The pressure released by Jed was accompanied by a massive surge of curse power, far beyond anything seen from hungry ghosts or Shuras. Its potency was absolute anyone touched by his curse power would have their consciousness invaded instantly, leaving no room for struggle.
The only reason Killua had been able to resist earlier was because Jed hadn't used his full strength.
Now, as Jed faced Oboro, the curse energy centered around him erupted like a flood breaking through a dam, washing over sky and earth with incomparable power.
Even Killua and Netero, still imprisoned, could feel the building shake and dust raining down from the ceiling. An unmistakable sense of unease crept over them.
Killua had regained consciousness and managed to cut through the bars of their cage, freeing himself, but he couldn't liberate the president from his constraints. Despite his efforts, he didn't understand enough about curses to break Netero's bindings.
The black, resentful energy still surged from the kneeling figure on the ground whose state between life and death remained unclear tightly binding Netero's limbs. Even when Killua attacked the grudge with his Nen, it had absolutely no effect.
He attempted to awaken the consciousness of whoever was restraining the president, but his efforts were completely useless.
"Don't worry, it's him. It'll be okay" Killua, ever the clever boy, pretended to be mature as he tried to comfort Netero. Watching the president's expression, he couldn't help but feel concerned.
The reason Killua felt confident Oboro would win was simple he had learned from his family that both his father and grandfather had suffered defeat at Oboro's hands. Moreover, the Zoldyck family had increased their fee for any tasks related to Oboro to an inhuman level.
Killua was naturally aware of Jed's terrifying power, but remembering his father's assessment of Oboro during their phone conversation, he still believed Oboro held the advantage.
During his time training with Gon and Bisky on Greed Island, Killua had learned much about Oboro's past, including his accomplishments within the Hunter Association. Based on this information and the current situation, Killua concluded that neither the president nor Bisky had an accurate understanding of Oboro's current strength.
Biscuit had once mentioned that Oboro created a real-world game called Hero Island, supposedly even more engaging than Greed Island. She'd also noted that Oboro's Nen ability originated from game concepts but that was all in the past. When his grandfather and father had fought against Oboro, the Nen abilities he'd demonstrated were completely different from what Biscuit had described.
Killua suspected Oboro was deliberately concealing his true abilities. Or perhaps, for someone of his caliber, there were few situations that required him to reveal his full power. Within the current Association, probably very few people truly understood the extent of Oboro's abilities.
And Killua happened to be one of them.
For this reason, despite his discomfort, he had made a special call to his elder brother Illumi and struck a business deal.
If Oboro was a role model and idol for Gon, then to Killua, he represented an opponent who must be defeated in the future. He would need to settle the score with Oboro someday.
"Well, well I never thought the day would come when an old man like me would be comforted by a little kid," Netero said, his natural smile returning.
He had seen through Killua's thoughts. This clever boy
Since the Zoldyck family knew details about Oboro, how could Netero, as the Hunter Association President, not be similarly informed? He had always maintained contact with members of the Zoldyck family, including Zeno.
What concerned Netero wasn't Oboro's safety. Rather, he realized that Oboro had come with purpose, targeting Jed specifically.
And what would Jed use upon returning to life? Only the energy of Grudge.
What was he planning to do with that mind control ability?
On the battlefield, black resentful force surged like a raging tide, completely engulfing the space where Oboro stood.
Jed's white hair fluttered in the wind and snow, his expression sinister and cold.
"You younger generations have all come this far by following the paths we blazed! You must know your place and understand who you're speaking to!" Jed said coldly.
"Are you comparing yourself to Netero?"
Suddenly, Jed's pupils contracted.
From within the black tide of resentment, an extremely calm voice emerged. With a thunderous crack, the enormous curse controlled by Jed was torn apart instantly.
In the center stood Oboro, completely unharmed, with wisps of green mist surging around him. Spectral figures floated in the air surrounding him, forming a protective barrier. What shocked Jed was that beneath this shield of green mist and ghosts, his resentful power couldn't reach its target it was completely isolated.
Why? He couldn't understand it.
Oboro extended his hand, took several steps forward, and deliberately thrust his arm into the Grudge energy. With his palm, he tore off a piece of the black energy.
This was Jed's Nen.
"As I expected The Grudge gains power by amplifying the dark aspects of one's heart. It's merely a low-level emotional catalyst that appears intimidating. Its method of gaining power is simple and crude but the stronger it becomes, the larger the hole it creates in your heart. Taking from one pocket to pay another, focusing all characteristics onto a single point."
Oboro clenched his palm, and the curse energy in his hand exploded into a ball of black gas before dissipating.
"Nen has a mature and complete training system, like progressing from elementary school through college graduation the experience accumulated by countless pioneers, constantly refining oneself to grow and transcend. Your curse, however, is frankly just a wild, undisciplined method something far below standard."
There was a hint of mockery in Oboro's calm, steady voice.
Nen is like strengthening oneself through exercise, martial arts, and willpower it builds a solid foundation.
The Grudge, by contrast, was more like someone grabbing everything around them, fashioning a crude armor, and attaching it to themselves. It might appear powerful, but fundamentally, the user remains unchanged.
