Loki finally understood why the Hunter Association had sent this particular group to hunt him. It wasn't a random assortment of individuals
Loki finally understood why the Hunter Association had sent this particular group to hunt him.
It wasn't a random assortment of individuals sent to die. The Wooden Man game, combined with Knuckle's ability, was a carefully crafted trap.
If he hadn't possessed Transmutation, and had fallen victim to their strategy, he could very well have been killed.
Knuckle's ability, Hakoware, quantifies Nen. Through attacks, he 'loans' Nen to his opponent. Interest is calculated every ten seconds.
Once the borrowed Nen exceeds the opponent's Nen limit, the opponent is forced into a state of paralysis.
During the ability's activation, attacks from both sides cause no actual damage. If the enemy attacks Knuckle, the Nen used in the attack is counted as a repayment.
It's a unique form of absolute defense combined with a delayed, one-hit kill.
Joyful Square lasts ten minutes; the Wooden Man game lasts five. If Knuckle lands a single blow on Loki, borrowing the initial Nen, the interest rate is ten percent.
In five minutes, thirty interest calculations occur; ten minutes allows for sixty. If Loki is first penalized in the Wooden Man game, Knuckle has ample time to increase the principal and rapidly accrue interest, effectively bankrupting Loki.
Loki is alone, while they have six people, plus Gon. As long as Knuckle isn't penalized, it doesn't matter if the others are.
In an instant, Loki grasped the cause and effect. He looked up at everyone.
Undeniably, the coordinated abilities of Nen users are terrifyingly effective. Unfortunately for them, their luck seemed to be running out.
"Lady Luck seems to be on my side!"
A one in seven chance, and it landed on Loki first. Even Ben would have been ready to spit blood at such luck.
His ability actually gives each person a slightly lower chance than his own. Yet, the first person chosen was Loki.
Loki's Transmutation ability rendered the penalty virtually meaningless. Now, his ability has become a lifeline.
During the Wooden Man game, Loki could freely move, using Transmutation. He wasn't afraid of being hit.
But could the others say the same? If they moved, they would not only face punishment but also wouldn't have the confidence to withstand Loki's attacks.
Furthermore, another advantage is that Loki controlled when movement was forbidden. In other words, as long as Loki didn't announce the command, the turn would never shift to another person.
This rule was likely part of their plan. With seven people, even relying on chance, they shouldn't lose to him.
But, as fate would have it, sometimes luck just works in the most unexpected ways. Loki had the upper hand, and yet Lady Luck was still on his side.
Loki began to speak, "One, two, three, wooden—"
Boom! A burst of flames erupted from beneath Loki's feet. The sudden surge of Nen propelled Loki towards Kite, the closest person.
Glancing at the long blade in Kite's hand, Loki raised his hand, and the Shinsō appeared.
Clang!!! Loki, wielding the short blade, clashed fiercely with Kite's long scythe. Sparks flew from the colliding blades.
The immense force sent Kite flying backward. He'd only managed to hold his ground for less than a second before being repelled.
"Kite!!!"
Seeing Kite attacked, Bisky, fists clenched, charged forward. Before her fist connected, Loki swiftly grabbed her hand.
'Zero-Point Breakthrough! Activate!' he thought. An astonishing wave of cold emanated from Loki's hand.
Crack crack! Bisky's Nen instantly froze. A bone-chilling coldness spread through her body. She tried to escape, but Loki's foot connected with her face.
Dong! A violent burst of air. Bisky flew backward, even faster than Kite! "Damn it! You deliberately only said half the command, preventing us from moving!"
Knuckle charged towards Loki. Loki hadn't finished his command; the "man" hadn't been spoken, so the Wooden Man game hadn't actually started.
This is why Kite reacted slightly slower and was sent flying by Loki's blade. Bisky, reacting quickly, attacked Loki, only to have her fist instantly frozen.
Knuckle, arriving next, swung his fist, aiming a powerful kick at Loki's back. But the instant his foot connected, Knuckle's eyes widened.
'That feeling… damn it! It's that ability again, turning his body into flames… damn it!' Knuckle passed right through Loki's body.
Loki, standing still, raised his Shinsō, aiming it at Knuckle, who was now facing away. He moved his lips slightly.
Swish! The instantly extended Shinsō shot towards Knuckle. Knuckle, still airborne, had no way to brace himself and couldn't dodge!
'Damn it! Am I going to die here?' In that instant, a flying fist struck him squarely on the bridge of his nose, sending him flying to the left.
The Shinsō passed through Knuckle's side, narrowly missing its target.
Loki, his dark eyes rotating, looked towards Shoot.
"In the way."
Two words, uttered faintly. Loki's figure vanished instantly. Reappearing in a flash, he swung Shinsō, aiming for Shoot's neck. The blade flashed, forming a crescent arc, leaving a trail of lingering afterimages.
The flashing blade, like starlight in the night, shimmered faintly. Shoot felt as if he'd fallen into an ice cave, surrounded by ancient glacial ice, the chilling air instantly engulfing him.
He tried to dodge, but it was impossible. The blade was too fast, faster than sound, appearing before him before he could even react.
Slash! Shoot was sent flying backward. Boom! He slid several meters across the ground before finally coming to a stop.
Silence. A heavy silence descended. Everyone's gaze dimmed, fixed on Shoot.
Knuckle, rising from the ground with a large bruise on his nose, felt no pain.
Having just escaped death, he stared in astonishment at Shoot lying on the ground, his throat working, but unable to utter a sound.
Loki stood up straight, his Zanpakutō dripping with blood. The blood dripped slowly from the blade.
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