Wing's Request

Stopwatch Stasis.

This time, Oboro's ability had drawn an equipment-type item.

The equipment in the Game Treasury of the Endless Dreamer had not yet been fully updated. He could only equip six starting items or two components when heading out, and had no way to use completed major items.

Due to the incomplete game rules, equipment use came with certain restrictions... If he wanted to equip six items at once, all of them completed items, he would have to wait until the later stages, when his Nen ability had stabilized.

There was also the need to refine the rules for buying equipment with gold.

He had only recently begun working on players' gold, economic growth curves, and systems.

Whether it was equipment, heroes, resources, or anything else, the lack of game rules temporarily allowed Oboro, as a player, to enjoy the benefits of playing solo... But at the same time, the effects of his Nen ability would be greatly diminished! If he wanted to completely turn the Game World into a domain and project it into reality, he had to fill in every rule.

Once the rules had been fully established and the Game World settings completed, he could truly unleash the Game Treasury of the Endless Dreamer! At that point, everyone who entered the domain would become players, be completely assimilated, and turn into brand-new, independent "hero characters."

The difference was that everyone else would be beginners... while he would be a veteran player.

And once the rules were complete, he could make "modifications" whenever he wanted... For example, preventing opponents from leveling up or buying equipment, locking them down across the board.

They would only be able to rely on their own strength in battle, unable to enjoy the "game's enhancement effects."

The game's process and outcome could still have a powerful impact on target players.

He would merely block some rules that benefited the enemy. Rules that were detrimental to them, as well as negative effects, would still remain.

His opponents would also have to understand an unknown Game World in a short amount of time... That... was no ordinary difficulty! It could be said... it was practically impossible.

After all, this type and format of game was utterly foreign to the people of this world...

The effects and functions of his Nen ability would rise dramatically! The most broken part was still the "modification" feature! Setting aside those godlike means of "modification," just his Diamond rank from his previous life was more than enough to crush these level-one rookies who did not even qualify as bots.

Those were matters for later, and his ultimate vision. His Nen power was still under development, and whether it would succeed was another question altogether.

It would not manifest anytime soon, so there was no need to dwell on it yet.

Compared with Rune Skills and resources, equipment-type abilities were undoubtedly weaker in the early stages but exceptionally powerful later on.

Different equipment had different effects. Armor penetration, magic penetration, Guardian Angel, and so on... They could absolutely raise Oboro's combat power to an entirely new level.

There were not many items in the game right now. Oboro mainly prioritized basic equipment and components, especially items with functions and special effects, such as the Stopwatch and the Kircheis Shard—the Mini Shiv.

When he fought Sami, he had worn two items.

One was the Stopwatch, and the other was Last Whisper, which increased attack power and armor penetration.

Those two items were also what Oboro had considered "constructing" from the very beginning.

At critical moments, they could produce unexpectedly marvelous results.

Though they provided limited enhancement to his raw strength, they were enough against a Nen user like Sami.

Sami's neck had been punctured, leaving a bloody hole. Unable to speak for the moment, he groaned in pain for a while before raising his hand to signal his surrender to the referee.

Oboro had held back... Otherwise, Sami would already have been a corpse.

Sami knew when to quit. Even his Nen ability had been unable to suppress Oboro... which showed that his chances of winning were slim.

There was no point in continuing.

The audience erupted...

The host was shouting as well.

Witnessing the birth of a new floor master was still something significant, at least within the small world of Heavens Arena.

"Tch."

Biscuit pursed her lips. Even though she had expected it, she still felt unhappy.

People admired the strong...

Even if Oboro's title of Suit Thug had become outdated... even if he no longer had his former glory, at this moment, he still became the only dazzling figure beneath the spotlight!

On the very day the match ended, Heavens Arena began widely announcing the change in floor masters.

Screens of all sizes throughout the city displayed Oboro's photos and related footage.

As for Oboro himself, he simply packed his belongings and prepared to leave.

The first step was foundation, the second was experience... He had completed both according to the plan he had envisioned.

Although he had the system, ever since coming to this world, he had always carried a sense of insecurity and pressure in his heart.

Of course, some of that had to do with Hisoka...

It had been obvious from his days at the Circus that he had frantically squeezed every last moment out of his time, training as if his life depended on it.

Because he knew how dangerous this world was... He also did not know whether he could establish himself and achieve his aspirations.

Perhaps he might die halfway through, or some accident might occur.

But now... at least, he could finally breathe a little easier.

With his current strength, forget standing out and thriving in the Hunter World—at the very least, he now had a foothold.

He no longer needed to worry excessively about his own safety.

He could be bolder in doing certain things.

The next day, before dawn had broken.

Oboro walked out through the gates of Heavens Arena. No one saw him off, no one cheered for him... He was alone.

Just as he had been when he arrived.

Flowers and applause belonged only to the version of himself on the stage.

He believed that in less than two months—perhaps even just one—there might not be many spectators left who remembered him.

"Heh... Moritonio was right after all."

