Chapter Summaries

Pakunoda and Pons encountered insectoid Demonic Beasts massacring humans in the NGL Autonomous Region and fought their way out. They escaped Shacuan and the spider monster, then sent insects to warn the scattered Hunter groups as Pakunoda suspected the creatures’ intelligence and strength were linked.

• Pakunoda, Pons, and their teammates watched insectoid monsters slaughter humans and decided to flee and report the danger.
• A giant insect ambushed the group, killing one teammate before Pakunoda killed it with a Golden Arrow.
• A spider monster caught Pakunoda’s Nen attack, killed another teammate, and pursued the survivors alongside Shacuan, who wounded Pakunoda with her poisoned tail.
• Pakunoda and Pons escaped on the Charging Armor after Pakunoda wounded Shacuan and used poison gas to block pursuit.
• Pakunoda and Pons sent Pons’s insects to warn the other Hunter groups, and Pakunoda concluded that the more human-like and intelligent the insectoids were, the stronger they became.

Kite rushed toward the border after receiving a warning that the Chimeric Ant threat in NGL was worse than expected. Pakunoda and Pons escaped to the border, where they learned the exploration teams had likely been wiped out and that a human-gene-bearing Chimeric Ant colony could soon become an unprecedented disaster.

• Kite received a warning from an artificially bred Black-tailed Bee, sent a message back by falcon, and ran toward the city after telling the translator that something had happened inside.
• Pakunoda and Pons reached the Boundary and reported that the other exploration teams appeared to have been wiped out, but the NGL official dismissed their warning as nature's choice.
• Pakunoda and Pons met Hunters waiting outside the Boundary, read Kite's warning, and sent their information to the Hunter Association, which said its team would take about three days to arrive.
• Stick and the other Hunters explained the Chimeric Ant hierarchy and warned that the Queen could produce an Ant King, allowing the human-gene-bearing ants to spread beyond NGL.
• Pakunoda identified the creatures he had encountered as likely Army Leaders and a Division Leader, realized he had not seen the Direct Guard or Queen, and decided to call Kevin.

Kite encountered Gon and Killua while investigating the Chimera Ants, and the three agreed to work together against them. At Kevin’s camp, Kevin learned from Pakunoda that the NGL disaster was far worse than expected and that Kite’s prophecy foretold his death at the hands of a powerful foreign enemy.

• Kite found an abandoned village with no human corpses and concluded that the Chimera Ants had taken the villagers as food.
• Kite defeated a birdlike Chimera Ant Army Leader and tried to capture it, but another Ant arrived and carried it away after Gon and Killua accidentally interrupted the fight.
• Kite recognized Gon and Killua, explained the danger posed by the Chimera Ants, and the boys chose to stay and help him.
• Kevin returned to camp after hearing from Pakunoda that the NGL disaster had caused tens of thousands of casualties and might have emptied the region.
• Kevin told the camp that Nion’s prophecy predicted Kite would die within a week and become a training puppet, while Melusina led a team toward the disaster zone.

Kite, Gon, and Killua investigated the Chimeric Ants’ territory, uncovering a secret drug factory and fighting the ants who held it. After Kite warned Gon that humans were food to the ants, Gon insisted he would judge their actions for himself, while a Direct Guard began teaching Nen to the Division Leaders.

• Gon, Killua, and Kite found discarded human corpses and discussed how the ants’ wasteful behavior suggested they had developed individual wills.
• The three discovered that the caves held a drug factory concealed by the NGL Autonomous Region, then confronted three Chimeric Ants torturing human captives.
• Killua killed the mosquito-like ant, Gon sliced the many-armed ant in half, and Kite shot the fleeing centaur-like leader with Crazy Clown.
• Kite, Gon, and Killua were surrounded by more ants, and Kite used Grim Reaper Waltz to cut down the attackers in a wide arc.
• Kite urged Gon to treat the Chimeric Ants as enemies, but Gon insisted on judging them for himself.
• At the nest, a Direct Guard gathered the Division Leaders to teach them Nen using knowledge taken from rare resources.

