An enemy who should have been tough to crack was swiftly resolved by Ging in just a few moves.
It was like strategizing against a game boss… no matter how high the defense stats, finding the weakness and method led to success.
This concept, integrated into Nen Abilities, formed a terrifying effect.
This was Ging's Nen Ability. It seemed simple and clear, yet had extremely complex and diverse extended applications. He had only shown a shallow layer.
In this world, there are no perfect games, nor perfect people.
Any game inevitably has imbalances, minor bugs. Any human inevitably has flaws and strengths, things they're good at and not.
Ging's Nen involved rules and conditions, thoroughly aligning with the principles of Limitations and Vows. The more conditions and rules unfavorable to himself, the stronger the reflected effect.
His Nen had two playstyles: one for recreational, another for life-or-death.
The type he initiated against Jones was life-or-death, requiring meeting certain conditions to forcibly draw the target into a rules-based game.
He would first set one or more rules for the opponent. Based on the number and stringency of rules, a rule-based game of varying difficulty targeting himself would be randomly matched.
In that match, Ging only set one rule for Jones. The feedback was Ging needing to abide by three disadvantageous active and passive rules.
The result was Jones failing to overcome his habit of using his ability, violating the rule, and suffering death.
That method of killing, bypassing powerful defense, was, in a sense, a manifestation of rigid rules, like an unviolable divine decree.
Notably, among the rule-based games Ging had constructed so far, ranging from simple Nen Ball games to even constructing dedicated Nen Space arenas, the variety was immense, and Ging had never lost, whether in recreational or life-or-death.
He was an exceptionally talented Nen User, with observation and analytical skills considered top-tier.
Even when matched in areas he wasn't proficient in, he could win surprisingly, sometimes even learning on the spot.
As Ging turned and left, it was also when Jones fell.
By the time Ging walked a few hundred meters away, Kite had also dealt with the remaining Officer-level Chimera Ant.
Compared to Jones's strength, these two Officer-level Chimera Ants weren't on the same level.
If Kite had faced Jones, it probably would have taken a while because Enhancement-type defense could be unreasonable at times, let alone Jones's considerable Manifested Aura and physical strength.
The two walked side by side again, their figures disappearing into the wind and sand.
A day later, they arrived at East Gorteau's neighboring country… the nation of West Gorteau.
There, Law and Tonpa came to meet them. Morel, Knov, and Netero had other matters, so they weren't present.
"Slow enough."
Sitting in a shabby tavern, Law sighed softly.
Ging pretended not to hear, introducing Kite to Law while casually shifting blame onto Kite.
The gist: Because Kite was a Biologist Hunter, to have Kite help, they wasted a few days.
Regarding Ging's blame-shifting, Kite, as a disciple, dared not resist, silently bearing the blame.
"Anyway, that's the situation," Ging said seriously.
"I believe it."
Law rolled his eyes, waved for the waiter to bring a few beers, then said, "The King is born."
"How strong?" Ging's question went straight to the core.
Law thought for a moment. He initially wanted to say stronger than himself, but he felt if he faced the King, utilizing his Nen Ability's traits properly, he might not be at a disadvantage. So, at the last moment, he changed his words.
"Stronger than Netero."
He lowered his voice as if afraid Netero's keen ears might hear.
"Oh."
Ging raised his eyebrows, 'Although the Chairman's Aura Capacity was declining, he was a practical fighter. With seasoned experience complementing him, his combat ability couldn't be underestimated.'
After a moment of silence, Ging asked, "Where's the Chairman now?"
"In seclusion," Law replied.
Netero, aware of the enemy's strength, after reiterating the event's danger to V5, entrusted miscellaneous tasks to Morel and Knov. He alone found a place to enter seclusion, consolidating his essence, energy, and spirit, storing power.
"Is that so..."
Ging unconsciously pinched his chin, suddenly looking at Law. "Seems the Chairman is resolved."
Law said calmly, "Resolved or not, anyway, in the operation against the King, I don't want anyone to die."
Compared to the incoming large reinforcement team, the members actually facing the King and three Guards head-on weren't many. Besides himself, there were Netero, Morel, Knov, Tonpa, Ging, Kite… seven in total.
Regarding the matter Morel mentioned two days ago about his and Knov's disciples participating, Law rejected it, stating: insufficient strength.
To this reason, Morel and Knov didn't object. They had personally witnessed the King and three Royal Guards' aura. If the task was only containment, they might manage somewhat.
But if their disciples came, even for containment, it would basically be sending them to their deaths.
This decision wasn't wrong because, in this extermination operation, there wasn't that chameleon Chimera Ant with invisibility to assist.
Ging and Law's conversation was something Kite and Tonpa couldn't interject into, feeling a generation gap.
The waiter brought beers, placed them on the table, and left.
Ging took a big gulp of beer and asked, "So what's the Chairman's plan?"
Instead of answering, Law asked in return, "Have you ever seen Netero with blazing fighting spirit?"
Hearing this, Ging paused for quite a while, seemingly recalling and contemplating, then shook his head after a moment.
…
Hunter Association, Vice Chairman's Office.
Pariston sat at the desk, calmly staring at two landline phones on his right.
Several minutes later, one phone rang.
Pariston smiled slightly, picking up the receiver and placing it to his ear.
A middle-aged man's voice came from the other end, skipping pleasantries, getting straight to the point. "Send me the list of recommended candidates."
Pariston smiled. "No problem. It'll be in your hands in two minutes."
"Understood. If there are changes, remember to inform me promptly."
The middle-aged man hung up after speaking.
That voice sounded like the Examination Department's head who attended the meeting.
After the call ended, Pariston slowly put down the receiver, stood up, and faxed a list.
That list contained information on reinforcements for the Chimera Ant extermination operation. Eighty percent of the members were the Temp Hunters.