In the training room, Prince Benjamin stared at the stars forming on the palm of his hand—each representing a different Nen ability. He clenched his fist in grim determination.
Ever since the Second Prince's self-destructive stunt landed him in prison, and Kurapika had the guards report on Nen activity, each prince's Guardian Spirit Beast had started awakening and acting independently. The battle of abilities had officially begun.
...
Elsewhere, on the Thirteenth Prince's side, Guardian Spirit Beast—noticed only by Clone No. 5—activated its ability, moving Room 1013 into an entirely separate dimensional space.
The power was complex, but in short: while the room remained 1013 in name and structure, anyone opening the door from the outside would find it completely empty.
And yet, normal phone calls could still go through.
People inside could exit freely, but once they left, they couldn't return. Outsiders couldn't get in at all. An incredibly effective defensive Nen ability.
Even sharp observers like Hanzo and Leorio didn't notice anything amiss when the ability was activated. Only Clone No. 5 briefly sensed the ripple of Nen as Guardian Spirit Beast used its power.
...
Meanwhile, the Tenth Prince Kacho and the Eleventh Prince Fugetsu—deeply attached since childhood—found themselves drawn together again, thanks to Fugetsu's awakened Guardian Spirit Beast: [Magical Worm].
Effect: When Fugetsu desires to go somewhere, a Outgoing Door opens before her, transporting her to the location she's thinking of. Upon arrival, a Return Door appears, allowing her to return to her original spot.
Restrictions: Only Fugetsu can open the Outgoing Door, while only designated "carriers" (affectionately referred to as "trucks" in this context) can trigger the Return Door.
The ability is rooted in a game she and Kacho played as children—a shared memory that holds deep emotional value for them both.
Using this ability, they met secretly, evading their respective guards and chatting alone...
Ahem. Something about that sounds suspicious?
Still, aside from Melody and Clone No. 3, no one noticed anything strange. Clone No. 3 was in on the secret, and Melody—once she pieced things together—chose to keep silent.
Prince Kacho's Guardian Spirit Beast is an air-type.
Its effect is both eerie and moving: if either Kacho or Fugetsu dies, the spirit beast will take the form of the deceased and stay by the other's side until their death.
The ability reflects their obsessive bond—an unyielding desire to remain together even beyond death.
...
As for the Eighth Prince, Salé-salé—
After sinking into drunken indulgence, his Guardian Spirit Beast entered a heightened state. This allowed Prince Benjamin's soldiers to gather some preliminary data on its power.
Salé-salé's Guardian Beast has an induction-type ability. It's not aggressive, but it can influence large groups of people.
One soldier observed the prince reclining on his grand bed, arms wrapped around multiple beautiful women, giggling as a mist sprayed from above his head and turned to vapor.
He made a report:
"Anyone who inhales the white mist released by the Guardian Spirit Beast will experience a dramatic increase in affection for Prince Salé-salé.
The prince's excitement level affects how much mist is produced and how far it spreads. On average, it reaches a radius of about seven meters."
"If someone inhales enough mist, a miniature clone of the Guardian Beast will appear above their head. And when these people spend time with others, those people begin to grow clones too."
"In other words—they become carriers. The mist spreads Salé-salé's influence like a virus."
"Given his harem-loving nature, the prince's excitement is perpetually high. It's a massive problem."
In fact, many of his personal guards had already grown Guardian Beast clones on their heads within just half a day...
This bizarre, mind-affecting ability overwhelmed enemy forces by drastically increasing the number of loyal followers in Salé-salé's private army.
Soldiers with Nen could resist by forming barriers, but surveillance troops from other queens—who lacked Nen—were helpless.
For example, Koroabde, who had been on watch for sixteen straight hours had unknowingly inhaled the mist.
"I don't know how long until they develop clones too," the observing soldier muttered. "But once I confirm that… I can activate Predator! If it works against Guardian Spirit Beasts, this could be a huge win for Prince Benjamin!"
[Predator] was this soldier's personal Nen ability.
Effect: After selecting a target and activating the ability, the user's body begins cultivating a "foreign" predator designed specifically to counter the target's ability—a natural enemy.
Restrictions: The more accurately the user understands the target's ability, the stronger the predator. However, this ability is ineffective against straightforward attacks like Enhancer or Emitter skills. Once activated, the user cannot use Nen for 48 hours.
It's an unusual but powerful ability. With a little more analysis of Salé-salé's Guardian Beast, the soldier believed a counter-creature could be born soon. And when that happens...
...
Elsewhere, in Room 1003—
Third Prince Zhang Lei sat amid luxury, indulging in yet another decadent meal. Just as he wiped his mouth, a coin appeared in his palm—out of nowhere.
He frowned. It was exactly the same as yesterday.
The same thing had happened: a coin materializing from thin air. No one had noticed but Coventoba, a private soldier assigned to observe him.
------------
Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)