Fanfics Hub
patreon
258 HxH: Tombbound Power
🕑 Added 2024-12-13 06:02:00 +0000 UTCThe group that ventured here must have been a team, well-prepared for their journey. It's understandable that they were able to push deep into the area.
What's more, someone among them had the Sonata of Darkness, which means they wielded great strength and influence.
Yet, even with such preparation, they failed to conquer the Grand Canyon. And failure here means only one thing—death.
Ging turned to Ronnel and patted him on the shoulder, his golden palm radiating warmth.
"From now on, it's up to you, Ronnel," Ging said, his gaze burning with an eagerness that belied the seriousness of the moment.
Feeling the weight of Ging's trust, Ronnel nodded slightly.
"Leave it to me."
With that, the two turned their attention to the dense fog ahead, their expressions steady and resolute. Together, they stepped forward.
The moment before entering the thick mist, both of them activated their Nen. A shimmering layer of aura enveloped their bodies as they deployed a small-scale En.
(T/N: En is an advanced application of Ten and Ren. With Ren, aura usually envelops only a small amount of space around the user's body.)
With a faint sound, they crossed the boundary, their figures disappearing into the fog.
The air within the central area was stifling, far denser with malice than the outskirts.
"This is the central zone?" Ronnel muttered, scanning his surroundings. "The level of resentment here isn't even on the same scale as the outer region."
A strange, hostile energy seemed to pulse within the fog, almost tangible. Without even needing to use Gyo, its presence was visible—a writhing, ominous force.
"And why isn't it just dead energy?" Ronnel mused aloud. "If there were this much, I could study it for a lifetime."
Despite the presence of dead energy, it paled in comparison to the overwhelming resentment.
"Hey, hey! This isn't the time to be analyzing things!" Ging shouted as he strained to shield himself from the encroaching malice with his aura. "If you don't act, we're both done for!"
"These grievances are nothing," Ronnel replied calmly, lifting his hand. With a wave, the aggressive resentment dissipated instantly, purified into nothingness.
Ging gawked, his tension easing as he realized the worst danger had been neutralized.
"Looks like you've got this covered. I won't even bother worrying anymore."
While Ging scaled back his defensive aura, leaving just enough to protect himself, he noticed Ronnel frowning.
"What's wrong?" Ging asked, instantly on guard.
"It's strange," Ronnel said, his brows furrowed.
"Strange?" Ging echoed.
"Yeah. When we were at the Cruz Cemetery, the resentment made sense—so many people and Nen users died in combat there. The intensity of the lingering malice matched the scale of destruction. But here…"
"But what?"
"Even though a large number of elites died in Braga Canyon, it wasn't as many as those who perished during the war at the Cruz Cemetery. Yet the resentment here feels far stronger."
Ging smirked knowingly, poking a finger into his ear. "That's the question you're hung up on?"
Ronnel's sharp gaze focused on Ging.
"If the outer canyon's resentment is comparable to Cruz Cemetery's, it can be explained by extreme human emotions. But this central area…" Ronnel's tone grew serious. "The resentment here surpasses the upper limits of human malice. And if we go deeper…"
"It's only going to get worse," Ging finished.
The two exchanged a look. Cruz Cemetery was already infamous as one of the most dangerous locations in the world, a place where humanity's collective malice converged. But the resentment here—this was something far beyond human.
Ging nodded, his expression somber. "You're thinking the same thing I did back then."
"You've been here before?" Ronnel asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ging chuckled. "Of course. I had the same doubts."
"And? Did you figure out the truth?"
"Not at all."
Ronnel blinked, momentarily stunned by Ging's flippant response.
Seeing Ronnel's unimpressed expression, Ging cleared his throat, then looked toward the thick fog ahead.
"This place…" Ging said softly, his voice taking on an uncharacteristically serious tone. "No matter how strange things get, nothing surprises me anymore."
A grin crept onto his face, his eyes glinting with a peculiar light.
"Because this place is connected to the legendary Dark Continent."
"The Dark Continent?"
The words hung in the air, carrying an almost magnetic weight. Ronnel's expression darkened as the realization set in.
"That explains everything," Ronnel murmured.
"Exactly." Ging's voice was steady. "When the Dark Continent is involved, normal rules no longer apply."
With the mystery somewhat unraveled, the pair pressed deeper into the canyon. The corpses they encountered became fewer as they ventured farther.
The thick fog served as a natural barrier, one that repelled all but the most determined—or reckless. Those who lacked the strength to handle the grievances would retreat quickly if they had any sense.
The bodies they did find, however, bore the marks of grim fates. Documents and belongings identified them as joint explorers from the V5 or independent teams that had come prepared but still failed to survive.
And as they walked deeper, the air grew heavier still.
