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136 HxH: Tombbound Power
🕑 Added 2024-10-19 09:30:17 +0000 UTCAfter stepping off the airship, someone was waiting for Ronnel and his entourage.
On the way, Ronnel casually demonstrated his Nen ability, Watcher in the Shadow, previously stolen from a young man. The display left no room for doubt regarding his identity. Appearances can be forged, but Nen cannot be imitated.
While two people may possess similar abilities, no two Nen abilities are ever identical—not even among twins. Subtle differences will always exist for those who look closely enough.
Additionally, Ronnel mimicked the young man's mannerisms and speech so perfectly that no one dared to suspect him of impersonation. Pretending to be a high-ranking figure, especially in a V5 nation, was unthinkable. With his cover intact, Ronnel traveled safely to the Mimbo Republic.
The young man whose identity he had borrowed was named Baker Creston—the second son of Renji Creston, a man with substantial military influence in the Mimbo Republic. Baker's older brother, Punk, was the heir to the Creston family, which was regarded as one of the most prominent noble houses in the region.
Upon returning to the Creston estate, Ronnel was struck by the sheer decadence surrounding him. The nobles of the Mimbo Republic, known for their wealth, embodied greed and indulgence. Luxury defined every corner of their lives. The estate employed hundreds of servants, and young, beautiful maids filled the halls—no wonder Baker looked pale and worn from his excesses.
When Ronnel—posing as Baker—finally met Punk, the latter's appearance was even more sickly than his brother's.
"Well, well... Still no luck with the Amethyst Grape Crystal, huh?" Punk's tone was laced with mockery the moment he laid eyes on Ronnel. The two brothers had always been at odds.
"Who was it that boasted before Miss Anna that he'd definitely get her that crystal?" Punk sneered. "Tsk, tsk... You know she's been waiting for it~"
Ronnel, remaining in character, gave him a dismissive glance and went straight to his quarters without saying a word.
In truth, Baker had always looked down on his elder brother. If Punk weren't the designated heir, the family would have cast him out to rot somewhere obscure like the rest of the house's useless branches. Recently, though, it seemed Punk had gotten involved with something he shouldn't have.
The Mimbo Republic still maintained an ancient constitutional monarchy, largely untouched by modernity. Princess Anna Atlante, the 18-year-old royal, was the kingdom's brightest jewel—loved not only for her political stature but also for her angelic beauty and captivating figure. Many young men sought her favor, including both Baker and Punk.
Baker had scrambled to find the Amethyst Grape Crystal, hoping it would win him Anna's affection. Both brothers, however, were hopelessly smitten, desperate to impress the princess.
Meanwhile, as Ronnel left the room, Punk's expression darkened. But it wasn't anger that contorted his features—it was withdrawal.
"Get me back to my room! Now!" Punk bellowed, his body trembling uncontrollably.
His attendants rushed him to his chambers, where a maid quickly retrieved a small plate of icy-blue radish cubes. She carefully fed them to him, one by one. As the pieces dissolved on his tongue, Punk's tremors eased, and a euphoric expression washed over his face.
"You're all dismissed."
The servants fled as if they had been granted a pardon, and the maid hurriedly set the plate on a nearby table before leaving. Alone at last, Punk popped another radish slice into his mouth, sighing with delight.
"These commoners will never understand the finer things in life," he muttered. "And as for my idiot brother—he's unworthy of noble blood if he can't appreciate something this exquisite."
The ice crystal radish melted in his mouth, bringing a wave of bliss. It was like stepping out of the scorching summer heat and into the chill of an air-conditioned room—a sensation that made him feel as if he were floating on air.
While Punk indulged himself in the comforts of the estate, Ronnel had already gathered some key information. Using his Hunter license, he accessed details about the aristocracy's eccentric lifestyle.
The nobles were obsessed with what they called the "Three Major Delicacies": ice crystal radish, power banana, and pleasure cherry. Each delicacy offered an experience that separated the nobles from common folk, reinforcing their sense of superiority.
The ice crystal radish delivered a cooling sensation that was said to rival heaven itself.
The power banana, with its purple, lightning-like peel, caused an electrifying current to course through one's body, offering a strange mix of exhilaration and paralysis.
And then there was the pleasure cherry. Eating one granted an overwhelming sense of pleasure—without the need for intimate physical contact. The cherries were especially coveted by older noblewomen, who pursued them with fanatic devotion.
While ice crystal radishes were relatively easy to cultivate and found in most noble households, the other two delicacies were rare. Power bananas were somewhat scarce, but pleasure cherries were the true luxury, often available only to the wealthiest elites.
The aristocrats took pride in their extravagant tastes, treating their obsession with these delicacies as a mark of refinement and superiority. Yet Gourmet Hunters found them repugnant, and to Ronnel, these so-called delicacies were nothing but tasteless indulgences.
