The name Meruem.
Now… only Oboro knew it.
He continued his cleanup work within the ant nest.
With the Queen Ant dead, the ants seemed to have lost their control and signals, no longer orderly.
Instead, they were in utter chaos.
And lacking the commands of the higher-ranking ants.
However, such a large number of ants still presented a rich feast for Oboro.
He couldn't kill every single ant.
There were too many…
So, some would inevitably scatter to the outside world, including those who were not in the ant nest to begin with, and a few squad leaders.
They were just lucky.
The impact on the human world later would not be as significant due to his intervention.
Furthermore, there was Gyro…
The King of NGL.
While Oboro and his team were in NGL, the NGL system and military were rapidly collapsing… Although Oboro had been killing, he never cut off the ants' routes for hunting outside. Moreover, due to the Association and the cat-woman, Oboro had also paused for a while, thus Gyro also became one of the Queen Ant's meals.
The method of judgment was simple: subsequently, the NGL military or soldiers never dispatched again… even the entire country lacked personnel to command.
Oboro couldn't determine Gyro's resurrection time, nor did he want to interfere with his own plans, so Gyro should have also escaped to the outside world!
If he were present, Oboro would have been able to distinguish him immediately.
This guy, from the moment he was born, could disobey the Queen Ant's orders and possessed memories from his previous human life… leaving directly.
But finding him… wouldn't be difficult.
Because Oboro knew Gyro would cross paths with Gon and Killua.
If he staked out in advance, he might be able to find him.
However… Oboro wasn't in the mood to deal with him right now. Souls were the most important thing. He wanted to eliminate as many ants as possible within his capabilities.
The more souls collected, the better.
Meanwhile, on the edge of the territory, Netero's team remained completely unaware of the changes within the ant colony.
The old man was still training, searching for his optimal state.
However, a few days later… they still discovered clues.
First, the number of ants had decreased, forcing them to venture deeper from the territory's edge to find more 'sparring partners' for Netero.
Second… Knov and Morel found that even when ants appeared, they were scattered and completely disorganized. Through external communication and signals, they learned that Chimera Ants had appeared in several countries within the Mitene Republic.
This indicated that the ants had dispersed…
Something must have happened at the ant nest.
If the Queen Ant were still alive, the ants would not have left the nest. They were supposed to serve the Queen.
And the nest was in NGL, so… even if the ants' range had expanded further, they would not have crossed beyond this small country.
It didn't seem like the Queen Ant had ordered an attack on humans… because these ants seemed to be wandering aimlessly outside.
Therefore… Netero and the other two set off for the Chimera Ant nest.
The scene along the way shocked Knov and Morel.
Ant corpses littered the ground, extending over a vast area from the ant nest… and their deaths were all the same.
No external wounds!
Upon entering the nest, they found it had become an empty shell, with only scattered, finger-sized ants active, feeding on the abundant decaying flesh.
The stench in the cave was overpowering, making them nauseous.
"They've been dead for some time…" The three walked and stopped, wandering through the cave for a long time, finally arriving at the place where the Queen Ant died.
Knov observed for a while and said in a deep voice.
He looked at the Chairman.
All three remained silent.
"Good heavens… Who did this? Was it one of our people?" Morel gasped in shock.
Perhaps the only one still confused at the scene was him.
Morel didn't understand Oboro's Nen ability…
But Knov and Netero already had the answer in their hearts.
"This brat…" Netero chuckled.
He could tell… this whole setup was orchestrated by Oboro for the sake of souls.
"So that means… I'm also on his list."
Netero found it amusing and thought to himself.
Soul-based Nen abilities… What value or effect do these souls have for him?
The old man only had a general understanding of Oboro's Nen abilities, not the specifics. However, before coming, Ging had mentioned it… saying that Oboro could collect souls to enhance his strength, but the specific effects were uncertain. Ging only said that in the game 'Hero's Island,' souls provided attribute boosts to a certain hero character.
But this was just speculation; it couldn't be applied directly to the game, as Oboro's attainments in 'Nen' were extraordinary. How he developed his Nen abilities depended on his own ideas and designs.
"This means… he believes I will lose."
Netero narrowed his eyes.
He didn't mind Oboro coveting his soul, provided… he was the loser.
"Chairman… judging by the situation, the Ant King has been born. Based on the information we received, something has happened in East Gorteau, I'm afraid…" Knov spoke.
If the Ant King were present, Oboro certainly wouldn't dare to act like this.
Knov glanced at Morel again, feeling conflicted. Should he tell him the truth?
But remembering the Chairman's instructions, he decided against it.
"Mhm… it's likely gone to East Gorteau."
The old man rubbed his head, then suddenly changed the subject, asking Knov and Morel, "Do you think I'm very weak for my age? Although I was quite impressive when I was young, people do get old after all… Hahaha…"
The two were taken aback, not understanding why the Chairman suddenly asked this.
"Not at all… If even you, the Chairman, are considered weak, then we… are just ordinary people." Knov replied.
"I have never lost…"
"Restless little fellow… let me show you."
With that, Netero said things Knov and Morel didn't understand, stroked his beard, and chuckled as he turned to leave.
Knov vaguely understood some of it…
Regardless of Oboro's scheme, as long as the Chairman was here, there would be no problem.
Morel and Knov followed closely behind.
Before leaving, Knov glanced back at the ant skeletons, his heart tightening.
Few people within the Association truly understood Oboro's strength… he was quite mysterious.
This was the first time he had a direct sense of Oboro's power…
To achieve this level alone…
It was terrifying.
Meanwhile, Oboro, leading Fante and Anthony, had already begun pursuing the scattered ant swarm… Even the smallest mosquito is still meat. His own strength was so great that it could drop souls. Besides Chimera Ants, there were also magical beasts… but magical beasts were rare, and their distribution was wide, lacking the sheer numbers. To harvest 'leeks' in large quantities again, he would likely have to go to the Dark Continent.
Alternatively, he could incite wars by having various countries train hidden Nen users… This was indeed feasible, but too difficult and meaningless.
Because the numbers couldn't compare to the Chimera Ants.
The main issue was the hassle; it wasn't as easy as killing ants.
...
Half a month later, the Association had learned that the Ant King had taken residence in the Royal City of East Gorteau, and some Chimera Ants had followed… wanting to bask in the Ant King's glory.
After all, within the Ant King's territory, they wouldn't have to worry about their lives.
Whereas in the outside world, they would be attacked by humans.
Oboro had also completed his 'cleanup' work. Leading Fante and Anthony, he arrived at the city where the Chimera Ant extermination team was stationed.
Next… it was time for the real main event!
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