Chapter Summaries

Gelman entered the palace and joined the fight against Youpi, claiming he had killed Menthuthuyoupi and proving his strength by matching Youpi’s attacks. His arrival revived Shoto’s determination to fight, while Youpi began transforming to overcome Gelman.

• Gelman used En across the palace, detected Youpi fighting Shoto, and rushed into the hall.
• Gelman told Youpi that Menthuthuyoupi was dead, then exchanged blows with Youpi and severed two of its arms.
• Knuckle and Meleoron used Gelman’s arrival as an opening to reach the badly injured Shoto.
• Shoto refused Knuckle’s attempt to take him to safety and urged Knuckle and Meleoron to help defeat Youpi.
• Youpi roared and began changing its form after realizing it could not defeat Gelman in its current state.

Gelman survived Youpi’s Anger Release and watched it evolve into a centaur, while Knuckle struggled to protect the unconscious Shoto and Meleoron. As Youpi charged again, Gelman’s black-and-white armor spread over his entire body, and he rushed to meet it.

• Meleoron imagined teaming up with Gelman to defeat Youpi and the King, but Youpi’s surge of Nen terrified him, Knuckle, and Shoto.
• Gelman fired Chaos Roar at Youpi, and Knuckle carried Shoto and Meleoron out of the palace before the clash triggered a devastating explosion.
• Knuckle, Shoto, and Meleoron survived the blast, and they found Gelman standing largely unharmed above the crater.
• Youpi regained its reason, accepted that Gelman might kill it, and evolved into a centaur with a spear-like claw and sinister Nen.
• Knuckle discovered that Shoto had passed out from blood loss, then shouted as Youpi charged Gelman.
• Gelman’s armor spread across his torso and legs, and he charged straight at Youpi.

Gelman defeated Youpi with Meleoron’s help after Youpi’s transformations and explosive attack failed to stop him. Nobunaga pulled Knuckle and the unconscious Shoto into the Four-Dimensional Apartment, then said he would take Shoto to the Doctor while Gelman went to help Chairman Netero.

• Gelman overwhelmed Youpi with his conjured weapons, severing its arm and badly injuring it.
• Youpi grew wings and took to the air, but Gelman and Meleoron vanished using their abilities.
• Youpi exploded in midair, but Gelman retreated with Meleoron and then struck Youpi with two critical hits, splitting its body into four pieces.
• Youpi’s Grudge reassembled its body and attacked Knuckle and Shoto, but Nobunaga pulled them into the Four-Dimensional Apartment, and Gelman pinned Youpi down and absorbed its Grudge.
• Gelman gained the Hunter Rune Veins mark, and Nobunaga told him to go help Chairman Netero while he took Shoto for treatment.

Gelman hurried toward Netero’s battlefield, while Knuckle and Meleoron regrouped after Youpi’s apparent defeat. The chapter ended with Pam appearing and Youpi escaping Morel’s Smoke Prison Seal as a swarm of tiny clones.

• Gelman left the palace and raced toward the abandoned weapons testing ground, determined to stop Netero from using the Pauper's Rose.
• Zeno and Silva arrived on a strange bird and offered Gelman a ride to the battlefield.
• Knuckle learned that Gelman had gone to support Netero and resolved to help Morel defeat the last Royal Guard.
• Pam emerged from the darkness, and Nob and Knuckle recognized her.
• Youpi escaped Morel’s Smoke Prison Seal by dispersing into tiny clones and mocked Morel as the swarm flew away.

Youpi escaped Morel’s Smoke Prison Seal and tried to use Pam to learn what had happened at the palace, while Gelman arrived just after Netero lost his battle with Meruem. Gelman healed Netero with Breath of the Archangel, giving him a chance to face Meruem again.

• Youpi tricked Morel into releasing the Smoke Prison Seal, then discovered Youpi’s corpse and Pam among the people below the palace.
• Youpi decided to exploit Pam’s altered loyalties to get information from the Chimera Ant Extermination Team.
• After his final attack failed to seriously injure Meruem, Netero accepted that he had lost as a martial artist but refused to yield as humanity’s representative.
• Netero revealed Meruem’s name and declared that Meruem had to die, while Meruem remained convinced he could rule humanity.
• Gelman landed beside Netero, found the buried Breath of the Archangel, and used it to heal him as Meruem watched.

Gelman joined Netero after healing him, and the two prepared to fight Meruem without holding back. Gelman revealed that he had killed two of the Three Royal Guards, leaving Meruem to confront the cost of his rule.

