《HxH: Apex Predator》


 Chapter 1: Two and a Half Years X Daily Life

    Chapter 1: Two and a Half Years X Daily LifeTime flew by like a fleeting shadow. In the blink of an eye, the two brothers had nearly reached the age to begin their family training.


    Today, like every other, was a quiet day. Ryker and Illumi played in the family estate, each absorbed in their own world.


    Illumi sat quietly, his vacant gaze fixed on a set of building blocks he was stacking with precision. Ryker, however, observed his younger brother''s work from the side without joining in.


    After all, asking someone with the mindset of a near-thirty-year-old man to fully immerse himself in a toddler''s playtime was a tall order.


    Over the past two and a half years, Ryker had done his best to behave like any ordinary infant.


    In essence, this meant eating, sleeping, and repeating the cycle. Occasionally, under the guise of childish curiosity, he''d gather information about the world he now lived in.


    As much as he loved the ''Hunter x Hunter'' series in his previous life, Ryker couldn''t forget that the anime only scratched the surface of this vast, intricate universe.


    There were too many gaps in its world-building, especially with Togashi''s infamous hiatuses. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The humor in "Hunter x Hiatus" wasn''t lost on him even in his new reality.


    In all this time, Ryker had refrained from using his abilities¡ªboth the [Twin Complete Hands] and the [Sharingan]. His reasoning was simple: survival.


    He had no intention of revealing his reincarnation or standing out prematurely. He''d learned well from the cautionary tales of characters like Alluka Zoldyck, who spent much of her childhood locked away from the world.


    For now, Ryker prioritized blending in, avoiding suspicion, and learning.


    Yet, he couldn''t help but notice something unusual. Whether due to the system or his natural talent, Ryker felt that his thought processes and physical coordination had improved significantly.


    His mind was sharper, his reflexes quicker, and his control over his body unparalleled for a child of his age.


    ...


    In the family mansion, Ryker''s parents were having a conversation about their sons'' future.


    "Dear," Kikyo began, her voice tinged with excitement. "Ryker and Illumi are both old enough to start training. Have you finalized your plans?"


    She sighed dreamily. "Just think¡ªour two boys, hand in hand, training together as brothers! It''s so adorable, I can hardly contain myself."


    Silva, seated across from her, responded in a calm, measured tone. "I''ve made my decision. For Illumi, I''ll follow the standard training regimen. But for Ryker, things will be different."


    Kikyo tilted her head. "Different? Why? Is it because of his advanced abilities?"


    "Exactly," Silva replied. "Ryker''s potential is exceptional. Over the past two years, I''ve observed him closely. While his eyes grants him incredible visual prowess, its full capabilities remain unclear."


    "I''ve ensured no one uses Nen around him, so as not to disrupt his natural development or prematurely activate any hidden abilities."


    Silva paused, his expression growing serious.


    "But Ryker''s not like other children," he continued. "His mind works differently."


    "He''s far more independent and self-reliant than Illumi, and he often seems lost in his own thoughts, disconnected from those around him. It''s almost as if he''s... already fully formed. Fully aware."


    Kikyo gasped. "You don''t think¡ª"


    "No," Silva interrupted, shaking his head. "He''s not trying to distance himself from us. Not yet. But I fear that his strong sense of self could one day lead him down a path away from the family."


    Kikyo''s eyes widened, her voice rising. "What?! My sweet boy, Ryker? Leaving the family? Leaving me? That''s unthinkable! I won''t allow it!"


    "Calm down," Silva said firmly. "It''s just a feeling I have, not a certainty. Still, I need to prepare."


    "Illumi will begin standard training under Zeno''s guidance, with adjustments as needed. But Ryker... I''ll oversee his training personally."


    ....


    The next day, Silva summoned Zeno to his study.


    "After Ryker and Illumi''s upcoming birthday, their training will begin," Silva explained. "Start with poison tolerance. Administer the same dosage to both boys initially to gauge their limits.


    Once we understand their respective resistances, adjust accordingly.


    "Illumi''s regimen will also include weighted exercises, physical conditioning, and reflex training¡ªall while maintaining the weights."


    Zeno hesitated, his brows furrowing. "Silva, this is an intense program for children, even by Zoldyck standards."


    "Illumi isn''t like Ryker; his development won''t match his older brother''s. Are you certain you want to push him this hard?"


    "I trust Illumi''s potential," Silva said firmly. "Please leave this matter to me."


    Zeno nodded, though doubt lingered in his expression as he left the room.


    .....


    Back in the playroom, Ryker was lost in thought as he watched Illumi dig through a sandbox. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, prompting two unexpected sneezes.


    ''Is someone talking about me? A cute girl, perhaps?'' he mused with a smirk.


    Life in the Zoldyck mansion was comfortable, but Ryker often found himself missing the modern conveniences of his past life.


    His mind wandered to the virtual "goddesses" he''d left behind on his phone.


    ''I''ll have to wait years to grow into this body,'' he thought wryly.


    The system, too, had been a source of endless frustration. Beyond the two starter abilities, it offered no further rewards or guidance. And since killing anyone within the family was obviously off-limits, Ryker hadn''t been able to test its mechanics.


    ''Maybe when I''m old enough to leave the estate,'' he considered.


    ''Heaven''s Arena might be a good place to rack up kills for the system... Wait. Why am I actively planning murder now? Damn it, this family is rubbing off on me!''


    Despite his moral qualms, Ryker knew he had to play by the rules of this world. If survival meant embracing the darker aspects of his new life, so be it.


    At that moment, Illumi paused his digging and fixed his empty gaze on Ryker. What went on in the younger boy''s mind remained a mystery.


    When the butler arrived to announce that lunch was ready, Ryker and Illumi left their sandbox behind and followed him to the dining hall, where Silva and Kikyo were already waiting.

 Chapter 2: Abilities X Explanation

    Chapter 2: Abilities X ExplanationTime passed in the blink of an eye, and today marked the third birthday of Ryker and Illumi. After today, the two would officially begin their rigorous training as members of the Zoldyck assassin family.


    "Enjoy this final day of peace," Silva said during the birthday celebration. "Starting tomorrow, you''ll face the harsh reality of what it means to become a true assassin." sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    .......


    The next morning, Ryker was summoned alone to Silva''s chamber.


    "From now on, your training will be under my personal supervision," Silva declared.


    "What about Illumi? Isn''t he going to train too?" Ryker asked, feigning innocence.


    "You and Illumi are different. You must have realized this by now. Reality is cruel, Ryker¡ªnatural talent determines everything. In this world, the strong devour the weak, and it is up to you to make the most of your gifts."


    Silva extended a finger. "Now, look at my hand. Tell me what you see."


    Ryker immediately noticed the shimmering aura on Silva''s finger, which had formed into the shape of the number "1." He realized this was a test.


    ''Is he testing my ability to see aura, or does he suspect something about my Sharingan?'' Ryker wondered.


    ''If he''s merely showing me aura, there''s no issue¡ªI''m a natural-born Nen user, so seeing aura is expected. But if he''s using advanced techniques like In to conceal it and I still notice, that could expose the Sharingan''s abilities.''


    After a brief internal debate, Ryker decided it was better to reveal a fraction of his powers than risk Silva''s suspicion. "I see a number one," he answered.


    Silva''s gaze sharpened. "Why did you hesitate before answering? What were you thinking?" His tone carried a weight that pressed down on Ryker like a physical force.


    Ryker quickly responded, "I was just amazed at how incredible it was! I''ve never seen anything like that before."


    Silva''s intense gaze lingered for a moment longer before he nodded. "Fair enough."


    ''That was close,'' Ryker thought. ''I didn''t realize how terrifying Silva''s intuition could be. I''ll need to be even more cautious moving forward.''


    Silva, meanwhile, analyzed Ryker''s response. ''His reaction seemed genuine. It''s unlikely he knows advanced techniques like In or Gyo without any formal training.''


    ''Still, his eyes clearly possess a natural ability to see through aura concealment. This alone gives him a significant edge in combat.''


    "Let''s continue," Silva said. "Keep watching my hand."


    Silva began rapidly cycling through numbers with his aura. The changes grew faster and faster until the movements were almost imperceptible. "Now, tell me how many numbers you saw and what the final number was."


    "I saw 16 numbers," Ryker replied confidently. "The last one was 6."


    Silva''s eyes narrowed slightly, though a flicker of approval crossed his face, "Incredible dynamic vision. He''s far beyond ordinary humans. That ability alone makes him an exceptional talent."


    ''But I wonder what other powers those eyes of his might hide.''


    "Now, Ryker," Silva said, "I''m going to explain the abilities you just witnessed, as well as the powers you were born with. This is called Nen..."


    .......


    Silva gave a detailed explanation of Nen, covering the basics and its applications. He then placed a glass of water with a leaf floating on top on the table before them.


    "This is a water divination test. Pour your aura into the water."


    Ryker recognized the test immediately. ''A water divination test? I''ve always wondered what my Nen type would be. My Sharingan is a cheat, but my personality from my past life was more suited to Enhancement...''


    With some curiosity, Ryker channeled his aura into the glass.


    At first, the water overflowed slightly¡ªa clear sign of Enhancement. But then, something unexpected happened.


    The leaf on the water split into several parts as though sliced by an unseen force.


    One section of the leaf vanished into thin air.


    Another piece hovered unnaturally, as though controlled by an invisible hand.


    A different fragment showed strange engravings that resembled ancient symbols.


    One fragment was covered in what looked like skeletal plating.


    The final piece burst into black flames, which consumed it entirely before extinguishing themselves.


    The room fell silent.


    Unbeknownst to Ryker, Zeno had been observing from behind. His eyes gleamed with intrigue as he studied the bizarre phenomenon. Silva, too, was momentarily speechless, though his mind worked furiously to process what he had just seen.


    ''Multiple reactions? This defies all known logic about Nen. Just what is this child capable of?''

 Chapter 3: Abilities X Explanation 2

    Chapter 3: Abilities X Explanation 2At this moment, the attention of the three generations of the family was entirely focused on the glass of water.


    {Judging by these changes, it''s clear that my natural affinity lies with the Enhancement category. But why are there so many abilities manifesting from the leaf?


    The space ability is clearly Kamui, and the black flames must be Amaterasu. The skeletal coating likely represents Susanoo. The strange symbols? Probably the Yasaka Beads'' seal.


    As for the manipulated leaf, it could be Uchiha Shin''s Mangeky¨­ Sharingan ability, which allows remote weapon control.}


    "Father, what do you make of this?" Silva asked, his tone heavy with contemplation.


    "The initial overflow of water clearly indicates the Enhancement category.


    As for the flames, the coating, the seal, and the spatial effect¡ªthese are all indicative of the Specialization category.


    Now, about the manipulated leaf: let''s set that aside for a moment. What''s your take on the leaf that exhibited no apparent change, Silva?"


    "When I focused on it earlier, I felt a brief moment of mental disorientation. It was fleeting, but unmistakable," Silva replied with a frown.


    ''Mental disorientation? That suggests a connection to illusion-based abilities. Could it be Tsukuyomi? Or Kotoamatsukami? Perhaps both. System, I need an explanation!'' S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [The system is designed to provide information about its functions and internal products. Since this concerns your innate powers, it falls under permissible queries]


    [Simply put, your Three Tomoe Sharingan has not yet evolved into the Mangeky¨­ Sharingan, which leaves countless possibilities for future development]


    [You can use system points to unlock any known Mangeky¨­ ability, or...]


    ''Or what?''


    [...you could awaken your own unique Mangeky¨­ Sharingan through personal growth. However, based on the system''s analysis, this probability is practically zero]


    ''Why is it nearly zero?''


    [Because of your highly individualistic mindset and lack of sufficient emotional extremes, the chances of self-awakening are negligible]


    ''Thank you for that brutally honest assessment of my character. What about the Twin Complete Hands? Why wasn''t that mentioned?''


    [It is reflected in the mental and manipulative aspects of the leaves. Manipulation correlates with its operational capabilities, while the mental leaf reflects its cognitive impact]


    While Ryker was locked in an internal debate with the system, Silva and Zeno exchanged a knowing glance.


    "A natural talent like this is extraordinary. Normally, people have a primary affinity and might, through training, extend into adjacent categories."


    "For instance, someone with an Enhancement affinity might edge into Emission or Transmutation.


    Only a rare few can achieve equilibrium between two categories, reaching the midpoint of the hexagonal chart. These individuals possess balanced mastery over both."


    (A N: According to new canon, Killua sits between Enhancement and Transmutation, while Franklin resides between Enhancement and Emission.)


    "Ryker''s case is even more exceptional. His natural Enhancement and Specialization affinity suggests a direct connection between the two¡ªa unique trait.


    Even if he doesn''t reside at the exact midpoint, his innate dual affinity means his mastery over the other four categories will likely reach 80% efficiency."


    "Silva," Zeno said, his tone measured, "Ryker''s training should at least match the intensity of your own, perhaps even exceed it. He''s already an ability user and must be held to that standard."


    "Understood, Father," Silva replied. "I''ll personally oversee his regimen. Starting today, I''ll increase the dosage of his poison training. As long as he doesn''t die, it will only make him stronger.


    The same principle applies to electricity: as long as it doesn''t kill him, he will adapt.


    And I''ll be ramping up Illumi''s training as well. They''re twins, after all¡ªfraternal, yes, but their potential should not differ too greatly."


    At that moment, Illumi, undergoing his own training, suddenly felt an inexplicable chill.


    "You know what you''re doing," Zeno said, standing to leave. "Focus on those two. I''ll handle the unnecessary contracts."


    Meanwhile, Ryker''s mind went blank, only to be jolted by a horrifying realization: he had underestimated the horrors of the Zoldyck family''s training.


    The comforts of his early life had dulled his vigilance. But now, he recalled Killua''s memories of relentless poison ingestion and constant electric shocks¡ªmethods designed to forge endurance.


    "Ryker," Silva said, breaking his thoughts, "training usually progresses step by step. However, given your unique circumstances, we''ll skip ahead.


    You''ve already grasped ''Ten'', so I''ll teach you ''Zetsu''.


    ''Zetsu'' is the technique of ceasing your aura flow, which can alleviate fatigue and anxiety. By concealing your presence entirely, you''ll become nearly undetectable.


    However, in ''Zetsu'', your defense against Nen attacks drops to zero, so it''s a vital but dangerous skill for assassins."


    After half a day of practice, Silva nodded in approval.


    "Good. You''ve mastered Ten, Zetsu, and Ren. We''ll stop here for today. Tomorrow, you''ll begin wearing weights at all times, except when sleeping.


    During physical training, you must maintain ''Zetsu'', preventing any aura leakage."


    "At all other times, even while sleeping, you must maintain ''Ten''.


    If you break these rules, the punishment will be electric shocks of varying intensity, depending on the duration of your lapse. I''ll assign monitors to oversee your compliance."


    Ryker''s face paled, his mind racing.


    ''I reincarnated as a corporate drone and worked toward the physique of a middle aged manager, only to end up living a nightmare worse than any boot camp!''


    "Resistance is futile," Silva said coldly. "You have no choice in this. Any complaints will lead directly to punishment."


    From that day forward, Ryker''s life plunged into an unending cycle of grueling training and relentless discipline.


    It was a period of darkness that would forever be etched in his memory.


    Yet, in this crucible, he began to transform¡ªphysically, mentally, and spiritually.

 Chapter 4: Hell X Training

    Chapter 4: Hell X TrainingThe following days were nothing short of hell for our protagonist, Ryker.


    It began with breakfast¡ªpoisonous delicacies served with a smile.


    Ryker couldn''t fathom where his family managed to procure such a diverse array of toxins. For thirty days a month, not only did each day bring a different taste, but the reactions to the poisons varied wildly as well.


    Imagine eating a different meal every day, only to find yourself writhing in agony shortly after.


    The worst part? While enduring the turmoil in his stomach and the fiery pain that followed each visit to the restroom, Ryker was also assaulted by an ever-changing array of unpleasant odors.


    It was a uniquely dreadful experience¡ªone you can only imagine.


    Next came the daily training, which began with basic physical conditioning.


    "Your body is the vessel for Nen," Silva explained. "Even with countless abilities, without a strong foundation of aura, everything is just a castle in the sky."


    To strengthen the body, all physical training had to be conducted under the condition of ''Zetsu''¡ªthe complete suppression of aura.


    According to Silva''s rules, Ryker endured relentless electrical shocks during training, leaving him weak and screaming in pain.


    At first, Ryker questioned the logic behind such a method. "Wouldn''t prolonged exposure to electrical stimulation dull the nervous system''s responsiveness?" he thought.


    "How the hell did Killua end up with enhanced reflexes? This makes no sense!"


    Yet, after a period of torment, Ryker began to see progress. After all, with enough suffering, improvement was inevitable.


    One day, Silva announced a new aspect of their training: Ryker and Illumi were to be on constant alert for potential assassination attempts.


    At first, Ryker dismissed it. "No way he''d actually try to kill his own kids," he thought. "Even if he did, he wouldn''t go all out."


    That naive belief was shattered when, at 3 a.m. one night, Silva attacked Ryker in his sleep.


    It was a one-sided massacre. The sheer bloodlust Silva unleashed made Ryker genuinely believe he was about to die.


    Though Silva didn''t kill him, he seemingly sensed Ryker''s earlier thoughts and punished him by forcibly channeling his aura into Ryker''s body.


    The entire process happened in an instant¡ªso fast that Ryker couldn''t even activate Ten.


    The result was excruciating: his entire body, except his brain, felt like it was being stabbed repeatedly with countless needles. It was as if he were trapped in a whirlwind of agony.


    "Ryker, remember this," Silva said before leaving. "Nen may grant you power far beyond an ordinary person, but it doesn''t come from your body¡ªit comes from your aura."


    "Without Nen, you''re no different from anyone else. At best, your trained body will give you slightly better strength and reflexes.


    Nen isn''t a passive ability. It''s an active one. The simplest way to kill a Nen user is to take them out before they have time to react."


    After that torturous night, Ryker made a silent vow:


    "Once I''ve killed enough people and earned enough points, the first ability I''ll exchange for is Kamui. With that, I''ll be untouchable. Even the Zoldyck family won''t be able to stop me."


    From then on, Ryker remained on high alert.


    But it was futile. His current strength was no match for Silva''s stealth. And Silva seemed to escalate the intensity of his punishments with each successful ambush.


    "Pain is the body''s natural defense mechanism," Silva explained after one session.


    "It helps the brain judge external stimuli and react accordingly. But as an assassin, you must overcome this instinct to a certain extent. A moment''s hesitation due to pain can mean the difference between life and death.


    Starting now, you need to train your body to endure pain and maintain control in extreme conditions."


    Thus, Ryker''s days were consumed by hellish training.


    One day, Silva called Ryker over.


    "The reason I''ve summoned you is because there''s a mission I think you''re ready to undertake. As an assassin, you''ll have to take this step sooner or later.


    The details are in this envelope. Prepare yourself. You''ll complete this mission alone. Given your current abilities, it should be a piece of cake."


    After leaving the room with the envelope, Ryker was intercepted by Kikyo.


    "Dear, are you really letting Ryker go out alone? At least let Zebro accompany him. Or better yet, let him train at Heaven''s Arena before taking on a mission!"


    "Don''t worry," Silva replied. "I''ll be watching him from the shadows the entire time. He''ll be fine."


    ...


    Back in his room, Ryker quickly reviewed the mission details.


    [ Target: Pawa Gandhi


    Age: Adult Male


    Affiliation: Mafia


    Position: Leader of the Gandhi Family, one of three major mafia groups in the area ]


    The file indicated that the target was likely not a Nen user, and his bodyguards were ordinary thugs¡ªnegligible threats.


    "Why is Silva assigning me a kill mission right away? Shouldn''t I train at Heaven''s Arena first? Or is that only for heirs like Killua?"


    Shrugging, Ryker packed his gear and approached the ''Testing Gate''.


    "This is my first time leaving the family estate in six years," he mused, standing before the gate that had left an indelible impression on ''Hunter x Hunter'' fans.


    In the original series, Killua, at twelve years old, could open three doors without using Nen. Ryker, now almost six, decided to test his limits.


    Channeling his aura from Ten to Ren, he placed his palms on the gate and pushed with all his might.


    "BOOM!"


    Aura surged around him as the first four doors creaked open. The fifth door trembled but remained shut.


    "Four doors... That''s my limit for now," Ryker muttered, stepping back.


    "This mission will be watched. I''ll play it safe and complete the task. Once I understand how this system''s points work, I''ll plan my next move."


    "But who''s watching me? It''s unlikely to be Maha or Zeno. If it''s a butler, it''d have to be someone like Zebro or Tsubone. Or perhaps it''s Silva or Kikyo personally.


    Then again, the family might have surveillance methods I''m unaware of. For now, I''ll stay cautious. There will be plenty of chances to explore in the future."


    With that resolve, Ryker set off to complete his first mission.


    .........


    [Useless Paragraph to Increase Word Count]


    Ryker, demonstrates a combination of caution, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Despite his young age and limited physical endurance, he compensates with sharp observational skills, calculated risk-taking, and a willingness to exploit his opponent''s misconceptions.


    He is resilient under pressure, willing to act decisively even in seemingly dire situations, and uses his unique abilities, like the Sharingan, with resourcefulness.


    Ryker also exhibits a competitive and determined spirit, as seen in his refusal to back down or accept defeat. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His calculated aggression and ability to turn his opponent''s overconfidence against them highlight his tactical mindset.


    Moreover, his subtle pride in outwitting a stronger, more experienced adversary reveals his confidence and drive to prove his capabilities.


    Overall, Ryker is an intelligent, resourceful, and tenacious fighter with a strong sense of self-reliance.

 Chapter 5: Mission X – Departure

    Chapter 5: Mission X ¨C DepartureIn a barren desert, a straight highway cut through the emptiness, with a single bus traveling along its stretch.


    Ryker sat by the bus window, staring outside with boredom as he recalled the scene when he asked Silva for money before leaving.


    "Because you''ve been nurtured by the family and haven''t completed any missions before, your disposable funds are zero.


    However, here''s ten million Jenny for you¡ªit''s the deposit from the client.


    If you fail the mission, you''ll need to return this amount in full, and any expenses incurred during the mission will come out of your own pocket."


    "This time, the target is in a small remote city with a population of about ten thousand.


    The mission''s difficulty doesn''t seem too high, but the travel time is really dragging things out. Silva gave me just enough time to complete the mission."


    "When will I ever have the freedom to act on my own? By my calculations, Milluki should be born soon. Hopefully, that''ll divert some of Silva''s attention.


    And my ability... I''ve been relying on the system to earn points for upgrades."


    "After all, who in their right mind would grind it out manually when external tools are available? This isn''t a game¡ªdying here means you''re dead for real."


    Over the years, while Ryker had mastered and trained his "Emit" ability, he hadn''t developed any specific ultimate moves. Instead, he focused on perfecting the other foundational techniques: Zetsu, In, Gyo, En, Ken, Ko, and Ryu.


    However, his Ryu still lacked speed, and the duration of Ko wasn''t as long as he would''ve liked.


    For now, Ryker''s main offensive technique was a standard Nen bullet, enhanced with reinforcement. It had no additional properties, and its range and power were average¡ªat least by the Zoldyck family standards.


    Some might ask, "Why would a reinforcement-type fighter rely on Nen bullets instead of close combat?"


    The answer was simple: "Beyond seven steps, the gun wins. Within seven steps, the gun is both faster and more precise."


    This mission was also a chance to test his abilities further. He had already decided to develop a Nen Beast. If he could fight without showing his face, that would be ideal.


    In a world where even divination was real, curses likely existed too. Preserving his life was paramount.


    Ryker contemplated his future plans while gazing at the window''s reflection. The glass mirrored a black mask¡ªhis own.


    Yes, a black mask.


    Ryker believed that assassinating a target required maintaining anonymity. Despite being reincarnated, his lawful citizen mindset from his past life lingered. To him, killing still felt like a crime.


    As a result, he''d quickly procured a full-face black mask, leaving only his eyes visible, and added black sunglasses to cover his Sharingan.


    This eccentric outfit had caused the bus driver to initially mistake him for a robber. However, Ryker''s height, childlike voice (at six years old), and purchased ticket convinced the driver otherwise.


    After a four-hour journey, the bus finally reached its destination. Ryker disembarked and immediately headed toward the villa where his target was located.


    An hour of running brought him close to the target''s location. Keeping a safe distance, Ryker observed the villa and its guards.


    "From the looks of it, the guards around the house are ordinary people¡ªno Nen users. There are eight guards outside, paired off in groups of two to cover each direction."


    "The interior is unknown. If there''s a Nen user inside and I use En, I''ll alert them. On the other hand, if there aren''t any, using En doesn''t matter since these guards can''t touch me anyway. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So, two options: sneak in to locate the target for a clean kill, or silently eliminate the outer guards first before searching inside."


    "But as an assassin, it''s not just about completing the mission. I need to ensure my identity remains a secret. Perfect infiltration is key.


    Hmm... I''ll choose option three."


    Ryker suddenly surged forward, charging at the front gate guards at lightning speed. Before they could react, he struck one with a knife-hand blow, sending the man''s head flying backward.


    It took two seconds before the second guard realized what had happened. Panicking, he opened fire.


    "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"


    In his frenzy, the guard emptied his entire magazine at Ryker. However, Ryker stood still, watching as the bullets bounced harmlessly off his reinforced body.


    Ryker had two reasons for his inaction: one, to let the guard attract the rest of the security team; and two, because his system had just reacted for the first time, awarding him two points for "exorcism."


    [AN: Exorcism is the system''s term for elimination, from the anime "The Outcast"]


    ''Seriously? Only two points? That''s beyond pathetic.''


    In no time, the remaining guards swarmed the area, guns drawn and aimed at Ryker. The villa''s indoor guards had also joined, forming a circle around him, ready to turn him into swiss cheese.


    Misinterpreting Ryker''s stillness as fear, the guards lowered their guard slightly. A middle-aged man, likely a sub-leader, stepped forward.


    "Who are you? Who sent you? Speak now, and maybe I''ll grant you a quick death."


    Ryker ignored him and asked, "Are you in charge here? Is your boss, Pawa, inside?"


    "Seems like you don''t understand your situation, kid. I''ll make you regret being born."


    "No need to waste time. I''ll go find him myself."


    Before the man could react, Ryker moved. His body blurred as he executed techniques blending the Snake''s flexibility and the Whip''s speed.


    In mere moments, the ground was littered with corpses. Severed limbs and blood painted the scene red. Only two figures remained¡ªRyker, standing tall, and the middle-aged man, kneeling in terror with wet trousers.


    "I ask, you answer."


    "Y-yes! Of course! I''ll tell you everything. Just spare me!"


    "Is Pawa inside?"


    "Yes, he''s inside¡ªwith his two daughters, three sons, grandson, and daughter-in-law. A guest from the Hall family is also visiting¡ªa subordinate family of the Genovese clan. Rumor has it he''s very strong, possibly a Nen user.


    They''re here to inspect a new facility¡ªa large underground flour factory being funded by the Hall family. Our boss was ordered to oversee its construction in the desert nearby."


    ''A Nen user? My luck''s really that bad? First mission, and I run into this? Then again, this is an opportunity to test myself¡ªand to see how many points exorcising a Nen user earns.''


    Having made up his mind, Ryker adjusted his plan. He''d face the Nen user head-on.


    As Ryker walked toward the villa, the kneeling man became the latest addition to the pile of corpses.


    "Even the smallest fry has value. A perfect assassin leaves no trace. Perfect infiltration achieved¡ªflawless!"

 Chapter 6: Mission X Battle

    Chapter 6: Mission X BattleFive minutes earlier~


    Pawa sat at his desk in his study, while a man of about 5''7" sat across from him on a sofa.


    The man had long, emerald-green hair, with angled bangs that covered his right eye, leaving only his left visible.


    Beneath the concealed bangs, a scar ran vertically from his forehead over his right eye, giving his otherwise decent face a menacing appearance.


    He wore a white tank top and black sweatpants. However, the most noticeable detail was the six knives strapped to the outer sides of his thighs¡ªthree on each leg.


    "Mr. Jack, it''s an honor to have you travel all this way to visit the Gandhi family. Please rest assured, the Hall family''s factory project will proceed on schedule. Tomorrow morning, I''ll personally take you to inspect the site.


    To show my hospitality, I''ve arranged a dinner banquet tonight, followed by a series of entertainment activities. I hope you''ll enjoy your stay," Pawa said, flashing a knowing smile.


    *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*


    Just then, gunshots rang out from outside, followed by a hurried knock on the door.


    "Boss! Someone''s attacking the villa!"


    "Calm down. I''m entertaining a distinguished guest here. How many attackers are there? Do you know who they''re from?"


    "Boss, it''s just a kid. But Wayne and the boys have already subdued him. Do you want to see for yourself?"


    "Go back and have Wayne interrogate him. Let me know what you find out. I have more important matters to attend to," Pawa replied dismissively. Then, turning to Jack, he said, "I apologize for the disturbance, Mr. Jack. Rest assured, I''ll hand the troublemaker over to you later."


    "It''s no problem," Jack said with a smile. "In fact, this little incident adds a bit of excitement to what would otherwise be a dull mission."


    "I''m genuinely curious about this so-called attacker. A child bold enough to single-handedly storm the Gandhi family villa? I''d like to see them for myself.


    What do you say, Mr. Pawa? Care to join me?"


    "Of course," Pawa replied, rising from his seat. "As the host, I must see this troublemaker with my own eyes. Besides, with you here, I doubt a mere child poses any real threat."


