Pushing to the Limit: Surface Wounds Hid Deeper Damage

After dealing with the first Thousand-Force Earth Dragon, the group did not stop.

Dragon cries echoed from deep within the mine tunnel, one after another.

One dragon, then two, then three.

More and more Thousand-Force Earth Dragons were roused by the intruders' presence. They emerged from every corner of the Stardust Ore Vein and attacked in waves.

At first, the group could barely bring down one even when they worked together.

A day later, Gon could face a Thousand-Force Earth Dragon alone and defeat it within ten moves.

Three days later, Killua could activate Twelvefold Godspeed and toy with two Earth Dragons at once.

A week later.

Hundredfold Gravity was no longer a shackle.

The group could even run, throw punches, and use their abilities under Hundredfold Gravity as though they were on level ground.

Gon's Twelvefold Spinning Rock grew more refined.

At first, he had to gather power for ages before throwing a single punch. Now he could do it in an instant, and even the air spun in the wake of his fist.

Killua's Twelvefold Godspeed grew faster and faster.

His blue lightning still left long afterimages under Hundredfold Gravity. The Thousand-Force Earth Dragons' attacks could not even brush his clothes.

Kurapika's Chain grew heavier and heavier. One lash could shatter an Earth Dragon's steel scales.

Leorio's fists grew harder and harder. He could meet an Earth Dragon's charge head-on without giving ground.

Genos's Energy Cannon grew more powerful. One shot could punch straight through an Earth Dragon's body.

Every one of them was growing stronger before their eyes.

The thrill of it was addictive.

After each battle, they ate whatever they could find: Stardust Grass, Earthvein Fatmeat, Amethyst Mushrooms, and Thousand-Force Earth Dragon meat.

The dragon meat was especially nourishing. It held more stardust energy than anything