Killua's expression shifted.
"Ron-nii, did something happen?"
"You don't need to know the details," Ron said. "Just focus on keeping yourselves safe. If you encounter an enemy too dangerous to handle, then contact me."
The strength of the Chimera Ants was enough to pose a lethal threat to Killua, and the other members of the Zoldyck family were not around. Ron was the only elder nearby, and regardless of anything else, he still had to ensure his younger cousin's safety.
"Alright."
Gon turned his gaze toward him.
"Killua, what did Ron say?"
Killua shook his head.
"Something big seems to have happened in NGL. Ron-nii reminded us to be careful. Even here, it's possible that we could be attacked by Chimera Ants—and not weak ones."
Both Gon and Killua had already encountered Chimera Ants before: squad captains, division leaders, and grunts. Killua, if he assessed it himself, believed that he could handle grunts and squad captains. But division leaders were on a completely different level.
Killua's judgment, however, had a flaw—up to this point, almost all the Ants he had fought did not know Nen. Once a Chimera Ant learned Nen, its strength underwent a complete transformation.
"And what about Kite? Did Ron see him?"
"No."
Gon's expression fell into disappointment. He raised his head, looking toward the direction of NGL. He wanted to go there, to search for Kite as quickly as possible, but he had lost to Knuckle. Their difference in strength had been too large, and for the time being, there was no way he could catch up.
Losing to Knuckle also meant Gon had no rightful claim to head for NGL. It was proof that his strength was still lacking. Before Knuckle and Shoot departed, Gon had asked them to look for Kite. But if Ron, who was stronger than both of them and had already ventured deeper inside, had not seen Kite, then Knuckle and Shoot would not be able to find him either.
"Kite…"
Gon lowered his head, clenching his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh until blood seeped out.
Plip.
Tears slid down his face.
"It's all my fault!"
Killua let out a sigh and placed a hand on Gon's shoulder.
"Killua, what do you think has happened to Kite?"
By now, without any word of him, Gon already had a guess. The chances were high that Kite had met a grim fate—otherwise, the situation would not be like this. Killua stayed silent, not knowing how to respond. In his own mind, Kite was surely already dead, but he couldn't bring himself to say such words directly to Gon. It would be too cruel.
From the corner, a figure watched the two of them. Her body radiated an intense aura of resentment. It was Palm.
With Gon and Killua's defeat, Palm had lost her qualification to enter NGL. Already unstable in both character and mind, she immediately shifted all the blame onto Gon. After all, Gon had promised her that he would win.
But now, he had broken that promise.
Killua sensed Palm's aura and instinctively shifted his stance to shield Gon slightly.
At that moment, rapid footsteps approached. Killua looked up sharply and saw a Chimera Ant charging toward them. It had the features of a pig, exuding strong aura, unlike the Ants he had faced before.
"Nen?" Killua's pupils shrank when he saw aura flowing around it. "These Chimera Ants… they've learned Nen?" The thought struck him heavily. "If they can use Nen, how powerful will they become?"
Immediately, Killua crouched low, preparing to fight.
The pig-headed Chimera Ant also noticed Gon and Killua.
"Humans? Or something special? My luck is good." It extended its tongue and licked its lips. "If I eat you, my strength should rise considerably."
The next moment, it charged at them.
"Gon, be careful!" Killua shouted. Only then did Gon snap back to awareness.
.........
....
.
Inside the nest, the doctor stopped his work. Colt fixed his gaze on him.
"Doctor, how is she?"
Other Ants also turned to listen.
The doctor shook his head.
"I'm sorry. The artificial organs we implanted into the Queen have been rejected. Her body could not adapt. The Queen's life cannot be sustained any longer."
Colt's face twisted with anguish.
"Damn it!"
The doctor instinctively took a step back.
Realizing his own reaction, Colt steadied himself.
"Forgive me, Doctor. I didn't mean to blame you. I'm just grieving."
The doctor nodded.
"I understand. By the way, I found something inside the Queen's body. I think it may be important to you. Do you want to see it?"
"What is it?"
"An egg," the doctor said, pointing toward the Queen's abdomen. "It's still inside her."
Colt immediately looked. Pushing aside the blood and torn flesh, he saw a small egg, far smaller than a normal Chimera Ant egg. He carefully picked it up in his hands.
Crack.
The egg broke apart. A tiny figure emerged—like a human infant, but shrunken to a fraction of normal size.
Ron thought of something—Thumbelina. The size was about the same.
Colt's eyes welled with tears. It was as though he poured all his love for the dying Queen into this newborn child. A fragment of memory stirred in his mind. He believed this child was the reincarnation of his human sister.
But Colt was mistaken. His sister had indeed been reborn, but as a mere grunt soldier, one who could not even speak human language. This child, however, was different.
It was Kite. His soul had been reborn, his ability Crazy Slots ensuring his survival. When the Queen's life neared its end, that ability activated, absorbing her remaining life essence and forming Kite's second body.
It was a strange and unique state. Technically a Chimera Ant, but not fully. His body bore no Ant features.
Netero looked at Colt.
"We've kept our promise. Now it's your turn."