    The two stepped outside the villa''s main entrance just as Ryker, having dealt with the last of Pawa''s guards, approached from the opposite direction.


    A wave of blood and gore greeted Jack and Pawa as they exited the villa. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, and the ground was littered with severed limbs and unrecognizable body parts.


    Though Pawa had seen his fair share of horrors as a crime lord, the sight still churned his stomach. Only Jack, calm and composed, seemed unfazed.


    Their eyes fell on the figure responsible for the carnage: a boy, no older than ten, dressed in an unsettling outfit that concealed even his eyes. His eerie stillness and complete lack of emotion or aura made him seem more like a phantom than a child.


    "Well, this has turned into more than just a pleasant surprise," Jack said, his tone laced with intrigue. "Pawa, you''re lucky I''m here today. Otherwise, the Gandhi family might have ceased to exist.


    Now, what price are you willing to pay to save your family''s lives?"


    Without hesitation, Pawa stammered, "I-I''ll give you half of my wealth and half of my annual profits moving forward. Please, Mr. Jack, help me survive this ordeal!"


    "Deal," Jack replied, his smile widening. Then, turning to Ryker, he said, "Well, little one, you''re quite the prodigy. Ruthless and efficient. I don''t care who sent you or why, but I''m offering you an opportunity.


    Join me. As the Hall family''s top enforcer, I can promise you wealth and power beyond your imagination. Think carefully before you refuse."


    ''This guy''s aura is scattered, his energy flow uneven. He''s likely self-taught, or perhaps a survivor who awakened his abilities under pressure. Judging by his knives, his primary combat style revolves around them.''


    ''If he were an Enhancer, he''d probably use a weapon with better range and power, like a sword.''


    ''This narrows him down to either Manipulation or Conjuration. Based on his aura and identity, Manipulation seems more likely, though I can''t rule out the possibility of a Specialist.''


    ''I''ll test him with an energy bullet. If he closes the gap to engage in close combat, I''ll adjust my approach accordingly.''


    "Hey, kid," Jack continued mockingly. "Cat got your tongue? Or are you just too scared to speak?"


    *Whoosh!* S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before Jack could react further, a subtle shift in the air warned him of incoming danger. Acting on instinct, he dodged Ryker''s energy bullet, only to hear a sickening splatter as it struck Pawa, reducing his head to a bloody mess.


    Jack grimaced but quickly regained his composure. "Well, with Pawa gone, our deal is void. You''ve completed your mission, and I have no reason to fight you. Let''s call it a day. No point in both of us walking away injured, is there?"


    But Ryker wasn''t interested in negotiation. Calculating their respective strengths, he launched another hidden energy bullet. Jack dodged again, realizing the fight was inevitable.


    This time, he unleashed all six knives, sending them hurtling toward Ryker while maneuvering for a better position. Ryker, however, kept his distance, firing energy bullets from a range that Jack struggled to counter.


    As the distance widened, Jack''s control over the knives faltered. Forced to focus his energy on just two knives, he tried to close the gap, but Ryker''s relentless attacks left him with no openings.


    Seeing no path to victory, Jack''s sole focus shifted to survival. ''How can I get out of this alive?'' he thought, as the battle reached its deadly crescendo.

 Chapter 7: Battle X Outcome

    Chapter 7: Battle X Outcome"This kid... judging from the current situation, he''s likely an Emitter."


    "Based on his age and physique, no matter how talented he is, it''s impossible for him to simultaneously possess both powerful nen bullets and exceptional martial arts.


    That means close combat is probably his weak point. Judging by how he immediately tried to create distance at the start, my assumption is likely correct. If so, I''ll just need to close the gap."


    Across the battlefield, Ryker analyzed Jack''s manipulation range and tactics. Confident in his assessment, he began pressuring his opponent more aggressively.


    Suddenly, Jack surged forward, closing the distance in a burst of speed. The six daggers under his control formed a defensive barrier around him as he charged.


    ''Changing tactics? Trying to engage in close combat? Must think my martial arts are a weakness. Fine, I''ll humor him. Let''s see how my skills hold up in a real fight instead of just family training.''


    Resolving to test himself, Ryker swiftly switched strategies. He retracted his nen aura, enveloping his entire body in a robust "Ken" technique before darting forward to meet Jack head-on.


    As soon as Jack and Ryker clashed, the latter instantly realized the battle was over. The difference in the quality of their nen was too significant.


    Jack, on the other hand, immediately recognized that his aura couldn''t withstand Ryker''s. In desperation, he channeled all his nen into a single dagger, aiming for a mutual kill. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, the disparity in nen quality rendered Jack''s attack futile. The dagger couldn''t penetrate Ryker''s "Ken," while Ryker''s hand effortlessly pierced through Jack''s chest.


    The moment they passed each other, the outcome was clear. Jack''s pupils dilated, and his knees buckled as he collapsed face-first onto the ground. Blood gushed from the wound in his chest, pooling beneath him.


    Ryker, meanwhile, stood unharmed. His deformed hand held Jack''s still-beating heart, a chilling testament to his skill.


    Unbeknownst to Ryker, two figures were observing the entire scene from a concealed spot nearby. The two men, exuding an aura of absolute control and calm, were none other than Zeno and Silva.


    The presence of both the current and former heads of the family at Ryker''s first mission might seem excessive, but there was a reason. Silva, tasked with overseeing the mission, had brought Zeno along after the latter returned from a recent job, curious to see Ryker''s progress firsthand.


    At that moment, Ryker''s focus was entirely on his system''s point balance. Seeing the triple-digit reward for defeating Jack, he felt a mix of excitement and frustration.


    ''Three digits for one nen user! That''s good... but at this rate, if I want to exchange for Kamui, I''ll need to take out dozens like him. This is going to take forever.''


    He sighed, though understanding the reasoning. Each Mangeky¨­ Sharingan ability in the system had a different price, and Kamui was undoubtedly among the most expensive.


    "Ah, I''m still on the mission. Can''t let my guard down. Next time, I need to stay more focused," Ryker muttered. "Now for cleanup. Even a little extra makes a difference."


    ......


    "How do you think he did, Silva?" Zeno asked, his gaze fixed on the battlefield.


    "His growth is faster than I expected," Silva admitted. "His talent and training speed are top-notch. His power has increased significantly. However, his mindset... that''s where I see a clear difference compared to Illumi.


    "Setting aside laziness¡ªafter all, that''s natural¡ªthere''s a hidden arrogance in him. It''s subtle, buried deep, but I''ve noticed it over the years."


    "He views those around him, people and situations alike, with a certain disdain. It''s not something he''s fully aware of, but it''s there. A latent pride that could become a problem if unchecked."


    As Silva spoke, Ryker was approaching the mansion. Suddenly, three adult men burst out of the building.


    With three shots of nen bullets, Ryker executed them all with precision, each shot a clean headshot.


    Moments later, three women and a child emerged, screaming in terror.


    "So noisy," Ryker muttered. Four more nen bullets silenced them.


    Scanning the scene, he activated "En" to confirm there were no other survivors before entering the mansion.


    After ensuring every target was eliminated, he returned to the scene and set everything ablaze, watching as the flames consumed the building.


    "Perfect. No loose ends, no witnesses¡ªnot even dead ones. Time to go!" Ryker exclaimed, satisfied as he prepared to leave.


    ........


    "Impressive caution," Zeno observed. "A bit rough around the edges, but his thinking is solid. For his age, you could even call him a prodigy. He''s certainly suited for our line of work."


    "Ruthless and cold," Silva added. "These are traits an assassin should have. But for him to exhibit them at this age, especially on his first mission... It feels too fast. I can''t tell if this will be a blessing or a curse.


    "The real purpose of this mission was for him to feel the weight of danger¡ªperhaps even failure¡ªto temper his hidden arrogance. But it seems to have backfired. I suspect he''s aware we''re watching him.


    "Normally, after dealing with the main target, he should''ve retreated immediately."


    "Yet he took the risk of fighting a nen user. With his cautious nature, the only reason he''d do that is if he knew we were watching, treating it as a test or training.


    "Or maybe he sees enough benefit to justify the risk. If it''s the latter, it might have to do with his eyes. He could''ve already awakened some ability or knows how to awaken one."


    "Hmm, well, that''s for you to handle, Silva. After all, you''re the head now. Shall we go?"


    ........


    As Ryker prepared to return to the bus stop, two figures appeared before him.


    ''Expected, but still surprising.''


    Expected, because Ryker knew the family wouldn''t let their "star prodigy" go unsupervised¡ªat least not before Killua''s birth.


    Surprising, because while he expected Silva, he hadn''t anticipated Zeno''s presence.


    ''Both of them here... isn''t this a bit much? Even Killua didn''t get this kind of attention when he ran off during the Hunter Exam.''


    Thinking it through, Ryker realized the reason: Silva didn''t feel in complete control of him yet. Unlike with Killua, whom he saw as manageable, Silva might view Ryker as a potential wild card.


    With Killua''s birth, however, Ryker was confident the family''s attention would shift, giving him the freedom he craved. All he needed was to endure these next few years.


    By then, he''d have Kamui¡ªone way or another. Until then, he''d just have to work harder, taking on missions targeting low-level nen users to rack up points.


    "Come," Silva said. "Tsubone is waiting on the family airship. We''ll talk more there."

 Chapter 8: Return and Arrangements

    Chapter 8: Return and ArrangementsThe trio soon returned to the private airship belonging to the Zoldyck family, where Tsubone had been waiting with a lavish feast prepared.


    After the three finished eating, Silva began a thorough debriefing of Ryker''s mission.


    "Ryker, I''ve been observing every move you made from the moment you stepped out of the house.


    First, let me point out that you''re far too careless. The mission begins the moment you step outside, not when you locate the target. You must remain vigilant from the start."


    "Although it''s commendable that your first thought was to hide your face, have you considered that excessive disguise can sometimes backfire? It might make you stand out even more as an anomaly.


    In this world filled with myriad unique abilities, merely covering your face won''t solve every problem. However, your awareness of the need for disguise is correct¡ªjust find a better approach next time."


    "Secondly, we are assassins. Our ultimate goal is to eliminate the target. Every action we take should serve that goal.


    You need to adopt the most straightforward and efficient methods without creating unnecessary complications.


    At the villa, for instance, you should have infiltrated quietly, identified and eliminated the target swiftly, then withdrawn."


    "With the element of surprise on your side, even if there was an unexpected Nen-using bodyguard, you could have taken the initiative and neutralized the threat before they were fully prepared.


    Remember, every action leaves traces. Your task is to achieve maximum results with minimum exposure.


    Killing everyone and erasing all evidence might seem thorough, but in many cases, it leaves more clues than a clean, quick kill and immediate retreat."


    "Do not apply ordinary logic to the world of Nen users. The variety of abilities out there is vast, and your aim should always be to minimize your footprint.


    Finally, as paid assassins, we must carefully evaluate the balance of risk and reward. Avoid situations where the cost outweighs the gain."


    "After you eliminated the target, your best course of action would have been to leave immediately, especially when the remaining bodyguard had lost their will to fight.


    Why did you engage the bodyguard voluntarily? Was it to test your abilities in real combat?


    Or was it a mindless urge to silence witnesses? Perhaps you lost rational judgment due to the thrill of killing and the primal excitement of holding someone''s life in your hands." S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Silva finished speaking, his gaze sharpened, radiating an almost predatory determination to strike. Ryker felt the intensity of Silva''s aura pressing against his own, causing ripples in his protective ''Ten''.


    "Or," Silva continued, his tone even more piercing, "did you think their death could bring you some tangible benefit?"


    "Perhaps it would aid your ability development or awaken latent potential, compelling you to eliminate everyone without leaving a single survivor."


    At that moment, Silva''s aura peaked, and Ryker reinforced himself with ''Ken'' to withstand the overwhelming pressure, though he appeared calm outwardly.


    Inwardly, he remained composed, years of experience sharpening his resolve.


    ''He''s testing me thoroughly, but that was expected. A logical explanation will do. Something that acknowledges the surveillance while keeping my actions justified.''


    ''Perhaps I''ll say I wanted to feel the results of my training and let the excitement of taking lives get the better of me. That should suffice.''


    Ryker voiced his premeditated response. Silva remained silent, while Zeno, who had kept his eyes closed the entire time, didn''t react in the slightest.


    The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken tension. Eventually, Silva broke it.


    "Very well. In that case, the next phase of your training won''t take place at home. I''ll take you to a place called Heaven''s Arena.


    You may have heard of it. Your task is to reach the 200th floor. There''s no time limit. That will be your first training milestone."


    "However, there''s a condition: you are forbidden from using any Nen abilities until you reach the 200th floor. You must fight in a state of ''Zetsu'' throughout.


    Additionally, you are prohibited from using any means outside the matches themselves to achieve victory¡ªno outside interference, no shortcuts."


    "Once you pass the 200th floor, you''ll face an additional challenge: you may use any abilities and weapons at your disposal, but your goal is to become a Floor Master.


    If you accomplish this, you''ll gain the freedom to accept family missions independently and come and go from Kukuroo Mountain as you please."


    Ryker maintained his composure, though his mind raced.


    ''Why this specific challenge? Is it just training? But why insist on me becoming a Floor Master? If the goal is to fight Nen users, they could simply assign missions under supervision. Silva must have a deeper reason''


    ''Perhaps the focus is on the additional challenge. Is he testing my ambition to leave the family, or probing my abilities?''


    ''Maybe he just wants to gauge my overall strength. Not enough information to conclude yet. I''ll probe further.''


    "Father, how did you know I had thoughts of leaving the family?"


    "I''m your father. Who knows a child better than their parent? Your intentions are clear to me, which is why I''m giving you this opportunity. How long you take to complete the objective is up to you."


    ''As expected, Silva anticipated my intentions. But his statement, ''Your intentions are clear,'' carries a probing undertone.''


    "During your training at Heaven''s Arena, Tsubone will accompany you. Once we drop you off, we''ll return to Kukuroo Mountain."


    Fast-forward to the airship landing. As Ryker and Tsubone stepped out, Ryker turned back to Silva.


    "Make sure the mission payment is transferred to my account. I''ll complete the task quickly. And tell Mom I said hello."

 Chapter 9: The Tower X The Arena

    Chapter 9: The Tower X The ArenaAfter the two figures disappeared from view, Zeno appeared beside Silva and said, "Silva, what do you think?"


    "He lied," Silva replied calmly. "He knows I know he lied, and he chose not to explain. Yet, his silence in itself is an answer."


    "What else?" Zeno asked, intrigued.


    "I observed his actions throughout this mission. As I mentioned to you before, there''s arrogance buried deep within him.


    Back when he was with the family, such emotions rarely surfaced. However, this mission seems to have triggered a growth in that arrogance."


    "It''s likely influenced by his successful completion of the mission and defeating an adult Nen user. But more than that, I believe he''s gained a significant source of confidence.


    The experience has left him with a deeper belief in his strength, or at least in the growth of his future potential."


    "This confidence, this ''unexpected fortune'' as one might call it, has emboldened him. Even though he knew I would see through his lie, he chose to remain silent.


    This suggests he feels he has the leverage to resist¡ªor, at the very least, the right to remain silent."


    "When I confronted him about his intentions to leave and tested his response, he chose to partially reveal the truth, openly admitting his desire for the freedom to act independently."


    "This leads me to hypothesize that his training in Heaven''s Arena will provide him with opportunities similar to those from his last mission¡ªopportunities to further develop his strength.


    Should he determine that his training here allows him to match my level of power in the future, this hypothesis could prove true. We''ll have to wait and see how the training unfolds."


    Zeno chuckled after hearing Silva''s analysis. "You two have a far more interesting father-son dynamic than we ever did. I''m genuinely curious to see how that boy develops."


    ......


    Elsewhere, Ryker arrived at the registration desk with Tsubone.


    "Young master Ryker, do you plan to keep wearing that outfit?"


    "As long as the arena allows competitors to wear masks during matches, I see no reason to change."


    "Please fill out this form," said the clerk, handing them a sheet.


    Ryker quickly completed it. "Here you go."


    "Thank you. Ryker Haruto, your registration number is 4396. Please remember your number and wait in the locker room until you''re called."


    "Haha! Young master Ryker, why this name?" Tsubone asked with a grin.


    "It was a whim," Ryker replied, waving him off. "Now, I need to prepare."


    Stepping into the locker room, Ryker couldn''t help but look around curiously. This was his first time in a setting similar to an underground fighting arena.


    However, his unique attire caught the attention of nearly everyone present.


    "Hey, look at this! A kid? What''s a brat like you doing here? Go home and play your cop-and-thief games!" someone mocked, laughing loudly.


    Ryker narrowed his eyes, "Silva said not to use any methods outside the rules. I wonder if killing someone in the locker room would disqualify me. Consider yourself lucky."


    "What did you say, brat? Come here, and I''ll teach you a lesson!"


    Before the confrontation could escalate, the broadcast interrupted them:


    "Will competitors 4396 and 2200 please report to Arena 7. Competitors 4396 and 2200 to Arena 7."


    As Ryker made his way to the arena, he found his opponent was a familiar face.


    "Well, well. Tough luck, little guy. We meet again," his opponent sneered.


    The referee explained the rules: "This match uses a point system. The first to score ten points wins. A competitor unable to continue or who surrenders will be eliminated."


    Ryker raised a hand. "Referee, what happens if I accidentally kill my opponent?"


    The question left the referee startled, though professionalism compelled him to respond. "The arena allows injuries or deaths during matches. However, attacking after a victory is declared will result in disqualification."


    "Good. Just wanted to confirm," Ryker said casually.


    His opponent growled, "Big words, kid. I''m going to enjoy putting you in your place."


    The referee called out, "Begin!"


    In an instant, Ryker launched forward, leaping high into the air. By the time he landed behind his opponent, a severed head followed closely behind, rolling across the floor.


    *Thud!*


    Two seconds later, the sound of the headless body hitting the ground echoed through the silent arena.


    For a moment, the audience and nearby fighters were frozen in shock. The referee recovered first and announced, "Match over! Competitor 4396 wins!"


    Amidst a mixture of gasps and whispers, Ryker calmly walked up to the referee to receive his next-floor assignment.


    "You''re being promoted directly to the 50th floor," the referee said, handing him a slip.


    As Ryker left the arena, news of his performance spread rapidly. "Ryker Haruto" and his registration number, 4396, became widely discussed throughout the lower floors of Heaven''s Arena.


    Meanwhile, Tsubone was on the phone. "Master Silva, just as you predicted, young master Ryker didn''t hold back. In his first match, he killed his opponent with a single strike."


    Unaware of the growing reputation behind him, Ryker was already in the elevator. The attendant began explaining the floor layout and the win/loss system, but Ryker''s focus was elsewhere.


    "Five points, huh? At least it''s better than the two I got from those mobsters."


    [AN: He is talking about system points]


    When the elevator chimed and stopped, Ryker exited and completed the formalities at the reception desk. He then entered the competitors'' lounge.


    "Since I registered this morning, I should be able to squeeze in one more fight today. Two matches a day seems to be the limit, considering the number of participants."


    After waiting about three hours, Ryker''s number was called again. This time, his opponent was far more cautious, clearly having heard the rumors about him.


    The opponent, dressed in a black martial arts uniform, displayed skilled breathing techniques, likely from a traditional school of combat. He also seemed to be a regular at the arena.


    Not that it mattered. As with the first opponent, Ryker swiftly decapitated him.


    The referee, now accustomed to Ryker''s methods, declared his victory without hesitation and promoted him to the 100th floor.


    In the elevator again, Ryker reflected on his progress as the attendant explained the rules of higher floors.


    "Two matches, two wins, double-digit points. Not bad. But for triple-digit points, I''ll need to face opponents above the 200th floor¡ªNen users."


    "Still, this is an arena, not a battlefield. If my opponents surrender, I can''t take them out. Wait... Silva only said I must follow the rules and win on the arena floor." sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "He didn''t say anything about what happens ''after'' the match. If I deal with them outside the arena, it shouldn''t count as breaking the rules."


    A sly grin spread across Ryker''s face, "I''m such a genius. Let''s do that."

 Chapter 10: Climbing the Tower x Battle

    Chapter 10: Climbing the Tower x BattleAt this moment, Ryker was still immersed in figuring out how to exploit the rules to earn points efficiently when the elevator lady started showing signs of irritation.


    ''This rude little brat has no manners! I''m patiently explaining the rules to him, and he''s completely ignoring me.


    If it weren''t for the fact that he''s just a kid, I''d definitely teach him a lesson!''


    While the elevator lady fumed internally, Ryker, being sensitive to his surroundings, suddenly sensed a shift in the atmosphere. Realizing that it was likely due to his ignoring her, he decided to make amends.


    At the same time, a soft chime sounded¡ªding!¡ªsignaling that the elevator had reached the 100th floor.


    Taking the opportunity, Ryker quickly bid the elevator lady goodbye and stepped out, heading straight to the reception desk to check in.


    "Welcome, contestant. Please provide your participant number," said the receptionist with a polite smile.


    "4396," Ryker replied.


    "Got it. Participant 4396, Mr. Ryker, your room is ready. It''s down the hallway on the left, room 777. Here''s your key card. Enjoy your stay!"


    After entering his single room and setting down his belongings, Ryker headed straight for the gym.


    As expected of the most prominent combat arena, the training facilities were comprehensive and state-of-the-art.


    Ryker wasted no time and began training at the same intensity as his family''s regimen back home, drawing glances from other contestants. Many silently prayed not to face this small but formidable contender.


    ..........


    Three days later, Ryker faced his first match since reaching the 100th floor.


    His opponent was said to be a martial arts master from the Kukan''yu Kingdom, one of the five strongest nations in the ''Hunter'' world, collectively known as the V5.


    Ryker''s curiosity about the V5 had been piqued in his previous life due to the author''s mysterious storytelling. He had even researched their background, learning the following:


    1. Kukan''yu - Known for its ancient martial arts traditions, though detailed information is scarce.


    2. Saherta - The country where Yorknew City is located, infamous for its black-market auctions. The country was currently leaderless following the assassination of its former king.


    3. Begross¨¦ - The only island nation among the V5, notable for having a crown prince over 80 years old.


    4. Mimbo - A diverse immigrant nation where tensions between native and foreign populations were high.


    5. Ochima - Neighbor to the Kakin Empire, with a peculiar tradition of kings alternating roles with their deputies.


    Returning to the match, the scene shifted to the arena, where the two contestants were already on stage. The announcer''s lively voice filled the air:


    "This match is a must-watch! On one side, we have Bao Guo-Ma, a martial arts master from the Kukan''yu Kingdom! He is the founder of the Mixed Yuan Intent Fist and current head of the Mixed Yuan Sect."


    "It''s said he once defeated a 100-kilogram local strongman with just one finger! Will we witness his famed techniques today?


    "On the other side, we have the rising star of the Sky Arena, a mysterious young prodigy who soared to the 100th floor with back-to-back one-hit victories¡ªRyker Haruto! Let the battle begin!"


    ........


    The two fighters locked eyes, silently gauging each other. Neither made the first move.


    "Young man," Bao Guo-Ma said, breaking the silence, "I''ve seen recordings of your previous matches."


    "Let me remind you that martial arts is about strengthening the body and mind, not senseless violence. Traditional combat should be a respectful exchange¡ª"


    *Whoosh!*


    Ryker wasn''t in the mood to listen. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, fingers aimed straight for his opponent''s face. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Young people these days, no respect for their elders!" Bao Guo-Ma exclaimed, swiftly countering. "Take this! Dissipate, redirect, release!"


    After exchanging a few moves, Ryker realized the old man wasn''t just boasting¡ªhe had genuine skill. But it was nothing Ryker couldn''t handle.


    Suddenly, Bao Guo-Ma switched tactics and shouted, "Behold my Five Lightning Strikes!"


    He unleashed a flurry of five rapid attacks, but Ryker effortlessly dodged them. Exploiting an opening, he countered with a lightning-fast thrust, striking his opponent''s right eye.


    The blow left Bao Guo-Ma reeling in pain, creating a perfect opportunity. Ryker didn''t hesitate¡ªhis right hand formed a knife-hand strike, delivering a decisive blow.


    The arena fell silent before erupting in cheers and curses. The referee quickly declared Ryker the winner. Without a backward glance, Ryker left the stage.


    .......


    Over the next two and a half months, Ryker continued climbing the tower under Silva''s strict orders to refrain from using Nen. This limitation slowed his progress, resulting in six losses during this period.


    Two of those losses occurred when he faced Nen users aiming for the 200th floor. Recognizing their strength, Ryker wisely forfeited. ''No way I''m risking my life for pride,'' he thought.


    The other four losses were against skilled fighters without Nen abilities but with years of martial arts experience. In a six-year-old''s body, even Ryker couldn''t win every match.


    Despite these setbacks, the experience honed Ryker''s techniques and combat intuition. He also worked tirelessly to strengthen his Nen foundation. After all, sheer power could break through any technique.


    With his eyes set on the ultimate goal of obtaining the legendary "Kamui," Ryker knew he had to give his all. Only time would tell if his plans would succeed.

 Chapter 11: Decisions X Baiting

    Chapter 11: Decisions X BaitingDing~ The sound of the elevator chime echoed as Ryker stepped onto the 200th floor of Heaven''s Arena.


    After securing his final victory in the earlier rounds, he had immediately made his way to this level. Now, he headed to the reception desk to register his arrival.


    However, after completing his advancement, Ryker had quickly disabled his state of ''Zetsu'' but refrained from activating ''Ten''.


    Instead, he mimicked the dissipating aura of an average person before reaching the 200th floor.


    Ryker figured that, according to the original timeline, there were bound to be "newcomer hunters" waiting for him. Playing along and baiting them could be entertaining.


    ''Even the smallest prey is still a meal,'' he thought. ''The quicker I secure ten victories and challenge the Floor Master, the better.''


    With that in mind, he briskly approached the reception desk to register.


    Unsurprisingly, several sets of eyes, filled with malice and greed, locked onto him as soon as he arrived. Ryker didn''t even need to actively sense their presence to feel their hostile intentions.


    "They say misery loves company. Let''s see how many lucky ones there''ll be today," he mused.


    No sooner had he completed his registration than four individuals approached him, clearly predatory in nature. Ryker instantly recognized them as veteran "hunters" of newcomers.


    Without hesitation, he submitted battle requests to each of them, much to their surprise and delight.


    ........


    Meanwhile, in the Zoldyck estate at Kukuroo Mountain, Silva, Kikyo, and Zeno sat together discussing Ryker''s progress.


    "According to the latest report, Ryker has successfully advanced to the 200th floor," Silva began, detailing the past few months.


    "In that time, he lost six matches¡ªtwo due to forfeits and four through defeat. Of his victories, two opponents surrendered mid-fight, one withdrew beforehand, and the rest... were killed."


    "Ah~ Truly, our darling child is becoming quite the proficient killer so quickly," Kikyo said with pride. "He''s bound to become a powerful assassin in the future. My dear, do you think he''ll take on the Floor Master challenge soon?"


    "It seems likely," Silva replied. "Our observations so far suggest that killing is the key to triggering his Nen ability¡ªat least, it''s part of the conditions.


    "Whether it''s to awaken his abilities or gain freedom of movement, Ryker will undoubtedly challenge the Floor Master.


    "With his talent, even if he fails the first time, he''s bound to succeed after a few attempts. The question is: should we let him leave Kukuroo Mountain after that?"


    "I can''t let him go just yet!" Kikyo protested. "At least, not now!"


    "Calm down, Kikyo," Silva said firmly. "This is not the time for rash decisions. Every fledgling must learn to fly eventually. Ryker must take this step sooner or later.


    "The real issue lies in his current relationship with the family.


    His integration and sense of belonging remain insufficient. His mental maturity has advanced far too quickly, making him difficult to mold or influence further.


    "If he develops an ability that''s especially troublesome for us to control, the situation could become precarious."


    "So, what do you propose?" Kikyo asked. "Should we keep him here and continue training him after he returns?"


    "No," Silva replied. "We''ll stick to the original plan. First, we need to confirm whether killing is indeed a condition for awakening his ability and what sort of ability it might be.


    "If our hypothesis is correct, the Zoldyck family may gain a successor even stronger than me or father in the future.


    "For now, we''ll allow his awakening and conduct an initial assessment of his abilities. Newly developed powers typically take time to master. Once we''ve evaluated him, we''ll decide our next steps.


    "Our priority should be to strengthen his ties to the family. We must increase his sense of belonging and identity with us.


    "I''ve heard Illumi''s first stage of training is nearing completion. I plan to bring him to Heaven''s Arena.


    Not only will this enhance his combat skills through real battles, but it''ll also give the brothers time to bond. Illumi, after all, is still malleable."


    ...........


    Two days later, Ryker was informed by Tsubone that Silva and Illumi would be arriving at Heaven''s Arena soon.


    "Why now, of all times? Just as I''m preparing to face off against Nen users," Ryker thought. "And bringing Illumi along? If it''s merely to evaluate my progress, Silva could''ve come alone."


    "Is it to begin Illumi''s training here? That makes sense for his age. Or could it be about my Sharingan awakening? Either way, they''ve probably figured out the connection to killing."


    Two days later, Ryker sat in his room, facing Silva across the table. Illumi and Tsubone stood behind Silva. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ryker had greeted his younger twin earlier, though Illumi didn''t seem interested in talking. Silva noticed but said nothing.


