NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32: White Fire
Even after everything he had seen, he was completely mesmerized. Piyon, after taking another deep look at the Water Glaze, pulled out her pink phone again. "Actually…" she said casually, "this isn't the first of the Seven Beauties I've seen." Both Larry and Satotz turned to her in surprise. With a small smile, she continued, "Before this, I had the honor of seeing White Fire—another one of the Seven Beauties."
She raised her phone so they could see the screen. The image displayed a deep, dark ocean, but in the center of the photo was a brilliant, dazzling white flame. And beneath that flame… Larry and Satotz could barely make out the outline of a small fish, its delicate body engulfed in the pure white glow.
From its shape and the patterns on its back, it almost resembled the Pokémon Feebas—except far more majestic. Larry immediately recalled the White Fire infromation. A creature found in the deepest polar seas, this fish was unique in that its entire body was flammable—burning with an ethereal white flame while still alive. It was said that this flame was unlike anything else in the world. A pure white, untarnished by any other color.
The problem? The fish was incredibly difficult to capture. Not only was it rare, but its body began to decay immediately after death. Only a very few lucky people had ever witnessed the beauty of its flames firsthand. Even though they were only seeing it through a photograph, the image alone was breathtaking. It was no wonder White Fire was also known as "Absolute White." After letting them admire the picture for a moment, Piyon lowered her phone and shared the story of how she had encountered it.
It had been during a Hunter Association-sanctioned mission—an expedition to investigate changes in the ruins beneath the deep sea. The Hunter Association frequently took on contracts from governments, corporations, and private organizations, assigning them to licensed Hunters. For some, these commissioned jobs were their entire career, preferring the structure of Association-backed assignments over the uncertainty of independent hunting. Such Hunters were often referred to as "Contract Hunters," though some mockingly called them "Association Lapdogs.
Unlike free hunter, they weren't necessarily the strongest, but they were skilled professionals who thrived under the Association's structure. Of course, as one of the Zodiacs, Piyon wasn't in the same league as them. Her assignments were on a whole different level—missions that only high-ranking members of the Association could undertake. And it was during one of these high-stakes deep-sea expeditions that she had witnessed White Fire in person.
Piyon hadn't gone on that deep-sea expedition alone. She had been accompanied by another member of the Zodiacs—Ging Freecss, known as the "Prodigal Son." Of course, it wasn't like the Association had assigned him the job. They wouldn't dare. Ging only took missions that piqued his interest, and this just happened to be one of them. Neither of them had expected that, thanks to the accurate location of the ruins—right at the intersection of two oceanic levels—they would be lucky enough to witness White Fire firsthand.
But luck only lasted so long. The magnificent flame vanished as quickly as it had appeared, swallowed by the abyss before either of them could react. All that remained was this single, hastily taken photo. Piyon 's voice softened as she stared at the image, lost in thought. "Before that moment, I had only ever heard stories or read books about the Seven Beauties of the World… about how breathtaking they were. But seeing one in person? It's impossible to put into words. It was… pure, extreme beauty."
As the three continued their discussion, Larry suddenly stiffened. His expression darkened as his gaze snapped toward the cave entrance. A dangerous presence had appeared. He didn't hesitate. "Gengar—Shadow Ball!"
The moment Larry gave the order, Gengar immediately positioned itself in front of him, floating protectively. Its stubby hands came together at its chest, and its crimson eyes gleamed with a cold, dangerous light. Within seconds, a dark purple sphere the size of a basketball materialized between its hands, its aura so ominous it sent a chill down the spine. To an uninformed observer, it would have looked like an enhanced version of Death Aura itself.
"Gen Ngar!" The Shadow Ball shot forward at blinding speed, crashing into the seemingly empty cave entrance.
BOOM! The explosion rocked the cavern, sending dust and debris flying. Satotz and Piyon snapped their heads toward Larry, startled by his sudden action. "What the hell just happened?" Satotz demanded.
Piyon , still processing the situation, turned to Larry with wide eyes. "Wait—your Gengar can attack?!" They had assumed Gengar was nothing more than a Nen Beast specialized in erasing Death Aura. To see it launch a direct attack was shocking.
"There are enemies," Larry said coldly, his gaze locked onto the thick cloud of dust. He didn't elaborate further, nor did he need to. Just moments ago, Gardevoir had sensed two ominous presences lurking at the cave entrance—ones radiating unmistakable malice.
Satotz and Piyon immediately activated En, extending their aura into the smoke. Their faces instantly changed. The two figures concealed in the dust weren't just strong—they were stronger than them.
A slow, cruel laugh echoed from within the swirling debris. "Hah… hahahahaha!"
A deep, rough voice rumbled through the cave, thick with amusement. "Envy, This brat's got some crazy detection skills… and that attack wasn't bad either. Lust is gonna love him!"
Another voice followed—a sickly, wheezing chuckle that sent a shiver down their spines. "Hehehehe…"
Two figures slowly emerged from the smoke. Their black robes wriggled unnaturally, as if alive. Only when they stepped forward did the truth become clear—their robes weren't made of fabric at all. They were covered in insects. A species of parasitic insect that clings to human skin, suppressing all external presence—creating an effect identical to "Zetsu." Prolonged use results in the bug draining Aura, eventually leading to death.
Envy lifted a bony hand, and the black swarm that had concealed them was sucked back into his palm, spiraling like a vortex. With the insects gone, their true appearances were revealed. The one who had laughed so loudly was a massive, muscular man with wild red hair and an unkempt beard. His powerful frame and imposing stance instantly reminded Larry of Uvogin from the Phantom Troupe—they shared the same raw physical intensity. Judging by his build alone, Larry immediately suspected he was a Reinforcement-type.
***
Name: Wrath
Strength: A-
Nen Type: Reinforcement
Abilities: Bloodthirsty Rage
Restores physical stamina and Aura based on the damage inflicted on an enemy. When severely injured, strength temporarily skyrockets. In this enhanced state, stamina depletes rapidly. Once exhausted, the ability forcefully enters Zetsu for a full day
***
A dangerous ability. If they didn't take him down instantly, he'd become stronger with each hit he landed.