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Chapter 14 - Overdrive!

Author Note: This is the last chapter I will upload today, I just wanted to give you guys a preview of what I have in store for you all before the mass release! Hopefully you enjoy the two chapters I've released today before I do a mass release.

If you guys have something you would like to suggest being implemented then please do comment, I really appreciate the criticism and comments and support from you all!

Also, if you enjoy the chapter then please let me know down in the comments and tell me what you think was your favorite part!

[Location: Yorknew City]

Amidst the dark and grimy alleys of Yorknew City, away from the prying eyes of the general populace, Ash's sharp gaze caught sight of two figures engaged in a heated conversation. One of them was his twin brother, Illumi Zoldyck.

The other, a man with disheveled pink hair, ashy pale skin and a mischievous smirk, exuded a strong presence. Ash regarded him as a formidable adversary but was devoid of any personal reactions.

Approaching the scene, Ash paid little attention to the enigmatic man before him. His focus was on Illumi, the one he sought to converse with before anything escalated further.

While approaching, Ash had felt a tingle down his spine.

And without warning, the disheveled pink-haired man, sensing an opportunity for excitement, launched himself at Ash with lightning speed.

His aura surged with an electrifying energy, imbuing his movements with an air of unpredictability. Elastic strands shot forth from his hands, extending like threads, seeking to ensnare Ash and immobilize him.

Ash's eyes narrowed, his analytical mind racing to decipher the nature of this mysterious opponent's abilities. He deftly evaded the sticky onslaught, his body flowing with calculated grace.

Each movement was a precise calculation, a dance with death. The man's attacks came from unexpected angles, his elastic aura bending reality to his whims.

As the battle intensified, the air crackled with tension. The elastic aura wrapped around the environment, seemingly distorting the space around them.

Objects seemingly defied physics as they were manipulated and flung with lethal force. The man's mastery over his strange abilities was a testament to his twisted genius, leaving Ash to adapt and strategize on the fly.

In response to the relentless assault, Ash's own Nen strings came alive, slicing through the air like ethereal blades.

He expertly weaved them in intricate patterns, aiming to disrupt the man's rhythm and create openings for his own counterattacks. The clash of their respective abilities created a mesmerizing spectacle, as reality warped and shifted with each maneuver.

But the man was relentless, his attacks fueled by a sadistic desire for the thrill of battle. His movements became even more erratic and unpredictable, defying Ash's attempts to anticipate his next strike.

The elastic tendrils surged forward, snapping back with amplified force as they collided with Ash's defenses.

Ash's stoic facade remained unyielding, his sociopathic nature allowing him to distance himself from the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

He relied on his keen intellect and unwavering focus to adapt to the man's fluid fighting style. Every strike avoided, every counter unleashed, brought him closer to unraveling the mystery behind the elastic aura.

As the battle waged on, the clash of these enigmatic assassins created an atmosphere of both danger and intrigue.

Their movements were a ballet of violence, a macabre symphony that captivated onlookers. Ash, cold and detached, carefully analyzed the man's every move, seeking the chinks in his elastic armor.

The fight reached its peak, both combatants pushing themselves to their limits. Their bodies strained and their auras blazed with intensity.

Despite the exhilarating back-and-forth, neither Ash nor the man could gain the upper hand. It was a testament to their equal prowess and their unwavering determination to emerge victorious.

As the battle drew to a temporary halt, the aura of mystery surrounding the man's abilities lingered in the air.

Ash, ever the calculated strategist, knew that he had merely scratched the surface of what this enigmatic opponent was truly capable of.

His sociopathic hunger for knowledge and power drove him forward, eager to uncover the secrets that lay behind the elastic facade of the man's strange powers.

In the aftermath of their clash, Ash and the man regarded each other with a mix of respect and curiosity. Unspoken words passed between them, an unspoken acknowledgment of the potential for further encounters.

Their twisted destinies intertwined, destined to clash again in a battle of sociopathic wills, where only one could emerge victorious.

After a momentary pause, the man finally spoke, his voice tinged with amusement and a touch of madness. "I'm Hisoka." he said, his words carrying an air of twisted excitement. "Remember that name, for our paths shall cross again."

With those words hanging in the air, Hisoka vanished into the shadows.

After the intense battle between Hisoka and Ash, Illumi and Ash, both engaged in a conversation that reflected the coldness of their relationship. Their communication takes on a distinct, detached quality.

Ash, composed and unruffled, initiates the conversation by inquiring about the family's well-being. His voice carries a hint of curiosity as he asks, "How is the family?"

