As explosions echoed in the distance and scouts reported a large enemy force breaching the defenses, Shalnark continued issuing commands while glancing toward the patrol route of Machi and Pakunoda's squad.
A part of him wished—hoped—that Machi and Pakunoda would just leave Meteor City immediately. It didn't matter where, as long as they never returned. Maybe that would be for the best.
But he knew them too well.
With their personalities, the moment they realized the base was under attack, they would fight their way back—no matter what.
Shalnark understood them better than anyone.
In the end, would they all die here together?
With a sigh, he pressed the buttons on his "Puppet Phone," activating "Black Voice," controlling two monstrous creatures to fight on his behalf.
These two creatures—Shalnark knew them well.
They were once elite warriors of Meteor City's battle forces, transformed by the Chimera Ant Queen, Zazan's Nen ability.
Now, they had become so-called "Squadron Leaders" under the Gyro faction.
It had taken considerable effort for Shalnark to capture them.
After testing their capabilities, he had to admit—they were different.
At the very least, they were the strongest shields standing before him.
And the most ruthless, loyal enforcers at his command.
But as the "Royal Guards" joined the battle, one of the two shields was quickly shattered.
Shalnark had no choice but to replace it with a demon.
The so-called "Royal Guards"—three in total—were all people Shalnark recognized.
Two were "Meteor City Elders," and the last was an "Old Priest."
Though they still wore their original clothes, their faces and bodies had completely changed.
The arrival of the three "Royal Guards" nearly instantly broke through the third line of defense, killing the elder who had remained on the front lines.
Now, only the last remnants of Shalnark's already dwindling forces stood between the enemy and their base camp.
Shalnark briefly engaged in combat with the "Three Guards."
Since his Nen ability could control at most two people, he abandoned one of his shields in an attempt to take control of a "Royal Guards."
It was a huge risk—his body, now covered in wounds, was proof of that—but it was worth trying.
As a Manipulator, the moment he managed to stick an antenna into his enemy, it was almost a guaranteed kill.
If he could take down one of the "Three Guards," he would gain an extra soldier on his side.
That way, there might still be a chance to turn things around.
But things didn't go as planned.
The "Three Guards" were unusually coordinated tonight.
Keeping a tight formation, they gave Shalnark—whose ability had already been exposed—no openings.
Before long, his other "Squad Leader" shield was also torn apart.
With no other choice, he grabbed another demon to use as a shield and continued fighting.
Then, his gaze flickered toward his last remaining antenna.
Perhaps… it was time.
Thanks to the raid on the ant nest, the Meteor City faction learned about the "Ant King" Gyro's Nen ability.
Gyro is likely a specialist-type Nen user. He can materialize a special drug, and when demons consume it, it essentially gives him control over their lives.
At first, the demons suffer greatly. More than half of them die from the drug, their bodies exploding. But those who survive the pain become stronger.
Regular "soldiers" evolve into "army captains," "army captains" become "division commanders," and "division commanders" become "Royal Guards."
Some can even skip two ranks, but that's extremely rare.
Those without Nen abilities gain Nen, while those who already have Nen experience an enhancement. One of their attributes—strength, speed, defense, or regeneration—will improve at least in one aspect.
Shalnark now faces three monsters who consumed Gyro's drug and evolved into "Royal Guards."
He might have a chance one-on-one, but facing them three-on-one is incredibly difficult.
While fighting, he glances at the antenna in his hand. Eventually, he plugs it into his body and sets it to "Autopilot Mode."
Activating "Autopilot Mode" means Shalnark is using his last resort.
"Autopilot Mode" is actually a mix of Gyro and Zazan's Nen abilities combined.
Shalnark would fall into an unconscious state, with his Nen abilities enhanced in every way, until he kills all the enemies in front of him. Only then will the mode automatically end.
If not, he would remain in this state until his Nen is exhausted, forcing him to stop.
In this state, he essentially abandons the brain he trusts most, relying on his body to fight as a final struggle. The outcome is entirely left to fate.
Unless absolutely necessary, Shalnark would never use the "Autopilot Mode." But now, this is that "absolute necessity."
Since the Gyro power had rooted itself in Meteor City, he had used the "Autopilot Mode" more than once to defeat enemies or escape from deadly situations.
He hoped this time, the "Autopilot Mode" would bring him a pleasant surprise.
If even the "Autopilot Mode" cannot defeat the enemy, then he'd rather die than be captured, only to be turned into a demon by the "Ant Queen" Zazan.
As a Manipulation-type Nen user, the most ironic outcome would be for him to become someone else's puppet.
Once the "Autopilot Mode" was activated, the demon he used as a shield lost control and collapsed, unable to move.
The "Autopilot Shalnark" led the Meteor City combat unit in a final resistance.
In terms of results, the "Autopilot Shalnark" killed one of the "Royal Guards." However, the remaining "Elder" and "Old Priest" cornered him, pushing him into a desperate situation.
The "Elder" removed the antenna from Shalnark's body, forcing his "Autopilot Mode" to forcibly stop. The "Old Priest's" axe then cut into Shalnark's flesh.
A terrifying wound stretched from Shalnark's shoulder diagonally to his abdomen, where you could almost see the bone and internal organs, not to mention the blood pouring out.
Shalnark, unable to hold on any longer, collapsed in front of the base. Weakly, he lifted his eyelids and saw the people of Meteor City around him fall one by one.
The scent of death was exhaled from his nostrils, mixing with the metallic taste of blood in the air…
It seems like this is the end.
At that moment, he noticed that the "Elder" and the "Old Priest" didn't move in to deliver the final blow. It struck him as odd, and though he wanted to look up, his strength was gone.
But soon, his entire body was turned over, and a face appeared in front of him.
"Don't speak." Machi said calmly, expertly using her nen threads to stitch up the wounds of Shalnark. "We're back now. It's too late to tell us to leave."
Just as Shalnark was familiar with Machi and Pakunoda, Machi was equally familiar with Shalnark, knowing his thoughts and understanding what he wanted to say.
Shalnark could barely feel any pain in his body; he just felt cold all over. After hearing Machi's words, he didn't respond. He simply sighed again.
What's the point of stitching my wounds now?
What's the point of you all returning now?
Forget it, forget it. Since you're back, let's all die here.
If the three of them die here, it means the Phantom Troupe's complete destruction. This group will become part of history.
No, I should say that it's only when the enemy invades the main base soon that the end of the Phantom Troupe will truly come.
*********
Support me on my ko-fi account and read upto 30 early chapters,
https://ko-fi.com/aayume********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 30 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer