Chapter 557
A dark shadow suddenly shot out—it was the Fallen One: Mummified form.
However, the Fallen One's condition was clearly deteriorating. His body was tattered and covered in wounds, and even his powerful defensive capabilities could not withstand the force of Sheer Heart Attack. The attack had shattered his defensive perimeter completely.
What did that mean?
It meant that the attacks from Ron, Natsu, and Uchiha Sasuke, which had previously failed to significantly affect him, would now deal substantially greater damage. The destructive force of Sheer Heart Attack was evident in its results.
Among Ron's Nen beasts, Natsu was A-rank, Uchiha Sasuke was also A-rank, and Killer Queen was only B-rank. Yet Sheer Heart Attack had dealt more devastating damage than either Natsu's or Sasuke's attacks. At first glance, this seemed illogical, but from another perspective, it reflected the ecology of Nen users. Strength wasn't determined purely by rank.
Why was Killer Queen's Sheer Heart Attack so powerful? Because using it came with restrictions—limitations on time, limitations on aura. Additionally, Killer Queen had fewer abilities overall.
Natsu, for example, possessed many techniques—Fire Dragon's Iron Fist, Fire Dragon's Horn, Fire Dragon's Wing Attack, Fire Dragon's Roar, Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame, and so on.
Uchiha Sasuke had even more—multiple fire techniques, lightning techniques, transformation arts, genjutsu...
Killer Queen, however, had only two: First Bomb and Sheer Heart Attack.
Natsu's strongest move at the moment was Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame, a large-scale area attack, which naturally dealt less concentrated single-target damage. Sasuke's most powerful technique was Rashomon Susanoo, which emphasized both offense and defense, meaning its raw offensive power was also somewhat restrained.
That was why Killer Queen's Sheer Heart Attack appeared "stronger" in direct damage.
"Full-force assault!" Ron gave the order.
In the next instant, Natsu, Uchiha Sasuke, and Killer Queen all activated their highest-output states.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
"Explosive Nen Bullet!"
"Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Technique!"
"First Bomb!"
At the same time, a figure quietly slipped behind the Fallen One—it was Akame.
She activated In, and because Ron, Natsu, and the others were attacking with such overwhelming force, the Fallen One didn't notice Akame's approach at all.
She drew her blade, and a flash of cold light cut through the air.
"Demon Blade Murasame: One-Cut Kill."
Akame's sword pierced the Fallen One's body. A moment later, the Fallen One's expression changed drastically. "Get away!"
A massive burst of force lashed out toward Akame. But before the impact could land, Ron had already dismissed Akame's existence—she dissolved into aura and returned to Ron's body. The Fallen One's strike hit nothing.
Uchiha Sasuke took advantage of the moment to close in.
"Rashomon—Susanoo!"
A dark red giant manifested and seized the Fallen One in its grip. Natsu stepped forward, wielding a spiked bat, and with a ferocious swing, slammed it into half of the Fallen One's head.
A silent explosion erupted. Half of the Fallen One's skull disintegrated. His life force began to vanish at an accelerating pace.
Meanwhile, the Young Fallen One had fully shaken off Misty and the others. They had failed to keep up.
The Young Fallen One stopped and focused on sensing his desiccated half.
"This direction..."
"You mean it's still not over?"
"Is that kid really that difficult to kill?"
He turned and began moving toward the location of the Mummified Form.
"I don't have time to kill all of you. But one of you—I can definitely eliminate."
"Get ready to die!"
But just as he was about to arrive, the Young Fallen One sensed a change in the status of his Mummified self.
What was going on? The life force of his Mummified body was fading—had it taken a fatal blow? That couldn't be possible. How could a mere child land a killing attack on a form so hardened by time and decay? He was just a brat.
Unless... it was Linne again. Would she truly go so far as to risk her life just to strike at him? Linne... what had he done to provoke such hatred?
Why did she despise him to this extent?
His expression grew increasingly grim, and his eyes wavered with uncertainty.
He hesitated. If the Mummified Form lost its life force, it would directly impact his own body as well. Decades of preparation would be wasted.
But if he went to that location, would he risk death himself?
Soon, the Young Fallen One didn't need to hesitate any longer—Ron had already made the decision for him.
A figure shot toward him at high speed.
"Kill."
Natsu took a deep breath.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Flames swept toward the Young Fallen One. At the same time, Ron's Nen bullet attacks began to rain down.
"Gravity Game!"
With each successive attack from Natsu, thirty times the gravitational force stacked onto the Young Fallen One's body.
His condition was even worse than that of the Mummified Form. A Gourmet Hunter of A-rank had forcibly used a second Cursed Silver Coin, which had already inflicted heavy damage on him.
Now, facing Ron's full assault—even the Mummified Form couldn't endure it, let alone the Young Fallen One.
He had no means of defense.
"You little brat—!"
He was immediately engulfed. His aura weakened with terrifying speed. Life force drained away uncontrollably.
Then, another figure appeared behind him.
"Splurt!"
Akame withdrew her blade as her form began to blur and fade. The Young Fallen One whirled around, eyes wide in disbelief and burning with unwillingness.
"How is this possible?"
"I lost… to a mere kid?"
"Damn it!"
"My plan… I was so close to success!"
"Linne, even in death, I won't forgive you!"
He roared in fury.
Ron stood a short distance away, silently watching him.
"Bang!"
The Young Fallen One collapsed.
But he did not fall into the sea—instead, he landed on a sheet of ice, formed by one of Ron's frost-type Nen bullets.
A breath of relief escaped several mouths at once. The tension that had been coiled in their chests finally loosened. Even Shizuku, who rarely showed her emotions, allowed a small smile to form. Misty cheered, her voice clear over the wind, while Sally nodded with satisfaction. For a moment, it seemed the danger had passed.
Suddenly, a wave of intense killing intent surged from the Young Fallen One's corpse.