Chapter 24: Total Annihilation

The massive hyena-type Nen beast summoned by Barbator reached a staggering four meters in length. The intense, high-temperature flames wreathing its body seemed to form a second layer of thick, fire-like fur that danced in the wind.

This was the second Nen ability of "Bulldog" Barbator, known as "Hyperthermia Syndrome." Its function was to summon a gargantuan flaming hyena to aid in combat. Not only did this Nen beast possess formidable melee prowess, but its body was also coated in scorching flames, and it could even unleash torrents of fire from its maw—a truly powerful technique.

A lethal blast of flame erupted from the hyena’s jaws, a spiraling pillar of fire hurtling toward Hesser. However, Hesser avoided it with blinding speed.

The hyena whipped its head violently, and the spiraling fire pillar instantly expanded into a massive, fan-shaped offensive arc. Caught off guard, Hesser was engulfed by the raging sea of fire.

"A hit!" thought "Sheepdog" Cadola, sprinting toward the fire-engulfed area. He knew that even a powerhouse like their captain could not maintain such a large-scale, high-damage attack for long—five seconds at most!

As his aura poured out in a massive surge, Barbator’s originally pale face turned a sickly, dark red. He pushed off the ground, charging toward the inferno as well.

The full-power flame projection of "Hyperthermia Syndrome" could only last another four seconds. Even with the opponent's aura defense, he should be left with only a sliver of strength to resist or flee, even if severely burned. He couldn't let him escape! As long as...

Suddenly, the vortex of fire dissipated.

The massive Nen-beast hyena, its fiery fur scattering into a sky full of sparks, was cleanly cleaved in two from head to tail. It collapsed heavily to the ground, gradually dissolving into nothingness. Barbator, mid-sprint, stumbled and crashed hard to the ground; the feedback from his Nen beast being destroyed took a massive toll.

Hesser, who should have been severely burned, stood completely unscathed. He maintained his sword-swinging posture, a lazy smile on his face—the kind one usually wears while soaking in a hot bath.

As long as he wielded "Absolute Sovereignty," the legendary sword of fire, the incoming high-temperature flames were, to Hesser, merely as mildly hot as bathwater. They couldn't even singe a loose thread on his clothes.

Cadola’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. They knew better than anyone the defensive capability of the hyena Nen beast summoned by "Hyperthermia Syndrome." Even a sniper rifle at close range could only leave shallow scratches on its hide. Yet, this guy had killed it instantly with a single, simple sword swing? What kind of monster was this? A new member of the Hunter Association's "Zodiacs"?

He had to kill him with everything he had, or the future of the Great Bully Hyena Mercenary Group would be bleak.

Cadola covered his fingers with aura, causing them to vibrate at high speed. This was his "Chainsaw Fingers," a Nen ability simulated from a chainsaw. Even Caroni alloy, famed for its diamond-like hardness, would show marks from his touch. What could a Conjurer-type ability user possibly use to defend against that?

His fingers whistled through the air, clawing toward the back of Hesser’s head!

But Hesser, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, didn't even look. He simply reversed his cross-sword and slashed backward toward the incoming Cadola.

In the blink of an eye, Cadola inwardly scoffed. How hard could a conjured weapon possibly be? When his fingers were coated with "Chainsaw Fingers," there was nothing in the world he couldn't destroy! Watch as I snap your sword in two!

Five severed fingers flew before his eyes.

"Huh?"

Before Cadola could process the thought, his vision suddenly flipped. Strange—whose headless, swaying corpse was that? It looked familiar...

The aura, touted as impenetrable, vanished like paper near a roaring fire the moment it touched the golden cross-blade. Immediately after, the aura Cadola used to reinforce his body dropped by at least 70%. First, his fingers were sliced off as cleanly as a hot knife through butter, and then the blade traced a beautiful arc, taking with it Cadola’s dazed head.

Pathetic!

"Sheepdog" Cadola, the renowned second-in-command of the Great Bully Hyena Mercenary Group and a veteran Nen master with top-tier combat skills, was as fragile as a baby when faced with Hesser and "Absolute Sovereignty."

A whistling sound came from overhead. Without looking, Hesser rolled to the side. The ground trembled violently as a powerful gust of wind exploded!

It was Barbator’s full-power punch, condensing his entire aura—an advanced application of Nen combining "Ten," "Zetsu," "Ren," "Hatsu," and "Gyo": "Ko"! Like a detonating bomb, this ferocious punch pulverized the lawn, which was already a mess from the fire, sending soil flying and kicking up a massive cloud of dust and smoke!

The power of the strike was so immense that Hesser lost his footing and couldn't reset his stance. Barbator, his skin flushed red and steam rising from his body, burst through the smoke. The aura covering his body was nearly twice as strong as before! Gritting his teeth until his jaw and temples bulged, he seized Hesser’s opening and unleashed another heavy punch fueled by enraged aura!

