Hunter: I became stronger even after I died.

Chapter 286 Brushing Away the Dust
The ability to condense starlight is more suited to manipulation skills.

Therefore, in most cases, Moro needs to trigger the conditions through close combat.

This fighting style is contrary to the Emission type.

So much so that when Moro suddenly unleashed a high-intensity Emission-type attack, there was a sudden, jarring sense of contrast.

Split-type bullet.

The starting speed is so fast, and the accuracy is so precise.

Illumi was startled, realizing that Moro had taken another big step on his way to the summit.

However, that high-intensity ranged attack was not enough to dominate the battle.

By using a substitute needle as bait, one can have a chance to "win with one blow".

Inside the venue.

The fog was getting thinner.

The muddy ground, the damp green plants, and the drooping vines unfold like a scroll painting, revealing themselves from all around.

The people, pierced by the bullets, fell onto the muddy ground, splashing up streams of dirty water.

In mid-air, the needle shattered.

Small fragments of debris were scattered on the ground.

The only Stand user who wasn't attacked showed a slight look of surprise at the right moment, thanks to Illumi's precise abilities.

However, their momentum remained unaffected.

Even without the help of the Needleman, as the eldest son of the Zoldyck family, he possesses even more formidable physical skills.

Then the substitute needle person took out two Nen needles from his body and held them firmly between his fingers.

Taking only two sticks is certainly not for throwing.

Its operational capabilities, which are characterized by the ability to win with a single strike, not only serve as a deterrent in close combat but also provide tactical value by constantly creating pressure, making opponents feel like they have a thorn in their side.

The astonishment on the substitute needle's face lessened, and then, radiating a powerful aura, it attacked Moro directly.

The acting was quite convincing.

Moro muttered to himself, but did not use his ability to condense starlight, letting the fake Illumi attack him.

The substitute needle-wielder suddenly struck out with his palm, the tip of the Nen needle held between his fingers aimed at Moro's chest.

In the blink of an eye, the energy manifested on the surface of his body was precisely distributed like flowing water.

This is a flow.

The fact that such a rapid flow could be applied to a "fake product" demonstrates extremely high control precision.

A strange light flashed in the depths of Moro's eyes. He also used his superb technique, and as he displayed the flow of energy, he raised his hand and struck the wrist of the fake Illumi.

There was a soft snap.

The two forces clashed, and a white wave of energy erupted.

The fake Illumi's right hand was forced upwards by Moro's blow.

However, Moro was even more surprised.

The strength of his muscles and bones that he felt during the fight was unlike anything a fake should have.

If it hadn't been for the starlight condensing and sweeping it out, there really wouldn't have been any flaws to speak of.

No wonder the "true form" has always been able to remain calmly hidden.

His thoughts raced like lightning, but this did not affect Moro's rhythm of the fight in the slightest.

And then,
The fake Illumi's fingers, which were holding the Nen needle, suddenly trembled, and as his arm was being knocked upwards, he shot the Nen needle toward Moro's face.

at the same time,

The fake Illumi's other hand, as if trying to scoop the moon from the bottom of the sea, carried a chilling killing intent as it drove the second Nen needle toward Moro's neck.

Defend and counter-attack, and launch the next offensive.

They were completed at almost the same time.

Faced with this fierce and powerful attack, Moro calmly raised his chin and, using the action of exhaling, spat a Nen bullet at the oncoming Nen needle.

Ding.

The psychic bullet struck the psychic needle.

With a crisp sound, the attacked needle suddenly changed direction and flew toward Moro's side.

While dealing with the threat from the Nen needle, Moro reached out his left hand and, like a golden hoop, grasped the wrist of the fake Illumi, who was holding the second Nen needle.

The right hand that had previously knocked away the fake Illumi's first attack, which was still in an upward motion, suddenly turned into a heavy punch and slammed into the fake Illumi's chest.

Bang!
The fierce force transmitted through the fist almost broke through the aura that the fake Illumi had gathered in front of his chest.

The subsequent impact caused the fake Illumi's body to stagger backward.

However, Moro exerted force with his right hand, pulling the fake Illumi back and delivering another heavy punch to the fake Illumi's chest.

Bang!
But this time, the fake Illumi's body flew backward.

Because it altered the bone and muscle structure of its wrist, it managed to break free from Moro's grip.

As the fake Illumi flew backward, blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, but he remained calm and adjusted his posture before finally landing steadily on the ground.

