After killing Lopez, his level rose from Lv.73 to Lv.74. This result was unexpected.
Morrow had only risen from Lv.72 to Lv.73 half a year ago after killing Illumi during the Hunter Exam. And that was after accumulating a considerable amount of experience points. This showed just how difficult leveling up had become.
Yet he never expected that the experience gained from killing Lopez would directly level him up. Although practicing Divine Script for half a year could incidentally train his aura level, Morrow had long confirmed that the experience accumulation gained through training had never been significant.
So even if Lopez's aura output level was high, the possibility of directly breaking through a level shouldn't be great. Morrow speculated that the key likely lay in Lopez's Enhancement-type willpower ability.
In the Nen ability system, Nen users sometimes experience the phenomenon of "aura fluctuation." This phenomenon often occurs due to intense emotional fluctuations, thereby stimulating aura output that surpasses their current stage. Simply put, it's like a power burst.
But Enhancers have the highest probability of this occurring. And Gon is the most prominent example from the original story.
Lopez was actually this type of Enhancer as well. Perhaps because he was aware of this aspect, he developed an ability like "Blooming Rainbow."
Under the effect of his ability, Lopez's aura output level directly broke through Lv.80, which just allowed Tree Rings to absorb more experience points. This was similar to how Gon forcibly transformed into his Adult Gon state through Vow and Limitation.
Although such bursts are temporary, if killed in that state, Tree Rings would calculate the absorbed experience based on Adult Gon's aura output level at that time. In other words, these temporary level-boosting abilities essentially represent the level the Nen user would inevitably reach in the "future." They're just using Nen abilities to take out an advance loan, temporarily swapping the "future" with the "present."
Reasoning from this perspective about the level-up cause, Morrow suddenly felt that Enhancement-type willpower ability systems still had considerable room for development. Unfortunately, his current Nen type anchor point was already between Emission and Manipulation, so trying to return to Enhancement wasn't very realistic.
Morrow's thoughts raced as he looked at Lopez lying motionless on the ground. Being able to level up so easily was an unexpected delight.
However, that the Kakin mafia had such an expert still surprised Morrow somewhat. If he knew Lopez had been walking this path for thirty years, he'd likely be even more astonished.
Common sense would suggest that a Nen user with such solid skills must be the diligent training type. But while his aura output level was quite strong, it still didn't quite match thirty years of diligent training results. Probably because his innate talent and aptitude weren't outstanding.
No matter how hard he tried, his ceiling was right there. This is one of the cruelest aspects of the Nen ability world.
Take Netero's 10,000 punches of gratitude, for example. Was it because of heart-body-united prayers and 10,000 punches that the world's strongest could be born? No. The fundamental reason was that the person was named Netero.
Morrow withdrew his gaze from Lopez's corpse. Regardless of Lopez's experiences, they had now become part of the Tree Rings' accumulated wisdom.
Surroundings. A tacit understanding-like dead silence prevailed. Everyone, whether near or far, was struck speechless with shock, their gazes fixed on Morrow.
Facing the multitude of eyes turned toward him from all directions, Morrow, though he noticed Gon and Killua inside the building, did not react to them. Instead, he looked in Morena's direction.
—--
At this moment. Nalson of the Heil-Ly Family was leading the injured Vick away from the battlefield, never expecting that Lopez, the family's strongest combatant, would be defeated so quickly.
Now, sensing Morrow's gaze shifting toward them, Nalson instantly tensed up, a flicker of fear flashing in his eyes. If even Lopez, an Enhancement specialist adept at head-on combat, had been dealt with so swiftly, what chance did someone like him, a Manipulator more inclined toward reconnaissance, stand?
If Morrow were to pursue them... The scene Nalson envisioned was undoubtedly one where he would be crushed like an insect in an instant.
The boss is already dead. No matter what, we must protect the young master. Despite the shadow of death looming so close, Nalson gritted his teeth and displayed the loyalty typical of a mafia member.
—--
Meanwhile, Morena, positioned closer to the battlefield, knew exactly what she had to do to ensure the smooth progression of her subsequent plans. At the very least, she needed to demonstrate sufficient loyalty.
Truly... overwhelmingly powerful. As Morrow's calm gaze swept over her, Morena sighed inwardly with genuine admiration.
