In dire situations, he can force himself to temporarily reach an even higher level of strength by rapidly eating a large number of gems, though this boost fades after some time.
Sure enough, he has now reached the SS-level.
Larry crossed his arms and glanced at the stone giant nearby, reflecting silently.
The stone giant was just shy of SS-level, but after devouring a huge amount of gems, it temporarily hit that mark.
Although this peak wouldn't last, the power at that moment was undeniably real.
In a life-or-death battle, this could spell disaster for the opponent.
No one wants to face an enemy who recovers instantly from injury and becomes much stronger overnight.
But Larry was different from an ordinary foe, he secretly hoped Shijin would become even stronger, because that meant more experience points to gain.
The difference between the top of S-level and the lowest SS-level might seem small, but it's actually as vast as heaven and earth.
It's a realm even the ant king, who devoured three guards, hasn't reached.
This shows just how terrifying the power at this level is.
Shijin's choice was bold and decisive.
Realizing he couldn't gain the upper hand in the fight, he played his trump card to turn the tide.
With his numerous strange knives and teleportation skills, even if he couldn't win outright, Tyranitar wouldn't be able to finish him quickly either.
Both of them were top S-level fighters with unique abilities, making for a tough match.
Now... it was time for Larry to claim the largest amount of experience points yet.
He fixed a cold gaze on Shijin.
Among the entire stone giant race, the most important targets were the three golden giants, which he'd already dealt with.
The remaining "main course" had been prepared and was just waiting for his Pokemon to move in.
Gaining SS-level experience points like this was an opportunity he couldn't ignore.
Meanwhile, Shijin had no idea that Larry was already plotting his next move.
Ging was still basking in the thrill that came with his newfound strength.
Suddenly, his power surged like a rocket, skyrocketing in an instant.
It was exhilarating, no doubt, but also dangerous, easy to lead someone into overconfidence and pride.
Watching the changes in himself, Ging's eyes grew distant as his hands slowly stretched out before clenching into fists.
With a loud "Bang!", without even exerting much effort, his clenched fists shattered the air with a sonic boom.
Feeling the immense aura coursing through his body, Ging had never been so captivated by strength before.
Power always tempted him, but never as strongly as now.
Having attained this level, he realized this strength was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
It wasn't just more power; it was like entering a whole world.
"Is this... a more advanced form of our clan's power?" he whispered to himself, staring at his dazzling aura.
Then a wild grin spread across his face.
"Of course! Our clan might not seem strong to others, but I'm different. As the leader, I'm a unique existence, meant to surpass everyone else!"
At that moment, he was completely drunk on power, the majestic aura surging wildly within him.
Slowly opening his eyes, Ging turned toward Tyranitar, who stood opposite him, then glanced back at Larry and the others behind.
A sly smile curled his lips as he said, "I already gave you a chance. If you'd handed over what I wanted honestly, I would have let you go.
But you're too short-sighted to see the gap between us."
His tone dripped with disdain.
To him, Larry and the others were nothing but insignificant obstacles, easily wiped out with his current strength.
Talking to them now was already a favor, a mercy granting them more time to live.
Still, he knew this power was temporary, a fleeting gift that would fade away after some time.
But Ging was confident that this time, it had enough.
Larry asked calmly, "So, if we had handed over the things, you would have just let us go?"
Ging paused for a moment, then broke into a flashy smile and laughed loudly.
"Hahaha, you're clever," he said. "But no, even if you handed over the items, I wouldn't let you go!"
He continued, his tone turning sharp.
"You broke all the way into the heart of my tribe, and you still think you can walk away unscathed? That's impossible!"
At that moment, Ging dropped any pretense.
Facing these enemies who seemed doomed, he saw no point in hiding anything, because they were about to die.
With that, Ging stepped forward, each footfall steady and firm, radiating steady confidence.
Ging strolled forward with a relaxed, almost casual gait, resembling an old man taking a peaceful walk in the park.
But strangely, his steps didn't stir a single thing around him.
Normally, each step he took left footprints, and the ground would tremble slightly under his weight.
Yet now, despite his continued movement, the dust on the ground remained completely still, as if...
He hadn't moved at all.
Larry's eyes narrowed as he watched Ging approach Tyranitar step by step, surprise flickering across his face.
This didn't make any sense.
Even a small mouse scurrying across the ground would cause some disturbance, let alone someone like Ging with his physique and weight.
But here, not even a wisp of dust shifted.
'Could this be due to some special ability? Or perhaps a change that comes after reaching SS-level?'
Larry leaned toward the latter explanation.
He hadn't paid much attention before, but now he realized that his fantasy beasts and divine beasts showed similar traits; they seemed to minimize their impact on their surroundings, almost as if they weren't moving at all.
Focusing intently, Larry kept his eyes on Ging, who pressed forward calmly, step by step.
Meanwhile, a faint distortion twisted beneath his feet.
"Huh?"
Ging suddenly stopped, a moment of confusion flashing in his eyes as Tyranitar vanished not far away.
The situation felt eerily familiar, just like when it first appeared, now it disappeared without any explanation.
Ging frowned, frustrated, as if trying to punch through cotton with no solid target.
He'd just been thinking about retaliating for the injuries he'd suffered, but the opponent had simply vanished into thin air.
'How is that possible? I want revenge.'
Scanning the area, Ging narrowed his eyes and fixed his gaze on Larry.
"Hey! Where did that giant beast go just now?" he demanded.
"Call it out!"
With each word, Ging's aura grew heavier, causing the air around them to thicken and stagnate.
What had looked like a leisurely old man's walk moments ago now transformed into the presence of a hellish demon, radiating a terrifying, oppressive aura.
Though he had no proof, Ging couldn't shake the feeling that the giant beast and this mysterious creature were connected in some way.
Now that it had reached this level, it could sense more things, including this so-called "connection."
What Ging didn't realize was that this "connection" was actually the Larry between a mind power user and their nen best.