Deep within the NGL Autonomous Region.
An enormous Chimera Ant nest loomed in the darkness.
The air here was foul.
The heavy reek of blood and the stench of rotting flesh filled every corner.
This was a graveyard for life itself.
The Queen Ant's birthing chamber lay at the very center of the nest.
Dim firelight danced across the walls.
The enormous Queen Ant let out agonized roars.
The entire nest trembled with her cries.
The high-ranking Squadron Leaders knelt outside the birthing chamber.
Their bodies shook instinctively.
It was a suppression rooted deep in their blood.
With a tearing sound that set teeth on edge.
A petite figure emerged from the Queen Ant's abdomen.
She was one of the three Royal Guards.
The catgirl, Neferpitou.
She had been born early.
Her short white hair curled slightly.
A pair of furry cat ears sat atop her head.
Her slender limbs and torso looked exactly like those of a human girl.
In her ruby-red eyes.
Pure malice and curiosity flickered.
She stood amid the blood and gore.
And stretched luxuriously.
Her joints cracked crisply.
Squadron Leader Colt raised his head.
One glance was all it took.
His heart skipped half a beat.
This newborn catgirl.
The total Nen contained within her body.
Was dozens, perhaps even a hundred times greater than his.
It was an unbridgeable gulf.
"I'm so bored."
Neferpitou licked the blood from the back of her hand.
Her voice was clear and sweet.
Yet it sent chills down the spine.
"I want some fun toys."
She closed her eyes.
Every Aura Node in her body opened at once.
An incalculable torrent of malicious Nen.
Surged from her petite body.
She released her En.
It was nothing like the regular, circular En of human Nen users.
Her En was