Before they could even process what was happening, the answer revealed itself!
Boom!
A cascade of light and energy pierced through the ceiling, illuminating the grand hall below. The sheer brilliance of the spectacle left everyone momentarily stunned.
"This is... ?!"
Killua, the only one who recognized the technique, was the first to react.
"Then that means the helper Grandpa found is—"
Before he could finish his thought, two figures had already dashed forward without hesitation.
Ronnel and Gon.
Ronnel had only said one thing: "Be careful."
And that was all Gon needed to hear. He didn't care what was happening above or around him. As long as he stayed cautious, he believed he would be fine. With that simple mindset, he paid no attention to the energy raining down and followed Ronnel, charging straight toward the light barrier.
"These fireworks are way too extravagant."
Morel, finally snapping out of his daze, wiped a few beads of cold sweat from his face. Watching Ronnel and Gon rush ahead, he couldn't help but feel a deep unease.
He was worried about Meleoron and Knuckle.
The moment they left the apartment, Meleoron had already activated Perfect Plan with Knuckle. Morel was concerned that the two might get caught in the attack from above.
But in the next instant, his worries vanished.
"If you're not afraid of dying, then come at me~!"
Youpi, grinning with bloodthirsty excitement, fixated on Ronnel and Gon as they approached. Just as he prepared to swing his transformed arm—
Boom!
What?!
A sudden impact struck his waist with immense force, leaving a deep imprint in his muscles. This was no illusion—someone had landed a solid blow!
"It's him!"
Morel exhaled sharply, his thoughts suddenly clear.
"Ronnel said he's alone. That means he's the only one guarding the palace right now. The Ant King must be with the Chairman, which means—"
"Change of plans—take out Youpi first!!"
Killua had reached the same conclusion as Morel.
In an instant, white smoke and crackling electricity filled the room.
"Are there enemies I can't see?"
Youpi's mind raced after being struck. But—
"Losing focus in battle isn't smart~"
A whisper reached his ear just as another devastating punch, radiating immense Nen energy, slammed into him.
"Super Destruction Punch!"
For a brute-force fighter like Youpi, a high-impact move was far more effective than precision-based techniques. A full-powered Super Destruction Punch was the perfect weapon.
Boom!
The blow connected squarely with Youpi's chest.
His face twisted in agony as his upper body caved in under the force.
Boom!
Black-green blood splattered everywhere. Chunks of flesh scattered, causing Morel, Killua, and Knuckle—who had been preparing to attack—to freeze in shock.
Was that it?
"No, not yet!"
Knuckle, still concealed by Perfect Plan, maintained his wary stance.
Squirm...
The gaping wound on Youpi's shattered torso suddenly began writhing. The grotesque mass of regenerating flesh pulsed violently.
"Next up—Rock!"
Gon had been charging his attack since the moment Ronnel struck.
Even after Youpi's upper body was obliterated, Gon refused to relax. His eyes burned with determination as he maintained his stance.
Sure enough, Youpi wasn't going down that easily. The moment his body started regenerating, Gon had already reached maximum charge. Without hesitation, he launched his Rock punch directly at Youpi!
Boom!
Another earth-shaking impact reverberated through the hall as Youpi's lower abdomen took the full force of Gon's strike.
Having already exhausted a massive amount of energy to regenerate and defend against Ronnel's earlier attack, Youpi had no chance to fortify his lower body.
Even Morel, watching from the sidelines, felt a chill from the sheer power behind Gon's attack.
There was no question—a direct hit from Rock was just as devastating as Ronnel's Super Destruction Punch.
The sheer force sent Youpi hurtling backward, desperately trying to absorb the impact by skidding across the floor. He barely managed to stop himself before slamming into the wall. As he staggered, his body rapidly healed, reforming his upper torso.
But this time, something had changed.
Youpi's entire upper half had transformed into something monstrous.
His arms were now twisted and beast-like, his mouth had expanded into a grotesque maw filled with razor-sharp fangs, and dozens of unnatural eyes had emerged across his chest and shoulders.
He no longer looked remotely human—he was a pure, nightmarish beast.
Yet, instead of feeling overwhelmed, the extermination team felt a weight lifting off their shoulders. The tension in their expressions eased slightly.
Because Youpi's strength had visibly weakened.
Knuckle, hidden nearby, could sense it clearly.
As someone who had fought over 5,000 battles, he had developed an acute ability to measure an opponent's aura.
Before, he had estimated Youpi's Nen to be at least ten times Morel's—a staggering 700,000 aura units or higher.
But now?
At least half of that power was gone.
One more punch from Ronnel or Gon, and it would be over.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)