Instead of retreating, she took a proactive step forward, a faint, unremarkable aura output slowly enveloping her body, clearly adopting a stance to cover their retreat.
Both Nalson and Vick noticed Morena's actions, but they felt no gratitude in their hearts. They only instinctively hoped she could buy them more time, ensuring their escape from this dangerous place.
Indeed. The rage ignited by Aibolan's death earlier had now been completely suppressed by fear. Even if they were to settle this score, it certainly wouldn't be now.
The surrounding Nen users on guard duty, after a brief moment of shock and silence, couldn't help but wonder how the Heil-Ly Family had managed to provoke such a monster. To the extent that he would directly assault the Ten Dons' turf.
Strictly speaking, this act was also a slap in the face to the Ten Dons. Some were curious about it. But others quickly recognized Morrow's identity.
The Shadow Beasts emerging from the building were no exception, immediately identifying the man outside as the same Morrow who had previously killed six of their colleagues. And each time, it was during this annual Yorknew Auction. It was as if he held them in utter contempt.
So when Lopez and Morrow were confronting each other earlier, they had been weighing whether to step out and assist Lopez in focusing their fire on Morrow. However, Lopez had refused outside interference, his erupting aura blatantly conveying one message: anyone who dared intervene would face his wrath.
This only deepened the Shadow Beasts' hesitation. And in just that short span of time, Lopez had been killed by Morrow.
But this was, after all, their territory, especially during the annual Yorknew Auction. If they did nothing, not only would it disgrace the Ten Dons, but it would also completely shatter their clients' trust.
Coming to cause trouble again and again... Do you really think we're just air? Maggot, the oldest and most composed man among the Shadow Beasts, was finding it difficult to suppress his anger, let alone the other new and old Shadow Beast members.
After all, the underworld valued face above all else. And Morrow kept causing disturbances during the auction, time after time.
The Shadow Beasts exchanged glances. No matter what, as the armed forces of the hosting organization, they had to step out and control the situation.
Among the Shadow Beasts present, only one person was an exception. That was Gray Snake, who had personally witnessed Meteor City being bombed.
Even without the recent battle, she knew exactly how dangerous the man standing outside truly was.
The God of Death in the prophecy poem wasn't Lopez... Gray Snake suddenly recalled the content of the prophecy poem from two days ago.
Yesterday, Owl had been responsible for receiving these Nen users from the Heil-Ly Family and had concluded that the "God of Death" might be Lopez. The basis for this judgment was Lopez's immense strength, his status as a Kakin underworld member, and this being his first time attending the Yorknew Auction.
So, with Lopez assumed to be the God of Death, some direct underworld executives, including the Shadow Beasts, had been quite polite to the Heil-Ly Family. After all, according to the prophecy poem's interpretation, as long as they didn't resist or showed appropriate weakness, they could avoid the risk of destruction.
But now it seemed the God of Death in the prophecy poem wasn't Lopez at all, it was more likely... That man outside.
Then, the ten people mentioned in the poem might not symbolize the Ten Dons, but rather correspond to them, the Shadow Beast members?
If that were truly the case, it would make sense. Because those prophecy poems were originally divinations made for the underworld executives inside the building.
Thinking of this, Gray Snake's expression grew even more solemn. Given the current situation, the wisest choice was to avoid direct confrontation with Morrow.
Otherwise, if they Shadow Beasts died, so be it, but if those influential clients inside the building came to harm... The credibility of the Yorknew Auction would completely collapse, and it might never be held again.
Compared to this worst-case scenario, face didn't seem so important anymore.
"Wait." Gray Snake suddenly spoke up.
The Shadow Beasts about to go out, hearing the clear urgency in Gray Snake's tone, instinctively halted and looked back at her, who hadn't moved from her spot.
Facing her colleagues' many gazes, Gray Snake's single eye revealed deep seriousness as she said gravely, "Haven't any of you considered the content of the prophecy poem?"
"..."
At these words, the Shadow Beasts' hearts all skipped a beat.
—--
Meanwhile. Under the night sky. Morrow glanced at Morena but didn't take further action. Instead, he turned and retrieved the Abyssal Sheath embedded in the ground.
Simultaneously, he casually formed several small Nen bullets with his hands and destroyed the Divine Script bronze plates on the ground. While doing these things, he gave Morena more time to think.
