Chapter 184

"Hey, you two.

When the ability is resolved, use 'Zetsu' immediately. Please."

I sat next to Mr. Uranus, and the two Chimera Ants sat side-by-side on the sofa opposite us. Yes, changing seats was the right thing to do.

"Sorry...

Understood. We will do it immediately."

"No..."

It was refreshing, no matter how you looked at it.

I mean, both of them had plenty of Nen users around. I was looking for signs in advance, but I hadn't noticed him hiding in the restroom. Damn, the true identity of the discomfort was these two...

"Um... Mr. Uranus, it's this."

Mr. Uranus beside me scratched the back of his head.

"Yeah. Alright, let's start from the beginning.

First, after I talked to you..."

--The boy explains--

Uranus's story can be summarized as follows.

After leaving the Association following our chat, I got lost and happened to run into these two Chimera Ants in the shopping district.

Mr. Uranus easily saw through a Nen Ability that shouldn't have been seen through, and the Chimera Ants contacted him, saying they couldn't just throw it away.

Even though we Exchange information, Mr. Uranus didn't know about the Giant Chimera Ants at first.

I didn't really understand after listening to their explanation, so I looked it up on the Hunter website.

It seems he learned various details, and I also got involved in the subjugation of the Giant Chimera Ants.

"So...

These two are most likely runaway Chimera Ants."

Aside from me, the three of them answered silently. Are you sure?

"..."

Since their hoods were pulled down, I could clearly see their appearance. The female was a humanoid chameleon. As for the other, at first glance, he was a boy who seemed to have no issues, but scales were growing on his wrists and arms, visible from his sleeves.

Currently, there are only two types of Giant Chimera Ants in existence.

A Chimera Ant that surrendered to Netero and is under strict surveillance in a remote area.

A Chimera Ant that continues to run away.

"Really...

I'm glad I didn't meet you in NGL. Running away quickly was the right decision."

The female chameleon Chimera Ant let out a sigh.

"Is that so.

... If I had met him on the way to the subjugation, I would have killed him without hesitation."

I will tell you in a humble way.

... I was there, after all. Chimera Ants that think like humans.

"Don't hesitate, alright.

I'm telling you, it's really hard for you."

"..."

If it weren't for Gon and the others, even if I had survived, I probably would have developed a mental illness. It was a battle with an aftertaste that lingers. How many lives did you reap? Of course, if I hadn't killed them... more people would have been killed...

"... Alright, if you're willing, I'll confess how it will end.

I am the former Squadron Leader Meleoron. I am recovering the memories of my past life, when I was still a human."

Squadron Leader. Looking at the aura displayed just now, it was certainly that much... no, it seemed even stronger than that. I remember I was a human before... hmm?

"... Who is that person?"

"Seam, my brother.

In other words, this child is not a simple Chimera Ant.

A demi-human forcibly awakened by Nen and forcibly synthesized into a Chimera Ant."

"...!"

In my distant memories, something flashed by.... But I can't remember.

"... What is this, a demi-human?"

"Just as I explained, the escort troops were made on a tentative basis...

This kid himself has no intention of fighting, and it would be fine to surrender to the Hunter, but..."

It was sent to a human experimentation facility, and I finally managed to get it out."

... Who is doing this kind of thing...

I have a bad feeling. Conquering, monitoring, and isolating Giant Chimera Ants—I know that. What is the experiment? For what purpose? I can only imagine bad things.

"... You saved us, didn't you."

"Because of this."

A Chimera Ant named Meleoron was using Hatsu.... My aura began to weaken.

"... Excuse me.

I know you are holding your breath to do something, but that ability doesn't work on me—"

"... Ha. After all...

Well, I know it doesn't work on you or Soki."

I looked at Mr. Uranus. He said, "Hmm."

"This seems to be an ability that makes the opponent unable to recognize you while you hold your breath.

As for me, it seems they can recognize me just by seeing my Life Force and spiritual power, so I don't know what I'm doing."

"Me too."

"You guys, please stop... I am proud of this ability..."

Mr. Meleoron collapsed onto the table. Ah, I have already lost my confidence...

