Chapter 150: Leave the Chairman to Me
Youpi's body began to swell continuously, while grotesque faces sprouted all over his form, making him resemble a massive abomination.
As his body expanded, his aura surged wildly as well.
An extremely terrifying presence emanated from him.
We must run!
This was the only thought flashing through Kite and Morel's minds at that moment.
As professional hunters who had experienced countless life-and-death battles, they were particularly sensitive to the aura of death.
Without the slightest hesitation, they turned and fled with their respective disciples.
The next moment.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion roared through the air.
The terrifying shockwave radiated in all directions, instantly cracking the earth open as countless boulders and giant trees shattered like tofu.
The entire throne palace collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Only an enormous crater remained where it once stood.
In the distance, Kite and the others looked up to see two figures standing in the crater, barely visible through the billowing dust.
...
Hunter Principle One: Every hunter must have something they pursue.
Netero pursued the pinnacle of martial arts.
If it were merely about completing a mission, the task would have been finished the moment Netero entered the palace and met the King of Ants.
The golden dragon soaring through the sky gradually dissipated after fulfilling its purpose.
"This is a testing ground for weapons of war. Feel free to destroy it as you wish." Netero landed lightly on the boundless wilderness, smiling as he looked at the King of Ants.
But the King's response took him by surprise.
"Why must we fight?"
"Hmm..." Netero clicked his tongue, waiting for the other's explanation.
"You cannot win, so don't rush to your death." The King of Ants spoke calmly.
"How would we know without trying? I'm completely unfamiliar to you, right?" Netero joked while digging in his ear with his pinky finger. "Judging by appearances can lead to regret."
The King's expression remained serious throughout as he shook his head.
"On the contrary, you don't seem like an ordinary martial artist who can't assess the situation."
Netero glanced at the King, his smile gradually fading.
Meanwhile, the King continued: "I was born to rule this world. Initially, I thought humans were no different from livestock, but my perspective has changed now."
"I recognize that some people in this world have value in living—that girl is one example. And you give me the same impression as her. If you withdraw now, I'll spare your life."
"Is that offer only for me?" Netero spread his hands solemnly. "From that standpoint, we have nothing more to discuss."
"I truly cannot understand... Is your reason for this to protect the human species? Then my actions should actually be helping that cause."
The King continued expounding his philosophy.
"For example, your society has these boundaries called national borders that demarcate territory. Children starve to death on the right side of a border, while scum on the left control all resources while idle all day—how absurd is that?"
The King opened his right hand: "I will reorganize this chaotic world, then give everyone a world that, while not completely equal, at least lacks unreasonable disparities!"
Netero scratched his head, realizing things were deviating in unexpected directions.
"I won't deny that initially, I used power and terror to achieve my goals. But that was only to maintain order." The King clenched his fists, his expression resolute. "I've learned how to use power correctly now."
"Power should protect the weak... but only those lives worth preserving, not bully the vulnerable."
Netero was utterly astonished.
I came here to kill you, yet you're discussing ideals with me.
Unfortunately, the so-called ideal world in the King's mind was merely his own perception.
Netero looked directly at the King before him.
The King was indeed different from what he had imagined, but this ant was far from understanding the crucial point of the matter.
The King of Ants had just told Netero that he now understood how to wield power, subconsciously still viewing human society as a system where individual status is determined by fists.
Thus, he naturally regarded Netero as the highest authority among humans, which was why he opened his heart to him and spoke of his grand ideals.
In reality, however, Netero could decide nothing.
....
If there was something that couldn't be resolved, it must be because one wasn't strong enough.
Mord held a blade in his right hand, and in his left was Youpi's head.
Drip, drip...
Crimson blood dripped into the pool of blood at Mord's feet, stirring ripples one after another.
The moment after Youpi self-destructed, his body would shrink back to its original form, and that was when he was most vulnerable.
Mord seized this opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.
Though it sounded simple, almost no one could achieve it, because one had to withstand the force of Youpi's self-destruction first.
Unfortunately, Youpi hadn't found himself like in the original story, nor had he comprehended his strongest form.
But after absorbing Shaiapouf's aura, no matter what form Youpi took, it was insignificant.
Mord glanced at it and casually tossed the head aside.
"...M-Mord, are you okay?"
After the explosion's aftermath faded, Kite and the others returned to the battlefield and witnessed this scene.
For a moment, they dared not approach.
Though this man emitted no aura, for some reason, Morel and the others felt an inexplicable dread.
Gon and Killua felt the same; the Mord before them had suddenly become so unfamiliar, as if he were a different person from the one they knew.
Swallowing his fear, Kite stepped forward and asked the question above.
Mord looked up, saw Kite, and smiled, saying, "It's you guys. I'm fine."
The moment Mord spoke, the pressure on Morel and the others vanished instantly.
Gon scratched his head, puzzled, "Was it just my imagination earlier?"
"What imagination?" Mord asked with a smile.
"Just now, you seemed really scary, totally unlike the Mord I knew before. But now you're back to normal," Gon replied honestly.
"What 'before' and 'now'? You're talking nonsense." Mord flicked Gon's forehead with his finger, then turned to Kite and the others. "There's nothing left to do here. Go to the orchard in the palace garden and protect those insect eggs."
"What about the other guard?" Kite asked.
"Neferpitou is currently at Cheadle's place, treating a human. It shouldn't be over anytime soon," Mord replied.
"But what about the Chairman?" Morel pressed.
"Leave the Chairman to me."