When he reached the plaza outside Heavens Arena, Oboro turned around and looked at the towering building piercing the clouds, smiling faintly.

Circus performers and Arena Fighters were, in a sense, the same kind of people.

Even though he had spent quite some time in this sacred ground of combat, it was destined to be nothing more than a passing station on his journey through life.

"Killua should be arriving soon..."

Oboro adjusted the sunglasses on his nose bridge and smiled softly.

He would not see that little guy... He was in a hurry, and they would definitely meet in the future...

The sky was still dim. Though it was early morning, even a bustling metropolis could not help seeming somewhat deserted... Aside from the neon signs still flashing atop the surrounding skyscrapers and the sparse traffic, there were barely any people on the streets.

Wave after wave of cool wind brushed against his face. Dressed in a black suit, Oboro looked toward the two figures standing by the street passageway, the corners of his lips lifting. "Are you here to see me off?!"

That was right. The people standing not far away were Biscuit and Wing.

"I guessed you would leave."

Wing smiled as well.

He walked toward Oboro, then looked back and saw that Biscuit had not moved at all. With a sigh, he ignored the propriety between master and disciple and forcibly dragged her along.

"Let go of me... I didn't come to see this guy off!"

"You treat him as a friend, but he may not treat you as one... He's leaving without even saying goodbye. Be careful not to offer a warm face only to get a cold shoulder."

Though Biscuit was somewhat displeased, she still came over.

If she truly had not wanted to see Oboro, she would not have appeared here...

"I'm a little touched... I never expected to make friends here."

Oboro teased.

"...Don't flatter yourself. I just couldn't sleep and came out for some air..."

Biscuit said.

"What do you mean... Are you breaking up with me?"

Oboro raised an eyebrow.

"You!!!"

Biscuit's expression darkened.

"Seriously, how old are you exactly?"

Oboro knowingly asked.

"Don't you know that a girl's age is an absolute secret?!" Seeing that the situation was about to turn bad, Wing immediately changed the subject and asked Oboro, "Where are you planning to go next?"

"I'm planning to take the Hunter Exam." Oboro did not hide it.

Biscuit, who stood to the side, immediately lost her anger upon hearing that, and her eyes lit up. "You want to join the Hunter Association?"

Many Nen users did not have a Hunter License... For some people, a Hunter License did bring certain conveniences, but it was not absolutely necessary. Moreover, once they took the Hunter Exam, their relevant information would be recorded... If they joined the Association, they would likewise be subject to some of its regulations.

Of course, the benefits were obvious as well.

By relying on the Association, they could share intelligence, manpower, and other resources.

It was worth mentioning that the Hunter Association was merely a civilian organization affiliated with the government.

As for who that government was, it went without saying.

"Yes."

Oboro nodded.

"What direction? Your professional direction... What kind of Hunter do you want to become?" At that moment, Biscuit seemed to no longer dislike Oboro. She asked impatiently.

There were many kinds of Hunters. Besides relatively famous specialties such as gourmet, ruins, treasure, and bounty Hunters, there were also virus, recruitment, blacklist Hunters... Many varieties covered every aspect of daily life.

A Hunter's abilities and personality also determined their professional focus.

The most typical distinction was between combat and non-combat types.

And Oboro was clearly from the combat faction.

"My initial inclination is bounty hunting or hunting terrorists... Exploring ruins seems pretty good too... I'll decide after joining the Association and properly learning more about it..." Oboro said, then looked at Biscuit. "What do you think?"

"The types you mentioned all have extremely high danger levels... But they do suit your personality."

Biscuit stroked her chin, as if she were seriously considering it too.

Only after a while did she come back to her senses and cough. "What does your business... have to do with me?!"

"If you don't mind, leave me a way to contact you..."

Wing smiled.

"Sure."

Afterward, Oboro wrote down his number for Wing.

Biscuit secretly glanced at it from the side.

Meeting Wing and Biscuit had also been outside Oboro's expectations.

His appearance had probably disrupted the rhythm of their lives to some degree... Without him and without the butterfly effect, Wing and Biscuit would likely have left long ago.

"Well then... goodbye."

Without exchanging too many pleasantries, Oboro said his farewells and prepared to hail an approaching taxi.

"Wait."

Wing suddenly called out.

"Hm?"

Oboro turned to look at him.

"Oboro... can you accept my challenge?"

Wing looked somewhat awkward, then suddenly became serious.

There was a hint of unease in his gaze, as if he feared being rejected.

"..."

"You... want to fight me?"

Oboro understood.

"Yes."

Wing answered decisively.

He called it a fight, but it was really just a spar... It was almost more like receiving guidance. Both Oboro and Wing understood how vast the gap between them was.

Oboro had not expected Wing to make such a request.

But he could sense what Wing was thinking...

"You won't stop him this time?"

Oboro looked at Biscuit.

The girl acted as though she had heard nothing.

"Sure, pick the place..."

Oboro smiled, lowering his raised hand and letting the taxi drive away.

"Thank you."

Wing looked delighted and thanked him sincerely.