Illumi, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon, responds with an unemotional tone, revealing a glimpse into the dynamics of the Zoldyck family. "Killua, alas, falls short of our parents' expectations. Despite being deemed the perfect assassin, he has proven otherwise."

Ash's interest was piqued, and he continues the conversation with a nonchalant query, "In what manner?"

Illumi's expression remains impassive as he reveals the truth, void of sentimentality. "He possesses an unfortunate softness, an inexplicable emotional inclination. He has even forged a friendship with a servant, a display of sentiment that undermines his potential as an assassin."

With this exchange, the conversation came to an abrupt end, leaving behind a palpable sense of coldness and distance that permeated the air.

Neither Ash nor Illumi showed any sign of emotional attachment as they continued on their respective paths, their bond remaining distant and unaffected.

As Ash turned away from Illumi, his expression still, betraying none of the turmoil that churned within him. He was about to order an airblimp, intending to return to the solitude of Kukuroo Mountain.

But just as he reached for his phone to place the order, it vibrated with an incoming call. The name "Azrael" flashed on the screen.

Ash answered the call. Azrael's voice resonated with urgency on the other end of the line, informing him of an unprecedented beast extinction raid.

The mission would require Ash's immediate participation, as his unique abilities and combat prowess were essential to their success.

Without hesitation, Ash canceled his air-blimp order and redirected his course towards the heart of the imminent crisis.

- Unknown Amount Of Hours Later -

[Location: Unknown]

In a desolate region known as "Death Valley," where Ash and Azrael found themselves standing on the precipice of an all-consuming darkness. The air hung heavy with an oppressive miasma, emanating from the endless hordes of Vurkin that lay before them.

The Vurkin, grotesque creatures with pus-filled bodies and poisonous wings, swarmed relentlessly, their every movement emitting a noxious cloud of deadly poison.

Ash's senses heightened as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. The overwhelming number of Vurkin charged at him, their wings beating with a menacing fury.

Sensing the overwhelming threat of the unending horde of Vurkin, Ash's eyes narrowed with determination. He knew that desperate times called for desperate measures. In a split second, he tapped into the depths of his power, activating the previously created gene, Overdrive.

"Fall back," Ash declared, his voice filled with an air of finality. "I don't want to cause you all to die. This ability of mine doesn't determine friend or foe."

With those words, Ash's aura solidified. He focused his will, harnessing his newfound power. In a dazzling display, he willed into existence a new gene, Gene Creation: Miasma Wings.

The wings materialized, dripping with a lethal poison and emanating a suffocating miasma. Simultaneously, he activated his Miasma Emission ability, counteracting the poison of the Vurkin and preparing himself for the intense life-or-death battle that lay ahead.

Without hesitation, Ash activated his Nen abilities, harnessing the power of his genes. His aura surged forth, a tempest of energy that radiated with an aura of impending death.

With a burst of inhuman speed, Ash propelled himself into the heart of the Vurkin horde. His Increased Muscle Strength and Increased Muscle Growth genes propelled his strikes, each blow delivering devastating force, pulverizing the vile creatures in his path.

*DING*

[Gene Obtained: Poison Blood]

As Ash waded into the unending swarm of Vurkin, his genes and Nen abilities synergized, transforming him into a force to be reckoned with.

The power of his Increased Muscle Strength and Increased Muscle Growth genes surged through his body, empowering his strikes with devastating force. Each swing of his arm sent Vurkin flying, their bodies crushed under the sheer might of his blows.

His enhanced Sense of Smell guided him through the chaos, enabling him to anticipate the Vurkin's movements with uncanny precision.

With a flick of his wrist, Ash unleashed his nen strings, slicing through the air like deadly tendrils. The Vurkin fell like a sea of severed limbs, unable to withstand the onslaught of his relentless attacks.

The Hunters observing from the rear were awestruck by the sheer spectacle unfolding before their eyes.

They marveled at the deep, resounding footsteps of Ash as he charged through the swarm, his presence commanding the battlefield. Their gazes remained fixated on him, unable to tear away from the enthralling display of power and skill.

As Ash neared the Vurkin King, he left behind a trail of decimated bodies, his Poison Blood gene coating the ground with lethal venom.

The surviving Vurkin didn't feel fear from the merciless massacre unfolding in their midst. And their king stood defiant, his monstrous form radiating authority and power.

Ash moved with unparalleled agility, evading the Vurkin's poison emissions and swiftly countering with his own lethal techniques.

The scene unfolded like a symphony of chaos. Ash's Enhanced Sense of Smell somehow allowed him to anticipate the Vurkin's movements with uncanny precision, enabling him to weave through the swarm unscathed.

