Hello everyone. I'm Gon Freecss, and I'm honestly surprised by how clean the inside of this ant mound is. They've actually turned the "meatball room" into a cemetery with a memorial monument. Between the scent of fresh flowers and the lingering smell of blood, it's quite an intense atmosphere.
Inside the abandoned throne room of the ant mound, the "Remnants"—the ants who chose not to follow the King—faced off against Gon's Vanguard.
In terms of sheer numbers, the ants held the advantage, but the gap in the quality of their power was so vast that any conflict would have ended in an instant.
"Pleasure to meet you. I am Peggy, and I act as the representative for the Chimera Ants remaining in NGL," said the penguin-type ant.
Peggy, who had served as the Queen's strategist and caretaker, wasted no time on pleasantries. He got straight to the point: what did they need to offer to ensure their survival? He had realized that while they might not be able to reach the King, the Hunters before him were definitely on the same level as the Royal Guard. Resistance was meaningless.
"We just need a simple Q&A, and if possible, information on the King and his group," Netero replied. "We won't force you to give up secrets, but we expect honesty in our exchange."
"That is no problem at all. I would only have to refuse if you ordered us to fight the King ourselves."
Peggy trusted Netero's gentlemanly approach—consistent with the reports from Meleoron and Ikalgo. He dismissed most of the gathered ants, keeping only three individuals with notable combat ability or unique traits:
Ikalgo: An octopus-type ant who can manipulate corpses and use them like living air rifles.
Meleoron: A chameleon-type ant capable of completely masking his presence, scent, and appearance—as well as those of anyone he is touching.
Arago: A koala-type ant who can accelerate objects he throws or spits, turning them into lethal projectiles.
While these three were elite among the Remnants, they were visibly outmatched by the powerhouses in the Vanguard.
"I see. So, your refusal to follow the King wasn't an act of rebellion?" Netero mused. "Was it simply to avoid being a burden?"
"That played a part, but the primary reason is that once the Queen died, the human consciousness within us grew too strong. We were liberated from our biological compulsions. In fact, some of those who were responsible for the... processing of the meatball room... took their own lives out of pure remorse."
While the species was hardwired for absolute obedience to a King or Queen, the death of the Queen—combined with the strong individuality of the humans they had consumed—allowed their egos to override their instincts. Those with predatory natures or flawed human memories had mostly joined the independent factions, while the mindless majority followed the King.
"From now on, we intend to atone for our actions. We hope to eventually coexist with the people of NGL. We've already sent a few of our members to villages that were spared from the raids; they seem to have been accepted, which is a great relief."
These peaceful ants had successfully integrated by demonstrating a benevolence that far outweighed their alien appearances. Despite having human memories, this was no easy feat. They lived each day caught between the joy of their freedom and the weight of their penance.
"I see. Since you are sapient beings with no intent to harm humans, we have no reason to strike you down," Netero declared. "We will keep you under surveillance, but you are free to live as you see fit."
"You have my gratitude. Having the Hunter Association's official backing provides us with much-needed security."
Peggy looked genuinely relieved. However, Ikalgo—always the most loyal to his friends—couldn't stay silent.
"But you guys are here to take down the King and the others, right? As a fellow Chimera Ant, it feels wrong to just say 'go right ahead.'"
"You're an octopus, but you're as stubborn as a rock, Ikalgo!" Meleoron sighed. "The King is one thing, but Cheetu and the others left specifically to prey on humans. If you strike, you get struck back. That's just the law of nature that NGL loves so much."
"Agreed," Arago added. "They were fools, but they understood what they were doing when they chose independence. Ikalgo, your definition of 'comrade' is too broad."
Despite the others' rebukes, Ikalgo couldn't bring himself to wish ill upon his kind. He had a fundamental aversion to killing—a trait that made it impossible for him to justify the cycle of violence.
"I apologize for him," Peggy said. "Our paths have diverged, but we haven't exactly had a falling out."
"On the contrary, it leaves a good impression," Netero smiled. "The fact that you care so much for your kind despite your differences confirms that you should be defined as sub-humans rather than mere insects."
Peggy then provided everything he knew about the King and his Guard. He was honest, but his tone carried an absolute confidence in the King's power.
Meruem (The King): An absolute force. His Hatsu and Nen category are unknown, but his raw physical stats and aura pool are so massive that the entire colony combined couldn't defeat him.
Shaiapouf: Likely a Manipulator. Capable of brainwashing and expert information gathering. Strong, but likely the least combat-focused of the Guard.
Menthuthuyoupi: Likely an Enhancer or Transmuter. A shapeshifter who fights with overwhelming power. The most dangerous in a direct brawl, though he seems more driven by beastly instinct.
Neferpitou: A Specialist. Peggy didn't know her specific Hatsu, as she likely only shared it with the King, but he described her as an all-rounder capable of handling any situation. Her combat strength is second only to the King.
