Hunter: I became stronger even after I died.

Chapter 366 I'm here to help you!

The mandatory initiation ceremony is both a baptism and a selection process.

If you can get through it, you will immediately gain the power of thought.

Those who cannot survive either suffer severe injuries and disabilities, or gradually succumb to endless pain and death.

Chimera Ants at the division commander level are naturally gifted; even if they are punched hard by a puppeteer, they can recover in just half a day.

However, chimera ants at the army commander level do not have such capabilities.

In this continuous and brutal selection process, some of the weaker military commanders did not survive and died in agony, howling in pain.

Although the selection ceremony in the original work also resulted in the death of some soldier ants.

But the loss rate wasn't as high as it is now.

The reason for this is that Neferpitou's underlying belief that there is no need for waste in an anthill influenced the doll maker's judgment.

This subtly enhances the intensity of mindfulness.

However, there are as many as 50 division commander teams in the ant nest, with a total of 200 to 250 army commanders under their command.

This number is also more than in the original work.

Melena was the first division commander to be awakened by the Nen, and by the time the selection was nearing its end, her injuries had healed.

Compared to other division commanders, and army commanders who might have to endure a day and a night of hardship, Melina's adaptation speed was unparalleled.

This is all because she awakened her past life's memories when she began to meditate.

"Heh...Interesting."

Melina retreated silently to a corner, hiding her face and body in the shadows.

The memories that awaken are like a scar that has been cut by a razor blade and can never be erased.

He tirelessly told her what unbearable pain and utter despair meant.

Melina slowly raised her hand and stroked the smooth skin on her face.

She could no longer touch the familiar centipede-shaped scar, but her hatred for this cesspool of a world had not diminished in the slightest.

On the contrary, with reincarnation, the thoughts become even stronger, just like those after death.

Melina was incredibly grateful that those painful memories could return to her side once again.

She didn't resist.

She can then carefully and earnestly reinforce the memory of being severely injured by Yang De and having her body gradually gnawed away by the queen ant, all while maintaining a smile.

Melina slowly lowered her hand and looked down at the back of her hand, which was covered with red snake scales.

A powerful surge of mental energy was emanating from there.

She murmured wistfully, "It's so nice."

From the moment she regained her memories of her past life, the ability of Love Etude also transcended the cycle of life and death, returning to her consciousness.

If she so chooses, she can use the Chimera Ant's innate Nen capacity advantage to recreate that Nen ability, which is enough to destroy the human world.

But Melina did not rush into action.

She seemed to be influenced by cold-blooded animal genes, behaving unusually calmly.

"The love etudes are for humans, not for these ants."

Melena's eyes disappeared completely into the shadows as she murmured to herself:

"It seems some adjustments are still needed, but it doesn't matter. As long as I use these ants to spread the disaster... that's enough. Right now, I don't need like-minded people or loyalty."

Having been given a "second chance," he naturally wanted to improve his love practice song.

There is no need for shared ideals, nor for loyalty.

This means that the "infection" process will no longer be so complicated and troublesome.

Especially for the chimeric ants inside the nest...

They themselves view humans as food and trash to be played with at will.

Based on this, Melina only needs to distribute these "seeds" containing the power of disaster, and then it depends on whether the other party is willing to accept them without reservation.

If you're not willing, just find the next one.

If they are willing, then with the potential of chimeric ants, it would be incredibly easy for them to develop into a level 100 mother ant.

At this moment, she is just like Neferpitou, who is now leaning against the outer wall of the anthill, deducing the Nen system.

One of them is deep in thought, leaning against the wall inside the nest.

One gazes into the distance from outside the wall.

Both of them were engrossed in exploring the future possibilities of Nen abilities.

only--

What Melina saw was utter destruction.

But Neferpitou's thought was of a completely new birth.

“My army commanders will never refuse this new force… As for the lower-ranking soldier ants, there is no need for them; they will only waste this precious opportunity.”

Having clarified her direction, Melina already had a clear plan in mind.

"Therefore, the target should be other teams, specifically those ants that are most thirsty for 'power'."

Thinking of this, Melena glanced discreetly at the Lion Commander, who was sitting on the ground enduring the pain of opening his mind, as well as the many more Chimera Ants around him.