... I see. If you can manage to have no one recognize you while your ability is active, then it would be impossible for you to rescue your younger brother while escaping. I feel like I might get caught by surveillance cameras or something else. I wonder if I can keep it Hidden within a machine...

"But how did your brother hide?"

"... 【God's Accomplice】.

When 【Perfect Plan】 is activated, the person I touch can also have the same status applied. If you leave, or if I breathe, the effect disappears."

Wow. If done well, this is a quite powerful ability, isn't it?... It doesn't feel like the first time I've heard of it.

"So, what do you intend to do? Are you going to hunt us?"

"..."

Of course, I have no intention of hunting. I don't feel like I'm hurting anyone, and if it goes somewhere, I don't want to chase it. But...

"... Mr. Uranus.

Are these two people going to conquer Greed Island?"

"That is what I mean.

In order to make his escape successful, he seems to want to do something about his appearance through plastic surgery. However, thinking about it normally, it would be faster to land than to find a doctor who can do it.

I cried because I couldn't help it..."

"...'Crazy Doctor's Plastic Surgery Machine', isn't it?"

"I had no other choice."

"Hmm."

... I think this is a crime of aiding a great escape.

But, well... can't you replace your abdomen with your back? Hmm. No, is that okay...?

"It looks like this will be a dangerous bridge, so don't force yourself to cross it.

Taking these two as companions for the time being will be one of the conditions for welcoming you."

"Hmm...

Please wait a moment..."

I rubbed my forehead and thought.

If there is anything to worry about, it is understanding the Boss Attribute. Mr. Uranus is still good. He also taught me to take good care of my own life. It is unfair that I am the only one not talking, and since I entered Greed Island from the beginning, I have to tell you.

These two are the problem. Knowing the fatal weakness of the Boss Attribute... can I trust you this much? It doesn't look like you're lying... especially Mr. Meleoron, who revealed the details of his own ability...

"Uranus.

Why do you trust them?"

"Hmm?

Hmm..."

"I will leave it to you guys.

... I realized that when there are many people who can see through it, I cannot keep running away.

Feel free to boil or roast me."

Mr. Meleoron said this with a weak feeling.

"Hmm... it's Shim-kun.

You?"

"Just leave it to the young lady..."

When I looked at Mr. Uranus, he also looked back at me. With a distressed face. Maybe I have the same face...

"Then...

Even if I say I trust you here.

After we part ways, I report them, and you get caught..."

"Suit yourself.

I thought I could trust him, so I told Uranus everything.

So, I thought if Uranus was you, I could trust him, so I introduced him to us.

If I am wrong, I will give up..."

Hmm...

Considering their danger, at the very least, giant Chimera Ants are creatures that should be monitored and isolated. There should be no mistake in this realization. Well, if you show me so much humanity and tell me you have memories of a past life, I won't be able to conquer you. Considering how he reached his current position, Shim-kun is even more so.

But... when I am asked if I should hand them over to the Association if I don't subdue them, I really cannot agree.

This is the problem with the experimental facility I heard about earlier. He was supposed to surrender, so how could he be in such a place? Until that problem is solved, even if the Hunter Association is the opponent, I cannot hand them over. Before we figure out what the experimental facility is, it is better to protect it myself.

... Is there no other choice? At this moment.

If you are about to be treated as a criminal, cry to Netero or Leina. First of all, we have already taken in the murderer Mr. Genthru and his group on Greed Island. For the time being, I still want to look forward to the depth of that island.

As for how to deal with these two later, I want to see the situation up close first.

This means...

"Uranus."

"If I accept, will it be decided as a temporary member for the time being?"

"Ah, so we have four people."

"Everyone's interests are aligned."

"----'Witch's Rejuvenation Potion', 'Hormone Biscuit', 'Crazy Cosmetic Surgery Machine'."

"Aiming for these three specific rewards."

"... Yes. Are you in a hurry? I don't know what is good."

"I understand."

"I don't mind accompanying you."

"Mr. Meleoron, Mr. Shim. Thank you."

"... Can you tell me your name?"

"I already know you, but you haven't introduced yourself yet."

