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Three days passed quickly.
"It's time." Mika opened his eyes and stood up, heading towards the Queen's cave.
Netero followed close behind.
During the past three days, Mika had continued his meditation, reflecting on his experiences, while Netero had been honing his skills in a secluded part of the forest—
After all, his earlier training had been focused on maintaining his aging body. Now, rejuvenated, he needed to readjust, to reintegrate his physical prowess with his [Nen].
Furthermore, having achieved the [Godly Domain] in unarmed combat, Netero needed to refine his [Nen ability - 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva]—to fully utilize his newfound mastery. He was rapidly integrating these changes, his power increasing once more.
——
Meanwhile, within the cave, Meruem stood ready.
"Let the conquest begin!" Meruem would not shy away from this challenge.
He had spent the past three days preparing, devouring the Nen users the Queen had provided within a single day, then spending the remaining two mastering his newfound abilities.
While he had been studying combat techniques while still in the womb—true mastery required practical experience—He had spent the past two days honing his skills—pushing his physical abilities to their peak.
And now, the time had come to end his—confinement.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the Royal Guards replied, their loyalty absolute.
Protecting the King, even dying for him, was ingrained in their very being. They would obey any command, even if it meant their own demise.
If not for the presence of two opponents, requiring them to divide their forces and prevent the King from being outnumbered, they would have gladly offered themselves as his next meal, further enhancing his power.
However, Meruem didn't share their sentiment.
Having absorbed the aura of countless Nen users—his power had reached unprecedented levels—a realm beyond human comprehension, a miracle born from the unique biology of the Chimera Ants and his own extraordinary talent.
He emerged from the cave with his Royal Guards and saw Mika and Netero approaching.
It was their first encounter, yet, in that single glance, Meruem's instincts screamed, urging him to flee—He felt a primal fear—a sense of danger unlike anything he had ever experienced.
But he was the King, destined to rule.
Suppressing his instincts, he walked towards Mika, his muscles tensing, his every sense heightened as the distance between them closed.
Killing intent surged within him.
—Kill…kill…kill…
——
Unlike Meruem's battle lust, Mika's mood was peaceful.
His own power had grown steadily during his wait, a comforting progression that filled him with a quiet confidence.
He was simply happy to finally face this long-awaited opponent.
As they approached, the atmosphere grew heavy, the tension palpable.
The Strongest auras weren't from Mika, Meruem, or Netero, but from the Royal Guards, their killing intent, amplified by their Nen, radiating outwards, tainting the very air around them.
However, neither Mika nor Netero was intimidated. They were seasoned warriors, unfazed by such displays.
They reached the King and his Royal Guards, and without a word, the battle began.
The Royal Guards attacked first, their target Netero, who effortlessly blocked their combined assault without even using his Nen ability, sending them flying in different directions.
"I'll be going now—" Netero said to Mika with a grin, then, in a flash, he was gone, pursuing the Royal Guards.
"Have fun," Mika replied with a smile, then turned his attention to Meruem.
"Impressive. You've made excellent use of the time I gave you," Mika said, his voice laced with amusement.
"Human..." Meruem replied, his speech, thanks to his recent studies, surprisingly fluent. "—Kneel before me, and I will grant you power second only to my own."
As a King, he attempted to recruit Mika, a display of both his confidence and his naivete.
"Oh?" Mika chuckled.
He wasn't in a hurry to fight. "I'm already above all others. And there's no one above me. Therefore, I see no reason to place you above me. Besides—you're not strong enough—What makes you think you can grant me power?"
Mika couldn't resist a little provocation.
"Then die." With negotiations having failed, Meruem's patience ran out. The air crackled with tension.
"We'll see about that," Mika replied with a grin.
They stood facing each other, their gazes locked—searching for an opening.
——
Unlike their silent standoff, the distant battle between Netero and the Royal Guards was a symphony of destruction.
Netero, outnumbered but not outmatched—was clearly enjoying himself. As their battle intensified, the shockwaves reaching Mika and Meruem triggered their own confrontation.
They clashed, their fists colliding—a shockwave of pure physical force rippling outwards. Their bodies, both incredibly durable, far surpassing human limitations—met with a metallic clang.
CLANG!!!
The sound, echoing through the forest, sent its inhabitants fleeing in terror. A primal fear, a premonition of death, drove them away from the epicenter of this clash of titans.
Run! Run! Run!
Though they couldn't comprehend the danger, their instincts screamed, urging them to escape.
——
"What's going on?" Kite asked, watching the animals fleeing the forest.
As a one-star Hunter specializing in biological research—he had been studying this forest for quite some time.
It was here that he had encountered the Chimera Ant soldiers—leading him to alert the Hunter Association. He had returned, but the area was now under strict quarantine, guarded by heavily armed soldiers. He couldn't enter.
"Something's happening inside," Killua remarked, standing beside him. He and Gon had returned as well, following a clue left by Ging, who had entrusted Kite with their care.
As Ging's student—Kite had become their mentor, guiding them through the world of Hunters, sharing his knowledge and passion for discovering new species. They had quickly formed a close bond.
"Something…?" Kite's face paled. "Could it be—the King's birth?" As a biologist, he understood the implications.
"Chairman Netero is there," Killua reminded him.
——
Meanwhile, the Netero they were relying on was facing the three Royal Guards. He had unleashed his 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva—its massive form towering over them.
Netero laughed, relishing the challenge. Even for him, finding three opponents of this caliber was a rare opportunity.
He would savor every moment—even though a part of him longed to witness Mika's battle against the King.
The distant sounds of their clash, the sheer force of their impacts, were incredibly enticing. He was curious about the abilities Mika would unleash against such a powerful opponent. He knew Mika had never fought him at full strength.
But just as he entertained that thought, the Royal Guards' attacks intensified. They, too, sensed the immense power of the King's opponent.
Even Meruem wasn't certain of victory. They couldn't allow Netero to reach him. Having experienced his strength firsthand, they knew that if he intervened, their King might be defeated. This was a risk they couldn't take.
Sensing his distraction, they unleashed their full power.
"Such loyalty—" Netero's own resolve hardened, his youthful enthusiasm returning. "Very well. I'll grant your wish. We'll fight to the death."
Netero unleashed his most powerful attack.
——
BAM!
BAM!
BAM!
The sounds of their battle echoed through the forest—a whirlwind of destructive force tearing through the trees.
At the heart of the storm—Mika and Meruem exchanged blows—their fists colliding, their bodies unmoving, their minds focused.
It was a test of raw strength.
As their strength proved equal, their speed increased, the air around them swirling into a vortex.
THUD!
A new sound emerged amidst the rhythmic clang of their fists: the sound of flesh striking flesh. And that sound grew more frequent.
Meruem's body was now covered in bruises. He couldn't match Mika's increasing speed.
"Is that all you've got?" Mika's smile hadn't faltered.
Meruem face was grim, sweat dripping from his brow, gritted his teeth, refusing to respond. He was holding his breath, focusing all his energy on maintaining his pace.
"How boring—" Seeing his silence, Mika couldn't help but taunt him. "Did you really think you could keep up with me through skill? Don't be ridiculous..."
His fist, moving at a speed Meruem couldn't even perceive, struck him in the abdomen.
And this blow, unlike his previous ones, was painful.
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