Kite, Gon, and Killua reached the Chimera Ant nest to observe it, but Neferpitou ambushed them and turned their reconnaissance into a desperate fight. After an hour of battle left Gon badly injured and Kite and Killua near defeat, an unknown figure arrived and kicked Neferpitou away.

• Kite told Gon and Killua to observe the Ant Nest and wait for reinforcements because he believed the Ant King would not be born for another month.
• Neferpitou ambushed the group, severed Kite’s arm, and forced him to fight while Gon and Killua refused to flee.
• Kite used Crazy Slots and medicine to battle Neferpitou as Gon and Killua studied the fight and waited for an opening.
• Killua paralyzed Neferpitou with lightning, Gon struck her, and Kite followed with gunfire, but Neferpitou barely suffered any injury.
• Neferpitou severed Gon’s arm and part of his leg, while Killua rescued him and Kite continued fighting her.
• After an hour, Gon was incapacitated and Kite and Killua were badly wounded, until an unknown figure descended and kicked Neferpitou away.

Melusina and the others rescued Kite, Gon, and Killua, then fought Neferpitou while trying to learn how many Royal Guards protected the Ant nest. Melusina forced Neferpitou to stay and prevented the rescue team from reaching the nest, but Neferpitou created Puppet Clones to guard it and retreated.

• Melusina kicked Neferpitou away, while Men Qi and Buhara rescued Gon, Killua, and Kite and used potions to treat their injuries.
• Melusina fought Neferpitou and held her off as Kite warned the group about the Chimera Ants.
• Buhaci blasted Neferpitou back when she tried to attack Kite, and Melusina and her Nen Beasts surrounded her.
• Melusina sent Men Qi, Buhaci, and the others toward the nest to test Neferpitou's reaction, revealing that she was the only Royal Guard present.
• Melusina injected a potion and intensified her attacks, but Neferpitou created two Puppet Clones that flew toward the rescue team.
• Men Qi and Buhaci turned the Griffin back instead of continuing to the nest, and Neferpitou returned to protect it after warning that she would tear the humans apart.

After escaping Neferpitou, Men Qi, Melusina, Killua, Kite, Buhara, and Buhaci fled the Chimera Ant nest while discussing the Royal Guards and the threat posed by the Ant King. They headed toward help, uncertain who the Hunter Association would send and suspecting that someone had engineered the crisis.

• Men Qi created a giant snake Nen Beast to carry the group, and everyone left the nest as Neferpitou watched and threatened them.
• On the way to the plains, Men Qi asked about Melusina's injuries, and Melusina explained that her Wedding Ring let her share Kevin's abilities, including Snake Scale and his medicine-injection ability.
• Men Qi said the group could only call for help against the Royal Guards, while Kite explained that the Ant Queen could produce three to five Guards in a batch and had already begun nurturing the Ant King.
• Kite and Melusina discussed how the ants combined powerful physical traits with human personalities and Nen abilities, and Killua recalled sensing an even more frightening presence near the Manor.
• Kite asked why Kevin had not come, and Men Qi said he was incubating eggs and would arrive soon.
• Melusina warned that not all the Twelve Zodiacs were strong, and the group considered that the man-made Chimera Ant incident might involve a plan designed to account for the Hunter Association's response.

Melusina and the others reached the Boundary with injured Kite, Killua, and unconscious Gon, and learned that the NGL Autonomous Region had been devastated by the Chimera Ants. Chairman Netero arrived with Morel and Nobu to lead the response, while Kevin learned of the reinforcements and remained worried about the Ants’ strength.