    "I expected you''d reach the 200th floor eventually, but I didn''t think you''d do it so quickly. Your progress is impressive," Silva remarked.


    "I assume you plan to complete the Floor Master challenge. How long do you think it''ll take?"


    "I can''t say for sure yet," Ryker replied. "I haven''t fought any of the competitors here yet, and I''ve deliberately avoided gathering intel in advance to simulate potential future uncertainties.


    "From what I saw while registering, most of them seem like amateurs. I haven''t encountered anyone who appears stronger than that Jack guy I fought last time."


    Ryker''s tone made it clear he saw the competitors as little more than stepping stones. To him, they were walking points, except for rare exceptions like Hisoka or the Floor Masters.


    "This time, I''m here mainly to train Illumi," Silva said. "Like you, he needs to reach the 200th floor before returning home for the next stage of his training."


    "Why does Ryker get to stay on the 200th floor while I have to go back home?" Illumi asked abruptly.


    "You know Ryker is different from you," Silva replied. "He possesses something you don''t. Once you reach the 200th floor, I''ll teach you to develop that same strength."


    At this, Illumi''s empty gaze flickered almost imperceptibly. "Understood, Father. I''ll complete my training as quickly as possible," he said.


    Silva, well aware of human nature, noted Illumi''s faint reaction. He knew that even the most disciplined child could feel competitive. And that was exactly what Silva intended¡ªto use this sense of rivalry to motivate Illumi further.


    Silva gestured for Tsubone to escort Illumi to the first floor for registration. He remained behind to speak with Ryker privately.


    "From this point onward, you''ll be facing Nen users. Don''t underestimate them. Arrogance will only devour you in the end.


    "Remember, these battles are part of a competition. Killing skilled Nen users won''t be easy in such a structured environment. With each match, your own weaknesses will become increasingly exposed.


    "The deal remains the same. Defeat a Floor Master, and you''ll gain the freedom to come and go from the family as you please. The rest is up to you."


    "Don''t worry, Dad. I know what I''m doing," Ryker assured him. "Even if I fail the first time, I''ll keep challenging until I complete the task."


    "Good. I''ll leave you to it, then. And take care of Illumi¡ªhe''s your twin brother, after all."

 Chapter 12: The First Battle X Consecutive Wins

    Chapter 12: The First Battle X Consecutive WinsUntil Silva left the room, Ryker maintained the same posture.


    "It seems the family is allowing me to awaken the Sharingan now.


    For now, Silva seems to think I''m still within their control, which is why I''m being allowed to freely accept missions and continue hunting. Of course, part of it is likely their curiosity about what abilities I might develop."


    "But if they knew what I could gain from this power and what my ambitions truly were, I wonder if they''d regret their decision.


    Not that I''m overthinking it¡ªit''s just that, judging from the original story, when Alluka''s ability surfaced, they locked her away in a pitch-dark basement to control and use her as a wish-granting machine."


    "Sure, it could also be interpreted as them trying to protect Alluka and the rest of the family, but once they realized Killua could make wishes without paying a price...


    Well, just look at Illumi''s mental state. No one can resist a cost-free, all-powerful wishing machine."


    "In the original story, Alluka and Nanika communicated with each other. So, is it possible that Alluka can control when Nanika appears?


    Because, except for Killua, no one else¡ªeven their parents¡ªtreated Alluka as purely and kindly as Killua did.


    Of course, this could just be the author setting Killua up as the protagonist. Hence, Alluka only granted wishes without cost to Killua."


    [AN: The statement above is merely Ryker''s speculation]


    After thinking it through, Ryker concluded that the Zoldyck family, despite their unique cohesion and interactions, were ultimately profit-driven.


    Strength equates to power and leverage in negotiations.


    Even if he had misunderstood or misinterpreted the situation, Ryker knew one thing for sure: to stand a chance against Killua when he was born, he had to become extraordinarily strong.


    After all, he was living in a world where survival of the fittest was the only rule.


    If he wanted the family to live in harmony, with fatherly love, brotherly kindness, and filial piety, then he had to become the strongest and take the lead.


    Following his conversation with Silva, Ryker was even more determined to exchange his accumulated points in Heaven''s Arena for Kamui. To do that, he needed to quickly deal with the next four matches.


    ......


    Today marked Ryker''s debut on the 200th floor of Heaven''s Arena, and his opponent was a fighter named Sparrow.


    This man wore an eyepatch over his right eye, leaving only one visible.


    With the Sharingan, Ryker didn''t bother using ''Gyo.'' He could clearly see that Sparrow''s right eye wasn''t emitting any aura.


    This wasn''t like Ryker, who concealed his special abilities¡ªit was simply that Sparrow hadn''t yet unlocked the full potential of his aura nodes.


    Judging by Sparrow''s aura and the way he used ''Ten,'' Ryker estimated that Sparrow hadn''t reached the level where he could open all his aura nodes except for his right eye.


    In other words, that eyepatch likely covered an augmented eye.


    When they faced each other in the arena, Sparrow spoke first:


    "I''ve heard that you climbed from the first floor to the 200th in under three months. Quite the prodigy, aren''t you?


    But today, I''ll teach you something: only living geniuses matter. I love crushing gifted brats like you and dragging them down to hell.


    Don''t worry, though¡ªI won''t kill you. I''ll just give you an experience you''ll never forget."


    Meanwhile, Ryker was busy strategizing how to maximize his gains.


    ''If I take him out too quickly, the remaining three rookie killers might forfeit their matches. That''d mean losing points...'' S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as Ryker reached a decision, Sparrow rushed at him.


    He aimed a nen-infused punch straight at Ryker''s face¡ªor more specifically, his right eye.


    Ryker effortlessly dodged, creating distance while continuing to think.


    ''Fine, I''ll deal with this guy first. If the others forfeit, I''ll handle them later.''


    Having made up his mind, Ryker countered by firing three nen bullets at Sparrow.


    Sparrow, to his credit, managed to evade two of them but was hit in the thigh by the third.


    It was only then that Sparrow realized his opponent was a nen user. Panic flashed across his face as he scrambled to devise a plan.


    But Ryker didn''t give him the chance. Before Sparrow could surrender, Ryker fired a fourth nen bullet.


    "SPLAT!"


    This time, it hit its mark, and the result was gruesome. Sparrow''s head exploded like a bursting watermelon.


    The match was over in less than three minutes, leaving the audience momentarily stunned by the spectacle. Then, cheers erupted, their adrenaline surging from the violent display.


    ......


    In a shadowed corner of the arena, Illumi stared intently at Ryker with his hollow eyes. He murmured, "So this is the power Father mentioned? But I can''t see anything..."


    A servant beside him responded, "young master Illumi, once you acquire such power, you''ll be able to see it for yourself.


    So keep working hard. Complete Silva''s task, and this power will be yours."


    Illumi didn''t reply, but his hollow eyes burned with a fiery determination as they stayed locked on Ryker.


    At the same time, three other fighters who had already submitted battle applications against Ryker were watching the match.


    Two of them decided on the spot to forfeit. The third, however, had no choice¡ªhe couldn''t afford another loss and would have to face Ryker.


    Over the next three weeks, Ryker achieved three consecutive victories, bringing his record to 4-0. As for the two fighters who forfeited, Ryker dealt with them quietly over two nights.


    ......


    Thanks to his recent performances, no cannon fodder dared to submit new battle applications. After scheduling his next match, Ryker waited for an official opponent to be assigned.


    A week later, his next opponent was announced: a one-armed veteran named Swain.


    Swain was a man in his fifties with a high hairline and neatly combed gray hair. His most striking feature was his prominent hooked nose, which put even Pakunoda''s to shame.


    He wore a red coat, the empty sleeve on his left side hanging limply, while his right hand gripped an eagle-headed cane.


    The announcer''s voice rang out:


    "Up next, we have the undefeated rising star, Ryker Haruto, facing off against the seasoned veteran of the 200th floor, Swain!


    However, after losing his left arm in his last match, Swain''s strength may be somewhat diminished in this battle."


    ..........


    As they stepped onto the arena, Swain broke the silence:


    "For someone your age to have such strength, you must''ve trained under a mentor from a young age, right?"


    Ryker remained silent, observing Swain through his Sharingan from behind his sunglasses.


    Unfazed, Swain continued probing:


    "You''re young, talented, and already wielding nen. I''d guess you haven''t been practicing for long, though. Your martial arts are decent, but your nen techniques seem underdeveloped."


    While speaking, Swain formulated his plan.


    ''This kid''s skill level suggests he''s been training in martial arts since childhood, but his nen use is still basic.''


    ''From his previous matches, he doesn''t seem to know how to use "In" and hasn''t demonstrated the use of "Gyo" either. That means he''s either untrained in these advanced techniques or lacks experience against nen users.''


    ''If he can''t see my "Crimson Left Claw," then this match is mine.


    Once my claw touches him, his blood will be drained completely, nourishing my technique¡ªa power I gained at the cost of my left arm.''


    ''He''ll likely target my left side, thinking it''s my weak point. Little does he know, that''s exactly what I want. This kid will pay for his arrogance¡ªwith his life.''


    The announcer''s voice cut through Swain''s thoughts:


    "Both fighters are ready! Let the match begin!"

 Chapter 13: Crimson Claw X Fierce Battle

    Chapter 13: Crimson Claw X Fierce BattleAs the referee''s command rang out, both sides transitioned into combat mode.


    In Ryker''s Sharingan-enhanced vision, he could clearly see his opponent wrapping his cane with Nen


    ¡ªa technique known as Enveloping (Shu), an advanced application of Nen.


    This technique allowed the user to coat their weapon with their aura to achieve special effects.


    At the same time, the opponent focused their Nen into their eyes, utilizing Gyo.


    Seeing this, Ryker immediately realized that this opponent was entirely different from the weaklings he had faced before.


    This fighter was leagues above even Jack, the gang member he recently defeated. It was clear he was a battle-hardened veteran with considerable experience. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ryker instantly put away any trace of underestimation and widened the distance between them.


    Judging by his opponent''s stance, it was highly likely he intended to engage in close-quarters combat using his weapon. Ryker had no intention of giving him that chance.


    Even though the opponent had lost an arm, which put him at a natural disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat, Ryker decided to play it safe by testing from a distance.


    Ryker swiftly launched Nen Bullets after creating some distance, deliberately avoiding the use of ''In'' to conceal their presence. He reasoned that, at his current level, even if he employed ''In'', his opponent would likely see through it.


    Ryker recalled from the anime adaptation that after the fight between Hisoka and Kastro, Wing had shown a recording of the battle to Zushi and the main protagonists.


    Even with his aura focused into his eyes using Gyo, Zushi could only partially perceive Hisoka''s ''Bungee Gum''.


    This demonstrated that merely using Gyo wasn''t enough to detect concealed Nen techniques; the power levels had to be somewhat comparable.


    Back in the arena, Ryker''s probing attack missed as his opponent, Swain, dodged with agile footwork while strategizing how to close the distance.


    Despite using a cane, Swain''s movements weren''t slow. In fact, as a fully developed adult, his speed slightly outpaced six-year-old Ryker, who had yet to reach his physical prime.


    Ryker analyzed his opponent''s actions carefully.


    "From the current situation, it seems his first move is to close in for melee combat. But with only one arm, his physical combat abilities must be weaker than when he had both."


    "If he''s still adamant about engaging in close combat, there are two possibilities: he''s either a close-combat-oriented Enhancer, or his ability requires proximity to activate.


    ''If it''s the latter, a Manipulator would likely need physical contact with their medium or aura to control me."


    "Manipulation based solely on aura contact would require severe restrictions, and given that he''s not even a floor master in Heaven''s Arena, this is unlikely.


    As for Conjurers, if he materializes objects to attack, I''d likely have time to react."


    "And if he uses In to conceal his conjured tools, it would be useless against my Sharingan. So far, I haven''t seen him conjure anything.


    That leaves three possibilities: Specialist, Enhancer, or Transmuter. Based on his current offensive intent, I need to avoid his cane attacks at all costs rather than relying on Ken or Ko to block them."


    Suddenly, the dynamic in the ring shifted. Swain''s figure blurred as he advanced rapidly, entering the range of his cane attack.


    Without hesitation, Swain swung his cane with full force, launching a fierce offensive.


    Ryker, though startled, remained calm. Relying on his agility, he dodged the attacks with ghost-like movements, avoiding the cane strikes.


    Meanwhile, Swain''s thoughts raced.


    ''I underestimated this kid''s combat skills. He''s surprisingly nimble, but it''s still within manageable limits.''


    ''He''s cautious, avoiding my left side instead of targeting my missing arm.''


    ''I need to pressure him into finding a breakthrough, then lure him into attacking my left side, where I''ll feign an opening and finish him off with my ultimate move, Crimson Claw.''


    Having decided, Swain intensified his attacks, swinging his cane with full force.


    Ryker felt the pressure mount. Despite his intense training, his young body was still not fully developed, making it harder to sustain such a defense. His focus was entirely on dodging, leaving no room to counterattack.


    The spectators supporting Swain erupted in cheers.


    "Go, Swain! Keep it up! Take down that brat!"


    "You''re doing great, Swain! I''ve got 100,000 Jenny riding on you¡ªdon''t let me down!"


    In the audience, Illumi and Tsubone watched the battle intently.


    "It seems Ryker is in trouble. This opponent isn''t someone he can easily defeat."


    "Why doesn''t Ryker target his left side? Isn''t that an obvious weakness?"


    "Who knows? Perhaps Ryker has his own strategy."


    As the battle intensified, Ryker was being pushed into a corner. Most of the spectators believed it was only a matter of time before he lost.


    Swain sneered. "Let''s see how long you can hold out, kid. Come on, attack my left side already."


    ''So far, his attacks focus on his cane. Besides coating it with Shu initially, he hasn''t increased the aura around it. Is he planning to end this with brute force, or is he hiding his trump card?''


    ''And his left side... Instead of protecting it as a weakness, he''s occasionally exposing it. For an experienced fighter, such mistakes seem deliberate. Could it be a trap?''


    Determined to test his theory, Ryker changed his strategy, firing Nen Bullets toward Swain''s left side.


    Swain felt a surge of joy, ''Finally, he''s taking the bait. Now to lure him into an all-out attack and end this with my hidden move.''


    To ensure success, Swain decided to activate his trump card, ''Crimson Claw''. He used Transmutation to form a crimson talon at his severed arm, concealing it with In.


    However, Ryker''s Sharingan caught the faint aura emanating from Sivein''s left arm. He saw the hidden Nen forming a claw and moving stealthily toward his blind spot.


    ''So that''s his plan... Let''s see how this plays out.''


    ____________________


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 Chapter 14: Crimson Claw X Fierce Battle (Part 2)

    Chapter 14: Crimson Claw X Fierce Battle (Part 2)During the intense battle, Ryker had already noticed the opponent''s blood-red claw forming behind his right shoulder from the aura emanating out of the man''s severed left arm.


    By now, Ryker had a decent understanding of his adversary''s strategy.


    It was clear that the severed arm was a diversion, the cane was a feint, and the real killing blow was the Crimson Claw.


    Analyzing the situation, Ryker deduced that his opponent was most likely a Manipulation or Transformation type Nen user, and the Crimson Claw likely carried some additional effect.


    But one thing puzzled Ryker: why had his opponent prematurely revealed this trump card?


    If the enemy had waited for Ryker to expose a weakness before deploying the blood claw, Ryker might have been forced into a purely defensive position. Did the man have another hidden trick?


    Opting for caution, Ryker slowed his offensive and avoided retreating outright.


    He believed he still had an opportunity to turn the tide. Instead of revealing any sign of countering the Crimson Claw, he kept a close watch on it using his peripheral vision.


    Meanwhile, his opponent, Swain, noticed the sudden hesitation in Ryker''s attacks. He immediately began to second-guess himself.


    "Wait, did this kid realize what I''m planning? No... impossible. If he spotted my Crimson Claw, he would''ve instinctively acted to defend against it.


    And I haven''t seen him gather aura to his eyes¡ªthere''s no way he''s using Gyo to see through my In. Unless... could he be relying on blind intuition?"


    Swain analyzed the situation and decided that Ryker was being cautious, likely wary of a trap.


    "Fine, I''ll play along. I''ll strengthen my defense on the left side, luring him in further. Sooner or later, he won''t be able to resist taking the bait. Then, I''ll end this with one clean strike."


    Both fighters adjusted their strategies accordingly.


    Swain increased his defensive aura on his left side, creating the illusion of a weak spot, while Ryker remained focused, carefully assessing the situation. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This can''t go on," Ryker thought grimly.


    "If we keep stalling, I''ll lose. My body''s still that of a six-year-old, and my aura reserves can''t match a grown man''s. I need to act. Even if it''s a trap, I have to take the risk. Dragging this out is just a slow death."


    He paused for a moment, then an idea struck him.


    "Wait. Have I been underestimating myself? System, does the Sharingan''s passive ability let me see through Nen techniques?"


    [Yes. With the Sharingan''s innate perception, all aura techniques are revealed, no matter how well hidden. Even In cannot obscure it from you] the system confirmed.


    Ryker''s thoughts raced. "So I''ve been seeing through his In the entire time without even realizing it. That''s why he doesn''t think I''ve noticed his blood claw.


    He assumes I''m inexperienced or that I don''t know how to use Gyo properly. Fine. I''ll use that against him."


    Determined, Ryker made his move. He shifted to an all-out offensive, surging forward with renewed intensity. His sudden aggression gave him an air of desperation, as if he was making a reckless, last-ditch effort.


    Swain couldn''t help but smirk. "Finally, the kid snaps.


    He''s out of aura and stamina. He knows it''s now or never. Poor little fool doesn''t realize he''s been caught in my web this whole time. One last push, and he''s mine."


    To bait Ryker further, Swain exaggerated the weakness on his left side, channeling more aura there to sell the illusion.


    Just as expected, Ryker closed the gap, his right hand morphing into a deadly blade as he lunged toward Swain''s neck.


    This was it. Swain acted instantly, commanding his Crimson Claw to strike from behind. A victorious grin spread across his face as he anticipated the killing blow.


    But in a split second, Ryker shifted his momentum. Using a burst of Gyo-infused aura in his legs, he accelerated and veered sharply to the side, narrowly dodging the Crimson Claw''s deadly swipe.


    Swain froze, stunned. "He... dodged? But how? There''s no way he could''ve seen through the blood claw unless¡ªwait... Gyo? He was using it all along?"


    The realization hit Swain like a thunderbolt. Ryker had been aware of the Crimson Claw the entire time. His timing wasn''t luck¡ªit was calculated.


    There was no time for further analysis. Ryker gathered all the aura he could muster into his left hand, forming a razor-sharp spear of energy.


    This was Hardening, his ultimate technique, and he aimed it straight at Swain''s throat.


    Swain reacted on instinct. With a surge of adrenaline, he swung his cane in a desperate attempt to block the strike, hoping to buy enough time to call back his blood claw and reinforce his neck with aura.


    But Ryker was relentless. His crimson eyes glinted with unwavering resolve.


    The battle''s climax was at hand.


    ___________________


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 Chapter 15: The Duel X The Spoils

    Chapter 15: The Duel X The SpoilsGuys, thanks for pointingout the few typo/mistakes I made, but all that have been sorted out now, for ex: all-seeing hands ->Twin Complete Hands.


    ____________________


    At this moment, Ryker and Swain completed an attack-and-defense exchange in an instant. Most of the spectators outside the ring had yet to process what had just happened.


    Meanwhile, the other contestants and Nen users closely observing the match were fixated on every move. They all understood that the outcome of this battle would be decided within the next few seconds.


    Ryker''s hardened palm, mid-attack, was about to strike when Swayin''s cane was raised and blocked the path of the strike.


    However, at this point, it was impossible for Ryker to halt his attack and redirect it. His momentum was unstoppable, like an arrow already loosed from the bowstring.


    As Swain felt a glimmer of hope, believing he had created an opening, something utterly unexpected happened¡ªshocking him and the audience alike.


    Ryker''s left arm didn''t stop moving. As his fingertips neared the cane, his entire arm suddenly became as flexible and fluid as a snake. The instant it touched the cane, it coiled around it like a serpent winding through tree branches, bypassing Swain''s defense entirely and heading straight for its target.


    All of these movements happened in the blink of an eye, leaving almost no time for either party to react.


    Swain, now left with no alternatives, resorted to the only viable option: channeling all of his Nen energy into the area Ryker was aiming for, using Ko to harden it in defense.


    But Swain lacked the skill to swiftly gather his energy from other parts of his body and redirect it to his neck in time to block Ryker''s attack.


    *SWISH!*


    As expected, with a sharp slicing sound, a head of silver hair flew through the air.


    Swain''s consciousness lingered momentarily, unaware that his head had been severed.


    As his vision shifted, he was struck by confusion: ''What''s going on? Why am I flying? Wasn''t I just defending against that brat''s left hand?''


    He spotted a familiar figure¡ªa headless body dressed in a grey coat.


    Realization struck only as his gaze involuntarily drifted upward. A dazzling white light filled his vision. He quickly recognized it as the lighting fixtures on the arena ceiling.


    And then it hit him: ''This can''t be real. This must be a dream. There''s no way I''d lose to some kid. The power I sacrificed my arm for was meant to defeat the Floor Master. It was supposed to be my trump card to claim glory and wealth.''


    ''No, this isn''t real!''


    *THUD!*


    As his mind screamed in denial, the headless, one-armed body in the grey coat collapsed onto the arena floor. His severed head, eyes still wide with disbelief, tumbled to the ground nearby.


    The arena fell silent. Thousands of spectators stared at the stage, wide-eyed, as if confirming whether the scene before them was real.


    From the start of the match, through the flurry of close combat, to the final decapitation, the pace was so intense and unrelenting that most of the audience hadn''t even caught their breath before it was over.


    "The match is over! Ryker Haruto wins by KO, defeating Swain!"


    As the referee''s voice echoed, the arena erupted into a cacophony of cheers, shouts, and groans of disappointment.


    Among the spectators, Tsubone and Illumi displayed contrasting reactions.


    Tsubone removed her monocle and wiped away tears with a handkerchief, mumbling, "Even if he''s not silver-haired, the Zoldyck family still has successors."


    Illumi, on the other hand, remained expressionless as he gazed at the arena. Finally, he spoke, "Tsubone, let''s go. I need to prepare for my own match."


    Without lingering, Illumi turned and walked out of the arena. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, Ryker noticed a significant change in his system''s internal points. This victory had earned him a massive four-digit sum, surpassing the total of all his previous earnings combined. The windfall filled him with joy.


    If the pattern held, Ryker estimated that after ten consecutive wins, his challenge to the Floor Master would be against someone of Swain''s caliber.


    Defeating that opponent could potentially earn him the coveted Kamui.


    Energized by the thought, Ryker did something unusual: influenced by the electric atmosphere, he raised his right fist high in triumph amidst the roaring crowd.


    Then, basking in the deafening cheers, he made his way off the stage through the players'' tunnel. After this match, no one in Heaven''s Arena regarded Ryker as an underdog or just another kid.


    Following his victory, Ryker took a brief hiatus to focus on honing his Nen techniques while also watching Illumi''s matches.


    It was clear that Illumi, a product of the Zoldyck family''s rigorous training, was leagues apart from Ryker, whose growth had been accelerated by his system. Like Ryker, Illumi climbed to the 100th floor after just two matches, both resulting in his opponents'' deaths.


    Ryker understood Illumi''s urgency. With a sibling like him setting the bar, Illumi was determined to complete Silva''s mission and claim the reward.


    However, Ryker knew that after the 100th floor, killing opponents at will would become significantly harder for Illumi.


    After watching Illumi''s third match with Tsubone, the latter asked Ryker, "Young Master Ryker, how long do you think it''ll take Illumi to meet Lord Silva''s requirements?"


    "Hard to say," Ryker replied. "Our situations are completely different. But after the 100th floor, things won''t be so easy for him. My guess? Two to three years¡ªassuming nothing unexpected happens."


    "Two to three years? That''s much longer than what you achieved, Young Master Ryker," Tsubone remarked.


    Meanwhile, on the arena floor, Illumi secured another victory but failed to kill his opponent, winning by points instead.


    Unlike his previous matches, this one was clearly a struggle.


    Afterward, Ryker advised him, "Don''t focus on killing every opponent. It lowers your chances of winning. Concentrate on reaching the 200th floor and completing the mission. That''s how you''ll gain new powers."


    With that, Ryker entered the elevator to the 200th floor, leaving Illumi standing silently, staring at the closed doors.


    Over the next three months, Ryker fought four more matches. He won all of them: one by default when his opponent forfeited, two through death, and one by forcing his opponent to surrender.


    Now with a 9-0 record on the 200th floor (this record is solely on this floor), Ryker was just one win away from challenging the Floor Master.


    _________________


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 Chapter 16: Master and Disciple X Wolf

    Chapter 16: Master and Disciple X WolfAs Ryker''s spectacular performance above the 200th floor continued, his undefeated 9-0 streak drew massive attention, prompting the Heavens Arena officials to personally promote him.


    However, since Ryker refused to participate in any interviews, the officials resorted to creating a mysterious narrative around him.


    Leveraging his enigmatic demeanor and impressive skills, they marketed him as a prodigy from a renowned martial arts lineage.


    Various fabricated rumors began to circulate. One described him as an arrogant genius hiding his identity to prove his strength by competing in the Heavens Arena.


    Another cast him as a scion of a prestigious family who faced tragedy, now seeking vengeance while honing his skills.


    This version claimed he concealed his identity to avoid being hunted by enemies before reaching his full potential, planning to exact his revenge once his abilities were fully developed.


    Speculations about Ryker''s identity spread like wildfire. As his popularity soared, so did his betting odds, rivaling those of established Floor Masters.


    Meanwhile, Ryker remained indifferent to the outside noise. He focused entirely on his training and his next match, unwilling to let his efforts go to waste in this final battle.


    Though he expected the Floor Masters to be formidable, he believed in testing his strength against them.


    For the first time, Ryker found himself motivated to train diligently¡ªsomething he never thought possible. But for the sake of the points, it was all worth it.


    At the same time, Illumi, who had advanced to the 100th floor, began facing hurdles.


    Despite enduring his family''s brutal training, the six-year-old couldn''t match someone like Ryker, who had grown under the nurturing power of Nen from an early age.


    Illumi was stuck at the 120th floor, unable to progress. He juggled battles with guidance from Tsubone, steadily improving. However, it was clear that Illumi''s climb would be far more arduous than Ryker''s.


    Ryker hadn''t sought out Illumi or Tsubone during this time. His focus was wholly on training and preparing for his next opponent.


    After nearly a month of preparation, Ryker was finally set to face his 10th match. Behind the scenes, the Sky Arena officials were already manipulating the event¡ªnot to rig the fight, but to craft a narrative.


    Their plan was to create the spectacle of a young prodigy achieving ten consecutive victories to challenge a Floor Master. The hype alone would generate enormous revenue.


    If Ryker managed to defeat the Floor Master, he would become the youngest in Heavens Arena history to do so¡ªa monumental news story.


    The officials were ready to elevate him into a legend, potentially making him the youngest participant in the Battle Olympia.


    Even if Ryker lost, it wouldn''t matter. Many spectators found satisfaction in seeing an overconfident genius brought down by reality, their fall a source of entertainment. Human nature often delights in such dark narratives.


    The day of the match arrived, and the arena was packed to capacity. Cheers, jeers, and shouts filled the air, creating an electrifying atmosphere.


    Illumi and Tsubone arrived to watch Ryker''s match as usual. On the opposite side of the stands, two child-like spectators also observed the stage¡ªa blonde girl in a dress and a bespectacled boy who looked visibly nervous, clearly overwhelmed by the intense environment.


    If Ryker had noticed, he would have immediately recognized the blonde girl. Anyone familiar with ''Hunter x Hunter'' would never forget her¡ªa petite, cute girl who concealed her true nature as a muscular, battle-hardened woman. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yes, this was none other than Biscuit Krueger, a Gem Hunter and student of Isaac Netero, the Hunter Association chairman. Known as a mentor for many, she often served as a stepping stone for protagonists in countless fanfics.


    The boy beside her was her newest disciple, Wing¡ªthe same Wing who would later mentor Zushi, and provide Nen training for Gon and Killua in the original story.


    Meanwhile, Ryker stood on the stage, facing his opponent. Before him was a tall, gaunt man with dark skin, tinged with an unhealthy greyish-white hue.


    The man''s most striking feature was his mouth¡ªprotruding unnaturally forward, with sharp teeth faintly visible. Four pronounced canines gleamed menacingly, like weapons meant to intimidate.


    The commentator''s voice boomed through the arena:


    "Ladies and gentlemen, we''re about to witness a match between our super rookie Ryker Haruto and the infamous Warwick, also known as ''The Wolfman.''


    Warwick earned his moniker for his bloodthirsty, cunning, and feral fighting style. He treats his opponents like prey, relentlessly hunting them down once they''re injured.


    On the other hand, Ryker stands on the cusp of greatness. A win here would earn him the right to challenge a Floor Master. Can our undefeated dark horse continue his streak? Let''s find out!"


    As the referee signaled the start, Ryker began with his usual opening strategy¡ªtesting his opponent with Nen bullets.


    Warwick, a melee specialist, wasted no time attempting to close the distance. Through his Sharingan, Ryker observed the dense aura coating Warwick''s teeth and fingernails, particularly his claws.


    Analyzing the situation, Ryker concluded that Warwick was likely an Enhancement or Specialist-type Nen user. The key to his abilities seemed to lie in his teeth and claws.


