The creature, shaped almost exactly like a nautilus, was not the only lifeform emerging from the darkness.
Under the dim light, countless smaller "nautiluses," similar in appearance but smaller in size, began to surface one after another.
The first one to appear was the largest among them—towering like a small mountain.
The rest were much smaller in comparison, but still as big as an average human.
Black tentacles extended from their rock-hard spiral shells, glistening with a strange, sticky fluid under the headlamps as they writhed and curled.
They made no sound—perhaps they lacked vocal organs, or perhaps they simply had no need to.
Regardless, they surged forward like an unstoppable dark tide.
It was clear to everyone that these "nautiluses," big and small, had no friendly intentions, so each person reacted in their own way to fight back.
Summoning "Resentful Memory" wasn't an option—that was Germain's assessment.
These creatures were "Nen Beasts," but unlike Germain and his group, they lacked the intelligence to use Nen for balance. They acted purely on instinct, attacking the nearest target.
That meant they had to rely on their own strength.
Wielding a Sacred Moonlight Sword, Germain slashed at a nearby "small nautilus."
Crack!
The shell split open with ease.
With another swing, its soft body was cleaved in two, sent plummeting into the depths of the "Dark Space."
It was an "Elite-Class."
Based on his experience slaying countless "Elite-Class" creatures, Germain could tell immediately.
Germain's gaze was immediately drawn to the massive Nautilus.
Generally speaking, the largest Nautilus in the area would be their leader and also the strongest among them.
Germain could indeed sense a familiar aura from its gray-and-black mottled shell—an aura on par with his own strength.
If that were the case, then this giant Nautilus would be the first opponent he needed to take down.
"I'll handle it."
Germain didn't specify his target, but all his companions understood. They silently drifted aside, making space for the battle.
Night Owl—Enhance!
Germain's speed increased in all aspects.
His Nen surged, roaring like a booster engine, propelling him toward the giant Nautilus like a rocket.
The Sacred Moonlight Sword trailed behind him, scattering blue light particles as it cut through the water.
In the blink of an eye, Germain had reached the giant Nautilus's flank!
Clang—
Sparks flew as Germain's Sacred Moonlight Sword struck the creature's shell, only for the impact to send vibrations back through his blade.
A deep dent appeared on the shell—but it didn't fully break.
So tough... as expected of a "Champion-Class" opponent.
Germain's assessment was correct.
In this area, only a few could break through the giant Nautilus's defenses—himself, as a Champion-Class Nen user, and Ging, one of the top-ranked Master-Class Nen users.
At the same time, his Demon Slayer ability activated, enhancing his precision and critical hit rate, confirming the nature of his enemy.
The next moment, before the giant Nautilus could fully turn its massive body, its slimy, writhing tentacles surged toward him.
Shh—
Germain swung his sword, releasing a wide, blue energy slash.
In an instant, the tentacles were torn apart!
But a few still slipped through—either lashing at him or coiling around his body.
In an instant, the three engraved runes on his chest—"Great Lake," "Great Deep Sea," and "Hunter"—along with the "Sturdy" trait all lit up.
Damage reduction, resistances, stamina, and aura recovery surged to their limits, canceling out the resistance debuffs from "Pale" that caused bleeding and corrosion.
Not only that, but Germain noticed that his "Champion's Aura" was also glowing—meaning he'd just been hit by "Pressure Assault."
Clutching the cold "Hunter's Badge," Germain checked his projection and saw that his pressure level had indeed increased slightly.
In reality, if not for his "Champion's Physique," "Champion's Aura," and the two rune buffs "Great Lake" and "Great Deep Sea," his pressure level would have skyrocketed after taking a hit from a Champion-level Giant Nautilus.
Considering that the Giant Nautilus and the smaller nautiluses were of the same species, their Nen abilities were likely similar.
That meant the smaller nautiluses could probably use "Pressure Assault" as well.
Unlike Germain, Ging, Bisky, Morel, and Shizuku didn't have the same resistance defenses.
Especially when it came to resisting "Pressure Assault."
A slight unease rose in Germain's heart, but he didn't let it shake him. He pressed forward toward the Giant Nautilus with unwavering determination.
Taking it down was the best way to help his allies.
Meanwhile, Ging, Bisky, Sanbica, and Shizuku were in trouble.
They had all been hit by "Pressure Assault" and were beginning to realize just how dangerous it was.
The pain itself was secondary. The real problem was the lingering haze clouding the mind, growing heavier by the second.
Was this the "pressure" that Germain had been silently enduring all this time?
It felt like massive boulders pressing down on everyone's hearts, suffocating and unbearable.
How had Germain managed to carry this weight every day?
Many of the "Stagecoach Group members" who had never experienced a "pressure assault" before finally understood the dark and thorny path Germain had been walking in silence.
Because of this, they all tried to steel their resolve and push through, just as he had.
But the "pressure" accumulated too quickly. Many weren't prepared and soon found their mental defenses shattered, leaving them in a state of emotional turmoil.
For Shizuku, things were even worse.
When she pressed the button on "Blinky," she realized its ability to "inhale and exhale non-living things" wasn't activating, as if it had been sealed.
She even leaned in to check deep inside "Blinky's" throat, thinking something might be blocking it. But all she saw was its wide-open mouth and the eerie rattling of its throat.
Turning to Bisky, who was fighting alongside her, Shizuku gave a brief explanation of the situation.
"I see."
Germain had once mentioned Zigg Zoldyck's "Dark Space Interconnection Theory." After a brief moment of thought, Bisky figured it out.
"Your 'Nen ability' is indeed sealed. Since 'Blinky' inhales and exhales 'non-living things,' those objects most likely end up somewhere within this 'Dark Space.'"
"As long as we're still inside the 'Dark Space,' you won't be able to use 'Blinky's' ability."
"This situation has created a paradox—'Dark Space' cannot exist both inside and outside of 'Blinky' at the same time."
Shizuku didn't really understand what Bisky was saying.
She simply adjusted her black-rimmed glasses, then swung 'Blinky' like a giant hammer, smashing it into the 'Little Nautilus.'
Boom—
The "Little Nautilus" was shattered. Its broken flesh, tentacles, and mucus floated weightlessly for a moment before plummeting into the abyss.
"It's fine, my 'Blinky' is still pretty effective," she said calmly.
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