The pitch-black surface of the water was like an infinitely stretching bolt of ink-colored silk, with ripples slowly spreading from the center toward a distant, unreachable shore.
Morrow stood on the water, subtle waves forming beneath his feet.
He gazed at the Chimera Ant King, who wore a look of absolute certainty.
Is he that sure I won't go back on my word?
Perhaps the King did have his own standards for judging others. After all, as the king of the Chimera Ants, he was born with wisdom and insight that surpassed ordinary people.
But in the end, he had been in this world for less than a month. His understanding of so-called "humanity" was, even now, still far too shallow.
One had to understand that if Morrow fulfilled their agreement, he would have to strip away a portion of his own aura output.
This meant that if he were to separate the King's consciousness using Nen as a vessel and not retrieve it for a long time, it would be equivalent to dropping from Lv. 104 to Lv. 103.
It could also be understood as Morrow paying this price in exchange for an ability that could break through the limitations of the human race.
But this price... if Morrow were cruel and ruthless enough, he could simply tear up the agreement and suppress the King beneath this black water forever, out of sight and out of mind.
And the King, perhaps because he didn't understand this, could remain so composed.
That was what Morrow thought.
But the King seemed to see right through him, speaking faintly, "Aura, in your human understanding, is called 'aura,' isn't it? I am well aware of how you must fulfill our agreement, and I understand that doing so will weaken your aura amount. But your aura right now... is telling me that you will not forsake your promise because of this price."
"..."
Morrow raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised.
So he did know...
Morrow didn't speak for a moment.
The King looked at him, his tone still as calm as still water. "If you were to break your promise, there is nothing I could do. The weaker party is meant to be exploited."
The weak, when plundered and oppressed, should simply endure it.
This was the most fundamental rule of the biological world.
This understanding seemed to have been branded deep within the King's genes.
In his eyes, weak humans were fundamentally no different from livestock, belonging to the side that could only be plundered.
As for pity and tolerance for the weak... before meeting Komugi, the King probably wouldn't have had such emotions.
Even after meeting Komugi, which did change his perception to a certain extent, that tolerance and pity for the weak were limited to Komugi alone.
The King held the same view even when it came to himself.
So even if Morrow truly broke the agreement, he might feel unwilling, but he would ultimately accept it.
Because this was the law of the jungle.
The King could accept any outcome.
However, Morrow had no intention of breaking the agreement.
"Meruem."
Without responding to what the King had said, Morrow suddenly spoke a name.
The King was puzzled. "What?"
"This is the name the Chimera Ant Queen gave you, it means 'the light that illuminates everything.'"
"..."
The King froze for a moment.
Meruem... is my name? he murmured to himself in the space of his consciousness.
The next moment, his consciousness was pulled from the black water space.
—--
Morrow looked at the private house ahead and walked inside.
Just as he crossed the threshold, the sound of a cane tapping urgently on the ground reached his ears.
Immediately after, Komugi's wary inquiry came from within the house. "Who is it?"
Her hearing was extremely sharp; she had heard the footsteps long before Morrow even entered the door.
Although the International Conservation Organization had already taken over the post-war cleanup of East Gorteau and was discussing the division of territory and resettlement of citizens with neighboring countries, the situation within East Gorteau remained uncertain until everything was settled.
Komugi had been placed in a town near the capital, and the temporarily maintained public order was not yet enough to make one feel completely at ease.
However, Knov was responsible for Komugi's placement.
With his usual thoroughness, he had naturally made proper arrangements for her safety.
It was just that Komugi herself was unaware of this.
"It's me, Hisoka."
Morrow's throat muscles twitched slightly, adjusting his voice to the type he had used when he was with Komugi before.
"Ah, Mr. Hisoka! How did you know I was here?"
Hearing the familiar voice, the wariness on Komugi's face instantly receded like a tide, replaced by pleasant surprise.
"I asked around."
Morrow casually made up an excuse, then asked with concern, "Komugi, how have you been lately?"
"I've been fine. It's just that without Gungi, time seems to pass so slowly. And the army delivers food without charging any money, which makes me feel a little embarrassed, hehe."
As Komugi spoke, she smiled shyly.
Although she was a renowned Gungi champion, her living conditions had not improved because of it.
She had even given most of the prize money from her championships to her family.
So, being able to enjoy daily necessities like food for free still made her feel a bit embarrassed.
Hearing this, Morrow smiled silently and placed the Gungi set, wrapped in a cloth, on the coffee table in the living room.
"Mr. Hisoka, please come in and sit. I'll make you some tea."
Hearing the sound of an object being placed on the coffee table, Komugi was suddenly reminded of her duties as a host and hurriedly went to the kitchen with her cane.
She had been living here for some time and was fairly familiar with the layout.
