Chapter 652

Chapter 652

A tattered figure stumbled forward, barely recognizable. His clothes were gone, stripped away entirely. Even his skin—and the muscle beneath—had begun to melt, revealing warped, raw flesh.

It was the black-haired youth.

Feitan’s ability had dealt him severe injuries. The technique happened to counter the youth’s power perfectly, leaving him unable to dodge and forced to take the attack head-on.

Even if Feitan wasn’t as strong overall—Even if earlier, the black-haired youth had overwhelmed Feitan, Phinks, and Bonolenov—

The moment Feitan unleashed Pain Packer: Rising Sun, everything changed.

First, Feitan had poured nearly all of his aura into the move. Second, using that technique required extra conditions. Combined, these made Rising Sun incredibly powerful.

And unfortunately for the black-haired youth, defense wasn’t his strong suit. His ability also happened to be hard-countered by Feitan’s heat-based attack.

It was a classic case of strengths clashing against weaknesses—and in that clash, the underdog triumphed.

But the black-haired youth wasn’t finished yet. He had lost the previous exchange, yes, but he was still alive.

And as long as he lived, he could still fight.

Feitan, Phinks, and Bonolenov, on the other hand, were in terrible condition. The outcome of the next round remained uncertain.

Just then, Shalnark arrived.

Sensing something was wrong, he turned—

But it was too late.

The black-haired youth had already closed the distance. He wasn’t wielding his own weapon— He had picked up Feitan’s blade from the ground.

With no warning, he lunged.

“Squelch!”

The knife plunged into Shalnark’s body.

He pulled it out. Blood gushed.

Shalnark’s eyes went wide. The youth twisted his wrist, slicing clean through Shalnark’s throat.

“Thunk!”

Shalnark dropped, clutching his neck as he collapsed.

“Shalnark!”

Feitan had just stepped out of the building when he saw the scene. His face darkened instantly.

“Damn it! Die!”

Fueled by fury, Feitan charged the black-haired youth.

But the youth only sneered, then turned and sprinted toward Phinks and Bonolenov.

Feitan gave chase with everything he had—but he was too far away, and his speed had already diminished.

As the black-haired youth neared Phinks and raised his weapon—

Bang!

A bullet tore through the air. Pakunoda had arrived, gun drawn.

Normally, the black-haired youth would have ignored it. But now—severely injured—he was forced to dodge.

Hooker reached Phinks and Bonolenov, checking their condition.

“How are they?” Pakunoda called out, tense.

Hooker replied quickly, “They’re badly hurt, but they’ll live.”

That single sentence was enough to ease the tension on both Pakunoda’s and Feitan’s faces.

They were safe.

But when they turned to Shalnark, the relief faded.

Phinks and Bonolenov would survive. Shalnark likely wouldn’t.

The black-haired youth’s first strike had pierced Shalnark’s heart.

The second had sliced through his throat.

Both fatal.

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Elsewhere—

With Nobunaga critically injured, Oster now faced only two opponents: Chrollo and Hisoka.

Franklin arrived without hesitation. He raised both arms.

“Double Machine Gun!”

Aura bullets sprayed toward Oster like a hailstorm.

But they had little effect.

That was Franklin’s flaw—his power lacked sufficient destructive force. Against weaker foes, he could mow them down like weeds. But against a monster like Oster, it wasn’t enough.

A formless aura shield blocked everything. Franklin’s shots couldn’t even scratch it. Oster didn’t spare him a glance.

Ron had quietly moved into a nearby corner. Chii stood beside him, analyzing Oster—his abilities, movements and aura management.

Oster was Ron’s real target.

The bio-experiment squad, the Shadow Beasts, the black-haired youth, even the monsters outside—they didn’t matter.

Only Oster did.

His strength was on a completely different scale.

An A-rank Nen user nearing S-class.

And more importantly, capturing him alive was far more valuable than killing him.

Ron wanted Oster’s experimental data—his research, his secrets.

With that, he could open the path to S-rank for Ponzu.

It wouldn’t be easy. That’s why Ron hadn’t acted yet. He was still observing—still waiting. Let Chrollo and the others wear Oster down first.

But Franklin’s barrage seemed to irritate Oster.

After batting Chrollo aside, Oster suddenly turned toward Franklin.

A massive serpent-shaped aura beast lunged forward.

It moved so fast that Franklin didn’t even react in time.

Crunch!

The jaws clamped down. Blood erupted.

“Franklin!” Chrollo’s eyes widened. He dashed toward Oster without thinking.

Oster scoffed, casually engaging Chrollo while releasing control of the serpent.

Franklin stumbled free—barely. Blood soaked his clothes.

Two enormous wounds gaped at his waist. If he hadn’t used aura to seal them, he’d already have bled out.

Ron gave Franklin a glance, then returned his focus to Oster.

“Chrollo and Hisoka are among the strongest A-rank users out there,” Ron thought. “And yet, they’re barely managing against Oster.”

“If this continues, they’ll fall behind. That means it’s almost time for me to act.”

Ron pulled out the Six Harmonies Sphere. He infused it with aura.

“Projectile Nen: Lightning.”

A flash of electricity surged in his hand.

Then, without hesitation, he hurled the lightning-charged orb straight at Oster.