• Melusina and the others arrived at the Boundary, where Pakunoda punched the checkpoint official who approached them about their unauthorized entry.
• Kite told Men Qi that the NGL’s rulers and many residents had likely been killed by the Chimera Ants, and Melusina led the group to camp so the injured could rest.
• Men Qi, Kite, and Buhara discussed which Hunters might lead the reinforcements before learning that Chairman Netero had arrived with Morel and Nobu.
• Melusina unleashed her Aura to show Netero’s team how dangerous the Chimera Ants were, and Netero asked the group to share what they had encountered.
• Kevin discussed the Ants with Beget while waiting for the egg to hatch, then learned from Melusina that Netero had personally come to lead the response.

Gon woke in an inn after his injuries and Kite’s arm had been restored, while the Extermination Team prepared to attack the Ant Nest from the rear. Netero’s team began a cautious plan to track and eliminate Chimera Ants, and Melusina and Men Qi joined the scouting effort.

• Gon woke, hugged Killua, and learned that the Extermination Team had rejected their request to join because they were not strong enough yet.
• Kite explained that he was recovering from the effects of using too many potions and was waiting for someone.
• Netero’s squad spotted Neferpitou guarding the Ant Nest and agreed that her vast En made a surprise attack impossible.
• Nobu revealed his [Four-Dimensional Apartment] ability, and Netero entered it to begin the operation from inside the nest’s perimeter.
• Men Qi sent out Nen birds to scout while Melusina offered to clear Chimera Ants that Morel’s smoke creatures did not transport.
• The team split up to track and eliminate targets, agreeing to signal one another if they encountered a Direct Guard.

Kevin and Kite discovered a Chimeric Ant in the border city that claimed to retain a human soul, but Kevin exposed and killed it after sensing its hatred for humanity. Kevin contained the dead ant’s powerful Resentment, and the two set out to investigate the other Chimeric Ants.

• Kevin and Biscuit arrived at the hotel, where they reunited with Kite, Gon, and Killua; Biscuit said she had come to train the boys.
• Kevin showed Kite the Phoenix’s flame tattoo and explained that the Phoenix was parasitizing him until he could find it another place to live.
• Kevin sensed malice coming from a reinforced room, and he and Kite found a Division Leader Chimeric Ant that claimed to be human and offered information about the Ant Nest.
• The ant used a Nen ability to plunge the room into darkness, but Kevin disabled it, judged it evil, and killed it after it identified itself as Zaiyilo.
• Kevin gathered the enormous Resentment left by Zaiyilo, while Kite wondered how the ant had retained a human soul.
• Kevin crushed Zaiyilo’s heart and told Kite they should investigate the Chimeric Ants without human souls, especially the Ant Queen.

Men Qi’s allies attacked Chimera Ant teams while Buhaci defeated a Division Leader, worsening the Ant Nest’s food shortage and forcing its defenders to keep the Royal Guards close. At dawn, Melusina sensed Kevin approaching the temporary camp with another figure.

• Men Qi detected an approaching team, and Melusina followed an owl into the forest while two Maid Nen Beasts wiped out a squad of Soldier Ants.
• Buhaci defeated a Bull-like Division Leader by overpowering his charge and smashing him into the ground.
• Neferpitou and Youpi discussed the distant battle, and Neferpitou stayed behind to protect the Ant King’s birth.
• Melusina and Buhaci left after injecting the Division Leader’s corpse with poison, and the Ant Nest’s leaders learned that their teams were disappearing and their recovered food was contaminated.
• Morel and Nobu met Melusina’s group at dawn, and Melusina sensed Kevin arriving with another figure.

Kevin joined the team surrounding the Chimera Ant nest, used an enormous long-range burst of Aura to gauge the enemy, and learned that the nest held three Royal Guards and many powerful Ants. He and Kite set out to block another group of Ants from leaving while the team continued to seek a way to reach the Queen before the King was born.

• Kevin greeted Melusina, Morel, Men Qi, and Nobu, then watched Netero emerge from Nobu's Apartment after using the nest as a warm-up.
• Kevin detected the nest's vast En and sent a pillar of Aura more than ten kilometers to strike it, causing chaos among the Ants inside.
• Kevin reported sensing three Royal Guards, twenty-five Division Leaders, and over a hundred other Ants, and Netero said he needed time to regain his condition before he could quickly defeat a Guard.
• Netero ordered the group to continue its original plan, and Kevin learned that the team had surrounded the nest to cut off the Ants' hunting routes.
• After the team heard that the Ants were preparing to send another group outside, Kevin and Kite left to block them and discussed learning more about the Ants' Nen abilities.