"Don't trouble yourself."
Morrow called out to stop her.
But Komugi insisted on making tea.
A moment later, Komugi carefully carried a teacup and slowly walked toward the living room.
Morrow stood up, took the cup from her hands, placed it gently on the coffee table, then turned to help her sit in the chair opposite him.
"You're clearly the guest, yet I have to trouble you with even serving tea... I'm so useless."
Komugi whispered, a little embarrassed.
"You're being too polite, Komugi."
Morrow smiled.
As he spoke, he unwrapped the package on the coffee table, taking out the board and pieces inside.
When he placed the Gungi set back on the table, the pieces clinked against each other, producing a crisp sound.
The sound immediately caught Komugi's attention.
She was all too familiar with this sound.
It was the distinct, crisp sound of Gungi pieces colliding.
"Mr. Hisoka, what you just put on the coffee table... is it a Gungi set?"
"Yes, I brought it especially for you."
Morrow smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Hisoka!"
Komugi was both surprised and touched.
But soon, the Gungi set made her think of the Supreme Leader, of whom there was still no news, and a trace of worry crossed her face.
Morrow saw the subtle change in Komugi's expression but said nothing. He just gently pushed the board in front of her and then asked, "Komugi, may I borrow your cane for a moment?"
"Huh?"
The request surprised Komugi, but she immediately replied, "Of course."
With that, she picked up the cane leaning against her chair and handed it toward Morrow.
Morrow took the cane, said thanks, and then condensed a flame-like cluster of aura on his index finger, meticulously carving Divine Script capable of retaining aura onto the cane's surface.
He would use a portion of his aura output as a vessel for the King's consciousness, then seal this portion of aura within Komugi's cane using the Divine Script.
This way, the King could remain by Komugi's side in some form.
However, whether he could achieve the most basic ability to play Gungi would depend on the King's own will and ability.
All Morrow did was provide him with a platform full of possibilities.
If the King's obsession was strong enough, then the existence of Nen would naturally respond to him.
Before long, Morrow carved the last Divine Script and gently handed the cane back to Komugi.
Although Komugi was puzzled, she didn't ask any questions.
She placed the cane back in its original spot, then reached out her right hand and picked up a piece she hadn't touched in a long time, a hint of hesitation on her face.
She really wanted to play Gungi.
As soon as the thought arose, Komugi mustered her courage and began to speak, "Mr. Hisoka, could you possibly..."
"Komugi."
Morrow interrupted her at that moment, his tone apologetic. "I still have some things to take care of. I'll come see you another day."
"Oh, I see..."
Komugi silently swallowed the words inviting him to a game, sniffled softly, and then forced a smile and nodded. "Then you should go take care of your business."
"Alright, take care."
After speaking, Morrow stood up and left decisively.
Hearing the movement, Komugi also stood up and said softly, "I'll see you out."
"No need."
Morrow walked quickly. Before Komugi could react, the sound of his footsteps had already faded from near to far.
Komugi stood there in a daze, only slowly sitting back down in her chair after a moment.
Her right hand gently caressed a Gungi piece, her face unable to hide her disappointment.
A game of Gungi, after all, required two people.
But the naturally optimistic Komugi quickly adjusted her mood.
Even playing alone was better than having no pieces to touch at all.
Komugi hummed a tuneless melody, her upper body swaying slightly with the rhythm, while her fingers skillfully placed the pieces one by one onto the board.
After setting up the pieces, she began a game against herself.
Perhaps because she was thinking of the Supreme Leader again, she unconsciously recreated the unfinished game from that day.
The next move should have been made by the Supreme Leader.
But that game had been frozen in time on that day.
Komugi's eyes opened slightly, as if she could see the unresolved game laid out quietly before her.
—--
Outside the house, Morrow stood silently in the shadows of a corner, watching the cane beside Komugi from a distance.
On the surface of the cane, the Divine Script was glowing with a faint white light, flickering unstably, as if some kind of consciousness was struggling within it.
And that was indeed the case.
The King was trying hard... trying to break free from the form of pure energy, wanting to manifest a real body.
However, this misplaced desire was ultimately in vain.
It was an absolutely impossible extravagance.
No matter how strong the King's will was, he was ultimately just a small portion of aura that Morrow had benevolently separated. His very nature determined his limits.
Komugi didn't notice the abnormality of the cane beside her; she just gradually felt a sense of loss.
She slowly put down the black piece in her hand, ultimately not making that move for the Supreme Leader.
The King's consciousness, dwelling within the cane's Divine Script, seemed to sense her mood, and the flickering of the light became more and more rapid.
He gave up the obsession of manifesting a body.
Instead, he returned to his purest wish, which was... to play Gungi with Komugi.
