The Chimera Ants understanding of humans was still far less than humans' understanding of the Chimera Ants.
......
.....
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Meanwhile, in the United States of Saherta, inside a biological laboratory, the V5 envoys had gathered. Pariston still occupied one of the seats.
"Gentlemen, the progress has been smooth," Pariston said, wearing his usual formulaic smile. "So far, the number of Chimera Ants killed has already reached several hundred, and none of our personnel have suffered casualties. Our recovery operation for Chimera Ant eggs has also gone smoothly. These eggs, once hatched, can all become our tools—tools suited for expeditions to the Dark Continent. Before that, let me briefly summarize the Chimera Ant situation."
"Chimera Ants are divided into four types. The Queen is responsible for reproduction.
Division Leaders—roughly equivalent to A-rank Nen users, requiring opponents of the same level to bring them down.
Squadron Leaders—comparable to B-rank Nen users, who likewise need someone of similar strength to defeat them.
Grunts—on the level of low C-rank Nen users, and can generally be killed by new Nen users if they work together."
Pariston continued, his expression calm and fixed with the same formulaic smile.
"Some Chimera Ants, when they encounter familiar scenes, have a certain chance of awakening fragments of human memory, though not completely. If a dying person does not mind the small probability, they can attempt to become food for a Queen. Perhaps there is a chance of being reborn as a Chimera Ant, with a strong body and higher potential.
In fact, even prisoners on death row could serve this purpose, since their lives would otherwise be forfeit. That is the first point of utility in the Chimera Ant experiment."
At these words, several of the V5 delegates looked visibly displeased. A few frowned at the risk but did not repuke the plan, and others exchanged glances, their expressions showing clear disapproval.
Although no one interrupted, the atmosphere at the table grew heavier.
Pariston's smile did not change.
"The second point is that recovered Ant eggs can be hatched and turned into our soldiers, fighting for us. As for the negative effects, there will be ecological destruction at the test sites and many deaths. But for the sake of humanity as a whole, this cannot be helped. As long as we control things in time, the damage will be limited."
A middle-aged man considered for a moment. "So in other words, the strongest of the Chimera Ants are only on the level of A-rank Nen users?"
"For now, that seems to be the case," Pariston replied, concealing information about the Royal Guard and the possible birth of the King. "After first learning Nen, they can quickly reach A-rank. The longer they practice, the stronger they should become. But whether they can reach S-rank should be similar to humans—it requires other conditions."
An elder frowned. "If it is only at this level, how much use could they really be? A-rank Nen ability is not rare in the human world."
Pariston smiled. "You are right, the human world has many A-rank Nen users, especially within the V5, where reserves are abundant. But all A-rank Nen users require a vast amount of time to mature. The cost is extremely high. By contrast, the Chimera Ant experiment can reduce this cost drastically.
To put it in numbers: if training a human A-rank Nen user costs a hundred billion jenny, then producing one through the Chimera Ant experiment costs only one billion jenny.
A hundred billion jenny is a massive sum, difficult to accumulate even for Nen users like myself. But one billion, even newbie killers in Heaven's Arena could earn that if they stay there long enough."
"There is also the advantage of time. For a human A-rank Nen user to grow takes far too long. But in the Chimera Ant experiment, it only takes a few months. With rapid and mass production, they can be used as expendables, unlike before when every use of such fighters had to be restrained. This experiment is one that can bring about an era of change."
The middle-aged envoy across from him looked at Pariston. "You are certain there are no Chimera Ants above Division Leader level? Why is it that the NGL situation still has not been brought under control? If the experiment has already succeeded, then there should be no need to continue allowing Chimera Ants to ravage NGL. After all, it is still a human nation."
Pariston sneered inwardly but still kept his smile. "That, I wouldn't know. Chairman Netero may have his considerations. But in any case, this experiment has been a success. I estimate that the recovered Ant eggs may number as many as three thousand. Of these, grunts will account for two-thirds, Squad Captains for three-quarters of the remainder, and Division Leaders will number around two hundred fifty. How shall these eggs be distributed?"
The envoy from Minbo spoke first. "This experiment was carried out under the joint initiative of the V5. Naturally, the distribution should be even. Each nation takes one-fifth. Fair and just."
But immediately the envoy from the United States of Saherta objected. "The biological laboratory is within our country. The base data also came from our country. We must take more. Half of these Ant eggs must go to the United States of Saherta. That is only reasonable. Without us, there would be no Chimera Ant experiment."
This instantly drew opposition from the other three major powers.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
"If you take that much, what will we have left?"
"Oster's incident was already a scandal. It was we who helped cover it up for you. Otherwise, your United States of Saherta would have been condemned by the whole world. You could say we saved you from a massive loss."
Pariston looked at the arguing envoys, his smile deepening. By raising this question, he had already shifted their focus. None of them were concerned anymore about whether Chimera Ants stronger than Division Leaders existed, nor about the destruction in NGL. They truly did not care.
Even if such problems existed, humanity's technological weapons were formidable. Even if an S-rank Nen user appeared, they could still be killed. As for NGL's losses—so what if they were greater? It had nothing to do with the V5. In time, the land would recover.
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...
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Puchi!
One body collapsed before Ron. Another was drawn into Knov's dimensional space.
Netero smashed one apart with a single punch, yet he felt dissatisfied. "I almost regret inviting Ron. This fellow doesn't spare a thought for an old man like me. At least half of the Ants have been snatched away. Now there aren't enough. I can't even warm myself up properly."
Inside the nest, the three Royal Guards each maintained watch over a separate direction. The Chimera Ants below wore grim expressions. Their casualties were growing heavier, yet the Queen's demands only increased. Even though the Royal Guards possessed such overwhelming strength, they offered no aid.
Suddenly, a series of wretched screams rang out.