In HxH with Doraemon Pocket

Chapter 393 393

Meleoron sat perched on a large rock, taking in the rare and breathtaking scenery before him. The threat of the numerous ants outside being wiped out had kept him on edge for quite some time. However, with the awakening of his Specialist Nen ability, he gradually began to understand its effects, and his courage grew, allowing him to wander outside more freely.

Yes, once he gained his ability, he started to indulge in a bit of recklessness—a common pitfall for many, perhaps?

Just as Meleoron finished musing over this thought, a sudden melody reached his ears from behind.

"I'm neither a rogue nor a sage, but I can't stand this world."

Huh?!

The peculiar tune made Meleoron's ears twitch. Instinctively, he turned his head.

"A human?!"

Seeing Morin standing behind him, Meleoron was so startled that he fell off the rock. He quickly took a deep breath, and his "God's Absence" ability activated instantly!

"Good thing my ability is highly concealable. Even if the other party is a powerful human, they definitely won't be able to detect me! That was truly close!"

After cloaking himself, Meleoron thought with lingering fear, "Even though I've learned Nen and my perception of the surroundings has become sharper, I still didn't notice his arrival."

"It seems that as a human, he's definitely one of those strong individuals specifically targeting us Chimera Ants. The disappearance of those squad leaders and ants outside was likely his doing, right? Fortunately, my ability can hide my presence, or else... my kind!"

Once Meleoron calmed down, he suddenly realized that the other person's gaze remained fixed on him. Even though he was in an invisible state, why...

A terrible premonition rose within Meleoron's heart. He took a couple of steps to the side, only to find Morin's gaze following him.

Meleoron: How could this be happening?! His scalp tingled, and goosebumps spread all over his body.

"A very impressive concealment Nen ability," Morin said with a smile. "But unfortunately, it's of no use in front of me."

Items like the "Seeker's Staff" and "Specific Person Radar" clearly indicated Meleoron's location.

Hearing Morin's words, Meleoron fell silent for a moment. Then, he deactivated his "God's Absence," revealing himself and sitting down on the ground with a thud.

"What do you want from me?" he asked, looking dejected. Since the other party hadn't immediately captured or killed him, it meant there was room for negotiation.

"Here, have one." Morin offered a cigar, then found a large rock to sit on himself.

"A smoke?" Meleoron didn't refuse. He took it, expertly lit it, and took a pleasant drag. His smooth actions suggested that such movements were ingrained in him, as if he had done them hundreds or thousands of times before.

"Indeed, memories from a previous life seem to linger," Morin thought to himself. It's highly possible that ants, after being devoured, retained some memories from their past lives. The difference lay in how much memory was retained.

The most typical example was Zaiylo, who was born with memories of a past life. Another was the little boy's sister from Korto's past, who became the ant Chidori. Though she had an ant's head, her memories were entirely intact, still the same girl she once was.

However, most ants, like Meleoron, retained only a few memories. "But as long as there are memories, it's manageable."

Suddenly, a black-and-yellow iron hammer appeared in Morin's hand.

"Huh?!" Meleoron immediately noticed the object in Morin's hand and exclaimed in shock, "What is that... wait, what are you doing?!"

Before he could stop him or cry out in panic, Morin struck him on the head with the hammer. At that moment, Meleoron didn't have the time to wonder why Morin hit him, nor did he feel any pain. He only had one sensation...

Countless memories surged from the depths of his mind!!!

Meleoron had been alive for less than a month. Most of the memories in his mind were from his past life.

In his past life, he was adopted by a scholar and recognized the scholar as his foster father. The father and son lived harmoniously and happily. But soon, the intrusion of the Chimera Ants destroyed their lives. The father and son were both killed by the Chimera Ants and brought before the Queen to be devoured, then reborn with a new Chimera Ant form.

However, their memories became muddled and unclear until now, awakened by Morin's "Memory Restoration Hammer."

---

Item: [Memory Restoration Hammer]

Effect: Retrieves stored memories as if pulling them from a drawer, presenting them in the mind and projecting them through the eyes.

Note: Excessive use can easily lead to memory conflicts, causing brain confusion.

In the manga, Doraemon used this tool to help an amnesiac actor try to recover his memories. However, it almost turned the actor, along with Shofu and his mother, who were trying to take advantage, into neurotics.

"So that's what your past was like?"

Through the memories projected from Meleoron's eyes, Morin gained an understanding of his past. In short, the first half of his life was blissful and uneventful, while the latter half ended as fodder for ants—a rather tragic fate.

After a moment, the images from Meleoron's eyes gradually disappeared. He slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were filled with complexity and a sense of having lived through much.

"It seems your memories have been fully restored, haven't they?" Morin smiled. "So, should I treat you as a human now, or continue seeing you as a Chimera Ant?"

Meleoron looked up at Morin, then down at his own clearly non-human, three-fingered hands. "Thank you," he said quietly, lowering his head.

"So it seems you've accepted your human identity," Morin said, stepping forward to pat his shoulder. "Although your appearance has changed, at least your inner thoughts and personality haven't. That's quite fortunate."

"Besides, after going through all this, you've gained a strong body and awakened Nen powers. In terms of strength, you're much more powerful than you were as an ordinary human."

Hearing this, Meleoron couldn't help but smile wryly. "But I'd rather not have these changes and powers." Anyone would feel a deep aversion to turning from a normal person into a creature like this.

"Well, you have to make the best of it," Morin continued to console him. "Besides, things are as they are, and you can't change them or go back to how you were."

At the mention of going back, Meleoron shuddered, recalling being devoured by the Queen. He certainly didn't want to experience that again!

"Don't forget, you've regained your memories, but there are many like you who are still lost and confused," Morin said. "You need to know what you should do now."

"Father?!" Meleoron suddenly realized.

The recovery of his past life memories, combined with his experiences as a Chimera Ant, made Meleoron think of his father—the foster father who was also consumed by the Queen and reborn as a Chimera Ant.

"Peggy..." Meleoron thought of the round penguin with glasses, always with a book in hand. "Even as an ant, he never forgot his studies."

Meleoron mocked himself, "Unlike me, just lazing around in the sun."

"But thanks to that, you met me and regained your memories, didn't you?" Morin chuckled.

"Yes, thank you so much!" Meleoron lifted his head, solemnly addressing Morin. "Are you here to deal with the Chimera Ants? Are you from the Hunter Association or V5?"

"We're from the Hunter Association. Those missing ants were taken care of by us," Morin replied.

"I thought so." Meleoron wasn't surprised by this. "Then, since you can restore my memory, I beg you to save my father too!"

Meleoron spoke earnestly, about to kneel, but Morin stopped him.

"Of course, that's why I came to find you," Morin said. "Soon, the Hunter Association will launch a full-scale attack on the Chimera Ants' nest."

"To avoid harming the innocent, I need you to identify those among the ants who are still pure and good-natured, help them recover their memories, and give them a chance to start anew."

Morin's words were righteous and sincere, and Meleoron was genuinely moved and convinced by them. He immediately expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

Quickly, the two of them finalized the plans for their operation. Meleoron would return to the nest, using his knowledge of the Chimera Ants to identify those worth saving. He would find a reason to bring them to Morin, who would help restore their memories, allowing them to start over.

As Meleoron and Morin began to take action, in the city of Dolley in the Republic of Rokario...