Nen can only be fought with Nen.
This is a fundamental principle.
When facing an enemy who might possess a counterattack-type ability, using Manipulation Nen techniques to respond is often the optimal choice.
However, both Kang and Talia are Reinforcement Nen users.
Fortunately, the innate high tolerance for error that comes with Reinforcement Nen can reduce the risk of probing an opponent's ability to the bare minimum.
Thus, what truly bothered Kang wasn't the enemy's potential ploy beneath their apparent bluff, nor the likelihood that the enemy had already prepared a counterattack-type Nen ability.
No, it was the situation itself:
the constraints of ensuring the client's safety combined with the inescapable environment. These factors tied his hands and left him frustrated.
Hearing Saff's calm statement at that moment did nothing to ease Kang's concerns. In fact, he felt an urge to roll his eyes—but he held back.
Saying something like, "Don't worry about my life," sounded so casual…
If this mission failed, Kang's professional reputation would be ruined.
Without a word, Kang pretended not to have heard Saff's remark. His sharp gaze remained fixed on the door, as if willing his focus to pierce through it and locate the core of the enemy's aura.
"I've already submitted a report to the Hunter Association stating that the mission has been successfully completed."
Saff's voice suddenly rang out from behind, startling Kang slightly.
"What?"
He turned to look at Saff, only to see her holding up her phone and giving it a light wave.
Saff's expression remained as composed as ever. With a faint smile, she said,
"You should be receiving confirmation of the mission's completion soon."
"..."
Kang blinked in confusion as his phone buzzed softly in his pocket.
Pulling it out, he found a notification confirming the mission's completion, along with a record of the substantial payment deposited into his account.
"You're not afraid I'll run off now?"
Kang looked up, his gaze filled with curiosity and a hint of skepticism, as if seeing Saff in a new light.
Saff lowered her phone, ignoring Talia's concerned expression. A subtle smile appeared on her cool, composed face.
"The assassin gave you a choice, so I'm giving you a choice as well. Even if you decide to flee, I'll accept that outcome."
Her tone was steady, and she even deliberately avoided using the word "escape."
There was no need for reverse psychology.
This was simply Saff's heartfelt decision.
"Tch."
Kang pocketed his phone, smirking faintly. If a royal like Saff was willing to gamble her life on the line, why should he be hesitant?
Run away?
What a joke.
Such an act would stain the reputation of a professional Hunter. Kang would rather force himself to rewrite a thousand papers on Nen theory than resort to something so disgraceful.
"Talia, take care of her."
Leaving those words behind, Kang stepped out the door.
The hallway outside was short, barely three meters long, ending in a spacious lounge with a sofa.
As soon as Kang left the room, he saw a man standing in the lounge.
This man was the source of the aura.
"Well, well, you've finally come out," the man said with a faint smirk.
It was Mull.
Kang took two steps forward, his aura flaring visibly.
"You look pretty relaxed for someone about to die."
"Scary, scary," Mull replied, his smile unwavering.
Despite maintaining a casual demeanor, the overwhelming strength of Kang's aura left Mull feeling an intense sense of danger.
Even with his counterattack-based spatial Nen ability and the pre-applied enhancement from his "God Glyph," Mull couldn't muster enough confidence.
It wasn't just because of Kang's status as a member of the Zodiac Twelve—his sheer Nen intensity was overwhelming. Seeing it up close was far more convincing than any rumors.
"If your attack lands, I'll die on the spot, won't I?"
Mull began to manifest his full aura, but part of it remained reserved for the "God Glyph," leaving his visible Nen at less than half of Kang's.
This glaring disparity in Nen levels, however, wasn't enough to predict the battle's outcome.
The unpredictable nature of Nen meant that fights often depended on factors beyond raw power.
Kang remained expressionless as he took another step forward.
Based on the visible aura difference, Kang knew he could easily knock Mull out with a single punch.
But if Mull possessed a counterattack-type ability, recklessly launching a full-power attack could be disastrous.
Engaging a counterattack-based opponent required patience. The worst mistake was to bet everything on the first move.
Even if Kang could defeat Mull in one blow, he might inadvertently trigger a Nen condition that would cause significant harm to himself.
First, figure out the enemy's ability. It might not even be counterattack-based. A simple probing strike was worth the caution.
Kang calculated his approach methodically.
In battles between Nen users, the first exchange was often a cautious test, like feeling your way through a fog.
If Kang had full information about Mull's ability, he wouldn't need to tread so carefully.
The fight was about to begin.
Suddenly—
A loud crash reverberated through the entire airship.
The sound came from behind Kang, inside the room he had just left.
Kang's eyes narrowed sharply. He realized instantly that someone had violently breached the ceiling to enter Saff's room.
"What?"
In the split second Kang was distracted by the noise, Mull exploited the opportunity.
He sidestepped swiftly, closing in on Kang, and drew a long, slender fruit knife aimed directly at Kang's carotid artery.
This maneuver was clearly premeditated, designed to capitalize on the smallest opening to strike with lethal intent.
Kang reacted instinctively to the surge of killing intent, delivering a reflexive counterpunch.
But as his fist connected, Kang realized something was wrong.
Bam!
His hastily thrown punch struck Mull's extended elbow with overwhelming force.
Crack!
A sickening snap echoed as Mull was sent flying backward. Without sufficient aura to defend his arm, his bones shattered into a pulverized mess.
But Mull grinned.
"That bastard… set a trap!"
Kang's expression darkened as he noticed the surrounding environment ripple like water.
The walls, ceiling, and furniture were still there, but everything was now tinged with a sickly yellow hue.
At the same time—
Pain shot through Kang's arm, leaving it limp.
A quick glance at his right arm confirmed the worst.
It was Mull's counterattack ability—a spatially triggered damage-sharing effect.
This… was trouble.
Bam!
Another loud crash shook the airship.
Moro, walking down a hallway, felt the floor tremble beneath him.
"Such a blatant attack."
He glanced back toward the source of the sound, knowing it was coming from Kang's location.
"Good thing I wasn't too close, or I might've been caught up in it."
Turning away, Moro stopped outside the cockpit.
"En."
Nen radiated outward from Moro, forming a sphere that extended through the floor, walls, and ceiling, probing the cockpit's interior.
"Oh?"
Sweeping his En through the captain's room, Moro immediately sensed something was off.
That much commotion, and yet…
There was no panic or reaction from anyone inside.
"They've been controlled?"
Moro mused silently.
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Powerstones?
20 Advance Chapters: patreon.com/milezen