Germain looked at Phinks, who was lying on the ground, bleeding heavily. Without hesitation, he raised Cleaver again and chopped at Phinks' neck as if he were cutting through pig bones.
With a swift chop, Phinks' head rolled away. His face was twisted in pain, and he died with his eyes wide open, staring at Germain.
As soon as Phinks was dead, Germain's "Nen" and "Pressure" increased by 5 points. He also obtained an item called the "Ripper Cyclotron Cannon."
Then, Germain explained his evolved "Nen Ability" to Phinks' lifeless body.
"My 'Nen Tank' must be activated along with the 'Hunter Badge.' Once activated, everyone can see it. However, accumulating 'Nen' is a bit more complicated than you mentioned."
"In any 'Nen Ability Battle,' whether I'm attacking or defending, I can accumulate 'Nen.'"
"But because of your 'Ripper Cyclotron' ability, I chose not to accumulate 'Nen' through defense."
"This means each of my attacks and defenses will use more 'Nen' than usual. And if your attack hits, my 'Nen Tank' will be reduced as you described."
"The 'Nen Tank' has three levels. When the first level is fully charged, I can use it to boost (enhance) one of my weapons."
"I just used the first level to enhance my Firearm, improving its penetration and making the target 'paralyze' when hit."
"That's the truth. Phinks, if your soul is still nearby, I hope this answers the questions you had before you died."
Germain glanced one last time at Phinks' lifeless body before turning away.
Outside the stone circle, there were thunderous noises indicating that Hisoka and Chrollo's battle had already begun.
As he walked, Germain suddenly sensed someone approaching swiftly. Looking closely, he spotted Machi hiding behind a large rock.
Machi's eyes widened in astonishment when she noticed Phinks lying nearby. His head had been severed from his body, beyond even her ability to save with "Nen Stitches."
She had come to support Phinks on Pakunoda's advice, only to find him tragically slain within minutes, with Germain standing before her, victorious.
"You've killed Phinks!" Machi exclaimed in shock and anger, pulling out her "Nen Stitches" and needle.
Introduced to the Phantom Troupe by Machi, Germain had now caused internal strife and the swift death of a member.
Machi was furious, her bad intuition about Germain proving true once more. She had never gotten along with him.
"This won't end peacefully today! The leader has sent Shalnark and Kortopi nearby. You three won't escape!" Machi warned, swiftly preparing a "Nen Threads" to capture Germain.
But Germain evaded the attack, closing the gap between them in an instant.
"You..." Machi began, only to be struck in the abdomen by Germain's right arm, causing her intense pain and forcing her to double over.
As Machi struggled, Germain followed up with an elbow to her back, sending her staggering to the ground.
Kneeling beside her, Germain checked her pulse and confirmed she was alive but unconscious.
"This is repayment for your earlier kindness," he muttered.
After Germain had ignored her calls, Machi had returned all the medical fees he paid her for sewing him up.
Germain didn't contact Machi again or send her money, an unspoken agreement between them.
He lifted the petite Machi by her waist, navigating through the stone circle forest to the open grassland beyond. There, he spotted Illumi facing someone—Pakunoda, controlled like a puppet by Illumi's "Nen needle".
Pakunoda blocked their path, making the approaching knight uneasy. Shalnark, known for his bright smile, now looked pale upon seeing Germain carrying Machi unconscious.
"Hey," Illumi greeted Germain, waving. "Looks like you dealt with that guy and took this woman hostage."
He gestured to Pakunoda guarding him. "I've got a hostage too, holding the man in front of me. Mission accomplished."
Shalnark pondered deeply, eyeing Germain, Illumi, Machi, and Pakunoda held hostage.
"How's Hisoka?" Germain asked, scanning the distant battlefield where fierce fighting echoed. "I heard reinforcements arrived. Can he handle three alone?"
"No, he can't and I was only asked to hold off two Phantom Troupe members," Illumi shrugged. "But Hisoka made a bold move, sacrificing a hand to take down one."
Illumi pointed to a crushed body, identified as Kortopi by his long hair and stature—another Phantom Troupe casualty.
Despite this, Germain worried if Hisoka could defeat Chrollo and Bonolenov, gazing again at the battlefield.
It seemed impossible to achieve their primary goal—killing Chrollo—but they successfully dealt with his "guards" as planned.
Hisoka wasn't dependable. His playful nature made relying on him futile.
Illumi agreed, "Hisoka's arrogance escalated the risk beyond reason. It clashes with my approach."
"The battle's over," Germain declared suddenly.
Illumi turned to see a colossal sphere resembling Jupiter descend from the sky, causing chaos with winds and debris scattering.
Shalnark, hindered by Paknoda shielding Illumi and Machi cradled by Germain, couldn't act until then.
"We propose a new deal," Shalnark withdrew his "antenna." "Hisoka is likely badly hurt. We'll trade him for Machi and Pakunoda's safety and freedom."
"The battle ends here today. Continuing is harmful to both sides. What do you say?"
"That's the offer," Illumi indicated Shalnark to Germain. "I can accept. Your thoughts?"
Germain replied promptly, "Let's ensure Hisoka's okay first. If he's dead, it's not worth trading two living people for dead Hisoka."
Illumi slammed his palm, "Agreed. Their leader has the right to decide."
Shalnark sighed, feeling the weight of their decision, "Let's go together. The leader will decide."
********
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