    Ryker''s deduction was spot on. Warwick''s ability, ''Bloodthirsty Blades'', enhanced his teeth and nails while granting them a unique property.


    When Warwick injured an opponent using these enhanced parts, he cursed the wound, disrupting the victim''s blood-clotting ability. This caused continuous bleeding that couldn''t heal at a normal rate.


    Additionally, Warwick could track his target within a 30-kilometer radius using their blood, making escape impossible.


    However, on the limited-sized stage, this secondary effect rarely came into play.


    The ability had a significant drawback, though. Warwick''s overall defense was halved when using ''Bloodthirsty Blades'', leaving all areas except his enhanced parts vulnerable.


    This made his skillset heavily offense-focused, akin to that of an assassin.


    ____________________


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 Chapter 17: Machine Gun X Beast

    Chapter 17: Machine Gun X Beast"The match has just begun, and we can already see Warwick rushing toward Ryker at full speed, clearly aiming to strike first.


    We all know Warwick is a purely martial arts-based fighter, relying on his teeth and hands as his weapons of choice.


    However, Ryker responds swiftly. The moment Warwick starts moving, Ryker initiates a long-range attack.


    In his previous matches, Ryker has consistently used his long-range advantage to gain the upper hand right from the start.


    But this time, his opponent is employing an aggressive opening strategy, attacking immediately to prevent Ryker from having too many opportunities to deal damage."


    At this moment, Ryker, observing the situation, began recalibrating his strategy.


    ''I expected a martial arts specialist like him to have high coordination, but this is beyond my expectations.''


    ''Judging by his reaction to my aura bullets, it seems he''s prioritizing evasion over taking any direct hits. That must mean he lacks confidence in his defense.''


    ''If that''s the case, it''s clear that even a single hit from these bullets would be dangerous for him.


    However, if I can''t hit him, the damage is meaningless. Increasing the fire rate further will burn through my energy too quickly.''


    ''Since he''s forced to dodge at this strength, I''ll reduce the power by half and double the firing rate instead. That way, I can gauge whether he''ll risk charging through the barrage or if his defensive limits will reveal themselves.''


    With this analysis, Ryker put his plan into action, reducing the power of his aura bullets while doubling their firing rate.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, as we can see, Ryker has increased the rate of fire for his aura bullets and is steadily retreating.


    This increase in output has forced Warwick to slow his approach, as he now has to focus all his effort on evading the onslaught.


    For those familiar with Ryker, you''ll know he has won many previous matches by overwhelming opponents with his powerful aura bullets.


    Right now, the situation is one-sided, with Warwick unable to mount any counterattacks. The question is: Can Warwick find a way to break out of this predicament?"


    Meanwhile, Warwick was analyzing his own situation: S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ''I can''t believe this kid has me so suppressed. I knew his aura bullets were powerful, but not to this extent.


    The increased rate of fire is troublesome, but he''s clearly reduced the power of each shot. That makes sense¡ªno way a kid like him has enough energy to sustain this kind of output for long.''


    ''I''m only using my energy to reinforce my arms and legs, so my consumption is much lower than his. At this rate, the match will eventually swing in my favor.''


    ''Although his weakened bullets can still pierce my defenses, I can now use the energy covering my hands to deflect them.


    If I time my moves well, I might even be able to counter some key shots and close the distance without taking damage.''


    ''If I can get in close, the outcome will be decided.


    He probably realizes that too. This can''t continue forever. At some point, he''ll gamble everything on one decisive move, maybe even move in closer to improve his accuracy.


    For now, I just need to wait and see how he changes his approach.''


    Noticing that Warwick could still evade despite the increased fire rate, Ryker decided to push further.


    ''This firing speed still isn''t enough to pressure him fully. I''ve used about two-fifths of my energy so far.''


    ''Let''s increase both the firing rate and bullet speed. I''ll allocate two-thirds of my remaining energy to maintain the barrage.


    If that still doesn''t force him to slip up, I''ll use the last third for close combat. That''ll be my final option.''


    Determined, Ryker increased both the speed and rate of fire for his aura bullets.


    This time, Warwick finally started showing signs of strain. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he felt the mounting pressure.


    Sure enough, after dodging dozens of bullets, two aura bullets targeted his chest. Unable to avoid them, he used his energy-enhanced hands to swat them away.


    For the first time since the match began, Ryker''s aura bullets landed a partial hit, albeit with no significant damage. But it was enough to give Ryker a new perspective on the fight.


    ''So this speed finally threatens him.''


    ''Even these weakened bullets require him to use energy-covered hands for defense. That means his body likely can''t withstand them directly.''


    ''But I need to know if it''s because of a lack of foundational skills or if his energy-reinforced limbs are limited by certain restrictions. Let''s find out if my little trick will work.''


    Ryker began imbuing some of his aura bullets with In, making them invisible to the naked eye. To conserve energy, he didn''t apply ''In'' to every bullet.


    Ryker had avoided using In earlier because Warwick had been using Gyo to focus his vision since the match began.


    Although only five minutes had passed, the match had already involved multiple layers of strategy.


    As Ryker launched a new barrage, some bullets imbued with In, the results were immediate.


    Warwick took his first real injury. His left upper arm was grazed, leaving a shallow but clear circular wound resembling a laser burn.


    The commentator''s voice rang out:


    "A major development! The stalemate has been broken, and Warwick has finally taken damage under Ryker''s relentless assault.


    The injury doesn''t seem severe enough to stop the fight, so it looks like Warwick will continue battling."


    Warwick, taken aback, began piecing together what had happened.


    ''How did this happen? I''ve been dodging and defending against all of his bullets. How could one hit me?


    Wait... could it be In?


    But I''ve been using Gyo the whole time. Is his In really strong enough to bypass my vision?''


    [AN: In the series, even someone as skilled as Zushi needed to channel all his energy to his eyes to barely see parts of Hisoka''s In. The ability to see through In depends greatly on the difference in skill and strength between the users]


    Ryker, giving no time to think, unleashed another barrage.


    Warwick, realizing the danger, funneled more energy into his eyes. Finally, he could distinguish the invisible bullets hidden among the normal ones.


    ''So that''s it... I see now.''


    ____________________


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 Chapter 18: Tactics x Traps

    Chapter 18: Tactics x TrapsAs the commentator''s voice echoed through the arena, the atmosphere was tense:


    "We can see now that Warwick, after sustaining injuries, has clearly fallen into a more pronounced disadvantage. He needs to change his strategy quickly to turn the tide.


    Meanwhile, Ryker continues to pressure his opponent using the same old tactics. Judging by the current situation, his strategy seems to be working.


    Now the question is: will he seize the moment to aggressively pursue victory, or will he play it safe, waiting for Warwick to expose a greater weakness?"


    As the live commentary unfolded, Warwick poured a significant amount of aura into his eyes, successfully seeing through Ryker''s In.


    With this, he managed to block all of the aura bullets. However, in order to counter Ryker''s In, he had diverted even more aura to his eyes, causing his defenses in areas other than his limbs to weaken further.


    At the same time, observing all this unfold, Ryker had begun piecing together a plan.


    "As expected of someone so nimble. During my first barrage of aura bullets, even when I aimed at his chest, he instinctively dodged and ended up with just an arm injury.


    But now I understand his ability. The aura on his limbs and teeth is undoubtedly powerful, but it seems he can''t freely reallocate it."


    "When he increased the aura around his eyes to see through my In, he didn''t pull it from his limbs or teeth. If he could move the aura freely, even keeping it on his limbs for defense would make sense, but there''s no reason the aura on his teeth wouldn''t be redirected."


    "This means his reinforced aura on his limbs and teeth is restricted, likely due to some kind of condition.


    Judging by his overall aura level and performance, the condition is probably sacrificing the defense of other parts of his body in exchange for power."


    "In short, his defensive capabilities in areas other than his limbs and teeth are even weaker than I initially estimated. And now, with the additional strain from focusing aura on his eyes, his defense must be deteriorating even more.


    If that''s the case, I''ll reduce the power of my aura bullets slightly to conserve energy."


    "Since he can now see through my In, I won''t bother cloaking them anymore¡ªit''s not like he''ll risk reducing his eye defenses after seeing how critical one mistake can be.


    My chances of winning are already over 80%, but the key is figuring out how to kill him before he surrenders." S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If I keep using the same tactics, even with increased power and speed, it won''t guarantee a fatal blow. I need to bait him into exposing a critical weakness, then finish it in one decisive move.


    My own aura reserves are down to about 30%. I''ll keep pressuring him and force him to use more energy. Judging by his current rate of consumption, he won''t last much longer."


    "If he still has any intention of winning, he''ll try to close the distance. That''s when I''ll set a trap, adjust my aura bullets to make it seem like I''m running out of energy, and lure him into attacking.


    If I''m lucky, I can make him desperate enough to focus everything on offense, leaving him open for a counterattack."


    Meanwhile, Warwick felt the strain on his stamina mounting. While he wasn''t completely drained yet, the pressure was palpable.


    "What''s going on? Is this kid''s aura really not running out?


    That last barrage was noticeably weaker, probably because his aura consumption is catching up to him. And of course, my increased focus on eye defense has made the rest of my body even more vulnerable."


    Just as the thought crossed Warwick''s mind, another wave of aura bullets came flying toward him.


    This time, however, he noticed a reduction in both their number and frequency. They were no longer like a relentless machine-gun spray but resembled controlled bursts from an assault rifle.


    Seeing this, Warwick smirked inwardly:


    "Just as I suspected. No matter how much of a prodigy he is, his body''s development is still a limiting factor.


    Look at his aura bullets now¡ªless frequent and fewer in number. That means he''s barely hanging on. Even if he has some aura left, it''s definitely not much."


    Encouraged by this, Warwick gathered what remaining aura he could muster into his legs, using the enhanced strength to rapidly close the distance between him and Ryker. In an instant, he had halved the distance.


    However, just as he was closing in, another sudden barrage of aura bullets rained down, suppressing him again.


    "What the hell? How is this kid suddenly shooting faster and with more bullets again? Is he not worried about exhausting himself early?"


    Warwick gritted his teeth.


    "Damn it. Because of my ability''s conditions, I can''t freely deactivate the ''Bloodthirsty Blades'' aura enhancement on my limbs and teeth during a fight. It''s been draining my reserves since the start of this battle."


    "Coupled with the constant aura defense and the heavy consumption from maintaining Gyo on my eyes, I''m running dangerously low on energy.


    But wait... Could it be?"


    Warwick''s eyes widened as realization struck. He reduced the aura enhancing his eyes back to its initial level, and as expected, the eight aura bullets flying toward him remained unchanged in number.


    This confirmed his suspicion:


    "The cunning little bastard. After realizing I could see through his In, he stopped cloaking his attacks entirely to conserve energy."


    "When I closed the distance earlier, he must have temporarily restored the barrage''s strength to keep me at bay. But knowing that would drain him too quickly, he came up with this gamble.


    He''s betting I''d be too scared to lower my eye defenses again after getting injured once.


    A bold move, but your cleverness will be your undoing, kid."


    Warwick immediately redirected the aura from his eyes to his legs, boosting his speed to a level far beyond what it was before. He closed the gap to within two meters in an instant.


    Ryker remained rooted in place, seemingly caught off guard by the sudden surge of speed.


    "I''ve got him now. At this range, even if he shoots more aura bullets, my reflexes and defenses can handle it.


    He might try to save a bit of aura as a trump card for a desperate final attack. But until I can strike a lethal blow, I''ll keep my guard up and stay defensive.


    No hesitation. In a death match like this, hesitation means defeat!"


    In a flash, Warwick made his move. At the same time, Ryker''s body froze for a brief moment.


    _________________


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 Chapter 19: Connection X Showdown

    Chapter 19: Connection X ShowdownAt this moment, Warwick observed Ryker''s condition with a smug look in his eyes, as though he could see the panicked expression hidden beneath his opponent''s mask.


    "This kid still lacks experience. The more critical the moment, the calmer one needs to be.


    But it seems he''s already lost his ability to think rationally. Whatever he does next will likely just be muscle memory. All I need to do is watch out for his desperate, final attack and snap his neck when the chance arises."


    On the other hand, Ryker''s mind was occupied with an entirely different landscape:


    "Phase one of the battle plan is complete, but the situation is far from ideal.


    This guy has kept his composure even up to this point, his hands firmly in a defensive stance. If I just use ordinary nen bullets now, he''ll likely block them.


    Even if I apply the highest level of ''In,'' his reflexes might still allow him to evade a fatal shot, no matter how slim the chance."


    "I need to figure out a way to incapacitate him quickly and finish him off without leaving even a one-in-ten-thousand chance of failure.


    His primary mobility and attack strength lie in his limbs. If I can cripple those, I can deliver a fatal strike."


    "But this plan has a high margin for error¡ªit depends on him exposing a massive opening, and I''d need to land the final blow before the referee can intervene."


    "There''s another riskier option: exploiting his reflexes against him.


    Given his personality and combat style as a likely Enhancement-type user, I need to make him think he''s caught an opportunity I created.


    If he believes it''s his chance, he''ll commit fully to an all-out attack, leaving himself vulnerable. That''s when I''ll strike."


    "Still, this plan is incredibly risky. It''s complex and needs to be executed in an incredibly short time frame.


    I only have a 60% chance of success¡ªand that''s assuming he takes the bait.


    But... I''ve already died once. No point holding back. Time to go all in!"


    Ryker launched three powerful nen bullets without any concealment, immediately withdrawing all his defensive nen from the rest of his body and concentrating it at his fingertips.


    Now, his entire body¡ªexcept for his right hand, which was firing the nen bullets¡ªwas in an unprotected state of Zetsu.


    Warwick saw the three incoming nen bullets and instinctively thought, ''So, the feint begins. His real move is coming next.''


    He dodged two bullets with his footwork and blocked the third with his right hand. Fixing his gaze ahead, he prepared for the true assault he was sure was imminent.


    But nothing came.


    Instead, his body began to scream at him, sending intense danger signals to his brain.


    ''Stay calm. It must be a concealed nen bullet. The problem is, my Gyo on my eyes isn''t at its peak right now.


    Hurry up, damn it. Let me see it!''


    In the heat of the moment, Warwick''s heightened senses allowed him to briefly catch a glimpse of two nen bullets before they disappeared again. It was enough to calculate their trajectory.


    Having used his right hand earlier, he didn''t have time to pull it back for defense. Warwick blocked one bullet with his left hand and narrowly avoided a fatal wound, though he was injured.


    Believing he had survived the worst, Warwick relaxed slightly¡ªonly for the sense of danger to intensify again.


    Desperate, he funneled all the nen he could into his eyes and caught a glimpse of yet another nen bullet. This one was smaller and moving faster than the rest.


    ''Thank goodness my ''Ryu'' was fast enough in this critical moment. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have spotted this accelerated bullet.'' Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Relieved, Warwick concluded Ryker had exhausted his nen reserves. However, knowing the fight wasn''t over yet, Warwick decided to end it decisively.


    With no time to use his hands, Warwick opened his mouth, baring his teeth, and bit down on the incoming nen bullet.


    The arena fell silent as Warwick''s jaws closed, shattering the bullet into fragments of dissipating nen that scattered like dust.


    The intense clash and rapid reversals left even the commentators momentarily speechless. The referee''s eyes were glued to the fight.


    Having neutralized the final nen bullet, Warwick wasted no time. He infused his left leg with nen and propelled himself forward with incredible speed.


    ''This kid is running on fumes. His last bullet was far weaker¡ªhe must''ve focused everything on its speed, hoping for a surprise kill. Even if he has any nen left, he won''t have time to defend at this range. My claws will pierce him for sure.''


    Stretching his right hand forward, Warwick concentrated all his remaining nen into a lethal strike aimed at Ryker''s throat.


    Ryker appeared defenseless, his body visibly drained of nen. He looked like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.


    But in the next moment, Warwick''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    *WHOOSH!*


    Nen erupted from Ryker as he dodged Warwick''s strike with a burst of speed, simultaneously firing five nen bullets from behind him.


    Warwick couldn''t see the bullets but felt their approach as his body screamed in protest. Yet he could do nothing to stop them.


    One by one, the five nen bullets struck their targets¡ªboth of Warwick''s knees, both elbows, and finally, his back. His limbs were severed instantly, flying through the air.


    The final bullet struck his back, avoiding his head for safety.


    In the same instant, Ryker used the last of his nen to coat his left hand and slashed at Warwick''s neck.


    *SWISH!*


    The audience barely had time to process Warwick''s dismembered limbs before his head flew into the air, spinning wildly.


    As Warwick''s vision faded, he had one final thought: ''How did he still have nen left?''


    The intense battle ended with the referee declaring Ryker the winner, sparking an eruption of cheers from the crowd.


    Unbeknownst to most, a select few masters¡ªincluding Biscuit¡ªnoticed a peculiar detail during the fight.


    The last nen bullet Warwick shattered had been connected to Ryker by an almost invisible nen thread coated with ''In.''


    The thread allowed Ryker to manipulate the remnants of the shattered bullet, creating the illusion of depleted nen while secretly guiding his counterattack.


    And with that, Ryker left the arena without a word, his silhouette vanishing as the crowd roared.


    ___________________


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 Chapter 20: Target X Rules

    Chapter 20: Target X RulesThe crowd remained in high spirits even as the referee concluded the match.


    After all, Ryker''s opponent hadn''t just been defeated¡ªit was nothing short of a complete dismemberment.


    The scene on the arena floor could only be described as brutal, even by the bloody standards of Heaven''s Arena, where fatalities were not uncommon.


    Competitors like Ryker, who aimed to kill their opponents in every match, were a rarity. Despite his departure from the arena, the audience showed no signs of dispersing.


    The announcer, an enthusiastic young woman, was still hyping up Ryker, building anticipation for his next fight. Given his momentum and the application he had submitted, it was almost certain that his next match would be against a Floor Master.


    For Heaven''s Arena officials, this was a golden promotional opportunity.


    The prospect of Ryker challenging a Floor Master was a massive draw for both spectators and gamblers, and the organization was keen to capitalize on it.


    After all, ticket sales and bets were their main sources of revenue.


    Meanwhile, in the audience, Tsubone, who had watched the entire match, felt both proud and awed by Ryker''s growth.


    "Master Ryker''s improvement is terrifying," Tsubone mused. "He''s already capable of defeating opponents at this level. If this were an assassination mission instead of a match, the victory would''ve been even easier.


    "That final feint and the use of concealment¡ªit was a perfect dissection of his opponent''s mindset and tendencies."


    "Ryker has grown stronger again, hasn''t he?"


    "Yes, Master Illumi. However, I suggest you refrain from addressing him by name directly in the future. It would be more appropriate to call him ''brother.''"


    Elsewhere, in another corner of the audience, Biscuit Krueger, who had also watched the match, was visibly excited. Even her apprentice, Wing, noticed her enthusiasm.


    "Master, what''s gotten into you? Was that short fighter really that impressive?"


    "Of course! Your talent is already extraordinary, but you''re still far behind that kid. At least, for now."


    "Master, how can you be so sure he''s just a kid? Maybe he''s just short. After all, he''s wearing a mask, so it''s impossible to tell."


    Wing refrained from adding that it could also be an anomaly like his master herself.


    "With my eye for talent? Don''t underestimate me. I''m a Gem Hunter. I could never overlook such a rare gem.


    Judging by his performance, he''s no unpolished stone; he''s already undergone some refinement. His foundation is solid. The only question is whether I can lure him over. Hehehe."


    "Master, are you planning to take him as your apprentice?" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I need to find a way to meet him first. What comes next can wait."


    Meanwhile, the announcer was still speaking:


    "After this match, our contender Ryker has achieved a ten-match winning streak, earning the right to challenge a Floor Master!


    "Since stepping onto the 200th floor, Ryker has demonstrated immense strength and an unstoppable determination. We hope he can maintain his undefeated streak and go all-out in his next challenge. Let''s all look forward to his next match!"


    As for Ryker, after securing his victory, he had returned to his room and was reviewing the points he had earned.


    He was satisfied with the outcome. This had been his toughest fight so far. In his previous match against Swain, he had won easily due to his opponent''s misjudgment, never feeling truly at risk.


    This time, however, he had taken significant risks to ensure his opponent''s death. The strategy he had employed carried the highest stakes he''d faced yet.


    It reminded him not to underestimate the local fighters who weren''t mentioned in the original story. The world was vast, and its surprises many.


    The points he had earned brought him within reach of acquiring Kamui, something he had been eagerly anticipating.


    If the Floor Master''s strength was on par with Warwick or Swain, he believed the fight wouldn''t pose too much of a challenge, even if there were minor gaps in power.


    Ryker decided that if necessary, he could target some gang members to make up any shortfall.


    Even if the gangs were composed of ordinary people, their numbers could suffice. With his many enemies, wiping out a gang overnight wouldn''t arouse much suspicion.


    With that thought, Ryker turned his attention to a pressing question.


    ''System, I need you.''


    [At your service]


    ''Why isn''t the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan listed as an upgrade option? Does this mean I''ll go blind after overusing my abilities?''


    [Not at all. As mentioned before, all items have been localized and improved.]


    [The Mangekyo Sharingan you acquire will not suffer from vision degradation. Moreover, because your Sharingan is activated using Nen, as long as your aura reserves are sufficient, it can be used indefinitely.]


    ''What about Susanoo? There''s only one option for it. Whose version does it provide?''


    [Susanoo can be unlocked multiple times, each instance corresponding to a different version. However, unlocking it requires having the respective Mangekyo abilities from the original series.]


    [For example, to unlock Itachi Uchiha''s Susanoo, you must first acquire Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu]


    [Once unlocked, you gain the final form, complete with its unique weapons, such as the Yata Mirror and Totsuka Blade for Itachi, or the Indra''s Arrow for Sasuke.]


    ''So the Susanoo variants are limited to known ones, and unclear abilities like Indra''s aren''t available?''


    [Correct]


    ''That''s expensive. How many more people do I have to kill to afford all this?''


    Ryker pondered. The original story mentioned roughly 700 registered Nen users worldwide. However, given the Hunter universe''s scope, the true number was likely far higher.


    Even so, he realized he needed to focus on his immediate challenge¡ªthe match against the Floor Master in a month. Preparation was crucial.


    Ryker resolved to thoroughly investigate his opponent beforehand to ensure nothing went wrong when victory was within his grasp.


    _________________


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 Chapter 21: Accidents X Information

    Chapter 21: Accidents X InformationJust as Ryker overcame his chronic laziness and decided to step out to gather intel, he remained completely unaware that he had already caught the attention of a woman with the appearance of a little girl but the age of forty¡ªa JoJo-styled lady named Biscuit.


    Ryker, deep in thought about collecting information on his opponents, suddenly realized that since his first mission, apart from his family, he had only interacted with adversaries.


    He had no established channels for information gathering.


    Upon realizing this, Ryker figured he might as well go out and try his luck. Perhaps, he thought, he could even find a couple of stand-ins to earn some points for him.


    With that in mind, Ryker decided to leave his room, planning to swing by and check if Illumi had any matches scheduled.


    Meanwhile, not far from Ryker''s door, a blonde girl was stealthily observing his room with great interest.


    This girl was none other than the gem hunter Biscuit. She was waiting for Ryker to leave his room so she could "accidentally" bump into him and strike up a conversation with this talented young man.


    As for how she knew his room number, for someone with her skills, obtaining such information was child''s play.


    At the same time, Biscuit was internally complaining:


    ''Does this kid have some personality defect or a dark secret?''


    ''From the end of his match until now, he hasn''t stepped out even once. Even his meals are ordered through room service. Is he allergic to fresh air or what?!''


    While Biscuit was mentally ranting, her patience was finally rewarded¡ªthe long-closed door of Ryker''s room opened from the inside. A small figure wearing a black hood and dark sunglasses stepped out.


    The moment Ryker was about to leave his room, Biscuit darted toward him with near-teleportation speed.


    Her plan was simple: as soon as the door opened, she would emerge from the blind spot and create a "bump-into-each-other" scenario.


    Then, leveraging her adorable appearance and a carefully crafted fangirl persona, she would get closer to him.


    ''With my deceptive looks and acting skills, there''s no way I can''t charm a kid like this,'' she thought confidently.


    However, Ryker, ever alert due to years of training, had already sensed something was off. His body instinctively reacted, thanks to the muscle memory ingrained from countless surprise attacks by his father, Silva.


    *Whoosh!*


    The moment Biscuit was about to "accidentally" collide with him, Ryker unleashed a burst of aura and executed the Zoldyck family technique¡ª"Rhythm Echo"¡ªdodging her at the last possible moment.


    He didn''t even get a clear look at her at first; only after avoiding the collision did he take the time to observe her. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And what he saw shocked him. He immediately recognized her and deduced that this encounter was no coincidence.


    Realizing this, Ryker quickly pulled out his phone and called Tsubone.


    "Hey, it''s me. Illumi doesn''t have a match right now, right? If he''s free, send him to my room immediately. I have an urgent matter to discuss."


    Without waiting for a reply, he hung up the call, standing silently as he kept his eyes on Biscuit.


    Biscuit, equally surprised, thought to herself:


    ''This kid actually dodged my move?! His actual abilities are far beyond what he showed during the matches.''


    ''That last technique... If I''m not mistaken...''


    ''I see. Only a handful of places in the world can produce someone like him. He must be here as part of his family''s trial. But does he really need to dress like that? Isn''t he drawing more attention to himself with such an outfit?''


    Despite her internal musings, Biscuit quickly shifted into her pre-planned act. She sat up from the floor, rubbing her head and complaining loudly.


    "Ouch! How did I end up falling out of nowhere?!" She then looked up with an exaggerated expression of surprise.


    "Wait a second... Are you Ryker?! Oh my gosh, it''s really you! You''re my idol! I''ve watched so many of your matches¡ªyou''re amazing! Can I please get your autograph? Maybe even a selfie?"


    Ryker, however, remained silent, watching her performance with an expressionless face.


    At that moment, Tsubone arrived at the scene and took in the situation with a glance.


    Ryker broke his silence. "I don''t want any distractions while I''m preparing for my next match. Take care of this, and make sure this doesn''t happen again."


    This was Ryker''s approach¡ªcalling for reinforcements.


    He believed that letting Tsubone handle Biscuit would discourage her from trying anything further. Without another word, Ryker turned and headed toward the elevator.


    Tsubone, now left with Biscuit, smiled and asked politely, "Excuse me, young lady, is there something I can help you with?"


    "Oh, nothing really," Biscuit replied with a bright smile. "I wasn''t paying attention and tripped. Then I happened to see Ryker here and wanted an autograph."


    "I see. Well, our young master is focused on preparing for his matches right now. If you''d like, you can leave your contact information with me, and I''ll make sure he gets back to you."


    "No need to trouble you, ma''am. I''ll find another chance to ask him later. Thanks anyway!"


    With that, Biscuit flashed another brilliant smile and jogged off toward the elevator.


    Meanwhile, Ryker suddenly remembered something and cursed himself for overcomplicating things.


    ''Damn it! Why am I running around when my family already has the most extensive intelligence network in the world? I should''ve just asked them for my opponent''s information in the first place.''


    With that thought, he turned back toward his room, where Tsubone was still standing.


    Once inside, he shared his idea with her, even offering to pay for the information using his prize money.


    But Tsubone''s response made him want to scream. She reminded him that his father, Silva, had given strict instructions¡ªRyker was not to receive any assistance from the family during his trial, including intel on his opponents.


    Hearing this, Ryker could only groan in frustration.


    After relaying Silva''s orders, Tsubone asked about the earlier incident.


    "Well, I doubt it was an accident," Ryker said. "I had to use ''Rhythm Echo'' to avoid her, so I''d say it was intentional. My gut tells me she''s no ordinary person."


    "Understood. I''ll keep an eye on her," Tsubone replied.


    Days passed, and Ryker had to rely on his own efforts to gather intel on his next opponent, spending his winnings from previous matches in the process.


    So far, all he knew about his opponent was a name: Jackie Chan.


    Originally a police officer from a small island under the Kukan''yu Kingdom, Chan''s career took a turn after he suffered a significant injury during a mall chase.


    Remarkably, his recovery was far faster than expected, and his physical abilities improved exponentially afterward. Known for using everyday objects as weapons, Chen rarely killed his targets, opting to capture them alive instead.


    Eventually, he found his way to the Heavens Arena, where his efforts earned him the position of a Floor Master, albeit one of the lower-ranked ones.


    _____________________


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 Chapter 22: Floor Master X Key Battle

    Chapter 22: Floor Master X Key BattleWhen Ryker heard the details of the information, he couldn''t help but wonder if he had either crossed into the wrong world or if there were other transmigrators here.


    The moment he learned about these details, an image from his past life immediately came to mind: a certain big-nosed martial arts superstar.


    Curious and unsettled, Ryker spent a considerable amount of money to acquire recordings of this "Jackie Chan" competitor''s matches.


    These weren''t just any recordings¡ªthey were the kind where you could see an opponent''s aura, rumored to be captured using a nen-infused camera. Naturally, they came at a high price.


    But once he started watching, he was utterly shocked. This Jackie Chan not only had an outrageous backstory but also an 80% resemblance to the superstar he remembered.


    What stood out most was the man''s weapons of choice: a mop and a folding chair.


    The sheer absurdity of such unorthodox weaponry left Ryker wide-eyed. In his opinion, only Shizuku, the naturally ditzy big-eyed girl from the Phantom Troupe with her vacuum cleaner, could compare in eccentricity.


