Thump thump…
Accompanied by the sound of rapid muscular contraction and impact, the hemispherical unknown organism instantly ceased its attempt to kill the intruders.
Even though it lacked an organ like an eye, it sensed the presence of the nuclear bombs through some unknown means and recognized the formidable weapon that had nearly ended its life. Simultaneously, two nerves connecting the sphere to the surrounding muscles suddenly detached.
These two filament-like appendages, thin as tentacles, approached the intruder standing at the very front with agonizing slowness.
The moment it tried to touch his head, Allen abruptly released his Nen to knock it away, issuing a blunt warning: "Don't touch me!"
The unknown creature did not give up. Instead, utilizing the length and flexibility of its tentacles, it arranged them in the air to form two small words: NEGOTIATE.
"It... it actually knows our script?!" Baise rubbed her eyes vigorously, as if unable to believe the reality before her.
"I told you. This thing possesses a very high level of intelligence, likely far superior to our own. You'd best stop viewing it as a mere monster or beast and start treating it as a dangerous, alien sentient lifeform," Allen explained, his gaze fixed on the two tentacles inches away.
He could sense that the creature intended to use these feelers to engage in a form of communication akin to brainwaves. The problem was, he couldn't be sure if a creature with such capabilities also possessed the power to influence or even control the human mind.
When facing entities from the Dark Continent, one could never be too cautious.
Bodoro, sensing the tension, stepped forward voluntarily. "Let me do it. If I get controlled, kill me along with this monster."
"Be careful. Stick this on yourself." Allen handed over a Black Voice antenna (from Shalnark) while manifesting the Puppet Phone.
If the martial artist fell under control, Allen could use the antenna to seize control back. If that failed, he still had a Gnomish Mind Control Cap in reserve.
Trusting Allen implicitly, Bodoro didn't ask a single question. He inserted the antenna into his shoulder, stepped forward, and tapped his temple with his right index finger.
The unknown entity clearly understood. It immediately maneuvered the feelers to latch onto both sides of his temples.
Instantly, Bodoro's body shuddered involuntarily. Then, he opened his mouth and spoke in an utterly foreign, mechanical voice: "Humans, why do you attack me? Did we not already reach an agreement?"
"An agreement? Who did you reach an agreement with?" Allen demanded, narrowing his eyes.
It was evident that the mysterious creature was now manipulating Bodoro's mouth and vocal cords, though his thoughts and consciousness appeared unaffected. His eyes, however, betrayed a profound shock; he clearly hadn't expected two slender feelers to strip him of his physical agency so effortlessly.
"A human like you! He told me that if I continued in this direction, I would find an abundance of food. In exchange, I gave him some of my memories and knowledge," the entity replied matter-of-factly.
"A human like me? Do you remember what he looked like?" Allen's aura flared with a faint, murderous intent.
He was now certain this person was sent by Beyond Netero, Pariston Hill, or the Kakin Royals. Beyond, having actually visited the Dark Continent, was the prime suspect.
"Appearance? To me, you humans all look the same; there is no significant difference. I have answered your question. Now, answer mine: Why did you attack me?" The creature repeated its initial inquiry.
"Simple. You were deceived. The place he told you would provide 'food' is actually the world where humans live. Should a creature like you approach, it would inevitably trigger catastrophe and death. Thus, to protect our species and civilization, we must use every means available to eliminate you."
Allen didn't hide the truth. He laid out the cold logic utilized by the V5 and the upper echelons of humanity.
Upon hearing this, the unknown organism became violently agitated. Massive sheets of muscle on either side began to writhe furiously, as if ready to surge forward and grind the intruders into paste.
Eventually, it calmed down, asking through Bodoro's mouth: "Why would he deceive me? Why guide me toward your world?"
"You probably can't comprehend the logic and motive behind it, can you? Or rather, you know nothing of humanity," Allen's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"..."
The creature fell silent, seemingly conceding the point.
"What we call 'Humanity' is actually a contradictory collective driven by endless ambition and desire. Each individual possesses their own independent thoughts and personality. The human who made a deal with you placed his own interests above the survival of his entire race to achieve a specific goal. That is why I am here to destroy you, to ensure the human world remains unthreatened. Simple logic, isn't it?" Allen explained meaningfully.
Undoubtedly, while this entity possessed high intelligence and the ability to manipulate nerves and muscle, it was oblivious to the malice of the human heart.
But none of that mattered now. Its fate had been sealed the moment it learned the location of the human world.
"I can leave. I promise never to set foot in your world again!" The creature was clearly afraid. The power of the nuclear blast had given it its first visceral taste of the terror inherent in these seemingly fragile beings.
"Leave? You've misunderstood something. One of the defining traits of the human race is to assume the worst of an opponent. Now that you know the way to our world and possess the power to threaten our existence, how could you possibly expect us to let you go? Besides, you have no leverage left to negotiate with. I'm sorry, but I must destroy you, and the thousands of giant worms under your command."
With that, Allen emptied the remaining nukes from his Fun Fun Cloth. He used an ability to create a duplicate of the highest-yield warhead, then quietly slipped the original back into his bag.
Once done, he pressed the electronic remote detonator.
Beep-beep-beep-beep!
Every bomb activated simultaneously, a thirty-second countdown appearing on the displays.
Seeing this, Baise lunged forward, using her whip-claws to sever the feelers and snatching Bodoro back from the creature's grasp.
In stark contrast, that lunatic Hisoka actually had the leisure to pull out his phone, posing for several selfies with the unknown entity in the background.
Hearing the familiar ticking of the timers, the creature realized what was happening. It frantically commanded the red muscle mass to sprout thick tentacles, trying to push the dangerous devices away.
Allen wouldn't allow it. He drew his bow, shredding every approaching tentacle with a flurry of arrows.
He waited until the countdown hit five seconds before grabbing Hisoka, Baise, and Bodoro, instantly teleporting them into a Dungeon.
The moment they vanished, the timer hit zero.
Before the tentacles could move the bombs more than a few meters, a white light more brilliant than the sun illuminated the dark subterranean world. A colossal mushroom cloud erupted, followed by flames, shockwaves, and an earthquake that tore the island into pieces. Both the massive brownish-black worms beneath the sea and the lifeforms atop the island were utterly erased in the cataclysm.
Furthermore, the blast triggered a localized tsunami. Waves dozens of meters high pulverized the remnants of the island, and the extreme water pressure tore the remaining giant worms into mangled segments.