Since reaching a pure A-level in strength, the probability of receiving rewards from Perception during battles has significantly decreased.
This might be because the opponents weren't strong enough, or perhaps because the risks in battle were too low.
So, after driving off Neferpitou, Moses hadn't even considered the possibility of receiving a reward.
'Terpsichora... what a great ability.'
His thoughts sank into the depths of his consciousness, and Moses was filled with interest in this unexpected reward.
Terpsichora was the combat ability Neferpitou had developed in the face of adversity.
The specific effect of this ability was to manifest a demon puppeteer that would control the user, allowing them to perform beyond their normal limits.
In essence, it was a self-control ability that could elevate the user's capabilities, somewhat similar to Shalnark's Auto Pilot mode.
Since this ability was developed on the spot, when Neferpitou activated it, only a red demon silhouette appeared.
What's interesting is that-
The Terpsichora Moses received from the Perception was the complete version.
Although it was a one-time use, it gave off the vibe of a pirated version outdoing the original.
'I wonder how Neferpitou would feel if I used Terpsichora in front of her before she perfected her abilities.'
'Another shock?'
'I didn't expect such a battle outcome to earn such a great reward.'
Moses withdrew from the depths of his consciousness, feeling a little emotional.
He believed that the source of this reward is that before delivering that slash, he also taken on a significant risk of death.
On the other hand, aside from Neferpitou's overwhelming strength, that slash fully demonstrated the cultivation and effort he had put in up to this point.
So much so that Neferpitou was deeply shaken.
Gathering his thoughts, Moses turned his gaze to Netero and the others.
This encounter had undoubtedly given them a firsthand experience of what a true monster was like.
"Old man, how do you feel?"
Moses pretended to be serious, which was unusual for him, and asked in a deep voice.
Before entering NGL, Moses, who knew the general plot, had thought about letting Netero mobilize as many high-level combatants as possible, rather than forming a crusade team of only a few people like in the original work.
However, at that time, he lacked the persuasive power to make Netero understand the terror of the Chimera Ants.
Now,
Since Netero had faced Neferpitou, the situation was different.
Hearing Moses's question, Netero narrowed his eyes slightly, raised his hand and stroked his beard habitually, and said in a tone that made it hard to tell whether he was being self-deprecating or serious: "Not great. That guy just now was stronger than me."
"…"
Moses sighed softly upon hearing this.
He still had some impression of Netero's words.
He recalled that it is the words Netero said when he first saw Neferpitou in the original work.
However, Netero's response was in line with Moses's expectations when he asked the question just now.
"Yeah, that guy is stronger than you, old man. If I'm not mistaken, she's probably a Royal Guard, a level above the Squadron Leaders. And judging by the Chimera Ants' development timeline, she was likely born very recently."
Moses naturally followed up on Netero's earlier statement.
He didn't care whether Netero was being serious or self-deprecating, instead he wanted to use this sentence to push Netero to reconsider his initial approach.
"Technically speaking, she's still just a 'child'!"
At this point, Moses's expression grew even more solemn, and he said, "Even a child-level Chimera Ant can be stronger than you, old man. This shows how serious the situation is, so I suggest that you quickly dispatch a group of experts."
"…"
Netero's hand, which had been stroking his beard, froze for a moment. And he looked at Moses somewhat speechlessly.
However, after the brief encounter with Neferpitou, Netero indeed needed to seriously consider the idea of urgently calling for reinforcements.
But the problem is-
In terms of top-tier experts, the Hunter Association was severely understaffed.
As for those who weren't strong enough, they weren't even worth considering.
"Morel, compared to calling for reinforcements, your arm..."
At this moment, Morel approached and looked at Moses's left arm, which was only half its original length, with a serious look.
From a strategic and big-picture perspective, having witnessed the earlier battle, Morel now saw Moses as being on the same level as Netero in terms of combat strength.
Especially after witnessing Neferpitou's strength with his own eyes, he believes that Moses's combat value is very important.
Knov also came over.
Before entering NGL, Knov did not pay much attention to Moses's support value because he was not clear about the current development status of the Chimera Ants and had a top master like Netero to accompany him.
But now, things were different!
Knov shared Morel's view, but the worst thing was that Moses had lost half an arm in the earlier battle.
"You are so powerful, but why did you give up your arm in such a situation? You don't need to do that, right? You can obviously suppress that monster. It's not worth it..."
Knov bit his thumb hard, and the way he looked at Moses, and even the tone of his voice when he spoke, all revealed strong regret and sorrow.
This member of the Chimera Ant Suppression Team, who was in charge of support tasks, had completely changed his view of Moses.
Hearing Knov's sorrowful words, Morel also felt a deep sense of regret. He suddenly turned to Moses for confirmation:
"Moses, I saw your resolve and courage in that battle, but I still don't believe you would willingly sacrifice an arm for 'a minor injury'. Was there some 'purpose' that required you to do so?"
"…"
Hearing this, Moses gave Morel a somewhat surprised look.
The other party's question of verification has already vaguely touched the edge of the truth of his Kyoka Suigetsu.
All he can say is that Morel is worthy of being the man who shined in the Chimera Ant Arc of the original work...
But even so, Moses had no intention of revealing the mechanics of Kyoka Suigetsu.
Because for Kyoka Suigetsu, the confidentiality of ability is the most important.
"Let's talk about it somewhere else."
Moses looked down at his feet, where a shadow split off and quickly formed a circular portal to the Shadow Space.
"Get in."
"…"
After a brief silence, Netero and Morel instinctively glanced at Knov, who was looking at the Shadow World's passage with a complicated expression.
'Who is the genuine product and who is the pirated one?'
With mixed feelings, Knov was the first to jump into the portal.
Netero and Morel soon followed.
After watching Netero and the other two enter the Shadow World, Moses then turned to Ponzu, who still hadn't fully recovered from the shock.
A moment later.
Moses and the others were inside the Shadow World.
Click.
A pre-prepared battery-powered lamp turned on, and the bright light shone on everyone.
"This thing is called Black Clay. I brought it back from the Dark Continent. Applying enough of it to a wound can regenerate flesh."
In front of everyone, Moses took out the Black Clay, then looked at Morel and said calmly: "This is why I did what I did."
"What!?"
"You brought it back from the Dark Continent!?"
After hearing Moses's explanation, Morel and Knov's focus immediately shifted to the fact that Moses had gone to the Dark Continent and returned safely.
Netero stroked his beard, and a strange look flashed across his old eyes.
'This stinky brat...'
'He really did bring back 'hope' from the Dark Continent… and not just one, but two things.'
'One was the life-extending Nitro Rice, and now this so-called Black Clay that could regenerate flesh.'
'So,'
'Did he bring back at least one 'calamity' as well?'
Netero couldn't help but think of this question, which was arguably more serious than the Chimera Ant incident.