These chimeric ants have one thing in common: even when enduring intense pain, their eyes still cannot suppress the strong desire and urgency they feel.

Melina is very thoughtful.

She clearly remembered that the chimeric ants, led by the Lion Division Commander, were among the last to return to the anthill.

Moreover, their expressions were somewhat unusual upon their return, as if they had encountered something extremely terrible, with an unconcealable gloom shrouding their brows.

At the time, Melina didn't investigate further; she simply kept this unusual occurrence in mind out of habit.

But now it seems
Their reaction was probably because...

Suddenly, they went from being high-ranking hunters to being domesticated livestock at the mercy of others.

In other words, it is highly likely that they encountered a powerful ability user, which made them, who were used to indiscriminately killing humans, deeply experience the feeling of being reduced to ants.

Having had such an experience, the need to draw upon this power becomes even more urgent.

Melina realized this and naturally chose her target.

Now that the target of infection has been identified, her next consideration is how to use this second chance to break through the original limit on the number of infections.

One.

This number is still too small.

She needs more to significantly increase the speed and efficiency of dissemination.

And that kill-to-level-up mechanism...

In the original ability settings, killing an ordinary person would allow one to level up.

Because leveling up is too easy, although infected individuals can quickly reach level 100 and become new host cells, their maximum level of displayed energy is locked from the very beginning.

Of course, there are reward mechanisms at levels 21, 51, and 81 during the upgrade process.

However, the upper limit is completely locked, which also means that the growth curve has reached its end.

The original intention behind this design was not to consider the future of "loyal subordinates," but rather to meet the need for easy dissemination.

The oaths and constraints within the Nen system have always been fair.

If the upgrade settings are made too simple, the upper limit of the displayed Qi volume will be limited to a lower range.

Conversely, if extremely difficult upgrade conditions are set, there is a chance to break through the original qualifications and reach a higher level.

Melina was considering whether to change the difficulty of leveling up.

She got the results quickly.

No correction is needed.

Because chimeric ants are born with a greater capacity for energy than humans.

Therefore, even if the "upgrade mechanism" locks in the upper limit, one can still reach level 100, thus allowing their displayed aura level to surpass that of the vast majority of human ability users.

This is enough.

Chimera ants do not need to consider the later stages.

Instead, they should leverage their early advantage of "reproductive capacity" to rapidly and quickly expand their invasion range.

In a sense, the ability mechanism of Love Practice Song, which quickly levels up to 100 and becomes a new mother, is perfectly compatible with the reproductive and expansion capabilities of Chimera Ants.

Melena subtly withdrew her gaze, waiting for her army commanders and the other chimera ants to undergo their baptism.

By evening, the division commanders had gradually recovered.

They each felt the powerful energy surging within them with different expressions.

It was like a blazing, dazzling flame fueled by desire.

"Haha, this feeling... is just amazing."

"The power is surging out continuously, I really want to find a few humans to test it out right away!" The division commanders were all in high spirits, immersed in excitement and anticipation.

Only Melena, hidden in the shadows, remained calmly watching them.

She waited patiently until the excitement of the division commanders gradually subsided before quietly finding an opportunity to be alone with the Lion Division Commander.

"Leioulu".

Melena slowly emerged from the shadows.

The lion ant named Leo Lu was enthusiastically swinging its psychic-enhanced fist when it heard the voice behind it and immediately stopped.

He turned his head to the side, looking at Melina's graceful figure gradually emerging in the light.

"Melena... whatever you have to do, I'm busy right now and don't have time for you."

"Oh, is it so?"

Melina said calmly, "Even if this... can make you stronger?"

"Ok?"

Lei Oulu's eyes sharpened.

Upon seeing this, a faint smile flickered across Morina's cold and beautiful face.

Her judgment was largely correct.

Furthermore, convincing these Chimera Ant leaders, who only had a superficial understanding of Nen abilities, was incredibly easy.

Just as Melina was about to get straight to the point, she suddenly caught a glimpse of half a golden star that was faintly visible among Leio Lu's thick hair.

That is……

Melina's expression changed slightly.

Starred.

This is something that Moro had implanted in her.

It turned out to be the case.

The human who led these ants back to their nest with gloomy hearts was Moro.