"I'm sorry."

"I am Hunter Aisha Koza."

"Aisha, right."

"You can call me Meleoron."

"You can call Shim whatever you like."

"I understand."

"Meleoron, Shim. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, Aisha."

"Thank you very much, Miss Aisha..."

"I'm a bit behind, having a relationship of trust. It's okay..."

Mr. Uranus was a bit confused.

"Well, that's really good."

"Can we go now?"

Arriving at the airship landing site while Meleoron and the others were hiding. There is a map on the phone you gave me.

"... Student Aisha, I want you to come with me."

"I want to check my own strength as soon as possible."

"I understand."

"Shall we go then?"

I got on the airship again and went to that rocky place. Is this a popular place? Well, this time it's not the highlands, but the ordinary rocky ground below...

The sky grew dark, and night fell. I was hungry.

Mr. Uranus and I faced each other at a certain distance.

Not far away, Meleoron and Shim were watching us.

The cherry-colored long hair and the hem of the white skirt swayed gently in the wind.

How should I put it, the atmosphere really doesn't make you feel like you can fight, right? I cannot be weak.

"Meleoron, in addition to the abilities I mentioned before, also has the ability to make his body invisible."

"Shim doesn't seem to have any special abilities. It seems that 'Ren' is the limit at most."

"... Mr. Uranus."

"Can it be explained that you will show me your abilities?"

"Hmm?"

"That is the intention, but are you not planning to show it?"

"Then..."

"I have already shown you the neutralization I mentioned just now, as well as the ability to hide Aura."

"There are no other combat abilities."

"Hmm..."

"Do you understand?"

"I have combat abilities, so I will show them."

"Before that, let's meet."

Is that what you mean...

"Because getting hurt is no fun—"

"There is no Aura, right?"

"Yes."

"Especially in your case, I must confirm how much you need to protect it per month."

"... I understand."

I hurriedly assumed the posture of the Kazama Style.

"Hmm."

"... I feel like I'm training some kind of martial art, but Shinken Ryu Fist Method... it's not like this. As far as the stance I see is concerned."

"Kimi is almost an accepting posture. It is called 'Absolute' silence, and it can be used extensively."

"..."

"It's best to take this seriously."

"As a martial artist, I would like to request a match."

"Certainly."

"Then—"

There was no stance; it was the moment he began to walk slowly.

────I quickly increased the distance. Driven by a bad feeling.

"…………"

────Can you see through the first step now? This is highly unusual...

Deep inside, Uranos was surprised. She realized that with the current gait and shift in center of gravity, she was already within reach.

I haven't put in enough Cultivation yet... I should endure a little more.

Aisha, having increased the distance, was somewhat nervous about Uranos's previous movement. Up until now, have you ever deceived someone with this kind of skill?

This was clearly not a move to close the distance. It was a way of walking that disrupts distance. An advanced technique that breaks down the back solely through step speed and stride length. The less one understands high-level counter-reception combat, the less one can do it.

Neither of them moved.

…………

"Aren't you cheating?"

"Oh no. You discovered it."

Answering Aisha's question, Uranos replied quickly while taking the first step. The two people watching from beside Fugura had no idea what they were talking about.

Because Uranos's eyes read the Flow of Life Force and Aura, Aisha felt as though she had been read just now, making it difficult to move. I thought this would be difficult, but I was deceived.

Of course, there was no doubt he would fight in the 'Absolute' state, so he did not break his word. But that was not the problem. Then this would not be a match based on raw skill.

"Ah, yes. Sorry.

I will try not to rely on my eyes."

"Although I didn't see your Aura, it's still too unfair...

Can you turn the power of those eyes on and off?"

"Let's go.

Seeing so many people makes me tired."

"Goodness...

If you are a martial artist, please read movements normally like a martial artist."

"Hey."

Uranos walked forward as if giving up. Blocking the distance.

Aisha's Finger twitched, and Uranos's center of gravity shifted slightly up, down, left, and right. Maintaining rhythm and timing with each other.