Illumi, who was secretly controlling the Stand Needle Man, noticed a huge change in Morrow's "advanced Nen techniques" during these close-quarters combat sessions, and even a significant increase in his physical strength.

No wonder he's so confident in suppressing his Nen ability.

He wasn't the only one who devoted himself to rigorous training over the past year or so.

The same goes for Moro, whom he considered a thorn in his side.

Fortunately——

The most important changes I made were in my skill set and tactical direction.

Therefore, regardless of whether the substitute needle is an advantage or a disadvantage, it has an extremely high margin for error.

Inside the venue.

As if sensing Illumi's thoughts, Moro pursued the fake without hesitation after blasting it away with a punch, simultaneously unleashing his "Starlight Condensation" domain.

He not only wanted to destroy Illumi's body, but also to completely crush his spirit.

The dazzling starlight surged forward like a tide, enveloping the fake Illumi who had just regained its footing.

Meanwhile, Illumi, who was observing from the shadows, had a cold glint in his eyes.

This was the beginning of the opportunity he had been waiting for.

He was well aware of the "star" transfer mechanism, but at this moment, he actually hoped that Morrow would implant the star into the Stand Needle Man.

Because from Morrow's perspective and understanding, the person implanted with the star mark is not the Stand Needle Man, but himself.

In this way, when Moro thinks he has succeeded and then uses his manifested power to kill the Stand Needle Man, he can take the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to Moro.

This is one of the tactical directions that Illumi most anticipated.

right now,

The show has begun.

Moro, wielding starlight, attacked the fake Illumi.

That seemingly desperate offensive was more like an attempt to provoke the fake Illumi to retaliate.

However, under Illumi's control, the Stand Needle Man did not rush to retaliate, but instead pretended to be wary of the Starburst Condensation ability, thus being forced to retreat under Morrow's offensive.

Only when there was no way to avoid it did he control the substitute needle person to rashly launch a counterattack.

Amidst the dazzling starlight.

Moro successfully dodged the counterattack from the fake Illumi, accumulating one dodge attempt.

The offensive and defensive battles continue.

The counterfeit Illumi failed to retaliate and suffered another defeat.

Until the most perilous situation arose, they fought back desperately.

Under the shimmering starlight, Moro easily evaded the counterattack once again.

In this way, Moro, through his strong offensive and by constantly accumulating the number of times he could dodge, roughly deduced Illumi's intentions.

He went with the flow, cooperating with the drama unfolding before his eyes.

During this process, Moreau more actively demonstrated his superb Nen skills, exceptional physical strength, and superb physical abilities.

It's like telling Illumi something.

A towering mountain now lies before you.

secretly.

As Moro's offensive grew increasingly fierce, Illumi couldn't help but be alarmed, completely unable to imagine what kind of training Moro had undertaken over the past year.

How could such remarkable progress be made?
If the improvement in manifested energy can be attributed to exceptional physical attributes, then how was such a leap forward in advanced Nen techniques and physical skills achieved?

Of course, Illumi wouldn't know...

Moro's transformation was all thanks to a sparring partner who was a world-class ability user.

But for Illumi, no matter how Morrow did it, it's not an answer he has to get to the bottom of, or rather, it's not important at all.

The stronger Moro's offensive became, the less flawed the Stand Needle Man's retreat appeared.

If things continue like this, the pre-planned tactics will soon yield results.

then,

That crucial moment has finally arrived.

The glittering starlight, devoid of any mass or power, transformed into golden chains with unparalleled force once the conditions were met, binding the fake Illumi.

This is a result that Illumi has been waiting for for a long time.

This was also the moment when Moreau's "show came to an end".

The golden chains gleamed in the thin mist, clanging as they contracted.

Immediately, the golden chains shattered and scattered, revealing a star mark on the fake Illumi.

The ability to condense starlight is moving to the next stage.

Just as Illumi had predicted, Moro had already retreated a distance when the golden chains shattered, and he condensed a shooting star in his palm, which he then launched behind him.

That flying star, if it only travels a hundred meters and then turns back, can kill the substitute needle man he used as "bait" with many times the power.

So in order to prevent this impending dead end...

At this moment, the substitute needle man, naturally and without regard for anything else, rushed towards Moro.

One step after another, scene after scene unfolds.

All of this was accomplished under Illumi's "manipulation".

This is the true operating system.

An operating system capable of controlling the overall situation.

Illumi became incredibly focused at that moment, patiently waiting for the final instant to arrive.

