When Jed let out that laugh, Netero knew it was truly over.
"Why did you come this far, Jed?"
Netero's expression was complicated as he closed his eyes, a rare trace of pain flickering across his face.
It had been agonizing enough when they eradicated the Shadow, and he had to use the Bodhisattva to personally send off an old comrade for the last time. But who would have thought that same comrade would return from the dead, only to meet such a tragic end yet again?
Watching an old friend fall before his eyes twice, both times ending in misery, was a wound even someone of Netero's age found difficult to bear. It was like reopening an almost healed injury, tearing it apart with brutal force, rubbing salt into it, and then stitching it back up with a jagged needle. Now, perhaps, he could truly feel the depth of it.
Ronnel couldn't sense Netero's turmoil, but he couldn't help shaking his head at Jed's laughter, which grew weaker as his vitality drained.
"Winners and losers—such is life. Let me send you off one last time."
The next moment, Ronnel's figure vanished. A gust of wind blew past Jed as a sharp, crisp sound echoed.
Jed's laughter stopped abruptly.
A broken throat—Ronnel's signature move during his time competing in Heavens Arena.
With a dull thud, Jed's body trembled before collapsing lifelessly to the ground, kicking up the last remnants of dust.
"It's over."
Seeing Jed's body finally still, Ronnel exhaled, allowing his body to relax. The battle had ended. With the death of its leader, this conflict was finally concluded.
Now that the fight was over, it was time to claim the spoils.
Ronnel stepped toward Jed's body, anticipation stirring in him. Jed, who had once stood as Netero's equal—a force of black and white opposition—had been restored to his youthful prime. What kind of rewards would he leave behind?
The moment Jed perished, Ronnel's Nen ability, Upgrade Game, activated. His victory sent him up several levels instantly. Then, another ability—Gravekeeper's Grasp—came into play. An unseen hand reached out, brushing over Jed's body.
A moment later, several orbs of light emerged from Jed's form, floating in the air.
Ronnel's eyes widened slightly. This time, he had pulled out five light clusters—an exceptionally rare occurrence.
The last time he had seen this many was from that skeletal king, Overlord.
Now wasn't the time to inspect them. Storing the five glowing orbs in his space backpack, Ronnel turned his gaze back to Netero. However, before he could move, he noticed Jed's body gradually dissolving into light particles. The wind carried them away until nothing remained.
"That works. Better to let him vanish with the wind than leave a corpse for V5 to desecrate."
Turning away, Ronnel approached Netero, who was still suspended midair.
The restriction known as Sealing Sacrifice, fueled by a life-forfeiting contract, had bound Netero in a desperate state. Any creature that approached was met with an aggressive counterattack.
"A vow and restriction born from resentment… Quite the tricky thing. By the way, Chairman, your current state is pretty embarrassing, hahaha."
Seeing Netero hanging there, Ronnel couldn't resist teasing him. Then, as if struck by inspiration, he casually pulled out his phone and snapped a few photos. Click. Click.
"Ahem. The old man was careless this time. Can you let me down? Hanging like this is getting uncomfortable—my back is starting to ache."
The dead were gone. Netero mourned Jed's second passing, but he knew there was no time for sorrow. He needed to return to the Hunter Association and reestablish order.
Giving V5 and the rest of the world an explanation took priority.
So, suppressing his emotions, he spoke to Ronnel as though nothing had happened.
"If he were alive, this would be troublesome. But since he's dead, it's much simpler."
For Ronnel, dealing with living resentment was tricky. But once the source was dead? It was just another corpse.
And corpses—especially those drenched in resentment—were his specialty.
Approaching the remnants of Sealing Sacrifice, Ronnel acted before the lingering malice could react. His Gravekeeper's Grasp activated once more.
Purge all hatred from the corpse.
In an instant, the boundless hatred fueling Sealing Sacrifice vanished, dissipating like smoke in the wind. The grip on the suicide blade loosened, and the face that had been twisted in rage softened into peaceful stillness.
At the same time, the restrictions and vows binding Netero unraveled, melting away like ice under the sun.
The chains suspending Netero vanished instantly.
"Hooooo…"
Freed from his restraints, Netero landed lightly on the ground, barely making a sound.
Despite the high wooden clogs he always wore, he stood firm, his posture unshaken.
"Well, well. I didn't expect such an event when I came to watch a competition. Handling the aftermath is going to be a headache."
Netero shook his head, sighing. Then, retrieving his phone, he dialed a number and waited as it rang.
While on the call, he turned to Ronnel with a chuckle.
"To be honest, I never expected you to end this fight so decisively. Even Jed fell at your hands. Tsk, tsk… we really are getting old."
It was unclear whether he mourned Jed's loss or simply lamented his own advancing age.
Reaching up, he attempted to stroke his beard—only to find that, once again, it had been shaved clean.
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