This was how Jed absorbed others' curses to strengthen himself. He relied entirely on external forces.
External forces are never reliable
"You're still weak," Oboro observed.
There was another crucial point the nature of curses makes the "heart" of the person controlling them far less resilient than their "Nen." Enlarging the holes in one's heart and nurturing negative emotions weakens self-consciousness and causes severe mood fluctuations. One wrong move, and the user stands on the precipice of losing control.
Losing control meant being completely dominated by the curse, reduced to nothing but an empty shell.
Though it granted significant power, it was undoubtedly a double-edged sword.
Hearing Oboro's words, veins bulged on Jed's forehead as rage consumed him.
With a swing of his arm, the resentful power surrounding them immediately shot out countless massive ribbons of energy, wrapping around Oboro.
The ghostly fog around Oboro's body spread rapidly throughout the black area. Remarkably, wherever the ghost shadows and fog touched, the black curse melted away like spring snow.
Similar to a spirit release technique, the black bands transformed from the resentful power were torn apart and obliterated by the ghosts that shot forth before they could reach within two meters of Oboro.
"These ghosts of mine happen to possess certain spiritual effects. They're quite similar to the Grudge both are manifestations of thoughts after death. The difference is that the Grudge is merely a medium for spiritual transmission, a form of energy. These ghosts, however, are more like your existence in this world Of course, you're somewhat more advanced."
"You are the product of a curse. The nature of curses determines that you can reach a higher level."
"These ghosts are products of Nen. They're naturally limited and cannot be elevated further, restricted by the characteristics of Nen itself."
"Your appearance presents an opportunity nourishment that allows them to enter a higher energy level."
To Jed, every word Oboro spoke thundered in his ears.
Was he suggesting using the Grudge to transcend the limitations of Nen?
But curse and Nen were naturally opposing forces merging them together should be impossible.
"You'll soon understand" Oboro seemed to read his thoughts and smiled slightly.
That smile sent a shudder through Jed's body.
"It's unfortunate If it were anyone else, dealing with you would be extremely difficult they might even risk their lives. But as it happens, I am your natural enemy!"
Jed's heart filled with alarm, and he abandoned all restraint.
Crossing his arms before him, he shouted furiously, "Hundred Demons Curse, Rakshasa!"
In an instant, the wind howled. The world around them changed drastically.
All the curses condensed into one place, like a whale sucking in water, forming a terrifying statue that towered toward the sky.
Like Beyond's ability and Netero's Hundred-Type Guanyin, it was a gigantic energy construct.
The difference was that Beyond and Netero had imbued their abilities with effects closely related to themselves. Their outstanding abilities stemmed from personal strength.
Jed, however, was too weak. Just as Oboro had said, the Grudge was like a weed growing wildly, without systematic training or self-improvement. This resulted in the behemoth before them appearing frightening with extraordinary power, but lacking proper foundation.
Due to its wielder's insufficient "cultivation," it was just a paper tiger capable of simple actions but easily controlled.
Nothing more than an oversized toy.
"Let me prove to you how fragile your ridiculous resentment ability truly is."
Oboro raised his hand calmly.
As he moved, densely packed souls suddenly flew from the ghost fog, soaring into the sky.
Like thousands of ants, they descended upon the giant Rakshasa, boring holes into its body and drilling inside.
The enormous energy construct appeared besieged by a colony of insects.
Jed attempted to control Rakshasa to attack Oboro.
"HOWL!"
But in the next second, blood erupted from his nose and mouth.
The giant Rakshasa behind him howled skyward, releasing a mournful cry.
Its body shook violently as it waved its hands, seemingly trying to fan away the relentless ghosts.
But its efforts were futile.
Tall as a building, the Rakshasa smashed and trampled randomly, destroying the structures of the central base indiscriminately.
Even the prison holding Netero and Killua wasn't spared.
There was no way to know if they had been injured
"Guh!"
Jed stumbled and fell to one knee.
Blood gushed from his mouth, impossible to contain.
His mind grew hazy, constant buzzing filling his ears.
He was losing control of the Grudge.
The Rakshasa behind him was riddled with holes by the ghosts, as if constructed of paper.
How could this be happening? Even Netero's Hundred-Type Guanyin couldn't inflict such damage on his Rakshasa
"I told you based on the power source of the curse, the faster you absorb and expand this energy, the stronger you become, but your mind and will grow more fragile. They'll break at the slightest touch. These ghosts of mine happen to inflict trauma and impact upon the mind. Any Nen user with modest ability could resist such mental attacks, but you, despite your apparent strength, cannot."
"You've never faced a true opponent. First, because few possess this ability, and second, because their wills were too weak. People like Netero can only rely on brute force to overcome you. But for me, destroying you is trivially easy."
There was a faint sound as Oboro's voice drew closer.
Jed's vision blurred; he could no longer see Oboro clearly.
"Thank you for the gift of friendship and your soul I accept it with joy."
With a soft sound, Oboro suddenly appeared behind Jed and thrust his hand into the man's chest.
He leaned down slowly and spoke calmly: "As a return gift, I'll tell you this I don't seek to merge curse and Nen. That's absolutely impossible under normal conditions. What I want is the soul fragment born within your body."
"Welcome to Hell."