Kevin used Nen dust to influence several Chimeric Ant squads while the hunters’ encirclement drove the ants to stop hunting outside. As the hunters debated how the ants might respond, Rukira asked the Royal Guards to intervene, but Neferpitou insisted they remain inside to protect the King.

• Kevin spread Nen dust into three Chimeric Ant squads and explained to Kite how he could subtly influence their behavior and guide them to discuss their Nen abilities.
• The affected squads returned to the nest, while the hunters continued their blockade until the ants largely stopped sending hunting parties outside.
• Morel, Men Qi, Nobu, and Kite considered whether the retreat meant the ants had enough food or were preparing to break out, and Kite warned that the ants were becoming more autonomous.
• Inside the nest, Rukira asked the three Royal Guards to take action because the encirclement was starving the Queen’s forces and threatening her breeding.
• Neferpitou refused to leave the nest and protect the King, while Menthuthuyoupi dismissed the Division Leaders’ weakness and Rukira warned that the Queen still needed food.

Youpi ordered the Division Leaders to leave the nest together and break through the Hunters’ encirclement for food, leaving the Royal Guards to protect the Queen. As the Hunters prepared to attack the weakened nest, Kevin warned Kite that Netero might be walking into a trap set by Beyond, Netero’s son, before Neferpitou’s En reached them.

• Youpi ordered the Division Leaders to charge out together for food, while Neferpitou exempted her selected guard unit and Rukira instructed the others to prepare.
• Kite spotted a mass of ants pouring from the nest, and Kevin and Kite regrouped with the Hunters as Netero agreed to exploit the opening and attack from three directions.
• Kevin’s subconscious influence helped the Hunters obtain information from three Army Leaders, revealing that a Guard Regiment remained near the nest.
• Kevin warned Kite that a hidden mastermind was targeting Netero’s life and identified Beyond, Netero’s son, as the likely enemy.
• Kevin and Kite entered the nest’s range, where Neferpitou’s En spread toward them.

Kevin and Kite confronted Menthuthuyoupi as the hunters advanced toward the Chimera Ant nest, while Nobu struggled through the terror of the Royal Guards’ malice. Kevin stayed behind to fight Youpi, whose mutations and immense strength made him a dangerous opponent.

• Kevin released his intimidating Aura, and Melusina, Men Qi, and Buhaci sensed Neferpitou’s intense hatred as their team continued toward the nest.
• Netero left Nobu behind, but Nobu overcame his fear and forced himself to follow Morel, determined to support his teammates with his Nen ability.
• Neferpitou and Youpi chose to protect the King’s safety as the attackers split into three groups; Youpi went to intercept one group while Neferpitou rushed toward her target.
• Menthuthuyoupi landed before Kevin and Kite, and Kevin stayed to fight while Kite continued toward the nest.
• Youpi’s body mutated as he attacked Kevin with multiple powerful limbs, but Kevin blocked the blows with his silver-scaled arms and struck Youpi with Red Conch, sending him flying.

Kevin fought Youpi while Melusina, Men Qi, and Buhaci tried to break through to the nest, and Netero engaged Neferpitou as Morel advanced. After realizing the Ant Queen was in danger, Rukira and some of the departing ants turned back toward the nest.

• Youpi grew furious as Kevin dodged his attacks, endured a powerful punch, and wounded him with Wind Blades.
• Youpi entered a crazed second stage, while Melusina, Men Qi, and Buhaci used Griffin and Nen Beasts to fight past him toward the nest.
• Melusina kept Youpi occupied as he sent tiny Clones toward the nest, and her attacks and Kevin's Wind Blades destroyed many of them.
• Neferpitou ambushed Morel in the purple smoke, but Netero kicked her away and then fought her as Morel continued toward the nest.
• Rukira realized the Ant Queen was at risk and led some ants back toward the nest, while others chose to keep searching for food.