    Back in his previous life, Shizuku had been his favorite among the few female members of the Phantom Troupe.


    As for the others¡ªlike Machi¡ªher newer design lacked the same allure as her old blue-haired look, and her sixth sense was far too sharp to consider for a waifu material.


    Pakunoda? Her abilities also made her unsuitable for marriage. And in the new version, her exaggerated features were a turn-off.


    But enough digression¡ªlet''s return to Jackie Chan.


    Ryker could confirm one thing: Jackie Chan''s nen abilities revolved around his unique weapons.


    Based on available intel, it was highly likely that this man was an Enhancement Type nen user, enhancing those weapons specifically. However, there was a slim chance he could also be a Specialist.


    In the match footage, Ryker observed the weapons glowing with a powerful aura whenever Jackie Chan fought.


    From his analysis, the amount of nen infused into those weapons far exceeded the levels the man himself should naturally possess.


    This led Ryker to two conclusions :-


    1. Why would someone choose unwieldy and relatively harmless objects like furniture as weapons over more conventional choices like swords or spears?


    2. Jackie Chan had almost no kill records¡ªat least none documented in his battles at Heaven''s Arena.


    Combining these points, it was possible that the man''s nen ability required a restriction, such as not being able to kill, thus necessitating the use of non-lethal weapons.


    Alternatively, perhaps his nen ability worked such that the less lethal his weapon, the stronger the aura he could infuse into it.


    These were just theories, however. The truth could only be discerned during a direct battle.


    Still, Ryker''s analysis of the match footage made one thing clear: this fight was going to be a tough one.


    Jackie Chan''s nen output, particularly when channeled into his weapons, surpassed anything Ryker had encountered before.


    And this time, Jackie Chan would undoubtedly study Ryker''s past matches to prepare.


    Having reached this stage, most of Ryker''s cards were already laid bare.


    He had relied purely on his foundational training and experience in prior battles, leveraging his Sharingan and dual nen affinities to make up for his lack of a unique nen ability.


    But to win this battle, he needed something unexpected¡ªsomething he hadn''t shown before.


    Ryker did have a trump card, but he was torn about whether to reveal it in such a public setting.


    Using it would expose him, and even he wasn''t entirely sure how effective it would be. In this world, the stronger and more resolute one''s spirit, the stronger their nen.


    If he gambled on his trump card and it failed, it would be a disastrous loss.


    But overthinking wasn''t going to help now. The battlefield was unpredictable. Plans were just plans. Whether he could use his ace depended on the opportunities the fight presented.


    .........


    The day of the match arrived. The arena was packed to the brim. Floor Master challenges were rare events, and the audience''s excitement had reached its peak.


    With the announcer''s voice echoing through the arena, both fighters emerged from the tunnel, one after the other.


    "First, entering the arena is the Heaven''s Arena''s rising star! A super rookie who''s gone from dark horse to legend in record time¡ªthe Masked Killer, Ryker!"


    As Ryker walked out of the tunnel, he nearly tripped upon hearing the announcer.


    ''What the hell kind of nickname is that? If I find out who came up with it, I''ll kill them!''


    After introducing Ryker, the announcer moved on to the highlight of the match: the Floor Master''s entrance.


    "Now, stepping onto the stage is our reigning Floor Master, known for his unique combat style and eccentric weaponry¡ªthe one and only Jackie Chan! No further introduction is needed. Just watch his performance!"


    .........


    Meanwhile, in the audience, Illumi and Tsubone had arrived on time.


    In another corner of the stands, Biscuit and Wing were also present.


    Biscuit, however, looked frustrated. Recent events had drawn some unwanted attention to her, and she knew Tsubone was watching her.


    Under normal circumstances, she wouldn''t hesitate to deal with someone tailing her. But this time, things were complicated.


    She suspected Ryker''s identity, and the last thing she wanted was to provoke unnecessary trouble with the Zoldyck family.


    Moreover, she wasn''t alone¡ªshe had Wing with her. In a worst-case scenario, she was confident in her ability to protect herself but couldn''t guarantee Wing''s safety.


    Thus, she had to maintain a low profile, playing the role of a harmless little girl and suppressing her urges to do what she wanted¡ªlike buying magazines featuring handsome, muscular men.


    ..........


    Back on the stage, all attention was on the fighters. Both Ryker and Jackie Chan had adjusted themselves to peak condition.


    The arena fell silent as the referee prepared to start the match. The tension was palpable.


    After confirming with both fighters, the referee raised his hand and then brought it down with a shout:


    "Begin the match!"


    ____________________


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 Chapter 23: The Battle X Begins

    Chapter 23: The Battle X BeginsFive seconds earlier, the two stood on the stage, silently analyzing their opponent.


    Ryker''s gaze swept over his opponent, curiosity sparking as he noticed that Jackie Chan had indeed brought a folding chair and a mop to the stage, just as the videos had shown.


    His mind churned, trying to deduce the purpose of these odd weapons and Jackie''s true abilities.


    At the same time, Jackie Chan was closely observing Ryker.


    Having studied all of Ryker''s match recordings, Jackie was convinced of one thing: the boy had deliberately avoided using Nen before reaching the 200th floor.


    However, Ryker''s performance after that milestone was nothing short of astonishing.


    Jackie had never encountered such a terrifying prodigy. Despite Ryker''s youthful appearance, his mastery of Nen¡ªthe sheer quality and quantity of it¡ªwas extraordinary. How much training had this boy undergone to reach such a level?


    Jackie''s own Nen awakening had been an accident. While pursuing a fugitive in a furniture mall, he had leapt from a height of three or four floors to prevent the criminal''s escape.


    That reckless act had unlocked his Nen, and the subsequent rapid healing of his injuries had amazed even him.


    Jackie was an Enhancer. Through years of rigorous training, he had honed his abilities and achieved everything he had today.


    This match was especially important to him¡ªnot just as a matter of pride but because he found Ryker''s behavior troubling.


    From what Jackie had observed in Ryker''s previous matches, the boy often fought with ruthless precision, seemingly intent on inflicting unnecessary harm.


    As a former law enforcement officer, Jackie found this deeply unsettling. In his view, matches should end when victory was clear¡ªthere was no need for excessive force.


    Jackie believed Ryker''s actions stemmed from a distorted worldview, likely shaped by a difficult past and the confidence that came with overwhelming strength.


    Determined to set the boy on the right path, Jackie had thoroughly analyzed Ryker''s fights, formulating a strategy to uncover the truth about his abilities.


    .......


    As the referee signaled the start of the match, Jackie charged forward at full speed, dual-wielding his mop and folding chair. However, Ryker reacted as if he had foreseen the attack.


    The instant the match began, he darted aside with remarkable agility, employing a skill that left multiple afterimages in his wake.


    This unexpected move threw Jackie off, forcing him to pause and recalibrate. Despite his experience and countless battles as a floor master, Jackie had never encountered such a technique.


    Ryker, meanwhile, silently celebrated his decision to go all out from the start, gaining the upper hand in the match''s opening moments. With Jackie caught off guard, Ryker unleashed a barrage of Nen bullets.


    Jackie quickly adjusted his strategy, unfazed by the initial setback.


    ''I''ll test the power of his Nen bullets with the mop first,'' he thought. ''Seeing it on video doesn''t compare to experiencing it firsthand.''


    Setting the folding chair aside, Jackie infused his mop with Nen and began deflecting Ryker''s attacks. He was confident in his ability to block the bullets while closing the distance.


    But Ryker''s strategy had another layer. Each Nen bullet was tethered by a Nen thread, allowing him to control their movements with precision.


    Jackie found himself facing not just straightforward projectiles but a swarm of guided missiles that split and changed direction unpredictably.


    Caught unprepared, Jackie struggled to adapt.


    The mop that had seemed sufficient for defense now felt woefully inadequate as he dodged and deflected in a desperate attempt to regain control.


    ''So this is his true power,'' Jackie thought, adjusting his plan. ''These guided bullets are far more advanced than the ones he used in his earlier matches. He''s holding nothing back.''


    From Ryker''s perspective, something about Jackie''s Nen felt off.


    ''His aura doesn''t seem as solid as it was at the start.''


    ''Did he expend too much energy in his initial burst? Or is he conserving it for a prolonged battle? No, that''s not it... Even the flow of his Nen has become sluggish.''


    As Jackie struggled to fend off the guided Nen bullets, he began to piece together Ryker''s capabilities.


    ''This ability relies on both Manipulation and Transformation,'' he deduced.


    ''He''s using Transformation to create Nen threads and possibly a touch of Manipulation to control them. But for a boy his age to master such complex techniques...''


    Jackie considered two possibilities: either Ryker had always possessed this ability and had simply withheld it in earlier matches, or he had developed it on the spot in response to a specific challenge.


    ''If it''s the latter, there''s no way he could use it so proficiently. Which means this ability has always been part of his arsenal.''


    ''But that raises another question: how can a pure Emitter possess such advanced skills in Manipulation and Transformation? That''s not normal.''


    Jackie''s thoughts turned to the concept of limitations and vows.


    ''It must be a restriction,'' he concluded. ''Some kind of vow and condition has granted him this power. The only question is, what price did he pay?''


    ''His weakness must lie in the details of his ability, something everyone has overlooked but is hiding in plain sight...'' sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


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 Chapter 24: Speculation X Truth

    Chapter 24: Speculation X TruthLong before the match began, Jackie Chan had been analyzing Ryker''s potential restrictions based on his past performances.


    Especially after Ryker''s last match, Jackie began to suspect that his opponent''s abilities might involve some kind of vow and condition.


    This idea took root after careful observation and days of contemplation, leading Jackie to a bold hypothesis about Ryker''s potential limitations.


    "This kid has never removed his hood or sunglasses since he started competing at Heaven''s Arena. Not once. No one has ever seen his true face, and he''s even gone to great lengths to avoid interviews.


    That means one of two things: either he''s afraid of being recognized, or he doesn''t want anyone to see his face."


    "If it''s the first, then maybe the rumors are true¡ªhe''s being hunted by enemies. Exposing his face during a televised match could make him vulnerable, especially with the Arena''s audience being such a mixed crowd."


    "If it''s the second, then he might be hiding his face because he''s ashamed of it¡ªmaybe he''s disfigured or has some kind of mark that makes him self-conscious.


    If that''s the case, his personality could lean toward the extreme, and such psychological weaknesses could serve as a potential opening."


    "But there''s also a third possibility: his concealment might be tied to a vow and condition. And one detail stands out¡ªif hiding his identity were the only goal, the hood alone would suffice. Why go the extra mile with sunglasses as well?"


    "Regardless of the exact reason, his disguise is critical. If I can find a way to expose his face, it could shift the balance of the match entirely¡ªpossibly even deal a significant psychological blow."


    With this plan in mind, Jackie resolved to break the current stalemate.


    The folding chair he had placed behind him at the start of the match was just a few steps away. Retreating slightly, Jackie decided to shift strategies¡ªfirst, he would amplify his strength, then disrupt Ryker''s rhythm with a long-range attack.


    Quickly stepping back to the folding chair, Jackie infused his mop with even more Nen, its defensive capability visibly increasing.


    Then, with calculated precision, he hurled the mop like a javelin toward Ryker. In the same instant, he grabbed the chair with both hands and charged forward, following close behind the airborne mop.


    From Ryker''s perspective, Jackie''s sudden retreat had caused him to strengthen his defense against the Nen bullets. The ease with which Jackie had deflected the projectiles suggested that his opponent was now operating at his true level.


    Ryker observed the mop''s trajectory and Jackie''s synchronized advance, interpreting it as a deliberate attempt to break his rhythm.


    Trusting his observations, Ryker maintained his strategy of keeping a safe distance, adjusting his position accordingly.


    Jackie''s mop missed its target, landing harmlessly on the ground, and he stopped at the spot where it fell, making no further moves. Meanwhile, Ryker also came to a halt at what he deemed a safe distance.


    The two combatants found themselves locked in a temporary stalemate.


    "So it didn''t work. My best chance to close the gap was at the start, when I had both weapons at full strength. I didn''t anticipate that kid having a technique like that to escape.


    One step too slow, and I''ve already lost the initiative."


    Jackie reviewed his options.


    "Plan B, then. If I maintain my enhanced state with both weapons, he''ll have a hard time breaking through my defense.


    In a prolonged battle, my odds of victory are higher, especially since he has no idea what my true abilities are."


    Jackie smiled inwardly.


    "To this day, no one has fully uncovered the principles behind my abilities.


    Most think my Nen strength comes from some restriction involving unconventional weapons, like mops and chairs, or that I avoid using lethal weapons as a self-imposed limitation."


    "In truth, my power stems from the conditions I developed after awakening my Nen in a furniture Mall¡ªmy ultimate ability: the God of Furniture."


    Jackie visualized the dramatic title reveal as if it were part of an anime scene, complete with exaggerated JoJo-style visuals.


    His ability was straightforward: as long as there was furniture within a certain range, his physical and Nen capabilities¡ªstrength, speed, perception¡ªwould all be enhanced.


    The degree of enhancement depended on the size and quantity of furniture within range. The closer the furniture, the stronger the enhancement, with direct contact providing maximum amplification.


    However, this ability came with two critical limitations :-


    1. The furniture had to be intact¡ªany damage rendered it useless for enhancement.


    2. The ability only worked on ordinary furniture, not weapons disguised as furniture or anything designed for combat.


    To maximize this power, Jackie would wrap the furniture in Nen, both to increase its offensive potential and protect it from damage. Unless his opponent''s Nen strength exceeded the reinforced furniture''s durability, his ability would remain active.


    "From what I''ve seen of that kid''s Nen, it doesn''t seem strong enough to destroy my weapons outright. As long as I manage my energy properly, I''m practically invincible."


    Jackie''s confidence faltered slightly as he analyzed Ryker''s evasive maneuvers.


    "Even with both weapons boosting my speed, I couldn''t close the gap. This match might drag on longer than I''d like.


    While I have the advantage in a drawn-out battle, there are always uncertainties. I need to bait him into making the first mistake and end this quickly."


    His eyes flicked to Ryker''s hood and sunglasses.


    "The disguise. That''s the key. If I can rattle him¡ªmake him question his concealment¡ªI''ll gain the upper hand. Whether he''s hiding his face out of shame or because of a vow, exposing it will unnerve him.


    Even if he''s mentally strong enough to withstand it, the worst-case scenario is that the match becomes a war of attrition, and I still hold the advantage."


    At the same time, Ryker was deep in thought.


    "If this drags on, it''ll work against me. I need to end this fast, but his Nen is too strong for me to risk an opening. I''ve been watching his every move, and there''s something... off.


    Two things don''t add up. If I can figure out what''s wrong, I might find his weakness."


    _____________________


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 Chapter 25: Plan X Weakness

    Chapter 25: Plan X WeaknessAt this moment, the two fighters entered a delicate balance, creating a brief stalemate.


    Both of them were deeply focused on devising new strategies in their minds, leading to an unspoken agreement to cease any action.


    The unusual stillness confused the commentator. "Both fighters have suddenly stopped moving. Could this be the effect of one of their abilities?"


    The crowd, however, was less patient. Having paid good money for their tickets, they expected a spectacle. If not a brutal, visceral fight, at least a clash of immense energy.


    Instead, the two combatants seemed frozen, as if trying to defeat each other with mere stares.


    "Hey, what''s going on up there? Move already! I didn''t pay to see a staring contest!"


    "Yeah, if you two aren''t gonna fight, get off the stage! Ref, do something!"


    The growing unrest rippled through the arena. What started as a few murmurs turned into a roaring wave of dissatisfaction. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, the more experienced audience members¡ªincluding the referee¡ªignored the commotion. They knew the slightest change could signal the beginning of a decisive move.


    Meanwhile, both Jackie and Ryker were engaged in mental chess, refining their respective strategies.


    Jackie was determined to force Ryker into making the first move, aiming to exploit his opponent''s disguise as a potential weakness.


    "A prolonged battle is too risky. Too many variables. I need to pressure him psychologically, break his focus. No matter how strong he is, he''s still a kid.


    His mind can''t be as sharp as an adult''s¡ªexperience takes time to build, just like battle instincts."


    Jackie''s plan took shape.


    "Two steps. First, I''ll plant the seeds of doubt, poking holes in his confidence by analyzing his ability out loud.


    It''ll add pressure, make him second-guess himself. If he''s hiding something about his power, I''ll force him to reveal it.


    Second, I''ll throw him off with false information. Confuse him. Make him question his own understanding of the battle, and he''ll inevitably slip up."


    On the other side, Ryker was also reviewing the current situation and analyzing Jackie''s actions so far.


    "Everything is going according to plan. His defensive strength is just as I expected¡ªnearly impossible to break through with my current level of aura output. But something about him doesn''t add up.


    Twice now, I''ve observed strange fluctuations in his aura''s intensity. Not the amount of aura¡ªits density."


    He recalled those moments in detail.


    "Aura density usually remains consistent during combat unless someone undergoes long-term training. Even when a fighter uses [Hardening], it''s more about reallocating aura rather than changing its quality.


    But twice, Jackie''s aura suddenly became weaker. Why?"


    "The first time, it plateaued at a lower intensity, but the second time, when he threw his mop, it kept dropping steadily.


    That''s not normal. Is it possible his ability''s conditions forced the change? What''s the common factor between those two moments?"


    As Ryker puzzled over the anomaly, Jackie decided it was time to act.


    "Young man," Jackie began, his voice steady but laced with intent, "your name is Ryker, isn''t it? For someone so young to reach this level... you''re the strongest child I''ve ever seen."


    Jackie''s words seemed like praise, but they carried a pointed edge.


    "I couldn''t help but wonder¡ªwhat kind of bloodline or training could allow a kid like you to achieve this? Even for a prodigy, this power shouldn''t be possible at your age. Unless..." Jackie paused, letting the tension build.


    "Unless you''ve made a contract. A vow..."


    Ryker''s expression remained hidden behind his mask and goggles, but his body shifted slightly, a subtle reaction Jackie didn''t miss.


    "You know, I''ve walked a similar path. I also used a vow and limitation to gain power. You could call it a high-risk, high-reward gamble.


    But you know the price¡ªit always comes with strict rules. Break those rules, and the backlash is devastating."


    Jackie''s voice grew sharper.


    "Your disguise... it''s more than just hiding your identity, isn''t it? It''s part of your contract. Am I wrong?"


    Ryker''s thoughts raced.


    "He''s fishing for information. Trying to unsettle me by pretending he''s figured out my ability. Classic enhancer-type simplicity. But still... he''s surprisingly observant."


    To keep up the ruse, Ryker made a calculated move. His body tensed, and his aura rippled unevenly¡ªjust enough to suggest nervousness. He even let his posture falter slightly, as if Jackie''s words had hit a nerve.


    Jackie didn''t miss the opportunity.


    "Got him. He''s shaken. Just a little more, and he''ll crack."


    Ryker, however, had no intention of cracking. While he feigned unease, his mind worked furiously to validate his earlier observations.


    "Let him think he''s in control. If I play along, I might learn more about his ability. And if the opportunity arises, I''ll use my ace. This battle isn''t over yet."


    Both fighters stood locked in their mental duel, the tension between them mounting with every passing second. The next move would determine who would take control of the fight.


    ___________________


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 Chapter 26: Trump Card X Opportunity

    Chapter 26: Trump Card X OpportunityAt this moment, Jackie Chan, observing Ryker''s recent behavior, became even more confident in his judgment.


    This kid''s disguise must be tied to his ability. If Jackie could break it, the battle would almost certainly end in his favor.


    He noticed that Ryker''s psychological defenses had begun to waver. If he could exploit this weakness further, it might force the boy into a reckless move, granting Jackie a decisive upper hand.


    Determined, Jackie began a new wave of verbal attacks, aiming to increase the psychological pressure on Ryker.


    "Kid, let''s be honest here¡ªthere''s no way you''re breaking through my defense. Even if you rely on that clone-like speed ability of yours to dodge my attacks, how many times can you manage it?"


    Hearing these words, Ryker felt like he had caught onto something crucial. He began replaying the entire fight in his mind.


    ''Speed. That''s it¡ªspeed!''


    At the start of the match, facing an opponent who seemed to use projectiles and resembled an emitter-type Nen user, Jackie''s plan must have been to close the distance as quickly as possible to leverage his enhancement-type strengths.


    But if speed was the goal, why carry both a mop and a folding chair? Wouldn''t it have been faster to just focus on one weapon¡ªespecially the mop?


    Even during the second attack, when Jackie threw the mop, he made sure to retrieve the folding chair before charging in. That means...


    ''The number matters.''


    Ryker pieced the clues together: Jackie''s abilities seemed tied to both distance and the number of weapons he carried.


    ''The closer the weapons are, the stronger his enhancement. The more weapons he holds, the greater the boost.''


    He recalled how Jackie evenly distributed his Nen over his two weapons at the beginning of the fight.


    If the goal was to conserve energy, Jackie could have used Ren to focus his Nen on a single weapon. But he didn''t¡ªwhy? Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was likely because his abilities required him to protect both weapons equally. Damaging either weapon could severely weaken him.


    Ryker smirked under his mask. ''That''s it. His strength hinges on those weapons.''


    But how could he exploit this? Jackie clearly wouldn''t willingly relinquish his weapons, and forcing him into a mistake wouldn''t be easy. Ryker needed the perfect opportunity.


    Meanwhile, Jackie was also deep in thought. He noticed Ryker''s hesitation and assumed the boy was intimidated by his dual-weapon setup.


    Jackie believed his opponent had yet to figure out his true abilities.


    He decided to press his advantage by feigning an opening or launching an aggressive attack.


    "Kid, this match is already over for you. I suggest you surrender now. But if you want to keep struggling, I''m not wasting any more time playing games with you."


    With that, Jackie repeated his earlier tactic, throwing the mop directly at Ryker while charging in with the folding chair.


    This was the moment Ryker had been waiting for.


    He crouched down suddenly, gripping a stone tile beneath him. With all his strength, he ripped the tile from the ground and hurled it toward the incoming mop.


    The mop shattered the stone mid-air, but the impact disrupted its trajectory, causing it to land closer than Jackie had intended.


    Using the broken shards of the tile as cover, Ryker charged forward.


    Jackie was ecstatic. The mop''s adjusted trajectory landed in an ideal spot for maximizing his enhancement. He was now at his strongest.


    And Ryker''s bold charge? Jackie interpreted it as a desperate gamble by an inexperienced fighter.


    But Ryker was playing a much deeper game.


    As Jackie activated his En to track Ryker''s movements, the boy darted through the shards, his silhouette flickering unpredictably. Jackie quickly locked onto him, preparing to strike at his perceived weak point: Ryker''s headgear.


    Jackie swung the folding chair toward Ryker''s head with surgical precision.


    Ryker raised his arms in defense, deliberately exposing his face while shielding most of his head. The folding chair struck true, shattering Ryker''s sunglasses.


    Jackie smirked. ''Just as I thought. Breaking his disguise will cripple him. This fight is mine.''


    But then something unexpected happened.


    Ryker lowered his arms and locked eyes with Jackie. For a split second, Jackie froze. He had never seen eyes like these before.


    Crimson with black tomoe swirling in hypnotic patterns.


    And then, in an instant, Jackie was plunged into a world unlike anything he had ever seen¡ªan illusion so vivid, so strange, that he couldn''t tell reality from fantasy.


    ''This battle was far from over.''


    _____________________


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 Chapter 27: Victory x Outcome

    Chapter 27: Victory x OutcomeAt this moment, Ryker''s strategy had succeeded.


    His plan had always revolved around finding the perfect opportunity to use his Sharingan''s genjutsu on his opponent.


    However, for the genjutsu to work, he needed to make eye contact.


    Wearing sunglasses had been a critical part of his deception¡ªif he had removed them prematurely, Jackie would have become cautious, and his plan might have failed.


    Luck played a significant role in the success of his strategy. Ryker hadn''t anticipated that Jackie would overthink his disguise to such an extent, imagining it as a complex Nen vow.


    That misconception had created the perfect opening. This was a prime example of how overanalyzing could backfire.


    Jackie was now under Ryker''s genjutsu. Without hesitation, Ryker sprang into action, using both hands and feet in rapid succession. His first move was to kick Jackie''s mop¡ªnow lying on the ground¡ªout of the ring.


    Then, with his right hand transformed into a sharp hand-blade, he swung at Jackie''s left wrist, which was gripping the folding chair.


    Why hadn''t Ryker aimed to kill Jackie outright when he was caught in the genjutsu? It was simple: Ryker prioritized caution.


    This was his first time using the Sharingan''s genjutsu in a battle, and his opponent was a floor master-level Nen user.


    Ryker couldn''t predict how long Jackie would remain trapped in the illusion. The safest approach was to disable Jackie''s weapons first.


    If Jackie retained his weapons'' enhancement, he might recover faster, turning the tide against Ryker.


    Additionally, Ryker''s physical size and positioning played a factor. At his current height and reach, it was far easier to target Jackie''s left wrist than his vitals.


    *SWISH!*


    When Ryker delivered the first blow, everything unfolded as planned. His kick sent the mop flying out of the arena, and his hand-blade slashed through Jackie''s left wrist.


    The mop''s departure significantly weakened Jackie''s aura reinforcement.


    Without his mop, Jackie''s defensive capabilities dropped. His left hand, previously strengthened by Nen, was severed cleanly.


    Simultaneously, Ryker''s excess force caused the folding chair to shatter in midair. Jackie''s aura dropped further, leaving him significantly weakened.


    At that moment, Jackie''s pain jolted him back to reality, breaking free from the genjutsu. But it was too late.


    The first sight he saw upon regaining clarity was Ryker''s grotesque, muscular left hand, claws extended, lunging straight for his chest.


    Jackie had no time to react. A searing pain shot through his torso as Ryker''s claws pierced his chest. The smaller fighter wrapped his legs tightly around Jackie''s waist, anchoring himself firmly in place.


    Despite his injuries, Jackie instinctively counterattacked. His remaining hand struck at Ryker, but Ryker had anticipated this.


    Shifting his aura to strengthen his left side, Ryker minimized the damage while raising his right hand for a decisive strike.


    *SWISH!*


    With a single swift motion, Ryker''s hand-blade slashed Jackie''s neck. The floor master''s head flew backward, severed cleanly. Blood sprayed into the air as Jackie Chan''s lifeless body fell to the ground.


    *THUD!*


    The arena was silent for a heartbeat, and then chaos erupted.


    Ryker, still perched on Jackie''s corpse, ignored the crowd''s reaction, his attention fixated on his system interface. He was checking his purification points, eager to confirm his progress.


    When he saw that the unlock option beneath "Kamui" had lit up, a surge of exhilaration overtook him.


    ''Finally! After all the hardships since I arrived in this world, I''ve finally achieved it. Freedom is within reach!''


    He couldn''t suppress his emotions any longer. Throwing his head back, Ryker burst into laughter. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hahaha! Hahaha! HAHAHAHA!"


    Years of suppressed frustration and pressure were released all at once.


    The crowd, meanwhile, had exploded into a frenzy. No one had anticipated this outcome. Jackie Chan, a revered floor master, had been defeated¡ªkilled, no less¡ªby a young challenger.


    Commentators shouted into their microphones, their voices filled with disbelief and excitement.


    "Ladies and gentlemen! The impossible has happened! Ryker has not only defeated Jackie Chan but has become the new floor master! This is a historic moment in the Sky Arena! Let''s give him a round of applause!"


    Amid the chaos, Ryker descended from the stage without a word.


    In the audience, Tsubone wiped tears from her eyes, overwhelmed with emotion. Beside her, Illumi Zoldyck watched in silence, his expression unreadable.


    Biscuit rose from her seat, whispering to herself. ''A monster from the Zoldyck family... What have they created this time?'' She quickly grabbed Wing''s hand and exited the arena.


    Unbeknownst to Ryker, someone else had been observing the match from the shadows¡ªa tall, muscular figure with long silver hair cascading to his waist. His piercing gaze remained fixed on the ring even as the fight concluded.


    This was Silva Zoldyck, head of the Zoldyck family and Ryker''s father.


    Silva had come to assess Ryker''s growth personally and to evaluate his potential. He had also been alerted by Tsubone, who reported that someone might be plotting against Ryker.


    As the crowd erupted around him, Silva turned and disappeared into the shadows, unnoticed by anyone.


    Meanwhile, Ryker''s crimson eyes¡ªrevealed during the battle¡ªhad drawn the attention of many.


    Those with sharp instincts had already begun scheming, sensing the potential within the boy''s blood-red Sharingan.


    ___________________


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 Chapter 28: Exchange X Unexpected Events

    Chapter 28: Exchange X Unexpected EventsThe results of the Tower Master Challenge were finally settled. With this, Ryker had completed the additional training tasks assigned to him by Silva.


    If all went well, upon returning to his family, he would gain the long-coveted freedom to leave the estate at will.


    But for Ryker, Silva''s reward was secondary at this moment. What mattered most was returning to his room to redeem the Kamui Mangeky¨­ Sharingan.


    He believed that once he possessed this ability, Silva''s reward would become inconsequential. In fact, he envisioned a future where he could act freely, unrestrained by anyone.


    Ryker already had his next move planned. After redeeming Kamui for his right eye, he intended to conduct experiments with his Twin Hand ability within his ocular space.


    If everything went smoothly, he could create an alternate identity to move freely in the outside world. With Twin Complete Hand''s double transformations, he could alter his appearance and physique at will, ensuring anonymity.