This time, I closed the distance with Aisha. I carefully approached by half a step to grab Uranos's clothing. Uranos descended for a moment and immediately got closer than before. Aisha's Finger became intricately entangled with the fabric, blocking the Throw.

Quickly, the body Fugura Uranos descended and dashed briefly. Eggplant Aisha. Uranos struck his arm Sword toward his unprotected back, cutting his torso. Tilting snack, playing vigorously. Uranos stepped on Aisha's footprints.

Aisha did not let go of the momentum of the stomp, and the back foot went soft. ──Immobile. The momentum had been stifled.

The movements of the two stopped.

"......

Enough. My loss."

"...... Is that so?"

Both stood up straight and exhaled.

"I can't, I can't, I can't. I want to dismantle it, but it's too early to rebuild it now."

"What kind of center of gravity are you moving, you..."

"I did my best on defense. The space for offense was too small. If I forced myself to attack, it would have been expected."

"...... Sim, did you understand just now?"

"Don't know."

"Me neither."

This was a state without Aura. And being careful not to hurt each other.

Uranos glanced at the two,

"She was at least a few steps ahead.

The way of walking was something I could barely counter."

"......

For some reason, I feel the movements of the upper body and lower body are inconsistent."

"That is correct.

I learned it as a physical technique that combines the power of the eyes and Nen Ability.

To put it bluntly, if there were no Aura, the upper body attacker would be zero.

I never intended to optimize my movements for unarmed fist techniques from the beginning."

"If you cultivated it into martial arts, it would be even better..."

"I don't have time. I am self-taught.

Leave me alone, I am weak, I will die, right?"

"...... That is correct."

Aisha was full of wasted thoughts. Is this also a martial legend?

After Uranos stretched out the body,

"Well, if I feel it now, I don't think I can win under the Alariru rules anymore."

The amount of Aura seems to have a huge difference...

I will show you my ability first, alright?"

"Yes.

Let's put some distance between us. I haven't finished 'Zetsu' yet.

"Now, look at your right hand."

Uranasu said this while bending his elbow and raising his right hand upward.

On his right hand, a rugged, ochre-colored fist appeared. It was less of a fist and more of a gauntlet. It made Uranasu's not-so-large hand look one size larger in armor.

When Uranasu's Transparent right hand closed, the large fist closed along with it.

"The name of this skill is 【Gigas Glove】.

You can freely manifest and retract it, and when you manifest it, you can decide on a size up to 10 stages. This is the second smallest.

The larger the size, the greater the amount of Aura, and the heavier the weight. If you retract it, 80% of the Aura is recovered.

It is difficult, so it is good for both offense and defense. It is hard to rival in terms of weight class.

You can take it out with your right hand or left hand. Both hands at the same time... it's not impossible, it's just that the disadvantages are too great. Not only will it consume Aura, but if your hands are heavy, it will also have an adverse effect on the movement of your center of gravity."

"I see...

This is basically gymnastics."

This is high-weight center-of-gravity movement based on Nen Ability. That skill is a nod to it.

"Yes.

Later, there is also a foot version of this. Using both feet at the same time is basic, so I don't use it much.

So, on the other hand, it also has high-speed movement capabilities, but it is a trump card because the Aura consumption doesn't make it any more interesting.

... Is that so?"

Uranasu erased the ability of the Nen fist. Immediately after, he reformed it into a giant fist. The size of the gauntlet was about the height of an adult man.

"This is the 8th largest, and the power is roughly like this.

... Because fragments might fly off, protect yourself with your Aura, just in case."

I walked toward the rock wall on the mountain and swung it slowly and casually.

Good heavens!!

Like styrofoam, it smashed the rock wall easily. Furthermore, even the bedrock was dug out significantly.

"I didn't use any momentum at all, did I..."

If it were just to smash it, you could do it with a fist. However, the power to scrape away the rock wall and bedrock in one sweep is not half-baked.

"Well, it's heavy.

For example, if I were to fight you, I think it's best not to use this kind of thing."

"..."

Hmm. But for an attack on an opponent who cannot move, I think it is too cruel.

Mr. Uranasu erased the gauntlet and returned here.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Uranasu.

At least on my side, I don't doubt your ability."

