Running into Gyro on the road was undoubtedly an unexpected pleasant surprise. Though his status within the Chimera Ant ranks was negligible, his ability to cause all things to decay and wither was exceptionally powerful.
During the next leg of their journey, Allen conducted a series of tests using small ant scouting parties encountered while they were out hunting. He discovered that when dealing with Nen users, the viscous black liquid would first rapidly deplete the target's defensive Aura. Only after the Aura was completely exhausted would the liquid begin to cause physical aging and death.
Since the essence of Nen is life energy, a body protected by it can temporarily resist the invasion of the power of decay. While this meant its immediate lethality was far lower than when used against objects or non-Nen users, its strategic significance in actual combat was much higher.
According to his calculations, once a target was touched by the black liquid, it took only a few seconds to drain a standard soldier ant with a capacity of roughly 10,000. For an Officer with over 50,000 Aura, it took about thirty seconds.
Moreover, this substance could serve as a defensive measure, absorbing almost any form of impact. It was the ideal shield. If used to create a sealed space, one could stand at the center of a massive explosion without fear of injury; in fact, one wouldn't even feel the resulting shockwaves or air pressure.
While Allen's mind was occupied with how to further develop this power, three familiar figures suddenly appeared on the road ahead: Chairman Netero, Morel, and Knov.
They looked disheveled and exhausted, lacking the high spirits they had displayed upon first arriving at the border. Even the Chairman's clothes were tattered, evidence of an intensely fierce battle.
With a bone-jarring screech of brakes, the off-road vehicle drifted sideways, sliding several meters across the ground before coming to a steady halt. Allen was the first to hop out, asking in a half-joking tone, "Did you guys run into the Royal Guards? To end up looking like this!"
"Hahahaha! Exactly! We encountered the Royal Guards, and more than one. If Knov hadn't reacted quickly and pulled everyone into his Hide and Seek, I might have had to use that thing," Netero replied with a wide grin.
"Chairman, please be serious. This isn't a laughing matter," Morel complained, leaning on his giant pipe.
"Indeed. We very nearly died," Knov added, adjusting his glasses.
"Taking on two Royal Guards at once? You really are as vigorous as ever, Chairman!" Allen's face showed genuine surprise. However, considering the logically inexplicable striking speed of the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, suppressing two guards for a short time was likely well within the old man's capabilities.
Netero stroked his beard and sighed. "Yes. The physical prowess and Aura capacity of those two Chimera Ants are exactly as you described. Just standing before them makes one shudder. I can't imagine how powerful and terrifying the King will be when he is born. It seems winning this war might depend entirely on you. After all, I'm too old; even if I use that, I can't handle three guards and a King simultaneously."
"Don't worry, leave the three guards to me. As for you, just focus on the soon-to-be-born King. Regardless of the outcome, I will wipe out every last Chimera Ant. None shall remain," Allen promised without hesitation.
"Oh? You're willing to let me have the King?" Netero's eyes widened in surprise, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. In his eyes, Allen had always been a combat fanatic, obsessed with defeating and devouring powerful enemies to convert them into his own strength. And the Chimera Ant King was, by all accounts, the most ideal target imaginable.
The old man's original plan was for himself and the rest of the Extermination Team to handle the Royal Guards, but now a new option had appeared.
Allen understood the Chairman's sentiment and nodded with a smile. "Of course! Since you've even prepared that, I naturally have to save the best for you. For a man pursuing the ultimate peak of martial arts, you have to challenge the strongest, don't you?"
"Hehe! You truly do understand me. To think that at my age, I can be a 'challenger' once more. Life is truly unpredictable," Netero said, his eyes gleaming with unmasked excitement.
"It's because life is unpredictable, and no one knows what will happen next, that it's so interesting. By the way, when do you plan to launch the general assault? Just a heads-up: I won't accept surrenders from any ants, nor will I allow these man-eating monsters to live."
Allen stated his stance clearly. He truly couldn't understand why, in the original story, the Chairman allowed ants with hands stained with human blood to surrender or even granted them amnesty to integrate into civilized society. Was it simply because the surrendering ants had developed humanity? Or because they regained human memories? Neither should be a reason for absolution.
Netero sensed this and replied with a light chuckle, "I understand your position, and I won't stop you from doing what you believe is right. As for the timing of the assault, let's set it for half a month from now. I have some business back at the Association; will you be alright handling things here?"
"No problem. During this time, I'll do everything in my power to thin out their numbers. If the King is born, I guarantee you'll be the first to know," Allen agreed immediately.
"In that case, I can leave with a clear mind." With that, Netero turned to his assistants. "Morel, Knov, your next mission is to assist Allen. Understood?"
"Understood!"
"Same here!"
Both gave affirmative answers. They had seen Allen's powerful presence and knew that before they arrived, this young man had already led his team against the Chimera Ants for over ten days, annihilating over a thousand ants without a single loss. His personal strength and tactical command were impeccable.
"Excellent! Then I'll take my leave. Be careful, if the King is born earlier than expected, don't hesitate. Retreat immediately and wait for my return to devise a plan." With those final words, Netero leaped down from the heights and vanished into the dense jungle.
Watching the Chairman fade into the distance, Knov turned to Allen and asked seriously, "If you don't mind, could you share your plan? Lately, the ants have become increasingly cunning and alert. If they sense intruders within a five-kilometer radius of the hive, they immediately dispatch large forces led by Squadron Leaders, often numbering in the thousands. If a fierce battle breaks out, even the Royal Guards will deploy."
"So, they've suddenly become exceptionally tense lately, haven't they?" A bright light flashed in Allen's eyes as he sensed the implication.
"Hmm, now that you mention it, they have become much more high-strung. It couldn't be..." Morel, a man who fought with his brains as much as his muscles, instantly made the terrifying connection, his face turning grim.
"Congratulations, you guessed right. In all likelihood, the gestation of the King has reached its final stage," Allen replied meaningfully.
There was no doubt. Things had reached a point where they could no longer afford the luxury of slow-paced guerrilla warfare. Before the King was born, they had to deal a blow to the Chimera Ants that they couldn't recover from, at the very least, they needed to reduce the number of Squadron Leaders to under fifteen and keep the soldier ants below two thousand. Otherwise, once the Queen died and these creatures scattered across the world as they did in the original timeline, they would pose an absolute threat to the general public.
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