• Meruem allowed Netero to finish healing and warned that fighting him would come at a grave price.
• Netero told Gelman that they would fight only to win and revealed that the Pauper's Rose bomb remained connected to his heart.
• Netero explained that Meruem could grow stronger by eating Nen users and vowed to detonate the bomb rather than let him escape.
• Meruem deduced that Gelman and Netero had disagreed about using the bomb and argued that humans lacked a true king to unite them.
• Gelman said his late arrival was because he had been eliminating the Royal Guards, then revealed that he had killed Menthuthuyoupi and Youpi, leaving Youpi alive.

Meruem attacked Netero to exploit Gelman’s need to protect him, but Gelman intercepted him and fought him evenly at close range. After learning their names, Meruem declared that he would defeat Gelman within five seconds and disable Netero within two more.

• Netero realized Gelman had completed his task and was delighted that he had killed two of the Three Royal Guards.
• Meruem concluded that attacking Netero would force Gelman to divide his attention, then rushed past Gelman to strike Netero.
• Netero used the Hundred-Type Guanyin, but Meruem dodged its attacks and reached him before Gelman intervened with his weapons and armor.
• Gelman and Meruem fought hand to hand, and Meruem realized Gelman could keep pace with him and threaten him with his attacks.
• Meruem asked Gelman and Netero for their names, then declared that he would defeat Gelman and disable Netero within seven seconds.

Meruem attacked Gelman, confident he would win within five seconds, but Gelman used a trap to tear off part of the Chimera Ant King's tail. Meruem retreated, wounded and humiliated, as Gelman and Netero prepared to continue the fight.

• Netero prepared his Hundred-Type Guanyin to support Gelman, while Meruem announced his attack and lunged at him.
• Gelman blocked Meruem's first strike and unleashed a barrage of weapons, which Meruem deflected for several seconds.
• At the fifth second, Meruem aimed a precise tail strike at a weakness in Gelman's defense.
• Gelman caught Meruem's tail and tore off a large section with Critical Hit, drawing blood.
• Meruem retreated and recognized that Gelman had deliberately baited him, while Netero watched in shock.

Gelman’s measured fighting style had caused Meruem to underestimate him and lose his tail, while Netero recognized the danger of Meruem’s growing hostility. Meruem accepted that Gelman would never submit and launched a deadly attack, which Gelman met head-on.

• Netero recalled how Gelman held back against opponents and gradually raised his strength, a habit that had helped him trap Meruem.
• Gelman’s Contempt Armor fused more deeply with his body and Nen Beast Chaos Roar, inflicting pain that eased only while he fought.
• Meruem concluded that Gelman could threaten him and would never surrender, then stopped the bleeding from his severed tail.
• Netero sensed Meruem’s killing intent and anticipated a stronger attack aimed at Gelman.
• Meruem charged through the laboratory, and Gelman clashed with him in a rapid exchange of powerful Nen attacks.

Meruem and Gelman fought an increasingly brutal battle in the collapsing underground testing ground, with Meruem growing stronger after eating Gelman’s severed wrist. Netero retrieved the black card case and escaped to the surface as the arena crumbled around the fighters.

• Meruem and Gelman exchanged blows, and Gelman landed several Critical Hits that wounded Meruem and severed his ear.
• Meruem pushed beyond his limits, severed Gelman’s left wrist, and ate it, gaining strength from the flesh.
• Gelman refused to yield, and the two resumed their fight as their Nen Energy tore through the testing ground.
• Netero chose not to interfere, retrieved the buried black card case with the Hundred-Type Guanyin, and fled to the surface.
• The underground testing ground collapsed around Meruem and Gelman while Netero watched the widening abyss from above.

Netero revealed that Breath of the Archangel had removed the Pauper's Rose from his chest, leaving Gelman to face Meruem alone. Gelman unleashed a chain of Critical Hits that overwhelmed and killed Meruem, though he remained badly wounded.

• Zeno and Silva arrived with Netero on the Dragon Bird Magical Beast, and Zeno asked why Netero had not detonated the Pauper's Rose.
• Netero explained that Breath of the Archangel had removed the bomb and that he had concealed this from Gelman and Meruem to gain an advantage.
• Meruem repeatedly wounded and ate Gelman's flesh to replenish his Nen Energy, but Gelman continued fighting and grew stronger.
• Gelman and Meruem began sensing each other's thoughts and movements, and their attacks increasingly missed as their shared sensations intensified.
• Gelman entered a chain of Critical Hits, repeatedly striking Meruem while his own wounds regenerated.
• Gelman shattered Meruem's defenses and limbs, then split his head with the Meat Saw, killing him.

