What Were They... Trying to Resist?

The group walked through the underground Passageway.

The environment was pitch black.

Even with flashlights scattered around, it's still hard to feel at ease.

Everyone was on tenterhooks.

Almost every Hunter who sets foot in this place drives their own "Circle" and remains on high alert at all times!

They were terrified that those terrifying Black Talisman Insects would suddenly appear from somewhere again.

Despite witnessing the Toy Soldiers' slaughter of the Black Talisman Insects, the fact that they could be spread through Nen posed a significant threat to them.

Fortunately, no further unexpected situations arose along the way.

Until they arrived at a black Stone Gate that was clearly built by humans.

Stone Gate has endured many vicissitudes.

It's clearly a product from a long time ago.

The Stone Gate was open, revealing a passageway that stretched deep inside, lined with shimmering, glowing minerals on either side of the walls.

Everyone stopped in their tracks, their expressions grave.

They understood that this was probably the kind of Malice Crystals that Kim had mentioned.

"That's strange. It actually grew out of the entire Ruins. According to Jin, these things weren't here before?"

One of the Hunters asked in confusion.

The other person came up with the idea.

"I wonder if we can mine these crystals and use them. To some extent, if they can suppress the operation of Nen Abilities, they would be a very valuable mineral for research!"

"Snort!"

"Even if we can survey and excavate, it's all thanks to the Exorcism Team!" a team Exorcism Team quickly said.

"What are you talking about? Such a valuable and special ore, do you intend to monopolize it?!"

"That is!"

"Don't push your luck! You need to know who helped you get here!"

Upon hearing that the other party intended to eat it all by himself, the Hunters immediately retorted in unison.

Kannari Rin was in the middle of the group, frowned, just about to say something.

"The problem hasn't been solved yet, and you're already arguing..."

It was Jin who spoke; he walked over.

Ian followed behind, looking on with an expression of amusement.

"Jin, these mineral crystals you discovered have extremely high research value!"

"But... they actually wanted to monopolize it!"

Upon seeing Jin appear, the group of Hunters immediately went to him to complain.

"That is!"

"And it was thanks to the child beside you that we were able to get here. I will not agree to give up now!"

Upon hearing these words, Kannari Rin fell silent for a moment.

In fact, if these crystals deep within this Ruins truly have the effects Jin described, then their value... is indeed immeasurable!

It will definitely become a piece of lucrative territory that V5 will not be able to let go of.

Hearing the noisy argument around him, Jin's forehead twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but speak loudly.

"What... what are you arguing about?!"

He looked intently at everyone and said coldly.

"The danger is not over!"

"We've only just entered this Ruins; the true source of the Malice lies deep Ruins!"

"If we start arguing here, I don't think we'll ever reach our destination."

This is the issue that the gold exchange is concerned about.

Many times.

A team size of ten people is considered appropriate.

Once it is less than or more than this number.

Without a tacit understanding and good organizational discipline, chaos can easily ensue.

Hearing his words.

The Hunters froze, realizing their lapse in composure.

It's clear they've realized this problem.

Jin's expression improved slightly.

He walked to Netero's side and spoke in a deep voice.

"President, I'm afraid you'll need to be very vigilant about your surroundings from now on. I have a bad feeling about this."

Netero, who had always remained calm and collected, nodded upon hearing his words.

"Don't worry, I'll be prepared."

Then.

He looked at Kannari Rin beside him.

"Group Leader Kannari Rin, next, please clean up those Malice Crystals."

Kannari Rin could sense the other person's seriousness, so she said.

What do you need us to do?

Jin glanced past her, staring at the glowing crystal in the distant Passageway, and said in a deep voice.

"Just attack them!"

"With these Malice Crystals present, we cannot pass through this Passageway..."

"We're currently quite far away, so we can't feel anything yet."

"However... once you step into the vicinity of those crystals, you will face a force field that distorts Nen. At that point, even the circulation of Nen within your body will become a problem, let alone facing any potential threats and battles afterward."

Hearing his words.

Kannari Rin trusted the other party's judgment, after all, the other party had demonstrated excellent intelligence gathering capabilities in previous battles.

Ian, who was standing nearby, already knew this information from King.

Upon hearing this...

Now we know what these Malice Crystals look like...

It will most likely be like Seastone in One Piece or Kryptonite in Superman.

She simply beckoned with her hand.

The captain behind him immediately received the order and made the arrangements.

Overall

Exorcism Team's organizational skills are far superior to those of the Hunter Association members.

Even though some of the team leaders were somewhat resentful.

But after receiving the order, he immediately led his teammates, arranged themselves into formation, set up their guns, and then gathered their Nen, firing a large number of psychic bullets that flashed with various lights into the air.

The Hunters could feel the power of these Nen bullets, and they were somewhat apprehensive.

If ordinary weapons pose no threat to them, then the Nen firepower network formed by this team could absolutely tear a single person apart.

Ian stood at the rear, quietly observing the Exorcism Team's fighting style, his gaze lingering for a moment on the special guns in their hands.

Exorcism Team?

The special organization under V5 was probably created specifically to deal with Nen users.

God knows.

How many contingency plans has the V5 leadership prepared to curb the lawless Nen users?

Even.

Netero himself was once a member of the Cleanliness and Discipline Team, which was responsible for discipline and eliminating criminals within the Hunter community.

Since these guys are V5's lackeys, they might become enemies in the future. It's good to observe them in advance.

It was with this in mind that Ian did not take action immediately.

The attack firepower of the Exorcism Team is quite strong.

Unfortunately...

Those Malice Crystals seemed to be very solid, or rather, they were naturally resistant to psychic bullets, distorting the force field the moment the Nen bullets approached them.

And so, a bizarre scene unfolded.

It takes nearly a second for hundreds of beams of light to completely clear a single crystal.

Ian couldn't help but purse his lips when he saw this.

The speed is just too slow...

At this rate, it's unclear how long it will take to complete.

Jin remained expressionless, having probably already anticipated this outcome.

There's no better solution for now, so we can only use this rudimentary method to move forward.

Otherwise, with these things existing, exploration would be impossible.

Just then...

Ian patted him on the shoulder and asked curiously.

"You said these crystals formed later from here, so what might their origin be?"

"After all... things that can affect the flow of Nen should be quite rare, right? For them to grow out of thin air at the entrance of this Ruins... is it some kind of technology left over from the Gandor Dynasty? What... did they create these things to defend against!?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei was taken aback. Indeed, what Ian said made sense.

I always feel like there's something I've overlooked.

Everything has a purpose.

What was the original purpose of this Ruins, whether it be those Black Talisman Insects or the current Malice Crystals?

Was it to fend off these intruders from a thousand years in the future?

That's highly unlikely...

And...

Since the founders of the Ruins knew that the enemy they needed to deal with was someone who could use Nen Abilities.

Is it really just going to create a bunch of ores that interfere with the flow of Nen and leave them here for nothing?

At this very moment.

Inside the bottomless Passageway.

A mummified corpse, walking slowly forward with steady steps, slowly raised its head.

"Nen is being activated... Is... is our enemy returning...?"

The words had barely left his mouth.

He slowly raised his withered arm, and a point of intense white light emanated from his fingertips.

Then.

"Buzz--"

Centered on him, a white, radiating circle extending for several kilometers suddenly erupted!