Heaven's Arena, 185th floor, ring C.
The crowd's cheers surged like a tide.
In the ring, Leo withdrew his fist. Muldort's massive body crashed to the floor, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"There it is! Another beautiful knockout from Mr. Leo, finishing off Mr. Muldort!"
The commentator's voice rang through the entire floor over the loudspeakers.
"Congratulations to Mr. Leo on advancing to the 190th floor! Returning to the ring after more than half a month, he's clearly grown stronger! It looks like he'll sweep his way to the 200th floor undefeated!"
Leo turned and stepped out of the ring. The referee handed him his advancement ticket—to the 190th floor.
As he passed the spectator stands, his gaze happened to sweep across the front rows.
Two familiar figures came into view.
Sophia sat on the left, her blue hair standing out beneath the lights. She was focused on the notebook in her hands, apparently recording something.
And sitting several seats to her right was... Wing.
The mild-mannered Enhancement Type Nen user who had taught Gon and Killua the basics of Nen abilities in the original story.
Wing looked a little younger than he had in the manga, his face still somewhat youthful. Dressed in simple gray-and-white casual clothes, he sat upright with an attentive expression.
Noticing Leo's gaze, Wing turned, gave him a small, friendly smile, and nodded.
Leo nodded back, his thoughts racing.
I don't see Zushi. He's alone. He must have come to Heaven's Arena to train—going by the original timeline, this is probably where he'll meet Zushi. Looks like that gemstone will come in handy...
Leo looked away and headed toward the competitors' lounge.
He decided to reach the 200th floor today—and get it done quickly.
In the stands, Wing watched Leo leave and murmured to himself.
"Master was right. Heaven's Arena really does have plenty of capable opponents."
He recalled Biscuit's lecture before he left.
The petite two-star Gem Hunter had planted her hands on her hips, pointed at his nose, and scolded him furiously.
"Wing, you may be talented, but you're far too lazy! I don't even know why you're an Enhancement Type—with your personality, getting you to live up to that potential is harder than getting you to tidy your room! Just look at how slovenly you are!"
Wing had only been able to smile awkwardly.
"Go to Heaven's Arena."
That was what Biscuit had said in the end.
"It's the best place for you right now. Forcing out your potential through real combat is better than slacking off here with me. I won't be coming along, so train properly on your own!"
Wing smiled. Indeed, for an Enhancement Type, fighting was the fastest path to growth.
He rose from the spectator stands and headed toward the registration desk on the first floor.
Two hours later, Leo was resting with his eyes closed in the 190th-floor lounge when an announcement sounded.
"Mr. Leo and Ms. Sophia, please proceed to ring B on the 192nd floor!"
Leo opened his eyes, a little surprised.
So it was her—Sophia, the blue-haired female fighter.
Though they had only crossed paths a few times, Leo knew how strong she was. An ordinary person who couldn't use Nen, she had fought her way above the 190th floor through polished fighting skills and sheer determination. That certainly deserved respect, but he wouldn't hold back.
At ring B on the 192nd floor, Sophia was already standing on the platform.
She had changed into a blue martial arts uniform. Some bruises still lingered on her face, but her eyes were exceptionally resolute.
When Leo stepped into the ring, she drew a deep breath and spoke first.
"I know you're strong. But... I won't give up. Please don't hold back."
Leo raised an eyebrow slightly. This woman really was stubborn.
"Don't worry. I won't hold back."
He answered seriously.
"But I can let you make the first move."
Sophia said no more. She took her stance, lowered her center of gravity, and fixed him with an eagle-sharp gaze.
The next instant, she moved—lunging forward at a respectable speed.
As she closed in on Leo, she shouted and whipped her right leg high, kicking toward his head!
Leo turned sideways and easily dodged the kick.
He could tell that its power and angle had been honed through years of training, but technique meant little against an overwhelming difference in speed and strength.
He didn't want to drag this out. The instant Sophia drew back her leg, Leo threw his right fist—holding back forty percent of his strength so she wouldn't needlessly die at his hands.