After defeating Meruem, Gelman was healed by Netero’s Breath of the Archangel and recovered from the Dark Crown and Contempt Armor. When Gelman sensed Youpi approaching, he volunteered to eliminate him before he could threaten the hostages or leave behind dangerous resentment.

• Gelman emerged from the collapsed testing ground, where Netero, Zeno, and Silva congratulated him on defeating Meruem.
• Netero used the Breath of the Archangel to heal Gelman, restore his severed wrist, and remove the Dark Crown and Contempt Armor.
• Gelman tested his recovered strength and expanded his En to a radius of 320 meters, surpassing Zeno’s range.
• Gelman sensed Youpi approaching, and Netero identified the incoming swarm of Nen-energy particles as Youpi’s ability.
• Gelman argued that Youpi could endanger his hostages and leave behind vengeful resentment, then volunteered to handle him.
• Netero accepted Gelman’s offer while Zeno and Silva chose not to interfere.

Pam attacked the group after being reborn as a Chimera Ant, but Nobunaga helped her regain control of herself. Fly King Youpi used the distraction to locate the final battlefield, where Gelman killed him and destroyed his clones.

• Fly King Youpi ordered Pam to attack the group while his clones disrupted their defenses with "Cocoon of Love."
• Meleoron and Knuckle helped subdue Pam, and Nobunaga awakened her human side and brought her back to herself.
• The group discovered that Fly King Youpi had left for the final battlefield, and Morel and Meleoron pursued him while the others stayed to rescue survivors.
• Fly King Youpi reached the battlefield, saw Gelman and the other humans, and realized the "King" and Menthuthuyoupi were not there.
• Gelman identified Youpi's true body and destroyed his clones and Fly King Youpi with his blue-glowing greatsword, killing the last of the Chimera Ant Royal Guards.

After Gelman defeated the Ant King and the Three Royal Guards, Netero began organizing the aftermath and informing the Hunter Association’s leaders. He confronted Pariston about Beyond’s agents and secured Pariston’s resignation, leaving the Association to handle the victory and its political fallout.

• Gelman gained the Monster's Embrace Rune Veins after Youpi's defeat and landed with Netero, Zeno, and Silva.
• Netero told Cheadle that humanity had won and ordered her to arrange airships, secure the Chimera Ant remains and eggs, and take control of the Hunter Association.
• Netero contacted the other Zodiacs and Association staff, reporting the victory and assigning them work.
• Netero told Pariston that Gelman had killed the Ant King and Royal Guards, then ordered him to tell Beyond to prepare for renewed negotiations.
• Pariston agreed to pass on Netero's message and offered to resign as vice-chairman and leave the Zodiacs; Netero accepted, asking him, Xiyou, and their allies to provide reasons for their resignations.

After the Chimera Ant battle, Gelman and Netero reunited with the surviving hunters and surrendered Chimera Ants at the royal palace. Gelman proposed blaming Bizeff for the crisis and letting the Chimera Ants choose whether to start over, live in seclusion, or atone.

• Zeno and Silva departed on the Dragon Bird Magical Beast after inviting Netero and Gelman to visit Mt. Kukurou.
• Netero and Gelman met Morel and Meleoron, and Morel thanked Gelman for saving lives and helping Pam regain her human consciousness.
• Nobunaga and the others reunited with the group outside the palace and introduced the surrendered Chimera Ants Brobupta, Welfin, and Shina.
• Inside the palace, the freed women remained afraid of the bound Bizeff, while the survivors gathered among the battlefield wreckage.
• Welfin asked Netero what would happen to the Chimera Ants, and Gelman proposed making Bizeff the scapegoat and allowing the ants to choose their futures.

After the battle, Gelman and Netero discussed how the Chimera Ant survivors could atone while remaining under human supervision. Netero laid out three paths for them, and the chapter ended as the Ants learned that Gelman had defeated Meruem and the Royal Guards.