As long as I can finish this game, just one game... that would be enough. Nothing else matters anymore...
Perhaps because this will had become so pure, the aura output carrying the King's consciousness finally extended out from the Divine Script, gathering in the air into a blue-green, will-o'-the-wisp-like halo.
The halo flickered uncertainly, yet it faintly reflected a blurry but determined face.
"Komugi."
From within the blue-green, phosphorescent aura, the King's voice actually sounded out.
Komugi froze at the sound, then whispered in disbelief, "Is that you, Supreme Leader?"
"It is I. Let's play Gungi..."
"Ah, yes!"
As always, Komugi didn't ask any questions. She just naturally accepted the King's sudden appearance and his proposal to continue the game.
The King's eyes appeared in the center of the phosphorescence. He looked at Komugi on the other side of the board and said, "Remember, my name is Meruem. From now on, you don't have to call me Supreme Leader."
"Okay, Lord Meruem."
Komugi beamed, then gently reminded him, "It's your move now."
"I know."
Meruem stared at the board, his tone filled with long-awaited anticipation. "I've long since decided on this move."
To place the "King" in peril, allowing the "subjects" to hold their positions securely.
This seemingly backward move might just lead the battle in a more favorable direction.
This was the response Meruem had devised long ago.
He picked up the General piece and advanced it without hesitation.
"4-8-8, opposing General."
The piece landed, the sound firm.
As soon as Meruem's voice fell, the move had already appeared clearly in Komugi's mind.
It wasn't the optimal move, but it was completely beyond her expectations.
For some reason, at this moment, her eyes grew warm.
Meruem stared intently at the board, but he didn't see Komugi make a move. He only heard a faint sobbing sound.
He looked up in confusion and saw Komugi sniffling softly, tears silently streaming down her face.
"Why are you crying?" Meruem asked, puzzled.
Komugi was crying and laughing at the same time, her voice choked with sobs. "I-I just feel... so happy."
"..."
Meruem silently watched Komugi's face, which was not intellectual but incredibly sincere.
Happy... perhaps this indescribable feeling in my heart right now is what Komugi calls happiness.
It was just that all of this was too fleeting.
Meruem hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he didn't tell her the truth that he could only finish this one game with her.
"Did my move put you in a difficult position?"
"Yes, Lord Meruem is improving so quickly. You're about to surpass me."
Komugi picked up a piece, a countermeasure already in her mind.
Meruem's pride made him dismiss Komugi's praise. He was about to speak when he saw her make a swift move.
Clack.
The piece landed with a light sound, and her fingertips actually glowed with a brilliant, rainbow-like luster.
However, Meruem's gaze was not drawn to the splendid aura. Instead, it was fixed in shock on Komugi's move.
With just this one move, she had completely dismantled all of his subsequent Gungi moves.
With just one move...
Meruem deeply experienced Komugi's supreme mastery on the Gungi board.
No, she is only just now starting to get stronger.
"I've lost."
Meruem's feelings were complex and difficult to describe.
There was both strong admiration and deep regret.
Admiration for her strength, regret that his own end was near.
"Komugi."
"Yes?"
"Can you say my name one more time?"
Meruem's form began to grow transparent.
"Yes, Lord Meruem!"
Komugi responded crisply while happily resetting the pieces on the board.
Meruem quietly watched her busy hands, a trace of indescribable bitterness flashing in the eyes that had appeared in the phosphorescence.
Let it end here... this is enough.
Meruem thought to himself.
In the final moment before his consciousness dissipated, his gaze slowly moved from the newly set board and finally rested on Komugi's face.
"Lord Meruem, let's play another game."
Just as his form was about to completely disintegrate, Komugi's words made his already blurring vision suddenly clear.
Huh?
Meruem was slightly stunned. He suddenly noticed the brilliant aura flowing from Komugi's body, swirling toward him like light smoke and slowly merging into his dissipating form.
This power, originating from Komugi, was keeping him in the mortal world.
—--
Outside the house, Morrow took in the entire scene.
The scale of that Nen... is increasing?
Seeing Meruem's phosphorescent form clearly grow a size larger, Morrow couldn't help but feel surprised.
More importantly, although this was a miracle triggered by Komugi, Morrow could clearly sense... that the enhanced Nen was still completely under his control.
This meant that if he were to retrieve this ball of aura now, it would be like investing 10 points of aura output but getting 11 points back.
If this enhancement could continue... then wouldn't Meruem, left here, become a bot that automatically accumulated experience points?
I'll observe a little longer.
Morrow's gaze shifted slightly, landing on the brilliant aura circulating around Komugi.
He knew very well that the King had exchanged the ability to play for a short time at the cost of only being able to finish that one game.
He never expected that the Nen Komugi had awakened would actually break this fated demise.