Gon was preparing to continue fighting him.
However, with two humans present, the Ant King decided to relocate the battlefield, leading Gon to another area.
After all, Komugi was likely still in the other party's hands.
"Sigh..."
Just as the Ant King was about to flee at high speed, a sigh suddenly sounded.
A man appeared eerily behind Gon, like a ghost...
Meruem's pupils constricted, and for the first time, surprise appeared on his face... because even he hadn't sensed anyone approaching beforehand.
The arrival was, naturally, Oboro.
He had originally planned to return to the royal palace to collect Youpi and Pouf's souls.
Absorbing Netero's soul had caused his Nen power to increase more intensely than when he absorbed Neferpitou, and his Nen abilities had undergone a certain degree of transformation as a result... delaying him for some time.
He hadn't expected Gon to actually fight the Ant King.
The commotion from their battle was too great, so he changed his route.
Oboro hadn't expected the cat-woman to be dead, yet Gon had still gone berserk... Was it an inescapable fate, or a coincidence?
Sighing, Oboro immediately inserted a finger into the back of Gon's head like a syringe.
"Tsk... even his soul is already so tattered. This is much more serious than the original fate..."
Oboro murmured softly. After speaking, his entire body instantly transformed into a soul state. Under the Ant King's gaze, dark ghost fog erupted from Oboro's body, enveloping him and Gon together.
The space they occupied, filled with extremely dense mist, was like a black hole, absorbing all the moonlight that shone down from the full moon in the sky.
A large number of ghosts, that is, post-mortem Nen, were injected into Gon's body by Oboro.
To suppress Gon's obsession!
These ghosts of his could be considered conscious, spiritual entities. Although filled with negative energy, they couldn't alleviate Gon's current 'injuries,' but they could counteract them.
It was a bit like using poison to fight poison.
If he hadn't intervened, Gon would have certainly died.
He couldn't be saved...
And there would be no room for Alluka to appear.
In this situation, if Gon died, his soul wouldn't drop anyway.
Gon's Vow and Restriction were deeply intertwined with his own soul. Despite his astonishing strength, if he died... his soul would also be annihilated.
So, for Oboro, the berserk Gon had no value.
Of course, this was just Oboro's speculation.
If only an empty shell remained, could Alluka's ability still bring Gon back to life?
In Gon's current state, only he could suppress it and preserve a wisp of his lingering consciousness, preventing his soul from completely shattering, leaving a sliver of hope for salvation.
In the entire world, no one else could save this kid.
"Ah!!!"
Suddenly, Gon let out a long roar towards the sky.
The sound was neither human nor beast-like.
The ghost fog exploded, and white light shot from Gon's eyes. A moment later, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious, and was supported by Oboro behind him.
Gon's flesh and blood were like a sponge squeezed dry, a horrific sight. His body was reduced to a mere skeleton, wrapped in a thin layer of pale skin.
His skin was wrinkled and had no elasticity.
One could even see his internal organs through his skin and flesh.
Oboro returned to his original form, the Nen aura around him dissipating... He exhaled a breath of relief.
His expression was somewhat weary.
Suppressing an obsession of this level was extremely difficult.
Fortunately, he had absorbed Netero's soul... his Nen power had increased, otherwise... he really wouldn't have been able to do it.
"Take him away."
Oboro looked at Bisky and Morel.
Oboro's appearance was like a lifeline to the near-death Bisky and Morel. They didn't have time to ponder how Oboro had survived or what he had done.
Bisky immediately rushed over, picked up Gon, nodded to Oboro, and left with Morel.
From beginning to end, the Ant King opposite them had been observing.
He did not interfere.
After Bisky and the other two left, only Oboro and Meruem remained on the scene.
"Those two ants are probably dead, and your time is running out..." Oboro looked at the Ant King and said calmly.
The Ant King remained silent.
"The poison has already begun to erode your life force. This battle will only hasten your death... If I wanted to, I could kill you."
"Indeed."
The Ant King uttered two words.
He didn't doubt Oboro's words at all.
The reason was simple: in the Ant King's eyes... Oboro's strength was superior to both Gon and Netero.
This wasn't to say Oboro possessed a more formidable physical body than Gon, but rather... the Nen ability Oboro displayed, his soul!
The uniqueness of his ability.
In other words, he was a greater threat!
In terms of physical strength alone, he was far inferior to Gon.
From the moment this human appeared in the royal palace, observed his battle with the old man, concealed himself, evaded his senses... until he revealed himself now, it indicated that this human's mind and intellect were extraordinary.
His intuition also told the Ant King that Oboro possessed the means to threaten his life.
His sudden appearance, which he hadn't sensed beforehand, also indicated that humanity's mastery of Nen was extraordinary.
Furthermore, given the Ant King's current condition, although the hope of Oboro defeating him was still slim, it was too easy for him to stall.
The so-called ability to kill him didn't mean dying at Oboro's hands.
It meant Oboro could stall for time, allowing the Ant King to eventually be consumed by the poison and lose his life force.
However, the Ant King could see that Oboro didn't want to fight him.
"Your name... is Meruem."
Oboro suddenly spoke, "It means hope..."
The Ant King's pupils dilated.
After regaining his composure, he suddenly knelt on one knee before Oboro, "Could you grant me a request... I will pay any price..."
For the supreme Ant King to be so humble, besides Komugi, there was no one else.
Before he could finish speaking, Oboro said coldly, "You are already dying... What value do you have?"
"My soul."
The Ant King suddenly said.
"…"
Oboro narrowed his eyes.
"Your goal… is my soul, isn't it?"
Hearing these words, Oboro remained outwardly calm, but his heart was turbulent. "This ant..."
"I have a way to prevent you from obtaining my soul."
The Ant King said, "However, thank you for telling me my name. Thank you, it's very important to me."
"You are not in a position to negotiate with me... because compared to your soul, Komugi is more important to you."
Oboro responded pointedly.
Meruem lowered his head upon hearing this.
Oboro had hit his sore spot...
The Ant King then lowered his other raised leg into a kneeling position, his attitude even more humble.
"Return to the royal palace, and you will see her."
Seeing this, Oboro pondered for a moment.
He immediately used the skill Teleport, and a beam of light descended from the sky, enveloping him.
He was in a hurry to get back... he wasn't sure about the time of Youpi and Pouf's deaths. If he delayed too long, their souls might disappear.
Furthermore, the Chimera Ant incident was nearing its end.
The plan was successful.
He didn't need to waste any more time on the Ant King.
Immediately after, Oboro disappeared from his spot.
His words caused the Ant King to raise his head, his eyes shining with light.
____________________
For more advance chapters visit my patreon
patreon.com/kane45
Tier: 10$ Casual Reader - +20 Advance Chapter
20$ Intermediate Reader - +40 Advance Chapter
40$ Expert Reader - +80 Advance Chapter
Update: "Monday to Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day"
"Saturday and Sunday - Off"