His Echolocation gene further heightened his awareness, allowing him to perceive the slightest shifts in the Vurkin's positions, dodging their attacks with a dancer's grace.

Amidst the relentless onslaught, the Hunters observing from the rear were awestruck by Ash's prowess. They watched in awe as he maneuvered through the battlefield, his movements a blur of calculated strikes and evasive maneuvers.

The sheer power and finesse he displayed left an indelible impression, leaving the other Hunters shaken and inspired by the depths of his abilities.

But the Vurkin were relentless. They utilized their sheer numbers and poison emissions to overwhelm Ash, testing his resilience and pushing him to his limits. The ground shook beneath the weight of their onslaught, and the air became thick with the toxic miasma of their collective poison.

In a daring move, the Vurkin King, a massive creature towering above the rest, emerged from the depths of the swarm.

Its presence commanded the attention of the other Vurkin, instilling them with an unwavering determination to protect their leader at all costs. The King's dark gaze locked onto Ash, a chilling challenge flickering within its eyes.

Undeterred by the odds, Ash unleashed his newly acquired gene, Miasma Wings. Poisonous mist billowed from his back, forming an ethereal cloak that enshrouded him in a toxic aura.

The Vurkin King, sensing the threat, bellowed a deafening screech, rallying its minions to intensify their attacks.

The battle escalated to unimaginable heights as Ash and the Vurkin King clashed in a contest of raw power and will. The ground trembled beneath their feet with each devastating blow, and shockwaves reverberated through the air, shattering the silence of Death Valley.

Ash's Increased Lung Capacity allowed him to maintain an unyielding assault, his breath steady and unwavering despite the chaos around him.

The other Hunters, witnessing the epic showdown, were struck dumb with a mix of awe and trepidation. They understood the magnitude of what they were witnessing, a clash that surpassed their wildest expectations.

The intensity of Ash's determination, the unyielding spirit he exuded, left an indelible mark on their souls, forever altering their perception of power and resilience.

The Vurkin King, refusing to accept defeat, launched a desperate gambit. It commanded its loyal subjects to sacrifice themselves in a final, suicidal assault.

The sky erupted into a symphony of explosions as the Vurkin swarmed toward Ash, their bodies detonating in a fiery spectacle of self-destruction.

With lightning reflexes honed by his Echolocation gene, Ash maneuvered through the chaos, his movements guided by the echoes of impending danger.

The explosions, though formidable, failed to deter him. His determination burned like an inferno, fueling his every action as he pressed forward, unwavering in his resolve.

As the smoke cleared, Ash emerged from the remnants of the Vurkin swarm, his body battered and bloodied, but his spirit unbroken.

The wounds inflicted by the Vurkin King seared with pain, a testament to the gravity of the battle. Yet, Ash disregarded the pain as if it weren't there, drawing upon his indomitable will and low-level pain resistance gene to push forward.

Azrael, watching with a mixture of pride and concern, marveled at Ash's growth. The transformation from a naive little assassin to a remarkable assassin capable of standing against such formidable adversaries filled him with a profound sense of accomplishment.

He knew that this battle was a crucial turning point in Ash's journey, a testament to his resilience and his ability to overcome any obstacle.

In a final display of unwavering resolve, Ash channeled his remaining energy into one decisive strike. His Nen strings, glinting with deadly precision, ensnared the Vurkin King, restricting its movements and sapping its strength.

With every ounce of strength left in him, he unleashed a devastating blow that shattered the King's defenses, bringing the monstrous creature crashing to the ground.

The other Hunters, stunned by the outcome, struggled to comprehend the magnitude of Ash's victory. A mixture of relief, awe, and a tinge of fear swept through their ranks as they beheld the fallen Vurkin King and the weary yet victorious Ash.

Azrael, his expression unchanged, approached Ash, a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes.

"Good job, I'm pr-" Azrael only managed to get this half-sentence out before Ash had collapsed in front of him.

Within an instant, Azrael had flashed to Ash and had caught him before he'd touched the ground.

Adopting a cold gaze, he said to the rest of the team "Who here has medical prowess?"

Then a short, ginger girl had spoken up and went up to Ash and performed a series of movements before saying, "Uhm, his body is healing it's wounds on its own faster than I can heal him. He'll be fine, he's just exhausted."

"Good, let's get out of here. Our work is done, you should be thankful he was here. Although I may be stronger than him, his versatility is much more robust than mine." Stated Azrael as they began to pack up and leave this desolate region.

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