Although she had mentally prepared herself to act her part thoroughly, she couldn't afford to oversimplify things. She wasn't concerned about how badly she might be injured next, but rather whether any flaws would be left exposed.
And so, Morena suddenly stopped walking, her furious gaze sweeping over the underworld members standing around like wooden statues.
"Is this the level of security for an auction hosted by the Ten Dons?" Morena's voice was laced with suppressed fury as she snapped, "A guest was attacked, yet you all stood there like wooden stakes! Did the Ten Dons raise you useless lot just to be decorations?!"
Her angry, sharp accusations echoed through the night, but her reprimands weren't over yet.
"Especially you, the Shadow Beasts!" Morena suddenly turned, her gaze sharp as a blade piercing the Shadow Beast members inside the building, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "The Ten Dons' so-called strongest unit, scared stiff by just one person?!"
"..."
As Morena continued her tirade, not even the Shadow Beasts could ignore her words, let alone the armed gang members who had rushed back from the outer perimeter. Unless they had received a "stand down" order from the Ten Dons.
Led by Maggot, the Shadow Beasts immediately stepped forward, moving outside the main entrance. But Gray Snake swiftly moved to block them.
"I'll take full responsibility for any consequences." Gray Snake firmly declared her stance to her colleagues, then, ignoring their reactions, turned her grave expression toward Morrow ahead.
The bombing of Meteor City had left too deep an impression on her. Coupled with having just witnessed the fight between Morrow and Lopez... She still held to her earlier judgment.
The Shadow Beasts hesitated due to Gray Snake's intervention, but some of the gang members who had just returned from outside didn't hesitate to raise their guns and fire at Morrow. Their decisiveness was such that the other group of gang members who had remained on site, initially intimidated, had no time to stop them.
In an instant, gunfire filled the area. A torrent of bullets wove together into a terrifying web of firepower, sweeping toward Morrow.
Morrow didn't dodge or evade, allowing the bullets to strike his body. With his current aura output level, even without full Enhancement-type conversion, he could effortlessly block bullet attacks.
Clink, clink, clink... The bullets, deflected by his aura, fell powerlessly to the ground, producing a continuous series of crisp sounds.
Morrow steadily advanced through the hail of bullets, his gaze never leaving Morena's figure. Watching her rush toward the most densely packed area of gang members, a flicker of something unusual passed through his eyes.
By using harsh words to force the Ten Dons' subordinates into action, she could create enough cannon fodder to shield herself. This way, even if she miraculously survived serious injuries, it would appear perfectly reasonable.
Morrow saw through Morena's scheme and decided to play along. He suddenly leaped into the air, evading numerous lines of fire while rapidly forming Nen spheres in both hands.
「Shooting Star · Gemini」
Two shooting stars shot out, instantly splitting into a shower of stars mid-air, raining down like a sudden storm on the most concentrated group of gang members.
Boom, boom, boom...! Countless shooting stars exploded one after another, illuminating the night while mercilessly swallowing up gang member after gang member. Even those some distance from the blast zone were caught in the aftermath.
Shrapnel embedded itself in their bodies, blood spraying as screams erupted. Morrow didn't stop there. Before landing from his jump, he unleashed another Gemini star cluster.
After this wave of bombardment. The gang members suffered heavy casualties, and Morena was "unfortunately" severely injured in the explosions. The open ground outside the main entrance of the building was shrouded in an air so heavy it seemed to solidify.
The Shadow Beasts' expressions shifted between gloom and uncertainty. One of the newer Emission-type Shadow Beast members, already impatient by nature, could no longer restrain himself and was about to charge into the fray.
"Don't act recklessly!" Gray Snake lunged forward, pinning him to the ground with an almost brutal force. The dull thud of the impact sent a tremor through everyone's hearts.
This scene, witnessed by the guests inside the building and the others watching cautiously from the periphery, left them all stunned and incredulous. Even if the assailant was formidable, the Shadow Beasts were, after all, the Ten Dons' strongest unit, and they held an overwhelming numerical advantage.
Yet, were they truly so intimidated by a single individual that they dared not make a move?
Morrow glanced sideways at the Shadow Beasts gathered at the main entrance, who had yet to take any substantial action, and felt genuinely surprised. Had he really frightened the Shadow Beasts out of their wits?