Papp Descends

Heh, heh, heh...

A sharp, eerie laugh echoed through the vast underground chasm.

The parasitized officer came toward them from the opposite bank, one step at a time.

With every step,

his body swelled a little more.

The fleshy growths on his skin grew thicker and more numerous.

He no longer looked human at all.

A terrifying psychic pressure spread in every direction like a rising tide.

Everyone felt a tightness in their chest.

They could barely breathe.

It was as if an invisible hand had seized their hearts.

"Wh-what is that thing?"

One of the guards spoke in a trembling voice.

Even his legs were shaking.

Benjamin's expression turned grim.

He took a step back

and clenched his fists.

"Fall back!" he barked. "All of you, fall back!"

The dozen or so guards retreated.

Their faces were deathly pale,

their eyes full of fear.

The mutated officer stopped.

It raised its head.

Its crimson eyes swept over the guards before it,

as though choosing prey.

Then it moved.

Its speed was astonishing.

A black shadow flashed past.

Squelch—

Its hand punched straight through a guard's chest.

Blood gushed out.

The guard's eyes widened, and he collapsed.

He died with them still open.

"Fire!"

Benjamin shouted.

All the guards launched Nen attacks at once.

Nen Bullets, Nen Blades, Nen-charged fists.

A dense barrage hurtled toward the mutated officer.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions rang out one after another.

Dust billowed into the air.

"We hit it!" a guard cried excitedly.

But the next moment,

the dust cleared.

The mutated officer stood there unharmed.

There wasn't a scratch on its body.

Its flesh had stopped every attack.

"How is that possible...?" The guard stared wide-eyed.

The mutated officer turned its head.

Its crimson eyes fixed on him.

Then it lunged again.

It