Inside the venue.

The substitute needle's face contorted slightly as it charged forward recklessly.

At this point, the needle-wielding man's body, which had been forcibly strengthened, was on the verge of collapse.

But it's not too late.

All that's needed is to get closer.

Moro calmly watched the fake Illumi's face gradually turn frenzied and grotesque.

Behind them, a fluorescent green light flashed and approached.

A powerful shooting star flew past him, heading straight for the fake Illumi.

The fake Illumi's eyes widened at the opportune moment, and he hastily made a defensive move, raising his arm to block in front of him.

The flying star, enveloped in dazzling light, brutally tore its arms to shreds before blasting it in front of its body.

It penetrates directly.

A bloody hole suddenly appeared, spanning the entire chest cavity.

at the same time.

Moro suddenly unleashed his "Starlight Condensation" ability.

The dazzling starlight once again floated in the sky.

Having seized the "critical moment," Illumi stepped into Morrow's death line the instant his Stand Needleman suffered a devastating blow.

however--

The sudden burst of starlight, like a galaxy of light, stirred a violent ripple in his dark eyes.

Why did you suddenly use your abilities at this moment?
Even if the star icon moves, it should take "time".

But the timing of using his abilities now feels more like a "foresight" of a future where he's about to launch a fatal attack...

As doubt flashed through Illumi's mind, his body had already withdrawn all manifested energy, and his fingertips pierced Moro's head with a needle.

This blow is irreversible.

Because at this decisive moment, it is essentially a race against time.

Even the fastest burst of thought cannot keep up with this moment.

only--

In the illusion that time seemed to stand still, Illumi "saw"...

Amidst the starlight, Moro slightly turned his head, glancing at the scene out of the corner of his eye.

There was no mockery, no contempt, not even a ripple in his eyes.

Some are just peaceful.

It was as if he had simply raised his hand casually.

The action itself,

Without warning, without any deeper meaning.

It was as natural and ordinary as brushing dust off one's shoulders.

Then--

You will die.

When time returned to normal, Moro did indeed raise his hand, his fingertips becoming long and sharp.

"Blitzkrieg"

His figure vanished into thin air.

Illumi's Nen needle pierced empty space.

If the tactics had gone smoothly, the point of impact for the Nen needles should have been the back of Morona's head, where his Nen was weak.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing.

The instant Morona teleported behind Illumi using his Blitzkrieg ability, his raised hand was already in place, ripping out Illumi's heart.

Illumi maintained his forward momentum, and after the needle missed its mark, he pulled himself forward a distance.

When he stopped and regained his balance, he belatedly realized the sharp pain coming from his heart.

"..."

Dead silence.

Illumi slowly turned around, his eyes wide open, his pupils trembling unnaturally, as if he couldn't accept that his meticulously planned tactical arrangements would come to an end in this way.

But in fact, he realized it the moment Moro vanished into thin air...

"You knew all along... it was fake... why... did you still give me a chance?"

The lack of warmth in his chest gradually spread to other parts of his body with a chill, like the breath of death eroding his vitality.

Knowing that death was imminent, Illumi stared intently at Moro with his eyes that seemed to defy reality, as if he wanted to get to the bottom of things even in death.

Puff, puff...

The heart that Moro held in his hand was still beating.

Upon hearing Illumi's question, Moro shifted his gaze from the fresh heart to Illumi's face, which was already showing signs of resentment.

"There's no particular reason. If I had to say something, I just wanted you to know that I've actually been 'eating well' for the past year or so. Um... just kidding."

As Moro spoke, he casually crushed the heart, and blood and flesh splattered from between his fingers.

As the pieces of flesh mixed with blood fell to the ground, his tone turned cold: "But you should understand, shouldn't you? In the year or so that you've been trying so hard to kill me, I..."

With his other hand, untouched by blood and gore, he slowly raised it, tapped his temple with his index finger, and then spoke:

"I'm sorry to have left you far behind, so don't worry about it. You lost not only in tactics, but also in ability and physical skills. It was a complete and utter defeat. So die with peace of mind."

"...!"

Illumi understood why Morrow was showing off his skills; his lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single word.

At this moment, all he could do was tremblingly raise his hand, trying to insert the needle into his heart meridian and hold on for as long as possible for "a few seconds".

Morro did not stop Illumi from doing this.

Such actions are meaningless when death is irreversible.

Unless one has thoughts about death.

(End of this chapter)