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Chapter 78 - Everyone's Condition

Hey sorry but I deleted the last chapter, I messed up the order so here is the true chapter 78, I will post 3 chapter as a token of apology.

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Hidden deep in a thicket far from the palace, Nob quietly observed through his binoculars, eyes locked on the massive structure in the distance.

The sight before him was overwhelming—millions of people gathered together.

"Tens of thousands marching in organized ranks… it's like watching ants relocate their nest.

No—more like lemmings on a mass suicide run."

He glanced upward at the darkening sky.

Night was falling. The gloom would serve as a veil; even if he summoned Morel and the others, it wouldn't draw suspicion.

Then, just as he looked back through the binoculars, a fluttering shape caught his attention in the skies above the palace gates—

Shaiapouf.

Scales.

Nob immediately recognized the glittering particles drifting downwind toward the crowd—Pouf's scales, scattered like butterfly powder.

He zoomed in.

The faces of the affected civilians changed instantly. Their expressions turned vacant, their minds fogged.

"Those scales… they're laced with a hypnotic agent."

Nob quickly deduced the method:

"A monotonous rhythm echoes from the palace gates—mechanical, repetitive commands paired with hypnotic visuals…

Filtering into fatigued minds weakened by long marches…

It's the ideal setup for mass suggestion. Even if the Selection begins and blood floods the streets,

they'll stay in line, docile—waiting their turn to die."

Nob shuddered.

He could already see it: the plaza dyed red, people still standing obediently, unmoved.

When he returned to the 4-D Apartment with this intel, Morel offered a grim but hopeful insight:

"It works in our favor. No matter how much of a ruckus we cause, the civilians won't panic.

If they did—trampling, stampedes—it could mean tens of thousands dead.

This state… Killua and the others risked everything to make it happen."

Knuckle let out a visible breath of relief:

"Back when we first planned this, we figured half the civilians would be gathered by the time we moved.

We'd prepped for the worst—mass casualties during the chaos.

But now that fear's gone.

We can fight without holding back."

Joey, meanwhile, swept his gaze across the group, evaluating each member's current condition.

Morel seemed steady.

Joey judged he was probably at 60–70% capacity, which wasn't bad considering the strain he'd been under.

Having Kite and Nob split the pressure definitely helped.

Kite, on the other hand, was at his peak.

Joey even caught flashes of anticipation in his eyes—battle lust flickering behind the calm exterior.

A warrior, Joey thought.

Despite Kite's gentle demeanor and affinity with animals, in combat he turned into something else.

A berserker. A mad clown.

His smile in battle was wild, unrestrained—the "crazy" in Crazy Slots had never been more literal.

Nob also seemed in good form. Possibly even better than Morel.

After all, he had spent some time away from the front lines handling Andre's medical transfer—a break that kept his Nen reserves from depleting.

Still, Joey harbored doubts about Nob's mental fortitude.

He worried that when faced with one of the Royal Guards, Nob might crack under pressure.

Nen is the manifestation of one's inner world.

And Nob's cautious, methodical nature was both his greatest strength… and his greatest weakness.

If he had the guts Morel has, Joey mused, maybe he wouldn't have created a support-type Nen like 4-D Apartment.

So long as Nob wasn't left alone against a Royal Guard, Joey figured they'd be fine.

But if he was…

Forget losing his hair. He'd be lucky to keep his head.

That said, Joey didn't doubt Nob's lethal potential.

Spatial abilities were terrifyingly efficient at bypassing defense.

It all came down to execution under pressure.

Knuckle, after confirming civilians wouldn't die en masse, visibly relaxed.

But his furrowed brow remained—something was still weighing on his mind.

Joey didn't trust Knuckle's worldview.

Too kind, he thought. So kind it borders on delusion—like thinking every living thing has a conscience.

But these weren't humans they were dealing with.

Not anymore.

Shoot, meanwhile, kept his usual poker face—visibly uneasy, but composed.

Joey had more faith in Shoot.

He was the kind of guy who, when the chips were down, would show up where it counted.

Killua and Gon radiated calm.

Killua's aura had taken on a new edge—a calm self-assurance, a quiet strength that wasn't there before.

It was infectious.

Gon, on the other hand…

Joey didn't feel the same admiration.

Gon and Knuckle were alike—naive and idealistic—but there was something more to Gon. Something darker.

If Knuckle's soul is pure white… Gon's? Maybe not so much.

When Gon fixates, he fixates. That kind of single-mindedness can redeem a person—or destroy everyone around them.

Joey preferred Killua.

Both of them had emerged from ugly, toxic worlds.

They understood each other.

Palm was… distracted.

She kept sneaking glances at Nob like a lovestruck schoolgirl.

It was unnerving.

But Joey didn't doubt her resolve.

Her Nen aura was proof—steadfast and burning.

She was more prepared to die than most of them. Maybe even more than Joey himself.

Meleoron trained alone, practicing his Co-less stealth mode—holding his breath to extend Perfect Plan's duration.

But Joey shook his head.

This guy's lungs are garbage. Two minutes, tops.

If Morel had Meleoron's ability?

He'd probably hold his breath long enough to make Meleoron question reality.

It wouldn't even be close.

Ikalgo, on the other hand, watched Killua with unshakable loyalty.

His face said it all.

Joey was sure: if Killua told him to die, Ikalgo would do it—no questions asked.

It reminded Joey of Iggy, the noble mutt with the wild heart.

As for Joey himself…

He was nervous.

But strangely… also excited.

He didn't know why.

Maybe, like Kite, part of him just wanted to fight.

He glanced at his side.

Killer Queen materialized beside him, mimicking his pensive posture—but with flawless form, like a statue of war.

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For this week I will do more release depending on the power stones !

100 Power Stones = 1 chapter (in addition to the daily update) 

So give stones if you want mooooar ! 

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