Ralph's attitude changed once again.
He became more proactive.
However, amidst his enthusiasm, he harboured a faint fear toward Ron and the others.
After gaining Kaba's power, Ralph felt that he was already quite strong.
But the strength Ron displayed far surpassed Kaba.
What about Wendy?
And Dominica?
And the forces behind Ron and the others?
On the other hand, Ralph saw the condition of Lilith and the others.
Now they could eat their fill and wear warm clothes.
For ordinary people, these are the most basic needs.
But for Ralph and the others, it was something they could hardly achieve.
Even when Ralph's mother was still around, they rarely had enough to eat.
And after she left, it was even worse.
One mutated monster after another was eliminated.
"Ring, ring!"
Dominica's phone rang.
"Gel."
"Dominica, I've cleared the monsters on my side. How are things on your end?"
"We're nearing the end. It won't be long before we're done."
"Alright, then I'll take my team and leave first."
"Okay, thanks."
Dominica hung up the phone.
Ten days quickly passed by.
Ron looked at the crystal ball in front of him.
The progress displayed had reached ninety-nine percent.
Just one percent short of one hundred.
The cleanup operation in Holuen City was also in its final stage.
Calculating by areas, Holuen City was divided into ten zones, and now only the last one remained.
Ron looked outside, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
"If nothing unexpected happens, after we clear this last area tomorrow, the progress of 'Observer's Intent' will reach one hundred percent."
"Finally, the fifth Nen beast is about to appear!"
"I wonder what it will be."
---
The next day.
Ralph arrived in the tenth area.
Ron and Dominica hid in the shadows.
In Ron's view, nothing unexpected would happen.
He had seen these monsters before.
Perhaps when combined, they were strong.
But after being scattered, besides their ability to hide, they didn't have any special attributes.
They might be effective against ordinary people.
But against Nen users, they were completely insufficient.
Ron didn't even need to use other Nen beasts.
Akutagawa Ryūnosuke alone was enough.
In a sense, Akutagawa Ryūnosuke's fighting style was somewhat similar to these monsters.
The monsters' tentacles were much like Akutagawa's Rashomon.
However, he surpassed them in every aspect.
As before, Ralph walked down the street.
He "accidentally" leaked a bit of Kaba's aura.
Compared to before, Ralph was much calmer.
Suddenly.
Ron's pupils contracted.
Because a familiar figure entered his sight.
"Julianna?"
"Why is she here?"
After losing to Ron last time, Julianna had sought him out, hoping to join his team.
But Ron refused.
Because Julianna wasn't strong enough, and her talent wasn't lofty enough for him to put resources into her.
Ron suggested that she join another Floor Master's dojo in the Sky Arena.
Or participate in the Hunter Exam.
Not long after, Julianna left the Sky Arena seemingly taking his advice.
Ron thought she had gone to take the Hunter Exam, but he didn't expect to see her here.
In the Talis Kingdom.
An area even the Hunter Association wouldn't easily get involved with.
The Hunter Exam certainly wouldn't be held here.
Why was Julianna here?
Beside him, Wendy noticed the change in Ron's expression.
"Ron?"
"I saw someone I know."
Ron pointed in Julianna's direction and said, "She's also a fighter from the Sky Arena. She lost to me before."
"But she's quite capable."
Wendy became interested.
At that moment.
Ralph entered Julianna's line of sight.
The next moment, Julianna looked at Ralph with an extremely interested expression.
There was a hint of greed in her eyes.
Ron had seen that kind of look many times over the past few days.
He frowned deeply.
As usual, Ralph, following Kaba's reminder, entered an alley.
Julianna followed.
Ron sighed, feeling a bit complicated.
After all, Julianna was someone he knew.
In the Sky Arena, Ron had watched several of her fights.
She had battled Carlisle.
She had battled Motida Doppo.
She had battled Ron himself.
Her talent and strength weren't outstanding, but her character was decent.
And now, she had become a monster.
No, to be precise, she was parasitized by a monster.
Julianna was already dead. Occupying her body was a monster.
A monster with whom Ron had no relationship.
"Akutagawa Ryūnosuke!"
The moment Julianna stepped into the alley, Ron's thoughts moved, and Akutagawa Ryūnosuke appeared.
"Claw!"
The dark red claws stabbed toward Julianna.
Sensing danger, Julianna couldn't see the dark claws and could only blindly defend.
But it was meaningless.
Soon, the dark claws pierced her body.
"Slash!"
"Slash!"
"Slash!"
Blood splattered everywhere.
The monster had strong vitality and continued to resist, but it was still no match for Akutagawa Ryūnosuke.
"Bang!"
Her entire body slammed heavily onto the ground.
Ron appeared.
"Ugh!"
Julianna spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Whoosh!"
Ron flicked his wrist.
A Nen needle pierced into Julianna's body.
As her life force rapidly drained, Julianna's consciousness seemed to return slightly.
"Where is this?"
"Who am I?"
"Ron?"
Seeing Ron, Julianna seemed to regain some memory.
Soon, she realized what had happened to her.
She had planned to take the Hunter Exam.
But there was still a long time before the exam.
--------------------------
T/n sad.... I hope she doesn't die.