029 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

The restriction on Kurapika's Chain had been altered by Ronnel to a new condition: The ability only takes effect if the opponent's aura capacity is at least three times higher than the base level—but still inferior to his own.

Judging by Ronnel's current aura reserves, only someone like Chairman Netero—at his absolute prime and multiplied threefold—could even come close.

In other words, this updated condition was simply a clever exploitation of Nen's foundational logic.

With that, the chain wrapped around the Guardian Beast of King Nasubi and instantly activated its power. As a creature born of aura itself, it immediately fell into despair, and its body crumbled and vanished into nothing.

From the perspectives of both Guardian Beast and Nugui, it appeared as though Ronnel had cleanly dispelled the Nen beast with a single move.

Whoosh!

Nugui darted in a fluid motion, slipping past obstacles and placing himself in front of the king. He took a defensive stance, arms raised, eyes locked on Ronnel.

"So loyal," Ronnel said, clapping slowly. "Shame you've pledged that loyalty to the wrong man."

Nugui didn't respond, unfazed. But behind him, Guardian Beast's expression stiffened. His eyes darkened.

A coincidence? Or... His gaze narrowed as he studied Ronnel's unreadable expression. A premonition gripped him like a vice.

No. This isn't random. He knows something. Definitely... Hui.

Old memories, long buried beneath the tides of time, surged back. A cold, murderous glint flared in Guardian Beast's eyes.

This man must not leave here alive.

...

Even as Nugui postured for confrontation, Ronnel ignored him entirely. His attention remained fixed on the silent, calculating monarch behind him.

Guardian Beast's face had returned to calm, but Ronnel had seen it—the subtle flicker of panic, the killing intent now radiating off him like heat.

"Thinking of silencing me?" Ronnel asked softly. He stepped forward. "You can try... but you're not nearly confident enough."

Just as Ronnel moved, Nugui sprang into action. He kicked off the floor with a heavy burst, shooting toward Ronnel, arms spread wide. Two glowing Nen seals appeared—one on each palm.

Ronnel recognized them immediately.

The seal on the left: "Seal."

The one on the right: "Seal."

Nugui's Nen ability allowed him to impose seals on a target under specific conditions—timing, location, environment. He had used it before, to seal the residual malice in Camilla and Benjamin's Guardian Beasts, enabling their safe transport into the fourteen coffins.

But in a close-range, high-speed confrontation like this, it was a gamble. The effect was randomized.

If it struck true, it could seal Ronnel's Nen—or something equally critical, like his memory, senses, or reflexes.

But just as likely, it could seal something irrelevant—his sense of taste, his indecision, or even his pain receptors, which would ironically give Ronnel an advantage in combat.

It was a double-edged sword.

Of course, Ronnel had already analyzed this ability. When his particle clone extracted a blood sample from Nugui earlier, he'd learned enough.

He had no intention of being sealed—but even if he were, he could dispel it instantly using his encyclopedia points.

Nugui's face was blank. One thought consumed him: Neutralize this man. He is a threat to His Majesty.

He rushed forward, aura blazing...

And then—nothing.

His vision blurred. The target disappeared.

He turned instinctively to track—

Bang!

A jolt of pain struck the back of his neck. Then came darkness. His eyes rolled back as consciousness fled.

Pa~

Nugui's body hit the floor, limp and unconscious.

Behind him stood Ronnel, casually retracting a small folding knife.

Guardian Beast stared at the fallen bodyguard, face unreadable.

Ronnel hadn't even used aura for that strike. It was pure precision and brute strength.

"With just physical strength… you pierced the aura shielding Nugui's body?"

Guardian Beast's beady eyes had seen everything. Despite most of Nugui's Nen being channeled into his ability, he had still reinforced his body with basic defensive aura. And yet, Ronnel had found the one vulnerable point—the base of the neck—and landed a perfect blow.

It was a level of physical prowess that rivaled, or perhaps even surpassed, Chairman Netero.

Guardian Beast's internal threat level for Ronnel soared.

But another thought quietly crept in.

A power like that... Hui... If I could control it, I might become the true ruler of the world...

His heart skipped a beat—but quickly steadied.

...

"Shall we begin round two of our negotiation, then?" Ronnel asked calmly, eyes locked onto Guardian Beast. "Or should I say... Your Majesty?"

"You really do know something... Hui."

Guardian Beast's voice had shifted, tinged with resignation. He exhaled slowly, years of calculation surfacing in his tone.

"It's been a long time... since someone called me that."

He gave Ronnel a long, heavy stare.

"Tell me—how do you know who I am? Just how much do you know about all this?"