.....................

Noon the next day.

"Huh, huh..."

Sweating profusely, Killua carried Gon on his back and finally arrived at the border of NGL.

He gently placed Xiao Jie under a big tree, then sat down wearily beside him, silently bowing his head.

In order to get back to the border as quickly as possible, he used up all his battery power and potential gas in one go.

In the end, he didn't even bother to rest and carried Xiao Jie on his back for a whole day.

He knew perfectly well that he should go to immigration to retrieve his phone immediately and then contact Kate's teammates, but...

Whether it was physical exhaustion or mental burden, Killua simply leaned against the tree trunk, wanting only to stay quietly for a little while.

And the strength that had finally been regained was only used to silently clench his fists.

"call."

About ten minutes later, Killua finally let out a sigh of relief and got up to retrieve his phone.

By the time he got his phone and dialed Kate's teammate's number after going through the whole process, an hour had passed.

"What did you say? Kate stayed there?"

The urgent questioning voice of Kate's teammate came from the other end of the phone: "What exactly happened? Explain yourself..."

Before she could finish speaking, another man with a gentle voice snatched the phone from her.

"Killua, we're coming right now. Also, the support team sent by the Hunter Association will arrive in two days. Anyway, you wait for us there."

"Row."

Killua gave a succinct reply.

Kite's teammate, who looks a lot like a koala, seems to be able to sense Killua's low mood at this moment.

Based on this alone, he felt that things were probably not going well.

However, he didn't further upset Killua. Instead, he gently gave him a few instructions and then hung up the phone.

Under the shade of a large tree.

Killua silently put away his phone and buried his head between his knees.

What happened when we encountered that monster...

The thought of abandoning Gon and Kite was like a demonic chant, constantly tormenting Killua's mind.

"Damn it, damn it..."

Killua's hands clenched tightly, veins bulging.

As long as he closes his eyes, or his vision is obscured by shadows, the image of that monster will naturally appear before him, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

Actually, there's no need to confirm it at all...

With one arm missing, Kate has no chance of escaping from that monster.

That was a certain death situation.

"We...we were so naive."

Killua struggled to lift his head and look at Gon, who was still unconscious.

In that situation, regardless of the judgment, the fact is that he unilaterally stopped Xiao Jie...

So he had no idea how to face Xiao Jie after he woke up.

"Killa."

Just then, Killua suddenly heard Kite's voice.

"Um?!"

He suddenly looked in the direction of the sound.

“Kate…!”

Seeing Kate, looking somewhat disheveled, suddenly appear before him, Killua felt as if he were witnessing an unreal scene.

Seeing that Killua and Gon were both safe and sound, Kate breathed a sigh of relief without making it obvious. Then, she calmly said, "Your vigilance has dropped a lot. Don't let your guard down just because this is the border."

What appeared to be a reprimand was actually an attempt to soothe Killua's clearly abnormal mental state.
He also tried to cover up the fact that he had lost an arm.

Killua stood up, turned his head slightly, and replied in a low voice, "Yes, I understand."

Kate didn't say anything more, but silently turned around and looked in the direction she came from.

Killua, observing his actions, assumed that Kate was still wary of the monster, while also being very curious about how Kate had escaped.

Even though he was filled with questions, he found it difficult to ask them.

Kate felt Killua's gaze and explained, "A very powerful Devil Fruit user... saved me."

Killua was taken aback by Kate's words.

Besides them, are there other ability users within NGL?
Moreover, his strength was so great that he was able to rescue Kate from that monster.

"That……"

Killua hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Because only Kate came back.

Kate stared intently at the desolate landscape ahead and said, "If he can get away, he should be back soon."

It seemed to be to confirm his words,

Within seconds, a cloud of dust rose from the distant horizon.

Upon seeing this, both Kate and Killua's eyes flickered slightly.

Under their watchful eyes, the smoke and dust gradually approached, and a figure gradually emerged.

Kate breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the figure.

Fortunately...

He muttered to himself.

Killua was taken aback for a moment, then his face lit up with surprise, and he blurted out, "It's Teacher!"

"Ok?"

Kate instinctively turned her head to look at Killua.

teacher?

So that person was the teacher that Killua and Gon had mentioned!

(End of this chapter)