• Nobunaga released the doctors and nurses from the Four-Dimensional Apartment, and they treated the wounded while Gelman and Netero showed no injuries.
• Gelman explained that the surviving Chimera Ants had been both victims and perpetrators, so they should be protected while making amends for their crimes.
• Netero outlined the survivors’ options: work for the Hunter Association, live in monitored regions, or go with Gelman under his supervision.
• Meleoron praised Gelman and described how he had helped defeat Menthuthuyoupi and Youpi.
• Netero recounted Gelman’s victory over Meruem and the Royal Guards, shocking the Chimera Ants and the other listeners.

After the Chimera Ant extermination, Gelman joined the survivors aboard the airship, where Shoto woke and learned of their complete victory. Netero explained that the world was a box restricting humanity’s reach and asked what enabled Gelman to travel to the Dark Continent; Gelman said he would continue because his instinct warned him time was running out.

• Netero’s personnel gathered the Chimera Ant eggs and corpses and transferred the unconscious Shoto to the airship’s infirmary.
• The airship carrying Gelman, Netero, and the others departed for Hunter Association headquarters, while the cleanup crew remained in East Gorteau.
• Shoto woke from his coma, learned that Gelman had killed Youpi and Meruem and that the extermination team had suffered no deaths, and wept with joy.
• Netero summoned Gelman to the airship deck and revealed how he had investigated Gelman’s Dark Continent travels and helped bring his team together.
• Netero described the sea, the Dark Continent, and the sky as barriers that trapped humanity within a world like a box, then asked Gelman what empowered his travels and whether he would continue.
• Gelman said he would keep going because of his instinct, though he could not say whether it truly belonged to him.

The Chimera Ant Extermination Team returned to Hunter Association headquarters, where the surviving members were welcomed and Gelman was praised for defeating Meruem. In a private meeting, Gido and Micenei Strome told Netero that Pariston, Xiyou, and many Examination Department members had resigned and disappeared, leaving the reason for their departures unresolved.

• Netero, Gelman, Morel, Nobunaga, and Knuckle arrived at Hunter Association headquarters and were greeted by a crowd, while the Ant allies remained hidden aboard the airship.
• Gido, Micenei Strome, and Beanpaste Man greeted Gelman and thanked him for his role in defeating Meruem.
• Netero told Beanpaste Man that the DVDs containing his last words were no longer needed, then gathered the others in his office.
• Gido reported that Pariston and Xiyou had resigned and left the Association after the Chimera Ant battle.
• Micenei Strome said that many Examination Department and Specialized Hunters had also resigned and vanished, and asked Netero why Pariston's faction had acted strangely.

After the Chimera Ant Extermination War, Gelman drew attention from the Twelve Zodiacs and other Hunters, while the Association debated rewards for the participants. The meeting appointed Gelman as the new Rat Zodiac and announced honors and promotions for the other heroes.

• Netero brushed off Gido and Micenei Strome's questions about Pariston's resignation, and the group discussed the war before their gathering ended.
• The Twelve Zodiacs and other Hunters visited Gelman, and he became the center of attention at the December 1 victory banquet.
• At the December 2 meeting, Netero and the Zodiacs granted the Chimera Ant defectors limited freedom under lifelong Hunter supervision and gave Meleoron and Ikalgo broader freedoms and privileges.
• The Association rewarded Nobunaga and Pam, promoted Knuckle and Shoto to One-Star Hunters, promoted Morel to Two-Star Hunter, and named Morel the new Monkey Zodiac.
• The Association appointed Gelman as the new Rat Zodiac and deferred his other rewards until his apprentice Kurapika took the Hunter Exam; Beanpaste Man later made the meeting minutes public.

Gelman left Hunter Association headquarters for Greed Island with Pam, Komugi, and four Chimera Ants, while Brobupta returned to the NGL Autonomous Region. The group departed as Morel and the others promised to visit once their work was done.

• Brobupta chose to return to his human hometown in the NGL Autonomous Region, while Meleoron, Ikalgo, Welfin, and Shina chose to leave with Gelman for Greed Island.
• Pam decided to join them to repay Gelman and begin again, and Morel, Nobunaga, Knuckle, and Shoto accepted her choice.
• Komugi regained her sight after Breath of the Archangel healed her, and Gido arranged for her to join Gelman's group on Greed Island.
• Gido told Gelman that Netero had likely brought the Chimera Ants to Hunter Association headquarters so they would confront their separation from human society and seek status through work.
• Morel, Nobunaga, Knuckle, and Shoto asked Gelman to look after the departing group and promised to visit Greed Island after completing the Hunter Association's review.
• Gelman said goodbye to the others and boarded the airship, which carried him and his companions toward Greed Island.