'Please don't let this be my last supper!'
Sweat trickled down Nique's back. He tried to keep his expression as calm and collected as possible.
Staying alive had always been Nique's primary goal.
Nique possessed a certain trait, much like some people who have a weak presence or appear very honest. Nique gave the impression of being completely non-threatening.
This trait often earned the label of 'weakling'. Its main function, if any, was to make others underestimate him.
And now, this trait genuinely helped him.
Non-threatening, harboring no malice.
Because of this, Nique had the extra time to say what he wanted. The phrase 'vegetarian' particularly highlighted the point.
Facing Nique's seemingly weak and fearful demeanor, Morel stepped forward, lifting his massive smoking pipe and resting it on Nique's shoulder.
In response, Nique completely gave up resistance, his face plastered with harmlessness.
Knov adjusted his glasses, looking at Nique, who had completely retracted his Aura into his body. He walked over, searched Nique's pockets, and pulled out several small green blades of grass covered in dust.
'So it really was...'
Not only Knov, but the others also had a flicker of surprise in their eyes.
However, with just a few blades of grass, the persuasiveness was minimal. But this Chimera Ant, combining fox and human features, indeed seemed utterly non-threatening. Simply put, he felt extremely weak.
'An Officer-level Chimera Ant? Ordinary soldier ants probably couldn't speak.'
The group speculated.
Little did they imagine Nique was a Squadron Leader-level Chimera Ant.
"Chairman, how should we handle him?" Knov's gaze remained fixed.
"Let me think."
Netero's deep gaze fell upon Nique, whose body trembled slightly, feeling the pressure between life and death.
Nique opened his mouth, intending to embellish his weakness and goodness with words. But now, he felt any more words would be useless, and he could only await their judgment.
While Netero was still pondering how to deal with Nique, Law interjected, "He has value for extracting information."
These words were like the first light of dawn, illuminating Nique's will to survive.
"Yes, yes, yes! I'll tell you everything I know, hold nothing back. So don't kill me. Besides, I don't eat meat." Following Law's words, Nique spoke rapidly, shedding his usual laziness.
At a time like this, staying lazy would really mean no salvation.
"Tell everything, hold nothing back? Including betraying your comrades?" Morel's sunglasses flashed with a glint.
"If you keep your word, it's not impossible," Nique replied honestly.
Morel's hand holding the pipe unconsciously tightened slightly.
"Morel."
Knov timely reminded Morel, then calmly looked at Nique and said flatly, "The reason Chimera Ants can communicate with us normally is because they contain human genes. You understand, right?"
"Tch." Morel snorted coldly. He despised actions of betraying comrades to survive, but he also understood Knov's implied meaning.
Humans were complex creatures. People who betray comrades to survive weren't unheard of in this world. Ironically, even Chimera Ants, who valued their colony, were influenced after fusing with human genes.
Noticing Morel's disgust, Nique earnestly explained, "Those guys all eat meat. I'm a vegetarian. I'm ashamed to be associated with them."
"..." Morel.
"..." Knov.
At that moment, Netero said, "As long as the information you provide is accurate, and you truly only eat plants, I can guarantee your safety."
"It's a deal!" Nique's eyes lit up. He had no choice anyway.
Law suddenly released his aura, saying calmly, "Let's add an insurance policy."
Everyone looked at him, including Nique.
"Insurance?"
Nique was puzzled.
The next second, his heart filled with terror as he saw that human wave a hand, summoning a longsword that slashed at him.
'Damn!'
In that moment, Nique thought he was going to die, cursing inwardly.
Then, he found his body cut in two, but there was no bleeding or pain, and he didn't die.
He was stunned, then immensely relieved.
Immediately after, profound fear surfaced on his face.
His body... had been dismembered into several pieces by this person, and then his heart was pulled out.
From start to finish, Nique's face remained dazed.
Morel and Knov were also a bit stunned, seeing Law use such a bizarre ability for the first time.
"This is your heart. Quite hard to find."
Law held Nique's heart, then sealed it into a book right in front of everyone.
"If you conceal anything, I'll know immediately. And I can crush your heart anytime. Understood?"
Nique nodded vigorously. He fully understood now: offend anyone, but not this man before him.
Thinking this, he really wanted to slap himself. He should have run earlier instead of staying to see the Queen off.
Seeing Nique's heart sealed into Law's book, Tonpa, as if recalling past events, immediately showed a look of pity in his eyes.
'Poor guy.'
Afterwards, Law restored Nique's body to its original state and had him reveal the abilities of the Squadron Leader Chimera Ants.
Lying would be detected immediately.
Law's God Hand didn't have this ability… it was just to trick Nique.
But Nique believed it, revealing everything he knew, including Selina accepting the Queen's final wish and heading east in East Gorteau, and that he himself was one of the Squadron Leaders.
Learning Nique was a Squadron Leader, Law and the others were incredulous.
'So weak...'
Nique had no reaction to this. He just appeared weak. If he really acted, instantly killing Officer-level Chimera Ants was no issue.
After hearing Nique's intelligence, unfortunately, he only knew the ability information of seven Squadron Leader Chimera Ants.
Though somewhat regrettable, having intel on seven Squadron Leaders' abilities was still a good thing.
Knov opened an entrance to Hide-and-Seek, confining Nique to the narrowest room, thoughtfully stuffing in a large handful of freshly picked grass.
After securing Nique, Netero sent the obtained intelligence back to the Association, having Beans hand it over to the Hunters arriving as reinforcements.
Since personnel selection had to pass the Examination Department's screening, it would inherently take some time. Meaning, reinforcements wouldn't arrive instantly.
Probably even after Ging arrived, the Association's reinforcements wouldn't be there yet.
To ensure Chimera Ants didn't leave the Mitene Union, Knov and Morel each recommended friends they knew to the Association.
Not only did they call for reinforcements, Law also called for more.
Previously, because the three Royal Guards were too powerful, Law didn't want to call Buhara and the others, as it was too dangerous.
Now, the scattered Chimera Ants were numerous but not as troublesome in strength, so he could call friends to help.
After handling these matters, the group of five began pursuing the Chimera Ants.
Within two days, they eliminated nearly a hundred Chimera Ants, including over a dozen Officer-level ones. However, the Chimera Ants had already scattered westward across the Mitene Union.
…
The Republic of Hass, located in the central part of the Mitene Union, had terrain similar to East Gorteau, with many rocky areas lacking vegetation.
In a desolate rocky area, wind and sand rose, obscuring two figures walking side by side.
One wore a hat and had long hair, while the other wore a headscarf and tattered robes.
Hundreds of meters ahead of them were three Chimera Ants.