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Chapter 77 - Floor Master
Akira eyes remained fixed on the large screen on the wall. Today, the entire Heaven's Arena had been continuously replaying his battles, which had caught the attention of both those who knew him and those who didn't—such as the person now standing behind him.
"Hisoka, if you keep making that disgusting laugh..."
"I'll tear your mouth off!"
With a cold glance at Hisoka, whose lips were curved into an eerie smile, Akira scolded him impatiently. He tossed the empty can into the trash and headed toward the elevator.
He was going to the 200th floor!
Hisoka narrowed his long, narrow eyes, staring intently at Akira retreating figure, a sickening smile spreading across his face.
He never expected to encounter this man here!
Hisoka had only learned of Akira arrival after seeing his battles being broadcasted everywhere in Heaven's Arena. Knowing Akira strength, he had waited on the 190th floor, and sure enough, he had run into him.
As the elevator doors slowly closed, Hisoka stopped flipping the playing cards in his hand. He let out a faint sigh, and a trace of regret flickered in his bewitching eyes...
It was the regret of a fruit being too delicious, yet beyond his ability to pluck it!
For now, Akira wasn't the right fruit for him to taste. If he were to rank the order in which he would "harvest" his fruits, it would likely be Chrollo, Gon, and then Akira.
Chrollo was ranked above Gon because, while Gon had immense potential, he still needed time to grow.
During that time, Hisoka could challenge Chrollo first. As for Akira being third, it didn't mean he would actually be the third person Hisoka challenged. In Hisoka eyes, Akira might very well be the best fruit he would ever encounter.
He probably wouldn't find anyone stronger than Akira... Unfortunately, it was also highly likely that he wouldn't be able to pluck this "fruit."
At this thought, Hisoka lightly pressed a playing card to his lips, his eyes filled with intense frustration.
He had to hold back!
Trying to harvest the fruit now would only cost him his life. He hadn't harvested enough fruits yet!
After a long while, Hisoka finally calmed the complex emotions in his heart. Thinking about a fruit he had planted some time ago, which would soon ripen, his mood improved slightly.
While he couldn't harvest Akira yet, that person was still within his reach.
He hoped that person wouldn't disappoint his expectations and would grow into a perfect fruit.
The man seemed to be called...
Kastro?
...
Unaware that Hisoka was in the midst of one of his episodes, Akira had now arrived at the 200th floor.
The 251st floor of Heaven's Arena marked the true dividing line, which began at the 200th floor.
From the 200th floor onward, challengers would face opponents who were, without exception, Nen users!
This was also why Killua had been sent by his family to Heaven's Arena to hone his skills when he was younger.
But he was called back home just before he could reach the 200th floor.
The 200th floor and above were no longer a place for ordinary people to compete!
Not even for Killua, whose assassination skills were extremely proficient!
Of course, there was also the matter of his baptism. Killua, being the most talented of his generation, was expected by his father, Silva, the family head, to undergo Nen training only after his physical abilities had been sufficiently refined.
This would pave a smoother and longer path for his future!
Upon reaching the 200th floor, Akira went straight to the counter to register.
He couldn't wait to encounter some interesting Nen abilities and harvest their experience!
After a lengthy explanation from the receptionist, Akira summarized a few key rules.
First: Floors 230 to 250 were reserved for the 21 floor masters.
This was one of the perks of being a floor master.
Although there were no monetary rewards for winning, becoming a floor master entitled one to a share of the ticket sales from matches above the 200th floor.
Additionally, the title of floor master was quite useful.
It opened doors to opportunities like giving lectures, founding new schools, recruiting disciples, and many other lucrative ventures.
This was why so many people were desperate to become floor masters.
The benefits were simply too great.
Second: From now on, a battle application system would be implemented, with each person having a 90-day preparation period.
They could choose to compete on any day during this period, and each match would reset the 90-day preparation period.
On this floor, one needed only ten victories to advance.
However, if one suffered four losses before achieving ten wins, they would have to start over.
Additionally, failing to compete within the designated 90 days would result in disqualification.
