Ice Cavern Ambush: The Executive's Deadly Trap

After the Pure White Cold Tide swept through, the pallid mist slowly cleared.

A lingering chill hung in the air. The five took a moment to recover, packed their gear, and continued toward the hidden cavern.

A dozen minutes later, a massive ice cavern rose deep within the glacier. A thin wall of artificial Black Ice sealed its entrance, with no elaborate restrictions to protect it.

Gon stepped forward and gave it a light punch.

Crack! The wall shattered, scattering ice across the ground.

"Let's see what's inside." Kurapika tightened his grip on his Chain and led the way into the cavern's antechamber.

But the moment they crossed the threshold, the ice-crystal-studded walls on both sides blazed with piercing blue light.

Whoom—

A heavy ice gate dropped from above, sealing off their retreat.

A familiar low chuckle came from a raised platform deeper in the cavern.

"I thought the Pure White Cold Tide would claim one or two of you. I didn't expect you all to make it through."

The Cloaked Executive stepped into view, deep-blue cold churning around him. More than twenty elite modified soldiers lined up at his sides, their cybernetic eyes flashing red as they surrounded the entire antechamber.

"You!" Gon dropped into a fighting stance.

Electricity crackled at Killua's fingertips. His expression hardened. "You only sent grunts to wear us down outside because you and your main force were lying in ambush here."

The Cloaked Executive raised a hand, and ice erupted around him.

A bitter cold swept through the chamber. Everyone felt their Nen slow to a crawl, their limbs going numb.

"My Profound Ice Nen is made to suppress outsiders' Nen," the executive said as he descended from the platform. "Lie down quietly, and I'll leave your bodies intact."

Before he finished speaking, the