    [AN: Twin Complete Hands is based on the Ying-Yang Principle, so it does have the ability of transformation, although it has certain restrictions]


    However, as Ryker left the competition venue, filled with excitement and anticipation, several pairs of malicious eyes were already fixed on him.


    This competition had drawn a large audience, not just ordinary spectators but also many Nen users who had been watching the livestream.


    During the match, when Jackie Chan had destroyed Ryker''s glasses, exposing his "crimson eyes", many had taken note of their unusual hue.


    In a shadowy corner, three strangely dressed individuals were whispering amongst themselves.


    "Hey, did you see that kid''s eyes? They''re blood-red. Could he be one of those rumored Kurta Clan members?"


    "Yeah, their eyes are said to be one of the Seven Most Beautiful Colors in the world. I hear they''re worth a fortune," one of them said. "What if we... pluck his eyes and sell them? The money we''d make might rival the Tower Master''s prize!"


    A second member of the group hesitated. "It''s not that simple. Did you see that kid''s strength? Even the Tower Master was no match for him. Are you sure we can take him down? What if we lose our lives instead?"


    The first man sneered. "We''ve seen his abilities throughout the competition. If the three of us ambush him with the element of surprise, we''ve got a good shot.


    After all, these matches aren''t life-or-death battles. He''s just a kid. If we succeed, we''ll split the profit three ways. What do you say?"


    The other two were beginning to waver. Wealth had a way of tempting people, and in the Sky Arena, only a few fought purely for honor. Most were there for fame and fortune.


    Meanwhile, Ryker had no idea he had become a prime target in the eyes of many. Not that it would matter to him; his focus was solely on obtaining his most significant trump card.


    After leaving the venue, Ryker returned to his room, his heart racing with both nervousness and excitement.


    "System, come out. I want to redeem my reward!"


    Summoning the system, he opened the exchange interface in his mind, revealing the abilities available for redemption:


    - Kamui (Single, choose left or right eye)


    - Amaterasu


    - Tsukuyomi


    - Kagutsuchi


    - A Mangeky¨­ ability to control weapons (a filler ability he didn''t recognize).


    Abilities like ''Yasaka Magatama'', ''Kotoamatsukami'', and ''Susanoo'' were still locked, indicating that he didn''t yet have enough points to unlock them.


    After analyzing his options, Ryker immediately ruled out certain choices.


    - The weapon manipulation ability was dismissed outright; it didn''t align with his needs.


    - Amaterasu, while powerful, required locking onto a target visually. If an opponent moved faster than his eyes could track (like the Fourth Raikage in the original series), the ability would be useless. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Additionally, Amaterasu''s uncontrollable flames could harm unintended targets unless paired with Kagutsuchi, making it inefficient for now.


    - Tsukuyomi, though nearly unbeatable in one-on-one scenarios, posed uncertainties. Ryker wasn''t sure how well it would perform against Nen users with stronger willpower.


    In the recent challenge, for instance, Jackie Chan quickly regained clarity even after losing his arm.


    Nen''s strength tied to mental attributes like resolve meant Tsukuyomi might falter against more powerful opponents.


    For Ryker, survival was paramount. Staying alive meant more opportunities to gather points and grow stronger. His ultimate goal was to one day punch Netero and kick Maha Zoldyck into submission.


    His decision had been clear from the start: Kamui. While he initially hoped to redeem both eyes, the system''s restrictions led him to prioritize the ''defensive Kamui'' of Obito''s right eye.


    After redeeming Kamui, Ryker felt an overwhelming surge of power and instantly grasped the ability''s intricacies. He could now use it instinctively, as though it had always been part of him.


    Interestingly, when he activated the ability, the pattern of his Sharingan changed automatically, meaning future abilities would also alter his ocular design.


    While this could be considered a drawback (alerting experienced opponents to his techniques), it was a small price to pay.


    Eager to test his new powers, Ryker was itching to find a sparring partner. However, he remained unaware of the many predators already lurking outside his room, waiting for an opportunity to strike.


    Even Silva and Tsubone were aware of the situation.


    Silva, however, showed no intention of intervening and instructed Tsubone to remain uninvolved. His focus was on monitoring Illumi''s progress, while also observing Ryker''s new ability in action.


    Silva had watched the entire Tower Master Challenge, noting Ryker''s performance afterward. Based on his observations, he was certain Ryker had unlocked a unique Nen ability tied to his eyes.


    For now, Silva planned to let those outside test Ryker''s capabilities, using them to gauge his new power.


    After all, as the head of the Zoldyck family, Silva had no reason to worry. He had complete confidence in Ryker''s survival.


    ____________________


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 Chapter 29: Battle X Experiment

    Chapter 29: Battle X ExperimentUnbeknownst to Ryker, Silva had already arrived at Heaven''s Arena. While Silva observed from the shadows, Ryker focused on his next steps.


    Ryker needed to test Kamui''s capabilities in combat and evaluate the effects of ''Blue Hand.''


    [AN: Blue Hand is a part of Twin Complete Hands ability, the other one being Red Hand, detailed explanation in ch 31]


    These experiments were critical to his plans. Additionally, he aimed to gather more points by taking on more missions once he returned to Kukuroo Mountain.


    Another of his objectives was to develop his own Nen ability. While he had the system as his trump card, he wanted to explore this world''s unique power system.


    Ryker believed that with his ingenuity and the system''s deep-blue interface, crafting several unique Nen abilities wouldn''t be too difficult.


    He even mused whether creating a Nen beast would earn him additional points if the beast defeated opponents.


    Shrugging off idle thoughts, Ryker decided to return home, secure his freedom to take missions, and find suitable test subjects to accelerate his progress.


    As he exited his room, planning to take an airship back to Kukuroo Mountain, he sensed multiple eyes discreetly watching him.


    At first, Ryker dismissed it, assuming these were challengers gathering intel on him after the floor master battle. But as he walked, the intensity of the scrutiny increased, and some observers began closing the distance.


    ''Interesting,'' he thought, ''these people aren''t just here for information. Could they be after me directly?''


    His lips curled into a smirk. ''If that''s the case, they''re in for a surprise. I needed test subjects anyway. Let''s see how they handle Kamui.''


    Ryker altered his route, heading toward an abandoned construction site. The remote and desolate environment was ideal for what he had in mind.


    After walking for about half an hour, he stopped and stood in the middle of the site.


    "You''ve followed me long enough. How about showing yourselves?" he said calmly, though his voice carried a dangerous edge. "Don''t be shy now. I''ll make it worth your while."


    *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!*


    Six figures emerged from the shadows, loosely surrounding Ryker.


    "Whoa, six monstrous fighters against little ol'' me? I''m flattered¡ªand terrified!" Ryker mocked, mimicking a tone of false fear.


    Among the six, three formed a team¡ªrecognizable as the trio who''d schemed in the arena. Another two seemed like a pair of mercenaries. The last was a lone wolf, exuding an aura of overwhelming strength.


    The group exchanged wary glances, clearly untrusting of one another. A tense equilibrium settled over them.


    "Let me guess," Ryker said with feigned innocence, "you''re all here for my floor master title? Or is there a bounty on my head I don''t know about?"


    The leader of the trio sneered. "Kid, hand over those red eyes of yours. Do that, and we''ll let you leave alive. We''ll even take care of the others for you."


    Ryker''s smirk grew wider as realization dawned. "Ah, so it''s my eyes you''re after. Makes sense. Well then..." He adjusted his sunglasses, preparing for what was to come.


    "Let me show you what these eyes can do. Watch closely, everyone."


    With that, Ryker activated Kamui. A swirling spatial distortion enveloped his sunglasses, pulling them into a void and revealing his crimson Mangeky¨­ Sharingan. The intricate three-scythe design spun ominously in his eyes.


    Ryker didn''t hesitate. He charged toward the strongest of the six, locking eyes with the lone wolf. The man froze momentarily, caught off guard by the sudden aggression.


    In that fleeting instant, Ryker extended his right hand, activating Kamui. A vortex of space appeared around the man, engulfing him completely.


    The others watched in stunned silence as their comrade disappeared without a trace. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fear rippled through the group. The remaining five reassessed their chances, doubt clouding their earlier confidence.


    But Ryker wasn''t about to give them time to recover. He shifted his focus to the duo. As he charged, he fired a flurry of Nen-infused bullets at the trio behind him¡ªnot to harm them, but to stall their movements.


    Reaching the pair, Ryker created a near-invisible thread of reinforced Nen between his hands. With no defensive Nen protecting him, he appeared reckless, drawing the pair into striking range.


    As they moved to intercept him, Ryker vanished, reappearing behind them. The thread tightened, forming a loop that ensnared both targets. A Kamui vortex opened, swallowing them whole.


    Moments later, only Ryker and the trio remained. Two of the three were incapacitated, leaving the leader crawling on the ground, both legs shattered.


    "Please! I was wrong! Spare me!" the leader begged, tears streaming down his face.


    Ryker crouched beside him, smirking. "Don''t worry. I''ll fix your legs once I''m done. But first, there are a couple of rats I need to deal with."


    He turned his gaze toward another direction. Two figures hidden in the shadows flinched, realizing they''d been discovered.


    These two had followed the trio, intending to act as the proverbial hawks preying on mantises. But the events they''d witnessed had far exceeded their expectations.


    Ryker''s crimson eyes locked onto them, and they panicked, immediately turning to flee.


    Ryker''s body blurred as he activated Kamui once more, vanishing into the swirling void.


    ____________________


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 Chapter 30: Experiments X Disappointment

    Chapter 30: Experiments X DisappointmentThe defeated lackey lay sprawled on the ground, watching Ryker vanish into thin air before his eyes.


    Confirming Ryker was gone, he began desperately crawling back in the direction he''d come from, leaving a chaotic trail of blood in his wake.


    Meanwhile, the two individuals who had tried to escape earlier found themselves abruptly blocked by a familiar spatial vortex. Ryker''s figure materialized before them.


    "Leaving so quietly after enjoying the show? That doesn''t seem very polite, does it?" Ryker said with a calm but menacing tone.


    One of the duo, trying to reason their way out, responded quickly, "Our target was the leader of that trio, and you''ve already incapacitated him.


    We''ve kept our hands off you entirely. While we admit we''re not your equals, if we fight to the death, you might not walk away unscathed either.


    So perhaps it''s best we go our separate ways. Fighting here benefits no one."


    However, Ryker had no intention of letting them leave. His powers, and the nature of his abilities, were secrets he couldn''t afford to let spread. Without a word, he launched his attack.


    Five minutes later, Ryker stood victorious, two more subjects added to his experiment pool.


    Satisfied, he returned to where the skirmish began, only to find that the injured leader of the trio had managed to crawl over a hundred meters in the brief time he''d been away¡ªa testament to the man''s sheer will to live.


    But Ryker wasn''t about to let any of his test subjects escape. He needed their lives for his experiments and wouldn''t let this opportunity slip by.


    After dealing with the remaining survivor and cleaning up the scene, Ryker activated his Kamui ability, transporting himself back into his dimension to begin his tests.


    ..........


    Shortly after Ryker''s departure, a familiar figure arrived at the battlefield. It was Silva. He activated his En ability, scanning the area meticulously.


    "No residual nen aura... Considering what I saw during the fight, it''s likely a space-type ability.


    Given he can freely enter and exit, he probably uses it to trap opponents. Judging by his methods, he seems to prioritize capturing targets alive¡ªlikely for experimentation."


    "And his ability to move through this space... the limits of its range are still unclear.


    "Based on his initial ''Water Divination'' results, this ability should be tied to his latent potential, meaning there may be at least five other abilities to account for. Interesting..."


    ..........


    Back in his dimensional space, Ryker was deeply immersed in his experiments. Excitement coursed through him as he worked on his captured nen-users.


    Half a day later, Ryker''s testing was nearly complete. Out of the eight subjects, only one remained¡ªa weakling he had deliberately kept alive to test his Blue Hand''s effects on memory.


    Ryker had initially hoped to modify the subject''s memory and release him back into the world to observe the results.


    Unfortunately, his lack of finesse turned the man into a mentally impaired wreck, unable to perform even basic functions. Disappointed, Ryker dealt with the final subject and began summarizing his findings.


    ........


    The ''Red Hand'' primarily targeted physical aspects, including life energy. In simpler terms, it allowed Ryker to modify the body. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, his lack of expertise became a glaring issue. It was as if he had access to the most advanced surgical equipment without the knowledge of a skilled surgeon.


    For instance, while attempting to repair one subject''s legs, Ryker realized he lacked a deep understanding of human anatomy, a deficiency that severely hindered his progress.


    He resolved to study further and conduct more trials to improve his control.


    The ''Blue Hand'', meanwhile, proved even trickier. The strength of the target''s resistance significantly impacted the effectiveness of the ability.


    A subject with a strong will or high nen proficiency made even basic memory reading a challenge. Altering memories required tremendous nen energy, and Ryker found that his current capabilities were far from sufficient.


    He had yet to test the ability on ordinary people, but his initial results suggested it would require significant refinement.


    As he reviewed his findings, Ryker couldn''t help but feel the road ahead would be long and grueling. Experimenting and perfecting the use of his "Twin Hands" would demand both time and effort.


    After disposing of the remains of his test subjects, Ryker returned to the Zoldyck estate using Kamui. He wanted to ensure the corpses didn''t rot within his dimension and create further complications.


    ...........


    *Whoosh!*


    Back at the estate, Ryker emerged from a spatial vortex into his room, taking a moment to soak in the familiar surroundings.


    A wave of nostalgia washed over him¡ªa surprising sentiment, considering the torment he had endured in this very home. Shaking his head, he dismissed the unwelcome emotions, chalking them up to fatigue.


    After settling in, Ryker contacted the butler and requested food while instructing them to inform Silva and Kikyo of his return. The butler informed him that Silva was currently away, but Kikyo was en route.


    Meanwhile, aboard a distant airship, Silva received word of Ryker''s return.


    ........


    "From Heaven''s Arena to Kukuroo Mountain in half a day... No, he likely spent a considerable amount of time dealing with those captured nen-users. The exact travel time is unclear.


    "But if he moved directly from the battlefield to the estate, that would mean he crossed more than half the continent.


    Even if all the time was spent traveling, that''s still impressive. His short-range spatial movements also seem remarkably fast."


    "I suppose I''ll need to test his limits firsthand. Only then can I decide the appropriate level of missions for him." Silva''s thoughts churned as the airship carried him homeward.


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 Chapter 31: Father X Duel

    Chapter 31: Father X DuelAs Ryker waited in his room for the butler to arrange his meal, Kikyo arrived ahead of schedule.


    "Ah, my dear Ryker, it''s so wonderful to see you again! Come here and let your mother give you a hug!" Kikyo exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him with unrestrained affection.


    "You''ve truly grown into a fine assassin¡ªmy pride and joy. And Ryker, in just a few months, you''ll have a new little brother! Isn''t that exciting?


    I''m sure Illumi will be thrilled too¡ªhe''s going to be an older brother again!"


    Ryker glanced at his mother''s visibly swollen belly, suddenly remembering the original timeline. Of course¡ªIllumi and his younger brother were seven years apart.


    Just then, the butler entered with Ryker''s meal and began setting the table. Using eating as an excuse, Ryker carefully slipped from Kikyo''s embrace.


    The rest of the evening passed with Kikyo watching him eat while enthusiastically asking about his time at Heaven''s Arena.


    .........


    The next morning, Silva summoned Ryker.


    "Now that you''ve completed the task I set for you," Silva began, "as promised, you''re free to leave the estate, take on missions independently, and develop your own clientele. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, before that, I want to assess your abilities myself. This duel will help me determine the level of missions suitable for you."


    Ryker had anticipated this. He knew Silva wouldn''t allow him to leave without testing his strength and confirming his capabilities.


    Ryker also saw this as an opportunity to gauge the power of top-tier fighters in this world. Though Silva wouldn''t be using his full strength, it would still provide invaluable insight.


    Additionally, Ryker wanted to measure his own endurance. How long could he hold his own against someone like Silva using his full arsenal, Kamui included?


    Could he turn the tide of the battle, perhaps even pose a deadly threat? The thought of possibly defeating Silva, however unlikely, stirred a bold sense of confidence in him.


    With these considerations, Ryker readily agreed to the duel and followed Silva to the family''s private training grounds.


    As they took their positions, Kikyo and Zeno arrived to watch. Kikyo cheered enthusiastically for Ryker, while Zeno observed in his usual reserved manner.


    Silva addressed his son with a calm but firm tone.


    "I expect you to give this your all. This evaluation will determine the difficulty of the missions you''ll receive moving forward."


    "I know you''re eager to face stronger opponents, but let me remind you¡ªthose eight assassins you dealt with before? They''re nothing but fodder compared to what lies ahead."


    Ryker felt the weight of Silva''s words. It was a clear reminder that his every move had been under surveillance.


    Silva had been present at the battlefield after all. Any element of surprise Ryker hoped to exploit was likely gone.


    With no other choice, Ryker formulated a new plan. His best chance was to exploit a momentary opening when Silva attacked, using Kamui''s intangibility to create an opportunity to trap him in the dimensional space.


    "Begin!" Zeno''s voice cut through the air. The moment the word left his lips, both Ryker and Silva vanished from their original positions.


    .........


    Silva intentionally suppressed his abilities to match Ryker''s level as closely as possible.


    While he maintained his superior aura strength, he significantly reduced his speed and the amount of nen he channeled.


    His goal was to push Ryker just enough to inspire growth¡ªto make him feel as though victory was just within reach if he pushed harder.


    This calculated approach was designed to see if Ryker could break past his current limits. True progress came from overcoming these barriers, and Silva wanted to see how far Ryker could go under pressure.


    Back in the training ground, Ryker quickly realized that Silva wasn''t exerting the full brunt of his power.


    The suffocating sense of oppression he had anticipated was noticeably absent. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, Ryker found himself contemplating an offensive strategy.


    Understanding Silva''s intent, Ryker decided to start with his strongest long-range attack¡ªa barrage of nen bullets.


    In response, Silva countered with his own nen bullets. Unlike Ryker''s, Silva''s were simple and direct, merely condensed nen fired in rapid succession.


    Yet, their speed and precision completely outmatched Ryker''s. Even though Silva reduced the amount of nen in his attacks to match Ryker''s output, his accuracy and efficiency overwhelmed Ryker''s projectiles.


    "You should know," Silva began as he deflected another wave of nen bullets, "a nen-user is at their strongest when using techniques aligned with their natural affinity.


    "As an Enhancement-type, you can only use 80% of your potential when employing Emission techniques, even with the added strength of your Reinforcement properties.


    Yet you''ve chosen to focus on long-range attacks¡ªa poor match for your abilities."


    "Your Enhancement and Specialist affinities are your greatest strengths, yet you''re prioritizing Emission. Worse, you''re using it against me¡ªan Emission-type expert.


    Do you really think the added Enhancement properties can make up for that missing 20%?"


    "Even your clever use of Transformation to maintain the nen bullets power over long distances comes at a cost. Your nen consumption is significantly higher than mine.


    In a real fight, nen management is crucial. You can''t afford such inefficiencies. Every ounce of your energy should serve a purpose."


    Silva''s words struck a nerve. Despite his innate talents and strategic innovations, Ryker realized he had made a critical misstep in underestimating the fundamental rules of nen combat.


    The fight was only beginning, but he would need to adapt quickly if he hoped to leave a lasting impression.


    _____________________


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 Chapter 32: Father and Son X Duel (Part 2)

    Chapter 32: Father and Son X Duel (Part 2)"In other words, when facing an enemy skilled in Emission abilities, if you rely on your projectile attacks as your primary combat method, your aura consumption will be much faster than theirs.


    Are you still thinking, like in your previous matches, that as long as you finish the fight before your aura runs out, you''ll win? "


    "Let me tell you this: the reason you''ve been able to achieve victory after victory in Heaven''s Arena isn''t just because of your tactics, deceptive appearance, or luck.


    The main reason is that your base attributes are far superior to those of your opponents."


    "Although your body hasn''t reached its peak due to your age, you were born as a natural Nen user and have been trained with the best resources your family could provide since childhood.


    Compared to most self-taught wanderers and lucky amateurs in Heaven''s Arena, your growth rate far outstrips theirs."


    "In essence, the gap between you and them comes down to one thing¡ªyou were ahead of them at the starting line.


    Now, when you face opponents at the same level as you, your chances of winning drop dramatically."


    "I don''t know why you''ve chosen to focus your training on Emission abilities, but you need to accept reality. You''re an Enhancer. That''s your nature.


    If you continue relying on your current abilities, you''ll become addicted to the illusion of dominating higher-level opponents."


    "Deep in your subconscious, you''ll start believing that as an Enhancer, using abilities from other categories is enough to win.


    Over time, your battle habits and muscle memory will default to these abilities."


    "When you finally face an equally skilled opponent or find yourself in a life-or-death situation, you''ll realize that your Enhancer abilities, neglected for so long, have become feeble and ineffective.


    No one can guarantee they''ll never face someone stronger than themselves. Set aside your arrogance, Ryker! Not everything will unfold according to your plans. To prepare for the unknown, you must always maintain your best condition."


    "Now, your projectiles are useless against me. What will you do? If I''m not mistaken, your spatial ability requires physical contact with your opponent to send them into another dimension, doesn''t it?"


    How much of Silva''s words Ryker actually absorbed was unclear, but they undoubtedly stoked a fire within him.


    It felt akin to a child who, despite not listening in class but still acing an exam, returns home only to be accused of cheating by their parents.


    Ryker himself didn''t fully realize it, but Silva''s words had ignited his fighting spirit.


    He believed that as long as he won, the method didn''t matter. A prodigy shouldn''t be judged by ordinary standards. He wanted to prove that some people are simply born different.


    Despite his newfound determination, Ryker didn''t let his emotions cloud his judgment. He knew that long-range attacks were unlikely to succeed in the current situation.


    However, a direct approach for close-quarters combat wasn''t easy either. Silva would surely suppress him with projectile attacks to maintain his distance.


    Having relied on such "kite and strike" tactics himself, Ryker knew how difficult it was to break the stalemate.


    But Ryker''s abilities weren''t ordinary. Without hesitation, he activated his Kamui ability, pulling himself into his spatial dimension. He intended to bide his time and launch a surprise close-range assault.


    The other three observers immediately expanded their En to search for Ryker''s presence. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Their En varied in size but without exception covered the entire training ground. (Kikyo, being the wife of a Zoldyck, clearly had considerable strength.)


    Yet none of their En detected even the faintest trace of Ryker. Not even lingering aura fluctuations remained.


    ''So, it really is a spatial ability, completely outside this dimension?''


    ''Though I investigated the site after his last match, seeing it up close is much more intuitive. This ability seems tailor-made for assassination¡ªable to silently close in on a target.''


    ''I wonder if there are any limits to where it can teleport.''


    As the three of them deactivated their En upon realizing it was futile, Ryker abruptly opened a spatial portal and appeared behind Silva.


    The moment he emerged, Silva was already within his attack range. Whether or not Ryker had taken Silva''s earlier lecture to heart was unclear, but at this moment, Ryker was focused entirely on one thing¡ªvictory.


    Pouring almost all his aura into enhancing his speed, he reserved a small amount for a secondary strategy. Ryker dashed forward, his right hand reaching for Silva''s right leg¡ªhis closest target due to their height difference.


    Meanwhile, Ryker had his gaze locked onto Silva''s head, preparing to execute his secondary plan.


    Sensing Ryker''s ambush, Silva instinctively turned and locked eyes with him. At that precise moment, Ryker activated his ''Sharingan Genjutsu'', aiming to disrupt Silva''s focus, while simultaneously extending his right hand toward Silva''s leg.


    Caught off guard, Silva faltered briefly under the illusion. For someone of Silva''s mental strength, the effect lasted only a fraction of a second before he regained clarity.


    But in a high-stakes clash like this, even a moment''s delay could tip the scales.


    As Ryker''s fingertips brushed Silva''s pants, the spatial vortex began to twist and distort reality. Silva, recognizing the danger, unleashed his full speed without hesitation.


    In an instant, he retracted his right leg faster than the eye could see and propelled himself out of the vortex''s range.


    The spatial distortion managed to capture only a tattered piece of Silva''s pants as he retreated to a safe distance. For the first time, Silva''s expression turned grave, his gaze fixed on his right leg.


    Where once his trousers had covered both legs, his right shin was now bare, exposing his pale, muscular calf to the air.


    In this frozen moment, the battlefield stood silent.


    Beyond the father and son who had just exchanged blows, and the two spectators, no one else could comprehend the peril and intensity hidden behind that missing piece of cloth.


    ______________________


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 Chapter 33: Continued X Fierce Battle

    Chapter 33: Continued X Fierce BattleAt this moment, after glancing at his right leg, Silva''s eyes shifted back to Ryker.


    Under Silva''s scrutinizing gaze, space around Ryker began to distort once more. Moments later, his figure slowly vanished into a newly formed spatial vortex.


    The training ground seemed to return to its initial tranquility, yet Silva''s injured right leg was a glaring reminder to everyone that what had just unfolded was undeniably real.


    {Ah, my beloved Ryker, my dearest treasure. You make me so proud! Your growth has far exceeded even my wildest expectations. You''re extraordinary¡ªtruly extraordinary!


    But no, I must control myself. I can''t interfere with my dear husband and my precious son''s battle. Especially now, I can''t allow Ryker to lose focus...}


    {I never thought Silva could be pushed this far by that kid Ryker. In that final critical moment, Silva had to use his full strength just to emerge unscathed.


    Ryker''s progress in the Heavens Arena over these past months has been astonishing, and his abilities are anything but ordinary.


    Space-manipulation Nen users are already a rare breed, yet Ryker has mastered it to such an impressive degree.


    Judging from the current situation, Silva probably had some prior knowledge of Ryker''s abilities. Still, the fact that Silva nearly slipped up is remarkable.


    And if I''m not mistaken, Silva''s brief pause earlier was likely due to Ryker''s eyes. It might be a mental-based technique. Back during the Floor Master match, Ryker used that eye ability as his trump card to secure victory.


    Although Silva suppressed his power, Ryker''s performance shows just how immense the potential of those eyes is}


    {I see now. My earlier mistake was underestimating him. I focused too much on his spatial manipulation and forgot about those mental illusions his eyes can cast.


    Back during the Floor Master challenge, he used that move as a decisive trump card.


    However, this trick won''t work on me anymore. Ryker must know this. From now on, that illusionary ability will be much harder to pull off against me.


    The real question is¡ªwhat''s his next move? Does he have another trump card? But I can''t afford to keep holding back at this level anymore.


    I never expected his growth to be this fast. In less than a year, he''s defeated the Floor Master of the Heavens Arena.


    With his awakened abilities now in the mix, even suppressing my strength to a certain degree isn''t enough. If I want to probe for any new trump cards, I''ll need to increase my suppressed power to an overwhelming level.


    Only then will he be forced to rely on his abilities to close the gap}


    [AN: ''{ }'' signs are only used when the inner monologue is too long]


    With that thought, Silva''s aura surged, his entire presence transforming. To sense Ryker''s position the moment he reappeared, Silva activated En, expanding his aura to cover the entire training ground.


    Inside his Kamui dimension, Ryker watched Silva''s actions and immediately realized the difficulty of creating a second opening after missing the first. It would now be nearly impossible.


    But Ryker had one last card to play: Kamui''s intangibility, granting immunity to all physical attacks. To turn the tide, he would need to rely on this sole advantage.


    {The issue now is handling his next attack. My illusions likely won''t work on Silva anymore, so how can I physically get close to him?


    Intangibility is my only hope. But using Kamui means I can''t attack and defend simultaneously. I''ll have to time it perfectly, using the moment my body solidifies to make contact with him.


    The key is either predicting his movements or baiting him into using an attack that suits my strategy}


    In his Kamui dimension, Ryker carefully analyzed Silva''s aura, attempting to estimate his opponent''s state and plan his move before Silva unleashed his full strength.


    At the same time, Silva pondered Ryker''s potential next step. Based on Ryker''s personality, Silva doubted he would continue hiding without a plan. If Ryker felt the fight was unwinnable, he would''ve surrendered rather than prolong the battle.


    Suddenly, Ryker emerged from his Kamui dimension without warning, appearing at Silva''s blind spot at incredible speed.


    However, Silva, thanks to his En, sensed Ryker''s presence instantly. Reacting with lightning speed, Silva adjusted his stance and launched a counterattack.


    Because Ryker appeared so close, almost within striking distance, Silva opted for a swift melee attack¡ªa hand blade imbued with Ko, slicing toward Ryker.


    In that instant, something incredible happened. Zeno and Kikyo, observing the fight, became fully engrossed in the unfolding clash.


    Silva''s hand passed straight through Ryker''s body as though it wasn''t there, yet Ryker appeared unaffected, his arm extending toward Silva in an attempt to make contact.


    {This technique... could it be...?}


    Silva''s mind raced as he recalled a scene from when Ryker dealt with a group of mercenaries in the wild.


    Back then, Silva had stayed at a distance to avoid being discovered, so he hadn''t fully understood the mechanics of Ryker''s intangibility.


    But there was no time to think further. Silva instinctively unleashed his full power, attempting to dodge Ryker''s outstretched hand.


    Meanwhile, Ryker remained fully focused, observing the battlefield with razor-sharp precision. His intangibility had allowed him to execute the first step of his plan: getting close. Now, all that remained was to make contact.


    However, as Ryker''s hand neared Silva, he noticed a minute hesitation in Silva''s counterattack, possibly caused by the unexpected nature of his intangibility.


