"Three."
"Three?!!"
Ging's voice shot up in disbelief.
"Did Emuksu not tell you the limit?"
"What? Is there a problem?"
...You're insane.
Ging gave Ronnel a complicated look.
"Your body must be ridiculously well-trained... definitely better than mine."
"Huh?" Ronnel looked up at him.
"You've taken this pill before?"
"Once," Ging admitted bluntly. "And never again."
"I was young, and curious. So I tried one."
"And?"
"I wanted to die from the aftereffects."
Ronnel smirked. "I didn't think Emuksu would actually lend me all of the excitement pills. Guess I really do have guts. Now I can't use Nen for three months... looks like I'm stuck."
"Three months? Please, you'll be lucky if it's just that."
"I'll burn it off in a day."
"Huh?"
"Next, I'm heading to Greed Island."
"Greed Island? What for? Looking for [Angel's Breath]? Have you forgotten that it only heals injuries? It won't remove Nen restrictions. It's useful for that old man, sure, but useless for you."
Ging sounded almost amused.
"Besides, Emuksu doesn't stock exorcist items. Too costly, too complicated to make."
"I know. That's why I'm going to Greed Island."
"Oh?"
"I found an exorcist. Called ahead—should be living there now."
"Wait, you mean that weird, homeless, genius freak? The one who's harmless but feels like a monster?"
"...You really do plan everything, huh?"
"Show some respect."
"I'm not complimenting you!!"
Ronnel had already worked out how to remove the pill's restrictions. If he got injured, he could use [Doctor Blythe]—something he had acquired from Neferpitou—to heal himself. As for the Nen restriction, all he needed was the Ant, Hina, to exorcise it. The only price? Time for her to digest it. No big deal.
...
As they talked, Ronnel and Ging made their way back to the palace. Along the way, Ronnel learned how Ging had arrived.
When they reached the palace, they found an advanced medical team from Peijin, the capital of the Republic of East Gorteau. Modern medicine could only sustain Netero's life. If he truly wanted to heal, he needed Nen.
From his earlier conversation with Ging, Ronnel had already realized that Netero's injuries were treatable. [Angel's Breath] could work, and if not, Emuksu's high-grade healing machine might. His life could be saved, but his strength? That was another question entirely.
After all, his Zero Hand had drained him completely. His withered state left a deep impression on Ronnel.
Netero was over 110 years old. Surviving was one thing, but returning to his peak? That was another matter.
...
Ronnel and Ging reunited with Morel and the others, keeping a low profile.
Upon hearing the confirmation of the Ant King's death, Morel finally exhaled a deep sigh of relief before collapsing onto the ground.
"Damn... it's finally over."
Behind him, Knuckle and Shoot also let their exhausted bodies relax, unable to hide their relief.
Not just physically—but mentally, emotionally.
They had witnessed the Ant King's overwhelming strength. They had felt the sheer terror of being in his presence. Now that he was gone, it felt like an impossible weight had lifted off their shoulders.
There was no doubt. The proof was standing right in front of them.
Ronnel's battered body spoke for itself.
Fighting an opponent of the Ant King's caliber without injury? Impossible.
...
With the Chimera Ant crisis resolved, Netero critically injured but alive, most people would see this as an acceptable conclusion.
But one person didn't.
Ronnel turned down Morel's offer to take him for treatment. Instead, he walked toward a silver-haired girl.
She was blind, but her hearing was sharp.
The moment Ronnel approached, her body tensed.
"He's gone."
At his words, Komugi clenched the hem of her clothes tighter.
"His last words were that he wished he could play one more game of Gungi."
Her shoulders shook. Her breath hitched. And then—
Tears burst from her eyes, unstoppable, as if a dam had broken. Her face became a mess of tears and snot, but she didn't care.
"From now on, you won't be a burden to your family. You can study Gungi freely, without restriction. This is what you deserve."
Ronnel paused.
"And it's what he wanted for you."
"Waaah!"
Komugi covered her face, but her sobs spilled through her fingers.
She knew this wasn't the place to cry so loudly, but the grief was unbearable. The first person who had ever truly cared for her—who had played Gungi with her as an equal—was gone forever.
...
Ronnel glanced at Morel, who nodded in understanding.
"Thank you," Morel said.
After Ronnel finished speaking to Morel and Komugi, Meleoron, who had been standing in the background, finally stepped forward.
He bowed slightly. "Thank you."
"You fought just as hard." Ronnel put away his life alarm clock. "So what's next for you?"
"I don't know yet." Meleoron shook his head. "I think... I'll find a place to settle down, learn, and do research. That's what my adoptive father always wanted for me."
A small, wry smile crossed his face.
"It's just... too bad he won't get to see it."
Behind the smile lay grief, bitterness—but also, perhaps, a hint of peace.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)