The Dark Beast loomed before them like a moving mountain. It blotted out everything. Its presence alone crushed the air, corroding it into something heavy and suffocating. No one could ignore it.
"Gon. Killua. Biscuit. Ready?"
Ryker drew a slow breath. His eyes were steady.
"This time, there's no retreat."
"We've been ready," Gon said, fists clenched tight. "No matter what this thing is, we break it."
Killua's gaze sharpened.
"Even this monster isn't stopping us."
Biscuit remained silent for a moment, eyes locked onto the towering form. Then he spoke.
"This isn't just brute force."
"We need its weakness."
Ryker nodded.
"I've already confirmed it through the System."
"This isn't a living creature."
"It's a manifestation."
Killua frowned.
"A manifestation of what?"
Ryker's voice dropped.
"The Dark Continent itself."
"Negative energy given form."
"It doesn't have a true body."
"It's anchored to a core."
Biscuit's expression shifted slightly.
"So we don't just break it."
"We destroy the foundation."
"Exactly."
Ryker's eyes locked onto the massive figure.
"The core is inside it."
"As long as that exists, this doesn't end."
Gon tightened his stance.
"Then we go straight through."
Ryker moved. No hesitation. Lightning exploded around him as he launched forward. The Thunder God's Judgment Blade formed instantly. A massive arc of lightning carved through the darkness, aimed straight for the center of the beast.
Impact.
The result came immediately. A barrier. Dense. Absolute. The lightning blade struck it and stopped. A deep vibration echoed outward.
Then — rebound. Ryker was thrown back violently, crashing into the shattered ground. The force alone cracked the surrounding terrain.
"…Stronger than expected."
Ryker pushed himself up. His eyes narrowed.
"That barrier isn't static."
"It's circulating."
Gon stepped forward.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
Ryker steadied himself.
"I can see it now."
"The energy inside it is flowing."
"If we find the convergence point…"
"We break the core."
Killua stepped forward, lightning already building.
"Then I'll open the path."
"I'll draw its attention."
Ryker nodded.
"Do it."
"No mistakes."
Killua vanished. A flash of lightning tore across the battlefield as he launched himself toward the Dark Beast.
The moment he moved — the monster reacted. Darkness surged. The battle resumed.