    This brief pause disrupted Ryker''s rhythm, preventing him from seamlessly transitioning back into a solid state.


    He was forced to slightly adjust his timing, bending his fingertips to buy the necessary time to solidify after phasing through Silva''s attack.


    Despite the rapid adjustments, the delay gave Silva just enough time to escape. At the last moment, Silva burst away from Ryker, retreating to a safe distance. Unlike before, he emerged unscathed¡ªhis clothes untouched.


    Ryker, realizing the opportunity had passed, retreated back into his Kamui dimension. Once again, the battlefield fell silent, as if time had reset.


    Yet this time, the emotions of all three observers were far from calm, their thoughts vastly different from before.


    _____________________


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 Chapter 34: Flaw X Danger

    Chapter 34: Flaw X DangerAt this moment, Ryker had retreated into the Kamui Dimension, feeling frustrated and on the verge of losing his composure after two consecutive failed attempts.


    ''Damn it! System, what''s going on? Is your Kamui some kind of knockoff? Why is the absorption speed so slow? Even with only the right eye, it shouldn''t be this sluggish!''


    ''Minato Namikaze used Flying Thunder God to escape Obito''s absorption. How the hell is Silva moving this fast? What kind of speed can rival Minato''s Flying Thunder God?''


    [You''re right, Host. Silva''s speed definitely can''t compare to Minato Namikaze''s space-time ninjutsu. But you''re not Obito either. He awakened his ocular powers naturally, and his base attributes are far beyond your current level]


    Hearing the system''s explanation only made Ryker more irritated. The real question now was¡ªwhat should he do next?


    ''Damn it! What now? Should I use the same trick one more time? I just hope Silva didn''t notice the subtle delay in my last attack. Fingers crossed he hasn''t spotted the flaw.''


    Meanwhile, outside the Kamui Dimension, everyone else had their own thoughts.


    "I didn''t expect Ryker''s ability to have this kind of function¡ªcompletely ignoring physical attacks? But logically, the more powerful an ability, the stricter its limitations should be."


    "A spatial absorption ability, the power to create another dimension, and now immunity to physical attacks? Such an unreasonable power must have some kind of drawback.


    Could it be massive energy consumption? Or is there something I overlooked? I need to replay the entire exchange in my mind."


    With that thought, Zeno closed his eyes and began mentally reconstructing the battle between Ryker and Silva.


    Three seconds later, Zeno opened his eyes slowly. Anyone paying close attention to his expression would notice a glimmer of satisfaction in his gaze.


    "So that''s how it is. The limitation lies there. Even with the restriction of not being able to attack and defend simultaneously, this is still a troublesome ability."


    "If my guess is correct, Ryker shifts his physical form into a different spatial dimension when evading attacks. While it''s visually indistinguishable, he''s likely hiding his true body in his Kamui dimension during those moments."


    "I wonder how much energy this ability consumes. If it''s manageable, this could be terrifying. Specialization-type ability users truly defy logic."


    Indeed, experience matters. Without even stepping into the fight, Zeno had managed to deduce the essence of Ryker''s intangibility ability just from observation.


    However, Silva, standing in the training arena, had a completely different mindset.


    ''At first, I couldn''t see clearly from a distance. I suspected a similar effect, but I didn''t expect it to be this extreme. Even I was caught off guard during that initial moment and nearly got hit.''


    ''To force me into such a situation twice, I have to admit Ryker''s eyes are formidable. But fortunately, I had already activated En this time. Without it, I wouldn''t have uncovered the secret of his ability.''


    ''While I can''t confirm everything yet, I think I''ve pinpointed the flaw in Ryker''s spatial power.


    I''ve set the trap. When he attacks again, I''ll know for sure. And if he doesn''t have any other cards to play, this battle will end here.''


    Unlike Zeno, Silva didn''t have the luxury of observing from a safe distance. Instead, he had been caught off guard by Ryker''s Kamui ability during the battle itself.


    However, thanks to his activated En, he had received sensory feedback during their last exchange. This allowed him to deduce a critical weakness in Ryker''s intangibility.


    Now, all Silva had to do was wait for Ryker''s next move. He was confident that he would uncover the truth behind Ryker''s ability in the next clash and end the fight.


    Inside the Kamui Dimension, Ryker was also preparing for his next attack. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This will be my last chance. There''s no point in dragging this out further. If I use Kamui''s intangibility two more times, they might figure it out. Especially Zeno¡ªhe''s observing everything from the sidelines.


    If anyone can spot the flaw in my attacks, it''s him. This has to be my final strike. If it fails, I''ll surrender. I''m out of options."


    Everyone in the training ground was now focused on the arena, their attention sharp. Zeno and Kikyo poured their energy into their eyes, enhancing their Gyo for better clarity.


    The scene froze as a spatial vortex suddenly appeared behind Silva without warning.


    Ryker knew Silva, with his En, would sense him immediately. But the back of a person is their natural blind spot. Even the most trained individuals need a fraction of a second to react to an attack from behind¡ªa crucial window, no matter how brief.


    This time, Ryker gave it his all, using the same strategy as before, relying on his intangibility to get close.


    Silva responded just as he had previously, but this time, he had prepared a countermeasure. Ryker, aware that Silva might have set a trap, had no idea what it was and could only adapt on the fly.


    Ryker''s hand moved closer and closer to Silva. At this point, Silva''s remaining limbs wouldn''t be fast enough to counter Ryker''s attack. Victory seemed imminent for Ryker.


    However, just as his hand was about to make contact, an unexpected turn of events disrupted Ryker''s meticulously crafted plan.


    To ensure success, Ryker had taken lessons from his previous failures.


    He realized that attacking Silva''s legs was ineffective due to their superior muscle strength and reflexes. Instead, he shifted his target to Silva''s waist¡ªa central, less mobile area.


    But just as Ryker was about to land the decisive blow, Silva unleashed an unexpected counterattack, one that Ryker could never have anticipated.


    _____________________


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 Chapter 35: Trap × Opportunity × Limit

    Chapter 35: Trap ¡Á Opportunity ¡Á LimitThe battle had reached its critical stage. Ryker successfully created the perfect opportunity for a materialized attack, following his carefully laid plan.


    However, just as victory seemed within his grasp, an unexpected twist occurred. In the brief moment before Ryker''s hand could touch Silva''s waist, an attack struck him.


    It wasn''t Silva''s limbs, as Ryker had calculated that Silva would have no ability to retaliate in those final split seconds.


    Instead, it was Silva''s long silver hair, which draped over his back like a curtain, that launched the attack.


    Silva had imbued his terrifying aura into his hair beforehand, reinforcing every strand with unyielding strength. He then manipulated some of these strands from his blind spot, sending them shooting toward Ryker with alarming speed.


    What was once a cascade of flowing silver locks now became an array of sharp silver needles, aiming directly at Ryker.


    Caught off guard, Ryker was stunned. He hadn''t anticipated such a scenario.


    As a master emitter, Silva could naturally utilize about 80 percent of manipulation techniques, allowing him to control his hair effortlessly.


    This was clearly a technique Silva had trained extensively, explaining why he kept his hair so long¡ªdespite the typical disadvantages of impaired vision or vulnerability in battle.


    Now Ryker was forced into a dilemma, with only two options before him :-


    [Option 1] Ryker could enter his phase ability, rendering himself intangible once more. This would allow him to evade Silva''s attack effortlessly.


    However, doing so would squander the optimal moment of attack, leaving Silva unscathed and buying him time to regroup.


    This would mean Ryker''s carefully devised plan would fail, requiring him to search for another opportunity to strike¡ªa near-impossible feat against an opponent of Silva''s caliber.


    [Option 2] Ryker could risk everything on an all-or-nothing gamble. He would use the reinforcement technique Ko to harden the parts of his body targeted by Silva''s hair and withstand the attack.


    Simultaneously, he would attempt to touch Silva with another part of his body, wagering on speed and precision.


    But there was a significant risk here. If Ryker failed to touch Silva in time, his body would be thrown off-course by the force of the hair attack.


    Even if he managed to touch Silva, his phase absorption ability still required time to activate, giving Silva a chance to escape.


    Caught between these two choices, Ryker''s mind raced.


    "Damn it! I never expected Silva''s trump card to be this. No matter which option I choose, the limitations of my phase ability will be revealed, and I''ll lose any chance to win in the future."


    "The second option is too risky. Even if I use Ko to block his attack, the impact might still ruin my trajectory.


    And even if I manage to touch him, my absorption ability takes time. He''ll escape, just like the last two times."


    "That leaves the first option. I''ll use my phase ability to dodge this attack and regroup. Silva''s trump card is exposed now¡ªI''ll plan my next attack to avoid his hair''s range.


    Then, when I materialize, I''ll immediately use a sharingan genjutsu to create a small opening. Even if it''s only for a fraction of a second, I''ll have a chance to decide the battle."


    "It''s my last shot. Let''s go!"


    Having made his decision, Ryker activated his phase ability. The audience watched as Silva''s hair passed harmlessly through Ryker''s right hand. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the same time, Ryker''s attacking hand phased through Silva''s body without causing any harm.


    The truth was clear to everyone: Ryker''s phase ability had a limitation¡ªit could not be used for both offense and defense simultaneously.


    Silva smirked inwardly. "So my guess was right. What now, Ryker? If you think this is the full extent of my trap, you''re sorely mistaken. Let''s see what you''ll do next."


    Ryker, unfazed, quickly recalibrated his strategy. He knew this was the decisive moment.


    Focusing intently, Ryker analyzed their positions and potential attack routes. While his body was still partially phasing through Silva''s, he activated a swirling vortex of space from his right eye.


    From the spectators'' perspective, Ryker''s upper body¡ªhis arm and part of his head¡ªwas phasing through Silva, while the rest of his body was still passing through.


    But as soon as Ryker''s eyes cleared Silva''s body, the vortex fully absorbed him.


    In an almost seamless transition, Ryker re-emerged from the same vortex in the same position he had just left¡ªbut this time, he was facing the opposite direction.


    This maneuver reduced the time needed to turn and face Silva. Instead of finishing his phase, reorienting, and launching a counterattack, Ryker bypassed all unnecessary steps.


    By using his right eye''s vortex ability to absorb and immediately reappear in reverse, Ryker had created a near-flawless attack.


    The crowd watched in stunned silence as Ryker reappeared at the exact spot he had vanished, his motion so fluid it seemed like a single continuous sequence.


    Would this unprecedented gamble pay off? Or would Silva''s meticulous planning seal Ryker''s fate?


    The answer lay in the next split second.


    ______________________


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 Chapter 36: Final Strike X Defeat

    Chapter 36: Final Strike X DefeatAt this moment, Ryker had no way out. The outcome of the battle hinged entirely on this final exchange.


    Every step of his plan was unfolding as anticipated. Ryker knew that even at his current speed, Silva could detect his approach through his En (Aura Perception).


    This meant Silva''s reaction time was part of Ryker''s calculation. He was certain Silva would turn to face him before the attack landed.


    Even if Silva couldn''t fully rotate his body, his face would inevitably turn toward Ryker. That moment was the opening Ryker needed to unleash his illusion technique. Just a sliver of hesitation was enough.


    Before launching his final attack, Ryker had carefully observed Silva''s hair, ensuring he targeted an area that Silva''s hair could not reach.


    Confident he had accounted for all possible threats, Ryker moved in, banking everything on Silva turning to meet his gaze. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As expected, Silva didn''t fully rotate his body, but his upper torso and head shifted just enough to face Ryker.


    The critical moment Ryker had been waiting for had finally arrived. Without hesitation, he cast his illusion technique, his eyes locking onto Silva''s.


    From the sidelines, Zeno, who had been silently observing, began to evaluate the situation.


    ''Looks like this is Ryker''s final attack,'' Zeno thought. ''He''s already revealed all his abilities and trump cards.''


    ''Even under such extreme circumstances, he managed to create an opening for one last gamble. As expected, combat is the best training ground for growth.''


    ''But I doubt his illusion will work on Silva. Still, it''s his best option right now. Even he must know the odds of success are slim.''


    ''It''s unfortunate, though. Ryker is about to taste defeat. But for someone like him¡ªalways riding high and basking in his talents¡ªfailing here might not be a bad thing.


    Better to learn this lesson in a controlled environment than lose his life out there.''


    ''The real issue, however, is that with Ryker''s stubborn personality and his tricky space-based Nen ability, Silva will struggle to deal with him in the future.''


    Zeno''s judgment was clear: Silva held the upper hand.


    Meanwhile, Ryker''s meticulously crafted strategy had reached its climax. Every element had gone according to plan thus far, and he knew that victory against Silva was theoretically possible if things continued smoothly.


    As Ryker''s illusion took hold, he exited his intangibility state and lunged forward toward his target.


    Whether or not Silva fell for the illusion didn''t matter. Ryker''s only concern was striking. This was his all-out effort, leaving the rest to fate.


    At that exact moment, Silva, feeling the effects of Ryker''s illusion, executed the countermeasure he had been preparing.


    From the moment Ryker had altered his attack trajectory using Kamui to this critical juncture, everything had unfolded within a fraction of a second¡ªbarely even one second in real-time.


    *Whoosh!*


    Just as Ryker was about to make contact, a high-speed Nen projectile erupted from a blind spot, hurtling toward him with unbelievable speed.


    The projectile moved so fast it almost seemed to teleport, and given the negligible distance between Ryker and Silva, Ryker had no time to react.


    *Bang!*


    In that split second, Ryker was solid, unable to phase out of reality. The Nen bullet hit him squarely, its overwhelming force sending him hurtling into the training hall''s outer wall.


    A deafening crash echoed as Ryker slammed into the wall before crumpling to the ground.


    Silva, however, remained standing in the same spot, his expression calm, as though nothing had happened.


    Despite his disheveled appearance, Ryker hadn''t sustained any significant injuries. Silva''s Nen bullet had been designed with speed as its focus rather than destructive power.


    It was clear Silva had carefully controlled his output to avoid harming Ryker too severely.


    Yet, Ryker couldn''t comprehend what had just happened. As he lay there, he glanced at Silva''s hair and noticed something peculiar.


    Among Silva''s flowing locks, one strand shimmered with an overwhelming concentration of aura, standing out like the moon in a starry sky.


    ''So that''s it,'' Ryker realized. ''He charged that strand of hair with Nen and fired a bullet at the perfect moment. He hid it in a blind spot until now...''


    ''But wait... Silva is an Emission-type Nen user. He could have launched the attack from anywhere on his body. Why go to such lengths to use his hair?


    Unless... he has a way of distinguishing between my intangible and physical states with pinpoint accuracy. That''s the only explanation.''


    Zeno, still observing from the sidelines, smirked.


    ''As I thought, Ryker is still too inexperienced to overcome Silva. That bullet hit him squarely because Silva''s En likely allowed him to discern whether Ryker was solid or intangible. His real body probably can''t fool Silva''s aura perception.''


    "It''s over," Zeno declared. "This fight has served its purpose. There''s no need to drag it out further. What do you think, Silva?"


    "I agree," Silva replied. "The match ends here. I''ve seen enough to gauge Ryker''s strength."


    "Ryker, you''ve done well. Your abilities are impressive, and your intangible state makes you difficult to deal with.


    Outside these walls, you''d have no problem protecting yourself¡ªso long as your limitations remain a secret. Still, nothing is without flaws."


    "Your ability to phase out of reality has two major constraints: it cannot be used simultaneously for offense and defense, and it likely has a limit in either usage frequency or duration.


    The more powerful the ability, the greater the restrictions."


    Silva''s analysis hit home, but there was one thing he couldn''t know¡ªRyker was an outlier, a player with an unfair advantage. His abilities couldn''t be judged by normal standards, no matter how thorough Silva''s reasoning might be.


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 Chapter 37: Review X Analysis

    Chapter 37: Review X AnalysisThe four individuals gathered at the training grounds. Silva was the first to speak.


    "Your abilities are incredibly potent," he began. "While they may not excel in raw destructive power, their versatility is unmatched."


    "You''ve already reached an impressive level of mastery over them, so I don''t have much advice to offer. The further development of your abilities will largely depend on your own experimentation."


    He paused, then added, "As I''ve mentioned before, Enhancement is one of your two innate attributes.


    You need to start focusing more on strengthening and refining your body.


    Surely you''ve noticed that your Specialist abilities require a strong physical foundation to fully utilize. Enhancement fits that role perfectly."


    He continued, "Take our previous battle as an example.


    If your physical attributes had been further enhanced through nen, you could''ve executed your plans more effectively. Remember, nen isn''t just a passive ability; it''s a tool you wield actively." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The simplest way to neutralize a nen assassin is to eliminate them before they have a chance to react.


    The same principle applies to you. You must train your nen abilities to activate as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask."


    For Ryker, his greatest question about the battle concerned that final nen blast. How had Silva timed it so perfectly, as if he knew exactly when Ryker would switch to his physical form?


    Unable to suppress his curiosity, Ryker blurted out, "How did you time that last nen shot? How could you be so sure I was in my physical form?"


    Silva''s response wasn''t immediate. Instead, he began with a statement. "I assume you''ve never faced an opponent using En while employing that ability."


    The certainty in Silva''s tone struck Ryker, who quickly realized the answer. During their battle, he had repeatedly transitioned between his physical and intangible states within Silva''s En.


    "As you''ve probably guessed," Silva continued, "the feedback from my En changes drastically when you switch between forms. That''s how I was able to identify your physical state instantly.


    "There''s no such thing as a flawless ability. The more complex the power, the more restrictions it carries."


    Silva''s words confirmed Ryker''s suspicions. He hadn''t anticipated that Kamui would have such a glaring weakness.


    ''It seems the nen system in this Hunter world has its own subtleties. Even with my advantages, I can''t afford to be careless.''


    "Do you have any other questions?" Silva asked.


    "No," Ryker replied simply.


    To him, the battle had been straightforward. Silva had relied on foundational nen techniques throughout, without employing any abilities Ryker couldn''t comprehend. There was nothing more to ask.


    Silva, however, pressed on. "Your spatial ability... it likely includes long-distance teleportation, doesn''t it? How far can you travel? Is the distance determined by your nen reserves?"


    Ryker paused for a moment before responding, his voice calm but firm. "I''d like to know what capacity you''re asking this in."


    The tension in the air thickened instantly. The four stood in silence, the weight of Ryker''s words hanging heavily. Though Silva had retracted his En after their battle, his instincts told him Ryker was currently intangible.


    "I''m asking as the current head of the Zoldyck family," Silva replied evenly.


    "Your ability has significant strategic value for missions. It could save us substantial time on travel. Of course, any use of your power for family missions would come with appropriate compensation."


    Silva''s reasoning seemed sound, and neither Zeno nor Kikyo voiced any objections. All three awaited Ryker''s response.


    Without a word, Ryker approached Silva and extended his hand. "Don''t resist," he instructed.


    Zeno and Kikyo watched as Ryker touched Silva, who was immediately absorbed into the Kamui dimension. A split second later, Ryker followed suit, vanishing into the swirling portal.


    Within the Kamui dimension, Silva arrived first, taking in his surroundings with a keen eye.


    Ryker appeared shortly after. Without hesitation, Ryker activated his ability again, and the two were transported to the ruins where Ryker had dealt with the tailing men weeks prior.


    Silva instantly recognized the location. Before he could react further, Ryker brought them back to the family training grounds in under five seconds.


    Once back, Silva addressed Ryker. "As per our agreement, I''ll identify suitable contracts for you. You can decide whether to accept them.


    From now on, you''re free to come and go from Kukuroo Mountain at will, though I doubt that restriction matters much to you anymore. No one in the family could stop you now."


    Ryker smirked faintly. "It may not matter, but there''s a difference between taking something for yourself and having it given to you. That distinction is important to me."


    With that, Ryker disappeared into the Kamui dimension, his final words echoing faintly across the training grounds.


    Silva and Zeno exchanged glances as they slowly walked out. Kikyo, sensing a private conversation was imminent, excused herself and left.


    "How does it match up to your assessment?" Zeno asked. "His ability includes long-distance teleportation, doesn''t it?"


    "It''s more troublesome than that," Silva admitted. "In mere seconds, he took me to the vicinity of Heaven''s Arena and back. His ability involves a separate dimension, though it''s unclear whether it exists within this world or if it''s entirely independent."


    "Either way, he can open portals at will, transferring people or objects in and out of his space.


    He can control where those portals appear, giving him unparalleled stealth and escape capabilities. It''s perfect for assassination."


    "But I suspect Ryker doesn''t truly embrace our family''s profession or share much loyalty to us.


    With his current powers, few in the world could stop him. And considering his abilities, I''ve begun to suspect something troubling¡ªsomething that might not bode well for the family."


    _____________________


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 Chapter 38: Plan X in Motion

    Chapter 38: Plan X in Motion"Father, do you still remember the conversation we had on the airship when I was escorting Ryker to the Heaven''s Arena?


    Back then, I mentioned how Ryker already had enough confidence or leverage to defy my questions with silence."


    "At the time, I assumed his confidence came from the ability to quickly enhance or awaken his eye''s powers by killing. But I never expected that the first ability he would awaken would be this troublesome."


    "Now, we can almost confirm that Ryker can grow stronger by killing opponents¡ªor at the very least, accelerate the awakening or evolution of his eyes.


    If that''s the case, shouldn''t we consider the possibility that Ryker knew in advance what ability he would awaken? Perhaps he even had the ability to choose it himself."


    "If so, he might also be aware of what his eyes can ultimately awaken or develop.


    That would explain why his first awakened ability is a spatial nen power, specifically tailored to counter stealth and escape."


    "Assuming this hypothesis is correct, he must have planned this for a long time. A seven-year-old child, already devising a way to break free from the family''s grasp.


    The real issue is this: if his strength continues to grow without a visible limit and he refuses to be bound by any restrictions, it could result in catastrophic consequences¡ªeven disaster. "


    "I regret my previous decisions now. But who could have predicted that the power hidden in those eyes would be this formidable once awakened?


    The key problem now is that I don''t know Ryker''s true intentions. What does he really want? What is his ultimate goal? And, most importantly, what is his true attitude toward the family?"


    "One thing is certain, though¡ªhe will definitely try to kill more nen users to further develop his eyes.


    I also want to know what other abilities lie within those eyes. When he underwent the Water Divination Test, six different reactions were recorded."


    "If the other abilities are as powerful as this spatial one, the Zoldyck family may be raising a monster even more dangerous than our ancestor."


    Zeno listened calmly as Silva laid out his concerns.


    Then, after a moment of thought, he responded, "Well, fortune and misfortune are two sides of the same coin. Every situation has its duality.


    Besides, it hasn''t come to that point yet. The children will follow their own paths. But I admit, I''m curious to see how far Ryker can go."


    "What happens in the future is your responsibility. However, you should pay close attention to his final words. That might hold the key."


    .......


    While Silva and Zeno discussed privately, Ryker had already returned to his room, deep in thought about his next move.


    Should he head to Meteor City to kill some unfortunate targets and rack up his "exorcism points"? Or should he take on a family-sanctioned assassination mission instead?


    As he mulled over his options, he had his butler arrange for a meal. He planned to leave right after eating, so he had to decide quickly.


    "Each option has its pros and cons," Ryker thought. "Meteor City is essentially the lawless zone of this world, a place where people disappear every day.


    Using Twin Hands to alter my appearance and build, I could target some unlucky souls without drawing too much attention. The problem is the unpredictability of it all."


    "What if I run into someone powerful while taking action? Sure, I can escape, but my abilities are too recognizable. I don''t want to risk exposing any of my powers during this trip."


    "On the other hand, a family-sanctioned mission offers much less uncertainty. It''s a targeted operation with fewer variables.


    Plus, individual targets likely provide more points than random nobodies in Meteor City."


    "But the family will almost certainly monitor me during those missions, which would make it difficult to act freely.


    Fine. Meteor City it is. I''ll scout the area first, then strike when I find someone isolated."


    "Meteor City''s current state is even more chaotic than in the canon timeline since its order hasn''t yet been restructured. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    I heard people speculate in my previous life that Yorknew City was inspired by New York and Meteor City by Chernobyl. Who knows if that''s true?"


    "System," Ryker called out in his mind. "If I kill members of the Phantom Troupe now, would the points I earn be less than during the canon timeline?"


    [Of course] The system replied.


    [The exorcism points depend directly on the target''s strength. At this stage, they''re just ordinary people. The points you''d earn would barely be higher than killing random nobodies.]


    "Thought so. I''ll leave them for now and deal with them during Yorknew City''s arc," Ryker concluded.


    "Maybe I can even use the Troupe to facilitate a grand reshuffle in the underworld."


    ..........


    With his plan finalized, Ryker prepared to leave right after his meal. But just as he was about to eat alone, Silva and Kikyo arrived at his room, suggesting they dine together.


    The meal passed in near silence, save for one reminder from Silva: Ryker was expected to return home when Kikyo was close to giving birth.


    After finishing his meal, Ryker entered the ''Kamui'' dimension. From there, he transported himself to the Heaven''s Arena instead of going directly to Meteor City.


    [AN: The mechanics of Kamui were never fully explained by Kishimoto, so I''m adding my own interpretation here.


    Let''s assume the destination can be marked using spatial imprints, chakra signatures, or observations made from within the ''Kamui'' dimension]


    Once at Heaven''s Arena, Ryker took a public airship to Yorknew City, stopping there to gather information and familiarize himself with the area before heading to Meteor City.


    During the journey, Ryker used Twin Hands to alter his appearance and body shape.


    He disguised himself as one of the experimental subjects he had dealt with earlier, using their ID to travel. When he arrived in Yorknew City, he found a socially isolated individual to replace.


    His chosen target was Aldrich Shelby, a reclusive web novelist living alone in a rundown apartment. Aldrich had no close ties or significant social interactions, making him the perfect cover.


    After scanning Aldrich''s memories using Twin Hands, Ryker assumed his identity, completely destroying the original body to erase any evidence.


    From now on, the world would know him as Aldrich Shelby¡ªa nondescript figure in a chaotic world, blending seamlessly into the shadows as he prepared to unleash his plans.


    _____________________


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 Chapter 39: Substitution X Meteor City

    Chapter 39: Substitution X Meteor CityAt this moment, Ryker stood at the entrance of Meteor City, greeted by towering heaps of discarded and broken items forming mountains of trash.


    Even without stepping closer, a nearly indescribable stench filled his nostrils, so foul it felt like it could make his eyes water.


    "I underestimated this," Ryker thought to himself. "I expected the environment to be bad, but not to this degree. No wonder people inside sometimes wear protective suits. For my own sake, I''d better get some equipment first."


    "Sure, I can use my Nen to block it, but if there''s radioactive material around, who knows if Nen can really protect me?"


    With that thought, Ryker turned back toward Yorknew City. As for getting the money to purchase protective gear, that was hardly a challenge for him.


    The United States of Saherta was described in the original as a haven for organized crime, a country where the underworld flourished.


    Its capital city, Yorknew, epitomized this reputation, teeming with black markets and illegal industries.


    Ryker strolled into a small underground casino run by a local gang. After casually playing a few games and scoping out the place, he pinpointed where they kept their cash reserves.


    An hour later, Ryker exited the casino. Alongside him was every last bill from the casino, safely stored in his Kamui space.


    After leaving the casino, he didn''t immediately head out to buy equipment or return to Meteor City. Instead, he went back to his previous residence, terminated the lease on his old, cheap apartment, and moved into a more ordinary-looking flat.


    He also terminated his contract with the web novel platform he had previously worked with, though he wasn''t planning to give up writing entirely.


    "If my living standard suddenly improves after losing my sole source of income, it''ll raise suspicion. Someone might investigate and uncover something."


    Ryker was careful¡ªhe had no intention of discarding this identity just yet. To stay under the radar, he signed with a new platform and personally began writing a novel.


    This one was miles better than anything the original owner of this identity had ever written.


    "I''ve read enough novels in my previous life¡ªif not a thousand, at least several hundred. As a 90s kid writing in a world parallel to my old one, I can definitely get away with writing something ahead of its time."


    With the aid of Nen, Ryker''s writing speed was unparalleled. In just seven days, he had churned out 200 Chapters.


    The novel he wrote? ''Saint Seiya''. Yes, he had turned the iconic anime into a novel.


    During this period, Ryker also made a detailed plan for his immediate future. His first priority was unlocking the full potential of Kamui.


    After that, he planned to either establish or take control of a crime family, using it as a front to create a legitimate business empire. Any remaining time would be devoted to developing his mastery over Twin Complete Hands.


    To that end, he was devoting considerable effort to studying medical knowledge, while using Meteor City as a hunting ground to find "volunteers" to practice on.


    [AN: Red Hand, being a part of Twin Hands, has the transformation ability, and medical experimentation can help increase its versatility]


    This served a dual purpose: improving his skills and earning exorcism points. After all, Twin Hands ability played a crucial role in Ryker''s long-term plans.


    "Am I a murderer without a conscience? Hardly," Ryker mused.


    "I''m leagues ahead of those gangsters, extremists, and lunatics. I never experiment on minors and always release the innocent ones. Most of the people I take out are criminals themselves."


    He had also noticed how heavily the underworld relied on Meteor City for its human trafficking operations, particularly targeting minors.


    "It makes sense. They need fresh blood to bolster their ranks.


    Meteor City''s residents are the perfect targets¡ªabandoned by society, easy to brainwash, and loyal once indoctrinated.


    And of course, there are the darker reasons rich people might be interested in young, healthy bodies..."


    Ryker briefly considered what would happen if his actions inadvertently prevented certain key events in the original timeline.


