"What is in that box?"
After putting some distance between themselves and the hotel, Bodoro immediately focused on the black blast-proof container, his eyes conveying intense curiosity.
He simply could not fathom what a Single-Star Hunter like Allen could possibly need to acquire from the hands of the mafia.
"Heh-heh, trust me, you wouldn't want to know. Because what's inside is the kind of thing you'd be least interested in, and it's very, very dangerous," Allen replied, an unusual glint in his eyes.
"Oh? If you call it very dangerous, now I want to see it even more." Bodoro wasn't deterred; instead, his curiosity was piqued.
The characteristic of an Enhancer is single-mindedness. Once they become interested or curious about something, they won't easily give up until they figure it out.
"Sigh, alright. I'll let you take a look."
Allen clearly understood this point, so he sighed softly and found an empty corner to quietly open the box. Inside was a rectangular solid, about the size of a large lunchbox, with a device on the surface that resembled a trigger for an explosive.
The moment Bodoro saw the object, all the muscles in his body instantly tensed up. He lowered his voice and gasped, "Poor… Poor Man's Rose?!!"
"Exactly. The Poor Man's Rose. And this block is several dozen times the standard dosage. If it were detonated, the flames and shockwaves alone would destroy everything within one or two hundred meters, not to mention the terrifying biological toxins that would follow," Allen explained solemnly.
He had always thought that the Poor Man's Rose, regardless of its size or destructive power, should be categorized as a sort of small tactical nuclear bomb.
Because on Earth, apart from nuclear weapons, there simply was no other bomb of such a small size that could instantly release such an astonishing amount of energy.
However, after coming to this world and conducting research and study, he realized the truth was completely different from what he'd imagined.
The Poor Man's Rose is purely a chemical bomb, and the manufacturing process is incredibly simple, it doesn't require the complex and powerful industrial base needed to refine nuclear materials.
However, some of the chemicals inside are unique to the Hunter x Hunter world. Therefore, by acquiring large amounts of these few substances, thousands of Roses can be manufactured in a very short period.
The reason Allen wanted the Poor Man's Rose was twofold: partly to test how effective this thing would be when used in a dungeon, and partly to have an extra trump card by pairing it with Kortopi's ability, "Gallery Fake".
"That is a truly terrifying thing. I don't understand why you would want such a dangerous bomb. Does your strength still leave you with an enemy that requires the use of the Rose?" Bodoro asked, looking perplexed.
Allen carefully removed the Rose from the box and tucked it into his closest hip-pouch. Then, with a meaningful smile, he shook his head: "No, you don't understand. There are many more strong individuals in this world. Leaving others aside for now, just how fast is Chairman Netero's ability, the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva?"
"How fast can it be?"
As soon as martial arts and combat were mentioned, Bodoro immediately became energized.
"Beyond the limit of human vision! From the moment the ability is activated until the attack lands, it takes no more than zero point zero one seconds. In other words, it is a completely unavoidable attack," Allen stated, getting straight to the point about the Chairman's most fearsome aspect.
That's right!
An unavoidable attack!
Even the Chimera Ant Royal Guard Neferpitou, whose moving speed can surpass sound and who only needs zero point one seconds from the activation of her ability, Puppeteering, to attack, couldn't react in time.
As for the Ant King Meruem, he had to rely entirely on his own astonishing durability coupled with preemptive analysis to finally find a weakness and complete the ultimate counter-kill.
Thus, in a sense, there is absolutely no controversy in calling Netero the strongest Nen user among humans.
As the saying goes: In all martial arts, nothing is unbreakable, only speed is.
Unless one possesses the frightening defense of the Ant King, most human Nen users would be instantly smashed into meat paste under the unavoidable barrage of the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva. They would have no chance to counterattack or escape—a true one-hit kill.
Of course, the Chairman is not without flaws.
Because he uses all of his Aura to maximize attack speed, the destructive power of the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva has never been particularly strong.
At least, when consuming the same amount of Nen as Gon's Jajanken or Uvogin's Big Bang Impact, which are abilities that use charging to maximize ultimate attack power, the Chairman's attack has a significant gap in damage.
"From ability activation to attack in no more than zero point zero one seconds?" Bodoro's mouth gaped open in shock.
As a martial artist, he understood exactly what that kind of speed meant—it meant invincibility.
"Yes. Doesn't that sound terrifying? That old man has been sitting on the throne of the strongest human Nen user for decades, and no one has truly shaken his position. So never be arrogant. This world is much vaster and much more dangerous than you can imagine. So strive to become stronger. Only when you are powerful enough can you stand on high ground and see the beautiful scenery others cannot see."
As Allen spoke, he tossed the empty black blast-proof container into a trash can.
Without the Rose, the box was naturally useless.
"Standing high enough to see scenery others cannot, you say? I understand. I will redouble my efforts. I swear on my pride and honor as a fellow martial artist!" Bodoro clenched his fists tightly, his eyes blazing with fierce fighting spirit.
It was obvious that the Chairman Netero's invincible power had severely stimulated his competitive spirit as a martial artist.
Seeing the mix of excitement, passion, and stubborn refusal to lose on Bodoro's face, Allen revealed a satisfied smile and encouraged him: "Keep pushing. I look forward to your performance in this hunt. You should know that the Phantom Troupe is very different from the wanted criminals and Heavens Arena Floor Masters we've dealt with before. These guys are true desperadoes who treat their lives and deaths as a game from the moment they join. So, they care neither for the lives of others nor their own. This will be a battle drenched in blood and death. Either you kill them, or they kill you. There is no third outcome."
"Hahahaha! In a way, I'm the same as them. I've already died once, so why fear dying again? What's more, I've already witnessed such an interesting world of Nen. Even if I die, there will be no regrets. Of course, the premise is that I die a worthwhile death." Bodoro burst into a happy, loud laugh.
"Yes… If you've already died once, what is there to fear?" Allen murmured, narrowing his eyes.
An uninformed person might think he was merely repeating the other man's words, but in reality, he was speaking about himself.
Because in a sense, Allen is also someone who has died once. His fear of death is far less intense than that of most people, and he is mentally prepared for the day he will die at the hands of some unknown enemy.
After all, in this world, no matter who you are or how strong you may be, you are always both a Hunter and prey.
No one can be a Hunter forever. When you hunt others, you naturally become a target for others to hunt.
It is cruel, but it is also fair.
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You can read the ahead chapter on Patr-eon if you're interested: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]