The recent data has been very poor, and the volume has dropped sharply. I suspect more than half of you are hoarding chapters. I hope everyone can click the 'remind to update' button more often and leave some comments to help my data look better. Thank you all...
——Dividing Line——
Hisoka looked up at Leo, and seeing his firm attitude, he shrugged and withdrew the Nen at the stump of his arm.
Blood instantly surged from the wound, staining the deck red!
Just then—Leo activated his ability.
A soft green light emerged from his palm, wrapping Hisoka's severed arm within it.
Hisoka's expression changed instantly.
It was an indescribable sensation—an intense itching surged from the stump, deep into the marrow, as if countless ants were crawling through the wound!
Then, an even more astonishing scene occurred!
Granulation tissue at the stump began to proliferate wildly! Bone was growing! Muscle was reorganizing! Blood vessels were spreading! Skin was covering it! The broken ribs in his chest also restored themselves at the same time!
In just a few seconds—a complete arm had regrown!
Hisoka's eyes widened.
He looked at his perfectly restored hand, slowly clenching his fist, then releasing it, then clenching it again.
The fingers were flexible, the joints moved freely, the skin was smooth, and there wasn't even a single scar.
He raised his head and looked at Leo.
In those golden pupils, true shock emerged for the first time.
"This..."
Sophia covered her mouth, unable to believe her eyes.
Shizuku adjusted her glasses, her fingers trembling slightly.
Kastro's eyes widened, his entire body becoming like a statue.
Machi Komacine muttered.
"Limb... regeneration..."
Ashir slumped in the corner, trembling all over with fear.
This was no longer something a human could do.
This short half-day had given him an experience he would never forget in his life.
He used to be very proud; even after being captured by Leo, he didn't think his talent was inferior to Leo's, believing the difference was merely due to their different Nen Categories.
Now, he had seen a true Genius, a true monster. Having witnessed Leo's terrifying strength with his own eyes, he accepted his fate.
Leo withdrew his hand expressionlessly.
"It's done."
He looked down at the Tattoo on the back of his hand.
[Rank: Level 73 (50%) → Level 73 (20%)]
He had lost 30% of his Life Energy, but it was still within an acceptable range.
Without testing it, how could he know the use of his ability? The result was excellent, leaving him very satisfied.
Hisoka was still staring at his newly grown arm.
Silence, a long silence.
Then—his breathing suddenly became heavy!
That breathing grew heavier and more rapid, and his body began to shake violently, as if struck by an invisible current!
The whites of his eyes showed as his pupils rolled around in their sockets!
A faint moan escaped from the corners of his lips!
"Mmm—♦"
That sound was distorted and feverish, carrying an indescribable... pleasure!
"It's wonderful—♦!!!"
He threw his head back, his body arching as he immersed himself in some indescribable ecstasy!
The others.
"..."
Sophia's mouth twitched, and Shizuku silently looked away.
Kastro turned his head away expressionlessly.
Machi Komacine turned around, pretending not to see.
Ashir was still in a daze.
Leo ignored the manic Hisoka.
He turned around and looked at everyone.
"Why are you all just standing there?"
His tone was relaxed.
"Let's head back."
The few of them finally snapped out of it.
Machi Komacine smiled, a smile full of relief.
"Yeah, let's go back!"
Just then—Ashir stood up.
He walked up to Leo and held out both hands.
Those wrists were still wearing the special handcuffs.
"Since you've completed your mission, I'm useless now."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a hint of trembling.
"Go ahead. Kill me or do as you wish, it's up to you."
After saying that, he closed his eyes.
He waited for the fatal blow.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. Ten seconds.
There was no movement.
Ashir opened his eyes.
The six of them, including Leo, stood around him, looking at him quietly.
No one moved, and no one spoke.
Only the sea breeze blew, lifting a few strands of hair.
Ashir's heart was pounding wildly.
He didn't understand why these people wouldn't kill him.
"Why..."
His voice was hoarse.
"Why not kill me?"
Machi Komacine stepped forward, his tone calm and serious.
"I am a lawyer. Letting the guilty receive a fair trial is my principle."
Sophia smiled.
"Master caught you, so I have no right to take action~"
Shizuku adjusted her glasses and looked at Leo; her meaning was clear.
Kastro looked at Ashir coldly, his tone icy.
"If it were up to me, I'd finish you off directly."
He paused.
"But unfortunately, Master Leo didn't tell me to do so. I cannot interfere."
Hisoka leaned against the railing, playing with the playing cards in his hand, not even glancing at Ashir.
To him, a person who had lost their fighting spirit was not worth killing.
Ashir's gaze finally landed on Leo.
Leo walked up to him, and the two stood face to face.
"Have you ever slaughtered civilians?"
Leo questioned Ashir.
"No, I don't like killing. I was only responsible for managing the entry and exit of base personnel and transporting goods. However, I have participated in operations to hunt Hunter Association members."
Ashir shook his head very honestly.
"I won't kill you."
Leo's voice was very calm.
Ashir was stunned; he thought he had misheard.
But Leo continued.
"The reason is simple. Your ability is very useful. I see value in you."
Ashir opened his mouth, but his throat felt as if something was blocking it.
He wanted to ask "That's it?", he wanted to say "Are you crazy?", but in the end, he couldn't utter a single word.
Those words were stuck in his throat, making it ache.
From the moment he was caught, he had prepared himself for death.
After witnessing Leo's terrifying power and that incredible healing ability, he had completely given up any hope—
A monster like this couldn't possibly leave survivors, yet now, this monster was saying he would spare his life.
"But—"
Leo's gaze became sharp.
"You must redeem yourself through service. Report to the Hunter Association, and then work with Sophia and the others; she will be watching you."
Sophia was taken aback for a moment, then she understood Leo's meaning.
Her ability happened to counter Ashir's; as long as she left a Mark on him beforehand, she could activate the 'Duel Arena' and pull him in the moment he showed any inclination to escape.
Ashir fell silent. He lowered his head, looking at the handcuffs on his wrists and his own reflection on the deck—he was a pathetic man who had lost everything.
Finally, he looked up at the sea that was slowly receding into the distance.
After a long while.
"I understand."
His voice was hoarse but firm.
"I will atone."
If one can live, who would choose to die?
Although his freedom would be restricted and he might have to do things he never imagined doing—living was better than being dead.
Leo looked at him, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
He reached out and patted Ashir on the shoulder.
The force wasn't heavy, yet it made Ashir's entire body jolt.
"Welcome aboard."
Leo turned and walked toward the cabin.
Behind him, the others watched his back.
Sophia smiled and followed him.
Shizuku and Kastro also turned to leave.
Machi Komacine walked up to Ashir, gave him a look, and then also entered the cabin.
Hisoka put away his playing cards, stretched, and remained on the deck.
On the deck, Ashir stood in place, looking in the direction of the island that had completely disappeared, watching the sea surface that was returning to calm.
Then, he let out a long breath.
In that breath, there was relief, gratitude, and complex, indescribable emotions.
He looked down at his hands.
These hands had once been stained with blood and had done too many irreversible things.
And now, these hands were in handcuffs, but they had been spared.
"Atonement, huh..."
He murmured to himself, his voice scattered by the sea breeze.
He turned and walked into the cabin.
The yacht's engine emitted a low hum, and the bow cut through the waves, sailing slowly toward the Hunter Association.
Sunlight spilled across the deck, feeling warm.
Everything was over. Everything had only just begun.