Chapter 20: Chapter 20
The potential of a Nen user is closely related to information.
When two Nen users of the same level face off, the one with information is far more likely to win.
Even lower-level Nen users can defeat opponents of a higher rank by utilizing information effectively.
Take Kurapika from the original storyline, for example.
In terms of Nen capacity, Kurapika was clearly inferior to the members of the Phantom Troupe at that time.
However, the Phantom Troupe had no information on Kurapika.
Conversely, Kurapika possessed extensive knowledge about many members of the Phantom Troupe.
In such a scenario, Kurapika could compensate for his lower Nen capacity.
Of course, Kurapika's ability to defeat Uvogin and capture Chrollo was also due to his targeted development of abilities against the Phantom Troupe, as well as his use of contracts and restrictions.
But information was still crucial.
If the Phantom Troupe had understood Kurapika's abilities, his plans would not have proceeded so smoothly.
It's even questionable whether he would have succeeded at all.
Ron had faced two butlers previously.
One was a materialization-type user, but he wasn't very strong and quickly revealed his specific abilities to Ron during the battle.
The second butler was a reinforcement-type Nen user.
Generally speaking, reinforcement-type Nen users are straightforward and their abilities are direct, making them easy to analyze.
However, the situation is entirely different with special-type Nen users.
Their lower limit can be quite low.
But their upper limit can be exceedingly high.
Moreover, analyzing the abilities of a special-type Nen user is very challenging.
Just like Ron.
Everyone believed Ron to be an emission-type Nen user.
But in reality, he was a special-type user leaning toward emission-type abilities.
Ron had already engaged in two battles.
Yet, no one had been able to analyze his specific abilities.
How the explosions were created went unnoticed by anyone.
Even the Killer Queen's first bomb couldn't be perceived unless one was in a state of Nen condensation.
Only at the moment of explosion could it be sensed.
"This is getting interesting."
The atmosphere in the arena changed completely.
The two fighters did not rush into action but instead continuously tested each other.
An ordinary person watching such a battle would likely find it dull.
However, those who could understand the situation would realize that although it appeared to be mere probing, the atmosphere was as still as stagnant water.
Yet, it was like a tightly drawn bowstring.
Once one side revealed a flaw, the other would surely strike like a storm.
The middle-aged butler across the arena was sent soaring into the air.
Ron raised his hand.
"Nen Bullet!"
This was one of Ron's combo moves, utilizing the Killer Queen's bomb to temporarily incapacitate the opponent, allowing him to launch an attack with Nen bullets that would almost guarantee a hit.
However, to those watching outside the arena, none of what Ron had seen seemed to have occurred.
After testing the middle-aged butler for several rounds, Ron's movements began to seem a bit off.
Some attacks appeared erratic, as if he were failing to pinpoint the target's exact position.
Shinji felt a sense of unease.
"Is Ron in poor condition?"
"No, it's the opponent's ability."
Keen glanced at the arena, his eyes flickering.
The middle-aged butler saw Ron attacking an empty spot in mid-air and a smirk formed on his lips. He swiftly evaded the Killer Queen and appeared behind Ron.
He aimed a punch at Ron.
"This isn't good; Ron is about to lose."
Keen frowned.
"The opponent's ability must be affecting Ron's mental state."
"I didn't expect such a capability."
"Don't mention Ron; even I would fall for that if I were unaware."
Ron seemed to have fallen into the trap set by the middle-aged butler.
However, just as the middle-aged butler's attack was about to hit Ron, the Killer Queen vanished.
She reappeared behind Ron.
As a result, the punch meant for Ron landed squarely on the Killer Queen instead. She did not retreat; instead, she absorbed the blow and moved forward.
With both hands, she firmly restrained the middle-aged butler.
The butler found himself unable to move.
Moreover, if the Killer Queen increased her strength, she could easily crush the butler's ribs and obliterate his internal organs.
At this moment, Ron turned around and looked at the middle-aged butler indifferently.
"Let's call it a day!"
Ron gestured for the Killer Queen to release the middle-aged butler.
The butler stepped back.
"Thank you, Young Master Ron."
Then, Ron turned to Keen.
"Keen, could you please inform Uncle Silva and Grandfather Zeno that I'm preparing to leave the estate?"
Keen had just regained his composure from Ron's sudden turn of events.
After hearing Ron's words, he paused for a moment.
"Now, Young Master Ron?"
"Yes, that's right. Right now."
Then Ron looked at Shinji.
"Shinji, after I leave the estate, that courtyard will be handed over to you."
"Yes, Young Master Ron."
Ron nodded and gazed toward the mountain's descent. With a thought, the Killer Queen's form vanished.
"To the Sky Arena, here I come!"
---
Soon, Ron had exited the butler area.
He plunged into the surrounding forest.
"Whew!"
Ron let out a long breath.
"That was close."
"Nen abilities are truly strange."
"No matter who I fight, I can't afford to let my guard down."
Ron admitted that he had become a bit complacent during the battle with the third butler.
He had won the first two fights too easily.
In the match against the third butler, his vigilance was lacking.
As a result, he fell for the butler's ability.
"It's a mental influence type."
"Similar to genjutsu in the Naruto world."
"This ability is quite strong."
"Especially when used in support during battle."
"A D-rank Nen user can even participate in battles between C and B-rank Nen users and still perform well."
"But my Nen beast is also formidable."
Ron indeed had fallen for the opponent's ability.
However, the Killer Queen had not.
She had noticed the change in Ron.
At the first opportunity, she separated part of the Nen within her body and sent it back to Ron.
This Nen was infused with a wealth of information.
By utilizing this method, Ron was able to break free from the opponent's illusion.
It was like a ninja trapped in genjutsu in the Naruto world, where someone else could help them regain consciousness.
Unless it was a high-level genjutsu like Tsukuyomi.
Ron's attack on the empty air was, in fact, an act of feigning being caught in an illusion.
The middle-aged butler believed he had succeeded.
He also felt that Ron's Nen beast had lost control and posed no threat to him.
Thus, he boldly approached Ron's back, believing that his strike could defeat Ron.
What he didn't realize was that this was precisely part of Ron's design.
"The Killer Queen's bomb ability has many possibilities, is highly secretive, and has a wide range of applications."
"Uncle Silva was right."
"The more possibilities a Nen ability has, the stronger it is."
"When there's a significant difference in levels, sheer strength is suitable for overwhelming the opponent."
"But at the same level, when pure strength is insufficient to crush, that's when it's all about possibilities."
This made Ron feel a surge of anticipation.
The Killer Queen was already impressive at this point.
What would happen once she obtained several abilities in the future?