"Thank you.

Then, may I make a request from here?"

... I expected this.

"What do you want?"

"You know?

--Shall I show you your 'skill'?"

"Excellent...

That is correct."

"I have a certain understanding of these eyes, but I don't understand those two.

First of all, it all depends on how much of your Aura you can control."

"Yes.

... Before that, I want to explain the ability to hide the Aura I still use.

The skill name is 【Angel's Veil】.

During use, my Aura will only be perceived as the dripping state of a normal person.

No matter what kind of Aura I am in, this is the same."

"... Hmm? Hmm?"

Mr. Uranasu is strange. Hmm.

"Then...

I still feel like I can compete with my own eyes...

If I can't see the opponent's Aura, there's nothing I can do, right?"

"Initially, it wasn't made for that purpose.

As for me, there is a problem with the quality of my Aura, and it's a bit embarrassing to always use 'Absolute' or 'Hidden' to conceal it."

"... Can't you say that's a foul?"

"People often say so."

"Oh my... aside from that martial art, is that so?"

"Damn it... I don't think I can win."

"However, when using it, the consumption of Aura will skyrocket."

"... How much?"

Can I say... it... it seems like I'll be subject to Discovery even if I don't say it. Looking at you with those eyes.

"......

More than 10 times."

Meleoron and Seam were startled, Mr. Uranus exploded, "Shh!?"

Correct. I wonder if I shouldn't have said it.

"Gho, gho...

... Mom, Ji, hmm?

Will you struggle with such terrible fuel economy?

...... No. I understand, this is the magnitude of the energy.

I did well..."

I hope you agree.

"No, there is a limit.

Usually, in a battle like this, I would be knocked down within a few minutes.

Of course, you might not be like this..."

"As expected, a full-force battle for a long time is impossible.

Then let it go."

"... Yes, that's right."

Mr. Uranus let out a "Ha."

"... Then"

I have already released 【Angel's Veil】.

The released aura transformed into ominous Spirit Power, turning the Pitch Darkness air into a Mukura and dyeing it black.

I had already anticipated it, but his complexion changed, as if Meleoron and Seam were full of hair.

Mr. Uranus, probably anticipating my aura from my eyes, his expression stiffened.

"That is"

"Hmm... there are many things.

The quality of my aura has been like this since I was born."

Moreover, Mr. Uranus's expression also wrinkled.

He walked in front of me and gently touched my aura with his palm.

"... Your Life Force is exactly the opposite."

"Hmm?"

"No... what's wrong?

With your Life Force and Spirit Power, this kind of ominous omen cannot be felt at all.

That is why the quality of the aura has changed drastically, as if it had been filtered by something."

"......"

After all, when I was reborn, I don't know if it was because I inherited the Aura of the deceased. There are some things I cannot even investigate.

Mr. Uranus, stroking my palm, revealed a painful expression.

"Is that so..."

"......

Do you know something?"

If you have any knowledge about this aura, I would love to know. It is worth the risk to show it.

"No, that...

I really don't understand why the quality of the aura would change.

Just taking a bath nearby, it feels really strange..."

"Then...

For anyone other than me, continuing to bathe in this aura is not good for the body and mind.

If you feel uncomfortable, then that's it."

"... Wrong"

"?"

I don't understand why Mr. Uranus would reveal a sad expression.

Looking into my eyes.

"This kind of aura is... thoughts accompanied by negative emotions.

Usually, you would convey your feelings to someone.

I hate him, I hate him, I want to kill him... a kind of resentment, which further strengthens my Ten."

"That..."

I wondered. I had a bad feeling.

"Maybe... I think I wasn't aware of this.

I was worried about whether I should say it, but honestly, I am sorry for leaving you alone."

"Uh..."

Mr. Uranasu's eyes are terrifying. A chill slides down my spine.

... No. I don't know, but please don't tell me...

His fists are clenched tightly, my Qi slipping away through the gaps.

"... I'm sorry.

To say things that hurt you.

This evil thought... is not directed at anyone.

----It suits you."

"Hm?"

What are you talking about?

"............

You hate yourself..."