In the original story, Gido realized the strength of Gon and Killua.
Fearing for his life if he stayed, he chose to flee.
Moreover, one could also participate in the biennial martial arts tournament, with the winner earning the right to reside on the top floor—the 251st floor.
Unfortunately, it wasn't yet time for the tournament, which was scheduled to take place between the end of this year and the beginning of the next.
But it probably wouldn't happen.
Because the Phantom Troupe appeared during this tournament, throwing the entire event into chaos.
After filling out the battle application form, Akira checked the box indicating he was ready to fight at any time. Then he turned to look at the three figures standing in the corner, watching him, and flashed a strange smile.
All three had bizarre appearances.
One was cloaked in a red robe, wearing a mask, with a metallic prosthetic leg.
Another sat in a special wheelchair, sporting a spiky hairstyle similar to Gon, seemingly charged with static electricity.
The last had a face as ugly as a demon mask, pale as paper, with an empty left sleeve fluttering in the wind.
These three were Gido, Riehlvelt, and Sadaso from the original story.
Also known as the "Loser Trio."
They were all individuals who had undergone the "Baptism." Although they had gained some Nen abilities, they had also been left with permanent disabilities. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝔲𝔟.𝔠𝖔𝖒
One had lost the lower half of his body, another was paralyzed from the waist down, and the last one was missing a hand.
Seeing them reminded Akira of another Nen user he had encountered who had also undergone the Baptism.
It was Hoss, whom he had met at the Pierce Casino. Due to the Baptism, Hoss body had been shattered, and he was barely clinging to life with the help of a faint aura of Nen.
This was the price of undergoing the "Baptism," and even they were considered fortunate.
Many others had died on the spot!
"Hehehe, kid, thank you. You've brought me one step closer to becoming a Floor Master,"
Gido, leaning on his cane, chuckled darkly. His voice was muffled and low due to the heavy mask he wore.
They didn't believe this young man before them could possibly possess any significant strength!
Akira crossed his arms, a hint of disdain playing on his lips as he observed the three with amusement.
Just moments ago, he had used his appraisal ability on them, and as expected, they were all C- rank. The experience they could offer was so trivial that he wouldn't even bother taking it for free.
Seeing Akira remain unmoved, Gido and the other two began to move forward to fill out the registration form.
They intended to use the "weak" Akira as a stepping stone to accumulate victories.
"I mean, with strength like yours,"
"How do you even have the nerve to use me as a stepping stone?!!"
Before Gido and the others could respond, they were overwhelmed by an immense pressure that seemed to crush them.
The narrow corridor was instantly filled with an orange-yellow Nen aura, crackling like lightning as it surged around them.
The Nen felt like an endless ocean, its overwhelming presence completely engulfing them.
They were like tiny boats adrift in a vast sea, utterly insignificant!
The sheer intensity of the aura was terrifying!
The three cripples trembled uncontrollably, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
Gido body stiffened, and he collapsed to the ground, a move that oddly suited his appearance. If it weren't for Riehlvelt being in a wheelchair, he too would have felt the cold floor beneath him. But the most exaggerated reaction came from Sadaso.
His already grotesque face twisted in fear, resembling the famous painting "The Scream."
It was both horrifying and comical.
Only one thought remained in their minds—this was a true powerhouse! They had completely misjudged him! And not just an ordinary powerhouse, either.
Having been in the Heaven's Arena for so long, they had even had the privilege of meeting the previous Martial Arts Tournament champion—the Floor Master of the 251st floor.
But his aura paled in comparison to the man standing before them now!
In their dazed state, perhaps due to the overwhelming pressure, they thought they saw a faint dragon-shaped silhouette looming behind him!
Akira walked slowly past the three of them, not even willing to give them a second glance. Such trash wasn't even worthy of becoming experience points for his Pokémon!
He needed to figure out a way to quickly get in touch with those floor masters. If they were on the same level as these losers, there was no point in wasting his time on them.
As countless thoughts raced through his mind, a faint smile curled at the corner of Akira lips.
He had come up with a great idea!
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