When the vines wrapped tightly around him, Law's left hand was already pressing on the Sonata of Darkness. In such a dire moment, he couldn't worry about what might happen if the data surged to 40%, as his only priority was replenishing his Aura to break free.
Unexpectedly, Black Cat chose that moment to appear and rescue him on its own.
However, if it hadn't drained half of his Aura earlier, Law wouldn't have been in such a passive position in the first place.
Law's sword struck Black Cat, but it was completely ineffective. The latter rolled its eyes in a human-like fashion and said disdainfully: "If you hadn't wasted your Aura on meaningless things, would I have needed to step in?"
"Meaningless?" A hint of anger flickered in Law's eyes.
"Want me to spell it out for you?"
Black Cat raised its three razor-sharp claws, and its silver eyes were as cold as ice.
Its appearance had changed since Law first encountered it. Its size was now comparable to a tiger, its entire body pitch black. Its tail resembled a steel whip, and on either side of its face, three bony, black protrusions curved slightly toward the back of its head.
The most eye-catching thing is the pair of silver, beastly eyes gleaming in the darkness.
"No need." Law replied irritably. He felt that he and Black Cat were never on the same page.
"Hmph." Black Cat snorted coldly.
Above them, countless vines slithered and writhed once more, launching another wave of attacks. However, they all ignored Black Cat.
Biscuit moved to cover Law, but the vines reached him first.
At this time, Black Cat leapt into the air, swung its sharp claws, and instantly cut off the vines that attacked Law.
Landing lightly, it grabbed a severed vine in its mouth, chewed it a few times, and spat it out with a disgusted expression, "Tastes terrible."
While Black Cat was blocking the vines, Law reunited with Biscuit.
"Is that your Nen Beast?" Biscuit asked while cutting down several vines and glanced at Black Cat.
"I guess so. In any case, let's get out of here. That crab-like thing doesn't look easy to deal with." Law responded casually and glanced at the huge monster on the edge of the platform that looked 70% similar to a crab.
The monster looked like an oversized crab with countless legs bunched together, making it impossible to count them. Its claws were asymmetrical, one large, one small, and its eyes, resembling the head of a plesiosaur, extended high into the air, gazing down at the trio on the platform.
With his Aura nearly depleted, Law had no intention of facing it.
At this time, Atomu had almost reached the staircase leading out.
Biscuit was not interested in the monster that suddenly appeared, so she led Law toward the stairs.
Seeing that Law and the other two were about to escape, the crab monster did not move at all. Instead, its enormous eyes shifted toward Black Cat.
Noticing the crab monster's gaze, Black Cat's silver eyes gleamed slightly. It flicked out a black tongue and licked its lips, staring at the crab monster as if it were eyeing a meal.
On the platform, the vines writhed, while the blue glow cast an eerie spotlight on Black Cat and the crab monster, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
Having reached the staircase, Law glanced back at Black Cat. He wasn't worried in the slightest. Given the nature of its existence, the black cat was his Nen Beast, albeit with an unusually independent personality.
"Your Nen Beast is quite unique." Biscuit remarked.
"Yeah, I guess..." Law replied vaguely. After all, he still understood very little about it.
Leaving Atomu behind, Law and Biscuit were the first to reach the top of the stairs and pass through the archway.
Despite being left behind, Atomu gritted his teeth and pressed on. Each step tugged at his injuries, but he endured the relentless pain in silence, having run from the palace to this point without uttering a single word.
As the three of them exited, Black Cat remained on the platform.
It raised its head and glanced at the ever-relentless vines. Suddenly, a powerful Aura emanated from it, spreading out invisibly and sweeping towards the many squirming and twisting vines.
The Aura Black Cat released bore an intrinsic similarity to Law's, but there was also a difference, which was that it was much colder and more brutal.
Enveloped in this Aura, the previously frenzied vines recoiled as if scorched by fire, retreating abruptly and becoming docile.
After forcing back many vines with its Aura, Black Cat suddenly rushed towards the huge crab monster.
Although its size was not even as big as one of the crab monster's thin legs, it dared to take the initiative to attack.
The crab monster's eye stalks curved downward, fixating on the approaching Black Cat. Hundreds of its rigid, spindly legs stomped down, aiming to crush Black Cat.
"Where might the tastiest part be?"
Black Cat murmured to itself, nimbly weaving through the rain of stabbing legs.
When cornered, it lashed out with its claws, slicing through the crab's hardened legs with ease, as if cutting tofu.
"For crabs… it has to be the claws, right?"
Black Cat suddenly leaped into the air, stepping on the numerous slender legs to gain momentum. With several agile bounces, it launched itself above the crab monster.
Sensing the threat, the crab swung its massive claws toward the airborne Black Cat.
As the claw neared, Black Cat dissolved into a wisp of black mist. After the crab claws passed by, it quickly returned to its original form, landing gracefully on the joint of the claw and sprinting toward the crab monster's eyes.
…
Law and Biscuit climbed the rope back to the summit of Gru Mountain. The sky was still bright, and the two people knocked unconscious by the Nen on the stone gate had yet to awaken. The same was true for the person who was knocked unconscious by Biscuit's punch.
"So exhausted."
Law muttered, slumping against a rock to catch his breath.
"Your body is far too weak." Biscuit remarked with a shake of her head.
Law glanced at her but couldn't muster a rebuttal.
Crossing her arms, Biscuit smirked ominously, "For the next year, your time belongs to me. Brace yourself."
"…"
Hearing Biscuit's tone, Law's uneven breaths faltered for a moment, and he felt a chill rising up his spine.
"I'm wasting a year on you, so don't let me down." Biscuit continued, stepping closer and leaning in, her sharp gaze locking onto him.
Law was not a new member that joined to the Hunter Association, and teaching Law was not a regular task assigned by the Hunter Association.
While Chairman Netero had requested Biscuit to consider training Law, that was only the catalyst, and the final decision had been hers alone.
Taking Law as her disciple meant forming a true master-disciple relationship, and it required her to invest significant time and energy into his growth.
After all, this was not just an ordinary teaching task assigned by the Hunter Association, but a genuine mentorship.
There was no reward, nor was it a mission, but it was just Biscuit's unilateral contribution. Such behavior was quite rare for a veteran Hunter, and it also showed how much Biscuit valued Law.
"Understood, Master!" Law seized the moment, addressing her with a perfectly smooth 'Master' that rolled off his tongue with ease.
Biscuit nodded slightly and responded the title very naturally. She then withdrew her gaze from Law and looked towards the entrance of the tomb. There, Atomu was climbing up the rope.
Although he was seriously injured, his speed was only slightly slower than Law's. This is also the advantage of Enhancers.
After leaving the tomb, Atomu collapsed beside the tomb's entrance, his chest heaving and his body drenched in sweat.