Who could have imagined that a guaranteed ambush would cost them most of the mercenary group's elite Nen users, including his three most trusted captains! Damn it, this brat—and the "Rain Tiger" and Rodakindom—they all deserved to die!

The intense rage further catalyzed the Nen within Barbator. At this moment, he unleashed an enhanced aura even stronger than in his prime. This overwhelming power made him temporarily forget his physical pain. Barbator was certain that, right now, he could defeat any Nen user he faced!

But unfortunately, his opponent was Hesser, whose aura reserves far exceeded those of a typical Nen user.

Violent aura erupted from Hesser’s body. Barbator felt as if he had punched a thick, highly resilient sponge wall. With just a burst of "Ren," Hesser dissipated most of the force from Barbator’s punch—which had been boosted to the third stage of his ability, "Blood-Red Blitz." Immediately after, the hilt of the golden cross-sword struck Barbator’s knuckles. The latter felt at least 70% of the powerful aura he had traded his blood for vanish instantly!

At that moment, the surrounding smoke twisted and condensed into a massive tiger claw, tearing off Barbator’s left shoulder along with his entire arm!

Seeing Hesser’s combat stance—a hand held in a claw—Barbator suddenly realized: it wasn't "Rain Tiger" Griffin, but this kid who had been fighting all along!

He had fought a 330-man, fully armed A+ rank mercenary group alone and beaten their strongest Nen users to death?

Somewhere in the abyss, Barbator felt the footsteps of "Death" slowly approaching.

"So, there was never any 'Rain Tiger'... just you and that cross-sword in your hand..."

Barbator could no longer sustain the aura consumption. As his aura dissipated, the once tall and sturdy man quickly withered and grew weak. Yet, unwilling to give up, he asked with a hoarse voice, "Before I die, can you tell me what the Nen ability that helped you single-handedly wipe out the Great Bully Hyena Mercenary Group actually is?"

He had a communication headset in his pocket. If he could use his own life to extract intelligence on this guy's ability, the immense resources of the Saherta Union would surely find a way to exploit its weaknesses, target him, and kill this brat to avenge the Great Bully Hyena Mercenary Group!

But Barbator never got his answer. The final image in his eyes was a sea of golden flame, before he plunged into eternal darkness.

Hesser watched Barbator, whose head had been pulverized by "Absolute Sovereignty," collapse heavily to the ground. The golden cross-sword in his hand turned into golden flames and dissipated. After a moment's thought, he walked over, rummaged through Barbator’s pocket, and found the headset. He cleared his throat and spoke into the device:

"For the next five years, as long as Rodakindom dies or goes missing—for any reason, and no matter who the killer is, even if it's a natural death—I will hold you all accountable."

There was a crackle of static on the headset, followed by an elderly voice: "Is it worth it to go against the V5 for a mere wealthy man? You are a powerful Nen user with an infinite, bright future. Join us, and we will offer you triple whatever Rodakindom is paying you!"

"My life's creed is simple: pay back every grudge, return every favor. Besides, it's just a pack of dogs that died. You aren't actually getting worked up over this, are you? Surely not?"

"...As long as you keep your mouth shut, from now on, everything between us and Rodakindom is settled."

"OK, I'll accept on his behalf."

Crushing the silent headset, Hesser stretched his back. Hands on his hips, he looked toward the mansion where occasional gunfire still echoed, muttering to himself:

"Tsk, time to clear the field. What a hassle."

***

Name: "Sheepdog" Cadola Sergei
Profession: Mercenary
Affiliation: Transmutation
Nen Ability:
"Chainsaw Fingers" — Simulates and transmutes aura into a high-speed vibrating state, coating the ten fingers. This grants near-impenetrable destructive power, capable of leaving deep gouges even in Caroni alloy, which is said to be as hard as diamond.

Name: "Bulldog" Barbator Ansu
Profession: Mercenary
Affiliation: Enhancement
Nen Ability:
"Blood-Red Blitz" — Enhancement. Massively boosts strength, defense, speed, and aura. The cost is the consumption of one's own blood. The longer it is active, the faster the consumption. Once deactivated, it cannot be restarted until 3:00 AM the following day. Consuming 5% of total body blood activates Stage 1, 10% for Stage 2, and 20% for Stage 3, with each stage significantly boosting all attributes.
"Hyperthermia Syndrome" — Emission. Summons a hyena-type Nen beast wreathed in flames. The cost is a continuous rise in body temperature while summoned. The longer it is active, the faster the temperature rises. Once dismissed, it cannot be summoned again until 3:00 AM the following day. If the Nen beast is killed, it triggers a near-fatal spike in body temperature, and the beast cannot be summoned again for three months.