Morel, Kite, Men Qi, and Buhaci advanced through the Chimera Ant nest toward the Seventh Floor, where guards protected the Incubation Room. They reached the Sixth Floor and engaged two defenders, while Morel discovered that the dog-headed guard’s weapon could block passage with a powerful Nen effect.

• Kite explained that the Incubation Room was on the Seventh Floor and that the group needed information about the ants before confronting the Ant Queen.
• The group discussed how human memories shaped Chimera Ants, then agreed that any ant blocking their mission was an enemy.
• Morel stopped filling the upper floors with smoke after scouts were eliminated, and the group prepared to fight four guards on the Sixth Floor.
• Kite cut through the spider ant’s webbing with Grim Reaper Waltz, wounded it, and then used a pistol to destroy several of its split bodies.
• Morel confronted a dog-headed Chimera Ant who identified himself as an ant with human memories and warned Morel not to pass.
• The dog-headed guard struck a Smoke Machine Soldier with his traffic-sign weapon, creating a red No Entry barrier that blasted the soldier apart.

Men Qi and Buhaci fought two Chimeric Ant guards, a bat with sound-based detection and a fish that swam through solid surfaces and fired Nen Water Arrows. After Men Qi identified how the bat aided the fish, the pair defeated both guards and left the hatchery route open.

• Men Qi and Buhaci assessed the bat and fish guards, then attacked and learned the fish could swim through solid surfaces and fire long-range Water Arrows.
• The fish wounded Men Qi and Buhaci while the bat’s hidden ability kept the fish accurately oriented; Men Qi used seasoning powders and a giant Python to pressure both ants.
• Men Qi and Buhaci set the bat ablaze with dust and debris, and Men Qi realized its Sonic Positioning relayed detection to its allies.
• With the bat defeated, Men Qi’s concealed Root Growth Leaf bound the disoriented fish, and Buhaci smashed it into the ground, killing it.

Kevin outmaneuvered Youpi and hurled him far from the battlefield so he could race toward the Ant Nest, while Melusina pursued Youpi as he tried to return to the King. Netero continued holding Neferpitou at bay, leaving the battle inside the nest unresolved.

• Youpi adapted to Kevin's attacks by transforming his body, but Kevin provoked his rage and defended against his Nen Bullet with layered shields.
• Kevin used concealed Nen dust to disrupt Youpi's aura and reflexes, then trapped him in an Aura Cage and kicked him beyond the battlefield.
• Kevin rushed toward the Ant Nest while Melusina chased Youpi, who kept sacrificing aura and flesh to send Clones ahead toward the nest.
• Netero fought Neferpitou and her two Clones with precise basic techniques, repeatedly knocking them back without using his Nen ability.
• Neferpitou challenged Netero about holding back, and he replied that a true chess player would not make moves full of openings.

Morel and the others struggled to get past a German Shepherd-shaped Chimeric Ant whose Nen ability blocked the stairway to the Seventh Floor. Youpi arrived and began spreading dangerous butterfly dust, but Kevin burst through the floor and attacked him.

• Morel explained that killing the German Shepherd Chimeric Ant could leave behind a powerful Resentment Blockade, and Kite, Men Qi, and the others joined him at the stairway.
• The Chimeric Ant used his whistle to force the group to face him, then blocked Men Qi’s charging Nen Beast with an invisible wall.
• Youpi broke through a wall and praised the Chimeric Ant for holding the stairway, while Nen Maids attacked him and Melusina intercepted his assault.
• The German Shepherd Chimeric Ant blocked two Nen Maids with more invisible walls as Melusina recognized how his ability controlled the narrow route.
• Youpi scattered phosphorescent butterfly dust across the Seventh Floor while fighting Melusina, and Kevin smashed through the floor and punched at him.