"This is all I know," Peggy concluded. "But if I may add: please do not rely too heavily on this data when it comes to the King and Neferpitou."
"And why is that?"
"My ability allows me to sense 'potential'—how much 'room' a person has to grow. I couldn't even measure the King or Pitou; they were on a completely different scale. I have no idea how strong they've become by now."
Netero let out a sharp, menacing laugh. "Ho ho... I'm in trouble, then. There are far too many worthy opponents to face these days! ♪"
He looked at his team, his eyes burning with a battle-hungry light. "Get your heads in the game, everyone. We can't let a bunch of newborns look down on us!"
The Hunters flared their auras, the pressure causing Peggy and the other ants to recoil. Gon shared Netero's grin, while Killua watched Gon with silent, steely resolve. But there was one man whose reaction was different.
Hisoka had noticed something no one else had: the slight, unconscious ripple in Gon's aura when Peggy mentioned a certain name.
(Neferpitou, is it...?) Hisoka thought, his cards dancing between his fingers. (I've remembered that name. Any she-cat who tries to lay a hand on my Gon will be executed. ♣)
The clown, who had lived his life fighting for whims, had found a target he locked onto with genuine, cold hatred.
***
At the same time, in the highest floor of the East Gorteau palace, Meruem was managing his dual life of governance and play.
"Following the investigation of the prisoners, all those found to be wrongfully accused have been released," Pouf reported. "Combined with the new arrests for bribery, the prison population has seen a slight decrease."
"For a dictatorship, that number was surprisingly low," Meruem remarked, scanning documents. "Continue to purge the unnecessary rot from my nation. ...And that's mate. You're dismissed."
Sitting cross-legged on a cushion, Meruem had been processing state paperwork while simultaneously playing five consecutive games against the national Shogi champion—and winning them all.
"Impossible... he was a complete amateur just ten games ago..." the champion muttered as he was led away.
The maids—women who had formerly been Diego's "Joy Division"—were now working as efficient staff. Having been brainwashed into loyalty, they handled everything from administration to service.
"That leaves only one champion left," Pouf observed. "You've conquered every board game you've touched, Lord Meruem. And the more complex the rules, the faster you seem to master them. What is your secret?"
Since his battle with the palace captain, Meruem had spent every waking moment either governing or playing games. He had processed information at a rate that made his first day look like a snail's pace.
"A secret...? It's simply that all things—whether board games or governance—possess a 'respiration.' A 'flow.' As long as you do not disrupt that flow, you succeed."
In a game or a battle, if you maintain your own flow while disrupting your opponent's, victory is assured. In governance, if the policies are healthy, the nation "breathes" correctly, and money and people circulate as they should.
"I see. Truly a truth that applies to all of creation," Pouf praised.
"That, and I simply couldn't stand the state of this country," Meruem added. "To have my nation be this filthy and corrupt is a disgrace I cannot endure for a single second."
Meruem handed off another set of drafted policies to a maid to be taken to Bizeff's department. In just a few days, the stagnation at the lower levels of East Gorteau was already clearing up. The nation was on the verge of an explosive growth spurt.
"I have mastered the specs of this body. I have aligned my thoughts with my knowledge. I have addressed the most urgent failures of the state. You said the last champion plays this nation's unique game, Gungi? Once I defeat them, I shall begin the collection. Are the preparations ready?"
"Yes! I have gathered those with power, regardless of whether they know Nen. Their skill and experience will surely satisfy you."
Meruem's Hatsu, Tyrant's Overrun: What is Yours is Mine, was more valuable for the skills and experiences it stole than for the aura itself. Meruem already had more aura and physical power than any human, but he only had a few weeks of life experience. He was like a world-class F1 car with a brilliant driver who had never actually seen a race track.
"Kuku... with my current processing speed, I can analyze a lifetime of martial devotion in mere minutes. I look forward to seeing how high I can climb once I've assimilated a multitude of techniques."
If a normal person used Tyrant's Overrun, the influx of foreign experiences would likely shatter their ego. But Meruem's perfect body and iron will could handle it, pushing him toward a level of power worthy of a supreme King.
"Pouf, bring me the Gungi champion. We begin the collection tomorrow—or perhaps today."
"As you command! I shall burn the image of your ascension into my eyes!"
Meruem didn't know. He didn't know about the "anomaly" born with a 0% probability—the one not created to be strong, but born as a literal miracle of nature. He didn't know about the realm that can only be reached by someone who has purified themselves into a single, focused point—a realm his broad perfection could not touch.
"I-it is a fine day today... to be granted an audience with... with his Excellency..."
A small, blind, and ragged girl stood before him. She was the weakest and most fragile of humans.
"My name is Komugi. I'm a good-for-nothing who only knows Gungi, but I'll do my very best."
For the first time in his life, Meruem was about to encounter an opponent he could not defeat, no matter how hard he tried.
***
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