As Youpi and Pouf's souls were fading, Oboro successfully absorbed the souls of the two ants.
Fortunately, he had left a mark, a 'marker,' in the royal palace beforehand.
He had initially thought that if Meruem were to revive and pose a threat, wanting to hunt him down… he would simply teleport away.
Always have a backup plan.
However, the variable didn't occur. The revived Meruem was indeed most concerned about Komugi and didn't want to waste time on outsiders.
By this time, several hours had passed since Gon and the Ant King's great battle.
All the members of the extermination team had left.
Oboro called Killua back and had Komugi play Gungi with the Ant King, continuing the spiritual bond between two different beings, just like in the original story.
"Komugi... are you still there?"
"Meruem... I'm here..."
"Komugi..."
"Mhm... I'm here."
Standing at the palace entrance, Oboro listened to the conversation from the room behind him, his mind at peace.
The poison within the Ant King could no longer be suppressed...
His current state was on the verge of death.
And Komugi had been by his side all along.
Oboro also sensed the changes in Komugi's aura as she played Gungi, and the girl's pure soul.
His current magic power had elevated his Nen strength to another dimension, leading to better development and transformation of his Nen abilities.
Therefore, Oboro could now sense a creature's soul through his body within a certain range... and Komugi's soul exuded a special 'fragrance.'
As for Meruem's soul characteristics... it was a simple sense of power.
The strength of his mental consciousness made his soul fire burn exceptionally fiercely.
Unfortunately, the Ant King's soul fire was flickering now, liable to extinguish at any moment.
The reason he maintained a sliver of consciousness was entirely due to a belief supporting him... he wanted to spend more time with Komugi.
Clack, clack, clack...
The sound of chess pieces falling onto the board continuously came from the room.
Fante and Anthony stood at a distance, not daring to get too close, fearing infection from the virus.
Oboro didn't stand outside the door the entire time, only occasionally coming to 'check.'
Without disturbing them.
"Captain, Ging's son... he won't die, will he?"
After a while, seeing Oboro approach, Anthony asked.
The fact that the boy could fight the Ant King was enough to shock onlookers.
"No."
Oboro replied.
Then he looked at Fante, "Give me a cigarette."
Fante was stunned.
It was the first time they had seen their captain ask for a cigarette.
Fante handed him one, and Oboro took it and lit it.
He hadn't smoked since he transmigrated, but in his previous life, he had been a heavy smoker.
He had dedicated himself to becoming stronger and cultivating, so he naturally wouldn't indulge in tobacco and had no interest in smoking.
Environment can change a person's mindset.
"It's all over."
Oboro mused inwardly as he smoked.
Next, only two issues remained.
First, the position of the Association Chairman.
Second, the Kakin Empire and Beyond.
Oboro's eyes turned somewhat cold. It was time to eliminate those who stood in his way and head to the Dark Continent.
Having reached his current level of power, he no longer needed to play mind games and schemes with those people; it was time to settle things with brute force...
To be honest, Oboro was tired.
The reason he had come this far, besides his relentless pursuit of power, was his step-by-step planning of everything.
But he himself didn't like playing mind games, nor was he as shrewd or unfathomable as some people outside thought.
It was just... he understood this world too well, and he understood these people too well.
"What's the V5's stance?"
Oboro stood on high ground, gazing at the entire royal palace.
"Their people are on their way, and they've asked us to secure the scene after the Ant King's death... and wait for them to handle it."
Anthony noticed Oboro's unusual expression and was inexplicably affected, saying solemnly.
The extermination team had all withdrawn due to Gon's situation.
The follow-up was left to Oboro and the other two.
Although the three of them hadn't participated in the mission, they were still members of the Association.
The V5 had a complete understanding of the situation.
"Handle it... meaning taking the bodies of those ants back for research, right?" Oboro said with a cold expression.
"…"
"Should we intervene?"
Fante asked.
"…"
Oboro remained silent, merely discarding the cigarette he had barely smoked.
Time slowly passed…
"Sleep well... Meruem."
"I'll be with you soon..."
After a few more hours, the Ant King finally passed away peacefully on Komugi's lap, dying in the girl's warm embrace.
His wish was fulfilled.
Oboro stood alone outside, watching the rays of sunshine from the clearing sky, listening to the sounds from the room behind him, his eyes calm and unfathomable.
He turned and entered the room, unconcerned about the infectious nature of the virus or the radiation. Short-term exposure would have minimal harm to Oboro.
At this moment, in the room, Komugi gently held the lifeless Meruem. Blood was already flowing from her nostrils, and she was about to follow the Ant King.
Hearing footsteps, Komugi looked up, a sincere smile on her face, "Thank you... Thank you, sir, for allowing me to spend this precious time with Meruem."
Komugi's eyes were blind.
But the girl seemed to understand everything.
"There's no need to thank me... I've already been compensated."
Oboro's voice was calm.
He saw the Ant King's fallen soul.
Meruem hadn't lied; he indeed had a way to prevent him from obtaining his soul, because the soul power that had dropped at this moment... was extremely potent!
Clearly, the Ant King, before his death, had held a certain will or belief that allowed his soul to remain as intact as possible... a way akin to post-mortem Nen.
This was the first time since Oboro had been harvesting souls that a living being, before death, had autonomously used consciousness or spirit to control its soul.
Terrifying!
Even though the Ant King had only encountered Oboro's Nen abilities a few times, he had already analyzed their characteristics.
Most people couldn't bind their will to their soul.
This was also a gift from the Ant King to Oboro.
A wave of ghost fog rippled out, sweeping away Meruem's soul.
Oboro didn't absorb it immediately but looked at Komugi, "Do you... have any remaining wishes or regrets?"
"No..."
Komugi shook her head, "I am already very content. I never thought someone like me could experience such happiness..."
"…"
Oboro heard this and turned to leave.
He didn't intend to take Komugi's soul.
Although it had some effect, it wasn't significant.
Moreover, Meruem had protected this girl until his death.
By offering his own soul, he hoped Oboro would not take Komugi's soul...
"Thank you again... May you have a safe journey, sir."
Behind him, Komugi politely bowed her head, paying respects to Oboro's retreating figure, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze.
A smile graced her face; she was very happy.
...
The V5 personnel had entered East Gorteau and would arrive soon.
Meanwhile, Oboro left alone. He instructed Fante and Anthony to find a place to bury the Ant King and the girl together after confirming Komugi's death.
To the V5, Komugi had no research value; they wanted the Ant King's corpse.
Upon hearing Oboro's words, Fante and Anthony were somewhat surprised.
Because doing so would surely incur the V5's questioning and wrath.
But Oboro only left one sentence.
"We've indulged them for too long... Now, there's no need to show any more pleasantries to those scoundrels."
"I... am not Netero."
____________________
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