the strength of his new ability.
Inside, a pair of hateful eyes glared at Ron. It was Pouf—captured by Ron during the conflict in the Republic of East Gorteau.
"How is the King?" Pouf asked coldly.
Ron looked at him indifferently. "Given the time, and the fact I'm standing here, what do you think?"
Pouf's pupils shrank. He thought of the possibility—but quickly rejected it.
"No. Impossible. Absolutely impossible!"
Ron gave Specter a signal.
"Specter—use Intimidation."
Specter took a step forward and activated his ability.
A strange, unplaceable force settled over Pouf's body. He didn't even notice it. But the effect was immediate.
His entire form crumpled into a shivering heap.
Ron couldn't help but recall Knov's reaction back when he felt the King's aura—that overwhelming collapse of composure. Pouf now looked almost identical.
But the Ant King had far surpassed even Netero in strength. Knov had only been an A-rank support-type Nen user.
Pouf, on the other hand, was S-rank. Even if his body was his main strength and his mind secondary, the fact that Specter's Intimidation could bring him to this state proved just how powerful his new ability was.
"It's clearly far stronger than Oil Mist or Pain Split."
"Very good."
"This… is the power of the Sequence."
"No wonder Rosgell was able to construct that massive Nen array covering the entirety of Minpo."
Minpo's surface area dwarfed that of Greed Island many times over.
That alone was proof that Rosgell, back then, had already surpassed Ging Freecss.
And that power had come from the Sequence.
Ron looked again at Specter.
Normally, for a Nen tool or Nen beast to grow stronger, it would require Ron to upgrade it directly—or for Ron's own level to rise.
But this time, he could feel it clearly: Specter himself now possessed the ability to grow stronger independently.
That realization made Ron genuinely excited.
It meant that he could invest less of his own energy into him, and if other Nen beasts who became Sequence users followed the same pattern, he would be free to focus more on himself.
Efficiency would increase drastically.
"But I'll only receive the next Sequence information and promotion criteria once Specter reaches the upper limit of Sequence 1."
"No way to prepare in advance."
"However, Ascension Relics can still be prepared ahead of time."
Ron left the Library Prison, leaving Specter positioned nearby.
He then turned toward the crystal sphere before him and closed his eyes.
In the next instant, a surge of aura poured into the sphere.
It quickly filled, its surface shifting in color.
"Begin."
"Construct Nen Beast."