His fist struck Sophia square in the chest.
"Pfft!"
Sophia's eyes widened. She spat out a mouthful of blood and flew backward like a kite with its string cut, falling straight out of the ring and lying motionless.
The referee immediately jumped down to examine her. A few seconds later, he looked up and announced the result.
"Competitor Sophia is unconscious! Competitor Leo wins by knockout! He advances to the 200th floor!"
The stands erupted in a clamor of amazement and regret.
Some cheered Leo's overwhelming strength, while others applauded Sophia's tenacity.
Leo stepped out of the ring. As he passed the unconscious Sophia, he said quietly, "Flashy, but impractical."
It was both an assessment and a warning—without a Nen ability, pursuing overly flashy moves only exposed openings. But Sophia could no longer hear him.
He headed toward the elevator and pressed the button for the 200th floor.
Heaven's Arena's rules stated that anyone who reached the 200th floor had to register that same day. Otherwise, they forfeited their eligibility and had to start over from the first floor.
"Ding—"
The elevator doors opened.
A jumble of presences washed over him at once. These were the "traces" left behind by Nen users gathering, fighting, and training here over long periods.
Residual Nen aura mingled in the air, forming an invisible, weighty pressure.
Unlike the unbridled noise of the lower floors, the atmosphere on the 200th floor was more subdued, yet far more dangerous.
Leo stepped out of the elevator without a change in expression.
He followed the signs toward the registration desk.
Along the way, he sensed several gazes directed at him from the shadows—scrutinizing, assessing, amused, or malicious.
The veterans of the 200th floor were inspecting their new "prey."
As Leo approached the registration desk, faint voices reached him from behind.
He didn't turn around, but judging by the footsteps, there were three people roughly twenty meters away.
"Heh heh, another newcomer."
A man with a hoarse voice chuckled quietly.
"Another easy win. I let you guys have the last few. This one's mine. My preparation period is almost up."
Another voice had a metallic, grating quality.
"Looks like he knows Nen, too."
"So what?" The first speaker—Tuba—sounded unconcerned.
"Who here doesn't know Nen? We survived our initiation on the 200th floor. A rookie like him has no idea what kind of people manage to stay here."
The third man casually chimed in.
"Fine, Tuba, but go easy on him. Don't kill him. We want a win, too."
Tuba waved a hand. "I know."
Leo reached the reception desk.
"Welcome to the 200th floor, Mr. Leo."
The receptionist handed him a form.
"Please sign here to register. This floor uses a system in which competitors declare their availability to fight. You will receive a ninety-day preparation period."
She began explaining the rules in detail, speaking steadily and clearly.
"During that period, you may choose any day to compete. Each fight grants you another ninety-day preparation period."
"Of course, if you do not fight within ninety days, you will be credited with one loss."
"To advance beyond this floor, you must earn ten victories. If you suffer four losses before earning those ten victories, you will lose your eligibility to advance."
"Once you have won ten matches, you will qualify to challenge a Floor Master..."
Leo quickly scanned the form. The rules matched those described in the manga.
He checked the box marked "Available to fight at any time" and signed his name.
"Please proceed to your private room, number 2079, to rest. We will notify you as soon as your match date is set."
The receptionist collected the form as Tuba arrived beside the desk.
He was a man around thirty years old, roughly six feet tall, with a dark gray metal gauntlet covering his left arm.
He wore a seemingly friendly smile, but there was no warmth in his eyes.
Tuba also picked up a form and filled it out, checking "Available to fight at any time" as well.
Once he finished, he looked at Leo with a broad smile.
"Hey, young man, you don't mind if I sign up to fight too, do you?"
Leo looked at him, the corners of his lips lifting into a faint smile.
"I don't mind. Do as you like."
He looked away, turned from the reception desk, and headed toward his assigned room on the 200th floor.
Watching Leo's retreating figure, Tuba's smile slowly turned cold.
He licked his lips, a bloodthirsty gleam flashing in his eyes.
"A rookie... should know his place."
Far down the corridor, Leo disappeared around a corner.
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