    "What if I accidentally take out the person who targeted Sarasa, derailing the formation of the Phantom Troupe? That''s a lot of exorcism points to lose. Should I step in and ensure Chrollo awakens?"


    Ultimately, Ryker decided he was probably overthinking it. His luck couldn''t be that bad. But if it came to it, he wouldn''t hesitate to nudge events in the right direction.


    Unfortunately, over the next two months, Ryker didn''t encounter a single Nen user. Perhaps it was because he hadn''t ventured deep enough into Meteor City.


    Just as he was settling into this routine, Ryker received a call from Silva, summoning him back to Kukuroo Mountain.


    "I guess our second brother Milluki is about to be born. Oh wait, now he''s technically the third brother."


    .......


    When Ryker arrived at the family estate, he found that Tsubone and Illumi had also returned from the Heavens Arena.


    It wasn''t surprising. With the entire family gathered, only Maha was absent.


    "Madam has given birth! It''s a boy! Congratulations, Master Silva!"


    The nurse brought the newborn out to meet the family. Everyone''s attention was immediately drawn to the baby in her arms.


    Ryker, however, felt no particular emotions. Illumi, on the other hand, stared intently at the infant with his trademark empty gaze.


    Watching this, Ryker couldn''t help but think, "Is this the moment Illumi''s brother complex awakens?"


    Silva had already chosen a name for the newborn. Just as in the original timeline, the third son was named Milluki Zoldyck. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ryker wondered if his presence in this timeline would influence Milluki''s personality.


    That evening, for the first time in months, the entire family sat down for dinner together.


    The meal was quiet¡ªnearly devoid of conversation. Aside from occasional instructions to the butlers, there was little interaction.


    As the meal drew to a close, Silva finally broke the silence, turning to Tsubone and Illumi to ask about their progress in Heavens Arena.


    "Master Silva," Tsubone replied, "Young Master Illumi has made remarkable progress. He''s stabilized above the 100th floor and is working toward breaking into the 120th."


    "However, the gap between levels grows wider as you climb. At his current pace, it will be difficult for him to reach the 150th floor within a year."


    In truth, Tsubone''s assessment was optimistic. Illumi''s actual progress suggested it would take two or three years.


    But with Ryker''s rapid advancement as a precedent, Tsubone was hesitant to be too blunt. Illumi had already asked her about Ryker''s achievements.


    Silva acknowledged Illumi''s progress with a nod before turning his attention to Ryker.


    ____________________


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 Chapter 40: Mission X The Mafia

    Chapter 40: Mission X The Mafia"Ryker, if I recall correctly, you didn''t take on any family missions when you left a few months ago. Have you been developing your own client base in the meantime?


    Or have you been up to something else entirely? Even the family''s intelligence network couldn''t track your movements¡ªyou vanished as if into thin air."


    Faced with Silva''s probing questions, which were gentle but carried an undertone of warning, Ryker replied nonchalantly, "I spent most of my time in my Nen space, developing my abilities. That''s probably why it was hard to track me."


    "I see. However, I want to remind you that shutting yourself away isn''t a good habit. Real combat is the best teacher.


    And don''t forget the duties of our family. As a Zoldyck, you should at least look like an assassin."


    "I expect you to complete more contracts in the future. As members of this family, it is our shared responsibility to uphold the honor and reputation of the Zoldycks."


    "Understood, Dad. I''ll keep that in mind. In fact, I came back this time specifically to take on a few suitable missions."


    Ryker explained his recent whereabouts to Silva and took the opportunity to express his eagerness to find work. After all, his time in Meteor City had yielded minimal results.


    He urgently needed to gather enough resources to exchange for his second Kamui.


    [AN: ''Second Kamui'' here is referring to the one Kakashi has]


    ''It seems Ryker is now desperate to find targets with Nen abilities. This likely means he hasn''t fought any Nen users in recent months.''


    ''Knowing his personality, even if he spent time experimenting in his Nen space, he would still need test subjects.''


    ''This implies he must have been trying to track down Nen users before but came back empty-handed.''


    ''The most probable location? Meteor City. That''s the only place where he could act without restraint. I''ll have to strengthen our intelligence gathering on Meteor City from now on.''


    The next day, Ryker went straight to Silva''s room to request an assassination mission. Silva handed him a job commissioned by a mafia family.


    The mission took place in the United States of Saherta , located on the Yorbian Continent. The client was the Genovese family, one of four major subordinate families under the Ten Dons'' Gambino family.


    As Ryker scanned the briefing, the name struck a chord of familiarity. When he read further into the details, it dawned on him.


    The mission involved a gang war. The root cause was that the Genovese family''s subordinate, the Hall family, had recently lost their strongest enforcer under mysterious circumstances.


    This loss had left the Hall family vulnerable, prompting rival groups to exploit the opportunity.


    Naturally, the Hall family called for help from their "big brother." However, this wasn''t a simple one-on-one conflict¡ªit was an orchestrated attack by seven smaller gangs.


    The mastermind behind this assault? None other than the Hall family''s long-time rival, the Kolobo family, another of Gambino''s four subordinate families.


    The Kolobo family hadn''t acted directly, nor had they mobilized their own subordinates. Instead, they had provoked and manipulated the seven small gangs into attacking the Hall family, using their territory as bait.


    For the Kolobo family, the primary objective was to weaken the Genovese family by eliminating the Hall family. Whether or not they ended up taking the territory was secondary.


    The Genovese family, upon discovering the Kolobo family''s involvement, didn''t retaliate directly. Instead, they commissioned the Zoldyck family for 10 billion Jenny to resolve the situation.


    The contract stipulated the elimination of the seven gang leaders attacking the Hall family, along with the head of one of the Kolobo family''s subordinate groups.


    The Genovese family''s reasoning was clear¡ªthey wouldn''t attack the Kolobo family directly, as such actions were against the unwritten rules between top-tier mafia families.


    Direct assassinations of rival bosses were rare unless a life-and-death feud was involved. This unspoken agreement ensured that conflicts remained contained.


    By targeting a subordinate, the Genovese family could send a warning while avoiding direct escalation. Even Gambino wouldn''t interfere, as internal strife among his subordinates was tolerated so long as it didn''t spiral out of control.


    After reading the mission details, Ryker couldn''t help but think, ''This mission feels like a chain quest in a video game.''


    After accepting the mission, Ryker donned his usual disguise for safety. ''Better safe than sorry. You never know when things might go south.''


    Using Kamui, he teleported to Yorknew City, where he took public transportation to the target location.


    The mission had two key points to keep in mind. First, the Kolobo family''s subordinate group reportedly had Nen users among its ranks. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Second, while the Kolobo family hadn''t openly intervened, there was a possibility they might hire Nen users to act on their behalf. Ryker needed to be prepared for unexpected complications.


    One day later, news spread like wildfire: the leaders of all seven gangs attacking the Hall family had been assassinated on the same day.


    The underground world was stunned. But what followed was even more shocking: the killings weren''t limited to the leaders.


    Everyone present at the headquarters of those seven gangs¡ªincluding family members and other associates¡ªwas slaughtered. Only those who weren''t at the headquarters survived.


    Speculation ran rampant. Many believed the Genovese family had taken matters into their own hands, as the weakened Hall family couldn''t have pulled off such an operation.


    Some even suspected the Gambino family had intervened.


    Meanwhile, the Kolobo family, the true instigators, received the news almost immediately.


    Their leader, Sosa Kolobo, initially feared it might be a warning from Gambino himself. To confirm, he ordered an immediate investigation.


    The intelligence returned swiftly¡ªit wasn''t Gambino. Even he had only just heard the news.


    Relieved but cautious, Sosa Kolobo quickly shifted his suspicion to the Genovese family.


    Although there were no signs of direct involvement from the Genovese family, Sosa guessed they had likely hired outside help¡ªassassins or mercenaries.


    He, too, began preparing to strike back, but he wasn''t about to leave any traceable evidence.


    Instead, he instructed his trusted subordinate, the Solomon family, to hire assassins and bounty hunters for the job.


    Sosa knew time was of the essence. The longer the situation dragged on, the more likely Gambino would step in to mediate. He needed to land a decisive blow against the Hall family before that happened.


    While Sosa Kolobo plotted his next move, our protagonist was meeting with his client.


    _____________________


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 Chapter 41: The Ten Dons X Father and Son

    Chapter 41: The Ten Dons X Father and SonAt the headquarters of the Gambino family, the latest intelligence report had just been delivered to the clan leader''s office.


    Inside the office sat a man in his fifties with slicked-back hair, dressed in a white shirt with the top button casually undone. Below, he wore traditional tailored trousers paired with polished crocodile leather shoes.


    His figure was starting to show signs of middle-aged spread, though traces of his once-athletic build remained faintly visible beneath.


    Leaning back into the chair, he rested motionless, eyes half-closed as though he were dozing.


    His right hand held a luxurious cigar, which burned steadily, its ash falling unceremoniously onto the expensive carpet¡ªcompletely ignored by its owner.


    This man was none other than John Gambino, the "Godfather" of the Gambino family, one of the two underground titans of Uruvian Continent.


    He was the man who controlled half of Saherta''s criminal underworld.


    Across from him, seated on a guest sofa, was a young man in his late twenties to early thirties, whose sharp features bore a striking resemblance to the elder Gambino.


    Yet unlike his father''s air of composed authority, the young man carried a sharp, fierce aura, radiating an unyielding edge. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was Gordon Gambino, John''s eldest son and the heir apparent to the family empire.


    Nicknamed the "Little Godfather," Gordon was deeply immersed in reading the intelligence report that had just been placed before him.


    Once he finished, he lifted his gaze toward his father, who remained reclined in his chair, unmoving, seemingly unaffected by the world around him.


    Knowing full well his father was allowing him time to think, Gordon shifted his eyes away and furrowed his brows in thought.


    The office was otherwise silent, save for the faint crackle of the cigar as its tobacco burned.


    It was only after some time, just as the cigar threatened to burn down to his fingers, that John Gambino suddenly opened his eyes, snuffed the cigar out in a diamond-encrusted ashtray on the desk, and turned his gaze toward his son.


    "Gordon," he began, "what''s your take on this conflict?"


    Without hesitation, Gordon replied, "The situation is clear. It was Sosa Kolobo who made the first move.


    He aimed to take advantage of the weakened state of the Hall family¡ªan affiliate of the Genovese family¡ªto wipe them out and deliver a major blow to Genovese. "


    "But Sosa Kolobo didn''t want to get his own hands dirty¡ªprobably wary of provoking us¡ªso he orchestrated the attack by using seven third-rate gangs.


    The intelligence mentions the Solomon family''s involvement, so it''s likely Sosa had them intervene behind the scenes to ensure success."


    "However, what I didn''t expect was that Tony Genovese had such a powerful trump card up his sleeve, capable of wiping out seven gangs overnight.


    Father, what should we do next? If this escalates further and the two families clash directly, it''ll put us in a difficult position."


    John listened quietly before speaking again.


    "You think this will escalate into a direct confrontation between the two families?" he asked.


    "I can tell you now, that won''t happen. Neither side has any intention of personally stepping into the fray.


    If they did, Sosa wouldn''t have bothered with third-rate gangs, and Tony wouldn''t need to reveal such a powerful card for something this trivial."


    "Then what will the two families do next?" Gordon asked.


    "If things had progressed as expected, Tony would''ve taken care of those seven gangs to preserve the Genovese family''s reputation in the underworld.


    Then, without directly engaging Kolobo, he would''ve retaliated against one of their weaker affiliates¡ªperhaps by having their leader eliminated."


    "This would serve as a response to Kolobo, a message along the lines of, ''I know it was you. I''ve suffered a loss, but you won''t get off easy either.''


    Then he''d wait for us, the Gambino family, to step in as mediators, all while demanding compensation from Kolobo during negotiations."


    "As for Sosa Kolobo, his priority would be to fully wipe out the Hall family before we step in to mediate, achieving his original goal of weakening the Genovese family and solidifying alliances with those seven gangs."


    "You said ''as expected,'' Father. Does that mean the situation has changed?" Gordon asked, catching the implication.


    John nodded.


    "Yes, things have changed. There''s a new variable¡ªa significant one. Tony now has access to a temporary but incredibly powerful card. The balance of this conflict has been completely disrupted."


    "A temporary card? Father, are you saying that the person who wiped out the seven gangs wasn''t one of Tony''s men?" Gordon asked, surprised.


    "Of course not. If that kind of power was already under his control, would you use such a card on something as inconsequential as this?


    A man like Tony wouldn''t waste such a valuable resource on small fry, not even the Soloman family."


    "Then why would he use it here? Just to send a message?" Gordon frowned.


    "It doesn''t make sense. The Genovese family could''ve easily handled those seven gangs on their own without bringing in outside help."


    "Those gangs weren''t even affiliated with us, or Sosa wouldn''t have used them to distance himself from starting the conflict."


    John smiled faintly. "As I said, Tony wouldn''t waste a valuable resource like that unless he had a specific purpose.


    Likely, he hired outside help to deal with a Kolobo affiliate, and wiping out the seven gangs was simply collateral damage¡ªa side task."


    "By the way, have you still not uncovered who''s behind the attack? It''s been a day, and we''re no closer to identifying the force responsible?"


    "Not yet," Gordon admitted. "I''ve mobilized everyone to investigate, even reaching out to all known information brokers, but nothing concrete has come back."


    "Accelerate the process," John commanded. "Even a suspicion or a lead is better than nothing. I need to know what this card is before I can plan our next move."


    ____________________


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 Chapter 42: Situation X Speculation

    Chapter 42: Situation X Speculation"Father, bad news! The Solomon family is under attack! Their three top fighters have all been wiped out!"


    A young man in his early twenties burst into Sosa''s office, his face pale with panic.


    "Calm down. How many times have I told you to knock before entering my office?"


    Sosa narrowed his eyes. "Now, tell me¡ªare you saying the three elite fighters the Solomon family deployed are all dead?


    What about the two bounty hunters they hired?"


    "No news on them yet, but the rest of the Solomon family members are already showing signs of breaking down."


    ''So, Tony got lucky this time, huh. Drawing a card like this... not bad.''


    ''With my abilities, controlling another subordinate family wouldn''t be too difficult, but I''ve invested quite a bit into the Solomons. Losing them now would be a waste.''


    "What about the Philip and Medici families? Any movement from them?"


    "No attacks so far. Everything seems quiet on their end."


    "But, Father, if either of them gets hit next, our losses will be catastrophic. Should we change the plan and send our top fighters to defend them?"


    "The Gambino family''s reinforcements are still on the way, but if something unexpected happens before they arrive¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Sotha shot him a sharp look.


    "Have you still not figured it out?"


    "Remember this¡ªpeople can only rely on themselves. Counting on others will only lead to disappointment.


    I''m certain the Gambino family''s forces have already arrived. They''re just staying hidden for now."


    "And even if the Philip and Medici families do come under attack, the Gambinos won''t move. Not right away. They''ll wait until those two families lose at least a third¡ªmaybe even half¡ªof their strength before stepping in."


    "But you''re right about one thing¡ªthe Solomon family won''t last much longer. They need immediate reinforcements.


    If the Gambino family wants to sit back and reap the rewards, they''ll have to think again. I''m dragging them into this mess with me."


    "Pass down my orders. Send our top fighters¡ª"


    "To attack the Hall family."


    Alex froze. "Father... did you misspeak?"


    "Shouldn''t we be sending them to reinforce the Solomon family? They won''t last much longer!"


    "Do as I say. As for the Solomons, someone else will help them. Now go carry out your orders."


    After Alex left the office, Sosa immediately dialed the Gambino family.


    He calmly explained that his family''s core forces had already been deployed against the Hall family, leaving no manpower to assist the Solomons. He then urged the Gambinos to step in and send reinforcements.


    At that moment, inside the Gambino estate, John had just hung up from Sosa''s call.


    "Father, what now? Should we send Bat to help the Solomon family?"


    "What''s the latest on the battle there?"


    "The reports say the Solomon family has lost nearly a third of their forces. What we can confirm is that their three top fighters are dead, leaving only the two bounty hunters they hired."


    "And the attacker... it''s just one person."


    "Alone?" John''s expression darkened.


    "Yes. According to intelligence, the attacker is a young boy, possibly underage, and a Nen user."


    "He seems to have some kind of cloning ability."


    "A child?" John frowned. "Are you sure about this intel?"


    "It''s been verified by multiple undercover agents, all of whom reported the same details."


    John was silent for a moment.


    "Father, what do we do? If we send reinforcements now, they might not arrive in time. The Solomon family could collapse before they get there."


    "Unless we send Bat immediately. But if we do that, our true intentions will be exposed, and Sosa will figure out our original plan.


    We have no choice. We must send help¡ªnow."


    "Save as many as possible. We can''t afford to let the Solomons fall. If they do, Kolobo''s influence will be crippled.


    Even if Sosa realizes our move, he won''t complain. On the surface, we''re saving his forces for him."


    "Send my orders¡ªtell Bat to move immediately and have himself fly there at top speed. The other two can catch up later."


    John paused.


    "You said the attacker is a child?"


    "That''s what the reports say. I was skeptical at first too."


    John fell silent for two seconds before speaking again.


    "Contact Bat. Tell him to avoid combat if possible. Prioritize negotiation. If he must fight, he is not to kill the target.


    Tony... you sly bastard. You really played your hand well this time."


    "Father, what do you mean?"


    "Think about it. What''s your take on the attacker''s identity? For someone so young to be this powerful, they must have had an exceptional mentor."


    "Or... they could be an adult disguising themselves as a child to lower their enemies'' guard."


    "Exactly. If it''s the second case, then our reinforcements can simply capture or drive them off. But if it''s the first case... that changes everything."


    "This child must have been trained by a powerful force. This entire mission might even be part of their training. Son, if your little Ricardo had to walk to school alone, would you let him?"


    "Of course not! I''d assign bodyguards to protect him. Wait... are you saying¡ª?"


    "Now you understand."


    "My guess is that Tony realized this the moment he saw that kid. He saw their overwhelming strength and immediately thought of the force behind them."


    "That''s why he changed his plan. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Instead of sending in his men, he let this child storm the Solomon headquarters alone."


    "He doesn''t care if the kid succeeds or fails. His goal is simply to drain the Solomons'' strength. And if this child''s hidden guardians are forced to step in? Even better for Tony."


    "I see now. That''s why you ordered Bat not to kill them."


    "If an organization can raise someone that powerful at such a young age, they must be incredibly dangerous."


    "But what do we do now? If we continue down this path, Tony''s plan will work perfectly."


    "This is an open scheme, not a trick. Unless we can make direct contact with the force behind this child, there''s nothing we can do but wait for Bat''s report."


    "Let''s just hope the Solomon family can hold out a little longer."


    ...........


    Meanwhile, inside the Solomon family''s headquarters, Ryker continued his rampage.


    He had reached the third floor. And soon, he would break out of the building.


    __________________


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 Chapter 43: Failure X Achieve

    Chapter 43: Failure X AchieveAt this moment, Sosa was both nervous and excited. After all, if he succeeded, the rewards would be beyond imagination.


    His heart was pounding so loudly that it felt like it was lodged in his throat. He could hear nothing else, his ears filtering out all external noise as he waited for the response.


    ''This isn''t even an outrageous demand. Since we''re up against John, who has the Shadow Beast Rabid Dog, we naturally need the power of another Shadow Beast¡ªOwl.


    As long as he agrees, half the prerequisite conditions for my ability will be fulfilled. Once he takes action, everything will fall into place!''


    Yes, Sosa''s Nen ability¡ªCall of Duty¡ªrequired two conditions to be met before it could take effect on a target.


    The first was that he must say over the phone, "I require you to..." followed by a condition.


    The second was that the target must carry out the condition with complete sincerity, without any hidden motives or unrelated actions. Only then would the ability successfully take hold.


    Once activated, Sosa could enforce the agreed-upon ability and restrictions on the target.


    His grip on the phone tightened involuntarily, sweat soaking the device in his palm.


    Then, the voice on the other end of the line sent a chill down his spine.


    "Sosa, you''re being dishonest~!


    Did you really think you were one of the few lucky ones in this world? Don''t forget, every member of the Ten Dons'' Shadow Beast squad is a top-tier fighter."


    "I''ve known about Nen long before I awakened my abilities, and once I did, I truly grasped its wonders.


    To think you''d try to use such a weak aura to launch a sneak attack without even using In? You can''t even break through my Ren."


    "I''d wager you awakened your ability by chance and never actually trained it properly.


    But let''s not stray from the point. Since you''re unwilling to cooperate, I''ll have to rethink my plans. Best of luck to you."


    "Wait! I was indeed reckless just now, but if we count your past schemes against me, we''re even. Also, my request was a necessary condition. Without an opponent of equal strength, no one can counter Rabid Dog."


    "Hello, Mr. Sosa. Given your recent reckless actions, I will be handling this call on behalf of my husband. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    I will relay your intentions clearly to both parties. At the same time, I hope you will refrain from such antics, as they will only jeopardize these negotiations."


    On the other end of the call, Andrea had already handed the phone to Jessica, entrusting her to handle the conversation while he gave instructions in the background. After all, caution was paramount.


    After some discussion, they tentatively agreed to let the Gambino family attack the Genovese family first. Then, the Kolobo family would strike from behind.


    By then, they would leverage the elite fighters sent by the Agnelli family to clash with the Gambino family''s top forces. Owl''s role would be to stall Mad Dog.


    However, a disagreement arose due to Andrea''s prior conditions.


    "Andrea, you''re asking for too much. Two provinces? I can only give you one. I''ll offer 50 billion Jenny as compensation for the other.


    And considering the minimal effort you''re putting into this plan, claiming a whole province in return is hardly fair."


    "I need you to provide more support. Right now, I''m a leader in name only.


    Despite bearing the title of the Four Families, the heavy losses suffered by the Solomon family have severely weakened us. I need more manpower from you."


    "Heh, you sly fox. Your ability likely falls under Manipulation, doesn''t it?


    Let me make a bold guess¡ªif I hadn''t intervened, you probably planned to use your ability to control one of the two family heads, then ally with Tony to attack the Gambino family, turning the numbers game in your favor."


    "Don''t rush to deny it. Your actions regarding the Solomon family already gave me an idea.


    You must have taken control of Hawk, right? Otherwise, any rational leader would never have allowed a subordinate to amass such power."


    "So your concern about a lack of manpower is unfounded. As for your cash-for-territory proposal¡ªcan you even come up with that much money in one go?


    Your expenses must have been astronomical recently. Even the Gambino family might struggle to produce that amount in one transaction. So, your proposal is rejected."


    "Andrea, don''t get too greedy. Cross the line, and they''ll wipe you out. If you end up with your entire family exterminated, it''ll be too late for regrets."


    On the other end of the call, Sosa spoke through gritted teeth.


    "That''s none of your concern. I always have a plan.


    Besides, even if I agree to your demands and send a large force, aren''t you worried it''ll be hard to get rid of us afterward?"


    "As for your high-tier combat concerns, I have a little strategy called using their own methods against them. I''ll arrange for that little brat to join the fight.


    But you''ll need to cover the costs. That guy''s minimum fee is 10 billion Jenny per job, so make sure you have the funds ready. I''ll cover the deposit for now."


    "That settles it. If there are no objections, we''ll proceed as planned and adjust as necessary.


    My dear Jessica has been waiting for me long enough. Farewell, my friend."


    After abruptly hanging up on Sosa, Andrea turned to Jessica and said, "Get in touch with the Zoldyck family. Tell them I want to place a request and specifically ask for the assassin who handled the Solomon family.


    If they respond that such a person doesn''t exist or that they never took that job, then we''ll know the previous assassin wasn''t from their family."


    "In that case, the only way to find him is through Tony. Only he knows the full details.


    Hmm? Darling, what''s wrong?


    I told you to make the call, didn''t I? You look like you have something to say. What is it?"


    "Dear... I think Sosa made a valid point.


    If this plan succeeds, our family''s power will expand even further¡ªperhaps even rivaling or surpassing the Gambino family. I fear that..."


    "Oh? Are these your own thoughts?"


    As Andrea spoke, he gazed into Jessica''s eyes with a smile.


    Yet, despite the apparent warmth, Jessica felt an overwhelming sense of cruelty and coldness radiating from him. It was as if she were stripped bare and left to freeze in an icy storm.


    At that moment, she found herself utterly speechless, standing there like a lifeless statue in front of the man she had shared eight years of her life with.


    _____________________


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 Chapter 44: Exposure & Choice

    Chapter 44: Exposure & ChoiceAt this moment, inside Andrea''s study, an eerie silence had settled between the two of them following his question.


    Since he had spoken, Andrea''s expression hadn''t changed in the slightest.


    Jessica, however, was different. Her eyes first showed confusion, then shock, before finally settling into an expression of fear and unease.


    Seeing her struggling internally, Andrea smiled once again and repeated his question, his gaze encouraging her to answer.


    Jessica seemed to make up her mind. She looked directly into his eyes and declared with unwavering certainty, "Yes."


    The moment she spoke the word, it was as if all the energy had been drained from her body. Her entire demeanor shifted drastically, and after giving her answer, she looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted.


    Andrea''s smile grew even wider upon hearing her response.


    Taking two quick strides forward, he pulled Jessica into his embrace and whispered gently in her ear, "Then tell me, why do you think this way?


    Is it because you lack faith in me, or is it that your superiors have given you new orders?"


    Jessica didn''t answer his question. Instead, she asked in return, "When did you start suspecting me?"


    "I don''t remember exactly, but I was certain after the family succession battle."


    "Then why didn''t you expose me until now? And what do you plan to do with me, now that you know I''m a spy?"


    "No, no, Jessica. Don''t forget¡ªwe''ve been husband and wife for eight years. How could I possibly harm you? All I want is for us to work together to build a better life.


    So, I need you to help me¡ªjust a little¡ªso my plan can go smoothly."


    "That''s impossible! I will never agree to your request. Your ambition will lead the family to ruin!


    The best course of action right now is to keep the family neutral, stay out of this mess, and wait for the East Coast turmoil to resolve itself."


    "Oh, Jessica, you disappoint me. I thought that after all these years, we''d understand each other without words.


    But let me remind you¡ªright now, you are the matriarch of the Agnelli family and the mother of Giovanni and Eduardo. You should make your choice carefully."


    As soon as Andrea finished speaking, Jessica suddenly broke free from his embrace, pulled out a concealed micro pistol, and aimed it directly at his chest. Her stance was tense, her entire body radiating alertness.


    She screamed, her voice filled with fury and hysteria, "Are you insane? You bastard! Andrea, you lunatic!


    Giovanni and Eduardo are your sons!"


    "I know. And I trust your loyalty to our love, Jessica. I even took them for a paternity test. They''re undoubtedly our sons."


    "Shut up, you madman! There has never been love between us! I was just completing my mission. There was never any real relationship between us¡ªnever!"


    "Oh, that really hurts, Jessica.


    It makes me question my own charm¡ªeight years, and I still couldn''t win my wife''s heart?" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But I do believe in the power of a mother''s love. It surpasses romantic love.


    It gives mothers the strength to go beyond their limits, the will to sacrifice everything¡ªjust like you''re doing now."


    "Eight years ago, as a highly trained agent from Saherta''s most elite intelligence agency¡ªthe Federal Intelligence Bureau¡ªyou wouldn''t have hesitated to pull the trigger and blow my head off."


    "And yet, eight years later, here you are, screaming at me with a gun to my chest.


    I believe it''s your love for our children that is keeping you from pulling the trigger."


    Andrea''s voice was calm, yet his words were like daggers.


    "So, if we can harness that same strength to protect our family from threats, I believe we can overcome anything.


    What do you think, my dear?"


    "You... you''re insane!


    Do you even understand? They could just as easily make Giovanni and Eduardo disappear! They could erase your entire family from existence!"


    "I know. That''s why I have to ensure we become an entity so powerful that the cost of destroying us is too great to bear.


    That''s why I''m asking you to reconsider my proposal. If we work together, we can achieve anything¡ªbut only if you give it your all.


    So, Jessica, make your choice."


    The room fell silent once more.


    Tears silently streamed down Jessica''s beautiful face.


    Her eyes shut tightly, and her body collapsed as if all the strength had been drained from her.


    She dropped to her knees, arms hanging limply at her sides. The micro pistol had vanished from her grasp, discarded somewhere in the room.


    Her voice trembled as she muttered over and over, "Madman... bastard... Andrea, you lunatic..."


    She had made her choice.


    And he knew she had made her choice.


    Because when faced with an imminent crisis versus a distant, uncertain threat¡ªmost people made the same decision.


    Andrea continued to smile. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Jessica from behind, whispering softly in her ear, "I''m sorry, my dear. It seems I still have much to improve as a husband.


    I think we should have a daughter.


    Giovanni and Eduardo are too lively¡ªthey would love a little sister. It''s been a while since we had a beautiful night together.


    After everything that''s happened tonight, you must be exhausted. Let me take care of you."


    Jessica was motionless, like a puppet whose strings had been cut, her soul seemingly drained away.


    Meanwhile, Ryker had been training inside the kamui space for two consecutive days, honing his abilities. It wasn''t until his food supply ran out that he finally returned to reality.


    Unbeknownst to him, all the players had already taken their positions.


    Across the entire underground world of Yorbian Continent, and even among influential crime lords from other continents, countless eyes were now fixed on the grand stage.


    The East Coast of Saherta was like a powder keg with a lit fuse¡ªevery spectator holding their breath, waiting for the one who would ignite the flames.


    ______________________


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