Hunter 99: Kars Strikes

Perhaps because everyone was in the same boat, focused on dealing with Kars without holding back among themselves, Lin Jiu's passive soul sense was able to perform well.

Determination, sacrifice, caution, tension, confidence ("German technology is the best in the world!"), and even fear—he could sense all these emotions from the people around him. But what he didn't sense from them was the emotion of retreat.

If he could, he would have liked to sense his emotions too. After all, he couldn't quite figure out what he was feeling. He was forced into this Reincarnation Paradise, but somehow, it didn't seem so bad after all.

Killing some enemies, experiencing the process of getting stronger. Overcoming challenges bit by bit—this was something he had never experienced before.

This kind of thinking didn't fit his usual character. It must be an illusion. How could someone like him, a young person with a bright future, adapt to this place so quickly?

He knew that his comforting thoughts were simply an attempt to stay true to himself. He understood that the meaning of life lies in continuous pursuit. Since he could accept everything in Reincarnation Paradise, it meant there was something here worth pursuing.

He wasn't sure what that was just yet, but Lin Jiu knew one thing: as long as he was strong enough, whatever he wanted in the end would be his.

This was why he chose to stay and face the ultimate evolved Kars. "Adversity breeds survival, complacency breeds death."

Only by striving hard could one have the power to choose.

"To be honest, compared to my previous life, where I was almost drowning in mediocrity, struggling to make ends meet, this is quite interesting."

Lin Jiu smiled slightly as if sensing something, and fully opened his eyes.

In the distance, a sliver of sunlight was already emerging from the horizon; the sun was about to rise.

At this moment, a figure they hadn't expected appeared nearby—Kars, holding the Stone Mask embedded with the Super Aja Red Stone.

"Hahaha, didn't expect me to show up now, did you?"

Kars's face twisted with madness as he laughed wildly, "I want you to witness this moment, and then I'll send each of you to hell!"

"Attack!"

The sunlight was about to shine down, and Kars had already put on the mask, ready to embrace his moment of evolution. Lin Jiu immediately rushed towards Kars. He wasn't trying to stop Kars from evolving but to retrieve the Aja Red Stone necklace as soon as possible.

Sunlight glinted off the dazzling gemstone embedded in the Stone Mask, stimulating Kars's potential with powerful energy, and pushing him to the next stage of evolution.

The Stone Mask cracked, and the Super Aja Red Stone fell into Lin Jiu's hands. Without giving Kars the chance to turn his back to the sun and unleash his power, Lin Jiu kicked him straight in the abdomen.

Kars's abdomen caved in slightly, effortlessly dodging Lin Jiu's kick. At the same time, Kars extended a blade from his arm, slashing towards Lin Jiu's body.

Lin Jiu quickly raised his sword, [Dawn Shadow], to block Kars's strike, using the momentum to retreat.

"Stroheim, it's your time to shine!"

Lin Jiu shouted to Stroheim beside him.

"Haha, watch me!"

Without needing Lin Jiu to say anything, Stroheim, already excited, lifted his shirt to reveal the enhanced and modified machine gun on his chest, firing wildly at Kars.

As if the machine gun wasn't enough, Stroheim also fired the small Vulcan on his arm at Kars, calling his men to join in the shooting.

Bullets and explosions immediately engulfed Kars. It wasn't until Stroheim was satisfied that the firelight and dust began to settle.

However, the scene revealed was far from what Stroheim had imagined. A pair of black wings wrapped around Kars's body, and these wings weren't made of feathers but of some unknown creature's scales.

As the wings spread, Kars reappeared before them. The bullets and explosions had left only marks on the scales of his wings, without causing him any harm.

"NANI!" (What!)

Stroheim exclaimed in disbelief, mouth agape.

"Stick to the plan!"

Lin Jiu wasn't surprised by Stroheim's failure and reminded JoJo and the others.

"No problem!"

Lin Jiu turned to Linda and said, "Keep an eye on my health, try to keep it around 30-40%!"

"Huh? Oh!"

Linda was startled by the unusual request to keep his health so low.

Lin Jiu used the [Dark Scout]'s Night Vision on Kars, gaining some information.

[Ultimate Being: Kars]

Health: 100%

Strength: 30

Agility: 32

Stamina: ???

Intelligence: 22

Charisma: 8

[Skill 1: Ultimate Being Max (Passive). Unaffected by sunlight, with incredibly strong vitality and a 500% increased recovery rate. Immune to most physical attacks weaker than himself!]

[Skill 2: Evolution Max (Passive). Can transform into most creatures on Earth at will, gaining their abilities, often far stronger than the original.]

[Skill 3: Flowing Method: Shining Blade (Active). Blades formed from the hardening of bones and skin extend from the forearms and legs. Countless sharp hooks along the blade edges move rapidly, reflecting light and able to slice through fast-spinning steel!]

[Skill 4: ???]

[Skill 5: ???]

[Skill 6: ???]

==========

Kars's stamina remained unknown, but his strength and agility far exceeded Lin Jiu's by 10 points each. For this reason, Lin Jiu needed to maintain his health at 30-40% to increase his attributes through the passive effect of [Fighting Demon], to match Kars.

"Kars, take this!"

Caesar led the charge, creating a field of bubbles between his palms, throwing them at Kars as shuriken imbued with Hamon energy.

"Hamon Steel Ball Strike!"

On the other side, JoJo wasn't to be outdone, swinging his steel ball infused with Hamon, and hurling it at Kars.

Kars crossed his arms, facing the two Hamon warriors' attacks with a confident smile, allowing the attacks to hit his body directly.

Caesar's bubble shuriken and JoJo's Hamon-infused steel ball struck Kars, breaking his skin.

"Nice!"

JoJo cheered with a clenched fist.

"Wait, something's wrong!"

Besides Lin Jiu, who already knew, Lisa Lisa was the first to notice something amiss.

"What's going on?"

Caesar and JoJo looked at the damage they had caused, only to see the wounds heal in less than a second, with the Hamon failing to penetrate Kars's body.

"Hahaha, your Hamon is too weak! Let me show you what real Hamon is!"

Kars raised his hands, golden Hamon energy flashing in his palms, which he then unleashed in all directions, causing destruction far beyond what JoJo and the others could manage.

The principle of Hamon energy involves a special breathing technique, using oxygen transported by the blood to generate Hamon in the cells of the body, creating immense power.

The Pillar Men already had physiques far superior to humans, so the Hamon energy produced by their special breathing technique was naturally far stronger than that of humans. But because Hamon's energy has effects similar to sunlight, it can destroy the immortal bodies of vampires and Pillar Men.

Thus, for a Pillar Man to use the Hamon technique was tantamount to suicide. However, as the ultimate being, Kars was no longer afraid of sunlight, and producing Hamon energy within his body was effortless.

With his powerful physique as a foundation, the Hamon energy Kars generated was immensely strong, leaving JoJo and Caesar shocked!