The Strongest Assassin of the Zoldyck Family!

Dominica's aura intensified dramatically.

Without making a single move, his sheer aura transformed into a crushing pressure that bore down on the monstrous girl.

The monster girl's wariness and fury intertwined as she faced this invisible force.

Finally, Dominica moved.

He lifted his foot.

And took a step toward her.

One step.

*Boom!*

A second step.

*Boom!*

A third step.

*Boom!*

The ground didn't tremble, yet it felt as though it did. With every step Dominica took, the pressure on the monster girl increased, bending her spine under its weight.

*Crack!*

A figure near the monster girl collapsed under the pressure.

The black hair writhing around it was pinned to the ground.

The monster girl gritted her teeth, holding on.

One by one, more figures crumbled under the pressure—second, third, fourth—all until only the young man closest to her remained.

*Bang!*

The monster girl's pupils contracted sharply.

"No!"

Her scream was sharp and piercing, as though it would shatter the very town.

Her blood-red eyes burned with unbridled rage and hatred as her chest heaved, and her hair writhed violently.

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

The black strands of hair rushed to the monster girl's side.

They gathered and intertwined.

The threads formed into a massive black serpent.

Under her control, the serpent opened its gaping maw and lunged toward Dominica, intent on crushing him.

In that instant—

Dominica extended his hands, palms facing each other.

The next moment, both palms turned upright.

With a swift motion, he clapped them together.

From the ground on either side of the monster girl, large mounds of earth surged upward.

Two enormous hands formed from the dirt.

One to her left.

One to her right.

As Dominica clapped, the giant hands mirrored his motion.

*Boom!*

In an instant, they clapped together, trapping the monster girl between their massive palms.

Her black hair, her body, and even the building she occupied were crushed in the center.

A horrific screech filled the air—far more intense than any before it.

But Dominica's assault wasn't over.

His hands began to rub together.

The giant hands followed suit, grinding against each other.

Ron couldn't help but think of an industrial grinding machine.

It was clear that Dominica intended to pulverize the monster girl completely, leaving no chance for survival.

Fine powder seeped from between the giant hands, impossible to identify.

Ron could feel the monster girl's aura weakening with every passing second.

Finally, Dominica released his hands.

The massive earthen palms disappeared.

What remained fell to the ground—a form so mangled it was no longer recognizable as human. 

Yet, faint traces of consciousness lingered.

Ron and Wendy leapt down to stand beside Dominica.

"Why?"

"Why?"

The monster girl weakly opened her eyes, staring at the sky.

"Why is it so hard to love someone?"

"All I wanted was to be with him…"

"Why did it have to end like this?"

"Did I do something wrong?"

Dominica regarded her coldly.

"I won't judge whether you were right or wrong, but your death is your release. Do you think turning the person you love into a mindless puppet is love?"

A massive block of earth materialized above the monster girl.

*Boom!*

It crashed down, pinning her beneath it, leaving only her head exposed.

Dominica pulled out a finely crafted book.

A strange suction emanated from it.

The next moment, a wisp of black aura was drawn from the monster girl into the book.

Her life force completely vanished.

What remained of the deathly aura was drawn toward the Rotten Life Blade at Ron's waist.

The blade absorbed it greedily.

Dominica and Wendy both turned to look at Ron.

"This is my Nen tool, the Rotten Life Blade." Ron explained briefly.

Dominica's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"It can absorb deathly auras. Was this blade forged from a disaster from Meteor City?" Dominica asked.

Ron nodded. 

"Correct. During the KUTE thieve's attack on Meteor City, they created four disasters. The materials for this blade came from one of those disasters."

"It's a fine weapon. Nurture it well—it will serve you greatly," Dominica remarked.

With the monster girl's death, the town fell silent.

Or rather, it became deathly still.

Everyone in the town was already dead.

The moment they were turned into puppets by the monster girl, their spirits perished. When she withdrew her threads, their bodies followed.

"Let's go."

Dominica led Ron and Wendy out of the town.

Ron glanced back at the desolate settlement.

Instinctively, his hand tightened around the hilt of the Rotten Life Blade.

A vision played in his mind.

The town.

A girl stood at the gate of a courtyard, gazing longingly at a distant figure—a young man.

The young man didn't notice her.

He was laughing and chatting with another girl, the two exuding the aura of romance.

The girl clenched her fists tightly.

"Why?"

"You promised we'd be together when we grew up."

"I'm your childhood sweetheart, aren't I?"