The abandoned weapons testing ground was underground, with moonlight filtering through the cracked rock layers, casting light on the area.
Netero had lost a hand and a foot in his fierce battle with the "Ant King."
Meanwhile, the "Ant King" had only a few scratches.
So, Netero used almost all of his remaining Nen to deliver his final attack— "100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva Zero Hand."
It was like launching himself as a projectile in the form of "100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva Zero Hand" towards the "Ant King."
However, the "Ant King" didn't die, nor did he suffer any significant damage.
Netero, however, was exhausted, his body frail, breathing like a bellows.
His vision blurred, but he could still vaguely see the figure of the "Ant King" nearby.
At this point, am I still unable to deal a heavy blow to him?
It seems that, as a challenger, I have lost completely.
Netero didn't want to think about whether the version of himself in his prime, over fifty years ago, could have defeated Meruem.
It was meaningless and boring to even consider.
The important thing is now.
It was indeed like that... but... no, there is no "but."
Since I, as a martial arts challenger, have lost, then, as the Chairman of the Hunter Association, as the representative of humanity, I cannot lose.
He raised his uninjured hand, with his index and middle fingers pressed together like a blade, ready to strike his chest.
However, at that moment, the figure of Germain flashed before his eyes.
Germain...
Netero remembered a conversation he had with Linne some time ago.
Linne had told him that Germain would surpass him, surpass that peak version of himself, and stand at the top of all Nen users across the six continents.
The "Ant King" was not the strongest opponent Netero had sought his whole life to challenge—Germain was.
Is that true?
Actually, the battle with the "Ant King" had already satisfied Netero. He had planned to let go of his obsession and face death with peace.
It was just that the time spent with Germain made him develop a certain desire.
He wanted to see the future, to see hope.
Netero coughed a few times, then suddenly burst into laughter.
The "Ant King" stared at him, unable to understand why this dying old man was laughing so loudly.
Just as he had earlier been unable to understand why the old man refused to accept his offer to surrender.
Because of Netero's existence, the "Ant King" was willing to grant humanity special treatment after ruling the world in the future.
This is out of respect for Netero, something Netero fought for.
But Netero refused.
It's hard to understand.
This is the best possible result for humanity. What else could he possibly be dissatisfied with?
And why is he laughing now?
So, the "Ant King" asked.
"What are you laughing at?"
Netero laughed for a while more, then raised his hand to wipe the tears of laughter from his eyes. His expression then returned to calm, and he looked at the "Ant King."
"Your name is Meruem. This is the name your mother gave you when she was dying."
The "Ant King" was stunned.
No matter how much he had pressured Netero earlier, Netero wouldn't reveal the "Ant King's" real name.
But now, Netero was willing to say it. Why?
Meruem didn't understand.
Netero and Meruem locked eyes, unwavering.
"From the moment you were born, you had the strongest individual power across the six continents. But you still don't fully understand the malice of humans and the dangers they pose."
"It's because humans refuse to be pets of Chimera Ants or livestock in a Chimera Ant's enclosure that things have become so complicated. It's the reason I've come this far."
"No matter what, you must die."
"Humans don't need your pity, and they don't need your rule, because that's just a fleeting whim of yours. You'll soon understand that the only way to ensure the survival of Chimera Ants is to completely wipe out humanity."
"Meruem, for you, there is only one outcome today. There are no other possibilities."
Meruem narrowed his eyes slightly.
He began to realize that he might truly be unable to convince the old man before him to change sides.
As for what Netero said earlier, he didn't take it to heart.
Komugi had taught him a lot. He thought he already understood how to rule humanity.
Maybe one day, humans could even become second-class citizens beneath Chimera Ants in his kingdom.
This was something he would practice, not just listen to Netero's words.
Meruem flicked his tail and took a step forward, intending to approach Netero and take his remaining hand.
At that point, Netero would be completely powerless to resist.
In the future, as long as Netero was willing to surrender, Meruem would have Neferpitou heal Netero's injuries and even offer Netero the greatest favor—reincarnating him as a Chimera Ant.
Actually, he didn't like Chimera Ants reincarnated from humans.
Such Chimera Ants had too much of their human selves, which could damage and disrupt the organization of the Chimera Ants and hinder his reign.
However, for Netero, he was willing to break this rule. It was a sign of respect for a strong opponent.
Hmm?
At that moment, Meruem sensed something and slowly raised his head.
In his line of sight, he saw a strange creature, part dragon, part bird, flying across the clear night sky. Then, a figure descended from above.
With a roar, the figure landed with a thud at the abandoned weapon testing grounds, right in front of Meruem and Netero.
Meruem halted in his tracks.
Netero, on the other hand, hung his head, his breath faint.
"Has he come...?"
Germain glanced at Meruem before walking over to Netero and standing beside him.
His upper clothing had been burned away in his battle with Youpi, revealing hard, black-and-white bone armor that seemed to be fused with his flesh.
A dark crown floated above his head.
Whenever he ceased fighting, the silvery-white halo around him would be replaced by the dark crown.
As long as he continues to fight, he will become more and more fused with his Nen Beast, "Chaos Roar," which is what formed the armor he now wears.
At that point, it will take even longer to remove the Dark Crown.
"Chairman, what about your 'Breath of the Archangel'?"
Netero chuckled lightly, slowly raised his hand, and pointed in a direction.
During the underground battle, he had secretly buried a card box containing the "Breath of the Archangel" in that direction.
If he still had no hope of defeating Meruem now, using the "Breath of the Archangel" to heal his wounds and try again would be meaningless.
But now, perhaps there was a chance.
Germain took out his card box and drew the "Breath of the Archangel," using it on Netero.
In an instant, the Archangel revealed its holy form and blew healing breath onto Netero, who was lying on the ground.
Meruem crossed his arms and watched without moving.
He knew what that was because Netero and Zeno had used the same card ability on the injured Komugi before.
However, Meruem felt there was no need to stop it.
Netero's condition was worse than he had imagined, and he might die at any moment.
He had underestimated the situation from the perspective of a Chimera Ant.
Humans were still too fragile.
This man might save Netero, but...
During this time, Meruem had read many human books and learned the hundred ways human monarchs subdue enemy generals, one of which was to capture and release seven times.
He didn't mind defeating Netero six more times until Netero was willing to kneel before him.
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